Seducing the Defendant by Chantal Fernando is a good fit for readers who enjoy slow-paced contemporary romance novels with a focus on legal drama, moral dilemmas, and the exploration of potential innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence.

I'm sorry to say this book didn't work for me. I just couldn't connect with the characters and get into the story, I never felt their chemistry and pull. I enjoyed the first book in the series, Breaching the Contract, so I was looking forward to this one but ultimately it was a miss for me.

After enjoying Breach of Contract immensely, I couldn't wait to dive into Seducing the Defendant. The first quarter of the book was fast-paced and kept me glued to the pages. Jaxon's backstory was so intriguing and I had big sympathy for all he'd been through.

However, the rest of the story fell flat for me. I am not sure what changed between book one and two, but I just didn't connect with the rest of the plot. I didn't feel the passion I was expecting, so it left me wondering if I was missing part of the story.

Either way, I definitely enjoy Ms. Fernando's writing style (especially in book one), so I will try again with another book.

We all know that as readers we have our favorite authors that no matter what we one click the books that they write, for me Chantal Fernando is one of those authors. I stumbled upon her when I agreed to read and review Devil's Lair, this was my first book that I read by her and my first read that the story line was a bout motor cycle clubs. And from that moment on I have read everything that she has written and more often than not her books hit a home run. This latest book that she has written is no different, Seducing the Defendant was just outstanding.

My most favorite part of this book was that some of the Wind Dragon members make an appearance (those men and women have a very special place in my heart), and then there was the story of this book. Lawyer defending an innocent women, lawyer having impure thoughts about said women, oh so many lines that could be crossed for Jaxon Bentley and Scarlett Reyes.

The twists and turns, ups and downs that this book bring us on makes for a fantastic read, it is the second book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone as its only the characters from book one that cross over. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. I would give SEDUCING THE DEFENDANT 4/5 stars.

***I received an ebook copy from the publisher at no cost***

I loved the first book in this series and this one was just as good. It was awesome to get to see Jaxson and Scarletts story unfold.

I like books that are told from multiple points of view, and this one is. It helped me connect more with each of the characters and I felt like it gave me better insight into what each of them was thinking at any given time. Jaxson is the classic alpha male, but not disgustingly so. He's sexy and he likes to be in control, but he's willing to relinquish that and he's all about the give and take that comes with any relationship.

I love books that have a forbidden aspect to them and this one definitely did. Attorney and client ... hello, hotness!

The characters in the Conflict of Interest series are all great. Fernando does a good job of developing her characters and making them relatable, and taking them on journeys throughout the course of the books. It was awesome to see where Jaxson and Scarlett both were at the end of the novel compared to when it began.

If you like suspenseful, sexy stories, give this one (and the first in the series) a try!

Five stars to this book!

I absolutely loved Jaxon’s story! I had not expected it to turn out like it did. It was funny and heart-breaking all at the same time. A great addition to the Conflict of Interest series. Get your tissues ready because it’ll hit you out of nowhere.
5 stars!

I had a difficult time connecting with this book and its characters. Possible a case of it's not you, it's me.

Seducing the Defendant is another great entry in the Conflict of Interest series. We met Jaxon in the preceding novel, Breaching the Contract. He's Tristan's primary partner in their law firm. He's come back to the firm after taking a leave after his sister passed away, and it's to take on a case of a woman accused of murdering her husband, a police detective. Jaxon isn't sure he wants to take Scarlett's case, or if he should even be back to work yet, but something about Scarlett calls to him, and he's the best criminal attorney around, so he's taking her on.

At first, Scarlett comes across as cold and sometimes flippant, seemingly not caring if Jaxon truly believes she's innocent or if he even really thinks he can win her case, but it soon becomes obvious that she's just numb because her husband had been abusing her for a long time. As they take on her case together, Scarlett comes alive and Jaxon does too. Watching them fall in love and seeing them both grow throughout this book was kind of a beautiful thing. I felt so badly for Scarlett, but her character, after the initial coldness she displayed, turned out to be positive and bright and sweet and strong, so I stopped feeling badly for her and just felt happy for her as she fell in love and was loved by a great guy. Jaxon, while he came across as a hard-nosed attorney in the first book, was revealed to be a truly kind, compassionate guy who felt deeply. For Scarlett, for his dead sister, for his law partners, and for his best friend - Demon.

Awwww Demon, he's an integral part of Jaxon and Scarlett's story and I'd love a book about him, too! But, on to the rest of this review. I really enjoyed Seducing the Defendant. It's surprisingly low angst, it's got a whole cast of excellent characters, and Jaxon and Scarlett's chemistry is seriously hot. Seeing their relationship develop from simply lawyer/client, to confidants, to more, is sweet, sexy and passionate. Clear up until the end, I was rating this at 5 stars because it was that good, but then that horrible, heartbreaking event happened to destroy EVERYONE, and I cried along with them and cursed Chantal Fernando, because, WHY?!?! Why was that necessary?! So not necessary at all. Ugh. Still, aside from that horrible, horrible event, Seducing the Defendant is pretty great. It's got everything a good legal romance needs - hot, sharp lawyer, interesting case, sweet, awesome heroine, amazing legal partners, and lots and lots of chemistry happening all over the place. If you haven't been reading the Conflict of Interest series, I'd highly recommend you start, today!

This book made me miss the Wind Dragons so much!! First I have to say if you want a better understanding of what happened you should read Dirty Ride before reading this book.

I have to say I loved Jaxon and Scarlett they had a powerful connection and chemistry. There build up was strong and not to mention complicated since Scarlett was Jaxon’s client.

There is mystery, brotherhood, loyalty, heartbreak and loss in this book. I was crying while reading and I loved every minute of it.

I look forward to reading more in this series.

Talk about ‘conflict of interest!’

How much more complicated can a possible relationship be than one that begins as a defendant and a defense lawyer?

That’s the situation that Jaxon Bentley and Scarlett Reyes finds themselves in
when Jaxon takes on Scarlett as his client and vows to prove her innocence even though all evidence points to her committing the crime.

Interestingly, the case against Scarlett is resolved fairly early in the story, which allows the plot line to focus on the growing attraction and the electric chemistry that exists between the hero and the heroine. And let me tell you…that connection translates into some seriously sultry and steamy scenes, proving that Jaxon and Scarlett are way more than attorney and defendant.

As Scarlett and Jaxon explore their feelings for one another, Scarlett opens up and goes from an aloof and cold person to a timid introvert to the woman she was meant to be before she lost herself at the hands of an abusive husband.

Jaxon is a hero who readers will adore. He’s a good guy all the way around, and he’s damn good at his job. He’s sweet and sexy, and he knows how to own a courtroom as well as the bedroom.

I’ll admit that it was a bit difficult to connect with Scarlett, partly because of how closed-off she is at the beginning of the story and partly because she remained a pretty one-dimensional character due to the short length of the book.

Seducing the Defendant is a steamy and light read that allows readers to reconnect with some of their favorites from Fernando’s Wind Dragons MC series as well as truly understand how the right kind of friends can make life and love so much better.

3.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

I devoured Kat and Tristan’s book, Breaching the Contract so I had high expectations for Chantal Fernando’s latest release in the Conflict of Interest series. But ... it's been in my library for a bit. Honestly, I hesitated to start reading because I hate when I’m all in on a series and the second book falls flat.

I have no clue why I ever doubted this author. Seducing the Defendant kicks some serious ass. I LOVED this book. I was mesmerized by the two main characters, Jaxon and Scarlett and their budding relationship. They were sexy and sweet. Enticing. Fun. Clever. I absolutely adored them. I was one smitten momma.

They are coupled with an incredible sub-plot which I thought complimented the couple’s love story really well. The drama was intense and all-consuming. And AMAZING friendships in this book - ahhhh, we should all want friends like Demon and Valentina.

Overall, it was an awesome reading experience. I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with the latest addition to this author’s growing book community. My heart was either swooning and racing depending on what was happening between the two. So my recommendation is that you don’t miss out on any of the books in this series, they are spectacular. Grab your copy today.

I have been a big Chantal Fernando fan since her MC series and loved the first book in this new legal series so I was very excited to jump on the second book in the conflict of Interest series! I thought Jaxson and Scarlett had fiery chemistry, sexy banter and a great connection!

While I loved the underlying suspenseful theme, and the connection to the Wind Dragon MC, I loved the sexy romantic storyline and the intense passionate attraction they had!

All in all this was a great read and I look forward to more from this author in the future. I would like to thank Netgalley and Gallery for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review! Bravo! ~Ratula

A quick, solid read. Jaxon takes on Scarlett as a client and at first isn’t sure of her innocence. She gains his trust and they find out who is involved and why. For a seemingly complicated plot, it gets resolved pretty easily.

The hero and heroine were a good match and it was articulated well in their interactions. I enjoyed this read and it was safe to boot.

Complimentary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.

This was an enjoyable read. It was fast paced and engrossing and held my attention throughout.
I would have just loved a little more depth to the characters and their story but overall another good instalment to this series.

Seducing the Defendant was a good 4 star read.

Jaxson is a defense attorney, who is great on murder cases. He has been approached by Scarlett to defend her, she is being accused of murdering her husband. Did she really do it?

Scarlett seems to be very sweet and kind. She doesn’t fit the murderer image that she’s being accused of. Jaxson is drawn to her and loses control around her. They eventually give in to their attraction and boy do they really turn up the heat. Wow.

There is so much more to this great read. As Jaxson investigates further he starts to discover some things about Scarlett’s husbands past. I also had some LOL moments with Scarlett and her research. The secondary characters added a great element to the story. This is told in both POV’s so we can see what they are both thinking. This was a thrilling read that has you on the edge of your seat, however we do end with a slight cliffhanger. This is my first read from Chantal Fernando and I look forward to reading more from her.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club

4 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has pain, suspense, and heartbreak.

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Breaching the Contract (Conflict of Interest #1)


This is Scarlett and Jaxon’s story. Scarlett is accused of murdering her husband who was a police office in cold blood. Jaxon is the criminal lawyer who is going to represent her. When all the evidence points to her being guilty he is wondering if she did it. When he meets her, he knows for sure she didn’t now he has to prove that she didn’t even with all the evidence pointing right at her. They must race against the clock and prove her innocence. The chemistry between these two is explosive. But if he can’t prove her innocence then she is about to go away forever. Can he solve the case? Or will she trust him only to have him lose her freedom?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read.

I recommend this book.

The second book in the Conflict of Interest series was good, we have all the cast of characters from the first book. This story is Jaxson and Scarlett and they are quite hot together. The story has love, healing and a bit of suspense, it went a bit long but then we get hit hard at the end with an I didn't see that coming moment. Angsty, sexy and Alphas. Good Read

I struggled with Seducing the Defendent. So much promise with the blurb and the beginning of the story the developing romance between Scarlett and Jaxson, but it quickly derailed as more and more side stories were introduced. DNF at approx 35%.

**I received a copy of Seducing the Defendant from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review* "

Seducing the Defendant is the second book in the series by Chantal Fernando I haven't read the first book but it was easy to read as a standalone. However having read several of her Wind Dragon MC books , since they are incorporated into the story, I knew that this was going to be very good.

Jaxon is still feeling from the death of his sister who died because of her abusive husband. He feels he should've been able to help her escape. So when his partner Tristan calls him back to their law office, he knows that he'll do anything help her out because his sister would want him too. When he turns to his childhood friend Demon who is a undercover cop deep within the Wind Dragons has information that will prove to be very useful.

Scarlett Reyes is being accused of killing her husband whose body was recently found after being missing for 3 years. But what people don't know is that didn't do it and was in Paris caring for her aunt. Plus there are those within the police department who will do anything to keep quiet of their drug running side business. What she doesn't count on is the attraction between Jax and that somehow she'll find out about her late husband's mistress. You'll find out soon of how the Wind Dragon MC is connected thru the story. There is a climatic ending that will leave an opening to Hunter's book which is next.