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Court Ordered: An Unholy Triad Novel

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Victoria Fenwick needs to escape the torturous nightmares that stem from the opulent part of Maryland she calls home, and her acceptance into Sloane Institute of Law in New York has finally made that possible. She’ll find the peace of mind she’s been working toward for so long. That is, until she starts her student internship at Laughlin & Laughlin, and the firm's ominous reputation of successfully defending New York’s most infamous crime bosses, along with the rumors surrounding the Laughlin family, begin to leech onto her name as well. It won’t be a big deal, right? It’s just one semester, she’ll be fine… But then she meets Shaelene, the oldest of the Laughlin triplets and the leader of the nefarious band of siblings dubbed “The Unholy Triad”. Victoria quickly learns of the unpredictable life they lead, and finds herself in the middle of a dangerous family feud full of gangsters, international crime, and revenge. Of all the things she’d expected to learn this year, love and how to dispose of a body hadn’t made the list…

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2025

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C. Jacoby

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5 stars
59 (56%)
4 stars
22 (21%)
3 stars
12 (11%)
2 stars
6 (5%)
1 star
5 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Marie K.
6 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2026
I’m even not joking when I say that this is the WORSE book I’ve ever read. I wish I could put 0 stars but I can’t because 1 star is more insulting somehow and I WANT the author to see this review and FEEL insulted!!!

First thing first, this book casually normalizes incest. Like, blood cousins being together is treated as completely fine. No questions, no pushback, just vibes. But sure, let’s keep going.

How tf are you writing a "sapphic" book but somehow the whole book is heteronormative??

The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking, there’s no way this author isn’t dating or married to a man and I was right!!! I went on instagram, checked and saw that she’s indeed married to a man with kids. And it shows. It shows badly. Because somehow, despite this book being about a sapphic relationship, men are still pushed into the center of everything. The author even goes out of her way to tie the only lesbian character to a man for no reason at all.

And then there’s the part that genuinely made me sick: the SA scene. One of the main characters, Victoria, is assaulted and it’s written in a way where she enjoys it???? She even climaxes??? I don’t even have words for how disturbing that is.

And it doesn’t even stop there, because the book is obsessed with making sure you never forget how “small, tiny, and delicate” the female leads are. Every five minutes it’s like: look at them 🥺 so fragile 🥺 especially next to the big, strong men. Because of course, even in a sapphic story, we still need that constant comparison to men to really drive the point home, right?

It gets worse. Shae’s brothers are constantly sexually suggestive toward Victoria—even after she’s with Shae—and it’s written like it’s normal. Worse than that, Victoria LIKES it. There’s literally a scene where she’s around Shae’s brother and his boyfriend, and instead of being uncomfortable, she’s flustered in a way that reads as attraction. It’s genuinely baffling. Let me quote the book directly:

"God, now they've both said my name in husky, post-sex voices! Each of them is attractive in their own right, but damn! Do they have to rub it in like this? Fuck, I'm so flustered.
Them staring down at me like that isn't helping. Don't look down again. Oh my- I need to get the hell away from here and find Shae."


Like WTF??????

And this isn’t even everything. At the beginning, Victoria assumes Shaelene is a man and keeps misgendering her. Fine, maybe that could have been handled carefully given the context but no. Their first sexual scene is literally Victoria misgendering Shaelene. It’s uncomfortable, it’s disrespectful, and it completely takes you out of the story.

Then, after multiple sexual encounters, when Victoria finally learns Shaelene is a woman, her reaction is “I’m not gay.” And Shaelene’s response? Something along the lines of “I don’t care if you’re not gay, I just care if you like me.” That alone told me everything I needed to know: this author has absolutely no real understanding of lesbians or sapphic relationships.

Also, these two barely talk. There’s no real communication, no meaningful conversations, especially not after the whole stalker reveal, which should have been a massive turning point. Victoria spends the entire book making terrible decisions, and somehow I’m supposed to believe they’re in love? They don’t even communicate during sex!!! let alone outside of it.

Oh this is a good one too at one point they were being intimate again and they started PRAYING (yes, praying… to jesus) during the act AND THEY WERE DEAD SERIOUS TOO!

This is apparently a two-book series, and at this point, I genuinely would not be surprised if the sequel goes even further off the rails like having Shaelene get assaulted by her own blood cousin (who she’s somehow married to, and I repeat it again: SHAELENE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LESBIAN!!) and then writing it in a way where she enjoys it. Because clearly, nothing is off-limits here.

I truly do not understand the praise this book is getting. Yes, the writing at the very beginning showed potential, especially for a debut, but it falls apart so fast it’s almost impressive.

At this point, I genuinely think the author should just leave sapphic stories alone and stick to straight romance, because this was a mess from start to finish.

*edit* I just remembered that part where they literally started SINGING… like it randomly hit me in the middle of the day and pissed me off all over again.
Profile Image for Mackenzie Deeb.
3 reviews
January 11, 2026
OH MY This book was a masterpiece! I felt all the emotions going through from holding the book out to “eeek” giddily, to being aroused to the final complete SHOCK (a few actually)! The way this book wraps up, I need more!! Wonderfully written- “THATS MY FAVORITE AUTHOR!!! “
1 review
May 26, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I would have finished it sooner if I had more time to read on my hands lol.
Definitely read the trigger warnings before you start and consider them, however there were never long scenes that warranted the warnings.
The characters were believable and relatable, satisfying my want for plot. The storyline also flowed nicely.
But the spice!! Be ready!! It’s so good!
It ends on a cliff hanger which is the only complaint I have. And it’s not even a complaint at all just me being curious and need to know what happens next!

Happy reading!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Solely Sapphic Reads.
138 reviews25 followers
February 2, 2026
Duel 1st Person POV. 5🌟 5🌶️. 449 pages.
11 Spicy Scenes + Cliffhanger

Do you ever pick up a book, read the first chapter and instantly know it will have you in a choke hold with the inability to put it down. Well that’s Court Ordered! If you want something dark, but not pitch black with a morally grey FMC who becomes obsessed at first sight, then this is the book for you!

The book follows Shae the daughter of a top corrupt mafia lawyer in New York, when she’s tasked to confirm the attendance of law student Victoria at Sloane University. From the instant she sets eyes on her, Shae becomes ensnared and a game of cat and mouse ensues.

There’s stalking, voyeurism & exhibitionism, dub-con, a butt load of organised crime dealings, murder and so much spice. 11 spicy scenes to be precise, that the entire story is one big delicious hot bed of darkness.

Only 2 things I didn’t love.
1) lack of dialogue during spice, this freaks me out because I just imagine them staring at one another, and you mean to tell me she isn’t talking her through it.
2) the inclusion of the Irish Republican Army at the end. Being from Northern Ireland means I hear enough of those horrors without it appearing in an American book.

Other than that this book was outstandingly good, I couldn’t put it down and I need book 2 yesterday because that cliffhanger was cruel and unusual punishment!

Read if you LOVE:
✨Dark Romance
✨Mafia Esq. Romance
✨Stalking & Obsession
✨Voyeurism & Exhibitionism
✨Dub-Con
✨💦💦 + 🐱✋+ 🍑👈
✨Inappropriate use of Pool Cue & Knife
✨Murder
✨Kidnapping
✨BRUTAL CLIFFHANGER
Profile Image for Courtney Pelfrey.
57 reviews
February 4, 2026
Kinda reminds me of Tryst six venom, collateral damage book. But I really enjoyed the book. I would like a little more communication between main characters
Profile Image for Layna Leighann.
303 reviews12 followers
March 4, 2026
5⭐️/5🔥

The Unholy Triplets!

Holy shmokes, that was a wild ride! I immediately loved Shae as a wildly tough and confident FMC! She fell hard for Victoria, and that spice was spicing alllll over the place! The story was thrilling and left me hanging off the cliff at the end! Lawyers, mafia, arranged marriage, and a whole 🔫 out! I look forward to book 2!
2 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2025
This book got me out of a reading slump. A wonderful balance of plot and spice, a great representation of pan-awakening (and at some points pan-ic), enthusiastic consent, open communication, and phenomenal plot twists and cliffhangers I didn't see coming. Our MCs, Shae and Victoria have some AMAZING chemistry but also a partnership that has you rooting for them from the get-go. I couldn't recommend this more highly.
Profile Image for Remi Valyn.
Author 4 books11 followers
July 27, 2025
ONE OF MY TOP READS SO FAR OF 2025

This book doesn’t slip under your skin—it seeps in like ink and stays there. From page one, it doesn’t politely introduce itself...it drags you straight into the storm and dares you to survive it. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a beautifully chaotic descent into obsession, betrayal, loyalty, and something sharp-edged that still somehow manages to feel soft when it counts.

The relationships aren’t polished. They’re not sanitized. They’re real. You feel every stolen glance, every bad decision, every too-long silence that means way more than it should. The romance? Sapphic and scorching—but layered with the kind of emotional depth that refuses to be boxed in. This isn’t just representation, it’s raw, human connection that just happens to be between women. And thank god for that.

And then there’s that ending. The kind that doesn’t so much close the book as rip it out of your hands and throw it off a cliff. I stared at the last page like it owed me money. Then I opened TikTok like my life depended on it, searching for any sign that C. Jacoby had mercy in her soul and a release date for the next one.

If you want something predictable, move along. But if you’re ready for a romance that wrecks and rebuilds you, Court Ordered is waiting.

2 reviews
May 16, 2026
Shae Shae Shae 😍

For this to be the first book from the author, you couldn’t even tell. This first book is better than a lot of established authors.

One of my favorite things about this book is there isn’t any filler content. There’s no drawn out explanations or overly descriptive scenes. It gets to the point but the suspense is built up and you don’t feel like there’s missing info or unsolved plot points.

Shae is an ice queen that isn’t afraid to be vulnerable with ones she loves and that was what I enjoyed the most. It was refreshing. Victoria never had to really guess how she felt about her. If anything, I wish Victoria would’ve opened up more. But I loved her growth throughout the book and the way she was the rock when times got hard.

The relationship between the siblings was beautiful and hilarious. I’m glad the author show different aspects of them all. It rounded out their characters.

Can’t wait for the next installment!!!
Profile Image for Ashton Treadaway.
7 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2025
I was extremely impressed with this book! As a fantasy and sci-fi reader, I was interested in dipping my toe into the world of romance, and some friends recommended this book to me. I must say, I get the hype! The pacing in this book will keep you hooked until the last page, and leave you begging for the second one. The writing itself is also extremely impressive, especially for a debut novel. I thought it had a perfect amount of spice. It starts early, and any time you start wishing for another scene, the author delivers. I highly recommend this book, even for those unfamiliar with the romance genre like myself.
1 review
April 19, 2026
OMG… I didn’t know what to expect when I bought this book, and I loved it!! I’m a straight female, but I loved the back and forth of the two main characters as they explored a world of darkness, love, strength, power and vulnerability. This book is well written and I can’t wait to read the sequel and find out what the next chapters will unveil about these two characters, and the way their lives are intertwined and unfold! Hurry and finish the next book please!!!!
3 reviews2 followers
July 12, 2025
If you like legal dramas, mafia movies, the west side story, romance and spice… this is the book for you. It follows two FMC Shae and Victoria as they navigate their new relationship and professional responsibilities. Oh did I mention Shae is the daughter to an infamous crime boss? This is an excellent, occasionally gut wrenching, dark romance story. Do yourselves a favor and give it a read!
Profile Image for Courtney .
1 review
December 9, 2025
Phenomenal book. Read it in less then 24 hours. Perfect mix of spice and danger. The chapter ending hooks have your jaw on the floor. The spice is HOT. I also really admire the main relationship in the book. With out spoiling it. They build each other up. You dont even feel the slow burn parts, The words flow so well. 100000 percent recommend.
Profile Image for MrXDG.
205 reviews4 followers
August 11, 2025
5/5

Court Ordered hooked me so hard I almost checked my wife and me into a hotel just so I could read it in peace. The story was fantastic with dark romance, mafia grit, fierce sibling bonds, and a slow-burn intensity that had me devouring every page.

This was my first FF book with explicit spice. While I’ve read Sapphic books before, none of them dove into the kind of tension, chemistry, and heat this one delivered. Now I’ll be actively looking for more Sapphic romances with spice because this book proved just how well it can be done.

The beginning moved a little slower during the surveillance period, but it made sense in context and gave room to build the tension. When the flashbacks to Shae and Victoria’s childhood hit, they hit. As someone with my own traumatic past, those moments broke me in the best and worst ways. And then there’s that cliffhanger… C. Jacoby, madame, how are you going to do me like this? I need book two, yesterday.

The balance between plot and spice is spot on. While I am not against a “smut without a plot” read, here the intimacy serves the story, pulling you in deeper without derailing the narrative.

Shae and Victoria’s chemistry is addictive and the sibling bond between Shae, Shaun, and Shepard is beautifully done, especially that moment where Shaun lets Shae hold his thumb like they did as kids to keep her grounded. The mixing of the mafia world with the law firm setting, and the way their connections run deep throughout the city, adds layers of intrigue and authenticity to the worldbuilding, making the mafia elements feel even more immersive.

Those details, like the stray bit of paint in Victoria’s hair after her self-therapy session, make the story feel lived-in and real. The use of Italian without constant translation was a smart touch, keeping authenticity intact. Even better, this book gave me new vocabulary, enough that I was looking up words again which was a breath of fresh air. And yes, Chapter 44… wow. Just wow.

I normally stick to physically reading my books while my wife prefers audiobooks. This story was so good that I ended up giving her chapter-by-chapter updates and even read out a few scenes to her and now she’s hooked on the series too, counting down to book two right alongside me.

I would be lying if I didn’t admit Shaun and Luca’s dynamic had me hoping for their own book.

Notable Quotes:
"What she did was insane and illegal. But also desperate and viscerally primal. And so. Damn. Hot."

"Face the window and go to horny time out, Victoria."

"If God struck me dead this second, I'd thank her for waiting until I had the chance to hear such angelic music."

"I may not have a cock swinging between my legs, ma fraise, but I can still be a dick. All you had to do was ask."

"Lucifer was an angel. And I'll resign myself to eternal damnation to stay at her side every day."
1 review
July 21, 2025
Great Read

This is a wonderful book to start your writing career. Can’t wait to see where this goes. I’ll be watching and reading.
Profile Image for S. Heredia.
Author 2 books5 followers
August 29, 2025
I picked up Court Ordered to support a fellow indie author and ended up flying through it. C. Jacoby delivers a story that’s fast, intense, and full of characters you won’t forget. Victoria getting tangled up with the Laughlin triplets pulls you straight into a world of crime, passion, and power plays that keeps you turning pages.

For a debut, this book is seriously polished. It’s got drama, heat, and plenty of twists that make you want the next one right away. If you like dark mafia romance with strong characters and nonstop energy, this one’s worth your time.
Profile Image for Lily.
4 reviews1 follower
June 21, 2025
Court ordered is an amazing book that dives into dark themes with grace. The story grips you from the first page, and leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read the next book. I'm in love with the characters and the relationships C. Jacoby has built between all of them. Court Ordered has a little of everything with action packed scenes, thrilling events that keep you pulled in, and the steamy romance that will leave you blushing. This is definitely one of my top books of 2025.
Profile Image for Jen Xant.
Author 1 book21 followers
July 15, 2025
I would never expect a debut novel to be this polished, but C. Jacoby blew me away! This is a dark mafia romance that’s action-packed and full of drama. The pacing and delivery of the story is magnificent. And who doesn’t love a morally grey FMC?! Highly recommend!
11 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2025
Loved it

If you are looking for a fast-paced, easy read with stalkers, mafia and hot triplets, this is it. I enjoyed every bit of this, more than I thought I would. I CAN'T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO .
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews