If you’re into courtroom dramas that wrestle with moral questions, I think you’ll love Devil’s Defense. I was drawn into Jessica Fischer’s story immediately; she’s a smart, ambitious lawyer fighting to make a name for herself, but she ends up defending someone she despises. Following her struggle made me think about what I’d do in her place—balancing her career with her own beliefs and, to complicate things, a budding romance. As a fan of The Good Wife, I really enjoyed the way this novel keeps you on edge, making you question where the line is between right and wrong. It’s a thought-provoking, gripping read that made me reflect on ambition and integrity in a way few books do.

Famous local high school football Coach (think Friday Night Lights) Frank Wishingham asks Jessica Fischer to be his lawyer because “I thought it would be good to have a lady represent me under the circumstances.” This gives you an idea where Devil’s Defense is headed. It’s the end of football season in Ashton, Georgia and the playoffs are about to begin. Coach Wishingham has just been served with a paternity lawsuit. He may be the father of a 16 year old daughter, who he wants nothing to do with, and whose mother he vaguely remembers from a drunken party. Not only must Jessica defend a man she dislikes and hammer out a child support agreement but she has to deal with her budding attraction to reporter Bobby Turnbull, an attraction that quickly becomes the subject of small town gossip.

All of this makes Devil’s Defense a compelling read. It’s more romance than courtroom drama with a main character with few redeeming characteristics. You understand Jessica’s difficulties understanding Coach’s reasons for rejecting his daughter and her attempts to humanize him when he becomes part of the MeToo movement. Devil’s Defense showcases excellent writing and plotting but the admiration for Wishingham is too much to take. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Books Forward and Lori B. Duff for this ARC.

I found this book readable, but not super exciting either as a courtroom drama or as a romance. A good airplane read.

This book really kept my interest and had me thinking a lot. I like that in a book. There was great character development. If you are looking for a book that is straight-up a courtroom drama, this isn't it, but that's not a bad thing. Sometimes a lot was going on with some side stories. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Thank you for the advance copy.

I like legal & courtroom dramas. In this case there is very little action in the courtroom itself and the case is quite the usual. But it has good characters and a very authentic feel with no lame twists.

In Ashton, Georgia, Coach Frank (Tripp) Wishingham (in his mid-30s) has been served a lawsuit. He approaches Jessica Fischer to represent him. Jessica is relatively young (29) in practice and while she has her misgivings about Coach, the case will help her build her practice. Diane, is her paralegal and they are very frank with each other. Sarah James claims that Coach is the father of her 16-year-old girl Francesca. She has petitioned the court to establish paternity and get him to support the child. Coach first says he does not remember, though admits to having had many flings in high school and college. Jessica knows Eric, Sarah’s lawyer, and understands that gene testing directed to Coach. Bobby, is a local journalist who is writing about the story. Jessica and Bobby meet socially for some time making things awkward for her. There is also another shorter track where Diane's niece Kaitlyn is pregnant and is consulting Jessica on her options.

The story is simple and the scenario typical. Other than the case itself, there is considerable space devoted to building the characters – especially Jessica & Diane. I liked Jessica’s character – her fair approach to the case, being respectful & considerate of the other side. I found the romance angle in her life with Bobby to be poorly written.

A good strong character in Jessica. If you would like a gentle legal drama with no major plot twists or revelations, this is for you.

My rating: 3.5 / 5.

The book had a decent flow, though I found it to be more romance than a courtroom drama at the end of the day. I'm sure that those who pick "Devil's Defense" up and enjoy reading about Jessica's day-to-day, relationship, and how she navigates life in Ashton will also be looking forward to further installments in the series. I have to say that it was refreshing not to have to worry about fact-checking law-related matters for once - "lawyer" seems to be this profession that authors like to give their characters to make them seem cool, even if they (the authors) don't necessarily know much about the realities of being a lawyer; which clearly wasn't the case here. Ultimately, though, I don't think I belong to the target group for this book, and had I known that it would end up being more about Jessica's romance plot than solving a case, I probably wouldn't have picked it up in the first place. Even that wouldn't have been so bad, I guess, except that I think that Coach's character - and, more importantly, the way that literally everyone sooner or later glosses over this guy's words, actions, and beliefs - was, frankly, utterly reprehensible. Even Jessica seems to have come to the conclusion that all of the bad was just a part of Coach's charm, and sometimes you have to accept that people's have different worldviews than you if you want to live in a community... which is generally fine, but there are limits, and my limits are 100% men like Coach. For this reason, the ending didn't land with me, I was quite dissatisfied with the conclusion.

I loved this as a courtroom drama, it uses the concept perfectly and was invested in what was happening. I enjoyed guessing what was going on and if there was anything about the client. It had that courtroom drama elements that I was looking for. Lori B. Duff wrote this in a way that worked and was glad I read this.

“Devil’s Defense” is a gripping courtroom drama that follows Jessica Fischer, a young attorney striving to establish her law practice in the small town of Ashton, Georgia. Jessica is determined to make her mark in a community where legal representation is often lacking, particularly from female lawyers.

Jessica’s big break comes when she is hired by Frank “Tripp” Wishingham III, the local high school football coach and town hero, to represent him in a paternity suit. Tripp embodies everything Jessica despises—he is arrogant, sexist, and entitled. Despite her personal feelings towards him, it becomes her professional obligation to defend him and maintain his public image.

As Jessica navigates the complexities of the case, she finds herself entangled in a budding relationship with a local reporter. This relationship complicates her ability to remain objective and truthful about the case at hand. The narrative raises significant questions about morality versus professional duty as Jessica grapples with whether she can succeed without compromising her values or personal life.

The story delves into themes of gender politics and ethical dilemmas within the legal profession while providing insight into small-town dynamics. As Jessica confronts these challenges, readers are taken on a roller coaster ride filled with unexpected twists and emotional depth.

“Devil’s Defense” not only serves as an engaging legal thriller but also explores profound issues surrounding feminism and personal integrity through its well-developed characters and intricate plotlines.