Conduct Unbecoming a Judge

Thunderstruck #2

by Amelia Elliot

Rich or poor, sick or healthy, everyone needs love.

For Esme Fernandes, life ended at thirty. First, she lost her ability to have children, and then she lost her husband. Certain she’s fated to die young like the rest of her family, Esme married her career instead. And it paid off: now thirty-eight, she’s a Federal judge, and determined to be worthy of her job.

Jack Bullard, twice People’s Sexiest Man Alive, is at a crossroads. Two years after a bewildering and brutal divorce, he misses his kids and is unfulfilled by his Hollywood stardom. But he’s made a career out of being irreplaceable, and too many people depend on him now.

When Jack and Esme collide—literally—sparks fly. But they also attract attention from the moment they meet, and not the good kind. Between scandalous pictures and Esme’s growing political conflict with a senator, things take a dangerous turn.

Just as Jack can see the future forming, the increasing scrutiny awakens Esme’s demons—and Jack has to decide whether fighting for her is selfish, or what they both need.

Tropes:
●Meet-Cute
●Movie star hero
●Sworn off relationships female
●Protective male
●Strong female
●Cinnamon roll hero
●Emotional scars
●Single father
●Disability/chronic illness

Conduct Unbecoming a Judge is a steamy contemporary romance with a strong female lead struggling with chronic illness, and a protective, cinnamon roll hero.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Romance

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Amelia Elliot works as a trial lawyer, entrepreneur, and author. She publishes on topics of law, business, and politics. “Amelia Elliot” is the pen name for the author’s works in women’s fiction, romance, sci-fi, and political and legal thrillers. She lives with her husband, three big dogs, and three riotous kittens.

Amelia is disabled with chronic illness. One of her favorite things about writing novels is exploring her characters’ human flaws, growth, and triumph over adversity. She writes happy endings because optimism matters.

Reviews

[Dallas Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author but won’t be the last! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Esme and Jack. I love Esme’s sass and lust for life and she actually made me feel bad for a gazillionaire celebrity! The ending has all the feels and I look forward to going back and reading the first book in this series - though you definitely do not need to read it to enjoy this one.
Well written and flows quickly. I finished it in 2 nights! Go grab it!

[Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance with a difference. The author uses her own experiences of key health issues to build her narrative. The FMC is a strong, educated woman and the MMC is a movie star who has had been in the right place at the right time. The narrative explores the building of a relationship when others continually exploit others for gain (photogs) and narrates the experience of a public relationship. A good unique story.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rhianna Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

such heavy topics but really well written. i loved it, very emotional but also a great storyline. it took me a while to read as i had to get into this authors style of writing but once i did i found it very easy to read and really recommend.
i didn’t realise it was part of a series, so read this one, which is the second, first, but it reads very well as a stand alone however definitely going to look into the whole series as i’d like to read them all now.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great second novel by this author. The first was so good and I was pleasantly surprised that this was equally as good! The story of Jack and Esme was so engaging, it kept me turning pages late into the night. I am eagerly awaiting the next book!

[noteriasu · Rating 1 out of 5]

The incorrect use of french physically hurt me, please, is it so hard to consult with a native speaker...? The dirty talking was so obviously a literal translation, it threw me off every. single. time. And don't even get me started on the random use of formal speech, the MCs are supposedly fluent but the wrong grammar had me exasperated. Respectfully, and no offense to any u.s citizen, but this was soooooo very american, ugh. Everything about this book screams first world problem, which is a bummer because i can feel the author tried to tackle heavy themes but it just.... it gave nothing, sorry.
Also, the fmc uses "fuck you very much" in almost every argument because she's ✨️feisty✨️ and I just can't ✋🏼 I'm still looking for the plot. This is why I avoid contemporary romance 😒

[Jd · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was a story of two strangers from different worlds finding what they needed in each other. For Jack, he found someone who saw him and not just his good looks, money and fame.
Esme found someone who was caring, protective and didn't run when he found out about her secret pain.
This was a good read. There were some things that were left hanging that would have made for a nice epilogue,like what happened with the senator. And don't go by the table of content because what is listed didn't occur.
If you don't mind some politics mixed in with your romance, this book might not be for you. The author did her research and obviously feels very strongly about these issues.

It is interesting that the 3rd book is about Jack's ex wife.

[tre.wandereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

while the initial thought of reading this was they don't seem to be well-matched, i have to say i really enjoyed their interactions and it goes to show, some people don't look good on paper but are really perfect for each other. a nice cute read from amelia elliot!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet, spicy, and emotional. love the cute cat Ollie and love that the kids adopted a senior dog.

tw: infertility, cancer, death of parent (off page)