Assistant State Attorney Gabriel Cooper is everything a lawyer should be: intelligent, powerful, sexy… and completely, totally off-limits. Especially for his newest employee, struggling law-student Emily. Romance is the last thing Emily needs when the rest of her life is a mess. Double so for an office romance. Triple when the man is her boss and plays everything by-the-book, with no grey areas or room for compromise. Gabriel might be tempting, but her paycheck is the only thing keeping the lights on in her family’s home. Romance is too risky, too complicated. No matter how hot the sparks fly between them. But when her brother lands in jail, facing twenty years in prison for a crime she knows he didn’t commit, Emily turns to the one man she can trust, the man who will fight for justice, no matter the odds: Gabriel Cooper. Emily knows that he’ll do everything in his power to help, but he can only work within the law, and that may not be enough. Saving her brother might take crossing a few lines. To protect her family, she’d cross all of them, break every rule. But is she willing to break Gabriel’s heart?
Olivia Rigal writes emotionally charged romantic suspense novels filled with intense chemistry, pulse-thumping action, and gripping intrigue.
Drawing from her experience as an attorney, Olivia infuses authenticity and depth into carefully crafted plots and believable stories.
Her strong, intelligent heroines stand shoulder to shoulder with fiercely protective alpha heroes, each guided by their own deep sense of loyalty and personal honor.
Olivia weaves relatable emotional realities, gritty suspense, sarcastic humor, and unforgettable passion into fast-paced, addictive stories readers can't put down.
Her books are available in English, French, and German.
A terrific read. Fighting for the truth and love this a book about strength and romance. Gabriel is defending a women who’s brother has found himself on the wrong side of the law soon chemistry sparks between them
Has it all... Suspense, treachery, angst, and romance... Fifty shades of "rightness and wrongness"
Never a dull moment, and the last 20% literally had me on the edge of my seat.
Emily is a strong woman, who when faced with problems or adversity, doesn't sit around whining "poor me." She does what she must, even if it means sacrificing herself. She will do anything for those she loves and even has a tender heart toward those not so nice.
Gabriel, an ethically responsible, by-the-book State's Attorney, is true to his convictions, and his job has always come first, even at the expense of relationships. Enter Emily Wilson, beautiful, smart, and challenging; as well as a few other corrupt and treacherous characters; and suddenly life is not so cut and dry.
"Why did she have to be this person? The one with all the strength, and all the commitment; the one willing to make any sacrifice to protect the ones she loves most? But if she was any other person, would losing her matter?"
“Not everything’s black and white, you know... there’s shades of rightness and wrongness.”
This book had everything for me... suspense, treachery, angst, and romance. A winner in my book.
A beautiful romance with two incredibly strong and talented individuals that fight for what is right. Emily arrives home with her world completely broken. Her stepmother has squandered all of her father’s estate and to add insult to injury, she failed to pay the taxes on their home which is in Emily’s name. Having to give up law schools, she is forced to get a job to keep them afloat. She starts work at the State Attorney’s office and meets Gabriel, her new boss, an ornery yet morally tough attorney. Gabriel lives his life in his work. He focuses on bringing justice to the citizens of the community. Meeting Emily is a twist he didn’t expect. She has an intelligence and drive for the law that matches his. When Emily’s brother finds himself on the wrong side of those laws, Emily and Gabriel find themselves in rough waters. When Francis’s case ends up being so much more than what they thought, how will navigate the legal world while realizing love is on the table too? I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
When Emily finds herself obliged to drop out of college and return home because her stepmother has not been paying the bills, she didn't expect the changes she would face. Gabriel Cooper is a successful lawyer, but when he is transferred to the Drug Unit, he suspects his boss is trying to sabotage him. When Emily goes to work in the Assistant State Attorney's office, she will work directly with Gabriel and help him immensely with her efficiency. But when Emily's brother, Francis, is charged with a crime and can be up to fifteen years in prison, she joins Gabriel to prove his innocence. As they analyze every possible angle of this case, the attraction between them only increases and they decide to give it a chance and then become inseparable. But when some lines are crossed to protect the one who you love, will they be able to trust one another and move on, or will it destroy them? I loved the story, the characters and the whole plot, I just wanted Margaret to have the end she deserved. I highly recommend the reading.
Emily has a step mother who decided to rob her blind while she was in law school. She basically sold everything she was able to sell legally, & so Emily has to temporarily drop out of school. She ends up working for Gabriel at the prosecutor’s office. Shortly after this, her brother ends up being arrested in a huge drug bust, & Emily convinces Gabriel to try to see if he can look into the case.
They slowly begin to work closer & closer together, & they end up becoming a couple. This part seems to be a bit too quick, especially the declarations of “I love you,” probably because this is done just too close to Emily peeking into her brother’s confidential file... It just doesn’t seem credible to have put this declaration of love here.
Despite this, the story goes on in an interesting way that kept my attention. The conversation Frank had with the singer who set him up was satisfying. The only part I didn’t like was reading how Emily had to basically pay off her step mother to leave her family home... I know it’s a story, but this wasn’t nice at all, in the end.
Difficult decisions had both, Emily and ASA Cooper, against the wall and threatening much more than a prison sentence. Intense, interesting and exciting drama where the line between right and wrong was blurred. Emily’s character was strong, smart, dedicated and willing to risk everything for what she thought to be her only choice. Liked that there was both protagonists POV. Interesting Gabriel’s insight and his inner struggling with his feelings and emotions. Good the descriptions and narrations that caught my attention to the details allowing me to follow the plot development with genuine interest.
I enjoyed this book. I liked Gabriel and Emily. I wouldn't say I loved it though. It took a long time to get into this book. And it took a long time for these two to get together. Well past the 200 page mark. And if I'm honest, I didn't feel the chemistry between these two. There wasn't a whole lot of romance between them. It seemed more focused on Emily's brother, Francis (Frank) and everything to do with him. This book could have been cut in half and you wouldn't have missed a whole lot.
Also, considering its written by two authors, the amount of mistakes in here is beyond. There seemed to be mistakes in every other chapter, at least and it annoyed the hell out of me.
Emily and Gabriel's story is full of drama, hard decisions, romance and lust. She is an amazing young woman that has to interrupt her studies when she finds out that her evil Stepmom has wasted all of her father's money when he passed away. He is a successful lawyer that has just received a complicated promotion at the State Attorney's office. They meet when she becomes his employ and everything starts unraveling when her bother is falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit. There is conflict of interests, moral issues and one wonders will they cross the line? I totally recommend the book! Great read
The Wrong Side of the Law is intriguing, romantic, crime-ridden story of Gabriel and Emily. Gabriel is thrust in to a high-level position as the Assistant State Attorney over the Narcotics Unit; a position he is being set up to fail in. In walks Emily, his new, very efficient assistant; and closely behind her comes the case of a lifetime, one which could put Emily's brother in prison for a long time. There are villains, heroes, and just despicable people; and, twists and turns that will have your head spinning.
I read an ARC, and voluntarily left this honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Romantic suspense at its best, this character driven tale examines duty, morality, and conscience in the realms of the law and the justice system. Thrown together Gabriel and Emily have to navigate their explosive chemistry amid employee/employer and conflict of interest hurdles. I love these characters, this storytelling draws you in and keeps you turning the pages till the end, a very satisfying end. Five bright shining stars!
This is a very captivating romance. There is ambition and political manipulation at every turn. At some points it is hard to figure out who the real bad guys are.
There is no doubt as to the romance though. Even if this couple is resistant to the idea, and both have wall up to protect themselves. They are destined to be together, and the truth will prevail. I do love a happily ever after.
I voluntarily reviewed a complementary copy from the author with no obligation.
I liked this book, but I had a hard time staying interested. I just found it difficult to connect to the characters, but I have been struggling to stay interested in reading any book at the moment, so I might have to have another go at this when I am fully invested in my reading again.
The Wrong Side of the Law is written by the talented author Olivia Rigal. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. I loved this book! A fast pace and must read office romance with a twist. Love Gabriel and Emily's story!!I highly recommend it!!!!
It’s clear that Olivia Rigal knows the law, Florida, and how to use first person present. The book combines suspense, a bit of a who done it, and a love story that has a satisfying finish.