Illegally Yours

Laws of Attraction #2

by Kate Meader

Rule #1: Never fall for your client.
Rule #2: Never fall for your client’s fiercely protective, smoking hot sister-in-law.

I’m the kind of guy who believes that everyone deserves the best legal representation money can buy—which just so happens to be me, Lucas Wright. Give me your henpecked, your cuckolded, your irreconcilable differences yearning to break free! And if you’re the bad guy in your marriage, that’s cool too. Your green is as good as anyone’s.

Tell that to Trinity Jones. It’s my job to destroy her sister—the soon-to-be ex-wife of my a-hole of a client—and Trinity’s “big sis” instincts are dialed up to the max. I admire that. I admire her. But she won’t stop me from representing my client to the best of my ability.

Not even if my chemistry with Trinity is undeniable. Not even if we can’t keep our hands off each other. Not even if she injects life into a heart assumed to be long dead.
 
Because when faced with a choice between love and duty, the job will always win—or at least that’s what I thought before I met Trinity . . . and suddenly conflict of interest never felt so right.

This ebook includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Interracial Romance, Audiobook, Adult Fiction, Fiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2019

About the author

Kate writes sexy contemporary romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. In her latest series, Rookie Rebels, a new generation of players take to the ice and learn that all’s fair in love and hockey.

Sign up for her newsletter to get updates on sales, giveaways, and new releases.

The Rookie Rebels spins off her bestselling Chicago Rebels hockey romance series.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)

The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)

The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)

The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)

The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)

The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)

The Tall, Dark, and Texan series about sexy tycoons:
1. EVEN THE SCORE (Hunter and Tess)
2. TAKING THE SCORE (Brody and Emma)
3. ONE WEEK TO SCORE (Flynn and Olivia)

... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.

For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com

Reviews

[Syndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book is oozing so much cuteness. The story is so refreshing. It is still romanve book. A younger hero falls in love with older heroine. Lucas has some emotional baggage from his past. Trinity is a selfless heroine.

They both are so wrong for each other and yet when they fall in love, I want to cheer and clapping. Their love story is sweet,cute, fun and heartbreaking. I especially love how refreshing it is to put a different twist to their character development. Instead of the hero groveling, the author put a different plot getting the HEA.

I am surprise to find jow little reviews this book gets. This book deserves more readers.

Overall I enjoy very much. It is a very refreshing read amid this coronavirus news.

4 stars

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies, get ready for some British charm headed your way with Lucas Wright. This man can charm the pants off a man-hater. The way he talked was just as pleasurable as the story itself. I can't wait for the audiobook! He's going to be liked by a lot of readers. He was a good mix of charming, alpha, protective and even had a sensitive side. That's not an easy mix to create but Kate Meader did it!

I enjoyed Trinity Jones as well. She had a unique job as a sommelier, her specialty in Whiskey. She was first described doing her job in a leather cat suit and that set the tone of her personality for me. She came off very strong, independent, in control as well as care giver. I think some people relate a strong female as bitchy, but not Trinity. In fact, I think she was too nice sometimes. Being strong and too nice can actually happen.

The banter between Lucas and Trinity was fun. We do get some very serious moments. Both have experienced trauma in their life and that comes out in their story. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know these two as they got to know each other.

Next book, Grant and Aubrey. After getting small doses of those two in books 1 and 2, I'm anxious for their story. I want them back together!

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the cover.

Lucas the British smooth talking jokester transplant meets Trinity at Max's brother's bachelor party. He's instantly smitten and starts a pursuit. Unfortunately it's soon apparent that the biggest obstacle to them being together is the fact that Lucas is representing Tiffany's soon to be ex brother in law in divorce proceedings which is a major conflict of interest. They dance around the attraction until Lucas gets permission from his client and they start up something together.

I loved the idea of the interracial relationship. I liked them both as individuals and as a couple. Trinity is 6 years older than Lucas. Nevertheless some things I didn't like

Why didn't he just drop the douchebag as a client?
Tiffany needed to let go of her sister wayyyyyyyy before the end
I didn't like her sister at all
I found the fact that her sister's husband was her boyfriend first to be creepy and weird as hell. I hated that connection and felt she let her sister get away too easily on that one.
Lucas knowing how much of an ass the husband was and still defending him rubbed me the wrong way

As much as I liked the mcs the actual execution of this one wasn't a favourite. Though Lucas determinedly pursued Trinity and was loyal to her I just didn't get the Alpha vibe I was looking for.

All in all just an ok read.

Side note- I'm really hopeful that Grant is celibate during the separation because he and Aubrey are up next and I'm hoping to read it?

[maggieandteddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's my review:
I always look forward to Kate Meader's books. I think that she's one of the most underrated authors in the Contemporary Romance genre'.
I was so happy to get my hands on Illegally Yours.
I'm not fond of attorneys in real life, but I've enjoyed the endless possibilities when a Hero or Heroine is an attorney in Romancelandia
In this case, Lucas is a divorce attorney, Trinity, the heroine is a whiskey sommelier. Lucas, is out with some friends when he meets Trinity. He's a little drunk and (of course) makes a fool of himself. His attempts at flirting fall flat. Trinity is no fool. She is, however, attracted to Lucas.
Somehow, Lucas gets another chance. Trinity and Lucas have instant chemistry. The sparks fly. Oh, did I mention that Lucas is a sexy Brit, staying in the U.S.?
Trinity has taken care of her sister Emily, even after they've grown. Emily is a mother of 2 kids-
and is going through a messy divorce.
I loved how Lucas is so determined to find a way to be with Trinity-even with the conflict with his job.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say, I loved the writing, the characters, their flaws and strengths. My least favorite- didn't like at all, was Emily's soon to be ex-husband Brian. I really didn't like Emily either. Trinity loves her sister. Trinity is the strong one. Emily seemed to know how to just let her sister handle things for her.
Sounds like a hot mess. It sounds like a slice of life. Thank God, not mine!
Trinity is conflicted and feels guilty when she's happy with Lucas.
Lucas still has ties to the UK. I won't say anymore about that part either. I loved these two. I wanted the jerks to get out of their way. Lucas goes back and forth to London fairly often. He's a wonderfully reliable guy. How did he get to be a divorce attorney?
I loved this story and want to read it again (or the audio!). I loved her Chicago Rebels (hockey) series & Hot in Chicago series. I received an ARC from Netgalley 5 stars!
This can be a standalone. Small roles with book #1 H & h Max and Charlie.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

The basic conflict is about the heroine, Trinity, who is super protective of her sister Emily. Emily is going through a very contentious divorce with her husband Brian. Lucas is Brian's lawyer. Lucas and Trinity are madly attracted to each other but them getting together would be a conflict of interest for Lucas.

So a nice little obstacle there. But that isn't where the story really sings, that is just the framework. No, it is the writing for the characters that really makes this work for me.

First is the hero, Lucas. Lucas has some angsty stuff he is dealing with -- some really heavy stuff and some past hurts, but I can't think of the last time I read a hero who instead of being all broody or dark about it, instead uses humor and a bit of an over-the-top personality to deal with it. As he puts it:

"We each have our roles and mine is to entertain”

Lucas is British and very funny. Not only that, Lucas is fun! As one character puts it:

"He has a boundless energy about the most ridiculous things"
and
"The air around him thrums even as he sits still, like a Broadway musical might break out at any moment"

Lucas is a bit of a jester and like a jester many of his observations carry a bite. But he is just so damned charming and on all the time you miss it til seconds later.

The other thing I really liked about Lucas was his regard toward Trinity. He was just absolutely delighted with her. In lust with her, yes, but truly, ridiculously in her corner-delighted by and for her. He loves watching her work because he says he is competence porn addict and she is excellent at her job.

So yeah, Lucas was a winner for me.

Trinity was also very well drawn. She is more the straight man to Lucas' jester. Trinity is African American and a Whiskey Sommelier. What I liked about what the author did for Trinity is that she made that an aspect of Trinity's character. Trinity is one a very few AA women in that profession which is predominantly white male. She has to deal with a lot of microaggressions, including people not taking her seriously. Or if she does whiskey tastings for bachelor parties, being hit upon, treated like a piece of exotic entertainment. This isn't something that is harped upon by any means, but we get to see these pieces of her job because we see Trinity doing her job on quite a few occasions in the book. We also get to see that she puts up with it because she is good at it and she loves it.

Also, I appreciated that the author showed Trinity does not only get this from men, but also from women. In one really illustrative scene Trinity shows up to do a tasting for a group of high powered professional women and Lucas tags along as her helper. They immediately assume he is the sommelier even as he is introducing Trinity. Afterwards Lucas asks:

"Those women who thought I was the sommelier - you get that a lot?"
"It's not the first time."
"Because you're a woman or because you're black?"
I love that he sees all the angles "Both, I suppose. Boobs and skin color have a habit of re-framing people's constructs because they've already decided how a particular situation should present itself. Preconceptions are very powerful. Anything different is a violation of the norm."

I really enjoyed that little conversation about intersectionality there and that Lucas immediately recognized it.

My one frustration with Trinity is the same as Lucas' frustration with her. She constantly "Strong Black Womans" herself. This isn't just a character issue with Trinity but becomes another source of their romantic conflict. Trinity is forever taking care of people to the detriment of herself and keeping her own pains and hurts to herself. She also has some esteem issues because she sometimes does not feel seen. Lucas is pissed because she refuses to put herself first even as he wants to help shoulder some of her burdens. There is finally a reckoning and they end on a great HEA.

In addition to how much I liked how Lucas and Trinity were written all of the supporting characters were also richly drawn. I thought the author drew some interesting dark corners around Trinity's relationship with her sister. And some even darker corners around Trinity and her brother-i-law. I also enjoyed Trinity's joking-but-not-really assertion that her niece was a demon in a child's body. And there were the gaggle of soccer moms (Lucas was a weekend "footie" coach) who liked to bring their boxed wine and stare at his ass.

All in all a really good read with snappy writing, very funny in places and a lot of meat to chew over.

This is an honest review based on an ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Lucas falls for a whiskey sommelier at his friend’s bachelor party, only to discover she’s the sister to his current client’s soon to be ex-wife. Talk about an ethical conundrum!

I’m not usually a fan of the older woman/younger man trope, but Meader won me over with Lucas and Trinity’s quick-witted banter and hot attraction! I loved the sexual tension between the two and admit I giggled when that particular powder keg blew! How Trinity resisted the roguish Lucas as long as she did... Of course, Lucas totally caved first. Trinity’s snarky charm and sass definitely caught his attention!

Trinity and Lucas’s story weighed heavier then Max and Charlie’s, not just because of Trinity’s sister’s divorce and custody battle, but because of Trinity and Lucas’s childhood emotional hurts and scars that lingered. I liked how the playful side balanced out the emotional issues, and loved how it pulled the two closer than either was expecting.

Kate Meader has another winner with Illegally Yours. Granted, there’s little focus on the law aspect. However, with plenty of sexual tension, a Harry Potter obsession, and a wild romance guaranteed to win a cynic over, there’s plenty of compensation to be found!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Antonella · Rating 3 out of 5]

an okay read

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sexy, unrepentant flirt, and life of the party hero to add some heat to your life, look no further than divorce attorney Lucas Wright of Illegally Yours.

Super smart, inordinately charming and witty, Lucas can have any woman he wants until he meets Trinity Jones, his client’s soon to be ex-sister-in-law. Trinity is smoking hot, strong and independent, super protective of her younger sister and completely irresistible to hotshot Brit, who can’t help but fall for her no matter how hard he tries to resist her and the ethical complication she poses.

Meader writes with effortless charm and a skilled hand plunging Lucas and Trinity headfirst into their attraction while adding complications to their push-pull interactions. I can never wait to dive into her books because of her swoon worthy heroes and Lucas is no exception. I feel for him and his self-assured inner monologues and unapologetic seductive ways from page one and couldn’t put the book down until I hit the end.

I just can’t say enough about this man. Besides his appealing British accent and all the things I’ve mentioned before, he’s patient and willing to play the long game. He’s sincere and honest and found ways to help and woo Trinity despite the ethical hurdle that was between him and Trinity.

I was a bit put off by Trinity’s overprotective, helicopter sister tendencies which enabled to drive a wedge between her and Lucas, but understood Lucas’ difficulties with letting go of his past which were justified given the magnitude of what he underwent.

With this story of two scarred people who help one another find happiness, Meader presents a super sensual, playful and heartfelt story.

Illegally Yours is book #2 of the Laws of Attraction series by author Kate Meader. It is a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this, even after a bit of a slow start. Trinity Jones, whiskey sommelier, and Lucas Wright, divorce lawyer, meet at the bar where Trin works. Lucas is the clown with a larger than life personality. Trinity doesn’t know what to make of him at first, but when they realize that her sister is the opposing party in a divorce he’s handling, things get interesting and yep, you guessed it, romance happens.

I really, really enjoy Ms. Meader’s character work. She’s written some recent favorites and when she gets into the nitty gritty, the real meat of a character’s motivations, it’s fantastic. She also doesn’t depend on the ev-ILL antagonist who’s just evil for evil’s sake. Every character lives in that gray and I like it.

Trinity and Lucas both have their own demons to battle, and I liked the chance to get to know each of them, independent of the romance. Lucas is a sweet beta type of hero and a bit more open and honest about his feelings to himself, even if he doesn’t show that serious side to the world. As a consequence, he was an easier character to connect with. Trinity is a harder nut to crack, but I liked that even when I didn’t agree with her choices (her blind spot, aka her sister, is frustrating), I understood why she made them and they were in character.

There’s diversity to be found in this ‘verse, as Trinity is a black woman and I LOVED that the cover (the ARC has a placeholder that I wasn’t a fan of, but the final cover is beautiful) is accurate with its portrayal of Trinity’s physical description. There are other characters of different ethnicities and sexual orientations, though I wouldn’t say there’s much time spent on fleshing out the secondary characters beyond the necessary in this book.

Now, I tend to be hypercritical of lawyer romances because I work in criminal law, so inaccuracies stick out like a sore thumb. That’s not an issue here and that’s part of my problem. The work, other than the central conflict of interest because of the divorce, isn’t a factor. Lucas occasionally goes to his office, and doesn’t go to court at all. The romance is front and center (and there’s nothing wrong with that), but I like seeing a more of the professional side of the character’s lives. That’s just me. Also, the turn from “no, no, no we can’t” to “OMG yes!” is so quick, it was a bit jarring. I was expecting a slow burn, but that turn in their relationship felt quick.


In the end (I know, I said quickish but you got full on War & Peace length review, sorey), I still enjoyed Lucas and Trin’s romance, and I cried towards the end, and that’s all due to Ms. Meader’s character work. If you like lawyer romances that are light on law but big on character, you may enjoy this.

**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley for review**


For more reviews, visit

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this hero and his lady love.

More to come ...

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sexy, unrepentant flirt, and life of the party hero to add some heat to your life, look no further than divorce attorney Lucas Wright of Illegally Yours.

Super smart, inordinately charming and witty, Lucas can have any woman he wants until he meets Trinity Jones, his client’s soon to be ex-sister-in-law. Trinity is smoking hot, strong and independent, super protective of her younger sister and completely irresistible to hotshot Brit, who can’t help but fall for her no matter how hard he tries to resist her and the ethical complication she poses.

“Every time our gazes connect, supernovas collapse, galaxies self-destruct, and planets emerge from the antimatter. I want her. Badly.”

Meader writes with effortless charm and a skilled hand plunging Lucas and Trinity headfirst into their attraction while adding complications to their push-pull interactions. I can never wait to dive into her books because of her swoon worthy heroes and Lucas is no exception. I feel for him and his self-assured inner monologues and unapologetic seductive ways from page one and couldn’t put the book down until I hit the end.

I just can’t say enough about this man. Besides his appealing British accent and all the things I’ve mentioned before, he’s patient and willing to play the long game. He’s sincere and honest and found ways to help and woo Trinity despite the ethical hurdle that was between him and Trinity.

I was a bit put off by Trinity’s overprotective, helicopter sister tendencies which enabled to drive a wedge between her and Lucas, but understood Lucas’ difficulties with letting go of his past which were justified given the magnitude of what he underwent.

With this story of two scarred people who help one another find happiness, Meader presents a super sensual, playful and heartfelt story.

Illegally Yours is book #2 of the Laws of Attraction series by author Kate Meader. It is a standalone contemporary romance, told from both points of view.

Amazon -> https://amzn.to/2SCeMNq

* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *

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[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

This is my fifth Meader book, and I think it's my favorite.

Who?
• Trinity - The fiercely independent whiskey sommelier, who played caretaker for everyone except herself.
• Lucas - The life of the party, all around fun guy, and the shark, who represented Trinity's ex-brother-in-law in her sister's divorce.

What?

Because of Lucas' professional association with Trinity's ex-brother-in-law, it would have been unethical for him to pursue a relationship with Trinity. However, circumstances kept bringing them into each other's orbits, and the more they got to know each other, the harder it was for them to resist the attraction.

Why?

I have enjoyed all of Meader's books, but there was just something that put this book on the next level for me. It was a perfect combination of fun, drama, and romance, which had me flipping the pages.

First of all, I fully embraced and loved both Trinity and Lucas. They seemed so confident and ready to take on the world, but they were both victims of poor parenting, rejection, and in Lucas' case, some serious guilt and grief. They slowly shared these pieces of themselves with each other, and us, and each little bit made me see Trinity and Lucas clearer, and made me love them even more.

But, it wasn't all heartache and pain, in fact, there were a ton a rom-com and heartwarming moments that had me laughing and smiling my face off. Lucas was pretty hilarious. He was witty and snarky and don't worry, Trinity was able to rise to his level, which resulted in some phenomenal banter. There was no absence of some kind of feels any time these two were on page together. And there were antics! Some really fun antics actually, which had me giggling, and there were also some sweet and swoony moments too.

It was the characters, that really drove this story, and really made me want to keep reading. Seeing these two people shed their armor, and reveal hidden pieces of themselves or seeing them show some vulnerability to each other was a beautiful thing. Lucas hid behind his fun guy persona, while Trinity wore her strong woman mask, but both had depth and needs, and it warmed my heart to see them find comfort in each other.

I also love the circle of friends Meader has put together. We got to know them a little in book 1, and we get to know them even more in this book. They are a fantastic group! I love their dynamic and the way they care about each other.

Overall: An utterly delightful and heartwarming romance, which made me laugh a lot, and smile often.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[Rosa Sharon (a.k.a #FairyProofmother) iScream Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She needs to recognize that this path has one destination. Me and Trinity sittin' in a tree. F-U-C . . . You get the idea."

So sue me, I like #ForbiddenRomance and Illegally Yours fits the bill. Imagine the disappointment of discovering the woman that you're in lust with is the sister of your client and off-limits. Seems doable though, right? Well, not if fate keeps throwing you together time and again and she feels the same way. So, then the solution would be to just ride it out, keeping your hands to yourselves until the divorce is final and the asshole is no longer a client. Sounds like a plan, huh? "Just thinking of all the things I plan to do to you once the obstacles are out of the way. All the dirty things." Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans...

It was fun being inside Trinity's head, especially when she's thinking about the #HottieBrit and decides that "I'll let it buoy me and fuel a few British-accented fantasies later." Yup, I knew that eventually those fantasies would turn into reality and I couldn't wait. I found myself giggle-snorting more than once as I got an education on sexily accented slang and curse words. I also found my heartstrings being pulled more than once when I discovered why said HB chose to be a divorce attorney.

I'm enjoying the Laws of Attraction series, but I do have to point out that there's not much legal stuff included in the story. Unfortunately, the sexy divorce lawyers did not need my help with strategy or information gathering and there are no objections or badgering of witnesses. But there are a great group of friends that have each other's backs and a specific couple that I'm very excited to read about next. The author has been teasing me from the beginning about them and I'm beyond intrigued to discover their secrets. The line forms here...

[Maida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Down With Love, the first book of this series, but I have a soft spot for this one as interracial romance is my jam. Add that to the fact that there's so much about family and friendship along with romantic love in this book, I can't help but, well, love it.

I've been reading Kate's books for a couple of years now and I've come to expect her to deliver an engaging read. She didn't disappoint. She never does.

Amidst the divorce proceedings of Trinity's overly-dependent younger sister from Lucas's douche of a client Brian, we find a slow(ish)-burn love story that skirts ethical standards (hence the title). We learn that what these two show to the world--Lucas's loudmouth clown persona, Trinity's dependable competence--are nothing more than masks hiding painful personal history. Neglectful parent, guilt, misplaced pride, long-held resentments, etcetera. Their slow opening up to each other matched with simmering physical attraction made their relationship work for me.

I loved the older woman-younger man scenario, the varied locations, the trivia quiz, all the pop culture references, and the fascinating side characters. Grant and Aubrey's awesome back-and-forth in this story had me excited for their own happy-ever-after.

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars / 3 Steam Fans

It took a little bit to remember why I did not read Illegally Yours when I first received it as an ARC through Netgalley, but then I researched it when I was 40-50% through the book. It was the original cover not portraying an interracial couple accurately. The current cover is a better representation of Lucas and Trinity, as described in the book. I did enjoy the dynamic between Lucas (hotshot divorce lawyer) and Trinity (sister to Lucas client's Ex) with the sexual tension of will they won't they because of law ethics. I also like how Lucas and Trinity had family members that they felt responsible for that added another layer to the story. I was somewhat pulled out of the story by one scene that involved a do-her list by some racist drunks toward Trinity that just did not feel needed or relevant. Otherwise, I felt the emotions from both characters and was very engaged with the storyline.

Video review available in Week 20: May 10 – 16 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

How adorable is this book? So much! I love the characters! Of course some of that may be because of the audio version. I'm a sucker for a British accent. (This always makes me think of Love Actually, when the British guy who bombs out with all the girls goes to America and lands Shannon Elizabeth)
Anyway, our hero meets our heroine at a bachelor party. It's a classy affair with whiskey not hookers. She is a sommelier. Fast forward to a few days later and our hero finds himself with his newest client. A total ass who wants to divorce his wife and leave her with nothing. Our hero is fine with that. He thinks most women are 'out to take men to the cleaners' anyway.
Enter our heroine, the protective big sister of the wife. Now, little sister is amazingly spoiled. Her soon to be ex was even our heroine's boyfriend first. So she expects big sister to talk to the attorney and get her a good deal. What a surprise when the attorney is the hot guy she already met.
A fun story with great characters and lots of laughs. Thankyou to Netgalley for this book!!

[Nelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book to be among the most boring I've ever read. My goodness, I've been reading this for days and yet it feels like five years have passed.

When I start reading, I stop and then start again. During this process I keep screaming to myself to DNF.

Whatever the case, I didn't like anything about it - perhaps because of the writing, or maybe because of the bland characters. I did not enjoy the storyline and I struggled for days just to read it.

In essence, the book is a dud, a heavy boulder dropping from a cliff rather than a lovely story about unicorns and rainbows.

There is no way I will recommend this book.

[Saly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this mainly coz of the awesome hero. The heroine was a bit too matyr like in the relationship with her user sister, that like the hero it annoyed me. I mean I get it with family it is complicated but she covered for her horrible sister who was horrid to her and her kids too. The hero is 6 years younger to the heroine btw.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, amusing, and intimate!

Illegally Yours is a passionate, lighthearted story that takes us back to Chicago and into the lives of the spirited, kindhearted Trinity and the cocky, charming, Lucas as they both discover there's more to life than familial responsibility and work.

The writing is crisp and sharp. The characters are supportive, dependable, and multi-layered. And the plot is an alluring tale full of sizzling attraction, heartfelt emotion, friendship, family, understanding, compromise, undeniable chemistry, delicious romance, and whiskey.

Illegally Yours is the second title in the Laws of Attraction series, and once again Meader has written a tender, cheeky, delightfully absorbing tale that left me entertained, satisfied and undoubtedly eager for more.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Random House – Loveswept, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so enjoying this series ... this second book features Lucas who I was so curious about from the first book. And this one totally delivered. I love his heroine Trinity - she was strong and independent, a person who takes care of everyone. Sometimes at her own expense. And I adore Lucas - I was so glad to get a chance to know him better. He's one of those characters who is charming, sensitive and witty. I loved learning his back story. And he and Trinity ... they are perfection. I loved how they worked together. This is a fantastic romance and I cannot wait for the 3rd in the series!!


NOTE: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Laws of Attraction #2, Another good read from Kate Meader. The mischievous Brit, Lucas Wright, meets his match with whiskey sommelier, Trinity Jones. (I love that she was named for Trinity from The Matrix, my daughter was almost Trinity for the same reason) Told in the alternating first person POV you get an interesting look at both their worlds as they collide.

Lust at first sight and Lucas' smart mouth doesn't help matters in showing off although she seems immune to his charm. Trinity is use to his type but is impressed when he actually sticks around afterwards to apologize for his behaviour. Trinity should know better but she actually likes the guy, even after she finds out he's representing her horrible brother-in-law she keeps running into him and he keeps proving he's a better man than she thinks. For one he coaches her nephew's soccer team, he's more than willing to step up and help out when she gets sick and when the chips are down he's willing to do the right thing. But unfortunately the biggest obstacle isn't the fact that he's her brother-in-law's lawyer.

Both Trinity and Lucas have baggage they need to deal with, Trinity is way over protective of her sister always putting her sister first even it if meant hurting herself. Lucas has a past he doesn't talk about, the people closest to him know of his twin sister and her situation but he doesn't talk about his mom or his childhood. Trinity is one of the few who know the guilt he carries. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable and strong. As much as they tried to keep it under control and not cross the ethical line Lucas received some sage advice from a friend that had him throw caution to the wind. Their relationship is pretty steamy and Lucas is capable of doing some pretty sweet gestures.

Overall, it was a good read. It caught me off guard the age difference but Lucas, when he's not being a jokester, is very mature for his age and is far more intelligent for his year. This was a nice heartfelt romance with plenty of humor to keep it from being to somber. Can't wait for the next one.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I had a harder time connecting with these characters. While I still rooted for them to be together, I didn’t find myself as invested as I have been with other books I’ve read by Kate Meader. Lucas was sweet and determined to woo Trinity despite being on opposite sides of a divorce case. I liked the progression of their relationship, but at times it felt like it was dragging. I think it also says something that as much as I liked the main characters, the thing that stuck the most with me was the conflict with the side characters.

I really liked Trinity and her need to protect her sister, but it got a bit frustrating at how much she was taken advantage of. I was hoping for a good confrontation or conversation between her and Emily, but the one they had was very quick and it’s hard to believe that it would change Emily’s bad habits; both as a sister and a mother. I would have also liked to learn how the divorce turned out. I know the book wasn’t about Emily and Brian, but their divorce is a big part of the story, and it would have been nice to see it get resolved on the page. Seeing some kind of connection made between Chase and his mom would have been good too. I felt bad for him and what he had to go through while his parents were having a bitter divorce. I was glad that he at least had Trinity to rely on.

Overall this was still a good book, but it just wasn’t my favorite of Kate Meader. I’m really looking forward to Grant and Aubrey’s book though. My anticipation has been growing with every interaction they have.

(Random side note: I seriously love the updated cover!)

*ARC provided by NetGalley

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a bar for a bachelor party, Lucas Wright immediately notice the pretty black woman who's hosting the liquor tasting. Whiskey expert Trinity Jones is less impressed with the hotshot divorce lawyer booty shake and his blabbermouth. She categorize him as an overgrown frat boy but she can't deny that Hottie Brit, as she called him in her mind, is annoyingly good-looking. But knowing he's the enemy, aka her future ex brother-in-law's attorney might be a deterrent to stop her from acting on the attraction for a time, but Lucas can be pretty convincing with the way he use anticipation for seduction.


I usually adore Kate Meader's books but I have to admit this one wasn't my favorite. I can't really find the reason for it though. My first impression of Lucas is that he was trying too hard to be funny but I ended up liking his full of energy personality and unusual fashion sense. Maybe I didn't like the fact that Trinity wasn't even aware that people rely on her so much that they were taking advantage of her. Could be a case of I would have liked it better if it wasn't written in the first person too.

But I'm still on board for the next book.

[Nella ☾ of Bookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, but why was this everything?



This book had me grinning from ear to ear and laughing at the top of my lungs. I devoured it in one sitting. Lucas and Trinity are truly an OTP; I loved them both as characters and their romance even more. Lucas is the most charismatic, compassionate, sweetest goofball there is. And Trinity's all that and a bag of chips! A baddie with a sense of humor is what we need.

Honestly, this book was a whole vibe, a perfect mix of humor, steaminess, and heartfelt moments. I had the best time reading it!

[Kristina Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illegally Yours is one of the most satisfying slow burns I’ve ever read!
Lucas and Trinity stole the show in the whiskey tasting scene in Down with Love and Illegally Yours picks up right from there, so you don’t have to read Down with Love - but you totally should! The sexy Brit and badass female whiskey sommelier have crazy chemistry but they also have a conflict of interest and so begins the slow burn. Meader craftily weaves friendship, banter, and sexy moments into a story that has you as anticipating THE MOMENT as much as Lucas and Trinity are!
I’ve been a fan of Meader for a while now and Eli Cooper, the sexy Chicago politician from Playing With Fire, has been my fave Chicago hottie but Lucas as stolen the show!
I’m beyond ready for Grant and Aubrey’s story and more excellent books from Kate Meader!

[Michele McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies get ready for the swoon worthy Lucas Wright . He has swagger, intelligence, a panty dropping smile and oh yes a sinfully sexy British accent. He is the quintessential bad boy that just hasn't found his perfect gal. When Trinity Jones steps into his sight all bets are off but she wants no part of this smug, arrogant oh so sexy attorney. She has been though the romance wringer and the last thing she needs is to be pursued by Lucas. The attraction is undeniable and the pursuit is on but once Lucas realizes that she is the sister in law of his new divorce client he needs to step back and rethink this woman ! The problem is that he can't stop thinking about the beautiful , sassy smart sommelier. She has captured more than just his attention .
Lucas and Trinity are sweet, snarky, sexy and brilliant together !
Loved them !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~

[Jessica Lemmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home freaking run! Man, did I adore this one! It’s so fun and fresh and surprising and different.

[Lita Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illegally Yours (Laws of Attraction #2) by Kate Meader is the next book in the series. However the 1st book does not have to be read in order to read this book. I can say I have not read the first book and it didn't effect this story. Lucas is a hot shot divorce attorney who at a Whiskey tasting meets a woman who rocks his world. Trinity is a sommelier. Whiskey is her area of expertise. During an event she meets meets a loud, silly, very charming and sexy man. She has a an interaction with Lucas that many can see the sexual tension between the two of them. When Trinity feels her sister's lawyer is not fighting for her, she goes to Lucas's firm for help. She finds out Lucas is representing her sister's soon to be cheating ex husband. Due to that fact the relationship Lucas and Trinity had hoped to starts is put in jeopardy. I loved this story. I loved Lucas, between his British wit and his compassionate spirit I couldn't get enough of him. He is any woman's dream man. The interaction between Lucas and Trinity kept me engaged in their story from beginning to end. I can tell you i didn't get much sleep. A true love story. 5 stars for me.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I love this woman! Ever since I binge read Kate’s Chicago Rebels, I have been in love *happy sigh* She has a way of mixing the feels and heart with the sexy that is just so damn captivating you just can’t stop reading. It has been like that for me every single book I have read by her!

Illegally Yours is a mix of forbidden/close proximity/work(ish) tropes that come together explosively. Imagine if you were a divorce lawyer and you had the hots for a woman who turned out to be your client’s sister…are you imagining it? Well, you don’t have to imagine how crazy it would be because Kate writes ALL about it in Illegally Yours! And the story is not just sexy, it is fun! I wish I could give you a play-by-play because let me tell ya, the more these two tried not to give in, the more the universe said bwaahahahah, not! LOL

Like I said, I’ve never had any trouble enjoying a book by this author. Sometimes, so much so that I go back and binge other books I’ve already read LOL This is an author that should be on everyone’s radar. #TRUST

[Keanna (JustKey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasons why you should read this book:

+ whiskey distillory & divorce lawyer (ain't that a pairing)
+ SO MUCH ANGST
+ Interracial romance
+ That HB (read it to figure out the reference)
+ big sister.little sister vibes
+ messy divorce?
+ Scotland distilleries
+ taking care of yourself w/o enabling a close family member
+ Oh, not to mention the STEAM
+ Swoony admissions

Yeah, these are many of the reasons why I loved this book, but Trinity was relatable, because she always put herself (liek we all do) in these roles: big sister, protector, etc and she didn't want to admit to herself that she was enabling her sister not being a parent for her children and when Trinity practically raised them as her own. But it took lucas, the blue eyed Brit to make her realize she needed to take care of herself and allow herself a life and it was a sweet and steamy ride.