Wow! Great read!! It's actually my first book I've read from Chantal Fernando and it definitely won't be my last!! This is a series but like I said i haven't read any of them and I definitely don't feel like I missed anything but I'll be going back to read the others!! It was that good! This book is Hunter and Rileys story, Hunter is a divorce attorney and owes one of his buddies a favor and gets stuck with a jerk of a guy with his divorce, Hunter and his buddies hang out at this local New pub. That's where Riley comes in she's the owner of the bar! So hunters hot for her and doesn't realize until it's to late that now he's stuck defending her idiot ex!! Of course a whole bunch of other good stuff goes down and it makes for a terrific story line!! Definitely don't miss out on this book it's well worth the read!! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for sharing this book with me!! And thank you Chantal Fernando for writing an amazing read!! I loved your words!! #NetGalley #Simon&Schuster #leadingthewitness

One name should say it all....HUNTER!

From the beginning I have been intrigued by Hunter...the hottie who hides his tattoos behind his crisp business suits. The man who hits on anything in a skirt. But as you turn the pages in Leading The Witness you will soon find that Hunter is much more than what his playboy exterior shows. He's so much more than I could have even imagined!

And then we have Riley, the bad ass bar owner with a fiery spirit and a whole lot of sass! Riley has always been a character on my mind since I started the Conflict of Interest series. Just by the tiny glimpses of her and Hunter's banter I knew she was going to be my favorite heroine in this series. But what I wasn't expecting was for Riley to have such a crazy story attached to the spitfire persona that makes up her personality. 

Riley is on the brink of finally getting what she has wanted for the past year...a divorce from her douche canoe of an ex....and trust me when I say...this man is a serious ass with a capital A! 

Hunter has had his sights set on Riley since the first moment he walked into Riley's bar and saw her. Their relationship has been and endless amount of sexual tension and endless flirtations but through it all Hunter never overstepped the line knowing Riley was married. Now all bets are off the table and Riley is fair game....Until he is hired to be said ex-husbands lawyer.

I absolutely loved the twist of Hunter representing the ex douche in the divorce. No matter how much he didn't want to. This showed a type of dedication to Hunter's character and his career. And even though these scenes between Hunter and Jeremy made me uncomfortable at times and literally had me wanting to punch Jeremy for being as I stated above, A HUGE DOUCHE CANOE, This face made me see Hunter in a brighter and newer light.

Riley is put through hell, what with her pending divorce and the aftereffects of said divorce. My heart legit broke for her. One thing about Riley though, she always faced the obstacles that were thrown her way head on. This one is a stubborn independent individual. 

Overall, I can honestly now say, Leading The Witness is my favorite book in this entire series! I expected this to be the outcome because...hello...HUNTER, but I never imagined I would love this book as much as I loved it!

Hunter Brayze - Divorce attorney for Bentley & Channing Law.  Hunter is known as the tatted up, playboy lawyer of the firm.  He's easy going and the ladies love him.  Riley caught his eye a year ago when she opened up her new Pub however she's married and off limits.

Riley McMahon - Owner of local pub called Riley's.  She's got a pin up girl vibe to her.  She's sweet but sassy.  Married but soon to be divorced and she has a thing for Hunter.  She see's the playboy in him and knows that's the last thing she needs right after a divorce.

Riley is a total sweetheart.  She and her soon-to-be ex have grown apart and want different things.  She just wants a quiet divorce and only wants her dog and her pub even though she is entitled to half of everything.  The ex is being petty and wants to take everything away from her.  Unbeknownst to Riley and Hunter, the ex hires Hunter as his divorce attorney. 

I really enjoy it when an author takes a playboy and turns him into a loyal, protective boyfriend.  He's been attracted to Riley for a year but knew she was off limits.  The minute he finds out his new client is her husband, he's ticked that she didn't tell him but also elated to know that she will soon be free to date.  He's in an impossible situation but handles it all very well.  

This one is my favorite out of the series.  Hunter is an easy guy to crush on and Riley was a very like-able heroine.  Plus there is a great cast of side-characters in this series and the author added even more with the employees of the pub.  A lot of possible future books!  ARC provided by NetGalley.

This is the second book that I have read of Chantal Fernando and I can say that I was pleasantly surprised in how much I really enjoyed this book. I love lawyer books and anything that has a bit of suspense involved and as soon as I read the synopsis of this book,  I was intrigued. I have read books in this series and was not in "love" with them, however, I really enjoyed the plot line and characters in Leading the Witness. 

When we are first introduced to Riley McMahon she is tending bar at her newly opened pub. She is in a troubled marriage, unhappy with her life. In walks Hunter Brayze into her bar, tattooed, bearded and all suited up. Riley and Hunter cannot help but instantly be attracted to each other, however, Riley is married and unavailable. Flash forward a year, Riley's pub has grown successful and she has finally grown some balls and left her deadbeat husband only to find out that his new divorce lawyer is non other than Hunter, the man she has secretly been pining over for the past year.  The attraction that Hunter and Riley have for each other is tested when they are forbidden to be together to protect Hunters career.  

Fernando does a wonderful job in creating a story line that keeps you wanting more and her ability to write characters who have this undeniable chemistry is amazing. I loved Hunter and Riley and the passion that they had for each other. Riley had the courage to leave the husband who was bringing her down and Hunter had the desire to go after what he wanted - Riley. The suspense in the story line was great - a who dunnit type of mystery and it wasn't who you suspected. 

Overall, this was a fun, light story of love conquerors all.  If you have read other books by Chantal Fernando, you will enjoy her latest book Leading the Witness from the Conflict of Interest series. The characters are charming, the story line is thick and full of greatness and Fernando has showcased her writing capabilities. Add this to your To-Be-Read Shelf.

***ARC provided by author for honest review***

I have been waiting a long time for this book, Chantal Fernando did not disappoint as usual with the previous books in this series. In Leading the Witness hot, sexy Hunter finally gets his book and Riley is just the girl to give him a run for his money. The sex is hot, the anticipation hotter, and the story line the hottest yet.

Hunter isn’t your typical family lawyer, tattoos, well built and a nice little surprise that you will need to read about. He is as cool as they come and an alpha. 

Riley on the other hand works hard for what is hers and when her sleazy ex-husband tries to ruin it all, the legal team at Hunters’ firm step up. 

Friendships are made, people get ticked off and everyone gets an HEA. A fire, a raging mad ex, and some drugs all make this come full circle. This is one book you don’t want to miss in the series. A fast read that I give five stars.

**Review by Terren, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night w/ Books**

3ish stars.. This one did not do it for me the way the last few have. I like these stories because they usually involve a little drama and good chemistry with the characters. I fee like this story lacked a little of both. It had it's good moments, but overall I was bored. I enjoyed the last one so much, this one had more to live up to. It felt rushed, not because it was a short read, but because it was just fast, but something was missing. I need more drama, more conflict.

Title and author:  Leading the Witness by Chantal Fernando 
Series:  Conflict of Interest - Book 4
Publisher:  Gallery Books
Releases:  April 17, 2018
Purchase:  https://tinyurl.com/ycxlycds 
Genre:  Contemporary
Author website:  http://www.authorchantalfernando.com/  
Rating:  4.5 Stars

The series is named Conflict of Interest, and choices made in this compelling story frequently clash with what is actually desired. Two individuals have been trading sharp-witted banter for a year, but the bar owner and lawyer assume nothing more will ever happen between them. Yet when circumstances change and the probability of Riley McMahon and Hunter Brayze becoming more than friends increases, both feel taking things slow is for the best. But their control is tested because of the mounting sexual tension whenever they are near each other. Chantal Fernando makes LEADING THE WITNESS entertaining with candid comments and always realistic events.

When Riley McMahon and Hunter Brayze met for the first time, he was a customer in her recently opened pub. Although she thinks the tattooed lawyer is exceedingly handsome and his flirting affects her, she is certainly not going to act on it since she is married, A year later, her business is doing well, and the divorce lawyer plus his coworkers at Bentley and Channing Law come in several times a week for a meal or drinks. What is not so great in her life is her impending divorce.

After Hunter finds out the man whom he will be representing in a divorce case is the husband of Riley, he knows she will lose much if he follows the wishes of his client. He also realizes winning should be most important to him, yet he secretly wants to make her vindictive husband pay her instead. As the demands of each are declared Hunter tries to keep his emotions out of the equation, because what he feels for Riley is not at all professional.

LEADING THE WITNESS has a romantic couple who will long be remembered. Hunter has been a favorite character in this series, as he is charming and always seems to have a good-natured comeback ready. In his own story, I got to know this likable man even better, and every fact learned just made him more appealing. While he has dated lots of women, his feelings for Riley are like nothing he has felt before. When she becomes available, his actions prove what a truly admirable person he is at all times. What Riley had to go through is very real, as divorces are often messy and future ex-husbands can be spiteful. I liked that she did not back down, and her determination showed she can stand up for herself. The scenes where Hunter is in lawyer mode were fascinating, and I was anxious to see how the proceedings would go. Chantal Fernando had me believing every incident could actually happen, and I was thankful for getting the views of both main characters.

There are numerous occasions where colleagues of Riley and Hunter make an appearance, and conversations are regularly amusing and caused much laughter. Yet there are also some discussions where sincere feelings are mixed in, and these moments had me sensing the truth behind the words. LEADING THE WITNESS is another engaging story in the Conflict of Interest series.

I voluntarily reviewed the book from the publisher via NetGalley, and all comments are my honest opinion

Riley has a great friend in Kat, even if Kat has selective hearing, “you haven’t had *** in over a year?” she asks , eyes  going wide. “No wonder you’re so grumpy all the time. Damn, woman. How are you surviving? Doesn’t every male look good to you right now?” She glances around the bar, as if looking for p*****s." Hunter isn't bashful, “well since you’re not objecting.” He grins and lets the towel drop. “Unlike you, I’m not shy.” I liked this book, I loved Hunter and Riley.

I really enjoyed the romance between Hunter and Riley. Hunter was my favorite in how patient and thoughtful he was with Riley. I also liked how independent Riley was and how she takes a chance on Hunter. The mystery behind who burned down her bar took an interesting twist, which I liked. This was a read I'd recommend!.

Riley is dealing with her horrible marriage and is happy to spend most of her time running her own business, a pub. Hunter, a local lawyer, has been attracted to Riley since he first met her at the pub but knows she's married so he keeps some distance. When Hunter ends up representing Riley's soon to be ex in their divorce proceedings things get really complicated. I really enjoyed this second chance at love story!

Thankfully a completely standalone novel - but I will have to go back and read about the other couples from previous books :) 

A fun and funny story with a bit of well done drama, not a ton of angst, and sexy humor abound.

Riley McMahon has put her blood, sweat and tears into making her pub/bar a success.  Riley attributes a good part of that success to her many regular customers, regulars that include all of the employees at Bentley & Channing Law.  Riley and her crew quickly befriend the lawyers from that firm, but when Riley herself is in need of a lawyer after it became clear she couldn’t salvage her marriage, she was too embarrassed to ask anyone from Bentley & Channing. 

Hunter Brayze at first sight took an immediate interest in Riley, but knowing she was married, he kept his distance.  Randomly he agrees to represent a guy in a divorce case as a favor to a fellow lawyer.  The client ends up being a real jerk, but he gave his word to his friend and he intends to follow through.  Low and behold the guy he’s representing is Riley’s husband...in his divorce from Riley!  From that point, I was glued to my kindle to see what Chantal Fernando had planned!  Wowzer!

I always look forward to diving into Chantal Fernando’s novels, and Leading the Witness is the perfect example of why!  I have read all of the prior installments in The Conflict of Interest series and I was thrilled to get Hunter and Riley’s story.  The synopsis had my interest peeked and I am so happy to say that this 4.5 star read lived up to all of my expectations!  I thought the storyline was fast paced and original.  I found both Hunter and Riley endearing and it was also great to catch up with past favorites.  If you haven’t started this series yet I highly recommend it!

Oh my, I wish I had a Hunter in my life. Drool worthy, that's for sure. Riley needs a good man like Hunter after the disaster of her ex husband.

This book is fabulous! The story is very gripping and so much goes on that you just need to shut the family up so that you can read! 

Riley has a lot of stuff going on in her life and Hunter is the last thing she thinks she needs. Silly woman! Take him and take him NOW! That's my opinion. Hunter is simply divine: alpha male, kind, patient and sexy with a capital S! There is so much sexual chemistry going on between Riley and Hunter that it's hard to understand how they hold off for so long. 

This is my second book by Chantal Fernando and I'm hooked. I recommend this book; you won't be disappointed.

I have been totally waiting for Riley's book....I can't lie. And reading this blurb had my eyes popping out. Yes....give it to me, its exactly what I wanted!

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked......

Hunter is a lawyer and he is a dreamboat! 'I’m one of a kind, Hunter replies'....oh yes you are Hunter!

Riley owns the pub down the road from his office. There has been a mutual attraction for a while but the only problem was that Riley has been trying to get things settled with her ex husband.....and let's just say her ex, Jeremy, is piece of work, I wanted to smack him!

Hunter and Riley's relationship is beautiful and it sings out through the pages....and of course there is drama!

For the record ...I love Preston