This was a 5 star read! It was a book I did not want to put down. I love a tough female lead character. Kelly is simply a powerful force to be reckoned with. This was my first book by this author and I plan to read another one of hers soon!

Wow! I didn't expect the twist. A great book. The writing style b was v way to follow and kept you drawn in. The characters were complex and intriguing. Highly recommend this book to friend & family!

TW for this book should you struggle with the mention of SA situations.


This book follows Kelly, a criminal defense lawyer (who just happens to specialize defending wealthy men in SA cases) and the current case she is working on...what could really go wrong with defending them...right..?

I loved how different and diverse the characters were, they weren't all of your cookie cutter characters for sure. I really like when books can take real life issues and show that they can be applied to all sorts of situations, and to anyone, it helps raise awareness! The book kept me on the edge of my seat at so many points, and I really couldn't put it down.

The author did an amazing job showing how this can impact your daily life and how much it shapes you as a person (or a character within their character development).


Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the e-ARC in exchange of an honest review and please make sure to check this read out when it hits shelves in July 2023!

3.75 starts, rounded to 4. This was a fast-paced thriller mystery that kept me engaged the entire time. There were a few problematic aspects in the novel, but let's start with the highlights.

The book does a nice job capturing how sexual assault can impact the lives of women from all walks of life, whether they're highly educated and successful or struggling and financially unstable, quiet or outspoken, commandeering or subservient. The four women we follow are a lawyer, microbiologist, an IT specialist, and a professional cleaner. The story exemplifies how rape can be both a sex crime and a hate crime, wrapped in one vile package. It portrays long-lasting PTSD, and how sometimes fixating on revenge can be a scapegoat for pent-up rage.

The main character, Kelly McCann is a gifted, high-powered defense lawyer who has not lost a case yet. She's also a mother of two and a loving wife to a husband who is in a vegetative state. Both her and her husband were successful lawyers before his severe stroke and have an extravagant lifestyle to show for it. Unfortunately, due to the extent of her husband's medical condition, he was unable to return to work and the cost of their lifestyle fell solely on Kelly's shoulders.

This is when my perspective shifted and I started to struggle to really empathize or even like Kelly McCann, which really made the story a bit frustrating for me. Let me list a few examples:

1) Instead of downsizing their expenses, she decides to turn to the 'dark side' and defend wealthy accused rapists since that comes with a bigger paycheck. She claims she had to due to financial reasons, but realistically, her spending indicates she would rather keep rapists out on the streets rather than live within her means.

2) Her internal (and occasionally external) monologue screams victim-blaming. For example, in an interview, she accidentally stated "I've never experienced sexual assault because I've never been a party girl". Even though she admits she misspoke, this statement is putrid and honestly a senseless and tone-deaf comment for a successful lawyer to make in an interview.

3) She seems wholly ignorant to SO MANY THINGS. Like how she assumes a medical doctor wouldn't carry any STDs, and "at any rate, she hasn't shown any symptoms so far" (this is dangerous logic, some symptoms are not apparent for a long time, etc etc). C'mon, Kelly.

4) Her inability to listen to her children, her employees, or her stepdaughter. She misses obvious clues, and doesn't even know how to stay under the radar when her life depends on it. She doesn't read in between the lines which is unbelievable for such a successful lawyer. Her repeat mistakes were just very frustrating for me as a reader.

5) Her revenge plan was the most half-baked and misguided idea of all time. Sacrificing research and medical advancement (that would help the entire society) for your personal revenge was incredibly selfish, and even when someone helped her understand that this was not the right thing to do, she only half-understood. The multiple plans that follow were also anger-inducing and poorly thought out. Revenge isn't the same as justice. Her energy should have ben focused on bringing his crimes to light, rather than framing him for something different altogether.

But all my main-character-hate aside, the writing in the book was well-executed and while some of the plot twists were easy to predict, I couldn't put the book down. Some of the other characters, such as Rick Olsson and Tiffy Jenkins, were interesting and likable as well, and I only wished their storylines had the opportunity to be fleshed out. Several aspects of the plot were far-fetched, but by the half-point, I was fully engrossed in finding out how it will all play out regardless. Recommended for anyone looking for a quick-read mystery!

I greatly appreciate NetGalley and Harper Perennial for giving me the opportunity to read an early ARC prior to the July 2023 release.

Excellent book! Bonnie Kistler is an amazing writer. Her Too is a dynamic story of an attorney, Kelly McCann whose only motto is to win. If she can't win the case she won't take it or settles out of court.. Kelly left the DAs office and went over to the other side. Defending no matter the crime. She is. Pitbull in the courtroom and keeps settlements as low as possible. She takes on a new client, a famous doctor who is going to save the world with his vaccine that will eradicate Alzheimer's, but the doctor has been accused of rape. Kelly has already done settlements for some accusers but one accuser wants to go to court. Kelly uses her aggressive techniques in court trying to make sure she wins. As tough as Kelly is in the courtroom at home as a mother and devoted wife she is loving and kind. When something horrendous happens Kelly decides she's going to be the one to get payback. However, this may be the one time she loses big. A very well-written book that is fast-paced and a story that will touch you.
I would definitely buy this book for a friend. I read while cooking, riding in the car, and late into the night. Thank you, NetGalley and publisher Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for this eARC this is my personal opinion. I look forward to more by Bonnie Kistler.

The newest novel by Bonnie Kistler, "Her, Too", parallels the Me Too movement with jaw-dropping turns to keep the reader captivated to the end. Kelly McCann is a good attorney, a loyal wife, and a fierce mother but also an enemy to the public. As her story unfolds, she must wrestle with keeping her reputation and job intact or keep her children and herself safe.

This book was absolutely fantastic! It had ALL of the elements of a great thriller: intrigue, mystery, and a clever plot. Kelly McCann is your kick ass take no prisoners protagonist that sets the tone for this edge of your set thriller. She propels the storyline behind this roller coaster of a ride book, so sit down and strap in because this book takes you on a wild ride!
Thrillers are definitely my jam and as I’m reading I pay attention to the plot, the characters,, and am usually especially keen for the subtle nuances of the story that are actually the biggest clues. Well, in this story that matters not because I was unable to figure out the plot twist in this book and in my eyes, that means the author did an out-freaking-standing job. I literally found myself holding my breath at certain points of the book because I was anticipating, or more likely projecting what I thought was about to happen, again another sign of stellar writing! Bonnie Kistler has now become an auto buy author for me because I am thoroughly impressed with her fantastic style of writing! I highly recommend that everyone read everything that she pens! Kudos!

📚 Her, Too
✍ Bonnie Kistler
📖 Contemporary Fiction
⭐3/5

🙏Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Perennial for the gifted eARC of Her,Too in exchange for my honest review.

💭Cutthroat defender of accused sexual assaulters Kelly McCann is a fighter and a winner. When the book opens, she's just won one of her biggest cases yet- the acquittal of George Benedict, a famous scientist whose current vaccine trial has the potential to prevent Alzheimer's. Mere hours after her win though, she herself falls victim to a horrible assault- one that she she can't report without devastating consequences to her career and family. So, together with the rapists' other survivors, they plot a revenge scheme that will take down their assaulter and his empire. But, someone is watching them and one by one, they find themselves facing an even more devastating danger: death.
◾
🎯What I liked: Kelly was a multidimensional protagonist that had a lot going on. Between her complicated home life, the burden she carried at work and her motivations for remaining in her position and her revenge plot, there definitely wasn't a dull moment for her.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: In the era of the Me, Too movement, it felt like a bold choice to write a novel highlighting a woman who makes her living defending men accused of horrendous sexual crimes. Moreover, I found Kelly's character frustrating. Not just because of her initial disdain for the Me, Too movement and her defense of deplorable humans but because of her consistent refusal to listen to the people around her. Her tunnel vision focus on 'winning' came at the expense of those around her- her husband, her children, her colleagues and her fellow survivors. Unlikeable protagonists are understandable but I also found the storyline to be non-sensical. As Kelly was thinking through ways to enact revenge, she kept trying plans on for size and poking holes in her ideas. In real life, this makes sense but in a book, the follow-thru felt distanced and hard to grasp. Then, there were characters that didn't serve a purpose (the shady IT guy?) and an ending that felt like a twist just for the sake of a twist.
◾
TW: rape, assault
◾
Read if you love:
*books that read like an episode of Law & Order
*timely fictional reads that tackle tough topics
*revenge plots
◾
See also: Whisper Network

Thank you NetGalley for the early ARC! I enjoyed this book but did not love it. it was interesting to read the lawyers side of the me too.

A fascinating look at the complexities of the Me Too phenomenon that has dominated the world from the side of the lawyers that choose to defend the accused. After all, everyone is entitled to a defense, right? But what if your defense is all a bunch of noise, smoke and mirrors, simply for optics? What happens when the guilty go free, move on to target others and even you? How do you rationalize your actions to your children, friends, victims, yourself? This is a very complex subject and this story was amazingly well done. It makes one think and keeps you stuck in the pages watching it all unfold.

TW: sexual assault, rape.

This book was difficult to read. Kelly is a high profile defense attorney for a rapist. She knows he is, but defends him anyway. On the eve of the big win in court, he rapes her too. The book takes a journey of how she deals with it, her plan to take him down, and keep living her life.

I don’t really have words to describe this book. It was interesting, scary, and gross all at once. There’s a lot to unpack here. I didn’t love it and wouldn’t read it again, but I also am glad I did pick it up and read it. It does have a pretty neatly tied up ending as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

* Thank you HarperCollins, Bonnie Kistler, and Netgalley for my eARC for an honest review. Publication date 7/4/23*

Defence Lawyer Kelly McCann has not lost a trial yet. Her latest client famous Dr. George Benedict, who is the first person about to cure alzheimers, was on trial for rape and was found not guilty. Although Dr. Benedict is found not guilty he really is guilty of committing multiple rapes .Kelly has a hard decision to make, to save millions of people from getting the horrible disease or for finally putting Dr. Benedict away for his crimes.

This book will not be an easy read for some people. I was hoping this book was going to be more of a courtroom drama but it was not. I didn't find this book very believable and I rolled my eyes multiple times. Just not what I was expecting, sorry :(
2.5 stars rounded up.

Whew. I hated this for the first 20% of the book. Absolutely hated it. I didn't buy the premise, which made accepting any facet of the plot difficult. Surprisingly, I kept reading, slowly getting more invested in the story. I didn't like the heroine, and felt she continually made bad choices, and was generally not very likable. And still I read on. Why? Am not sure.

Suffice to say I finished the book, and will grudgingly admit to enjoying the read. Did I buy the premise at the end? No, but I accepted that it didn't make logical sense to me. The author did a nice job tying things together, and I'm glad I finished. This doesn't happen often ;)

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book hijacked me and held me hostage for hours! It was a fast-paced, thrilling, captivating ride.

Kelly McCann is a criminal defense attorney who’s most prominent client is the brilliant scientist, George Benedict. She has secured his acquittal in a rape case and managed to convince his other victims to take payoffs and sign NDA’s. But when Kelly becomes one of his victims herself, she realizes that evil must not prevail any longer. In order to bring him down, she seeks out the only people she can think of to help destroy him. But who is the hunted and who is the hunter?

With an ending that is a complete shocker, this thriller rates a 5/5 for me. Thank you, NetGalley, Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC. This was an excellent story that evoked strong cognitive dissonance. Kelly made some decisions that I didn’t necessarily agree with, but getting to come along with her on the ride to her ultimate resolution was anxiety inducing but worth it. I loved the girl power, but this book also has one of the most vile antagonists and a JAW DROPPING twist. Will definitely be purchasing this.

I’m sorry, this wasn’t for me. I kept going back to it and each time I did I wondered why. It has all the points I love: mystery/ drama, a strong woman, and revenge. I realized after some time why I wasn’t into it - very little subtext. Everything is spelt out and explained. I prefer things with a little more mystery behind the words, just to keep me on my toes and the pages turning.

A superb fast paced thriller. I absolutely loved the story and couldn’t stop reading it. It’s perfect for all readers, especially thriller lovers.

Solid thriller about a Kelly, a successful defense lawyer who defends powerful men accused of sex crimes. After she is sexually assaulted, Kelly decides to join forces with some of the victims of her attacker and take down the man who assaulted them. Then someone starts to come after the group one by one. This is a fast paced, solid mystery.

“Don’t get mad, and for God’s sake, don’t get weepy. Get even.”

Her, Too is a novel that synthesizes modern dialect, patterns, and systems of writing with topics that are commonly considered taboo, with a general content warning for any individuals pursuing the chance of reading. The story follows our main character, Kelly McCann. Mother to four, married, and a woman with a successful legal career defending men accused of sex crimes, she has quite a bit going on. Her career is followed with much moral speculation at the forefront of the novel– is she truly defending the innocent?

The main antagonist of the novel, one of her clients, is an ambitious and prestigious man with an amazing reputation. So, what happens to Kelly when she falls victim to the same behavior she defended him on; the same behavior she proved, by law, he was not guilty of?

Firstly, as a pretense, I am always extremely grateful to get the opportunity to read the novels I request. So, of course, thank you to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks.

Allow me to start firstly with what I thought the book did best for me, as a reader. It was able to lessen the demonization of speaking out against one’s abusers, and tells a story that is very real for a lot of people. I believe the overarching concept of pathos was emphasized heavily throughout this book, with a ton of opportunities for more diluted character opinions often being replaced with statements that allow the thought process to be more generalized. I did not mind this whatsoever; I always love when a book is able to cater to a general audience and work to sympathize with individuals. The dialect is casual, with a lot of swearing (which is understandable, given the situation). Additionally, I think the struggles Kelly is put through gives the very real feeling of gut-wrenching, such as her conflicts with not only her career, but her morals, her children, and her husband.

As for my critiques, my main point of disagreement with the book is with its main character, Kelly McCane. While her character does show a clear development as the novel progresses along its plotlines, I have to say, I didn’t care for the way she achieved this new level of morals she holds so dear. It feels a tad disheartening to me to see that her new viewpoint was changed by something that happened directly to her. On the other hand, I do realize that a lot of character development and even self-development happens to stuff that directly impacts us, situations that make us want to take a stance. Therefore, from a human perspective, her selfish motive makes sense entirely. Nonetheless, I do feel like her determination for revenge could have additionally been driven by a shift in morality rather than a clash with self-determined morals via her career.

Finally, my recommendation for this novel. I think this book would be absolutely perfect for anyone who enjoys a generally laid-back conversational tone with a heavy emphasis on a dark theme. It creates an interesting juxtaposition to be able to analyze, and it was one of my favorite contrasts of the novel. While it is not personally my cup of tea, I am able to step back and say that this book could very easily be loved by one of my colleagues who happens to enjoy every aspect of the novel.

Her,Too by Bonnie Kistler-Publication date is July 4th 2023
Remember, it can happen to any women, whether an executive, a scientist, an office cleaner or an attorney. An act that crosses the line and the impact of that ME-TOO moment, can destroy a woman’s life. What happens when the man you think is innocent, isn’t who he seems, and you are now fighting along-side others who have experienced the truth. Will vengeance be yours or will you die trying? Bonnie Kistler takes us on a twisty ride through the halls of biotech deceit and along the highway of legal guardrails to a surprising conclusion that leaves you breathless and satiated.
I loved the ‘all walks of life’ characters. Each women had their own personal dilemmas, but each begrudgingly agreed to come together because of their common adversary. The story grabs you in the first two shocking chapters and never lets you go until the last shoe falls. This story is a cautionary tale for anyone, ‘What you presume is often blinded by your own biased experiences’. We know much about each woman through their hardships and stressors throughout the story, but I would have liked to learn a bit more back story on George and Jane Benedict’s relationship.
I recommend the book with 4 stars. Don’t be left behind, jump on this wild ride as soon the book hits the streets in July 2023! #hertoo #netgallery #arcreview #wildride #lovethisbook