I wanted to like this book because I love Lisa Scottoline, but this one just didn't do it for me. I just feel like it fell flat on keeping me interested.

This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to each book. This one was special because Mary is pregnant and all of the excitement surrounding a baby on the way. It was interesting to have Nick Machiavelli back in this book too, and the conflict between him and Mary. There were several cases going on, each with their own set of challenges, especially when a reverse discrimination lawsuit is filed against Bennie, Mary and Judy. And I always love hearing about Mary's family and the rest of the South Philly neighborhood. This book kept me on the edge of my seat with many things happening that I didn't see coming. I loved this book and can't wait to see what happens next at Rosato & DiNunzio!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

When three men announce that they are suing the Rosato & DiNunzio law firm for reverse sex discrimination—claiming that they were not hired because they were men—Mary DiNunzio and Bennie Rosato are outraged. To make matters worse, their one male employee, John Foxman, intends to resign, claiming that there is some truth to this case.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer is Nick Machiavelli, who has already lost to Mary once and is now back with a vengeance —determined not to not only win, but destroy the firm. It soon becomes clear that Machiavelli will do anything in his power to achieve his end…even after the case turns deadly. The stakes have never been higher for Mary and her associates as they try to keep Machiavelli at bay, solve a murder, and save the law firm they love…or they could lose everything they’ve worked for. Told with Scottoline's trademark gift for twists, turns, heart, and humanity, this latest thriller asks the question: Is it better to be loved, or feared...

*3.5 stars*

Feel a bit mixed about this, the 6th entry in the Rosato & DiNunzio series.

As always, Bennie and Mary are wonderful, "real" characters that I always enjoy coming back to for another story. In fact, the whole office is like family that you return to every book. There is a sense of warmth and enjoyment that comes from that, even before you read too much of the book.

However...this did have its moments when I was just a little closer to a DNF than I have ever been with her books. The story, for me, seems more like a "cozy mystery" than the usual full-throttle thrillers we usually get. Is that due to Mary's pregnancy?

And speaking of Mary's pregnancy - did we need soooooooo many dreadful pregnancy jokes? They weren't funny the first 20 pages...

Having said that, the story is still tight, with plenty of subtle (and not-so-subtle) twists and turns to keep the reader guessing...but it just didn't get to "Heartpounding suspense" like I am used to.


Paul
ARH

loved this book. easy read, good characters. thoroughly enjoyed it. would recommend. all books by this author are great!

I had never read a Rosato & DiNunzio book. Now I will read the others in this series and look forward to more from Lisa Scottoline. Thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot line of this story.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed this entry in the series. This time they are fighting for themselves and everything that they have accomplished. Some defy twists and turns keeps me guessing what would happen

St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Feared. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

The tables are turned on the Rosato and DiNunzio law firm when they are personally sued for reverse sex discrimination. Stemming from a vendetta from opposing counsel, Nick Machiavelli, will the law firm be taken down, on the basis that they refuse to hire qualified men as employees for the firm? Will the PR nightmare convince lucrative clients to find alternative law firms to represent them? When the firm starts to investigate, what will they uncover? Will a betrayal from one of their own have the power to sink the firm for good?

I do like how author Lisa Scottoline turns the spotlight inward on the firm itself, as Feared allows readers to learn more about the associates and employees of the law firm. The book itself was just average, with many aspects of the plot being not believable or simply annoying. The conclusion was a disappointment on many levels, especially considering everything that the women at the firm had to endure. Feared would be a good ending for the characters and I would love to see author Lisa Scottoline start a new series from this point forward.

I really enjoyed this book. You should know that I'm an attorney, which influenced my review of this book. First, I really enjoyed the concept of following these attorneys as they fight a claim against their firm. I also, really enjoyed the twists and turns as the lawsuit(s) unfolded and overlapped throughout the book.

However, for the same reasons that I enjoyed the book, I at times caught myself rolling my eyes. As an attorney, there were times that I didn't believe an attorney would say or do the things that they were proposing or doing. Still, these moments were few and far between and they did not significantly impact my ability to "suspend disbelief," sit-back and enjoy the book.

This was my first time reading a Rosato & DiNunzio book. I was surprised that it was book #6 in the series. I had no problem at all jumping in late in the series and figuring out who was who and what was going on. I look forward to starting at the beginning and catching up before the next book in the series comes out!

I have read many of Lisa Scottoline’s novels, enjoying each one. I have not read any books in this series. However, after reading this one, I guess it is time to go look for the other books in this series. After being told they are being sued for reverse discrimination (they claim they were not hired because they were males), Mary DiNunzio and Bennie Rosato, who are main players in their firm, are confused and outraged that something like this could have happened. Then their one male employee, John Foxman, also declares he plans to resign because he sees some truth in the accusation. Finally, the accusers have enlisted a rival lawyer, Nick Machiavelli, who has already lost to Mary once, and who is determined to bring down the firm, regardless what it takes. Besides this lawsuit, the firm is also working on a murder at the same time. The book moves along smoothly, ferreting out details and clues about both of these, while the firm is in the proverbial fight for its life.

This is a well written book, but I would expect nothing less from Lisa Scottoline, based on those books by her that I have read and enjoyed. This one ranks up there along with the rest. I loved the characters, who came across as very realistic and interesting. The prose is well done. The settings are perfect for the story. Though they had their hands full, the author depicted the main characters as knowledgeable, strong and resourceful, while still allowing the reader to connect with them on a personal level. Though part of a series, I can attest that I could easily enough jump right into this one though I had not read the others in the series. If you like this author or strong women who can work to overcome basic problems or just enjoy a good, easily readable and fast-moving mystery, this is a good choice. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

I’ve read some of the early books in this series, and expected to like this book. I have to say that although it was great to revisit the characters again, the plot somehow dragged a bit. I kept wanting to push ahead to the end and find out whodunnit. It was fun to re-meet the D’Anunzio family and “Feared” is a worthwhile addition to the series.

This was my first time reading a book in the Rosato & DiNunzio series by Lisa Scottoline. And I really enjoyed it, enough that I am going to read the others. I did not feel that I was missing anything with not having read the others. The book could easily be a stand alone book. But I really liked the characters and the writing of this book.

Another very good read from Lisa Scottoline. The book turned out to be so much more than just one case against the law firm for reverse discrimination. There were twists and turns and then someone is murdered. I truly was clueless when it came to solving the murder. Thankfully Ms. Scottoline provided us some clues. But then I found out just how wrong I could be in my guessing.

Among other things, I fell in love with Mary DeNunzio's family in South Philly. I found myself laughing at the way information is transmitted by all the people who live there. One person told this person who told another person and so on. It is better and faster than Facebook. I have family in the area but they are not at all like Mary's family. I think I would like to meet them.

The only negative had to do with the writing toward the end which got a bit philosophical and didn't move as fast as the rest of the book. But then that is more of my personal preference. I received a copy of the book in exchange for a review which is my very own.

I liked this book very much. It was well written and kept me reading to the very last. I found it's premise to be interesting and in touch with recent times.

Feared is the first book in the Rosato & DiNunzio series that I have had the pleasure of reading and I am asking myself, "WHY did I wait??" I am now headed back for book 1!

Feared is an intense legal thriller that will keep you glued to the pages long after it is time for lights out.
It calls us to look ourselves in the mirror and either tamp down the darkness or give ourselves to it. Is it better to be loved or feared?

I feel like with Feared if I give too much away in a review then it will ruin it! It is full of twists and details and wonderful, well devoloped characters.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for their next thriller/suspense! Look no further!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read and review Feared! You made my year!

Mary DiNunzio, happily celebrating with her lawfirm, Rosato & DiNunzio, the pending birth of her first child, is stunned when she and her partners are served with a reverse-discrimination lawsuit. Unfortunately, the suit is headed by Mary's frequent competitor, Nick Machiavelli. Even more unfortunate? The male attorney on the payroll, John Foxman, has made several statements that Machiavelli is using to uphold this claim. Mary and her partners immediately begin a defensive plan, hiring a highly unusual and successful attorney, Roger Vitez. Then John turns up dead, Mary discovers that her best friend Judy has been dating John for monthly secretly and is implicated in his murder, and the press are hounding the firm and splashing headlines that imply that the partners themselves in fact have done him in. At a time that she should be getting the most rest and peace in preparation, Mary is finding it hard to even stay home. But she can't sit still until she clears not only Judy's but her firm's name in this madness and finds the real killer. All the usual twists, turns and surprises are packed in here!

Feared by Lisa Scottoline

Brief Summary: The sixth book in the Rosato and DiNunzio firm series is the story of a reverse discrimination lawsuit filed against the almost all female firm by nemesis Nick Machiavelli. Throw in some Scottoline type twists for an interesting read. I have enjoyed previous books by this author but this is my first in this series.

Highlights: I enjoyed the unexpected twists and how the plot tied together for a satisfying ending. I did feel that this was fine as a standalone book; having not read the previous five in the series. Though perhaps I didn’t fully appreciate the characters histories with each other.

What makes this book unique? The reverse discrimination lawsuit is an interesting premise in the age of #MeToo. Diversity in all forms; especially gender is important. I also enjoyed the aspects of the Italian culture discussed in the book.

Explanation of Rating: 3/5 stars: This book barely held my interest at times and took me longer to read than previous page turners by this author that were all consuming weekend reads. The legal aspects were somewhat drawn out and usually I find them interesting.

I would certainly consider reading the previous books in this series despite my tough rating. Legal fiction fans will enjoy this.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

4 stars! This was my first Lisa Scottoline. I did not realize when I took the widget from NetGalley that it was the 6th book in a series of legal thrillers. Having missed out on the previous books, I still enjoyed the plot and writing, which I thought very good! I will now go back and add the other books to get to know the family better.

This is a fast-paced, nail-biting legal thriller. Full of corruption and people you love to hate. I don't usually enjoy legal thrillers all that much. I thought I'd give this a chance and really liked the main characters.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Lisa Scottoline via NetGalley for a digital copy to review. I highly recommend it!

In the latest Rosato & DiNunzio, the lawyers face a case of "reverse discrimination" from a group of men who claim they weren't hired because of their gender. Gripping case from beginning to end that just may end the law practice.

This is one of the best fun legal thriller series on the market today. This is book #6 of the series and as always, I suggest starting at the beginning to truly get acquainted with all the diverse and colorful characters. You’ll love every one of them...and every quirk that goes with them!! (Plenty of those to go around!)

Once again, the lawyers of my favorite law firm are at it again. This book finds them up against their most challenging nemesis yet - Machiavelli. He’s a senior partner in a rival law firm who apparently has a major axe to grind just with the partners of DiNunzio's firm.

This time he’s filed for a reverse sex discrimination law suit. Could there actually be truth to this suit? After all, the firm is virtually all female🤔

Lisa Scottoline never disappoints! I adore this series and all the off-shoot series she’s developed. I feel like I know each character individually and love each one. Hard not to play favorites, but Mary is always at the top of my list. Her family is the type everyone wishes for and asks to become a member of!

If you’d like a fun series, with just enough legal flavor sprinkled in, look no further!

I highly recommend!

A buddy read with Brenda🌸

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Lisa Scottoline for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Fear is probably the most pervasive emotion in today’s culture. The antithesis to fear is comfort. With Lisa Scottoline’s newest release, “Feared”, there is more than enough of both to go around.

Mary DiNunzio is about to become a mom. She is seven months pregnant and feels fat and overworked. The novel opens with all of Rozato, DiNunzio and Associates throwing her a baby shower. Everyone is there, including the firm’s only male lawyer, John Foxman, and their investigator Lou. The shower is interrupted by a process server serving the partners with a reverse discrimination lawsuit. The plaintiffs are represented by none other than Mary’s legal nemesis Nick Machiavelli. When one of their own is murdered, the firm is thrown into a complete tailspin. How will they recover (if they can)?

I’ve been a fan of Scottoline’s for years. I have seen Mary DiNunzio grow up from a skittish ingenue to a legal force of nature. And I loved this book. I couldn’t read the last third fast enough. Some of the turns may be predictable, but there were more than enough surprises to hold my interest. And no, I didn’t get the ultimate culprit.

Few authors could present already established characters in a new light. But our modern climate at times requires it. Adding the idea of gender equality with a murder mystery and possible business espionage is nothing short of genius.

One of Scottoline’s biggest strengths is her incorporation of her Philadelphian background into her novels. As the wife of a Philadelphian (who just happens to also be Italian), this never ceases to amaze me. My favorite part was throwing in the Super Bowl Championship.

But at the end of the day, this is a book about family. Family by choice and family by blood and the balance between the two. It just happens to have a bit of blood thrown in.