This is not a typical court room mystery by Carson Taite, rather it is more of a romance although there is an element of mystery to the story as there are two very opposite legal firms vying for a contract to represent multibillionaire business.
The book centers around for lawyers who graduated together from law school. One a high achiever Who really never had a social life or a warm personality. Her name is Wynne and she works for a very cutthroat old-school type lawyer. The other three women are Campbell and her two friends who break away from there old style legal firm and start their own company with innovative techniques and practices. While in school Wynne Held her nose to the grind stone and had the appearance of being the epitome of an ice queen. She had an odd attraction to Campbell which could have been the result of envy or jealousy. While Campbell and her two friends were friendly and popular and seem to be full of charm and good looks.
When billionaire Braxton put a challenge to both Wynne and Campbell to represent him in a lawsuit and the company he was most impressed with at the end would get all of his legal business. So the charming Campbell must work with the ice queen Wynne the stakes are so high for both women to win. They each have a strategy that they would get close to the other in order to find out some secret Or weakness that they could use to win the case. What happens next is that this strategy backfires and both women find themselves being very attracted to the other and they start a romantic relationship that could only lead in disaster. Will it lead in disaster? Will either of the two women give up something important to be with the other? Are the odds against these two women? Overcome the barriers that can make their relationship a reality?

This is a very sweet story with some hot romantic encounters . I highly recommend this book and plan to add it to my read again book list because it was such an enjoyable read with an element of incredible heat. Be warned that you just might find yourself going out to buy a donut when you finish the book!

Campbell Clark’s life was alright but the idea of slowly working her way up to a partnership in the law office where she’s worked right after she graduated from the University of Texas School, wasn’t what she wanted to do. When she attended UT her best friends were Abby Keane and Grace Maldonado and five years later they are still best friends even though Abby and Grace both moved from Austin. Now they were together again attending their class reunion, so it was the perfect time to ask her good friends to leave their jobs and go in with her to start their own law firm.
Wynne Garrity also attended UT but she never really had anything to do with the three close friends. She came from a family of gifters, her parents going from one get rich scheme to another. She got a job in the local law offices of Worth, Ingram, Nash and Reed where after five years she felt she was coming closer to her dream of making her way to a partnership.
Now both Campbell and Wynne find themselves competing for the same client. To make it even more stressful the client, Braxton Keith couldn't make up his mind on who would do the better job of representing his company so he decides to have Campbell and Wynne work together, then he would choose the law firm that would look after all legal issues re his company. Wynne needs to make sure her firm gets the job if she wants that partnership, while Campbell needs a big name client like Brax to help get there law firm up and running.
Ms Taite has done it again, giving us a thoroughly enjoyable read. Now we have to wait for the next book in this series to see who will be next in line to fall in love, Abby or Grace. Can’t wait. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley

My very first book by Carsen Taite and I was blown away by the story and the writing style. I am waiting for the next couple of books in the series as patiently as I can.

I'm a big fan of series, and reading this while having already seen the covers for the next two books made me enjoy it even more. Three friends in separate law firms strike out on their own, three books, one focused on each character. This concept really worked for me with last summer's Missouri Vaun/D Jackson Leigh/VK Powell series, and of course Melissa Brayden's ______ Like ______ series from last year. I thought the whole "Leaderboard" fictional social media platform was very creative and added to the story. I love the way Carsen Taite writes but the dialogue felt even smoother and fresher in this book. The rivals-to-lovers trope made me hope Wynne may join the firm in the next book. A great way to spend a few hours without any trauma or angst.

I am a big fan of Carsen Taite, however I don't think that this will end up being one of my favorites that she's written.

The characters weren't an issue. I really liked all of them and am looking forward to reading the other two books eventually. The mains were both enjoyable and there was chemistry but it didn't seem like we got to see enough of it. They squabbled a lot and then it seemed like they turned friendly quickly.

I knew this wouldn't be quite as intricate or intense as some of her other political romances, but I felt like there needed to be a little more substance. This was an ok read and I"m hoping that I enjoy the other books a little more than this one.

(A copy was provided by the published via NetGalley)

Campbell Clark is a young and up and coming lawyer sick of working the big hours while her superior takes all the glory. Fed up, she starts her own firm with her two best friends. Campbell manages to score a pitch with a billion dollar social media company, who is being sued by a famous musician, and aims to lure them away from their current staid and stuffy traditional law firm. Campbell comes up against her fellow law school student Wynne Garrett. Wynne is stunning, smart and came first in every class in law school and is determined not to let her firm lose this client.
Carsen Taite's books are all page turners, it's so difficult to put them down once you start reading them. Her characters are always likeable and she does the simmering tension so well. You also get a good quality read because she knows her legal stuff and don't just get some fluffy rubbish storyline.
Definitely give this one a read.

3 stars. This book dragged a little. Campbell Clark and her two best friends, Abby and Grace meet up at a law school reunion and decide to break out on their own instead of working their life away for stuffy law firms . Campbell Clark just has to get a big client to pay for their law firm. Campbell's brother gives them an opportunity to get a big social media app, Leaderboard and its founder, Braxton Keith. Campbell only has to prove she is not as stuffy as their current law firm, Worth Ingram. She gets stuck working together with a lawyer from their firm, Wynne Garrity. Campbell is instantly attracted to Wynne and has to ignore her attraction if she wants to beat her and win Leaderboard's business.

I enjoyed this book but the beginning dragged a little. There was a lot of set up to get to the plot. This is the first book in a series of three, so that makes sense.. I enjoyed the interactions between Wynne and Campbell, as there was a lot of tension and it grew as the novel went on. My one complaint is the tension seemed to just end, as the book went on. I also did not like the ending of this novel, it just ended without a great ending. I flipped to the next page expecting more of the novel. This book was okay. although I will probably read the next one in the series.

I could not finish this book. I love everything Carsen Taite does, her books are always very solid and very good to read. This book was boring, from the moment I started it, there was nothing to grab my attention. The main character seemed a little bratty and the other protagonist just seemed like a pushover. The two friends were not very interesting and the billionaire was written very streotyp[ically. I stopped reading at 23% and I do not see myself going back to it, which sucks cause I really do love most of the books Taite has put out. Maybe its because I am older and stories about young, hot, rich people are old and not at all appealing. I will read the next one Taite puts out, but maybe not since this is supposed to be a three book series. I kind of hate book series.

This is book 1 of 'Legal affairs', the new series by Carsen Taite which follows a group of three friends, Campbell, Abby, and Grace, partners in a boutique law firm in Austin. Ms. Taite is well known for her legal thrillers and books in which law issues are at the forefront but, according to the author, this series will be light on the legal side. 'Practice makes perfect' focuses on Campbell's story.



Campbell Clark is an accomplished lawyer on her way to making partner in a big law firm. As she is tired of working for others, she decides to be her own boss and open her own firm with two besties from law school, Abby and Grace. Their chance to land a big client appears in the shape of a billion-worth internet startup facing a crucial demand. In order to win the client over she'll have to compete with Wynne Garrity, associate lawyer of a big law firm. Wynne seems uptight and all work and no play, but as they get to know each other, their romantic involvement could threaten all that they have been fighting for. Will they still take a chance on love?

This series' concept reminds me of Melissa Brayden's 'Soho loft' series in which friendship and business merge in a boutique advertising agency. 'Practice makes perfect' is similar to 'Kiss the girl', the first book of the Soho Loft, in which the love interests also have to compete with each other to win an important client. However, the similarities stop there as Ms. Taite manages to create a world in which the city of Austin, yummy donuts and impulsive online purchases play a big part.

This is possibly the funniest of Taite's books with good use of banter and witty dialogues. The main characters are well portrayed and even though the romance is very slow-burn, it's realistic and angst-free. The chemistry is sizzling and the intimate scenes are well written. I would have liked Ms. Taite to spend more time in depicting the other two friends personalities better and to see them interacting more but I'm sure their friendship is going to be explored further in the next couple of books. Can't wait to see where Ms. Taite takes Abby and Grace.

Overall, a very good start of a series full of fun, romance, and donuts. 4 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

What a fun and humorous read. Atypical from Carsen Taite which in my opinion showcases her talent as a story teller. We still get the law/crime but not as prevalent as her other reads. Campbell Clark, makes a professional decision to encourage her law school friends to join her and open their own law firm. The answer is yes, count us in. Campbell can be a bit spontaneous and unpredictable. Wynne Garrity, is on track to being a partner but at what cost. Wynne can be a little too focused with her "nose to the grind stone". Campbell and Wynne have a past to some extent and must work together to help a client as well as make an impression for their respective firms. They disagree, miscommunicate, and challenge each other. Interesting storyline as Taite introduces the reader to the main characters that will be a part of the series. Look forward to the next read in the series.

This book is the first chapter of a new series based on a legal environment, a topic that is usual in this author.  Being the first in the series, it seems more an introduction than a story in itself.  In addition the plot that is developed is not completely resolved, although you can guess the final result.  But I personally like finished books.

I've missed a story more focused on the two main characters, Campbell and Wynne, but their relationship was so much mixed with the rest of the facts explained. It's been a shame that the two of them did not have more time alone, more intimate conversations, more facts of their past.
Because the two of them seem interesting but we can not get them to connect at all. Pity.

And the legal plot has been poorly developed and not resolved either.  A couple of other pages in the book, a resolution, even if it had been an explanation of the obvious, for me it would have been great.

I can't say that the book is a complete waste of time but it is not my ideal of a romance either.

Taite is starting a new series with this one - the common theme being the trials and romantic tribulations of three young, hot, overachieving and single lawyers who have set up their own firm. For some reason, this reminds me a bit of Brayden's SOHO romance trilogy . This was a light and easy read but didn't hit the same mark as some of Taite's earlier books.

As the first in the series, the premise has to be set up and characters/circumstances introduced and the first lonely lesbian (Campbell) then has the remainder of the book to meet/argue with/fall in love with her designated love interest Wynne. It's a lot to do and I just got the feeling it was rushed a bit. I didn't get a great feel for Campbell and I actually kind of liked Wynne better. There wasn't a lot of legal wrangling in this book, which is one of the things Taite usually excels at, and I didn't feel that there was enough of a build up of the relationship or chemistry between Campbell and Wynne.

I enjoyed it while I was reading it but it seemed to gloss over and speed through things - if it had been a bit longer or more focused on the romance or even the legal stuff, it may gotten a stronger rating

Another well-paced, nice ‘n easy legal romance from Taite. Campbell Clark and her two friends from law school, Abby and Grace, quit their big firm jobs to start up their own law firm. In looking for clients, Campbell gets a lead on a tech entrepreneur, Braxton, who is looking for a change in representation. The stuffy corporation he has on retainer doesn’t seem to understand his company. Wynne Garrity’s boss is the main culprit who is just not getting what Braxton wants. Braxton gets both firms to present their best defence for the current law suit and instead of choosing one he decides they should work together on the case and he’ll decide afterwards. Wynne and Campbell are thrown together, but can they work together.

This is a good start for what seems to be a new series but there is nothing unexpected or unpleasant in it. Campbell and Wynne are likeable, smart women and I’m hoping to see more of Grace and Abby in future instalments. The receptionist issues, and then the one they settle on, are an entertaining addition.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

3.25 Stars. I thought this was an okay read. My expectations might have been a little high. I’m a huge Taite fan. I think this is the 20th book I have read by her and I can’t say that about many authors. In my opinion no other author can write legal/law books like Taite does. She knows her stuff and it absolutely impresses me. This book however was really light on the law aspects and more about friendships and possible relationships. I really missed that legal/crime aspect that makes her books so fascinating.

This is the first book in a series about three best friends that start their own law firm together. Think Brayden’s SoHo series but for lawyers. I’m actually excited about the series premise as I like series that are about best friends and there is actually not many out there in the world of lesfic. This story focuses on Campbell, who finds herself attracted to an attorney she is competing against. Can they keep it professional or will their hearts get in the way?

One of my issues is I felt this book was too short. Taite is setting up this premise for a series and I felt like in order to set everything up, time was taken away from the main romance. And because of this it felt really rushed to me. Only a few working dates, I think one sex scene, and that was it. If these books are supposed to be lighter and more romance based, I need the romance to be stronger. I actually found myself looking forward to the smaller lawyer/law parts more than the romance, and I don’t think that’s what Taite had in mind when she came up with the premise of this series.

I do have higher hopes for the next two books in the series. Both best friends seem likeable and I’m hopeful that now that the firm is set up, Taite can really work on building a strong romance for these other characters. Taite is a fantastic author so I have faith that she will pull this series off.

This story wasn’t what I was hoping for but it was decent. I think people that are not into law or crime books as much, might like this more. Taite is on my automatic to read list so I’ll keep my fingers crossed for book 2.

Cute but light

Setting itself up for a series of crime/romance stories between the three main characters, the first of which is between Campbell and Wynne. Effectively opponents but needing to work together to showcase their best work, both lawyers find themselves attracted to eachother (as you would expect), but who will win?

My favourite part of this was the element of having to work together despite also needing to work against eachother. A tricky situation and whilst it wasn't dealt with significantly, it held my interest enough.

Wynne's character was far more believable in her hard world and determination while Campbell almost seemed to fly along but deliver quality work on the side.

A light unpretentious romance that firmly sets out to entertain and kinda, sorta achieves this goal.

Campbell Clark gets together with her law school friends Abby and Grace to start their own law firm. Leaderboard Inc., a big noise in the world of social media ranking by obscure algorithms has an upcoming legal case against it and the whizkid behind Leaderboard, Brax is unhappy with his current law firm thinking that they don’t quite get his work. Wynne Garrity, who was also in the same year in the same law school as Campbell is given the job of handling and retaining Brax by her firm. This is a make-or-break case for Wynne as far as her possible partnership in the firm goes. Brax asks both firms to make pitches and then asks Campbell and Wynne to work together saying that after this case Leaderboard Inc. will decide which firm to go with in the long run.

Almost everything about this book (including the concept of a boutique firm started by college friends, the characterisations, the pitching of two opposing firms, the inadvertent betrayal by one MC (though in this one it wasn’t all that inadvertent) and the solution by the betraying party) is reminiscent of Melissa Brayden’s Kiss the Girl.

Till about 73% of the book there is build-up of the attraction between Campbell and Wynne which is flowing nicely and then suddenly it unravels because of an abrupt change in pace of their relationship. Also, you never completely grasp and connect with the MCs. There is an almost-but-not-quiteness about this book, but still and easy read.

The premise of the book is exciting and I love a good series. Introducing three friends who met in law school and are tired of their workaholic jobs in the practices they chose out of college. Now they form their own practice and plan to take Austin by legal storm. Their first big client ends up being a contest with another firm and Campbell ends up falling for their lead council. There’s suspense and passion between the legal arguments and Campbell falling for Wynne, but I kept seeing similarities to Melissa Brayden’s Soho Loft series which was distracting and disappointing. The writing came off light and fluffy rather the usual smart and engaging style I’m used to from this author. The plot is interesting and the suspense of who would win the client and would they survive the fallout kept me invested but the different writing style through me for a loop.

This is much lighter than Carsen Taite’s usual stories. As a former law student (in another life), one of the reasons I enjoy her books so much is all the legal stuff. Yet she’s also really good at romance, and romance is all this book is about. Sure there are lawyers and a case, but they’re mostly background for the relationship between Campbell and Wynne.

After five years of working for big law firms hoping to make partners and having no life outside of work, best friends Campbell, Grace and Abby decide to leave their jobs and create their own law firm. On the same night, due to a carpet incident, Campbell literally falls into the arms of a beautiful woman, Wynne, whom she vaguely remembers from law school. When a client makes them work on a case together, Campbell finds out that the mousy student she’s known has turned not only into a beautiful and sexy woman but also a very smart one.

It’s a romance so of course they fall in love, despite the fact that each is supposed to be fighting to get the client to choose her firm in the end. Yet from the start they don’t really manage to see the other as the enemy. It’s obvious they try, but what’s meant to be will be (it wouldn’t be a romance otherwise).

It reminded me a bit of Melissa Brayden’s Kiss the Girl, what with the best friends founding their own company together, each bringing her own strengths, and one of them falling for the competition. But the writing is very different, and so are the characters, so it didn’t feel like I’d already read that particular story.

This is the first book in a new series, and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

I'm a huge fan of this author so maybe my expectations of this book were too high - unfortunately it fell a little flat for me. I loved Campbell as a character but couldn't see how or why she connected with Wynne. The rom-com style dialogue throughout the book sounded a little too Melissa Brayden-like - it didn't feel like the author's own tone of voice. Having said that it was an enjoyable enough romance.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Campbell is tire of working for a boss who a jerk so when a reunion comes around she convince her two best friends Abby and Grace from law school to quit their jobs and start a law firm with her.

Wynne works at a law firm where her boss is a jerk and thinks his way is best.

Campbell and Wynne both went to the same law school but they never really interact with each other but they did notice each other.

When a client from Wynne law firm doesn't think they aren't doing what he thinks he want he decide to go to another firm and he choose to take a chance with Campbell firm.

Braxton decide to have both firm present to him and his board members who is better at winning a his case as him and the other board members like both presentation Braxton wants Campbell and Wynne to work together.

Campbell and Wynne wants to win but will they let their attraction distract them from their goals.

I like the friendship between Campbell Abby and Grace and how each courage each other strength.

Wynne and Seth friendship was great too.

I like how close Campbell are with her siblings after her parents dies.

Wynne with her family was hard especially with the father.

This was a great legal romance and I like how you got to see how you prepare for a case.

Great characters and sizzling chemistry.