Isla and David's story was filled with intrigue, chemistry, and anticipation. We got to meet David in Win and Henry's story, and we got to see those two make a guest appearance in this one. Their story does not play into this one, so you don't need to have read it to enjoy Isla and David's. I loved how pure Isla was. She always looked for the good in people, while still being realistic. David had a harder time with their relationship and his fear was valid. Isla just managed to break through those fears and allow David to see their time together was worth any potential pain down the road. This story was well written and I found myself not wanting to put it down. I figured out who the killer was, but not the motivation. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep readers intrigued. I definitely recommend this book.

I had a hard time getting into this book and felt like I was missing vital information just because I didn't read the first book. I couldn't get invested in the main love story or who killed the wife. The love scenes were shmaltzy and cringe-worthy because of how cliche it was. I didn't even care who killed the wife by the end of the book. There was no tension in the climax either. Lexi Blake is not for me

This book combines a sexy romance, a legal procedural drama, and a murder mystery in which the main suspect, a former pro football player, suffers from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) a degenerative brain disease mostly found in athletes.

I figured out who the murderer was from the gitgo, something I usually am clueless about. It was the introductory language that made me go hmmm, so instead of surprise, I had tension as the story unfolded and I waited to see if I was right.

The hero and heroine were sympathetic, and the story behind the murder victim and her accused husband was tragic. Lexi Blake did a good job with keeping the pacing going, and providing vivid and increasingly tense scenes.

This was something of an experiment for me, as I prefer there to be humor in my romances. Comedies of manners being my favorite.

It was a fast read, which I appreciated, but too much tragedy to hook me into this subgenre.

4 1/2 stars!! I really enjoyed this story as a whole, not just the mystery of it but the relationship aspects as well. It was so well written. First off the non stop guessing about whodunit was just so entertaining and made it impossible for me to put this down! I actually never saw that ending coming! Next, I totally love Isla and David's relationship throughout. They have fantastic chemistry and great banter between them. They are perfect for each other! Yes they have to get over a very big hurdle but I really liked the way those scenes played out and that whole storyline. Lastly, the whole Trey/Portia storyline is simply heartbreaking but I also felt okay with where that went in the end.

This was a pretty captivating story form the beginning to end. I loved Gabe and Isla but it was also Trey and Portia's story that had me riveted. You really feel like you get two love stories in one. Sadly, one ended in tragedy but it was still very beautiful. I almost wish we could get a book on Trey and Portia, that's how much their story intrigued me.

Due to the nature of what happens right in the beginning, we get a whole host of side characters and each one played a big role to the overall story. Each character drew a reaction out of me, good and bad. This had a "who did it" theme and while I suspected right away who it was, I was still drawn in to the whole investigation. There was also a reason to the crime and that one stumped me at first.

As for the main couple, I loved David. He had a fear that threatened his relationship with Isla but the way Isla handled it made me completely ok with his resistance. When he wasn't resisting, he was pretty alpha with her and I like that in my heroes. Isla was just an all around nice woman. Some may have viewed her as weak but she was just a caring person. When she needed to fight, she fought.

I really enjoyed Evidence of Desire and would recommend to pretty much any reader who wants a good love story and a good puzzle to solve.

WOW! This book had me on the edge of my seat. A suspect who doesn't know where he is, an ADA who is a royal PITA, danger, heat, nosy reporters, upset family, what else could you want? I loved this book and did not put it down. Stayed up way to late reading but it just drew me in and I had to know who really did it.
Isla is a sweetheart, but don't let that fool you. She is strong and protective of those she loves. She has had some crap thrown her way but is bouncing back and standing her ground. She has to when she wants the stubborn former football player turned lawyer, David. David worries daily that he will eventually develop the same disease the suspect has, CTE. So he has a serious issue thinking that he needs to let her go. We know how well that works!
The husband is always the first suspect. Especially when he is found holding his wife in her own blood. Things are not always as they seem and Isla is going to prove it and who better to help her than a former football player. Things get really messy... I mean really messy (no spoilers... dang that is so hard!). However the instant attraction and heat between these two is just wow. They have to work together to prove Trey is innocent and to piece together the clues as to who really did it. The trick is, can they survive?

Lexi Blake has done a wonderful job of combining romance with a murder mystery filled with tentacles of suspense. Who murdered the beautiful socialite and dedicated wife? Was it her mentally unstable husband, a famous, former athlete suffering from debilitating illness caused by head trauma?

Isla Shayne, the Adams’s family personal lawyer and David Cormack, former football player, turned high-power defense attorney must piece together what really happened or an innocent man may go to jail. On the way, these two will find a connection of the heart, but can they find a future together when one of them fears becoming a burden?

Fabulous characters, great suspense and an ending that I never saw coming! Get your romance and a strong mystery all under one cover in EVIDENCE OF DESIRE!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Berkley!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Lawless series so I looked forward to Evidence of Desire. I missed Order of Protection (Courting Justice #1) but that was no problem. Blake's series reads well as stand-alones. I never really identified with Isla though I admired her brains and strength as a high powered NY attorney. She's only loved one man and he died far too young. Her current life in some ways still revolves around her lost love in that she's still close to his father, works for a man she met while working for his father and hasn't ever really resumed dating in the many years since his death.

David Cormack is one of NYC's best defense attorneys and has made his way from humble beginnings to the NFL and now practicing law. He's sexy as can be but his fear of his own mind's potential demise shadows his entire life.

The attraction between these two is quick and neither fights it too much though David is convinced nothing can come of it. They are thrown together fighting for the life of Isla's client.

Blake has cleverly pulled chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from the headlines and woven it compellingly into this novel. Trey Adams doesn't even know himself if he killed his wife. His kids can't be sure either. With plenty of red herrings along the way, the reader can't really be sure who the murder is until Blake is ready to reveal the identity.

Sports heroes, beautiful women with wonderful souls, spoiled kids, a trophy wife, and so many more fascinating characters fill this novel. Suspense, a sweet love story, hot sex - everything that makes for a good romance novel - in a well-written book.

This is the first book I’ve read that had CTE in. I felt the author did a good job with all aspects of CTE. How the trauma affects the football player and their families. Trying not to be spoilery but after further investigation they got down to the real reason and I’m glad she added that in. It’s absolutely not ok. I love football, but not at the expensive of the players mental health (obviously there is some physical health as they take a beating).

Great story with a nice twist at the end that was not expected.
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I have read many of Lexi‘s books in the past several years so when I picked this one up I knew I was in store for a treat. But what I didn’t realize is how beautifully she can blend a romance with a suspenseful murder mystery.

This story has so many positive attributes. I love David’s character. He has a wonderful soul and is not afraid to show his feelings and support. Isla is also an amazing character. Her heart and soul is just so kind and amazing. She also has that spunk and fire like a mama bear. Together the pair is a force to be reckoned with.

This is a story about lawyers and one of their cases. So we do get a bit of the gore factor and the authenticity of dealing with a true crime story. The romance is heated and the friend support characters are tight and fun.

This is a part two of a series and I did feel a bit out of sorts when it came to the supporting characters as I really didn’t know who they were. However, I didn’t feel it detracted from the story much at all.

I truly enjoyed the story and loved the link to pro sports and the attention to detail! With the plot twists and the beautiful romance, it was so easy to get caught up into this book.

Lexi Blake brings her fabulous talent to life with the rich detail and emotional connections we crave in our characters. Evidence of Desire is a great read!

Ugh i loved David and Isla. I loved how real they were. The situation and the mystery surrounding the whole book. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen and I thought I’ve solved this mystery and then I was totally wrong and I loved it.
The book kept me on my toes and even with David and Isla’s relationship which oh wee I loved it!
I loved Isla’s take no crap attitude towards David. And her unflinching loyalty when it came to anyone in her life.
This was my first Lexi Blake book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I need Noah’s story ASAP! Haha.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC of the book!

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

Synopsis
As the personal lawyer to former NFL star, Trey Adams, Isla Shayne is fiercely loyal to the entire Adams family. But her boss is going to need more help than she's equipped to provide if he's going to escape a murder conviction. She calls upon experienced criminal defender, David Cormack, another former NFL player, to try to save Trey from prison.

It's a challenging case for David. Trey suffers from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), the very condition David himself fears is in his own future. But then there's Isla...the spark between the two of them is instant and completely irresistible.

Murder. Mystery. Steamy nights with big, complicated feelings. And a little bit of danger too. Isla and David need to confront both past and future if they want a chance together...

My Thoughts
Is there anything better than discovering a new branch in the romance genre tree? Would you believe that 'lawyer/criminal case' romance hasn't even been on my radar until this book caught my eye? I had a hard time putting this book down...

Evidence of Desire was a little bit of Law and Order meets romance novel. And I LOVED that. Lexi Blake is a skilled writer and the story flowed silky smooth, holding my attention from start to finish. Not only is the plot itself compelling but Ms. Blake writes well developed and multi-dimensional characters. Additionally, I thought Ms. Blake's treatment of CTE, a very serious and devastating condition, was sensitive and moving.

As for Isla and David...I loved them together. Each of them has been hurt and I immediately was rooting for their HEA. Not to mention they have some very steamy, satisfying moments together...

I absolutely reccommend this book and I look forward to reading more from Lexi Blake.

Happy Romance Reading!

"Over the course of one day, she'd come to view the big, gorgeous lawyer as something of a teddy bear. Could she call him an emotional support attorney and take him with her everywhere?"

The Courting Justice series was my introduction to the word wizardry of Lexi Blake and put her on auto-click status with me. She has blown my mind with her talent.

David won me over when he showed what a supportive best friend he was with Henry. He dropped everything and ran to help him when he called. That's the type of man you want on your team if you ever get accused of murder, right? Since he's in the process of building his newly formed legal team a high profile case is just what he needs right now. What he wasn't expecting was Isla. She's Trey Adams personal lawyer and hired David to represent her client. There's no denying the sparks that fly between them. It was fun to sit back and wait for their chemistry to work itself out.

What I always anticipate with excitement in each book is the secrets and suspense. What a twisted tale the author creates every time, never failing to deliver a surprise even though I claim to be quite the mystery solver and armchair profiler. It's so thrilling to give my mind a workout as I struggle to fit the pieces into the puzzle. And let's not forget the excitement of the romance that plays a big part in every story. The love never comes easy, there's usually a huge obstacle standing in the way of happily ever after.

I can't get enough of this series or this author. She's my new dealer and I'm seriously addicted to what she's delivering. There are a few more lawyers that I can't wait to spend time with. I know that they will have an exciting case to tackle and a formidable opponent to battle. But, I'm as equally excited about who they will be wrestling in the sheets. I know I can expect some heat in both areas. The line forms here...

David. I just simply love David. Isla is pretty awesome too. There was a kid who needed a punch and some other people who needed more than a punch, but these two were simply the best. I am really loving this series!

Book Review: Evidence of Desire by Lexi Blake

I will be honest I am a huge Lexi Blake fan. I have read 30+ of her books over the past two years. I love that in each book we get a cameo of the characters of McKay and Taggart they are my favorite thing.

About Evidence of Desire, this is book two in a new series following criminal lawyers in NYC. This story follows David Cormack as he take on the case of Trey Adams who may have killed his wife. In this case, he connects with Isla the family lawyer which they have a connection and they fall in love.

This was a fast-paced story that dives into the world of football and CTE. I felt that it was well researched. I felt that it was a timely book.

The murder mystery had it’s twist and turns which was perfect because i didn’t think Trey did it.

In terms of the romance, there was just enough angst and chemistry. I am glad that they had a happily ever after.

I can’t wait to read Noah’s book. I hope he hooks up with Margarita.

I will publish this review on What to Read Next Blog closer to publication date.

LOVED this book! This book was a contemporary romance, a legal procedural drama, and a murder mystery. The main characters of David and Isla really work. David is a criminal attorney and former professional football player. His client is suffering from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) a degenerative brain disease mostly found in athletes. Interacting with his client has an impact on David and colors his thoughts on the future he can have with Isla. Isla, also and attorney, works with David to solve the murder mystery and to help him accept he can a future, if he’s willing to give Isla a chance.
The characters from the first book in this series, Order of Protection, appear in this book as well, but this is absolutely a book that can be read on its own. In fact, I liked this book better than the first book in the Courting Justice series.
Evidence of Desire was well written, had insights into CTE and its effect on ex-athletes and their families, and witty dialogue.
I am greatly looking forward to the next book in this series which I am hoping focuses on the character of Noah. I have been wanting to read his story since he was introduced in the book Revenge by Lexi Blake from the Lawless series. I highly recommend the Lawless series. Book one was great, book two was good and book 3, Revenge, was wonderful. Great dysfunctional family that is always interacting with each other.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

Evidence of Desire is Lexi Blake's Courting Justice series and I'd say it's a vast improvement over the first book in the series. In it, a social matriach has been murdered and her famous retired NFL quarterback husband is found covered in her blood. Their family attorney, Isla, quickly hires ex-NFL player turned criminal defense attorney, David to defend her client from murder charges. What unravels from there is part romance, part murder mystery, part treatise on CTE. I thought I figured this story out early wrong, but I was wrong. That never happens, so here I am to congratulate Lexi Blake. I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Lexi Blake has done it again! This series keeps getting better. Evidence of Desire has it all. It is a sexy, captivating page-turner. The characters are great. The story is riveting. You don't want to miss this book.

Evidence of Desire was slow to grab this reader. The clunky backstories of both main characters were not compelling.

This was a very enjoyable read, with well rounded and interesting characters. It hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I loved David.