Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander (May 20, 2025) Thank you, Harper Perennial (digital) and libro.fm (audio) for the gifted advanced copies of this incredibly entertaining and inventive novel that is a lot of romance and a little bit of mystery wrapped in Jury Duty and Real Housewives. I couldn’t put it down!
Sydney Parks lives for two things: punny freeway signs and the reality show Authentic Moms. So when she’s selected for jury duty on a murder trial involving one of the show’s stars, she’s thrilled – until she shows up and realizes that one of the other jurors is her childhood best friend and first love Damon Braeburn. They haven’t spoken since they were sixteen when events tore them apart. Now, they are going to be sequestered together for the duration of the trial. As testimony unfolds and jurors bond, Sydney and Damon rekindle their old rapport, complete with inside jokes and shared memories. But they’re not kids anymore – and the stakes are higher than ever. Can they deliver justice and get a second chance at love?
This book was WILDLY ENTERTAINING on several levels! First, we hear all of the testimony unfold in the case and puzzle through if this reality star is guilty of killing her husband, which feels like a kind of whodunnit. Second, this is a really touching, deeply emotional, charming, and funny second-chance romance that includes all of the inside jokes and shorthand communication that comes from years of friendship. Finally, I had the “opportunity” to serve on a sequestered jury for a murder trial once. I can attest to the surreal experience, the friendships formed, and the nerves tested by the experience. Alexander did an excellent job depicting it!
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 The audio is a wonderful solo narration by Cindy Kay (she voiced the Twisted series). She brings both the depth and humor of this story to life. (12h 19m)
Have you ever served on a jury? What’s a book you’ve liked this month?
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 