All they have left is their pride.Elliot Smith was once a hotshot attorney, but those days are long gone. A midlife crisis of conscience has left him with shattered confidence, abandoned by his former friends and scraping by at a legal aid clinic. When a smoking hot bad boy rescues him from the side of the road, Elliot is sure he doesn’t stand a chance.After a misspent youth boosting cars, Lucas … youth boosting cars, Lucas Kelly runs his own garage and is finally getting his life back on track. He isn’t about to risk everything by daring to hope for something more, especially not with a man so far above his pay-grade.
The heat between them is enough to have them questioning everything they thought they knew about themselves. But is explosive chemistry enough to keep them together when Elliot’s career threatens to drive them apart?
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Elliot and Lucas are opposite of each other but they feel so right together. They have to learn to have confidence and trust in themselves and each other. I really liked this book.
Sometimes rock bottom sets a strong foundation to a successful new path. Lucas was 3 years out of prison with one month left of probation. He wore his con status like a protective cloak that made him defensive and insecure. Elliott was a corporate lawyer who walked away and fount his passion working for the Cabrini Law Center/CBC legal aid. They met one rainy night, each had feels with seeds planted. Lucas was flirty, Elliot surprised anyone as handsome would flirt with him. They were perfect for each other, but didn’t know it. They each had incorrect preconceptions of each other. But the initial unconscious foreplay was totally HOT! They took the first step trying to help Elliot’s client, Julio, offended as a juvenile and charged as an adult. Can/will they help Julio? Will they talk to learn they may have more in common than not? Will Lucas make it the month without blowing his parole? Excellent story, full of hope, insecurity, ambition, compassion, tension, conflict and a little adventure. Nicely done! I received an ARC from Booksprout for a review.
Imperfectly perfect characters and a great story line bring all the feels for me. I loved these characters and the story-line added a bit of suspense, a touch of angst and introduced us to a some really great supporting characters. The writing was really good and the pace felt good with enough happening to keep me really engaged. I really like the duo points of view, it really helps me connect with each character.
Elliot and Lucas have a delightfully steamy connection that will steam up your kindle. I really liked that they were each really driven to be better men and they were both flawed and yet have such awesome hearts. I loved their dynamic, their banter, their journey to finding acceptance of themselves in their own eyes. Each character is strong and so likable. Their share their emotional journey with us the reader and i was rooting for them the whole way. I really loved this story and the flaws these guys have just makes them more lovable!
This is book one of the new Cabrini Law Novel series and i am so looking forward for book two about Maksim, a character we met in this book.
I was gifted this book from the author and i freely give my honest opinion and review
Lucas, a mechanic and ex-con, meets attorney Elliott on the side of the road, when Elliott’s car breaks down. The two experience an electric, strong connection. They both expect a quick fling, but find that they want to continue to spend time with each other. Can these two men from such different backgrounds make a long-term relationship work?
This is an entertaining book with no huge surprises, but a nice relationship arc and some interesting legal entanglements. The two MCs are passionate and strongly drawn to each other.
This was an entertaining read. Bad boy ex-con trying to build a new life meets straight laced lawyer trying to build a new life. What could possibly go wrong?
I liked the dynamic between the two main characters, Elliot and Lucas. The first meeting between the two was a great scene. I would like to have more insight into Elliot’s personal history. His interaction with his ex, Greg, felt abbreviated. Elliot’s family history also felt brushed over. Maybe there is more story to be unveiled in later volumes of the series.
The plot was interesting, but I was mostly focused on the character interactions. This was good book to pick up if you are looking for a moderate angst M/M romance with some steamy scenes and engaging characters. I will definitely keep this author on my to read list.
Risk Assessment is the first book in the Cabrini Law series by author Parker St. John. This book is written in dual pov. I liked that I could get into the heads of both characters and know what they are feeling.
Elliot is a lawyer. He is forty years old and taking a good look at his life so far. He decided to leave the big city corporate lifestyle and start over. He now works for a nonprofit and helps those who cannot help themselves. He feels like he is finally making a difference.
Lucas is an ex-con who now owns a garage in a small town. He is starting over as well. He really has some issues when it comes to his self-worth and his past.
I liked this story. There is a ton of growth that both characters do before getting their happily ever after. I liked how things worked out in the end too.
I would read more from this series, I cannot wait to see whose story is next and who falls in love.
Five Shooting Stars
I really liked this book. Great debut. I loved Elliot and Lucas together. Great start to a series and I’m really excited for the next book. Written in dual POV, this book really shows the differences between Lucas and Elliot, be it their workplace or age. They are complete opposites but when together, they are explosive. While not insta love, I would’ve loved to see a bit more progression in their relationship.
There is a little bit of mystery and slight angst but overall a great read. I’m curious about the secondary characters, especially Alex, Elliot’s boss. Also Maksim, whose book is next.
Risk Assessment offered a new author and series with a storyline and characters right up my alley. I enjoyed the first book in the Cabrini Law series and will definitely look forward to reading more about this intriguing law firm and cast of characters with varied pasts.
I really liked both the primary and secondary characters in Risk Assessment. The myriad of backgrounds created an interesting set of circumstances, especially as the characters tried to relate to one another and not get hung up on their differences. There is a moderate amount of angst in Risk Assessment, both regarding the relationship and the legal aspect/case the plot details, but the conflicts between characters were believable with satisfying resolutions. I liked that some of the secondary conflicts resolved differently than I expected as well. The relationship between Elliott and Lucas had good development, using a believable timeline while doling out some intensely sexy chemistry. All in all, I’d say I’m impressed and excited to see what else this author and series brings.
*eARC received via LesCourt Author Services*
4.5 stars Lucas and Elliot
That was one nice entertaining story. It was smoothly, appetizingly written and had a good plot.
Elliot left everything behind, his job, his so-called friends and his cheating ex. He is lonely and quite miserable.
When his car is broken he meets garage owner Lucas. Elliot feels a strong attraction to Lucas. Lucas flirts with him until he’d understand Elliot is an attorney. Lucas has a record and he doesn’t like attorneys. Elliot has to convince him he is on his side.
Everything seems to go just fine between Elliot and Lucas until Elliot his work gets in the way.
A future together seems of the hook. It’s getting ugly.
Fuck they are hot together, smoldering sensuality dripped off the pages. Lucas can give Elliot exactly what he desperately needs and never could experience before.
All those underlying emotions. Excellent done.
Both men had nicely flawed personalities and their characteristics, they felt real and approachable. Secondary characters as colleagues, friends, family and exes were a good addition. Im looking forward to Maksim’s story!
Overall a balanced and plausible story with great environments. It was an entertaining journey with a touch of crime, emotional at times, steamy at times and down to earth at times.
** 4.5 stars **
For a first timer Parker St. John did a wonderful job on creating two imperfect characters who struggle with self-worth and society’s expectations for them. Told from dual POV and being mildly suspenseful and slightly angsty, this is a story of two men who met by accident and were brave enough to believe in themselves and possibility of happiness. Both men fall for each other quickly, but it does not read as insta love.
Elliot Smith was a hot shot attorney with wealth and working his way up the corporate ladder. But behind closed doors he was cracking – money is not everything when you don’t recognize yourself anymore. After changing his life he tries to find himself again. There were moments when Elliot did sound a bit high on the instep, but he was fortunate enough to have people around him to set him straight. He had to see that if he wanted to make a difference in someone else’s life, he had to start change within himself. I liked his determination to do and be better. I enjoyed his shy demeanor when he was with Lucas but also the way he went after what he needed even when he was scared to do so.
Lucas Kelly used to be a bad boy through and through. But after prison and life taking him down a peg or two, he wants to have a stable life. He is almost there – he owns his garage, he has good friends. So what if he is lonely? Happiness is simply not for him. But he does not expect a moment of kindness to bring a man into his life who will change him and how he sees himself. Lucas has a way to go to leave his issues behind. I liked that despite his misgivings he gave Elliot and himself a chance. They complemented each other well.
The suspense was mild but there were plenty feelings between the MCs to keep me interested in how the story would play out. The secondary characters were diverse and had an air of mystery about them that made me wonder what made them tick. I enjoyed the steady tempo of the book with a bit of steamy times and a bit of investigating. That together with both MCs trying to find their way to be with each other made for a wonderful reading. I liked the writing style and would like to find out what the author comes up with next. I recommend it. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
There’s nothing better than finding a new to you author and loving their books! It’s like Christmas and your birthday! Risk Assessment has a great storyline with perfectly imperfect characters. There is so much depth to Elliot and Lucas. There is more to them than first appears.
I loved the dynamics and banter between them. It certainly kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to more in this series!
KU. I was pleasantly surprised by how robust this was for such a short book. Ticked a lot of my “favs” boxes:
May/December (Elliot is 41 & Lucas is 27)
Legal themes
Opposites attract
Humor
There were a few times where it felt a little abrupt or wish things had been explored more ~ but overall, a great intro to a series and I’ll definitely be reading more.
Worth fighting for
I liked the lawyer humor in this book and really like Arnold. He’s someone you want in your corner. Lucas and Elliot are instantly attracted to each other but once Lucas learns what Elliot does for a living he puts the brakes on anything happening. It’s a good thing Elliot likes to argue for a living and is persistent. Plus, Lucas drives a hard bargain and I do mean hard. They have amazing chemistry when they aren’t being stubborn.
Mmm, there’s something about a guy in white t-shirt and jeans. I like how Lucas instinctively understands what Elliot needs, but even better is how he gives him what he wants. I really like it when Elliot gets all lawyer-y. Also I am so glad he’s no longer with his ex, what a jerk; however, he makes some good points when he’s not being awful. Lucas and Elliot have some bumps on their journey to be together but I thought it was realistic considering their differences. It made it all the sweeter when they decided to fight for each other.
“You make me believe in things I never thought were possible.” They both made mistakes but ultimately they make each other better. An tension-filled love story with a super sweet ending. Ooh, I can’t wait for Maksim’s story.
This book is an awesome read!
Elliot and Lucas each had its flaws, but they’re so perfect together!
I love how this story grabs you from the first page. it’s a totally page Turner!
LOVED IT