Having read the first book in this series I was eager for the next installment and it did not disappoint! While you don't have to read the previous title to enjoy this book you will meet some of the same characters. This book is sad as domestic abuse is such a tragic thing, especially when it leads to a loss of lives but the legal aspect is fascinating, the characters are engaging and it is a good read. i love how the main characters interact and grow in their relationship despite the tragedy that draws them together. Well written and utterly engaging I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is book 2 in the Hidden Justice series by Cara C. Putman. I did not realize there was a book that came before this one; however, it works well as a standalone. The book contains a dual storyline: one character, Emilie, is being stalked, while another is trying to get custody of his young niece whose mother was abused.

I felt the author did a nice job of showing through their actions and words the personalities of the characters. Since this is a well-written Christian book, don’t be surprised that the people involved pray, asking God for direction. I appreciated that this book actually shows more of the Christian life than many on the market. The plot was also well done; Putman did a very nice job of adding bits and pieces of information until everyone was in the open, and the book was neatly wrapped up.

The only thing I didn’t like was how many characters populated this book. At the 10% mark on my Kindle, I had written notes about 19; more were introduced as time went on. I have a difficult time figuring out who is who when there are so many, and it takes time to see who the major players will be.

Imperfect Justice by Cara Putman takes us into a case where it is obvious to the world that Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. The thing is, Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story.

Emilie knows Kaylene wouldn’t hurt her family. Kaylene was looking for a way out of the controlling and abusive relationship she has been in.

I enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series. I recently visited Washington DC, where a lot of this story takes place, so I enjoyed the setting of this book. I enjoyed some of the added details from the author and have some new places I want to visit.

The overall story was interesting and held my attention. There were parts that didn’t keep me as engaged as I would have liked, but those were made up for with the suspense elements that kept me turning the pages.

Overall this was a good read. It had an interesting and relevant storyline and suspenseful scenes that kept me reading. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, Delayed Justice.

Get ready for a roller coaster ride as you read this action packed story. The author does an amazing job of keeping readers guessing as the story has intrigue and surprises . I loved the storyline about advocating for women in domestic situations. The story takes readers behind the scenes where lawyers fight to protect their clients through the court system. Domestic violence is a hard subject to read about, and the author does a very good job of showing readers the impact it has on families.

What I liked about Emilie was her determination to clear her clients name. After meeting with Kaylene , Emilie knew there was danger in the home and needed to get Kaylene and her daughters away from a violent marriage. My heart broke as it seemed liked Emilie was to late to save Kaylene and her daughters. The reports in the news were devastating but Emilie felt there was more to the story. Why would Kaylene shoot her daughters on the day she was getting a protective order? Something wasn’t adding up for Emilie and I loved how the author guided us through her investigation with details that made us question what was the truth.

Reid was a good character and I could sense his pain when he learns about what his sister has been accused of. I loved how he didn’t back off as his brother-in-law tried to keep him away from his niece. When he teams up with Emilie to get custody of his niece and prove his sister innocent, the fireworks explode as the tension mounts. The story is riveting and I couldn’t put it down.

Emilie has her hands full helping Reid while trying to figure out who is stalking her and why. I found that part of the story interesting but a bit confusing at times. I didn’t quite understand why that was part of the story. It was well written and I loved trying to figure out who it was, but I felt it should have been maybe in a book of its own. Overall I liked the book and the ending was good. The court scenes were my favorite because the author really nails how intense it is in a courtroom. You could feel the characters stiffen and sweat as they waited for the judge to rule. If you like intrigue and action, be sure and pick up a copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book from LitFuse. The review is my own opinion.

I am very impressed with this new series by Cara Putman. I enjoyed the first book, and liked this one even more. Putman writes a fast-paced and compelling legal mystery. The legalise is easy to comprehend, the romance fits the story, and the mystery is expertly woven in. This is a great installment and I look forward to her next book!

Amazing book! Putman isn't afraid to tackle the difficult discussions. I already knew this from book one in this series but I really loved how she tackled domestic issues in this book. She handled it so well. I really love that it was the theme of the book but that I still got to enjoy moments with dates and girl talk and friendship too. It really had everything I needed in a good book.

I think one of my favorite parts of this book was that Em didn't need to work her second job as a writer for the money, but that she did it because she was good at it and liked it! It is so important to do things we love especially when we are also good at them.

I also really loved Reid. He was a great hero because he wasn't perfect but he was willing to admit when he had made mistakes in his life and worked hard to do better with his future. I love realistic heroes!

Another great part about this book was how Putman included two different types of domestic issues and weaved them into one. I also like that both included elements of suspense and surprise as we didn't know exactly who was the culprit of either until the very end. I've always loved suspense books so that was a perfect part of the book for me.

I could continue gushing because I loved this book so much but I'll just say that if you are a fan of legal suspense drama this is the book for you. Oh and it has just the right amount of romance too!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This novel definitely hit a few of my ‘passionate’ buttons. Seeking to exonerate the wrongly accused? Check. Trying to protect an innocent child? Check. Fighting to make sure a killer is held accountable for his crime? Check. Next to the excitement and drama of a case-changing cross-examination, these are probably three of the biggest reasons why I have always had a love of the law and a good legal suspense. Add in a subtle thread of romance and you’ve made me a very happy girl!

Kaylene Adams’ case is one that you can’t help but be invested in as a reader: A woman taking courageous steps to escape an abusive relationship, only to lose her life after supposedly killing one daughter and seriously injuring the other. Her younger brother Reid had no idea she was having any difficulties, but doesn’t believe she would kill her own daughter, so when his brother-in-law refuses to let him visit his surviving niece while she lies in the hospital in a coma, he is determined to do all he can to gain custody of her. But how do you prove she’s in danger from a man who gives every appearance of being a devoted father and grieving widower?

I wouldn’t class this as a thriller, personally—the suspense was much more of a gradual, but consistent build up—but there were plenty of layers to the tension. Emilie is not only fighting a sense of failure over Kaylene’s death, but she’s also struggling in her second job as a journalist; words—normally her superpower—are failing her, and the pressure is on for the next big story. Well, any story, actually! Her boss at the shelter has made it clear Emilie is to prioritize the cases of women who are still alive and can benefit from their help. And to top it all off, she’s being stalked, but she can’t work out who or why.

The story builds, layer upon layer, toward a pretty tense climax. In a story like this, it’s a relief when the romance follows a gentle and natural trajectory without adding further angst to the mix, which is exactly how things progress between Reid and Emilie. All in all, a great read for those who enjoy legal suspense with a side of romance.

I received a copy of this novel through Litfuse Publicity. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My Thoughts:

First let me say that I applaud Ms. Putman for tackling such a difficult subject as abuse. I know the pain of control and manipulation, and Ms. Putman tells the story with realism and honesty.

This book has it all, a legal thriller, with romantic tension, and mystery. This was a very personal book for me. I identified with Kaylene and Reid. While Kaylene is dead, her story is told through both Emile and Reid. Reid wants to know the truth and protect his niece and the truth about what really happened that fateful night.



My Bottom Line:

While this is a fast-paced thrill ride, it is also a heart-wrenching story. Ms. Putman uses her legal skills, and knowledge to craft a real to life story. Reid is a sweet hero. Emile is a strong heroine, who has a soft heart, she wants to be loved, but she is scared to trust and allow herself to fall in love. The inspirational thread is not overwhelming but is definitely present. While this is book two in her Hidden Justice series, it can be read alone.

Cara Putman has never disappointed me! Attorney Emilie Wesley does the legal work in getting protective orders so her clients can escape their abusive relationships. Emilie is a strong woman but keeps finding unsigned notes and feeling like she is being watched. When it is reported that her client, Kaylene, has murdered one of her daughters and injured another before being shot by police, Emilie and Kaylene's brother, Reid, do not believe it. Emilie and Reid are both strong protagonists as they work to find the truth about Kaylene's death. I had a hard time figuring out who Emilie's stalker was! I highly recommend Imperfect Justice to anyone who enjoys suspense! I read Imperfect Justice through Net Galley. This is my honest opinion.

IMPERFECT JUSTICE is one of those books that captures your attention and holds it to the breath-taking conclusion. Kaylene has sought the help of the Haven and its resident attorney Emilie Wesley. She is ready to leave her abusive spouse when the unthinkable happens. Emilie is thrown into a whirlpool of deceit and control by the abusive spouse and enlists the help of Kaylene’s brother to try to save a nine-year-old innocent little girl from the situation that led to her mother’s death. Emilie is also being stalked, but she has no idea who is putting her life in danger daily, even as she strives to save the life of other abused women. The best part of the book is that it is made for discussion with a book group since it includes discussion questions at the end. This is a thought-provoking and heartbreaking book, with the underlying theme of “What would you do?”

Imperfect Justice is a thrilling, suspenseful novel that leaves you hopeful and yet angry at the same time.

In this novel, spousal abuse is addressed which is a very sensitive topic. Attorney Emilie works with women to help them escape their abusive husbands or partners. She puts her whole heart into her work and most of the time she is successful. Her one case, Kaylene, ended very badly and this has left her shattered and looking for answers. Kaylene was framed for the murder of her daughter and then suicide. Her other daughter, the one who could provide answers, is left in a coma with her Father watching over her.

Emilie knows in her heart that Kaylene could never do what she is accused of doing but is conflicted on what she should do. Everyone tells her to leave it alone, don’t tie up the business in the murder, that all evidence points to Kaylene. Emilie on the other hand trusts her gut instincts and follows her heart. While she couldn’t save Kaylene, she would preserve her name and save her other daughter.

She teams up with Kaylene’s brother and that is when a lot begins to go wrong. She is being harassed and she begins to question everything she ever knew. It is a race against time for herself and Reid to prove the most difficult thing in the world – the Kaylene’s ex-husband is the murder and abuser.

This novel is full of a lot of raw emotions and may have triggers for some people. It is difficult to read about Kaylene and the other women in this novel stories. You know that this more than likely has happened and will continue to happen. We know the cycle of abuse and the negative effects it can have on children but sometimes feel helpless. Even Emilie herself feels stretched and heartbroken at times.

The novel itself is well written and keeps you on your toes. You want nothing more than for Emilie to put away Kaylene’s ex-husband away for life and for him to get what he deserves. But the plot constantly thickens as she unravels the truth and then there is a second layer of mystery with someone trying to harm Emilie herself. This is an excellent story from start to finish.

if you like legal thrillers then you will certainly enjoy Cara Putnam's latest book. Imperfect Justice deals with the harsh reality of domestic violence. Ms. Putnam did an excellent job of writing a riveting tale of a lawyer at a domestic violence help center. Attorney Emilie Wesley does her best to protect her clients, sometimes she succeeds, sometimes not. Reid Billings comes to Emilie to find out what went wrong in his sister's life. There are several plot twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Although this is book two, it can definitely be read as a stand alone book. I hope to read more of Ms. Putman's books in the future.

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes.

From Amazon:

The police say the woman was a murderer. Emilie Wesley knows they can’t be talking about her client . . . can they?

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in the race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

About the author:


As a preteen Cara Putman watched lawyers change legislative opinions at an important legislative hearing in Nebraska. At that time, she wondered if she became an attorney if people would give her words the same weight. An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln, George Mason University School of Law and Krannert School of Management at Purdue University, Cara has turned her passion for words into award-winning stories that capture readers. Her legal experience makes its way into her stories where strong women confront real challenges.

The award-winning author of more than 25 titles, Cara writes legal thrillers, WWII romances, and romantic suspense because she believes that no matter what happens hope is there, waiting for us to reach for it.

When she's not writing, Cara is an over-educated attorney who lectures in law and communications at the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University and homeschools her children. She and her family live in Indiana, the land of seasons.

I absolutely love Christian fiction mystery and this one rates high with me! Difficult to put down. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Emilie is an attorney for abused women who helps them escape. She loves her job and feels she truly helps make better lives for those she represents. Kaylene is a woman Emilie is currently representing and helping her and her two daughters escape an abusive husband and father. After Kaylene failed to meet Emilie, Emilie learns that Kaylene's daughters have both been shot as well as herself. Did she do it as her husband says? Emilie refuses to believe it and seeks the truth.
What's a good book without a little romance interest? Meet Reid, Kaylene's sister, who also believes in her innocence.
Some pretty tough issues are tackled in this story of Cara C. Putman. There's the domestic violence as well as a stalker. I feel she did a great job with these issues and making the story come alive.
I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Emilie Wesley is a lawyer working in a women’s shelter. She’s in court, expecting to file a protective order on behalf of client Kaylene Adams, but Kaylene doesn’t show. Because she’s dead … and suspected of shooting her two daughters. Emilie suspects murder, and worries that Kaylene’s surviving daughter will be in danger.

No one believes her except Reid Billings, Kaylene’s brother, and even he takes some persuading. Now it’s up to Emilie and Reid to find out the truth before Kinley regains consciousness. Because that will mean she goes home, to live with her abusive father. But it’s not going to be easy. All the evidence points to Kaylene, Emilie’s boss wants her to focus on her living clients, the ones she can still help. And her stalker is back.

Imperfect Justice is an excellent mix of legal thriller and romantic suspense. There is plenty of suspense, lots of legal problems, and enough romance to make sure it doesn’t all get too heavy. And while it’s dealing with women in abusive situations, it’s hard-hitting without being explicit.

I didn’t really consider the implications of the title as I was reading, but they certainly hit me as I came to write this review. Our earthly justice is imperfect. Even if we’re able to identify and punish a criminal, the victims of crime still have to live with the aftereffects. We can’t turn back time as if the crime never happened. Equally, God’s justice is perfect … but we don’t get that now, either. We have to wait, which often means learning lessons like patience and forgiveness.

Imperfect Justice is the second book in Cara Putman’s Hidden Justice series, following Beyond Justice. The stories follow a group of female attorneys, so work as standalone stories. Recommended for fans of legal thrillers and romantic suspense from authors such as Rachel Dylan, Carrie Stuart Parks, Colleen Coble and Lynette Eason.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

A legal thriller that meets all the criteria for a complete thrill ride and more!

Emilie Wesley has worked hard to keep the women that come in to the Haven safe from the abusive men in their lives. When her latest client, Kaylene Adams, is said to have killed her daughter, wounded the other and killed herself, Emilie has a hard time believing the story delivered by the media. Kaylene was ready to leave her abusive husband and start a new life, so why would she suddenly kill herself and the children she loved so very much? Reid Billings, Kaylene’s brother, may not have been close to his sister in recent years but still has a hard time believing she could have taken her own life and attempted to take her daughters with her. Reid finds a box he had forgotten his sister left at his place, he opens the box and finds a letter asking him to fight for custody of her daughters if something should ever happen to her. He may have been estranged from his nieces, but now he is determined to fight for the only family he has left. The letter tells him to ask Emilie for help in getting custody. Together the two must work together to prove Reid is better suited to raise his niece than her own father. When everything seems to be against them, they turn to a strength together to save a young girls life and maybe find something more in the process.

As the second book in the Hidden Justice series, Cara Putman gets right to the point with suspense, intrigue, and mystery for a story that is unstoppable. Emilie was a secondary character in the first book and now carries the story herself with ease. We see some of how she is affected from what happened in Beyond Justice and can understand her a little more with the background given her. The story does have several different arcs but they all tie in together by the very end. While it might not be obvious till the end who Emilie’s stalker is and how he ties into the story, give it time to play out and you won’t be disappointed. I felt there were a few moments that the tension was cut short abruptly and could have been played out a little further, but that is just me personally, I often like things to go a little further than others for the sake of suspense. It is obvious Cara Putman knows what she is talking about when it comes to the legal aspects of the novel, a fact that helps carry the story greatly.

I am becoming a fast fan of Cara Putman’s writing and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I recommend this book to those that love a suspenseful story with a tinkling of faith mixed in and a sprinkling of romance to top it off.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinion expressed within are my own.

“Imperfect Justice” by Cara Putman is a legal thriller. Emilie Wesley is a lawyer for Haven, which is an organization that helps abused women and children find the courage and the means to leave their abusers. Kaylene Adams is ready to leave her sadistic husband and make a new life for her and her two daughters. The night before she is to leave, a terrible tragedy occurs at the Adams house. Kaylene is dead, one daughter, Kaydence is dead, and one daughter, Kinley is critically wounded. The police are calling it a murder, suicide with Kaylene as the perpetrator.

Emilie cannot reconcile that Kaylene, who was so focused on leaving with her girls would all of a sudden turn violent. Kaylene’s brother Reid also cannot believe that his older sister would do such a thing. When he finds a hidden letter asking him to care for her girls in case something happened to her, his suspicions are heightened. He and Emilie work to disabuse the police’s theory. At least one detective is on their wavelength and helps with the investigation. Reid is suing Robert Adams for custody of his only remaining daughter, Kinley. Reid and Emilie fear that Kinley is the only one who can tell what happened that fateful night and that her father may have been the guilty party. If that is so, then Kinley is not safe with her father.

I thought this story was well thought out and serves to bring us all to awareness, that in some families, all is not what it seems. The characters are very believable, as is the story line.

This is a legal thriller, with suspense and romance thrown in. Kaylene turns to the Haven for help but when time comes for her to appear in court she doesn’t show. Emilie acting as her lawyer becomes worried when all attempts to reach her go unanswered. When it is revealed why she didn’t show Emilie and Kaylene’s brother, Reid, don’t believe what the media and police are saying and are determined to find the truth. But finding proof of what they suspect happened is hard and they seem to be fighting an uphill battle. Emilie personally takes on the burdens of all her clients and this case is really weighing on her, she can’t let go. Emilie’s boss wants her to focus on the women that she can help and Reid is being blocked by his brother-in-law to learn anything about his niece. Together will they be able to find the answers they are looking for and save Reid’s niece? In the midst of this Emilie is also dealing with a stalker.

The story moves slowly really focusing on the battle women experiencing domestic abuse face and Reid’s financial job. This allows readers to really get to know Reid and Emilie, understanding their approach to life and what Emilie deals with while fighting for abused women. This was a difficult and sometimes depressing subject to read about, but it is one that sadly happens quite a bit and needs to brought out in the open in order to be stopped.

I really felt for Emilie, she is so burdened and feeling alone, her faith is tested but she learns that God is there with her through it all. Reid is feeling guilty for not being aware of what his sister was going through and I admired him for fighting for his niece. The relationship that forms between these two was nice, I really enjoyed their interactions. I am intrigued by a couple other characters that show up and wonder if Ms. Putman will focus on them in the next books, and if so what their story will hold.

I have to admit this book grew on me and I ended up enjoying it. At the beginning of the story, I struggled with Emily. I just didn’t care for her character, mainly because she seemed to be defying a direct order from her boss without a second thought. But as the story progressed I began to appreciate her tenacity.

The story itself was really good. The author tackled a difficult and sadly too common occurrence, domestic abuse. In this case, the abuse wasn’t strictly physical but a lot of emotional abuse. I felt like the author handled the subject extremely well. She brought out the many truths about abuse and how the system doesn’t always work.

Reid was great! It was fun to watch his character develop throughout the story and his shifting priorities.

All in all, I would recommend this book. The more I read the more I cared about the characters and wanted to see the resolution.

4-Star Rating Based on the Amazon Scale
3-Star Rating Based on the Goodreads Scale

Disclaimer: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.com, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.

This is a good legal procedure novel about helping women leave a harmful relationship. We are taken into the world of an organization helping women, especially in the legal realm with Emilie.

We are also taken into the world of wealth management with Reid. Reid is an important character in the plot but I felt there was too much about his profession in this novel. While I appreciate learning how wealth management companies try to gain new clients, I felt that information was unnecessary and detracted from the true issue of the plot – protecting women and children from domestic harm through legal proceedings.

There is also another aspect to the broad plot in that Emilie is being stalked. There are several flashbacks so we get an idea of how he came to be infatuated with Emilie. I felt the flashbacks were intrusive to the major aspect of the plot. I would have preferred only one, perhaps a prologue.

Putnam's writing style includes lots of thinking by the characters. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy the ruminations of characters as they review what they know and suppose possible answers to dilemmas. There is not much suspense but there is a little romance.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Litfuse. My comments are an independent and honest review.

In the book Imperfect Justice, author Cara Putman, follows battered women’s attorney Emilie Wesley as she tries to unravel the mystery of her client apparent killing her daughter and being shot by police. While she works to unravel the mystery she is falling in love with Reid Billings, the deceased mother’s brother. But in midst of all the chaos, Emilie cannot shake the feeling that someone is watching her. She finds notes and even receives flowers from… who?
This was a great read and I would recommend this book! I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.