Approaching The Bench

*received an arc in exchange for an honest review**

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chantal Fernando yet again brings an intense story together and has you wanting more. Callum’s charm and good nature will get you from page one and you will be cheering him on and hope that he can get past Trinity’s walls. Trinity and Callum’s chemistry is off the charts. Chantal Fernando Conflict of Interest series keeps getting interesting and will yet again have you wanting the next one! 


Callum is starting his new job as Judge Trinity’s clerk and he is in for an interesting assignment. He isn’t expecting someone so young and beautiful as his new boss but he can’t help but be drawn to her. Now if he can just get her to look past his age and the fact that they work together and see him.

Trinity can’t help but be attracted to Callum but he works for her and is 6 years younger than her. But when their lives are put in jeopardy, they will be forced to confront their feelings head on.

Will they give each other a chance? Or has Trinity been burned too many times to take a chance on happiness?

the latest entry in the conflict of interest series is approaching the bench. law intern, callum starts a clerkship with hardass judge trinity williams. and it's pretty explosive.

this novella was delightful. callum is an easygoing guy, and his relentless good cheer in the face of trinity's standoffishness really works. he wears down her walls in ways that are oh so charming. when he saves her from an abduction attempt, they end up having to go into protective custody.

if you are enjoying this series, then this is another great entry and you should definitely read it. it stands alone too, so even if you have read the series, you'll enjoy this.

**approaching the bench will publish on february 19, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/gallery, threshold, pocket books (pocket star) in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third in the Conflict of Interest series, and they just keep getting better! We have previously met Callum and know that he likes the ladies. When he gets a new job as a clerk for Judge Williams, he wasn't expecting someone that looked as good as she does, after all her nickname is Medusa. Trinity has worked hard to get where she is, and doesn't have time to play around, so she does her best to ignore her chatty new clerk and the sparks she feels when he is near. When threats on her life, end up with her and Callum in protective custody together, turns out the sparks she was feeling aren't just one sided. Will this turn out to be the best or worse decision she has ever made?

So my only complaint is that it wasn't long enough, I am really greedy and wasn't ready for this book to end. Giving us super steamy sexy times, funny bits, drama, and a bit of danger this was a really good read. I give this 5 stars.

Approaching the Bench is the third book in the terrific Conflict of Interest series by bestselling author Chantal Fernando. A highly entertaining, steamy, office romance with a touch of suspense that you won't want to miss! With great characters, witty banter, angst, sizzling hot sexual encounters, and intense situations, this story will pull you in right from the start, and you won't want to put it down until the very end. A fantastic story, and a great addition to this outstanding series. 

Callum Hopkins was introduced in the previous books, and I really liked him. Learning a bit more about him in this story only made me love him even more. Trinity Williams is the youngest judge in the country, and being female as well only makes her have to work that much harder to gain respect, and prove that she deserves her position. She's known for being fair but tough with her decisions in the courtroom, but because she refuses to allow any type of personal relationships or even conversations while at work, she's been named "Medusa" by others. She comes across as a cold and unfeeling person, but it's part of the mask she feels like she has to wear in order to be able to focus on her position. 

When Callum begins working for her, she's not sure how to handle the always upbeat, happy, and considerate man that he is, especially since she can't get past her attraction towards him. Callum has been intrigued by his new boss since the first time he met her, and is determined to crack the mask that she firmly wears while at work. When someone tries to kidnap her in the courthouse parking lot, his intervention is the only thing that saved her. Now that they're both in danger, they're going to have to stick together until the bad guys can be caught. 

Will Trinity let down the enormous walls that she keeps in place, and finally let Callum see the real woman beneath the mask she wears as a protective cover? Can Callum convince her that just because she's a few years older than him that they still belong together, even after they get back to their regular lives? Will Callum be able to keep her safe until they figure out who's behind it all? Will they get the HEA that they both deserve? You'll have to read this to find out, but you won't be disappointed! 

I would recommend this, series, and terrific author. 

I have voluntarily reviewed this arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 stars--APPROACHING THE BENCH is the third instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary adult CONFLICT OF INTEREST erotic, romance legal novella series. This is thirty-one year old judge Trinity Williams, and twenty-five year old law clerk Callum Hopkins’ story line. APPROACHING THE BENCH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Callum was first introduced in books one and two- Breaching the Contract and Seducing the Defendant.  

Told from dual first person perspectives (Callum and Trinity) 	APPROACHING THE BENCH follows the forbidden relationship between Judge Trinity Williams, and her law clerk Callum Hopkins. Since her early career Trinity Williams has had a reputation as a cold and calculation person, something that does not go unnoticed by our story line hero but when a threatening letter lands on her desk, Trinity is willing to dismiss even if Callum suspects something more sinister is going on. An attempted kidnapping of Trinity Williams finds both Trinity and Callum in protective custody, where their attraction to one another will grow into something more. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Callum and Trinity, and the potential fall out when their whereabouts are discovered threatening any semblance of peace and security that was slowly beginning to build.

The relationship between Callum and Trinity is one of forbidden attraction as Trinity is Callum’s boss, and workplace romances are frowned upon even in the legal system. Callum continues to push the boundaries of a working friendship as Trinity struggles to remain professional in the face of their growing attraction. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Callum’s father Richard, his half-brother Justin, and best friend Eddie. The requisite evil is a familiar face to our story line heroine.

APPROACHING THE BENCH is a quick read; a reversal of power structure in that our heroine has all of the control at work while Callum has all of the control in the bedroom. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sexy and hot; the characters are energetic and inspiring. 

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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In the third installment from Chantal Fernando’s Conflict of Interest series, the hero and heroine will have to cross quite the professional boundaries in order for anything romantically to occur between them, not just because one is a judge and the other is her law clerk, but also because Judge Williams’ first sentencing defendant seeks retribution for his conviction and won’t stop until he’s achieved payback. 

Even though Approaching the Bench is a novella, Fernando packs it full of suspense, drama, and sexual tension. There’s a lot on the line for both Trinity and Callum, so the situation they find themselves in which actually gives them a chance to act on all those suppressed feelings for one another is both beautiful and terrifying. 

I love the fact that the heroine, Trinity Williams, is in the power position in this story, and she’s worked her butt off to achieve her title as the youngest female judge, but her career hasn’t come without sacrifices because while she understands the magnitude of her profession and the need to rule with an iron fist, she has no outlet for the typical kind of ‘fun’ women her age get to experience due to their less demanding, less male-dominated work environment. 

That’s why Callum Hopkins is the perfect guy to go into Witness Protection with Judge Williams because while they’ve done nothing but butt heads in the office/courtroom due to their difference of opinion when it comes to how one should act in a professional setting, in the outside world, they’re just Callum and Trinity and they can finally give into what’s mean kindling between them and explore who they truly are and how good they can be together when all of the pressure of professionalism doesn’t apply. 

I really enjoyed Trinity and Callum’s story; it’s a quick and action packed read that will keep readers’ interest from the start, and they’ll be crushing on Callum as soon as he’s introduced because he has a good head on his shoulder but he also tries not to take life too seriously or else a lot of the fun life offers will be missed.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

Yes... yes... yes! A thousand yeses! I really enjoyed this book! I’m not going to lie... I was scared to dive right into this book. I just didn’t want a repeat of Seducing The Defendant. The Wind Dragon’s totally took over that book! I mean... don’t get me wrong! I love the WD’s! But I was looking forward to a fresh new series! There was only one mention of a character from the WD series. I’ll get to that at the end of my review.

Overall this book was pretty spot on for me!
It really brought me back to the beginning of this series in Breaching The Contract! I devoured that book! And I totally devoured this book! 

Callus was totally book boyfriend worthy! He was what Trinity needed in her life! She was so cold to everyone. She felt she had to be that way to prove that she could do her job as a judge.

“I crave independence, and I’m not willing to give mine up for a man.”

Callus was a go with the flow kinda guy. He took everything and just went with it. He slowly started to break down Trinity walls. Trying to make her laugh. Play by her rules by asking her a question a day.

“We’re opposites. You’re uptight, and I’m more laid-back.”

When a attempted kidnap happened. Callum and Trinity get thrown in a situation that forces them rely on each other and for Trinity to let her guard down and let some in fully. Callum takes this opportunity to really get to know Trinity. And just lays all his cards on the table with her. 

“Don’t want to tame you. Just want you to let me in,”

I loved the way this book played out. I loved how Trinity opened herself and her heart. Didn’t play games with Callum. And I loved how Callum went all in with Trinity. The ending was perfect! I can’t wait for Hunters story! He’s the one I’m most looking forward to! I wanted his story right after Breaching The Contract! So yes! I’m excited to read his story!

So on a side note....
I’m not an author. I don’t know how hard it is to start a new series from scratch. To totally leave your old series completely must be hard. Characters from other series must pop in their heads all the time.
I thought we were over the little crossover games in the last book. And I thought we were in the clear in this book until the 91% mark. 
I mean... if you haven’t read any Wind Dragons books this name will mean nothing to you. But... if you have then you totally know who his person is. I just don’t get why characters are coming through in this series. When Faye Black’s name was dropped. I just rolled my eyes. I mean why. The book was holding it’s own. Why in some way try to bring a little and I do mean a little WD in the mix.
Like I said above... I love the Wind Dragons MC series! I can’t wait for more books in that series to come out. I just don’t see the need for this series and that series to do any crossover (in this case... name drop.)
And that’s just my personal opinion.

I like these books because they are quick reads, but full of drama, mystery and great chemistry. You get to the end wanting more, but you had a full story. 
This has an empowered woman in it and an age difference. I dug that. You don't see a lot of older women being the leads in stories. 
Callum and Trinny have a sweet little story, but it's different from the rest.

4 Stars

I was pulled right into this story. The story has pain, suspense, and heartbreak. 

If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first:
Breaching the Contract (Conflict of Interest #1)
Seducing the Defendant (Conflict of Interest #2)

This is Trinity and Callum’s story. Trinity is the youngest female judge in the country and she has a little bit of a reputation. She is known as Medusa because of her stony expressions and unyielding reputation. She knows she needs to stay that way to prove herself in the male-dominated profession she works in. But her new law clerk Callum has other ideas. Callum wants his boss and knows he can change her mind and get her to be fun again. Will he get her to be fun or will it backfire when danger comes for them. What happens when they are stick together with only themselves to count on? Can these two figure out if they are good for each other before they have to face the danger again? Or will this push together make them see how wrong for each other they truly are?

I loved these characters and the side characters. I felt I could connect with the characters and the story was a great read. 

I recommend this book.

arc given by Netgalley and publisher for honest review.  

I have loved all the books in this series.. I cant wait for the next.   This was a really fast read for me.    Trinity is one of the youngest female judges in the country.. also know as (behind her back of course) Medusa.. because her stony expressions and unyielding reputation, and her glair is that intense..    Callum is carefree and sexy to boot.. so when he gets hired as a clerk for Judge Trinity Williams.. what could go wrong...??  
This book Is full of action and suspense with lots of hotness..       

I cant wait for the next in the series..  Thanks again for the opportunity to read this.

A splendidly passionate, steamy romance with enough suspense to keep the blood pressure rising and loads of heat that sizzles like rain falling on hot asphalt. Approaching The Bench is such a grand read!

I really loved Callum and Trinity. These two had such strong personalities that clashed perfectly. When the chemistry between them heats up, it is HOT, overwhelming, delicious, and sexy. There is plenty of action that goes on in between the romance that made things intense and kept me on my toes. It was crazy good and entertaining and such a well written book. I can't wait for more.

I give Approaching The Bench a SIZZLING H-O-T FIVE SHOOTING STARS!

The third book in the Conflict of Interest series by Chantal Fernando,Approaching the Bench, is much like the previous books in this series- full of action and intrigue with a huge helping of sizzling passion.  Trinity and Callum make a great couple in this book, with her being the boss and him just starting out in his career. Callum is a guy who sees the glass half full while Trinity is the glass half empty type of gal. Callum knows he's attracted to Trinity, and doesn't have a problem admitting it from the start. I liked Trinity and I loved how she knew there was this intense sexual attraction for her younger colleague yet she couldn’t act on it because he was her law clerk and she is in a position of power. She really had this deep attraction for him, this intense feeling for him but had to hid her feelings because of her job and because she didn’t want to at first face the feelings this younger man was causing in her. (Note, Trinity is only 6 years older than Callum.) And this wouldn’t be a Chantal Fernando book without an element of danger which this story does have. Do Trinity and Callum get to have their HEA? Only way to find out is by reading this fantastic read.

My Rating:  4.5  stars ***** 
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

Approaching the Bench is the third book in the conflict of Interest series by Chantal Fernando. This was a quick sexy read with a little action on the side. 

Callum Hopkins is Judge Trinity “Medusa” Williams’s new young hot law clerk. Trinity is a reputation for being a tough judge; she is all business all the time. Callum has a carefree attitude that clashes his new boss.  But with her past is coming after her, will Trinity and Callum fight the chemistry between them?

I love a good office romance and add some suspense, even better.  Callum was great in the first two books, but now he is my hero; a true gentleman. Callum and Trinity were great together and the bantering between them was hilarious.  

Chantal’s writing is very addicting; once I start reading her books I can’t put them down. Highly recommend this series; now bring on Leading the Witness!

When I first read the synopsis of this book I was intrigued. Trinity is a woman that is in a position of power. She doesn’t apologize about who or what she is. Being the youngest judge in her field is an accomplishment. However she has built such a wall around her it’s hard for anyone to see the real Trinity. Enter Callum who is the complete opposite. He is talkative, outgoing and basically an open book.

Even though he is quite younger than Trinity that doesn’t stop him from going after what he wants. One thing that kind of irked me about Trinity is that she was always on the defense. Whenever Callum tried to build a report between the two she immediately goes on the attack about being a woman in a male dominated field. A part of me wanted to tell her to calm down. I will say Callum was a bit forward to be working for her. I kinda liked that he didn’t allow her to run him. 

Although I know this book is fiction you really have to suspend your belief in reality for a second. So she gets death threats through the mail from time to time. But doesn’t keep any of the evidence? What if the threats turn out to be serious now you have no evidence and nowhere to start? Oh but wait she knew exactly who it was after some thought. It could have been a little more suspense surrounding that.  Both of the characters seemed very young in nature. I would have liked to see more of the legal aspect shown in this book.

 I did like the relationship with Callum and Justin. But this book was missing something for me. I didn’t feel a deep attraction between the two characters most of it was on the surface. The interactions between the two felt like a running list of day to day activities. For example when they finally get alone time together it was like what will they do on the farm? When something finally did happen it was short lived. I understand this was a short story but it could have been more developed. I like the concept of this series but most of the women characters seem the same, they love rap ( surprisingly); are curvy and fall for the alpha male. I think Trinity could have been a great character with more development. Although this story wasn’t my favorite in the series. Readers check out the series for yourselves. 
This is just my opinion not the gospel 

** ARC OFFERED THROUGH NETGALLEY**

Approaching The Bench is the latest book in the Conflict Of Interest series and one that I really enjoyed.  It was a fast paced read that hooked me in almost instantly and kept my attention from the beginning to end.  I am a paralegal so I tend to be a bit harder when it comes to books with attorneys in them because I do know and understand a lot of the terms and procedures.  I didn’t need to worry when it came to Approaching The Bench, it was a pleasant change of pace from what I have been reading a lot of lately.  

I loved Callum.  He made this book in my opinion.  He is sweet, he is sexy and he is determined to get underneath Trinity’s robes I mean skin or do I?  He balanced her character out beautifully and I loved that once they were thrown together because of what happens you see a softer side to Trinity.  She is a judge and when on the bench she doesn’t mess around, she needed the fun and lightness that Callum could bring.

I don’t want to give too much away as this book isn’t very long but even so it was not lacking at all.  I can’t wait to read the next book.  If you are fans of Ms. Fernando I think you will like Approaching The Bench as much as I did and if you are new to her books make sure you check her out!

Great combination of sweet and sexy with a bit of suspense thrown in. The story is fast paced and entertaining, the characters are likable, and the dialogue is witty. I've enjoyed each book in this series, but I think Callum may be my favorite hero so far. He's funny and self-assured enough to be himself without being arrogant, and as it turns out, he's exactly what the hard-nosed Judge needs in her life. He and Trinity have good chemistry and while the suspense element is secondary to the attraction between them, it does make for an interesting turn of events. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next in this engaging series.

I enjoyed this title. It was actually shorter, and a little lighter than I was expecting.

Trinity and Callum are judge and law clerk. She is by the book, a little cold, and not interested in her younger law clerk, even if he is her type. Callum is younger, just out of school, and more than a little interested in seeing what is behind the facade of his boss.

But, she is not going there with him, no matter how much she wants to...until he saves her life. I liked this twist, and the way it moved the story. I liked that we didn't spend the entire book in a judge's chambers watching 2 people flirt over their lunch and coffee orders.

As I mentioned, this book had a lighter feel to it than the previous books in the series, which was interesting and gave it a difference that I enjoyed.

The writing was strong and flowed smoothly and in such a way that I believed I was reading about real people.

I enjoyed this title, I recommend it, and I am looking forward to the next one!

While I've enjoyed all the books in the Conflict of Interest Series, I think Approaching the Bench is my favorite. We get an older judge (who is actually young) and her sexy new law clerk who is brilliant, confident and easy going. Yeah, I'm liking this. 

Trinity is the youngest judge in the state and she has worked hard to get there. Setting a precedent, she's known for being hard core and no nonsense. Hardly anyone really knows the woman behind the robes. When Callum shows up, he's starting to crack those walls she has up slowly but surely. 

When a past case puts both Trinity and Callum's lives in danger, they are forced to go into hiding and have to face their growing attraction to each other. Now that they have admitted it, will they be able to keep this up once they are safe and back in the real world? 

I think my favorite part about this is knowing that Trinity isn't as hard core as she really comes off to everyone else. There's so much more to her and Callum is the one to bring it out of her. I've always loved when someone can warm up the Ice Queens. These two are so different from each other but in ways very similar. They are perfect for each other and I love all the jokes that Callum makes about their age difference. It's light hearted and in good fun. 

Approaching the Bench is a fun romance story where the hero will melt your heart and the heroine will grow on you more than you thought could happen. If you are looking for a little bit of danger but mostly fun, loving and sexy romance, then this is the book for you!

I absolutely adore Chantal Fernando's writing style. She has a way with words and a way with telling a story that is  crazily unique. I keep coming back for more. I'm officially an addict.

Approaching The Bench is the third novel in the Conflict of Interest series. This is Judge Trinity Williams and Callum Hopkins story.

When I first heard Callum and Trinity were getting the next book I thought, oh lord here we go! Trinity Williams has been nicknamed Medusa. She's a tough bird and being the youngest Judge she has to be tough, its a job requirement. After Trinity and Callum end up being the victims of a failed abduction, the police come to a conclusion that the two must go in hiding. 

I really enjoyed Callum and Trinity's story. I loved Callum's ability to slowly thaw through the icy exterior Trinity used as a shield. I also loved that this novel had a strong suspense vibe, it's a case of who is after the judge and why. 

The only downside, as is with all of the shorter novella types, I was left wanting more. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Callum......

Overall, I am loving the Conflict of Interest series. I love the characters and the issues they are confronted with. I highly recommend this series to everyone that loves suspense and romance!

We met Callum in the previous books in the series and I for one couldn't wait to get to know him.....or his smirk!

Trinity's inner monologue was hilarious. Uptight and standoff-ish on the outside she maybe but internally she is fabulous!

'He’s thoughtful. 
He pays attention. 
And he will never be mine.'

Oh Trinity how wrong you are! 

A quick, fab read with sexy times.