A fun, twisty legal thriller! Majority of this one takes place in the courtroom.
And even though I felt certain from early on about the “whodunnit” part, the misdirection was so well done throughout, that I found myself second guessing myself!! Gahh!
I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while!
Definitely recommend!
Big thanks to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Pub date: 5/16/23

Matthew and Vanessa seem like the perfect couple. Except. She's married. And he's her superior at a high powered NY law firm. He becomes partner. She gets denied. She blames him. Then there's a murder.

This book was a wild ride. It had so many twists! I was on the edge of my seat. The characters were all unlikeable, but in a good way that keeps you invested.

I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Blackstone Publishing from ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A fast-paced legal thriller that will keep fans of courtroom drama entertained! There are several court cases detailed throughout, and the deceptions and betrayals that pile up during the course of the story are certainly juicy. I did feel that it became cliche and overdramatized at points, but others who enjoy a little more "soap opera" feel will undoubtedly enjoy!

I did not at all see the final reveal coming, but I have to say, the ending completely threw me off. I was left with unanswered questions and a little disappointed with the conclusion. But overall, for readers who enjoy legal dramas, it's worth the read.

I really liked the short chapters and the court room setting of this book. I did not guess the twist at all! However, it was still missing the wow factor for me. I think perhaps it’s because I did not particularly connect with any of the characters. Regardless, I will still continue to read this author!

Wowsers! This book was so much fun to read.

It starts off with cross examinations of the two MCs/POVs in the story, Matt & Vanessa. Both have been working at a prestigious NYC law firm for 9+ years and after spending so much time preparing cases…they began a secret love affair. Everything is fine (besides Vanessa having a husband and 3yo daughter) until Matt makes Partner and Vanessa has been assigned to his case that would promote her to becoming the next Partner. Until…someone calls the firm and lets the cat out of the bag informing them about their affair. They both deny the allegations; however, Matt & Vanessa know it was Vanessa’s husband, Bradley, that blew the whistle. They decided they would stop seeing each other temporarily, until Vanessa made Partner and begin the divorce process.

Vanessa didn’t make partner, and decided to sue for sexual harassment. The #MeToo movement rally began shortly after the lawyers rested their cases. This is the point where things get really twisted and there begins another trial for murder.

The way the story unfolded kept me glued. The first half was more like a love story and the second half was when the mystery/thriller began. I loved the ending twist even though I suspected it the entire time.

I definitely recommend this one if you enjoy marriage in trouble, secret affair, murder mystery and the #metoo movement.
4.5 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5

Thank you @netgalley @blackstonepublishing and @letstalkbookpromo for the gifted copy. Opinions are my own. Releases May 16, 2023.
This review will be posted on April 24, 2023 on all my social media feeds.

This captivating legal thriller was the perfect mix of courtroom and flashbacks that kept me up reading into the night. The plot moves at record speed between a torrid love affair, sexual harassment lawsuit, murder trial, and a jaw-dropping who-done-it ending. Crisp prose, dual POVs (including courtroom transcriptions), and well-developed polarizing characters made this such a great read. I recommend jumping in completely blind and letter Mitzner take you on this fun and wild ride.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The #MeToo movement has been center stage in a lot of novel’s lately, so when another one comes along, I am hesitant to see if someone can put a new twist on the story and keep me enter at the same time. This hit the mark. This is a legal thriller that takes place both inside and outside the courtroom when Vanessa files a sexual discrimination lawsuit against her former law firm. But how did we get here?
Vanessa and Matthew are in love. They work together and one of them reports to the other-problem number one. One of them is married-problem number two. But neither wants those issues to come between what he have together. Until it’s time for the annual promoting of the partners and things go completely off the rails. It’s every man for himself, but when you’re part of a duo, that doesn’t end well for one of you.
This was a great balance of court room scenes and glimpses of the life that brought them to that point.
My first book by this author but definitely won’t be my last.
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing, Let’s Talk Books Promo and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Love Betrayal Murder is a fast paced thriller/courtroom drama that I was thoroughly invested in.

Vanessa and Bradley Lyons appear to be living the dream from the outside- beautiful home, sweet 4 year old daughter, a fantastic job at a law firm where Vanessa hopes to make partner soon. The only catch? Vanessa has been having an affair with a partner at work, Matthew Brooks. Once he became her supervisor and the law firm found out, the two were forced to pause their affair for the time being, but it still ruins Vanessa's chances of making partner at the firm. She decides to sue the firm and winds up dead the day after she is awarded millions in a settlement. Both Bradley and Matthew have motive for murder, and we dive right in to the courtroom during the murder trial.

The pacing was fast, with no extraneous information. We go from the original lawsuit to the murder to the trial very quickly. The story is almost entirely told in third person, which made it harder for me to feel connected to the characters. I had sympathy for Vanessa when reading about her home life, and was convinced I knew how the story would go.

The author did a fantastic job of explaining legalese and the things that occur during a trial. The judge explains things to the jury and to the reader at the same time, and I now have a better understanding of courtroom procedure than I did before.

The mystery of who killed Vanessa was woven nicely, and we did found out the answer in the very end of the book. I enjoyed the writing style and the way that direct examinations from the trials were sprinkled throughout the book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars

Matthew and Vanessa are the perfect couple, so in love and both lawyers at the powerful Rawls Ryan firm. There’s just one tiny problem: Vanessa is married…and not to Matthew. Well maybe two problems….Matthew just became partner and Vanessa isn’t up until next year meaning their relationship is against the firm’s policy.

This book was such a cool mix of legal thriller and mystery. We got sections of the direct and cross examinations as well as glimpses into the trial but it wasn’t the whole book. Because if it was all trial I feel it would get old so this was the perfect balance in my opinion.

While I didn’t particularly love any of the characters, I was invested in the story nonetheless. Even though I guessed the main twist, it was just such an entertaining read with a great pace.

This was my first by this author but I will definitely be going back and checking out his backlist.

I LOVED the narration - multiple POV including 2 main characters and court transcripts. Provided timeline, tidbits of foreshadowing to whet your interest, and glimpses into the main characters' thoughts.
Vanessa married a man looking for a wife and family. Bradley sucks as a person and husband.
Paired together on a lengthy trial, Vanessa and Matt become close friends - and lovers.
When Matt makes partner, they tighten their plans - only to cause their individual ruin.
Could easily be read in a day.

Love Betrayal Murder

Ummm the first thought that crossed my mind was "Ladies, hide your husbands"' . Based on the title I was thinking this would be a domestic thriller . What it ended up being was just so much more.

Having read both The Perfect Marriage and Dead Certain, I was familiar with Adam Mitzner's writing style and I thoroughly enjoy his work. Love Betrayal Murder, is INTENSE, to say the least. Every time I thought I had it all figured out I was dead wrong. I also appreciated that this was a legal thriller and the accuracy was pretty spot on.

Mitzner did his research. Not only was this a book to brag about but it was incredibly well done and thought out. Nothing felt rushed or pushed along. The details made the story come to life and that character build was on point.

Love Betrayal Murder is out next month and I highly recommend everyone who loves a legal thriller, pre-order book!

Teaser :

Matthew Brooks and Vanessa Lyons are a perfect love match, both attorneys at a powerful New York City law firm. But there’s a hitch: Matt just made partner, and Vanessa is coming up for partner next year. And Vanessa’s husband, the profligate Bradley Lyons, has his suspicions.

Vanessa is assigned to the biggest case at the firm, the one that will determine her future. Unfortunately, Matt has been working the case for years, leaving him no choice but to supervise his lover in violation of firm policy. When Vanessa is denied her partnership, despite assurances to the contrary, she can only assume that her affair with Matt was the reason.

Then, on a crowded Manhattan street corner, a knife flashes in the midday sun, leaving behind a scene of horror. But with so many having been betrayed, will the murderer be brought to justice? A gripping criminal trial will leave readers unsure of who, if anyone, is telling the truth, all culminating in a jaw-dropping reveal.

I LOVED this book. I’ve read every one of Adam Mitzner’s books and they are all just wonderful reads. The pace is non-stop, no extraneous words and the reader is just carried through the crime to the verdict via the trial. My only suggestion to the publisher is to change the cover. the font used in the title is hard to read and the author, Adam Mitzner is hard to pick out. Need to be able to read title and author at a glance.

Love Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner is the definition of a page-turner.

I was truly blown away and couldn’t read it fast enough. I can’t shower it with enough praise.
The story line was riveting and the characters were believable. I read this in one sitting because it was that good.
The mystery this author wields will have your head snapping back and forth.
Filled with a lot of tension and even a surprise or two. I usually figure out where the author is going. This book kept me going with the characters, etc.
I now have to go through his backlist because this was a great and intriguing read.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Another outstanding thriller from this superb author. The style of his writing grips you in at the very beginning and never lets up until the conclusion of this book.
The story unfolds with 2 high profile attorneys who are having an affair and Matthew makes partner and his lover gets assigned to handle this large case. She does not make partner and he takes over this case which is not company policy because of their intimate relationship.
The book concludes with a very intense trial but is the verdict correct or not, that is the question.

Twisty. Juicy. Entertaining and WTF moments lead to a great read!
Save this for a time when you don't have any other plans!

Love Betrayal Murder by Adam Mitzner A fast-paced thriller with a scandalous love affair, murder, courtroom drama, and a who-done-it ending. I was taken aback by the ending, which I did not see coming. Vanessa, Matt and Bradley were likeable and dislikeable at various points throughout the story. Complex, with many twists and turns, it is a thoroughly engrossing and entertaining read.

Thank you to the author, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

When I got to the end of this engrossing book, lyrics from an old country music hit sung by Patty Loveless (written by Kostas Lazarides and Harlan Howard) started rumbling through my brain: "Blame it on your lying, cheating, cold deadbeating, two-timing, double-dealing, mean mistreating loving heart."

Hmmm - I couldn't have summed up this book any better, I thought.

Sexual harassment and the MeToo movement are timely topics to be sure, and they take center stage with a court battle between attorneys Vanessa Lyons and Matthew Brooks. While working on a joint project at the law firm at which both are rising stars, they start an affair despite the fact that Vanessa is married with a young daughter. Oh, that and the fact that Matthew was named a new partner at the most recent annual partners' meeting, and now he's technically Vanessa's supervisor. She, meanwhile, will be up for a partnership at the next go-'round. Under those circumstances, such a relationship violates the firm's strict policy on hanky panky between supervisors and subordinates. Given their assumption that Vanessa's partnership will come to be - both she and Matt have been told on the QT that she's a shoe-in - they decide to hide their illicit affair until after they're on equal footing once again; at that point, the policy won't matter, and they'll both claim nothing was going on before that.

But as we all know, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip; and as it turns out, Vanessa's shoe-in suddenly gets the boot - effectively ending her ascension to the pinnacle of success she's worked so hard to achieve. Why the about-face? In Vanessa's eyes, the affair did her in. The firm, she claims, knew nothing about the affair; whether they suspected it or not isn't grounds for their denial of her partnership. Besides that, Matt, already a partner, escaped free and clear; no harm, no foul when it came to his employment. Especially amid the Harvey Weinstein brouhaha and #MeToo movement, then, what better time to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the firm?

Once that's resolved (no, I won't say how), though, that slip between cup and lip becomes more like a chasm given a jaw-dropping roadblock that puts Matt in a hot seat of a different sort. And his situation becomes the focus for the rest of the book, which ends with another surprise (well, okay, I guessed the possibility early on, actually, but it was nonetheless satisfying to have it confirmed). All in all, it grabbed my attention from the beginning and held on to the end. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

Thank you @blackstonepublishing @netgalley @getredprbooks for a copy of this legal thriller. The story is about an office romance between Matt and Vanessa gone wrong. I was engrossed in the story from the first to last page with how the story unfolded. I felt bad for Matt and Vanessa in the situation they were in.

I thought the author did a great job to show that no one wins and all 3 parties involved were not innocent in what unfolded.

What was the last book that left you in amazement?

This one had a nice surprise twist at the end, and it was lovely! I always love when a book can keep me in suspense and deliver shock and awe.

Matthew and Vanessa are perfect for each other – except Vanessa is married, and Matthew becomes her boss. They’re both attorney’s at a high powered firm in New York. When Matthew gets promoted to Vanessa’s boss, things take a turn. Vanessa gets denied being made partner – and she can only blame her relationship with Matthew. Then one day a murder occurs. With so many betrayals, will justice be served?

What a ride! This book was a delightfully twisty legal thriller that had me gripping my seat the whole way through. I enjoyed the glimpse into both sides of the legal system here and it was truly entertaining. I devoured this book in one sitting and it was just so good. I really enjoy a good legal thriller, and this one was an amazing read. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced legal thriller with lots of twists and turns then check this one out May 16th.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing, @blackstonepublishing, @getredprbooks and @adammitzner, and @netgalley for my e-arc in exchange for this honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I LOVED the courtroom, legal lens from which it’s written - definitely unique and super interesting to a law junkie like myself. I found myself unable to put it down until I found out what happened on the street that day (spoiler: it was NOT who I thought it was) and the ending left a few questions up to the imagination, which I liked in this scenario. I had very polarizing thoughts on each character, and felt they were well developed by Mitzner, enough that I could draw conclusions on their personalities and motives (or so I thought). This was a well written, elevated mystery that was simplistic in theory yet complex in delivery and narration. If you like to be along for the ride of a court case, this is for you. Highly recommend!