Book Review: Beyond Justice by Cara Putman

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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Amazon Synopsis:

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain that follows when justice is not served. It’s why she became an attorney and why she’s so driven in her career. When she’s assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn’t sure if it’s the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there. Further complicating matters is Andrew Wesley, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a congressman, and Hayden’s currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse? The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?

This book was not my favorite. The legal jargon was excessive and confusing. Putman obviously knows her way around the legal system, but I do not, and I found myself skimming entire paragraphs to get past the "lawyer-speak." The plot itself was ok, if not a little cliche. I feel like certain elements of the mystery were not sufficiently resolved at the end. I also had some major pet peeves with Putman's writing style:

- She very rarely described her characters' appearances. All I know about Hayden is that she had black hair and shapely calves. And the only description I remember about Andrew is that he had blue eyes and a preppy political look.
- She "name-dropped" other author friends. I hate it when authors attempt to casually throw in phrases like this: "She cozied up in her chair with the newest Denise Hunter romance."

Overall, the story was fine, but the writing was a little flat. Putman obviously set up an opening for a sequel with Emilie's story, and I'm guessing the other girls in their friend group will have their own stories down the line, as well, but it's unlikely that I'll read them.