An Able Case

by Andrea Huston, Ethan Rakes (Illustrator), Denise Bach (Editor)

Beki Able left her home seven years ago to attend law school and escape her motherless life with her drunk daddy. However, that was not all she left behind. Kace Charlus, the reckless, lawless rough rider who has a vice around Beki's heart. Leaving him was the hardest thing Beki ever did. A decision neither Beki nor Kace ever recover from.Seven years later Beki returns home to defend her father who is accused of murdering Kace's older brother. As she investigates and gets closer to the truth Beki finds herself increasingly connected to the Charlus family. Beki is fighting not only for her father but for her own life against Kace and his lawless family. As dangerous secrets are revealed and lives are put in danger Kace and Beki must fight against the unbridled desire and love they still have for each other.

523 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

Reviews

[Mary Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. I read it in 1 day I could not put it down The story of this book was awesome and very intense I loved every minute of it! I believe this author has a great future ahead of her!

[Sheri Fisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is by far my favorite book by Kathleen Lacie! I signed up to be an ARC reader and I was blown away by this one. It has a Nicholas Sparks feel to it. I can see this one being a movie. Romantic and suspenseful -only thing negative there is to say is that it ended. My favorite thing about Kathleen Lacie is that her books are all so different from each other, the one common thread, is that you easily connect with her characters and I miss them when it’s over -leaves me wanting
more!!!! An Able Case was amazing …I laughed and cried! Definitely in my top 10!

[Ginger Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is like a toned down prequal to Sons of Anarchy, if the prequal was a romance centered around Jax and Tara's relationship before she left Charming to go to med school. I realize not everyone will understand this reference.

Kace Charlus was born into an outlaw family and sees no future for himself beyond being part of the Rough Riders. Beki Able was raised by a drunk single father after her mother abruptly left when she was little, and she dreams of becoming a lawyer. When Kace and Beki meet at a party just before her 17th birthday, their connection is instant. They spend the next couple of years together madly in love, but forced to navigate around Kace's increasing responsibilities within the group. Just as things become more violent than they ever have, Beki is forced to make a decision: stay with Kace and risk her future, or leave for Boston and pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. She decides to leave, and cuts all contact with Kace, knowing she won't be able to stay away from him if she doesn't. It's a decision neither of them ever get over.

Seven years later, Beki is a successful lawyer with a stable life in Boston. That is until, she gets a phone call from her dad saying he's been arrested - accused of killing Kace's brother, a death ruled an accident over 16 years prior. Beki has no choice but to return home for the first time since she left to help defend her father. As she and Kace reconnect, Kace is torn between family loyalty and the woman who got away.

This book has some great plot twists and harrowing moments where I feared for the characters. It has a little bit of spice but it isn't overdone. I highly recommend this book for fans of contemporary second-chance romance that have a bit of an edge.

[Pamela Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Lacie hit another home run with this one. Beki is a rag tag gal who wants more out of life and the town she lives in. But in walks bad boy Kace and all those plans have the potential to fly right out the window. He's irresistible and keeps pulling Beki in but Kace has a family legacy and an overbearing mother that may never let them be together. Kace works FOR the family business and works IN the family business. A business with vengeance and drugs at the helm. Kace and Beki grow from teenagers to adults, fighting their feelings and ambitions as the years go by. Beki's dad Tom has a history with Kace's family that should keep these two apart but the heart knows what the heart wants. Family secrets and lies don't help anyone along the way. But love and making life changing decisions take this story to a climactic ending. Another can't put down novel by Kathleen Lacie.

[Brianna Gale-Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kathleen Lacie did a great job with this one!!! I was pulled in from page 1 and couldn't put it down.

I was reading before work, after work, while I was cooking dinner, whenever I could pick this story back up!!!

Beki is a typical girl with a troubled past that wants to get out of her hometown, and in walks bad boy Kace. But we all know that even though he's the "bad boy" he can still be good ;). I loved reading their story and watching their relationship stop then come back after spending time apart, even with the obstacles trying to keep them apart at every turn. Family, lies, and everyday life didn't want them together but in the end we know love will win. It just takes getting to that point.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good read, with a great plot, and something you will devour in one sitting!

[Catlou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+ Stars ⭐⭐🌟 AN ABLE CASE is an enjoyable and entertaining read, but several areas keep it from being a great read. The story has good bones, but the execution is lacking at times, reading like an MC soap opera. The emotions are intense–often too intense, almost OTT. There are a couple of scenes that contain factual inconsistencies, which almost made them humorous, yet the scenes themselves were serious. And there is no clear delineation between the scenes so that you can’t tell you’ve left one scene until after you’ve begun reading the next paragraph, which is a bit jarring. Overall, I did like this story. I just felt that with a good editor, it could have been much better.

[Cecilia F. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book read like one long run-on sentence. Finished it in a day, but felt that it unnecessarily dragged on. Was also annoyed with the lack of contractions in text dialogue - do not instead of don't, they are instead of they're, etc. The start of chapter 34 is a prime example.

Actual story was okay - an innocent, poor girl from a broken family meets a bad boy whose family is the town mafia and falls head over heels in love. Years go by, lots more secrets unfold, career evolutions, affairs, murders, reconnecting, connecting the dots.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is over 500 pages and I read it in less than two days. I couldn’t put it down. It’s was so amazing. It shattered my heart and put it back together a million times. A love connection that was never meant to be. Both on different sides of the track but were they destined to be together? The ups and downs and twists OMG. What a story that needs to be made into a movie. I will definitely be reading more from this author. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Megan Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this forbidden love story. I love seeing the characters progress throughout the years. Knowing how bad Beki was hurting while she went to school and how Kace was making every bad decision possible broke my heart. I'm so glad they ended up where they were suppose to. I truly wish there were more books about their lives.

[BadAshBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved Sons of Anarchy but hated the ending (IYKYK) this is like an alternate redemption.

All the key elements are there but with the plot twists K.L. does so well! Mild spice, lots of drama, second chances, forbidden love. 🔥

[Nina Gallegos-skaggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Characters were believable and real life messy and good storyline. My only negative comment is I did not like the mothers Character.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn’t finish the book. The lack of contractions really sent me for a loop. I couldn’t take some things seriously because of the way it was being said - had an interesting storyline, however.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Able Case by Kathleen Lacie; Holy smokes! From page one this book grabbed me! Even though I can't read as much or as quick as I used too, I couldn't get enough! I needed to know how Kace and Beki's story played out. Everyone has the good the bad and the ugly going on and everyone deserves that someone to be there for it all. Family, friends, the story intertwines, brothers, best friends, mothers, fathers, uncles the story of a family business, yes you shoulds and no you shouldnts, how could you and whys? This is the first book by Kathleen Lacie I read and it definitely will not be my last. I'm hoping there will be many more like this.

[Jacqueline Lutes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree SOA meets N.Sparks. Strong characters, plot twist I didn't see coming! Had me enthralled till the end. Love to see more from Kase and Beki.

[Melissa Mowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, but it will definitely not be my last. I had signed up to be an ARC reader, and An Able Case was awesome. It held my attention from the very beginning. and I so hated to see it end. It has great characters (both good and evil), romance, suspense filled, and ran the spectrum of emotions. I highly recommend putting it on your to buy and read list.

[Kat Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an ARC and read it in a day! I loved Kace and he was my fav part of the book. Him and Beki together were perfect. There is 11 yrs worth of drama in this book but I felt like it was well paced and it just worked so perfectly.