Psychopaths are often charming and manage to hide their worst characteristics for a very long time. And even when those aspects of their personality begin to emerge, those who love them often deny what is evident, continuing to feed that love - through vehement denial, if necessary.

This is the story of two such women, who would same to have very little in common - except, perhaps, the man they love. A man who does not let go easily...

Written in an unusual format, this legal thriller featuring the characters Casey Cort and Nicole Long, really delivers. This was an engaging read for me.

"Aime Austin is at the top of her game! This emotionally charged, complex courtroom drama will keep you turning the pages, from the bestselling author, popular podcaster, and queen of 'social thrillers.' Long-time Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series fans will devour this electrifying crossover, HIS LAST MISTRESS, leaving you breathless. Her best yet! If you haven't read her work, you're missing out."
— @JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

About...

Set in Cleveland, Ohio, and broken out into three parts with multiple POV. Two women. One man. A therapist caught in the middle.

2006: The novel begins with alternating chapters featuring a therapist, Dr. Suzanne Wolf, and her client, Dr. Beborah Bloom, a wife, mother, and orthopedic surgeon, who is dealing with her cheating spouse's numerous affairs. They had been married for many years. He was manipulative, an emotionally abusive cheater. She has had enough. She wants a divorce.

2010: We also get the story from Tallulah Mueller (Lulu), a long-time friend of Casey Cort, and her troublesome long-time affair with a married man whom she has been warned about. She has waited for years for her lover to leave his wife. But now she's not so sure he's the man she fell in love with. They fell in love in law school as he was older. She was only 25, and years later, he came to work at her firm.

Now she is worried her dreams of partnership may be slipping away, as well as her relationship. He told her his wife had a degenerative disease and was in a wheelchair, and he could not leave her. Now, what he had done to destroy her career was unacceptable. He has controlled and sabotaged her career. Everything had been lies. Now she may be unemployed, single, and screwed.

Lulu is also seeing therapist Dr. Suzanne. However, the therapist does not know there is a connection between her two clients. However, later she is worried that there may be. What can she do?

However, when one of the women winds up MURDERED, everything points to Richard.

Casey, Lulu, Ron, Justine, Richard, and Nicole share a complex history that intertwines their personal and professional lives. Casey has a baby, Simon, and there's a complex backstory about his paternity that adds to the drama. This web of relationships and secrets keeps the reader engaged and eager to uncover the truth.

We hear from POVs, Lulu Mueller, Nicole Long, Casey Cort, Loren Logan, Dr. Suzanne, Deborah Bloom, and Justin McPhee.

Currently, Casey/Nicole and Justin find themselves on opposing sides of a high-profile case that could make or break their careers. As if that's not enough, they must also navigate their personal lives, with Justin and Ron still vying for Casey's affection.

Is Richard the real murderer? Will Casey and Nicole join forces to get justice? Which man will Casey choose? Will Nicole be able to continue as head of Major Crimes? Will Nicole remain sober to keep the job?

All these answers and more will be revealed. The plot is brimming with suspense and unexpected twists, keeping you on the edge of your seat and hungry to uncover the truth. The thrill will keep you turning the pages, desperate to know what happens next.

My thoughts...

This Casey Cort and Nicole Long social/legal thriller series is binge-worthy and prime for a TV series! Please, someone, take notice—razor sharp, captivating, thought-provoking, and highly entertaining! Austin knocks HIS LAST MISTRESS out of the park. It ends with a killer twist that will surely get readers talking!

Excuse me, with a little trip down memory lane, if you will. There is a lot to celebrate, and this mega-talented author and podcaster needs to get more love from fans of this genre.

I was introduced to the talented superstar author Aime Austin with the first book in the Casey Cort Series, Qualified Immunity #1 (now titled Judged, a spin-off. We have followed her career and troubled personal life through all the ups and downs.

We've come full circle over the past decade; 11 years later, all the books are 5 stars. Fans, Aime has delivered (in a big way) the book we've long awaited, which will answer Casey's dilemma (a love triangle) and much more in HIS LAST MISTRESS. Fans will love the outcome and the twist, and we'll also get more Casey and Nicole in future books (hopefully). The anticipation for this book has been palpable, and it does not disappoint.

The long-awaited release of HIS LAST MISTRESS will leave you feeling excited and fulfilled, with all your burning questions finally answered, and eagerly waiting for the next.

Here we are, 15 combined books and novellas later (Casey Cort, ten books) and (Nicole Long, five books), and still going strong. Please do not let this series end. Yes, this one can be read as a standalone, but once you get a taste, you'll want to rewind and start from the beginning of both series. The enduring popularity of these series is a testament to their quality. I highly recommend both series and urge you to read them all to learn about the backgrounds of these strong women.

Avid fans of both series will enjoy catching up with characters from past books (some good and some bad) —Justin, Tallulah (Lulu), Richard, Casey, Nicole, Ron, and Loren (with killer courtroom scenes and heartbreaking crimes of love, betrayal, domestic violence, murder, and injustice). Casey and Nicole must put their past behind them as they work to uncover the truth before it's too late.

Casey Cort remains a reader-favorite series after more than a decade. If you're new to Aime and Casey, start with Judged (the e-book is free everywhere). For Casey's backstory, the prequel novella Disgraced is the story for you.

The first six titles in the Casey Cort series are also available in audiobook format, and you can sign up for her newsletter to learn more about upcoming books and deals on her website. And don't forget her fantastic, popular podcast, A Time to Thrill. (She needs to be on the radio or TV with that soothing voice), where she interviews brilliant women creators.

Austin brings the best of social thrillers (very popular), legal, crime, and courtroom drama to the page with her expertise and winning signature style.

Social thrillers are a subgenre of thrillers that use suspense and suspenseful elements to highlight societal issues, often focusing on themes like race, class, gender, or inequality. They go beyond simple scares to explore more profound social commentaries and anxieties. Social thrillers delve into real-world problems and injustices, using the thriller format to examine these issues.

From prose, plot, character, and content, Aime's writing is a master class in suspense and timely, newsworthy topics. Her legal expertise, grit, sass, and wit make her a brilliant writer. She is up there with the pros like David Baldacci, Lisa Scottoline, Scott Turow, Allen Eskens, John Grisham, and Lisa Gardner, but her unique style sets her apart.

Author Spotlight...

AUTHOR & PODCAST HOST Aime Austin was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Smith College and Cornell Law School. Her experience as a practicing lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio, where she handled cases in family and criminal law, greatly influences her writing. She is the author of the Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series and the host of the popular A Time to Thrill podcast. When she's not writing crime fiction or interviewing brilliant creators, she's in a yoga pose, knitting, or reading. Aime currently splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest.

Although Aime has been a full-time writer for over a decade, she formerly practiced law in Los Angeles, where she currently resides, and in Cleveland, Ohio, where she started her career.

Like Casey Cort, the author graduated from law school and started a solo practice from scratch, though not for the same reasons. Some of her work is reflected in Casey's story. Like her fictional MC, she practiced in the Juvenile Court, Domestic Relations Court, and the general division of Common Pleas court.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a gifted, advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: April 24, 2025
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Wow! A page turner from page one.
The story is told by different POV, Dr Suzanne Wolf interviews her patient, Deborah Bloom who is a highly accredited consultant orthopaedic surgeon, she is unpacking her husband Richard’s many infidelities and the fact that he is currently living with his mistress. Dr Wolfs second patient is Lulu Mueller and she is telling Dr Wolfs about the married man she is living with, she has been waiting for years for him to leave his wife and she is beginning to realise that her relationship is built on lies and deception.
This is a complex twisty tale, and the pace intensifies when one of the woman is found is dead,
There is courtroom drama as Deborah Bloom’s husband Richard is charged with murder. There are secrets and betrayals to unravel as tension in the courtroom builds, great interaction with the two lawyers. I definitely did not see the ending, a great twist to this fast paced read which I highly recommend especially if you enjoy courtroom drama. I was unaware that this was part of a series which I am now keen to read

Many thanks to Net Galley and Moore Digital Media for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Richard appears to be the epitome of class with a job at a prestigious law firm, a doting daughter, a stable marriage and a house in an affluent area. Yet behind those polished loafers and custom suits lurks pure evil and the propensity of scaring women. This of which he appears to have no qualms about. He disparaged both Deborah and Lulu. He tried to have Lulu seem as if she had no intention of career advancement. Both had to file restraining orders; yet, Richard still felt that he was above the law. Even when he was accused of murder, he lacked any sense of empathy especially due to how violent the crime was. As the police officers begin their investigation, Sarah remains steadfast in her conviction of her father's innocence even to the point of implicating her own boyfriend, Jeremy, as the murderer. Casey saw right through it all especially her knowing Lulu so well. Richard dominated Lulu. The end is gripping especially with the hand signal.

Release: April 24, 2025
Author: Aime Austin
Publisher: Moore digital media

Rating: 4.25 ★ 

Review

This book was a gripping, fast-paced read that immediately pulled me in and didn’t let go. From the very beginning, I was completely absorbed in the story, with its complex characters, multiple POVs, and courtroom drama that had me flipping pages late into the night.

The novel follows two women whose lives become entangled due to the men they are involved with, leading to devastating consequences. Their journeys unfold in a way that keeps you guessing, with secrets, betrayals, and shocking revelations. While the legal jargon occasionally went over my head, I found the courtroom scenes to be some of the most compelling parts of the book. The tension was palpable, and I felt like I was watching a real trial unfold.

At times, keeping track of all the characters and their connections was a bit challenging, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The mystery was well-crafted, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story threw in a twist that left me reeling. However, I did feel like the ending left a few loose ends, especially regarding one character in particular—I wanted more closure.

Overall, this was a high-stakes, emotional read that delivered on suspense and drama. If you love courtroom thrillers with morally complex characters and shocking twists, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Summary:

Lulu Mueller has spent years waiting for Richard Sinclair to leave his wife, believing in his promises of a future together. But as time passes, she begins to realize that their relationship may have been built on deception. As her dreams start slipping away and doubt creeps in, Lulu is forced to confront the reality of who Richard truly is.

When a woman turns up dead, suspicion spreads quickly, and secrets begin to unravel. As tensions rise, attorneys Casey Cort and detective Nicole Long find themselves caught in the middle of a complex case where nothing is as it seems. With shifting alliances and hidden motives at play, they must work together to uncover the truth—before it’s too late.

Favorite Quote:
"she was both a mystery and a revelation, a woman who knew how to guard her secrets and still share her soul."

This book was absolutely fantastic, possibly one of the best books of this year for me. I don't want to say much about this book because I don't want to give anything away but I would highly recommend it. I loved it

4/5
Wow this book immediately hooked me in and had me obsessed throughout. With a heavy domestic violence theme, this plot had me on edge and desperate for justice. Though I got a little lost keeping up with some of the characters and their roles, I loved the multiple POVs. The lawyer jargon did at times go over my head but this was a very “fun” criminal trial to unpack. I had a lack of closure with the ending and with one character in particular but all round this was a hot paced read and an author id love to read more of!!

Aimee Austin is a new author to me and I decided to give her book His Last Mistress after reading the blurb on Netgalley.

It is hard to give too much of this story away without providing spoilers so I think to is best to go in blind without too much information being provided to you. The plot focuses on two different women and the journey their lives take by the men they are involved with and is told by the two different perspectives.

AlI I will say is that love can make us blind, we all want the happily ever after but sometimes along the way circumstances can present themselves that can make this a very complicated process and often there is a price we must pay for decisions we make.

The story will end up in a courtroom but who is on trial and for what?

This is a very good book that will take you into these two women’s lives and have you carried away by the drama that is occurring around them. If you like courtroom thrillers this will not disappoint.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all options expressed are my own.

Wheee do I start with this book it was so good juicy !! Like I could not put it down I would read it all over again if I could lol.. once they story came all together I was like what crazy book but great

This is my first book by Aime Austin and won't be the last. I was surprised to read it's part of a series, as I read it as a standalone book and it worked perfectly fine.

In part one, Dr. Suzanne Wolf interviews her patient, also Dr. Deborah Bloom, about her husband Richard's long string of infidelities. She then meets another client, Tallulah "Lulu" Mueller who is currently living with a married man, Sinclair. I think we can all tell where this is heading...

In part two, Lulu talks to Ron about an entanglement that won't be mentioned in this review to avoid spoilers. Next, Sinclair finally arrives with the news they both longed for: his wife has finally filed for divorce, citing adultery. Sinclair rushes Lulu to start trying for a baby already and mentions his daughter Sarah is livid after learning about Lulu.

Nicole Long is a detective in a small town. She gets a call in the middle of the night and is called on duty to investigate the murder of a VIP. Casey Cort, an attorney in a private practice, receives the news that her friend has been murdered. Detective Loren Logan tries to find a suspect in a murder case. Justin McPhee is a lawyer who receives a call from a potential client.

As the story progresses in part two, the different POVs come together to solve the mystery of the murdered woman and what series of events led up to her demise.

Part three focuses on a trial but, whose? and who stands witness? you'll have to read the book to find out. This was my favourite part of the book, and I re-read it various times! It felt like I was watching a real trial.

The ending was definitely a heartbreaking twist, woah! This would make an amazing Netflix series, mark my words!