I struggled with this book. It sounded fun and feisty but I had a really hard time getting into it. Amanda is obviously very smart but I got bored of hearing about her platinum blonde hair and how people would judge her on her looks and not realise how good a lawyer she was. She has recently graduated and the book opens with her interview to gain pupillage (this book is set in London, I’m not British so I don’t really know what that is so I had to google it. It’s like being an apprentice with the end goal practicing independently at the Bar) at a prestigious firm. There are so many candidates and in the end they can’t decide between two so they award it to two people on a sort of probation for twelve months where there’s only one job at the end. So basically they make it a big competition and of course the other person that gets the probation apart from Amanda is her university nemesis!

I did admire a lot about Amanda, she had obviously worked very hard to get where she was and she was very ambitious. She didn’t have the most supportive or privileged background and there’s something in her past that haunts her but I honestly didn’t feel like it was as big a deal as she made it out to be, when it was finally revealed. It seemed like a lot of angst over nothing really, something that she was worried about being held against her but really, why on earth would anyone? It was just ammunition for Marty and his accomplice to wield but it read quite weak, in terms of what a deep dark secret could be.

I expected more romance in this – I’m not sure why, it just gave me more of a romance vibe from the blurb and cover but I definitely thought it would be a bigger part of the story. I was quite disappointed with the fact that there’s really not much (if any?) romance at all. What there was I didn’t really find all that great and I couldn’t decide if it was inappropriate or not. There seemed to be some comments that it might be but no one really cared anyway? I found it quite lacklustre and the story of the jilted uhinged ex a bit overdone. Sid was kind of boring and I didn’t really feel as though there was any chemistry between him and Amanda and there’s a few attempts at drama but it felt a bit high school. I couldn’t get into that aspect of the story line and really didn’t care if they ended up together or not.

Definitely struggled to maintain interest in this one unfortunately.

4/10

Had me at Legally Blonde, to be honest. One of my favorite movies for sure.

Even though that's what caught my attention in the beginning, once I started reading this, I realized that these two stories are still very different, and that The Law of Attraction is much more original than I thought at first.

I found the main character, Amanda, to be very likable, and I could relate to her in some situations. It seems like some people judge her too easily, so she has to prove herself and work harder, but hey, she has time to do so in this case.

There's another guy that Amanda has to compete with to get the job, and oh my God is he annoying! I felt so sorry for her, having to put up with him... But you know what? I bet most of us have had at least one Marty in our lives at some point, that one phony guy that most people seem to like and we just sit there like "how??"

Something I did not like about her was that, even though she was very much against stereotypes, and hated it when people catalogued her as the hot blonde and things like that... She did that to others as well, and seemed to believe in stereotypes herself as well, especially when it came to genders. A bit contradictory, Amanda.

But seriously, why are such bad things said about women? Why are women sly, why do women stab you in the back, and why are women bitches?... I've gotten so much drama from men in my life, I sometimes feel like people only interact with women. Men can be sly. Men can stab you in the back. Men can be bitches. People need to give this ridiculousness a rest. Gender does not make a difference there. And for the record, the most manipulative person here is Marty, and he's a guy.

To make the story more interesting, there's also this other guy who seems to fall for Amanda. But, to be honest, I didn't really care too much about Sid, and Amanda trusted him so easily! I think she should've been more careful, especially since she was trying to get that job and he was her senior... I know it's not right to believe in rumors, but if you hear all those things about a guy, you could at least be more careful, until you get to know him better and prove those rumors wrong... But no, little Amanda here had no patience at all. She should listen to her pupilmaster, Skylar, more, he may not be right all the time, but you kinda know when he is...

And Skylar is pretty adorable. I liked how he took care of Amanda and wanted her to succeed.

It was very interesting to read about her job and everything that went on around her, which I know nothing about, really. Seeing her in court kicking ass was amazing, I loved every part of it.

Oh and there's another couple in the story that we read about, although just for a little while, the one including Amanda's best friend, Heidi. Now, Heidi sounds nice and fun... but date a married guy??? Honey, even if the guy says things are not working for him and his ACTUAL partner, he's still a cheater. What are you thinking anyway?? Also, he would do it to you, you know that, right? You're only special now...

"The heart wants what the heart wants"... Obviously what an older cheating man, with kids, would say when what "his heart" wants is a young woman in her twenties. The nerve. Dude, even if things were bad at home, at least break things off before. I don't know...

Well now, back to Amanda...

As the story progresses, we get to know more about Amanda's past, and I really enjoyed that, she had a very complicated childhood because of her father, I felt incredibly bad for her, but I'm glad she works things out and learns to be happy and doesn't let her past bring her down. She just went and got things on her own.

The ending is also very touching, and it didn't feel lacking at all. I really enjoyed this book, and oh the drama haha, as you can see from all my ranting (I'm so sorry). I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have a nice, light read with some substance :)

Such a fabulous story, it made me think of Legally Blonde all the way through. I loved Amanda's character & wanted to punch Marty in the nuts on several occasions.

Would recommend to anyone

The Law of Attraction was such a fun book! It's the first book I have read by Roxie Cooper and I can't wait for more from her. This book was so freaking hilarious. I absolutely loved Amanda, and really, every character in the book. It was very well written, and the words flowed seamlessly off the pages and I could not stop reading it. I finished in one sitting and wished it never ended. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did!

I so loved this book that I’m amazed that this is Roxie Cooper’s first novel. I am hoping that she’ll follow up with many more romances since this was such a fun and enjoyable read. I loved the Rumpole books by John Mortimer and the shows on PBS and this book has some of that same feel which the author explicitly pays credit to in the book.

The story is told through the eyes of Amanda Bentley, a peroxide blonde from a lower-middle class background who has worked hard to overcome all obstacles to become a barrister. Since the author has her own history as a barrister and blonde, she brings seems such an interesting insight into that life and system. It’s so different from how our legal system works that part of the fun is just seeing the differences in the British and American systems.

For Amanda, the first obstacle she must overcome is getting what is called a pupillage at a reputable Chambers. It sounds like this is a year-long internship after which she’ll either get a job offer or basically see her career stutter to a stop before it’s barely begun. Even though, as a busty blonde with the wrong accent, she doesn’t fit the image of the professional barrister, she gets the pupillage but then finds out that the other pupil is a smarmy weasel whom she’d despised in law school, but now must compete with for the job offer.

The romance in the story plays second fiddle to the story of Amanda’s trials (literal and metaphorical) as she goes through the year trying to stay true to who she is while fulfilling the demands of the job and her mentor, a marvelous character. She is warned not to get romantically involved with any of the lawyers in Chambers, but can’t resist the sexy barrister, Sid Ryder. He seems to be equally attracted to her, but hooking up with him lays Amanda open to the attacks of jealous bimbo barristers.

This novel was original and fun. I loved that it introduced me to a world I hadn’t known much about. Amanda is a very different sort of heroine and you can’t help pulling for her to overcome all the barriers she encounters.

Roxie Cooper is a bright new talent and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next.

I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received this unpublished e-book The Law of Attraction by author Roxie Cooper for free to read and review. This is the first book I have read by author Roxie Cooper. I have mixed review about this book. I can see that the author likes Legally Blonde and i see it loosely based off that but with its own spin. I had a hard time getting into this book, for me it was missing that I can't put it down I want to see what happens. I had to put it down a couple of times. I am glad that I finished the book.It had a good message about whoever you are wherever you come from you can be anything you want to be. Never give up going after your dreams, it wont be easy but it will be rewarding if you can get there. I do like that Amanda was someone who went after what she wanted, I was really surprised that she did what she did to her dad never saw that coming. I can picture Skylar, and I can imagine what Sid looked like. This would be a great beach read it light, it has the write amount of drama. And you can keep an eye on things around you. Take the chance on this book and be the juror that decides its fate.

Really enjoyed his book and the writing kept it interesting.

I received this book via NetGalley.com via an advanced Readers Copy.

I saw the blurb on this book and jumped at the chance to read it. I enjoy a good legal brief story.

With this book, for me, I found that I was having a hard time being engaged during the first half of the book.

There were too many moving pieces. Amanda and Marty were former classmates who blow received an opportunity to join a prominent legal firm. Yet Amanda is the smart one and Marty is the social one. At the end of their first year, they will either be dismissed or asked to continue on. The first year of prestigious pupillage is difficult for many reasons. The learning of the traditions, the dynamics of the firms, the courts, and the players of the courts is intense.

Yet Marty is out for blood because Amanda turned him down. Amanda is hiding her past because she has guilt associated with it. Throw in a few other crazy characters and storylines I found it hard at times to keep up with who the scene was about.

I enjoyed the insight into a different legal system. But this story for me had me scratching my head as how the Law of Attraction fit the book. Amanda does have a romance but it is extremely brief, and highly frowned upon. Her flat mate seemed to get more action. Marty seemed to want something he couldn't have. But those story lines didn't seem to be in the forefront of the book. I found that Amanda's growth as a person and all of the key players helping her define herself are the main storyline.

Great story. I enjoy Amanda story. The drama is real and the characters have essence. Amanda have a good backbone.

I was interested in this novel as it is set in my home town and centres around Newcastle Crown Court where I occasionally sit as a magistrate. I was interested in the idea of following the experience of the central character during her pupil age and the portrayal of Chambers life. The book held my attention albeit somewhat predictable. A mixture of chick lit and crime background - a refreshing idea but not too sure it worked at its best,probably due to some of its fictional locations.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. This was funny and me laugh out loud in several places. Wonderful book absolutely loved it

The Law of Attraction, Roxie Cooper

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance , Women's Fiction

Well, I'm not much for films, for me its books all the way but I have watched  Legally Blonde, Twice! On holiday with the kids they love to spend time as a family with films, and this is one they love. Its cute, sweet and with a little pathos thrown in and surprisingly I enjoyed it.
This book did remind me of it in very small ways but is far less Cute and Sweet and a much stronger story-line. I love Joanna Bolouri's novels too though I've not read any by Lindsey Kelk.
The law terms and types: having a law degree but not having gone further I'm familiar with them, but they're pretty straightforward, easy to follow along with the story. Reading this cemented my decision to stop at a degree :-) and not venture further into that world.

Amanda, she's wonderful. So strong willed, quick witted, loyal and yet we get the feeling she's always chasing something that seems just out of her reach, always feels she needs to prove her worth.
Of course a bombshell blonde in the hallowed halls of male bastion, The Law, is always going to have to fight her way. She's right though. Why should she tone down her appearance, dress more circumspectly when the men can do as they please. Sad fact of life, along with the women who enjoy lots of sex are sluts while men are simply playboys, men of the world etc. * sigh *
You'd think the ladies who have made it through would be sympathetic but sadly many of them side with the men and make things worse. 

There's a great story here with all the female struggles in a male world, a great romance, workplace bullying, family issues - Amanda gets it all. 
I love her pupilmaster Skylar, what a really wonderful character he was.
Then there's nasty, vindictive Marty, a real rich, privileged type, sadly there's many like him.
Of course then Sid Ryder needs a mention. He's a real charmer, (swoon) and from the start there's a sizzle between them. Skylar warns her off though, his reputation is well known, and not only personal heartbreak but professional suicide lies in that direction. She's vying with Marty for tenancy at the end of the year, two people, one place and the other will find it hard getting in anywhere else. Marty already has the advantage of being male and from the right background, so Amanda can't afford any kind of scandal. Sid though, mmmmmnnnn.....might be worth it ;-)

Its such a fun read, moments of sensuality, moments of practicality with all the drama of the Law, and of course there's a solid thread of humour running through that had me sniggering at times. To me its like an updated Rumpole of the Bailey ( loved those books) with its gentle humour, poking fun at the oddities of British Legal Traditions (well, horsehair wigs, gowns, silk stockings and buckle shoes for the men, 17th c costume in a 21st c world...weird or what?)
Add that smattering of incredibly sensual romance, searing glances, erotic touches between her and Sid and its a great read. There's not a lot of romance in this story but what is there is perfectly done. 

And then there's her secret, dangled before us all the way through, hinted at and which sent me off right in the wrong direction...then when it came out wrapped up the story perfectly. 
 
 Stars:five, a wonderful story, full of gentle humour, drama, romance all set in the British legal world.
A treat to get a UK story that works so well, and definitely one for rereading. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

I love the cover of this book. But I couldn't get into the book. ☹️😩