The Law of Attraction

I so loved this book that I’m amazed that this is Roxie Cooper’s first novel.  I am hoping that she’ll follow up with many more romances since this was such a fun and enjoyable read.  I loved the Rumpole books by John Mortimer and the shows on PBS and this book has some of that same feel which the author explicitly  pays credit to in the book.
 
The story is told through the eyes of Amanda Bentley, a peroxide blonde from a lower-middle class background who has worked hard to overcome all obstacles to become a barrister.  Since the author has her own history as a barrister and blonde, she brings seems such an interesting insight into that life and system. It’s so different from how our legal system works that part of the fun is just seeing the differences in the British and American systems.  
 
For Amanda, the first obstacle she must overcome is getting what is called a pupillage at a reputable Chambers.  It sounds like this is a year-long internship after which she’ll either get a job offer or basically see her career stutter to a stop before it’s barely begun.    Even though, as a busty blonde with the wrong accent, she doesn’t fit the image of the professional barrister, she gets the pupillage but then finds out that the other pupil is a smarmy weasel whom she’d despised in law school, but now must compete with for the job offer.
 
The romance in the story plays second fiddle to the story of Amanda’s trials (literal and metaphorical) as she goes through the year trying to stay true to who she is while fulfilling the demands of the job and her mentor, a marvelous character.  She is warned not to get romantically involved with any of the lawyers in Chambers, but can’t resist the sexy barrister, Sid Ryder.  He seems to be equally attracted to her, but hooking up with him lays Amanda open to the attacks of jealous bimbo barristers.
 
This novel was original and fun.  I loved that it introduced me to a world I hadn’t known much about.  Amanda is a very different sort of heroine and you can’t help pulling for her to overcome all the barriers she encounters.  
 
Roxie Cooper is a bright new talent and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next.
 
I was given a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Law of Attraction,  Roxie Cooper

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance , Women's Fiction

Well, I'm not much for films, for me its books all the way but I have watched  Legally Blonde, Twice! On holiday with the kids they love to spend time as a family with films, and this is one they love. Its cute, sweet and with a little pathos thrown in and surprisingly I enjoyed it. 
This book did remind me of it in very small ways but is far less Cute and Sweet and a much stronger story-line. I love Joanna Bolouri's novels too though I've not read any by Lindsey Kelk.
The law terms and types: having a law degree but not having gone further I'm familiar with them, but they're pretty straightforward, easy to follow along with the story. Reading this cemented my decision to stop at a degree :-) and not venture further into that world.

Amanda, she's wonderful. So strong willed, quick witted, loyal and yet we get the feeling she's always chasing something that seems just out of her reach, always feels she needs to prove her worth. 
Of course a bombshell blonde in the hallowed halls of male bastion, The Law, is always going to have to fight her way. She's right though. Why should she tone down her appearance, dress more circumspectly when the men can do as they please. Sad fact of life, along with the women who enjoy lots of sex are sluts while men are simply playboys, men of the world etc. * sigh * 
You'd think the ladies who have made it through would be sympathetic but sadly many of them side with the men and make things worse. 

There's a great story here with all the female struggles in a male world, a great romance, workplace bullying, family issues - Amanda gets it all. 
I love her pupilmaster Skylar, what a really wonderful character he was. 
Then there's nasty, vindictive Marty, a real rich, privileged type, sadly there's many like him. 
Of course then Sid Ryder needs a mention. He's a real charmer, (swoon) and from the start there's a sizzle between them. Skylar warns her off though, his reputation is well known, and not only personal heartbreak but professional suicide lies in that direction. She's vying with Marty for tenancy at the end of the year, two people, one place and the other will find it hard getting in anywhere else. Marty already has the advantage of being male and from the right background, so Amanda can't afford any kind of scandal. Sid though, mmmmmnnnn.....might be worth it ;-)

Its such a fun read, moments of sensuality, moments of practicality with all the drama of the Law, and of course there's a solid thread of humour running through that had me sniggering at times. To me its like an updated Rumpole of the Bailey ( loved those books) with its gentle humour, poking fun at the oddities of British Legal Traditions (well, horsehair wigs, gowns, silk stockings and buckle shoes for the men, 17th c costume in a 21st c world...weird or what?) 
Add that smattering of incredibly sensual romance, searing glances, erotic touches between her and Sid and its a great read. There's not a lot of romance in this story but what is there is perfectly done. 

And then there's her secret, dangled before us all the way through, hinted at and which sent me off right in the wrong direction...then when it came out wrapped up the story perfectly. 
 
 Stars:five, a wonderful story, full of gentle humour, drama, romance all set in the British legal world. 
A treat to get a UK story that works so well, and definitely one for rereading. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers