DisGraced

by Rose Hartley, Shari Sebbens (Narrator)

Star defense lawyer Grace Cockburn was a lioness in the courtroom – until her life turned into a total mess. Turns out marrying your best friend’s brother and then breaking his heart is not the best career move when both best friend and ex-husband are also very well-liked lawyers in Adelaide’s small legal fraternity. Within weeks, Grace is blacklisted from any decent cases, and reduced to taking dull medical insurance claims. It’s a far cry from the glamorous, high-profile criminal law career she envisioned.

Between the ineffectual hitman (a former client) who keeps chasing her with a hammer, her formidable and disappointed mother (a Supreme Court judge), and Lachlan Lim, the devastatingly handsome prosecutor she can't stop sleeping with, Grace is hardly anyone’s first pick when the trial of the decade needs a brilliant defense lawyer. But through a series of misadventures involving all the other silks in Adelaide (which of course Grace had nothing to do with), pretty soon she’s the best they’ve got.

There’s only one problem with this mostly lucky turn of events – the prosecutor opposite her is none other than Lachlan himself, the man she very definitely has not been falling in love with. How far is Grace willing to go in her fight for justice, love, and the chance to become Adelaide's most notorious legal superstar?

Genres: Audiobook, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Samantha Callander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! Such a fun storyline.
I also loved how fast paced it was!

I really want a series to start from this! I need to know more of how the love story goes.

[Angela Pirotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so funny laugh out loud through the whole book
i loved it

[Jacky Eade · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it ❤️

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one! This book was a fun, quick read that was a nice pallet cleanser in between some heavier books.

I really liked the main character Grace and seeing her personal growth throughout the book, I felt like she was a strong female character who was unapologetic and wasn't afraid to put herself first.

I had a few Giggles and really enjoyed the relationship Grace has with her family, the banter with Grace and the Judge was top-tier, and I liked how she was plotting with her brothers.

This book would make a good sitcom, and I really enjoyed the Narrator.

[Tam Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️

a fun little legal rom com

[Vas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine my surprise when 20 minutes in I realized this was set in Adelaide!!!!

entertaining story that I would recommend!

[Sara Saab]

A deft and genuine ensemble drama-stroke-romance set in the courtrooms of Adelaide + wielded by a writer of great confidence and capacity. Rose is just the best.

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun little short story. interesting to hear about the legal system and defending horrible people. enjoyed listening to this. only on audible.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Loved Grace and her flawed family. I loved her relationships and trying to navigate it all. This needs to be a TV series!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The banter in this book was amazing. I listened to the audiobook, highly recommend. Hilarious Aussie humour!

[Rebecca Inch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly loved this wee tale about a criminal lawyer in Aus. Books with complex and fascinating family secrets will always pull me in. On par with Sally Hepworth I reckon.

[Renae Bush · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little fast paced listen - gave me a few giggles as well nice pallet cleanser

[Louisa with an A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book with little to no expectations. I thought it was going to be an easy read about some lawyers in Adelaide, South Australia.
I got that and so much more.

This book is charming, funny, and surprisingly reflective on lawyers, the justice system, and what it means to be a "good" lawyer.
There is a romance within this book, but it takes a back seat to more important topics. The relationship Grace has with her family for one. It's a complicated relationship for the most part, though we really only ever see Grace interact with two of her brothers and her mum. The third youngest brother seems to only be there to be a moral compass on drinking and to snitch (what self-respecting youngest child would do such a thing I ask you?)

Grace also has to face working with her ex-best friend. I enjoyed Grace and Sybil's relationship but I did think the characterisation for Sybil was off centre, in a sense that she seemed to have conflicting personalities, the the personality that Grace portrays doesn't entirely match up with what I found Sybil to be like. It was also astounding that Grace's ex, Hubert (I hope that's his name, he was a bit of a nothing character given that Grace's whole life went down the drain because of him), is related to Sybil. Hubert, who is a flop of a person in my eyes. And Sybil who is a cool, no nonsense, working woman.

I mentioned there is a relationship, and I enjoyed those parts, it was integral to the story. However, it wasn't the best parts of the story, nor were any of the pivotal self realisation moments for Grace done with Lachlan.

The big case itself seemed very official but I'm not a lawyer or have anything to do with the Australian justice system except that one of my friends works for them in some capacity. There was clear inner turmoil that Grace went through for this trial. A horrific crime committed by a less than favourable man. Grace's, or more specifically her mum's who was a lawyer too and then a judge, views and opinions on defence law was eye opening. That everyone is innocent until proven guilty and that everyone deserves someone to represent them in their defence.

I really enjoyed my time reading this, and I love finding Australian gems. It feels very comforting in the over saturated sea of USA and British worlds.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read a book set in Adelaide and really enjoyed hearing the characters travel to familair locations. It was disappointing that the narrator mispronounced "Gouger" and "Hindley" Street, given any Adelaidian could have told you how to say them. It also would have taken a five minute call to an Adelaide crim lawyer to learn:

1. The mandatory retirement age for judges in SA is 70 (so that whole "they want my 70-year-old mum judge to retire storyline could not happen).

2. The mandatory sentence for people convicted of murder is life in prison (so you can't just suspend the sentence to make a point).

3. Murder is the only crime heard in the Supreme Court (so a Supreme Court judge wouldn't be giving sentences for anything else).

It was disappointing that this very basic research clearly wasn't done for this book, and this lack of effort was frustrating for what was otherwise an easy listen.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Disgraced! It’s a clever mix of legal drama, romance, and chaos, with a main character who’s a total mess in the best way. Grace is ambitious, stubborn, and definitely not perfect — which makes her so much more real. I liked being inside her head as she tried to juggle her career, her relationships, and her own self-doubt.

It wasn’t flawless — a few side plots felt unfinished, and some parts were predictable — but honestly, I didn’t mind. It was just a fun, easy read that still had a bit of depth to it.

Overall, Disgraced is smart, entertaining, and full of attitude. A great pick if you want something light-hearted but still well-written.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3* writing; 5* narration.

A colourful and light/airport read. I wouldn't have finished this in paperback form, but Shari Sebbens' narration made it engaging.
It could be a good story to develop into a mini-series, *with* the support of proven drama writers for TV to reduce some vapidity and elevate the excessive monologue style of the protagonist.
The comedy speaks for itself but can come across a little slapstick. The narrator brought a little more depth and nuance to the story than the reader might've otherwise found from the writing alone.

[Abbey Keogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much!!!! Grace and her family were hilarious and for such a short book you really got to know all the characters really well. I loved the details we got of the legal system and view points on defending criminals. The romance in the background was great. But Grace herself was just hilarious, super self aware of her flaws and very sure of herself. Great pace and just a fun book to read. Absolutely recommend

[est · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was SO good! it was funny and serious and had a sprinkling of love. i was cheering for grace in so many ways and also relating big time.

the end of chapter 25 came out and hit my like a truck but it’s fine we’re fine we’re so fine.

the flaws of the legal system being on show and the incestuous nature of the legal industry were very accurate.

i really really loved this!

[Jamie Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

disgraced by Rose Hartley. I enjoyed the story. It had strong characters and a decent plot but I felt like this was an opener to a bigger series. The author opened up all these story arcs with different characters but then nothing eventuated into anything

[monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

real and cool insight into the australian justice system! as well as delving into having feelings for someone at the most inconvenient time. it’s always fun and refreshing to read/ listen to a book set in australia.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

💭Vibe: Balancing what you should do versus what you want to do
🎯 Reason for Reading: Free audio palate cleanser
🎧 Format Read: Audible
📚 Series Status: Stand Alone
🔥 Spice Level: 🌶️
🧨 Favourite moment: All the slang sayings e.g. “no shit Sherlock”
⭐ Overall Rating: 🌟🌟.5

[jacatkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace and Lucas

the dream to become the top defending lawyer in Adelaide, but what is she willing to give up....

this book bored me unfortunately. it wasn't witty enough, there wasnt any spark... but it was an ok story.

[Lauren Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Linley Conduit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to follow and characters with depth. A nice quick easy audiobook listen

[Phillipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and lighthearted

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Legal romp, very enjoyable.

[Lyla Speed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced legal drama with a little romance. My first audiobook, easy and fast paced!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Grace. She isn't afraid to disappoint people to go after what makes her happy. Even leaving a nice husband.
Her family is interesting.

[Gyan ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun listen!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some funny parts but definitely fictional story