*I received a free copy of Friction from Montlake Romance via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
At the powerhouse law firm of Knight & Payne, winning comes first and ethics a distant second. Leary Michaels uses her female charms to daze opponents, and it’s always worked well—until now. On her most personal case yet, she finds herself going up against a defense attorney just as skilled, shameless, and seductive as she is.
Reeve Holloway has never met a woman as sure of her own sexuality, or as ruthless in wielding it, as Leary is. But he won’t be toyed with. What Leary starts, he’ll finish—in the courtroom, the bedroom, or any-damn-place he wants. The sex is uninhibited, electrifying, and absolutely against the rules. Reeve’s job is to ruin Leary’s case…even if it destroys her in the process and costs him the woman he’s come to love.
Who knew legal-talk could be so hot? Friction has a lot of depth, characters I really enjoyed, and a case that made my heart lurch for the plaintiff.
My Friction review:
I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked up Friction, apart from the fact that I usually love Ms. Bennett’s writing, and thought I’d enjoy this story of hers as well. And I sure did enjoy it! It’s a fast-paced story, with a female lead who knows what she wants, and who is definitely willing to do what it takes to get that. Leary was both very smart and in touch with her feminine side. Using her sex appeal to further her clients’ agenda did not bother her, and because she was a lawyer fighting against big corporations, it was very easy to cheer her on!
Reeve was a great character, too, and it’s easy to see that Friction was as much about the two main characters being from opposite sides of a legal battle as it was about the tension and friction that occurred between them in their personal time. While some of Leary’s actions were quite outrageous, it was also empowering to see her not afraid of using her femininity in order to further her case. She didn’t cross any lines that shouldn’t be crossed, but she was very good at dancing the line, and that made me laugh out loud more than once!
At first, Reeve didn’t know what hit him, but when he did, he knew that Leary was much more than the opposing legal counsel, and while he agreed to have a no-strings-attached relationship with her, he really wanted more. Fast paced, very hot, and filled with legal details that felt realistic (and no, I have no idea if they were or not!) Friction was a great read that managed to show character development in a natural way while the story unfolded. Now I know I have to read all of Bennett’s Legal books – if there is both hotness and difficult cases to enjoy, I’m all in.
Written in first person point of view, present tense, Friction has chapters from both Leary’s and Reeve’s perspectives, which made it easy to get to know them both.
Some of my favorite Friction quotes:
“Mr Chico Taco?”
“My dog,” he says as he searches for his key ring to unlock the door. “He’s a little, um… exuberant.”
As Reeve slides the key home, I start to ask what type of dog, but the big, booming bark that comes form the other side of the door stops me in my tracks. I’m pretty sure it’s not a dog, but a T. rex on the other side.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: talksupeblog
How do you call this trope? Lawyer romances? It’s becoming the new popular thing, a lot of authors are now releasing novels like this. I can see the appeal, Alpha characters going at it like crazy, it has its appeal for sure.
I have no idea, Braine, but lawyer romance sounds kind of hot 🙂 Bennett has a whole series out Legal Ease, I think it’s called. I haven’t read that one yet, though. And yeah, alpha characters *sighs and grins* they are the best!
This sounds like such a fun story. I haven’t read any lawyer themed romances yet. But I do love Bennett so I will have to pick this one up.
It was my first one, too, Renee. Even if I think Bennett already has a series out. There are too many books out there – I want them all!
Another Bennett book to add to my tbr. 😉 Friction certainly sounds like an entertaining read, Lexxie. Heat in the courtroom and the bedroom…yeah, good times. And you know I like a smart, sassy heroine so I think Leary and I will get along. I think it’ll be fun seeing Reeve bulldozed and all that ensues. I’m glad you enjoyed a visit to Bennett’s legal world!
Happy Friday!! **BIG HUGS**
I think you’d enjoy Leary, because she’s strong, intelligent and sexy all at the same time 🙂 And she really cares about doing a good job, the firm she works for only takes on individuals as clients, never corporate, so they’re also the ‘good guys’. I enjoyed Reeve, too, you’ll see why 😉
Happy Friday right back at you! *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha..I love the quote Lexxie. I have not tried a book by Bennett yet..but adore the sound of Friction!
Yup, that one made me laugh so much, Kim! You should definitely try a Bennett book, they are really good 😉
Lets hope its bark is worse than its bite. LOL I love character driven stories and this sounds really fun.
Yeah, that would be best Laura! This was a lot of fun, and I loved the romance as well as the legal aspects of the story on top of really enjoying the characters.
I think its always wonderful that we can find comfort in authors that we rely on when it comes to picking up their books,especially if we adore their writing. I love doing that if I am feeling burned out, or just read something that didn’t work for me.
Yeah, it’s also very nice to know that when I pick up a specific genre by a specific author, I get exactly what I’m looking for 🙂
I like the sound of this book and how they are on opposite sides of the legal battle, sounds like that makes for an interesting plot and romance set-up. I wonder how they balance the business and person side of things. Great review!
That did make for some very heated moments, Lola, they both were doing their best to help their own client win!
“Using her sex appeal to further her clients’ agenda did not bother her”
Good! Men do it all the time, it just looks different. I have got to read this book.
I think using everything we got at our disposal is warranted, at least some of the time 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy Friction, Christy!
Twitter: Mollykatie112
Sorry so behind in my comments. This sounds pretty good although I don’t read that much erotica. Sometimes, but not much. I am glad you loved it 🙂
It was really well done, and there were many things going on but the erotic and smexy parts, Lorna.