The Casella Cousins Novella 1: HayleyShe drives him crazy in court. He’s the most irritating, self-absorbed defense attorney she’s ever met. What happens when a couple like this goes from enemies to lovers in one moonlit night on his boat?Assistant District Attorney Hayley Casella wants to tear her hair out whenever she has to argue against her nemesis, Paul Covington, in court. She’s battled the … court. She’s battled the white-collar defense attorney for a year and their appearances together are only getting more emotional and tinged with sexual tension.
Hot shot attorney Paul Covington is not letting DA Casella ruin his chances of becoming a partner in the prestigious law firm he joined last year. She’s a looker and smart as hell, but he’s as determined to show her up as she’s determined to put him down.
This heartfelt legal drama is backdropped by the glamor of New York City galas, restaurants and boat trips on the ocean. Will Haley and Paul be able navigate the murky waters of competing careers and baggage from their childhoods to make a life together?
Don’t miss all The Casella Cousins Books: Hayley, Seth, Finn, Alessia, Gideon and Ronan from the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Shay.
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Kathryn Shay is a relatively new author to me and I was excited to join her at the start of a new series rather than playing catch up, I love small town romance so Hayley and The Casella Cousins is right up my street and let me just say this book did not disappoint, it was a great start to what looks like a hit series for this very talented author.
Hayley Casella is the Assistant District Attorney and whenever she finds herself in court arguing against lawyer Paul Covington she wants to tear her hair out, this man drives her mad, he is annoying and frustrating and he normally gets her so riled up she ends up in trouble with the judge. Well you know what they say, there’s a fine line between love and hate and opposite’s attract so is this hate she is feeling or maybe it’s love….
Paul Covington is looking to make partner at the law firm he works and he is not going to let an attractive ADA get in his way, if he has to show her up so be it ……
Problem here is this couple are actually attracted each other and they both have feelings they can’t seem to get past, again is it love or is it hate. Guess you need to read the book to find that out.
This was an entertaining read that drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until I had read the final line. I adored the characters, I loved their story and I’m looking forward to book 2 in the series. Great job
I loved the start of the Casella Cousins series and how Kathryn Shay constantly expands her characters and series into new books. In this first book of the Casella Cousins Hayley is a tenacious lawyer who is known in the for being a force when meeting Paul Covington in the courtroom. Their bickering in the courtroom gets them both thrown into a jail cell overnight for contempt. As they often say, there is a thin line between hate and love and these two quickly fine the line to be very blurry. They have to juggle their newfound relationship, their families and their jobs. This was a great read and I can’t wait for the remainder of the series!
Kathryn Shay writes beautiful story. I wish the book was longer.
A great start to a new series, The Casella cousins. As an added bonus you get to visit Hidden Cove and catch up with some of my favorite characters. Hayley and Paul are both lawyers, fighting on opposing sides and they both like to win. When they find themselves locked up in jail together, they can’t deny the chemistry that they share. They both have baggage from growing up that need to learn how to deal with it.
This is a book that I had a hard time putting down. Loved both of these characters. Lots of family drama. Plus, I love Hidden Cove!! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Hayley is an ADA. Paul is a defense attorney. In the courtroom it’s like mixing oil and water until the end up spending the night in jail together.
Paul and Hayley are likable characters. Paul is hiding a secret which will come out. Hayley is rebuilding her relationship with her father’s side of the family after her mother removed them from the close knit group.
The story does get slow at times, but it flows. We are introduced to all the secondary characters from the new series, many who will have their own books.
I do love how past characters from other books pop up even in only for a quick sec.
This is an honest voluntary review.
Hayley and Paul are on opposite sides in the court room and neither wants to be on the losing side. When they end up being forced to spend time alone together for an extended period, they get to know more about each other and there’s an attraction there. Although their cases get changed so they aren’t going against each other and they both feel it’s best to stay apart, they aren’t able to do that. Hayley is open about her feelings, beliefs and family situation but Paul isn’t willing to open up completely and let her know what has happened and where things stand with his family, not even after he’s thrust into the limelight. When an olive branch is offered to him by his family, he then realizes he wants another chance with Hayley. There is a HEA for them but it takes some work! Ms. Shay seems to always write stories with strong family ties and great support. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Hayley Casella, Assistant District and attorney Paul Covington battle against each other in court. They seem to bring out the worse in each other. It took one judge throwing them in jail having enough of their courtroom room antics for them to realize that their is an underlying reason for their antagonism with each other.
As their relationship develops they have some real concerns that they have to address and overcome to see if a future together is a possibility. I liked Hayley and Paul together and enjoyed the banter they had in the courtroom.
I really like that many of Kathryn Shay’s books deal with the dynamics of family. To, me, those are the most heartwarming.
I think the book Hayley is a great start to a new series. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Hayley The Casella Cousins book 1″ by Kathryn Shay is a great to start to a new series as well as a page turner. This story is about Hayley & Paul Covington. Hayley is ADA and Paul is her nemesis in court. When the judge has had enough of the lawyers bickering in court he send them both to jail overnight for contempt. They start talking to waste the time and have the start of a friendship. Paul has secrets about his family, whereas Hayley has strong family ties and doesn’t understand whats going on with him and his family, Since he doesn’t want to share.
Can Paul open up about his past and get the girl? Read this great story and find out. Cant wait for the next in the series.
Hayley and Paul both have hung ups about each other as well as their own lives which in turns leads to butting heads in the court room until they get locked up together overnight for contempt and things start to change. I really liked how there was a push/pull between Hayley and Paul but Paul’s unwillingness to discuss his past is causing more and more heartbreak and you hold your breath to see if he and Hayley can make it work as well as make peace with his past!
“Hayley” is a wonderful introduction to Kathryn Shay’s new Casella Cousins series. I was immediately drawn into the story about Hayley Casella and her courtroom antics with defense attorney Paul Covington. While opposing each other in court an underlying volcano is ready to erupt. And erupt, it does!!! These characters share more than just their professions and the story unfolds revealing secrets and sorrows each holds close to the heart. A refreshing romance with bits of past characters is beautifully presented by Kathryn Shay in this 5 Star read.
I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.
Adversaries to lovers best described this love story. Paul and Hayley, opposing attorneys, have this instant attraction but sparks fly when they are held in contempt while arguing a case in court. While growing each grew up differently, there are distinct similarities that the two will have to work through it they will get their happily ever after.
Another smash hit by Ms. Shay. I enjoyed the emotional pull and likable characters. Great plot and enough action to a novella. This is a complete story.
HAYLEY…Kathryn Shay
The judges cringe when they find both Hayley and Paul in their courtroom.
Contempt charges rarely happened against lawyers, they got one another in trouble, when together. The courtroom drama continued and giving them a night in jail, compliments of the judge’s warning of what would happen.
Their immediate bosses understood what happened, others in their office didn’t and thought they should be dismissed. Even Hayley had her mother’s disapproval and words that she was like her father.
A delightful comedy of two grown successful lawyers acting like teenagers, when they work together. Instead of a parent saying play nice, they had a judge. Delightful to read, and still chuckling at the two of them
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Kathryn Shay doesn’t only build worlds; she builds families and communities that the reader can become invested in, and she’s done that here. Hayley and Paul both have dysfunctional relationships with their families, but those are nothing on their own dynamic. Long-time and bitter courtroom rivals, their interactions sometimes leave you wondering how on earth they’ll manage an HEA – you won’t want to put this down. I can’t wait for more of the Casellas; this is a bright spot in 2020.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
Hayley is book 1 in the Casella Cousins series by Kathryn Shay an another good book by this author.
Hayley and Paul are two attorneys on opposing sides of the table, get under each other’s skin but sparks fly too. When they end up in jail together they discover they have a lot in common but it seems that obstacles out side of court could be issues too…
Family dynamics, forgiveness, attraction and a fine line between love and hate are just some of the things happening but will they find a way to over come the obstacles or will they remain adversaries??
This was such a quick read. I loved the beginning to this new series; “The Casella Cousins” branching off from the Hidden Cove series. Hayley’s story reminds readers of the breach between the Cassella’s by Hayley’s mother. Hayley is an ADA in NYC. During a trial where she is up against one of the premier litigators in a prominent law firm; they can’t seem to keep their snarky comments and digs at each other to themselves and the Judge warns them that she won’t tolerate that kind of behavior. Should they continue they’ll be charge with contempt and taken into custody. I’m sure you can figure out that they ended up in jail….Thus begins this story. There are such familial undercurrents and old emotional injuries that are woven into the story as well as part of what makes the main character’s psyche. This story flowed well and is character rich.
This is the first book of the Casella cousins. There is good character development and family history. In the story, Haley and Paul have to overcome painful past family problems before they can find their own happiness. They are both lawyers who have often argued in court against each other. They have great chemistry and are a good match both in court and in their personal lives. I enjoy reading books that include interaction with other family members. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
Ms. Shay is the author of a wonderful series about the town of Hidden Cove & it’s Casella Family. Now she’s started on a new series about their cousins. Hayley, Finn & Ronan are siblings that had each other’s back until Ronan abandoned them. Now she’s the ADA in New York & fights for the underdog. She treasures each win, especially against her nemesis Paul Covington. They strike sparks off each other anytime they have to interact.
Paul is happy to be back in New York. The law firm hired him away from a firm on the West Coast that he was a rising star at. He can’t understand his behavior when he comes up against ADA Casella. It’s like they are in elementary. He refuses to let anyone know about his past, especially Hayley. She wouldn’t understand, not after what her older brother did. When Paul’s past & present clash, can he overcome his hurt & shame? Will Hayley understand & forgive him?
I really enjoy Ms. Shay’s storytelling. Her characters are well defined, enjoyable & relatable. The plot moves at the perfect pace with enough detail to keep you reading. I loved the cameos from the Hidden Cove families. It was nice to see how it all fits together. These stories can be read by themselves but by reading them all, you get a better understanding. I can’t wait for Seth’s book & to learn more about Ronan.
4.5 stars
Like many of Kathryn Shay’s books, there is a strong sense of family woven throughout this story. Paul Covington is feeling the keen sense of loss from his estranged family and Hayley Casella appreciates the family and extended family that she still has.
Both of these protagonists are attorneys; Paul is a defense attorney for a prestigious law firm, while Hayley is a prosecutor with the DA’s office. They have been adversaries several times in court, and have always rubbed each other the wrong way. During their most recent court case, the judge puts them in jail overnight for the way they behave toward each other. They finally end up talking and getting to know each other for the first time, as they are stuck together during their long night in jail. This leads to another night spent together and a renewed appreciation of each other… Unfortunately, they have a few obstacles to overcome before they find an HEA ending.
This book is centered around the themes of family, career, forgiveness, and finding the path to
redemption and acceptance. Ms. Shay always writes about complex yet engaging characters who have issues that they need to face. These two flawed protagonists fit within that framework. It’s a bumpy journey, but they eventually get there. Ms. Shay defines their conflicts, then tells a tightly-woven story and compels the reader to keep reading. The ending is unexpected and beautiful.
Hayley Casella is the Assistant DA for New York City and Paul Covington is a defense attorney and these two clash in court and end up in contempt and in jail. There they find out a bit more about each other than just what they known by just butting heads in the courtroom. They eventually start a relationship that is rocky because of a lot of outside forces; and they both have to decide if they are strong enough to do what is necessary to be together.
This author brings her A game for the start of a new series and as usual the plot is so very well put together and flows nicely, the hero and heroine compliment each in a way that one doesn’t overshadow the other one. There is a good balance between Hayley and Paul. There is fun humor and great secondary characters in both their families. There is a bit of sadness in each of their family history but in the end this helps bring them together. The story is strong, kept my interest and kept me turning the pages as I read this in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Hayley, Paul and their extended families. I look forward to the next story in this series. I highly recommend this book by this very favored author.
Climatic & fascinating. These two are a ball of fire inside and outside the courtroom. Their story has more depth then just their pent up frustration and determination to win another case. Getting to know one another brings out another layer of tension to their courtroom rivalry and drama. I like Hayley, she’s a very strong independent character and family-oriented, I also like Luke he has the same values, both of them have emotional family baggage to sift through but together they become a team to be reckoned with.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from author without obligation and am voluntarily leaving a review.