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Monica Spade #1
Conscious Bias
A legal drama, laced with a woman's personal growth, that explores visceral bias, cultural alliances, and the power of love in Apple Grove, Wisconsin.
Trevor McKnight, a young white male, is charged with the murder of Abdul Seif, a Saudi Arabian foreign exchange student.
Newbie Attorney Monica Spade's physician clients plan to testify at trial that Trevor's punch to Abdul's head killed him. Monica is shocked when her bosses at her all-male law firm warn her not to cross the powerful McKnight family. Facing death threats and career-ending consequences, Monica must decide whether to expose the truth in a bigoted environment.
In her personal life, Monica joins a CrossFit box to work off the unwanted weight and stress of practicing law. During class, she meets Shelby St. Claire, a high school art teacher. For the first time in her career, Monica considers coming out of the closet for Shelby.
Trevor McKnight, a young white male, is charged with the murder of Abdul Seif, a Saudi Arabian foreign exchange student.
Newbie Attorney Monica Spade's physician clients plan to testify at trial that Trevor's punch to Abdul's head killed him. Monica is shocked when her bosses at her all-male law firm warn her not to cross the powerful McKnight family. Facing death threats and career-ending consequences, Monica must decide whether to expose the truth in a bigoted environment.
In her personal life, Monica joins a CrossFit box to work off the unwanted weight and stress of practicing law. During class, she meets Shelby St. Claire, a high school art teacher. For the first time in her career, Monica considers coming out of the closet for Shelby.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2019
154 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Alexi Venice
29 books401 followersAlexi Venice writes award-winning medical, legal, and crime thrillers with smart and gritty female leads. Her stories blend high-stakes investigations, courtroom shenanigans, emotional depth, and character-driven romance in the relentless pursuit of justice.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
Both The San Francisco Mystery Series and The Monica Spade Trilogy are Lesfic Bard Award winners. Standby Counsel was named Best Legal Thriller of 2021 by BestThrillers.com, and Baking Ice Cubes was a BestThrillers.com Legal Thriller finalist in 2025.
With thirty-four years of legal practice informing her storylines, Venice brings authenticity to the page. Her heart and imagination fuel the slow-burn, and sometimes forbidden, romance.
When Venice isn’t writing, she’s wrangling grandsons and playing on the lake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 21, 2019
I don’t think I’ve read a book using this style for quite some time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Monica Spade is a lawyer whose biggest client is the local hospital. When a foreign, Muslim student dies after being punched it falls to her to prepare the doctors who treated him for their testimony at the trial. Monica’s life is quite full with her new cross-fit class, some monkey business at the hospital and having to put up with the bigoted, self-important partners at the law firm she works at. But Shelby is a beautiful distraction.
The story follows pretty much every minute of Monica’s day to the point that if a period of time is skipped it is labelled as so with a header like, ‘The next morning’. It’s a style that makes me feel involved and privy to everything the main character is privy to. There were a couple of times though, where a person’s testimony was given in practice and then repeated in the trial and perhaps there is a better way to deal with that.
It’s Monica’s point of view that is followed and she’s a likeable character but all the information gained about her is through her actions. If this is the start of series I’m looking forward to and hoping for more of her backstory. There are some unexpected moments of humour and quirkiness like the journalist and her malapropisms. I enjoyed the realism of the courtroom scenes and the handling of bigotry.
And then there’s the romance. Even though it takes a backseat to the crime and trial it is still wonderfully sexy. Monica and Shelby have tangible, sizzling chemistry. It is an easy, well-paced read.
Book received from Netgalley for an honest review.
The story follows pretty much every minute of Monica’s day to the point that if a period of time is skipped it is labelled as so with a header like, ‘The next morning’. It’s a style that makes me feel involved and privy to everything the main character is privy to. There were a couple of times though, where a person’s testimony was given in practice and then repeated in the trial and perhaps there is a better way to deal with that.
It’s Monica’s point of view that is followed and she’s a likeable character but all the information gained about her is through her actions. If this is the start of series I’m looking forward to and hoping for more of her backstory. There are some unexpected moments of humour and quirkiness like the journalist and her malapropisms. I enjoyed the realism of the courtroom scenes and the handling of bigotry.
And then there’s the romance. Even though it takes a backseat to the crime and trial it is still wonderfully sexy. Monica and Shelby have tangible, sizzling chemistry. It is an easy, well-paced read.
Book received from Netgalley for an honest review.
September 14, 2019
I have no idea why I was a bit reluctant to read this book. It’s an entertaining legal mystery, with the right amount of romance thrown in.
There’s always something special about novels written by authors who use their professional knowledge for their stories, such as Radclyffe with medical romances or, in this case, Venice’s legal knowledge.
Monica Spade is a lawyer working for a very conservative firm. She was an out lesbian before working there and after three years back in the closet is feeling the strain of having to hide. But she loves her job, especially working for the local hospital, whether it’s dealing with a monkey on the loose (I loved that part!) or preparing physicians who have been subpoenaed in a felony murder case: the son of a very powerful family is accused of having killed an exchange student from Saudi Arabia in a bar brawl. Caught in the middle, Monica has to deal with death threats while at the firm one of the partners’ son is making her life hell after one of her friends and coworkers has come out as gay. The good news is, she’s met the woman of her dreams in her CrossFit class, an art teacher called Shelby.
Well-paced, intriguing and well-written, with delicious banter between Monica and Shelby, Conscious Bias would be a perfect read on the beach.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There’s always something special about novels written by authors who use their professional knowledge for their stories, such as Radclyffe with medical romances or, in this case, Venice’s legal knowledge.
Monica Spade is a lawyer working for a very conservative firm. She was an out lesbian before working there and after three years back in the closet is feeling the strain of having to hide. But she loves her job, especially working for the local hospital, whether it’s dealing with a monkey on the loose (I loved that part!) or preparing physicians who have been subpoenaed in a felony murder case: the son of a very powerful family is accused of having killed an exchange student from Saudi Arabia in a bar brawl. Caught in the middle, Monica has to deal with death threats while at the firm one of the partners’ son is making her life hell after one of her friends and coworkers has come out as gay. The good news is, she’s met the woman of her dreams in her CrossFit class, an art teacher called Shelby.
Well-paced, intriguing and well-written, with delicious banter between Monica and Shelby, Conscious Bias would be a perfect read on the beach.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2019
Legal drama.
Monica Spade is a closeted lawyer in Wisconsin. She represents the local hospital. They have some crazy issues that require her legal expertise and representation. To relieve stress and try to shed some extra pounds, she starts a cross fit class and meets, Shelby, a hot woman also taking the class.
I liked the story. I enjoyed all of the characters. Especially the way Monica could not find the will power to pass up a single cookie or pastry regardless of how much she tried. It had unique scenarios. There is a lot of monkey business going on.
This wasn't primarily a romance. It was more legal drama with a side story of Monica meeting Shelby and trying to get the nerve up to ask her out. It was well balanced. They had a lot of chemistry. I hope book two goes a bit deeper with them. Monica mentions some cosmic force pulling them together. As if they knew each other in another life. But thinking that and showing us are two different things. I'd like to see a deeper connection happen within the pages.
The only thing I didn't care for (and it was a big one) was the repetitiveness of details surrounding the trial. Monica interviews all of the players. But then we have to see it all over again almost word for word during the trial. There definitely needed to be some editing there. Generalizing what we had already heard and then actually seeing new dialogue that tells us something different. It was honestly tough for me to get through the trial. I had to skip through a lot of it. And then I feared I would miss something new.
Anyhow, I would recommend this to those who like to read about romance, legal drama, court room trials, homophobic employers, cross fit, and monkeys.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
Monica Spade is a closeted lawyer in Wisconsin. She represents the local hospital. They have some crazy issues that require her legal expertise and representation. To relieve stress and try to shed some extra pounds, she starts a cross fit class and meets, Shelby, a hot woman also taking the class.
I liked the story. I enjoyed all of the characters. Especially the way Monica could not find the will power to pass up a single cookie or pastry regardless of how much she tried. It had unique scenarios. There is a lot of monkey business going on.
This wasn't primarily a romance. It was more legal drama with a side story of Monica meeting Shelby and trying to get the nerve up to ask her out. It was well balanced. They had a lot of chemistry. I hope book two goes a bit deeper with them. Monica mentions some cosmic force pulling them together. As if they knew each other in another life. But thinking that and showing us are two different things. I'd like to see a deeper connection happen within the pages.
The only thing I didn't care for (and it was a big one) was the repetitiveness of details surrounding the trial. Monica interviews all of the players. But then we have to see it all over again almost word for word during the trial. There definitely needed to be some editing there. Generalizing what we had already heard and then actually seeing new dialogue that tells us something different. It was honestly tough for me to get through the trial. I had to skip through a lot of it. And then I feared I would miss something new.
Anyhow, I would recommend this to those who like to read about romance, legal drama, court room trials, homophobic employers, cross fit, and monkeys.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
September 12, 2019
What to make of Concious Bias… okay, first off, you must really really like legal because you will get a blow-by-blow account of Monica Spade’s daily job from getting out of bed to closing her eyes at night. Every phone call, every brief, everything that’s said in court. Alexi Venice writes legal, it’s what she knows, but her San Francisco Mystery series had a much better balance.
In the blurb it says Concious Bias is a legal thriller with a f/f romance. I didn’t find it much of a thriller (or a romance to be honest). I know this is the first book in a series so Monica Spade has some growing to do but although she is a gifted young lawyer, she plays second fiddle throughout the book. She preps the witnesses for trial and does an awful lot of legwork but is not in the prosecutor’s team. Throughout the trial she sits in the back in an observing role. Not very rock star.
The crime is pretty clear from the beginning. We know who the guilty party is so there is not a lot of ambiguity there. We just have to sit though the trial and see which side will win the arguments. (Yawn). The levity has to come from an escaped-monkey-that’s-running-amok-in-the-hospital subplot.
Outside of the trial we get Monica at the gym with her early morning crossfit sessions. It’s there where the romance part kicks in. Romance is a big word here, she is basically lusting after a stranger (teacher Shelby with the perfect ass) and they don’t really get to spend any time together outside of the gym. There is some flirting, some fantasizing, but nothing substantial until the end of the book. As this plot spans a few weeks in total we can basically speak of insta-love. There is some making out but when they are taking it to the bedroom we suddenly fast forward three months. (not cool).
The bad guys in this story where very two-dimensional (sexist bosses, sleazy defense attorneys, corrupt businessmen) and didn’t really add any tension to the story. Monika is a Teflon character who will land on her feet.
I’m giving it a lower rating than was initially the plan. I even thought I liked it better when reading but looking back I have to be a bit harsh in my ruling. I hope book two will pick up steam because this one was a bit of a snooze fest.
f/f there is mutual lusting from across the room, some kissing but no sex
Themes: legal, after reading this I can go work in a lawyer’s office now, early morning crossfit, back in the closet, workplace drama, small-town politics, monkey on the loose, homophobia, bias, hate crime.
3.4 Stars
In the blurb it says Concious Bias is a legal thriller with a f/f romance. I didn’t find it much of a thriller (or a romance to be honest). I know this is the first book in a series so Monica Spade has some growing to do but although she is a gifted young lawyer, she plays second fiddle throughout the book. She preps the witnesses for trial and does an awful lot of legwork but is not in the prosecutor’s team. Throughout the trial she sits in the back in an observing role. Not very rock star.
The crime is pretty clear from the beginning. We know who the guilty party is so there is not a lot of ambiguity there. We just have to sit though the trial and see which side will win the arguments. (Yawn). The levity has to come from an escaped-monkey-that’s-running-amok-in-the-hospital subplot.
Outside of the trial we get Monica at the gym with her early morning crossfit sessions. It’s there where the romance part kicks in. Romance is a big word here, she is basically lusting after a stranger (teacher Shelby with the perfect ass) and they don’t really get to spend any time together outside of the gym. There is some flirting, some fantasizing, but nothing substantial until the end of the book. As this plot spans a few weeks in total we can basically speak of insta-love. There is some making out but when they are taking it to the bedroom we suddenly fast forward three months. (not cool).
The bad guys in this story where very two-dimensional (sexist bosses, sleazy defense attorneys, corrupt businessmen) and didn’t really add any tension to the story. Monika is a Teflon character who will land on her feet.
I’m giving it a lower rating than was initially the plan. I even thought I liked it better when reading but looking back I have to be a bit harsh in my ruling. I hope book two will pick up steam because this one was a bit of a snooze fest.
f/f there is mutual lusting from across the room, some kissing but no sex
Themes: legal, after reading this I can go work in a lawyer’s office now, early morning crossfit, back in the closet, workplace drama, small-town politics, monkey on the loose, homophobia, bias, hate crime.
3.4 Stars
November 7, 2019
I stumbled upon this book and honestly jumped on it before really reading the synopsis of it. I actually glad I did. Now, I usually read romance novels where everything is pretty predictable, a happily ever after better be in store for the mains, and there is the usual drama/angst and so on and so forth. I don't usually read books where the romance is second and the legal/political issues are first. In essence this is what this book is...not really a romance but a high profile murder for a small town in Wisconsin. The topic may get some people turned off to the book but try not to. Though the case is between a white elitist and a Saudi Arabian student, a political topic that may have many up in arms, it doesn't take that hard road, if that makes sense.
That being said, I rather enjoyed my first reading of an Alexi Vence novel and am very tempted to read her previous ones. This one is about young lawyer Monica (28) who is is vying for a partner position at her good ol' boys club firm, which means she has not one but two strikes against her in that quest (she's a woman and she's gay). What I really liked about the novel was that though the main case was a serious one, there was lots of subtle comic relieves that made me smile and laugh a little bit. The monkey was really fun and the messed up idioms throughout made me laugh "from the gecko" (hahaha).
There was a lot in the book that was not fully addressed, little threads that were not fully explored or finished. I wonder if there will be more novels about Monica. I would really like more about her relationship with Shelby and the law firm. It seems the relationship moved really fast but didnt really go anywhere...kinda like running in place and then was all of a sudden at the finish line.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. If more come out and this becomes a series, I will more than happily read them.
That being said, I rather enjoyed my first reading of an Alexi Vence novel and am very tempted to read her previous ones. This one is about young lawyer Monica (28) who is is vying for a partner position at her good ol' boys club firm, which means she has not one but two strikes against her in that quest (she's a woman and she's gay). What I really liked about the novel was that though the main case was a serious one, there was lots of subtle comic relieves that made me smile and laugh a little bit. The monkey was really fun and the messed up idioms throughout made me laugh "from the gecko" (hahaha).
There was a lot in the book that was not fully addressed, little threads that were not fully explored or finished. I wonder if there will be more novels about Monica. I would really like more about her relationship with Shelby and the law firm. It seems the relationship moved really fast but didnt really go anywhere...kinda like running in place and then was all of a sudden at the finish line.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. If more come out and this becomes a series, I will more than happily read them.
June 20, 2019
Book acquired from NetGalley for a fair review
I really had no idea what to expect from this book, and if I had looked at it closer (though I did take a close book before pulling it off NetGalley), I might not have tried it (for a specific reason I’ll mention later). I knew the book involved a lawyer, and that she was somehow involved in a case that involved an individual connected to a ‘popular’ small town family (the father has a construction business and directly or indirectly employees a good many members of the town). Oh, and I knew three more things: 1) while those on my friend list who had read the book apparently liked it well enough: a) none had written a review; b) there were very few of them who had read it (3?; … heh. Oops. So, nine people have rated it and I was right about how few of my friends have read/rated it, I was just wrong to believe any had – I could have sworn at least three had rated it. mmphs); 2) two is connected to that 9 number – I knew very few people had read it at all; 3) the book cover involves legs and a hint of a not exactly appropriate for court room dress (more the color red than anything else; oddly enough, no one is described as wearing a red dress in the book (at least what I recall being mentioned were conservative court outfits, workout clothing, and the like); 3) I’ve never read this author before.
Bah, I got distracted by work related stuff for a longish time so now have to figure out how to get back into review.
This book here falls into the ‘legal thriller’ category, with a strong Romance subplot (though, unlike what might be implied by the book cover (maybe?) this is not an Erotic Romance (some touchy-feely stuff occurs, and much time is spent thinking about kissing and/or kissing/and or touching, but both dives around actual displays of a sexual nature, while also going deep into public displays of fondling.
The legal thriller part is where I’d, if I’d read closer, have stepped around this book. Not because I haven’t read and liked those types of books, but because I am quite reluctant to read for pleasure a book set in my own line of work. Add in the part where the main character works in the health care legal field, and I work . . . well, I do not wish to get into my personal life – for the last little bit of time I’ve worked healthcare fraud field. Prosecuting it. Soooo, not exactly a book I’d sit back, read, and relax with, eh?
Monica Spade works as a lawyer for a particular law firm in a small town in Wisconsin named ‘Apple Grove’ (I actually forgot we were in Wisconsin until I looked at the book description, though I’d recalled we were in the Midwest). While aware that the place is very conservative (the law firm), she also has overlooked certain things you’d think she’d have noticed (like how she’s the only female in the firm – the token female), but let’s move on. Most of her work involves a hospital, and she tackles anything and everything they wish for her to tackle (like a joint-building project to build a sports stadium, loose monkeys in the hospital, and doctors testifying in murder trials). All three of my examples play roles in this book, though it’s the last one that plays the largest role (legal-wise). A good portion of the book involves Monica involved with a murder trial (as the lawyer for the hospital, not as a trial lawyer), mixed with the thing that distracts Monica greatly, and the thing I’ve not yet mentioned (well, I did mention a Romance subplot) – a woman. The woman causes deeply distracting thoughts in Monica’s brain.
How’d Monica fit in a romance into her ‘hiding her lesbian-nature from her conservative firm?’ while also dealing with a murder trial? Well, Monica notices that her pants appear to be shrinking on her, so she starts going to a gym (she immediately joined the gym she was touring when a very gorgeous woman happened to wander out of the women’s locker room). That would be Shelby St. Clair, ‘sexy art teacher’. The two spend most of the book flirting and sending lustful looks towards each other, and eventually take things to the next level. Takes a while. Again I note the lace of explicit sex (as some need to know that information) while also noting, for the first time, that everything is from one person’s point of view (though there were some odd drifting moments when Monica seemed to be out of a scene (having just walked out of a room, or the like), and the ‘POV lingered’ in the room she’d just left; that was rare though).
Hmm. This book might be more of a slice of life book than a Legal Thriller or a Romance. But, eh, whatever it was, it worked for me more than I expected. I liked the story, characters, and . . . um . . . the stuff I read.
Getting back to that ‘wasn’t sure what to expect’ part – labeling this as the first book in a series, and putting ‘Spade’ as the name of the character and series (Monica Spade), led me to believe that there’d be more ‘Spade-like’ stuff going on (you know, like Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett’s private detective, made famous in the Maltese Falcon book and film). This Spade, Monica, is not like that Spade, Sam.
Rating: 4.96
June 20 2019
I really had no idea what to expect from this book, and if I had looked at it closer (though I did take a close book before pulling it off NetGalley), I might not have tried it (for a specific reason I’ll mention later). I knew the book involved a lawyer, and that she was somehow involved in a case that involved an individual connected to a ‘popular’ small town family (the father has a construction business and directly or indirectly employees a good many members of the town). Oh, and I knew three more things: 1) while those on my friend list who had read the book apparently liked it well enough: a) none had written a review; b) there were very few of them who had read it (3?; … heh. Oops. So, nine people have rated it and I was right about how few of my friends have read/rated it, I was just wrong to believe any had – I could have sworn at least three had rated it. mmphs); 2) two is connected to that 9 number – I knew very few people had read it at all; 3) the book cover involves legs and a hint of a not exactly appropriate for court room dress (more the color red than anything else; oddly enough, no one is described as wearing a red dress in the book (at least what I recall being mentioned were conservative court outfits, workout clothing, and the like); 3) I’ve never read this author before.
Bah, I got distracted by work related stuff for a longish time so now have to figure out how to get back into review.
This book here falls into the ‘legal thriller’ category, with a strong Romance subplot (though, unlike what might be implied by the book cover (maybe?) this is not an Erotic Romance (some touchy-feely stuff occurs, and much time is spent thinking about kissing and/or kissing/and or touching, but both dives around actual displays of a sexual nature, while also going deep into public displays of fondling.
The legal thriller part is where I’d, if I’d read closer, have stepped around this book. Not because I haven’t read and liked those types of books, but because I am quite reluctant to read for pleasure a book set in my own line of work. Add in the part where the main character works in the health care legal field, and I work . . . well, I do not wish to get into my personal life – for the last little bit of time I’ve worked healthcare fraud field. Prosecuting it. Soooo, not exactly a book I’d sit back, read, and relax with, eh?
Monica Spade works as a lawyer for a particular law firm in a small town in Wisconsin named ‘Apple Grove’ (I actually forgot we were in Wisconsin until I looked at the book description, though I’d recalled we were in the Midwest). While aware that the place is very conservative (the law firm), she also has overlooked certain things you’d think she’d have noticed (like how she’s the only female in the firm – the token female), but let’s move on. Most of her work involves a hospital, and she tackles anything and everything they wish for her to tackle (like a joint-building project to build a sports stadium, loose monkeys in the hospital, and doctors testifying in murder trials). All three of my examples play roles in this book, though it’s the last one that plays the largest role (legal-wise). A good portion of the book involves Monica involved with a murder trial (as the lawyer for the hospital, not as a trial lawyer), mixed with the thing that distracts Monica greatly, and the thing I’ve not yet mentioned (well, I did mention a Romance subplot) – a woman. The woman causes deeply distracting thoughts in Monica’s brain.
How’d Monica fit in a romance into her ‘hiding her lesbian-nature from her conservative firm?’ while also dealing with a murder trial? Well, Monica notices that her pants appear to be shrinking on her, so she starts going to a gym (she immediately joined the gym she was touring when a very gorgeous woman happened to wander out of the women’s locker room). That would be Shelby St. Clair, ‘sexy art teacher’. The two spend most of the book flirting and sending lustful looks towards each other, and eventually take things to the next level. Takes a while. Again I note the lace of explicit sex (as some need to know that information) while also noting, for the first time, that everything is from one person’s point of view (though there were some odd drifting moments when Monica seemed to be out of a scene (having just walked out of a room, or the like), and the ‘POV lingered’ in the room she’d just left; that was rare though).
Hmm. This book might be more of a slice of life book than a Legal Thriller or a Romance. But, eh, whatever it was, it worked for me more than I expected. I liked the story, characters, and . . . um . . . the stuff I read.
Getting back to that ‘wasn’t sure what to expect’ part – labeling this as the first book in a series, and putting ‘Spade’ as the name of the character and series (Monica Spade), led me to believe that there’d be more ‘Spade-like’ stuff going on (you know, like Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett’s private detective, made famous in the Maltese Falcon book and film). This Spade, Monica, is not like that Spade, Sam.
Rating: 4.96
June 20 2019
June 29, 2019
I stumbled upon this book and honestly jumped on it before really reading the synopsis of it. I actually glad I did. Now, I usually read romance novels where everything is pretty predictable, a happily ever after better be in store for the mains, and there is the usual drama/angst and so on and so forth. I don't usually read books where the romance is second and the legal/political issues are first. In essence this is what this book is...not really a romance but a high profile murder for a small town in Wisconsin. The topic may get some people turned off to the book but try not to. Though the case is between a white elitist and a Saudi Arabian student, a political topic that may have many up in arms, it doesn't take that hard road, if that makes sense.
That being said, I rather enjoyed my first reading of an Alexi Vence novel and am very tempted to read her previous ones. This one is about young lawyer Monica (28) who is is vying for a partner position at her good ol' boys club firm, which means she has not one but two strikes against her in that quest (she's a woman and she's gay). What I really liked about the novel was that though the main case was a serious one, there was lots of subtle comic relieves that made me smile and laugh a little bit. The monkey was really fun and the messed up idioms throughout made me laugh "from the gecko" (hahaha).
There was a lot in the book that was not fully addressed, little threads that were not fully explored or finished. I wonder if there will be more novels about Monica. I would really like more about her relationship with Shelby and the law firm. It seems the relationship moved really fast but didnt really go anywhere...kinda like running in place and then was all of a sudden at the finish line.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. If more come out and this becomes a series, I will more than happily read them.
***ARC from Netgalley for an honest review from me :)***
That being said, I rather enjoyed my first reading of an Alexi Vence novel and am very tempted to read her previous ones. This one is about young lawyer Monica (28) who is is vying for a partner position at her good ol' boys club firm, which means she has not one but two strikes against her in that quest (she's a woman and she's gay). What I really liked about the novel was that though the main case was a serious one, there was lots of subtle comic relieves that made me smile and laugh a little bit. The monkey was really fun and the messed up idioms throughout made me laugh "from the gecko" (hahaha).
There was a lot in the book that was not fully addressed, little threads that were not fully explored or finished. I wonder if there will be more novels about Monica. I would really like more about her relationship with Shelby and the law firm. It seems the relationship moved really fast but didnt really go anywhere...kinda like running in place and then was all of a sudden at the finish line.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book. If more come out and this becomes a series, I will more than happily read them.
***ARC from Netgalley for an honest review from me :)***
July 18, 2021
Plenty of legal drama in the court room, a monkey roaming the hospital, homophobic employers, actions (CrossFit kind of action, not the lustful kind) in the gym, romance in the air (not at the forefront though).
Not too bad a read. I enjoyed it. 3.5 ⭐️
May 9, 2020
Conscious Bias is billed as a legal thriller with f/f romance. I felt primed to read this after coming off Grace Mead's Defense of an Other and was eager to start, but things go awry very quickly.
Calling this a thriller is just plain wrong. There is little to no tension in this story. I was propelled forward as I struggled to figure out what was going on instead of being compelled by the plot. The main character is a gifted lawyer, but she takes a backseat in the case central to the book. In the trial that is the focus of Conscious Bias, Monica Spade is not the prosecutor or even a member of the prosecutor's team. She prepares two witnesses to testify and sits back to watch the trial. It's interesting enough, but left Monica feeling more like a supporting character than our protagonist.
The crime that sets off the divisive trial in Apple Grove revolves around the death of Abdul Seif, an exchange student studying at the local university. There isn't a lot of ambiguity with the crime, the reader knows that the defendant is guilty, it's just a matter of waiting to see which side can get the system to rule in their favor. This is where Venice's law career comes in handy, but it is hardly the saving grace of this book. The trial central to this book doesn't start until past the halfway mark, mostly because this book is a blow-by-blow account of Monica's every waking moment from start to finish. Silly subplots (a monkey loose in a hospital?) only add to the painful pacing.
Outside of the trial, Monica spends lots of time at the gym, where she meets Shelby. Their insta-love connection isn't something I was in to, but that's just a personal preference. What really killed it for me was the cringe-worthy dialogue. Shelby's eyes were "firebombs" and her butt cheeks were "orbs." It's pervasive throughout the book, but peaks during the scenes in which Monica is at the gym, fantasizing about Shelby. And, that's mostly it. For a book that's billed as a f/f romance, there isn't a lot going on besides fantasizing, some flirting, and getting together right at the end of the book. The sticking point for me was, again, that even though this book only spans a few weeks, they're emphatically in love by the time they get together.
The story is further burdened by two-dimensional bad guys (sexist bosses, sleazy defense attorneys, corrupt businessmen) that fail to add and tension to the story because it is very apparent early on that the main character is always going to land on her feet because the author wants her to. I gave this book the benefit of the doubt until the very end, but there was no redemption with the rushed, senseless wrap-up. Clearly I'm in the minority here, but pick this book up at your own risk.
I received my copy of Conscious Bias from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Calling this a thriller is just plain wrong. There is little to no tension in this story. I was propelled forward as I struggled to figure out what was going on instead of being compelled by the plot. The main character is a gifted lawyer, but she takes a backseat in the case central to the book. In the trial that is the focus of Conscious Bias, Monica Spade is not the prosecutor or even a member of the prosecutor's team. She prepares two witnesses to testify and sits back to watch the trial. It's interesting enough, but left Monica feeling more like a supporting character than our protagonist.
The crime that sets off the divisive trial in Apple Grove revolves around the death of Abdul Seif, an exchange student studying at the local university. There isn't a lot of ambiguity with the crime, the reader knows that the defendant is guilty, it's just a matter of waiting to see which side can get the system to rule in their favor. This is where Venice's law career comes in handy, but it is hardly the saving grace of this book. The trial central to this book doesn't start until past the halfway mark, mostly because this book is a blow-by-blow account of Monica's every waking moment from start to finish. Silly subplots (a monkey loose in a hospital?) only add to the painful pacing.
Outside of the trial, Monica spends lots of time at the gym, where she meets Shelby. Their insta-love connection isn't something I was in to, but that's just a personal preference. What really killed it for me was the cringe-worthy dialogue. Shelby's eyes were "firebombs" and her butt cheeks were "orbs." It's pervasive throughout the book, but peaks during the scenes in which Monica is at the gym, fantasizing about Shelby. And, that's mostly it. For a book that's billed as a f/f romance, there isn't a lot going on besides fantasizing, some flirting, and getting together right at the end of the book. The sticking point for me was, again, that even though this book only spans a few weeks, they're emphatically in love by the time they get together.
The story is further burdened by two-dimensional bad guys (sexist bosses, sleazy defense attorneys, corrupt businessmen) that fail to add and tension to the story because it is very apparent early on that the main character is always going to land on her feet because the author wants her to. I gave this book the benefit of the doubt until the very end, but there was no redemption with the rushed, senseless wrap-up. Clearly I'm in the minority here, but pick this book up at your own risk.
I received my copy of Conscious Bias from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2019
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
It's the first time I'm reading something from this author and it certainly won't be the last. The story was very intriguing, it literally kept me reading and finishing the whole book in a day. The chemistry between the two MCs was sizzling hot even though the romance was not the main plot but it was satisfying and well executed.
September 28, 2019
What a pleasant surprise of a read. Not familiar with the author but I like legal thrillers, small towns, and mystery. Nice education about the legal system especially from the district attorney perspective. Monica Spade, attorney, a person with a secret that is eating away at her and she knows she needs to change her reason for keeping the secret. I like her self-talk and her willingness to not just complain but do something about it. A get it done type of person. Shelby St. Clair, high school art teacher with a crossfit body and chronic back spasms. Really liked that neither of these women play games. Look forward to the next book in the series.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley with thanks.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley with thanks.
September 26, 2019
This book is a complex read with a lot of different storylines happening throughout. The author knows her legal stuff and it really shows in the flawless delivery of the technicalities of Monica’s job.
The MC, Monica is professional, poised and almost cold when she’s on the job, which makes a dramatic contrast to who she is in her CrossFit class where she is emotional and awkward in front of the object of her lustful thoughts and wayward feelings, Shelby. We also see a playful and loyal side of Monica when she is with her friend Nathan, who becomes more of an ally than she imagines at first.
The main plot deals with racism and religious intolerance and is just a bit too cut and dried from the start to really provide much tension. It was interesting to see how different medical experts manipulated data and events to fit their own agendas, but I didn’t feel like I had any real investment in the case. This is a series, so maybe subsequent cases will appeal to me more personally. The sexual harassment and homophobia Monica has to endure at her work upset me, but I liked her strong and cool stance in the face of persecution and the issues are somewhat resolved.
I was a lot more interested in the sub-plots actually! I like a nice slow-burn and this was one. The interaction between Monica and Shelby is cute and poignant in places where the bloodless, social media-driven nature of current human interaction caused Monica to remain silent instead of reaching out. The romance isn’t the main focus of the story, and Monica spends a lot of time just looking at Shelby and thinking naughty thoughts. I imagine their relationship will be fleshed out in following books.
I appreciate the introduction of humorous side-stories to lighten the technically-heavy main plot, but sometimes the events drifted from humor suitable for a legal thriller to a ridiculous aside in a rom-com.
This is a solid first book in a series for readers who enjoy accurately portrayed legal procedurals with a dash of humor and romance thrown in.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The MC, Monica is professional, poised and almost cold when she’s on the job, which makes a dramatic contrast to who she is in her CrossFit class where she is emotional and awkward in front of the object of her lustful thoughts and wayward feelings, Shelby. We also see a playful and loyal side of Monica when she is with her friend Nathan, who becomes more of an ally than she imagines at first.
The main plot deals with racism and religious intolerance and is just a bit too cut and dried from the start to really provide much tension. It was interesting to see how different medical experts manipulated data and events to fit their own agendas, but I didn’t feel like I had any real investment in the case. This is a series, so maybe subsequent cases will appeal to me more personally. The sexual harassment and homophobia Monica has to endure at her work upset me, but I liked her strong and cool stance in the face of persecution and the issues are somewhat resolved.
I was a lot more interested in the sub-plots actually! I like a nice slow-burn and this was one. The interaction between Monica and Shelby is cute and poignant in places where the bloodless, social media-driven nature of current human interaction caused Monica to remain silent instead of reaching out. The romance isn’t the main focus of the story, and Monica spends a lot of time just looking at Shelby and thinking naughty thoughts. I imagine their relationship will be fleshed out in following books.
I appreciate the introduction of humorous side-stories to lighten the technically-heavy main plot, but sometimes the events drifted from humor suitable for a legal thriller to a ridiculous aside in a rom-com.
This is a solid first book in a series for readers who enjoy accurately portrayed legal procedurals with a dash of humor and romance thrown in.
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2019
This was an enjoyable legal drama with a little romance on the side. Monica Spade is a lawyer at a conservative law firm in small-town Wisconsin; the first female lawyer employed at the firm. She is also a lesbian, a fact she has kept secret in order to keep her job. However, a potential love interest, Shelby, and the behavior of some of the attorneys in the firm towards Nathan, a male attorney, when he comes out as gay has caused Monica to question whether she needs to be true to herself and "out" herself, consequences be damned. The main legal drama revolves around a felony murder trial where the accused, Trevor McKnight, is the son of one of the most influential businessmen in town (David McKnight of McKnight Construction) and the deceased, Abdul Seif, is a Saudi foreign exchange student who died from injuries incurred in a bar fight. Monica Spade is the lawyer for the local hospital, and therefore has been asked by the DA to help prep the doctors for their testimony. This does not go over well with one of the named partners in the firm, who is good friends with the McKnight family, has done legal work for them, and does not want to risk losing McKnight Construction as a client.
As is evident from the title, bias is a major issue in the story -- racial/ethnic/religious bias toward Abdul Seif, the Saudi exchange student and homophobia towards Nathan (and his partner) and later against Monica. I thought the author handled the issues of bias well. Some of the characters say and do some pretty horrendous things, but the author avoids making the behavior over-the-top. Monica and Nathan's reactions to the prejudice they experience and witness feels realistic. The author does a good job of explaining the medical and legal aspects of the story -- not too technical, but also not dumbing it down too much. The romantic aspect of the story is well done and enjoyable. Monica is a character the reader will like. There is also a comedic element involving the hospital, but I don't want to spoil it by saying anything more.
The subtitle (A Monica Spade Novel) suggests that there might be further books involving Monica, Shelby, and other characters. I certainly hope so.
I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley.
As is evident from the title, bias is a major issue in the story -- racial/ethnic/religious bias toward Abdul Seif, the Saudi exchange student and homophobia towards Nathan (and his partner) and later against Monica. I thought the author handled the issues of bias well. Some of the characters say and do some pretty horrendous things, but the author avoids making the behavior over-the-top. Monica and Nathan's reactions to the prejudice they experience and witness feels realistic. The author does a good job of explaining the medical and legal aspects of the story -- not too technical, but also not dumbing it down too much. The romantic aspect of the story is well done and enjoyable. Monica is a character the reader will like. There is also a comedic element involving the hospital, but I don't want to spoil it by saying anything more.
The subtitle (A Monica Spade Novel) suggests that there might be further books involving Monica, Shelby, and other characters. I certainly hope so.
I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley.
June 18, 2019
I had not read anything from this author, but I will be looking for her other books now!
Monica Spade is an attorney in a law firm. She specializes in health care law and she represents the local hospital in the little town of Apple Grove, WI.
Shelby St. Clair is an art teacher at the elementary school in Apple Grove. Monica and Shelby meet at an early morning workout class.
Attorney Spade becomes embroiled in a case involving the hospital when a young man, Trevor McKnight allegedly causes the death of an exchange student from Saudi Arabia. The McKnight family is powerful in the town and it will be an uphill battle to prove that Trevor's actions caused Abdul's death. Did Trevor McKnight act with conscious bias against Abdul Seif because Abdul is from the Middle East?
There is also an interesting side story about the political clout that the McKnight family wields in the construction of the town's new sports arena and how it might impact the felony murder trial of Trevor McKnight.
Between the compelling courtroom machinations and the attraction taking place between Monica and Shelby, this is an impeccably well-written legal drama with a slow burn romance front and center. Look for a surprise twist at the end of this book, too!
I was given an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review of this book.
October 23, 2020
Conscious Bias
A new to me author. I’ve really been into romantic suspense lately and this came up as a recommendation to me. It was more romance than I typically like but good for a first book in a series. It had a nice mix of humor with a serious, very relevant case. I liked the characters though I could tell the type of books I’ve been reading when I was waiting on Jim to screw Monica over. And I really liked the character of Monica. I love strong, female leads! I can’t wait to read the next book!
A new to me author. I’ve really been into romantic suspense lately and this came up as a recommendation to me. It was more romance than I typically like but good for a first book in a series. It had a nice mix of humor with a serious, very relevant case. I liked the characters though I could tell the type of books I’ve been reading when I was waiting on Jim to screw Monica over. And I really liked the character of Monica. I love strong, female leads! I can’t wait to read the next book!
June 18, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for the free review copy of this very enjoyable, slow-burn F/F romance with some courtroom drama thrown in. Venice did a great job of capturing being a lesbian or gay in the Mid-West, having grown up there myself. I loved the way she captured the age-old gay lady issue of having absolutely no idea if a woman is attracted to you, even if when she is trying to spell it out. I'll definitely be following this series and recommending it.
The only drawbacks for me were some cringe-y lines, but I think they were intentional. I also could have done without the final chapter.
The only drawbacks for me were some cringe-y lines, but I think they were intentional. I also could have done without the final chapter.
June 12, 2019
I have received an ARC copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a great read and in my opinion, would be a great subject for discussion in a sociology class. The book and its narrative covered it all from cultural alliances, conscious biases to great love while allowing us to see behind the scene how trials are conducted. The author did a great job developing the characters and allowing us to see their internal conflicts and their resolutions. The way characters experience conscious bias and the way they respond to it. And then comes love and whether it is worth to risk the career over. Overall it is a fantastic, well-developed book, I am definitely looking forward to the next.
This book is a great read and in my opinion, would be a great subject for discussion in a sociology class. The book and its narrative covered it all from cultural alliances, conscious biases to great love while allowing us to see behind the scene how trials are conducted. The author did a great job developing the characters and allowing us to see their internal conflicts and their resolutions. The way characters experience conscious bias and the way they respond to it. And then comes love and whether it is worth to risk the career over. Overall it is a fantastic, well-developed book, I am definitely looking forward to the next.
June 16, 2019
Wow, I did not expect that. I don't know I read many great reviews over this book, and true to their option it was. very very informative in the legal department. I skipped most tbh since i'm into romance books, the romance was soooo minimum and that the only critic i can give, It was that good. excellent writing
thank you for giving me free copy in exchange of honest opinion
thank you for giving me free copy in exchange of honest opinion
June 8, 2019
Another great book Alexi!!! Took me two days to read it.... Went on vacation with it, great entertainment... I am very happy to have Monica Spade as a new series.... Couldn't put it down... Can't wait until the next one!!!!
September 26, 2019
There is so much that puzzled me about this book! Starting with the cover, it gives the impression that this is going to be a trashy (and I use that word with nothing but love!) romance or thriller. It is neither. Sure, there is a legal component in that the protagonist, Monica Spade, is an attorney and the story more or less centers around a racial-bias murder trial. However, the story does not unfold in any which way that could possibly be considered a "thriller". Most of the book is taking the reader literally through Monica's day, start to finish. Chapters even redundantly begin with "The next day." Thrillers to me are generally page-turns, there's a level of excitement to the action, and once the story is set up and the plot gets going, it's a whirlwind to the finish. This, my friends, is turgid trudge.
Tone was all over the place as well. The murder trial, along with the questions of conscious bias the author hits the reader over the head with, is obviously serious. The details of the crime are sad, as is the reaction of the family members. However, for at least half the book, there is a bizarre side plot going on with a monkey on the loose at the local hospital, which Monica represents (the hospital, not the monkey). Any time this monkey is mentioned, the author unloads on monkey puns. She must have found this to be more hilarious than it actually ended up being.
So we have a murder, a monkey, now we must have a romance. Oh, and did I mention Monica is a body-shamer? She wasn't earning any points with me at all in this story. So Monica meets Shelby at Cross-fit and proceeds to lust/obsess/drool/obsess/seriously and creepy obsess about her for quite a bit of the book. We're too busy learning all about the monkey to learn anything about Shelby other than 1) she's hot (natch) and 2) there is no number two. Shelby doesn't even get a last name until the very end of the book. It was hard for me to get on board or buy into this romance when the only information I'm given is that the other person is hot. A lot of people are hot; you have to do a bit more to make me actually care and root for these two.
I think the author did raise a few interesting arguments worthy of exploring--conscious vs unconscious bias (the latter of which I believe it actually at play here in the story) within a small but seemingly open-minded town. I just really didn't appreciate broaching a heavy topic like that and juxtaposing it with a monkey, over the top characters whose only purpose is to show how "smart" Monica is and how ignorant they are, and then the face-palm ridiculous actions occurring leading up to and during the trial. I won't get into it, suffice to say the author threw the kitchen sink into this book. Some editing would have been nice.
There is too much happening in this book and because of that none of the plot resolutions feel complete or satisfying. Monica Spade did not come across as the type of protagonist who would deserve a full series (as the subtitle implies) and so I'm fairly certain I'll be leaving her at her debut outing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
Tone was all over the place as well. The murder trial, along with the questions of conscious bias the author hits the reader over the head with, is obviously serious. The details of the crime are sad, as is the reaction of the family members. However, for at least half the book, there is a bizarre side plot going on with a monkey on the loose at the local hospital, which Monica represents (the hospital, not the monkey). Any time this monkey is mentioned, the author unloads on monkey puns. She must have found this to be more hilarious than it actually ended up being.
So we have a murder, a monkey, now we must have a romance. Oh, and did I mention Monica is a body-shamer? She wasn't earning any points with me at all in this story. So Monica meets Shelby at Cross-fit and proceeds to lust/obsess/drool/obsess/seriously and creepy obsess about her for quite a bit of the book. We're too busy learning all about the monkey to learn anything about Shelby other than 1) she's hot (natch) and 2) there is no number two. Shelby doesn't even get a last name until the very end of the book. It was hard for me to get on board or buy into this romance when the only information I'm given is that the other person is hot. A lot of people are hot; you have to do a bit more to make me actually care and root for these two.
I think the author did raise a few interesting arguments worthy of exploring--conscious vs unconscious bias (the latter of which I believe it actually at play here in the story) within a small but seemingly open-minded town. I just really didn't appreciate broaching a heavy topic like that and juxtaposing it with a monkey, over the top characters whose only purpose is to show how "smart" Monica is and how ignorant they are, and then the face-palm ridiculous actions occurring leading up to and during the trial. I won't get into it, suffice to say the author threw the kitchen sink into this book. Some editing would have been nice.
There is too much happening in this book and because of that none of the plot resolutions feel complete or satisfying. Monica Spade did not come across as the type of protagonist who would deserve a full series (as the subtitle implies) and so I'm fairly certain I'll be leaving her at her debut outing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
July 1, 2019
This review was first posted to BlerdyBingeReader.blogspot.com as a #CardynBrooksReviews #books.
Monica Spade is keeping a secret. To protect her chances of someday making partner at the prestigious law firm controlled by men whose attitudes are trapped in the homophobic hysteria of earlier centuries, she’s not “out” in her professional life. Conscious Bias mixes workplace drama, personal crossroads, small-town politics and quirky humor into serious social commentary about identity and power. Recurring minor comedic threads add lighthearted elements to this tale of many flawed aspects in the pursuit of justice in the United States. Some missing connective tissue in transitions and sudden swings in tone will likely smooth out in the second entry in this series that shows potential for greatness.
CrossFit, the irresistible allure of baked goods and alcoholic beverages, along with searching for love occupy Monica’s thoughts when she’s not negotiating through a minefield of sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia in her professional career. Treacherous office politics, questionable loyalties, all kinds of inappropriateness, and violent threats keep Monica scrambling from one crisis to another while exposure looms closer every day. Underlying all of the dynamic confrontations and snappy dialogue are these questions: Are non-hetero people obligated to disclose their sexual orientation to everyone? Why? That’s not an expectation imposed upon hetero people.
Monica’s internal brooding about “outing” herself in her professional life resonates as being authentic to present-day concerns. Her next case should lead to another engaging adventure for readers.
Monica Spade is keeping a secret. To protect her chances of someday making partner at the prestigious law firm controlled by men whose attitudes are trapped in the homophobic hysteria of earlier centuries, she’s not “out” in her professional life. Conscious Bias mixes workplace drama, personal crossroads, small-town politics and quirky humor into serious social commentary about identity and power. Recurring minor comedic threads add lighthearted elements to this tale of many flawed aspects in the pursuit of justice in the United States. Some missing connective tissue in transitions and sudden swings in tone will likely smooth out in the second entry in this series that shows potential for greatness.
CrossFit, the irresistible allure of baked goods and alcoholic beverages, along with searching for love occupy Monica’s thoughts when she’s not negotiating through a minefield of sexism, homophobia, and xenophobia in her professional career. Treacherous office politics, questionable loyalties, all kinds of inappropriateness, and violent threats keep Monica scrambling from one crisis to another while exposure looms closer every day. Underlying all of the dynamic confrontations and snappy dialogue are these questions: Are non-hetero people obligated to disclose their sexual orientation to everyone? Why? That’s not an expectation imposed upon hetero people.
Monica’s internal brooding about “outing” herself in her professional life resonates as being authentic to present-day concerns. Her next case should lead to another engaging adventure for readers.
April 10, 2021
This book started really well. An engaging main character, an intriguing court case, and a cast of others surrounding her. But the "romance" aspect.of the story feels like it was written by someone else. It's as if the main character suddenly turned into a horny 15 year old boy. I found myself skimming those passages and hoping that the gym romance was a red herring that was so.ehow connected to the legal case. Alas, no. Won't be reading the next one in the series.
February 8, 2023
Well written book about life of a Lawyer. Enjoyed the story
July 20, 2019
This book was fine, but I definitely didn't like it as much as everyone else seems to.
It is super timely for today's news, with a "Go back where you came from" legal drama.
It's a bit of a fluff book, which is fine when you want one, but... I guess it's that the fluff levels didn't match up in all the plots and sub-plots.
First we have a really serious court case involving murder and racism set in the middle of Trump country with a victim from the Middle East. That is not fluff, and it is treated pretty seriously.
Second we have a monkey lost in a hospital, and this is the part that gave me the most problems. Let me rant for a minute. The monkey is lost for days and we hear about all the monkey feces that have been strewn around the hospital, but no serious efforts are made to catch him. And by serious, I mean bringing in animal control to retrieve the monkey by whatever means necessary as quickly as possible because there are SICK PEOPLE THERE. But no one wants to do that because it might upset animal lovers (????). This isn't a monkey lost in a mall, or lost in a fire station, it's lost IN A HOSPITAL. But for some reason the hospital believes it would be better to just sort of wander around calling the monkey's name. For days. We know the monkey has been eating out of the cafeteria but we are to believe no one has actually seen him. They can't even manage to find him using security cameras. But still they won't call in any group that could actually catch him. Let me remind you, this is a HOSPITAL and there is a monkey messing around in the food supply and leaving FECES all over. The lawsuits over a sick patient getting sicker or dying from the exposure would be WAY worse than the lawsuit over tranquilizing a pet monkey for the good of the patients. And finally, the author has collected every monkey-related phrase and joke available in the English language so they can be used every other page. In this book about murder and racism and homophobia, I didn't need the monkey or the monkey jokes.
Sorry for the rant, but the monkey made me insane. I was so glad when the monkey parts were finally over.
The "romance" part just bothered me a little. It didn't seem like much of a romance since the two barely spoke to each other for most of the book, but we hear all about how much they wanted to have sex with each other. I just couldn't relate to a woman who did not know the other woman AT ALL but couldn't stop thinking about having sex with her, and that is ALL she thinks about her because, again, she doesn't know a thing about her. Where is the romance? If you want to make this a sex story, fine, but then... where is the sex?? There is not even a sex scene reward at the end unless I blinked and missed it.
And finally the last couple pages really confused me. I don't know if the author is implying that people from Saudi Arabia are all murderers, or if we're to believe this other character just turns out to be super biased. But the difference is kind of important, and I don't like being confused about the very last message we're left with.
I give it three stars because it's basically easy fluff, and I do appreciate when we have a lesbian main character in a book not only focused on romance. It just didn't rise to any level beyond for me though - if the monkey had been nixed completely it might have gone up to 4 stars.
I did receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review, but not every book is going to be liked by everyone.
It is super timely for today's news, with a "Go back where you came from" legal drama.
It's a bit of a fluff book, which is fine when you want one, but... I guess it's that the fluff levels didn't match up in all the plots and sub-plots.
First we have a really serious court case involving murder and racism set in the middle of Trump country with a victim from the Middle East. That is not fluff, and it is treated pretty seriously.
Second we have a monkey lost in a hospital, and this is the part that gave me the most problems. Let me rant for a minute. The monkey is lost for days and we hear about all the monkey feces that have been strewn around the hospital, but no serious efforts are made to catch him. And by serious, I mean bringing in animal control to retrieve the monkey by whatever means necessary as quickly as possible because there are SICK PEOPLE THERE. But no one wants to do that because it might upset animal lovers (????). This isn't a monkey lost in a mall, or lost in a fire station, it's lost IN A HOSPITAL. But for some reason the hospital believes it would be better to just sort of wander around calling the monkey's name. For days. We know the monkey has been eating out of the cafeteria but we are to believe no one has actually seen him. They can't even manage to find him using security cameras. But still they won't call in any group that could actually catch him. Let me remind you, this is a HOSPITAL and there is a monkey messing around in the food supply and leaving FECES all over. The lawsuits over a sick patient getting sicker or dying from the exposure would be WAY worse than the lawsuit over tranquilizing a pet monkey for the good of the patients. And finally, the author has collected every monkey-related phrase and joke available in the English language so they can be used every other page. In this book about murder and racism and homophobia, I didn't need the monkey or the monkey jokes.
Sorry for the rant, but the monkey made me insane. I was so glad when the monkey parts were finally over.
The "romance" part just bothered me a little. It didn't seem like much of a romance since the two barely spoke to each other for most of the book, but we hear all about how much they wanted to have sex with each other. I just couldn't relate to a woman who did not know the other woman AT ALL but couldn't stop thinking about having sex with her, and that is ALL she thinks about her because, again, she doesn't know a thing about her. Where is the romance? If you want to make this a sex story, fine, but then... where is the sex?? There is not even a sex scene reward at the end unless I blinked and missed it.
And finally the last couple pages really confused me. I don't know if the author is implying that people from Saudi Arabia are all murderers, or if we're to believe this other character just turns out to be super biased. But the difference is kind of important, and I don't like being confused about the very last message we're left with.
I give it three stars because it's basically easy fluff, and I do appreciate when we have a lesbian main character in a book not only focused on romance. It just didn't rise to any level beyond for me though - if the monkey had been nixed completely it might have gone up to 4 stars.
I did receive an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review, but not every book is going to be liked by everyone.
July 14, 2019
Conscious Bias left me with mixed feelings. The book had great potential but I felt like it never quite got there. In the acknowledgements, the author calls this one a legal thriller with strong female leads. I did appreciate the strong women in the story, but I didn't find anything even remotely thriller-like. There is some action, but the story reads more like a cozy mystery except there really isn't much in the way of mystery here either. We know who the bad guys are pretty quickly. That said, I did enjoy the legal side of this one. The courtroom scenes are interesting and fast-paced.
The rest of the book is more comedy with a touch of romance than anything else. Speaking of comedy, I think reporter Tiffany was supposed to be comic relief, but the bubble-headed dialogue was so over the top that she quickly became caricature-like and the more I read of her, the less I wanted of those parts. The first time she said something completely ridiculous was amusing, the rest were just eye-roll inducing.
Now, for our main character, Monica, the star of the show. I like that the author hit on some prevalent issues with Monica working in a so-called man's world and being afraid to come out professionally. However, things seem to come a little too easily for our protagonist. Oh, she has her share of troubles, but once she addresses them, it's like good things start pouring down - she tells her boss about a particular problem, and bam! problem solved. And what is up with this woman? Sexy is one thing, but Monica gets hit on by everybody. It's just a little over the top.
In the end, I did have some problems with this one, but there were also things I liked, so I'm left right in the middle. I think with a bit of tightening up, Monica Spade could be a solid series. It doesn't all have to be drama, in fact, I like comedy mixed in. But sometimes less is more, and in this case, I would've much preferred a few good laughs over the groans that a certain reporter pulled out of me. I will add that I liked the monkey. He was unrealistic but did create some funny situations. From the way things were left, I would assume that this is just the introduction to Monica Spade, so I'll be interested to see how things go from here.
The rest of the book is more comedy with a touch of romance than anything else. Speaking of comedy, I think reporter Tiffany was supposed to be comic relief, but the bubble-headed dialogue was so over the top that she quickly became caricature-like and the more I read of her, the less I wanted of those parts. The first time she said something completely ridiculous was amusing, the rest were just eye-roll inducing.
Now, for our main character, Monica, the star of the show. I like that the author hit on some prevalent issues with Monica working in a so-called man's world and being afraid to come out professionally. However, things seem to come a little too easily for our protagonist. Oh, she has her share of troubles, but once she addresses them, it's like good things start pouring down - she tells her boss about a particular problem, and bam! problem solved. And what is up with this woman? Sexy is one thing, but Monica gets hit on by everybody. It's just a little over the top.
In the end, I did have some problems with this one, but there were also things I liked, so I'm left right in the middle. I think with a bit of tightening up, Monica Spade could be a solid series. It doesn't all have to be drama, in fact, I like comedy mixed in. But sometimes less is more, and in this case, I would've much preferred a few good laughs over the groans that a certain reporter pulled out of me. I will add that I liked the monkey. He was unrealistic but did create some funny situations. From the way things were left, I would assume that this is just the introduction to Monica Spade, so I'll be interested to see how things go from here.
October 11, 2019
Conscious Bias appears to be the first in a series following lawyer Monica Spade who spends the book juggling representing a local hospital for a sundry of issues, struggling to deal with a workplace populated by misogynistic and homophobic assholes and a budding romance with a woman from her new Crossfit class . The book blends legal, workplace drama and romance but the three story lines seemed to to be run separately and just didn't come together as well as I had hoped - it didn't have a cohesive feel. There's a focus on the minutiae of Monica's days, whether prepping for the case or every station of the cross fit session, that slows the story down.
Rather than a legal drama or thriller this was more of a legal procedural - which gives the main story-line a definite realism. Similar to Law and Order, there were elements of the case that I recognized from real-life cases, blended and adapted to create a scenario where a drunken altercation results in the death of a foreign student. Venice provides a different perspective as she is drawn into the case as the legal representative of the doctors who doctors are subpoenaed to testify and are implicated as being responsible for the young man's death by the defense strategy. The case itself and how it played out was interesting and definitely topical and that was the main draw for me. The level of detail and some of the repetitiveness could have been reduced, but it was actually kind of interesting to get an understanding of what non-trial lawyers do and see the underpinning work that is done on a case like this.
From a romance perspective, most of Monica and Shelby's interactions are at the gym during the early morning crossfit - there's an attraction and chemistry, enhanced by spandex and flexing muscles. As this is a series, I'm expecting that the relationship will further develop and get a better sense of Shelby.
Rather than a legal drama or thriller this was more of a legal procedural - which gives the main story-line a definite realism. Similar to Law and Order, there were elements of the case that I recognized from real-life cases, blended and adapted to create a scenario where a drunken altercation results in the death of a foreign student. Venice provides a different perspective as she is drawn into the case as the legal representative of the doctors who doctors are subpoenaed to testify and are implicated as being responsible for the young man's death by the defense strategy. The case itself and how it played out was interesting and definitely topical and that was the main draw for me. The level of detail and some of the repetitiveness could have been reduced, but it was actually kind of interesting to get an understanding of what non-trial lawyers do and see the underpinning work that is done on a case like this.
From a romance perspective, most of Monica and Shelby's interactions are at the gym during the early morning crossfit - there's an attraction and chemistry, enhanced by spandex and flexing muscles. As this is a series, I'm expecting that the relationship will further develop and get a better sense of Shelby.
January 10, 2023
What a lovely surprise!!!!!
Intriguing is certainly a word to describe this book. I cannot quite put my finger on what got me so engrossed by it, but it doesn't change the fact that I was. Maybe the pace, how the information, either by dialogue or narration, was relayed, its cadence. Very satisfying and in a way, soothing. I don't know if makes sense.
Mind, there was enough legalese here to potentially give me a headache, but Alexi made it so easy to understand and, IMHO, in a dexterous, fluid way that by the end I was hoping to learn more about all the legal stuff. The "villains" weren't the smartest tools in the shed, but I'll take it.
Then we have the romance. Monica and Shelby build-up was so deliciously developed, in sort of a rather slow and lengthy foreplay session with all the touches, looks and innuendos, but I say this as a compliment, rushed can be overrated and if things got rushed here it wouldn't be fitting with the rest of the story. But I hope the next books with their relationship being established, it will be a bit more steamy, if you get my drift. It harms no one, just warms.
Now, I have a complaint, I felt exhausted during and after my reading. Right now I'm fatigued and probably won't get up from my bed for the next month after watching people being energetic and actually doing CrossFit lol. Just kidding, all the sessions were quite fun to (just) read about.
Intriguing is certainly a word to describe this book. I cannot quite put my finger on what got me so engrossed by it, but it doesn't change the fact that I was. Maybe the pace, how the information, either by dialogue or narration, was relayed, its cadence. Very satisfying and in a way, soothing. I don't know if makes sense.
Mind, there was enough legalese here to potentially give me a headache, but Alexi made it so easy to understand and, IMHO, in a dexterous, fluid way that by the end I was hoping to learn more about all the legal stuff. The "villains" weren't the smartest tools in the shed, but I'll take it.
Then we have the romance. Monica and Shelby build-up was so deliciously developed, in sort of a rather slow and lengthy foreplay session with all the touches, looks and innuendos, but I say this as a compliment, rushed can be overrated and if things got rushed here it wouldn't be fitting with the rest of the story. But I hope the next books with their relationship being established, it will be a bit more steamy, if you get my drift. It harms no one, just warms.
Now, I have a complaint, I felt exhausted during and after my reading. Right now I'm fatigued and probably won't get up from my bed for the next month after watching people being energetic and actually doing CrossFit lol. Just kidding, all the sessions were quite fun to (just) read about.
June 25, 2019
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book or not, but I do tend to like courtroom novels and the blurb/summary made it sound like a very interesting one, and so I gave it a try.
It's mainly about Monica and Shelby. They don't actually meet anywhere near Monica's lawyer life/courthouse, which was great in my mind. There was tension in their romantic subplot, but, it wasn't 'am I going against you in court or do I have to charge you/defend you from criminal stuff' tension. Instead they meet at a CrossFit studio.
They're not the main story through. That's a court case where Monica's job is to prepare the local physicians to testify (she's the lawyer for the hospital).
Some of the plot points and where the story went was a little too pat here and there (even the ending didn't totally surprise me, although that could be on me, since I've probably read too many mystery/thrillers at this point and am a little jaded), but, on the other hand, there's something to be said for familiarity in a story and it was definitely a fun read.
It's also titled on the front sorta like a series, and if it does become a series I'd definitely try to read more about Monica, Jim, Shelby, Nathan, Matt, and everyone because there are so many interesting threads that were left dangling leaving us just waiting for more!
I received this book via Netgalley thanks to eBookIt and AuthorBuzz.
It's mainly about Monica and Shelby. They don't actually meet anywhere near Monica's lawyer life/courthouse, which was great in my mind. There was tension in their romantic subplot, but, it wasn't 'am I going against you in court or do I have to charge you/defend you from criminal stuff' tension. Instead they meet at a CrossFit studio.
They're not the main story through. That's a court case where Monica's job is to prepare the local physicians to testify (she's the lawyer for the hospital).
Some of the plot points and where the story went was a little too pat here and there (even the ending didn't totally surprise me, although that could be on me, since I've probably read too many mystery/thrillers at this point and am a little jaded), but, on the other hand, there's something to be said for familiarity in a story and it was definitely a fun read.
It's also titled on the front sorta like a series, and if it does become a series I'd definitely try to read more about Monica, Jim, Shelby, Nathan, Matt, and everyone because there are so many interesting threads that were left dangling leaving us just waiting for more!
I received this book via Netgalley thanks to eBookIt and AuthorBuzz.
July 27, 2019
Monica is a lawyer who works hard however she works in a homophobic environment and must keep her sexual identity deep undercover. At the gym she meets Shelby who is an art teacher. The two women seem drawn to one another, but Monica is afraid to flirt with her. She’s working on a significant case at the hospital, who is one of her biggest clients in a murder case, also she’s working with of all things a loose monkey in the hospital that is evading capture.
The part of the book the deals with the murder case is very interesting especially when one of the partners does everything in his power to persuade her to have the case come out more to his liking. There’s a significant conflict between these two people but thankfully Monica has the support of one of the partners who backs are up and confronts the other partner for his inappropriate interventions. What is a little frustrating in this story is the part that deals with the pending love interest between Monica and Shelby. I would have liked to have learned more about these two women and I would have liked to of seen their relationship develop quicker.
The mystery in this story about both of the cases Monica is working on at the hospital are very well done, there’s some levity with the monkey case and quite a lot of drama in the murder case. This book is a good read that keep me fascinated.
The part of the book the deals with the murder case is very interesting especially when one of the partners does everything in his power to persuade her to have the case come out more to his liking. There’s a significant conflict between these two people but thankfully Monica has the support of one of the partners who backs are up and confronts the other partner for his inappropriate interventions. What is a little frustrating in this story is the part that deals with the pending love interest between Monica and Shelby. I would have liked to have learned more about these two women and I would have liked to of seen their relationship develop quicker.
The mystery in this story about both of the cases Monica is working on at the hospital are very well done, there’s some levity with the monkey case and quite a lot of drama in the murder case. This book is a good read that keep me fascinated.
February 11, 2020
-Slow, almost quit at 22% but then we heard the recorded hospital conversation and things started happening.
-It felt very male gaze-y.
-Monica is like every male protag. You could change her to "Monico" & couldn't tell besides the relationship turning straight.
-Needs better balancing & pacing. Like making the McKnights an actual threat instead of bumbling or have more people acting out on their behalf. We hear how supposedly rich & powerful they are-prove it. Linger & shatter Monica's POV w/ the verdict, make me feel it. Or something.
-What about the other charges against the McKnights?
-Can't ya'll just say RACIST?!? Don't shy from the fight, giving them any ground to stand on.
-MAYbe if badass DA said Racist! the jury would've wanted to distance themselves from Trevor McKnight and actually punish him.
-But ending on talking about "Saudi justice"? REALLY?!? *sighhh*
-It's not a mystery what happened. It's not fast or amped up like a suspense or thriller. The legal stuff was straight-forward. So what was the point?
-I will check out Alexi Venice's other work to see if anything strikes me. Or if there's a sequel. I just hope they're not as passive and listless as Conscious Bias.
-It felt very male gaze-y.
-Monica is like every male protag. You could change her to "Monico" & couldn't tell besides the relationship turning straight.
-Needs better balancing & pacing. Like making the McKnights an actual threat instead of bumbling or have more people acting out on their behalf. We hear how supposedly rich & powerful they are-prove it. Linger & shatter Monica's POV w/ the verdict, make me feel it. Or something.
-What about the other charges against the McKnights?
-Can't ya'll just say RACIST?!? Don't shy from the fight, giving them any ground to stand on.
-MAYbe if badass DA said Racist! the jury would've wanted to distance themselves from Trevor McKnight and actually punish him.
-But ending on talking about "Saudi justice"? REALLY?!? *sighhh*
-It's not a mystery what happened. It's not fast or amped up like a suspense or thriller. The legal stuff was straight-forward. So what was the point?
-I will check out Alexi Venice's other work to see if anything strikes me. Or if there's a sequel. I just hope they're not as passive and listless as Conscious Bias.
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