Jo Lawson kissed me in the fifth grade to save me from bullies. I’ve been in love with her ever since. Of course, she had no idea. Despite us being best friends, Jo had big dreams, bigger plans, and exactly zero interest in staying in our tiny hometown where gossip spreads faster than Wi-Fi. So, when we turned eighteen, she left. No goodbye. No looking back. Just… gone. Now she’s back. In our town. In my path. In my face every time I turn around. And the worst part? She still looks at me with her big brown eyes, thinking things can go back to the way they were—except I’m not that same kid. Not anymore. I’ve spent years trying to forget that kiss, and now all I can think about is what would happen if I got another one. They say love hits harder the second time. The trouble is I’m not sure mine ever stopped swinging.
I received an advance copy of this book prior to publication. This review reflects my honest opinion.
This was a genuinely engaging and emotional read that pulled me in from the very beginning. I was especially drawn to Jo as a main character — her inner conflict and emotional complexity made her feel very real and easy to connect with.
The story has a strong, compelling atmosphere that kept me turning pages, and I often found it hard to put the book down. The emotional tension is beautifully maintained throughout, creating a sense of anticipation without ever giving too much away.
The chemistry between Jo and Beau is one of the book’s strongest elements. Their interactions feel natural and emotionally charged, making their connection both believable and relatable. I truly loved both characters and the way their dynamic unfolds.
Although this book is part of a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. I hadn’t read the other books and had no issues following the story or feeling fully immersed.
There is some spice, which fits nicely into the narrative, and the small-town setting adds an extra layer of charm. The cozy, close-knit vibe is very much at the heart of this story and something I absolutely loved.
Overall, this was a heartfelt, well-written romance with strong characters, great chemistry, and a wonderful small-town feel. I will for sure be reading the rest of this series.
One of my favorite lines in the book “One day I’m gonna marry this girl”. I said the same thing when my husband first kissed me but my line to my mom was I’m gonna marry this guy he just doesn’t know it yet.
Jo and Beau, childhood best friends. Each want the best for each other. They plan for their future together after high school. One problem, Jo didn’t get accepted into the college Beau does. She also knows he would stay behind in their small town to be with her. She makes the decision for him and leaves town on the back of a motorcycle with another guy. Fast forward 10 years, Jo returns to the town she grew up in and runs into Beau. Not a pleasant meeting. They eventually make nice and they both realize they love each other. She also comes to the realization that she has nothing to show for her life compared to her siblings and friends. Beau shows and convinces her that they are better together than apart and reiterates he would never change her and he loves her just the way she is. (Insert floating hearts 💕)
There are more things happening in the book, but you will have to read it to find them out.
I absolutely love the Lawson family. I have thoroughly enjoyed the series to the fullest. I love learning more about Jo. I also love the family interaction, the banter, and all of the love this family has. And it’s great that the very end of the book the author tells us this is not the end of the Lawson family. There will be more to come I am so down for that!
I couldn’t get enough of Jo and Beau’s story. Jo is the free spirit that doesn’t care what anyone thinks Beau is the nerdy kid. I loved the story line and absolutely loved the banter between Beau and his mom. 10/10 recommend.
Although this book is part of an interconnected series, I read this book as a standalone and had no issues following the storyline. I loved this book and will definitely be reading prior books in the series!
I instantly fell in love with Jo and Beau; their story, particularly Jo’s chaotic personality, sucked me in. Having ADHD myself, Jo’s actions and internal dialogue often mirror my own. My personal experiences brought an additional layer of emotion and relatability. While this book was a quick read, it provided accurate glimpses of the potential barriers and complexities adhd bring to relationships and self identity. The only con: I wish the book was longer, I want more of Jo and Beau! I would love to know more about their lives and experiences during Jo’s time away from Lilly Leaf Falls.
Spoiler- I appreciate that the author did not give Jo and Beau the traditional happily ever after (ie marriage, baby, moving in together, etc). I love that Jo opted to move into her own space instead of moving in with Beau.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have now read all of the Lawson books and I can honestly say I am not done with this family! Give me more, Stephanie.
All the Lawson’s have been so relatable which makes me stick around every-time.
Jo is stubborn, impulsive, and marching at her own beat. I was able to connect with this character as she is me. I too am the woman with no children of her own, a renter of a house, and the girlfriend of someone who has his own kids. It’s hard not to compare yourself with others when you feel like you’re floundering through life.
Then to have someone like Beau, be brave enough to tell you like it is. Express his feelings and show emotions, that is not what you get from Men usually. He wants to love her exactly how she is and does, but getting her to see it has its challenges for him.
Then an added bonus- Mia!!!! Give me a loving golden retriever anytime and I am sold.
If you haven’t checked out the Lawson’s yet, get to it. They are relatable, funny and loving.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This series completely stole my heart after I received an ARC for the fourth book, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Jo has always been one of my favorite members of the Lawson clan, so getting her story felt extra special—and it absolutely delivered.
Jo is incredibly relatable. As someone who lives with ADHD and experiences depressive episodes, I saw so much of myself in her struggles, thoughts, and growth. Her character felt real, messy, and beautifully human. Beau was the perfect counterpart for her—supportive, layered, and such a great match that their chemistry jumped off the page.
If you love small-town romance with friends-to-enemies-to-lovers tension, emotional depth, and characters you genuinely connect with, Pleading the Fifth is a must-read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
**I RECEIVED THIS AS AN ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW** Oh my stars, this will have you swooning. Beau and Jo (MMC & FMC) are some of my favorite characters to date. Through the entire read, both are so relatable, raw and real as well as the side characters. This does touch on some mental health topics and is done so in such a tasteful and respectful manner while still remaining true to the characters as people. Jo was so easy to fall in love with and relate too. Beau puts in the grunt work for not just himself, but for her. From beginning to end, the story unfolds in a way where you cannot stop reading it without fighting yourself for a valid reason to put it down. If you’re looking for something with sass, wit, romance, some classic one-liners with some spicy moments and a story that leaves you living your feet and squealing this is perfect for you ❤️
I received this book as an ARC and I want to thank the author Stephanie Renee for the opportunity.
This is the 5th book in this series that follows the Lawson siblings. Each book is about a different sibling but they all make appearances in each other’s books.
This book is about the youngest Lawson-Jo has ADHD and is wild and eccentric but has a huge heart. She left town 10 years ago and has had a rough time. When she left town she left behind her best friend Beau. Beau was in love with Jo since they were kids and was too scared to tell her. When she left she never told him why. So for all those years he was angry with her and then she just shows back up and he doesn’t know what to do about the feelings he still has for her.
This book is a 10/10 and I would definitely recommend this series.
Beau and Jo were childhood best friends, but when Joe leaves town right before college and doesn’t look back their friendship seems to disappear. Now years later, she’s returning excited, but surprised to find Beau has apparently not been missing her. Things this story does well: an accurate representation of a female with ADHD (that is more than just sometimes she leaves the cabinets open) and a reflection on how it can touch on your personal relationships. Strong family connections that balance support, teasing and tough love. Things I wish were different: I feel like this book needed a time jump or more flashbacks to give us more buy in or understanding on why these characters were the way they were. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy neurodiverse characters in romance or low angst small town romances. ** read as an ARC, but this is my honest review **
This was a great ending of the Lawson siblings, and really showed the growth of all of the characters and how as they matured, they could help the next sibling get their act together.
The depiction of Jo's ADHD was so spot on that my heart ached for her at times. She's all of us burning dinner while attempting to do cartwheels lol! Beau was so great and patient with her, showing that while we may have flaws that frustrate our loved ones, we can also be treated with love and kindness through their frustration.
When Mama Lawson opened up about her marriage struggles it really gave me hope that maybe they will be the next chapter of the family story so that the Lawson's can be a part of my life just a bit longer. :)
I received an ARC from the Author - Thank you, Stephanie!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 — I have my reasons! Overall, this was a great read. I loved the raw, realistic portrayal of the MFC. However, that realism is also why I landed at 3.5 stars—I kept waiting to fully understand why she was the way she was. She often said she’d open up when she was ready, but even by the end, those answers never came. The MMC, though? Absolutely wonderful. I loved his honesty and how unafraid he was to speak his mind, and the way he grew to love Jo for all of her perceived “flaws.” I only wish we’d gotten an epilogue that explored their relationship after she chose to live on her own.
Overall, I still really loved this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Received this as an ARC and it did not disappoint me at all.
The Lawson family is awesome and I wish I could be a part of their family. Joanna and I have a lot of similarities which is why I loved this book. She is aware of her flaws and her strengths, but she loves hard and is so protective of those she loves. When she finally opens her heart completely it scares the heck out of her (I completely understand this feeling).
If you have not read this series I suggest you get on the train and read about the Lawson's they will make you laugh, love, and smile. @stephanierenee is an amazing author and I cannot wait to see what is next for the Lawson's.
This was my first dive into The Lawsons series, and I’m officially hooked! I’ll definitely be going back to read books 1–4. Pleading the Fifth was such a great read—lighthearted yet emotionally packed in all the right ways. It pulled me in from the start and kept me completely invested, and I honestly wasn’t ready for it to end. I laughed out loud more than once, and the banter was top-tier. I especially loved the back-and-forth between Jo and Beau, as well as the fun dynamics between Jo and her family and Beau and his mom. An easy, wholehearted recommendation!
ARC READER: Fast read! I have loved the author’s Lawson Family series. The youngest and final sibling Jo is messy, realistic and trying to find her footing and how she belongs in the world. Struggles with self-worth in her career and love life. Beau and her family are there to support and love her.Many readers will be able to relate with her struggle with ADHD. I was thrilled to hear the author plans to continue the series! I will be first in line to read to find out how each of the siblings lives turn out.
I received an advanced copy of this book (ARC) and want to thank the author, Stephanie Renee, for the opportunity. I had not read the previous books in the series beforehand, but Pleading the Fifth can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved learning more about Jo and her struggles, as well as Beau and his long-standing love for her from elementary school. The family interactions were an added bonus and made the story even more enjoyable. After finishing this book, I immediately went back and read the others in the series.
Another great read by Stephanie Renee. Pleading the Fifth is Jo’s story. The attraction between her and Beau is undeniable! As much as they try to avoid each other, they are constantly thrown into each other’s orbit, whether they want to or not. Jo is the youngest and most feral of the Lawson siblings, but also would do anything for her family and those she loves, which includes getting into a bar fight that ends her in jail. This is story of life, love and learning about who you really are and want to be!
Loved getting to know Jo on a deeper level, but would have liked to have more in depth knowledge of what happened while she was gone. Beau is a saint and I love him. Honestly the whole Lawson clan, makes me want to re-read the whole series!
Would like to have been able to suggest edits/corrections for some grammar and typos but my Kindle wouldn’t allow that. There were quite a few, none that hindered the reading experience thankfully but I just tend to notice those things more.
ARC reader. Almost DNF this book. Loved MFC, but the lack of inner monologue made this book poorly written. It felt rushed, wish the story would have been written longer. Would have loved to dive deeper in the MFC mind and her behaviour, that would have made story more interesting. Too many dialogues, would have loved to read more of characters thoughts. Ending felt rushed and not satisfying at all.
-Loved her sister Ronnie and her no bullshit attitude towards Jo. -the book felt rushed, Beau and Jo hating each other to being in a relationship to just Jo getting her life together thanks to her family -finished the book in two days, so definitely had be interested in finding out what happens next -would’ve loved to find out about more what happened to Jo in her past relationships and just more character development.
Loved the book. The author did a fantastic job with this story. I couldn’t get enough of Jo and Beau’s story, I read it in 2 hours. Being in love from 5th grade is just magical. Jo is the free spirited MC who could care less on what anyone thinks about her. Beau the childhood best friend and nerdy kid, who’s grown into a hunk of a man that is still head over heels in love with Jo. The story felt real and the truly enjoyed the banter in the book.
Loved Jo and Beau’s story!! I truly laughed so hard at some of things Jo does. She’s quite the character with such a bad girl reputation that she absolutely lives up to! I adore Beau!!! Such a patient and loving man with so much love and compassion for Jo. He is totally and utterly devoted to her. Omg!! The girls night has to be the most fantastic part of this story!! I laughed so hard I was crying!!
I loved it! I truly enjoyed how the main characters mental health was displayed! So many people deal with trauma, anxiety and depression! It’s great to read a book with a character who is struggling with these issues too! And for the support that is there from her family! I loved the updates of her siblings from previous books too! You could totally read this without reading the rest of the series but I liked how it was done! Good job 👏
Ugh I love Jo and Beau so much! Jo’s character hits different. I see so much of me in her and this book helped with the feelings like I’m too much for everyone and that I don’t know what I’m doing with my life.
Thank you Stephanie for giving us hot mess, a little full on, lost people a voice 🩷
AMAZING I love the Lawson siblings and I’ve loved this series it’s been incredible but this book has my heart Jo with her adhd mind holds a special place in my heart as I relate to her so much I’ve loved the story between her a beau honestly this book was just incredible and I can’t wait to see what the author does next
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this book. I have loved every single one of the Lawson stories. This one features Jo, the youngest and wildest Lawson. It was so good to see how one can overcome trauma and have a redeeming ending. I can’t wait to see where else Stephanie takes these lovely characters
This book I could not put down! I love the realness of ADHD and how not just hyperactive but how your brain does not always allow you to think first. And to have a guy fall in love with that and accept is what makes Beau and absolute catch Stephanie never disappoints with her writing! Even though I know the out comes I want to go back and read the rest of the Lawsons!!!
ARC review- This was such a good book, I could have read it all in one sitting! I knew I would love Jo from all the other books in the series but this book really made me love her more! She was so relatable with her storyline and I loved Beau, especially for her! 🤞🏼 for more Jo & Beau later on!!
I absolutely loved getting to dive into Jo and Beau’s story. The way they had to fight to get back to each other over and over…that was great to watch unfold. I need another one so we can find out how their story continues
Blessed with an ARC copy of Pleading the Fifth and it was one of my favorites, could not put it down. Jo may be a mess but is relatable which I truly appreciate. I was a mess at one time in my life too, who am I kidding, I am still a mess at times. Great great book!