DELAYED JUSTICE is the third book in Ms. Putman's series (Imperfect Justice, Beyond Justice and DELAYED JUSTICE) but it easily stands alone. Jaime is a lawyer because she wants revenge on her uncle who sexually molested her as a child. She connects with Chandler who has a dog who is a counselor -- or rather used as a comfort animal for some clients.



Ms. Putman said in an interview I read somewhere that DELAYED JUSTICE was a very hard book for her to write. I can see that. It has dark undertones and is heavy at times, but the message is needed. The faith message is very subtle but at least it's there.



I was not ever sexually molested, but this book was very hard for me to read. I hurt for Jaime. I was also bothered greatly by the ending. It didn't feel resolved to me--especially Chandler. I won't give away any spoilers, but I was left with questions.



Ms. Putman is an excellent writer, engaging, and she obviously knows her law, so it is fascinating how she uses lawyers in her books a lot. Fitting, for a lawyer who is also a writer, wouldn't you say? Fans won't want to miss this book, and will be kept guessing with the suspense. Will justice be served?



I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Imagine learning at a young age that you cannot trust those who should be most trustworthy. The ramifications of such a travesty will follow you for the rest of your life. But will they define you, or will you rise above? Jamie has carved out a career as a lawyer, working in the Public Defenders office, trying to help bring justice to those who need it most. Is it possible that she will experience some of that justice for herself or will she be afraid of the shadows forever?
An incredible legal thriller that shows the importance of learning to trust again - God, friends and even family. This very well written book keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you watching the shadows whenever you go out!
I received this ebook through CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

Justice … is it better late than never?

This book comes with a warning, it has to do with the very serious issue of pedophilia and rape. Thankfully, not a lot of detail, but enough to make you want to puke, especially realizing that this perversion goes on in homes all over the world and even is legal in some countries and religions. God’s beautiful gift of sex to be enjoyed between a married man and woman has been twisted, turned, maligned, mocked, denigrated, degraded, (need my thesaurus now), all throughout history. Every day in the news, there is something going on that has to do with the broad subject of sexuality gone wrong.

What would a person do if they grew up with injustice, I suppose the smart thing to do is to join the justice system and help others who were treated unjustly (and maybe in the process get the nerve to seek out and bring down their own tormenter). This is precisely what Jaime Nichols did. In the process, she meets a kind-hearted man who provides his therapy dog, Aslan as a helper for a young girl who is going through similar things Jaime endured as a child. No more details …. Spoilers!!! And since its genre is legal romantic suspense, then we know it’s no secret there will be a romantic relationship element entwined in the story.

What I liked:
The spiritual element was definitely there. I really liked the patience Chandler showed while he helped her, as she helped others. I liked that he encouraged her toward the Lord and provided her with one of the most beautiful, modern day parables, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Using a child’s story, to speak to the frightened and bruised child that still cowered inside her. To the best of my knowledge and memory, God’s Word was used appropriately and God was glorified.

What I didn’t like:
There were times it was a big draggy and repetitive, especially when relating to the deepening relationship. I didn’t like it, as story-telling, but I could understand it on the emotional level, considering all the horror she had been through as a child. She had a lot of emotional baggage. I felt some of the repetition did get in the way of helping move the story along.

Overall, it’s a good story for a mature person. It certainly opens your mind and heart to those who have been through these horrible things. One thing reading fiction like this can do is help you process the horror, without being overwhelmed by the reality of it. For me, I know the subject is a real problem. My problem in reading reality is that I get overwhelmed by anger and want to see the perpetrator crushed!!! And if that doesn’t happen I am stuck with a ball of fire in my gut. So, fiction can open your eyes to understand a shadow of what people go through, and if justice gets served, you are left satisfied, so you can process the lessons learned from the story ….. and it’s OK to hate a fictional character!!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book as a gift. The opinions I express are provided without obligation for a positive review. I receive no compensation for the review, other than a really good read.

She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard. Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jamie, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart. Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child. This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.



My Thoughts: Cara Putman has written a powerful novel that focuses on issues we see every day. This is a novel about strength, recovery, trust and finding hope in God. This is a fast-moving story-line that keeps the reader's interest, there are no dull moments in this novel.


The characters were easy for the reader to identify with. Jaime has worked hard to work through her trauma and to seek justice. Chandler the veteran who suffers from mild PTSD. The author did a wonderful job with Chandler, a man who has also with the help of Aslan push past his trauma. As I said the author has touched on topics that I believe everyone has or knows someone touched by these traumas. The author has done a wonderful job bringing these to the readers' attention and showing that with counseling, the victims can obtain justice and freedom from the past.


I enjoyed that C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" from "Narnia" were brought into the storyline. I immediately fell in love with Aslan and the job he performed in the story.


This was a wonderful and a joy to read. I highly recommend this one, especially to those who enjoy action and suspense with a little romance mixed in.

This series from Putman is simply amazing. I don't think I've ever read books that are more relevant than these. This book does touch on some very difficult topics but never goes into any details. Putman's ability to bring to light issues including child abuse without actually getting graphic is very much appreciated. I still felt the pain from the characters but didn't have to read specifics. I found that I got the full picture without having to cloud my mind with images.

It seems that this book fits right in with some of what is happening these days between the Me Too movement and also what is happening in Washington D.C. right now. While this book is a different situation than current events in the media right now, it is in essence still going to bring forward the same feelings for many women. I would advise that if you've experienced abuse you read with caution.

Putman also uses another relevant theme of PTSD and trauma. I loved that she included a therapy dog. I am very intrigued by them and know a family that has one for medical patients. I wish my elementary school could keep a therapy dog on the premises to help our students that have experienced trauma! I loved reading how Chandler's dog helped a young girl.

This book (and truly the whole series) has a great balance between legal, suspense, and romance. I love the friendship among the characters. I've also loved the male/female relationships that have evolved. The stories are so relevant in that they could actually happen today and are so authentic too. I love fiction, but I especially love it when it is truly believable.

This book was impossible to put down. Don't start it expecting to put a bookmark in it and go to bed. I read it in one sitting and it went super fast in spite of the sad topics. Thank you so much to Putman for another excellent book!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher and CelebrateLit. This is my honest review.

4.5 stars

“When He seems most hidden, He is most present.”

Y’all. Jaime’s story undid me. Maybe because of the current news headlines. Maybe because of the tie-ins to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Aslan. But definitely because Putman has woven together a story of a woman finding her voice and using it to fight for justice for those who can’t yet speak up.

Jaime may compare Chandler to Captain America (and you won’t hear me complain about that visual) but she is a true superhero in her own right. To have risen above the heartbreaking abuse in her childhood – and the emotional isolation it created – to achieve not only great personal success but also solid friendships, a tender heart, and a fun sense of humor is inspiring to me. And then to take on the powerful man who abused her, just when he is in the public eye as never before… her courage is something to aspire to in my own life. Even though I have not experienced the abuse that Jaime suffered, we all have moments where we stand at the crossroads of ‘speak up’ and ‘stay silent’. I hope I have the courage that she showed to speak up when needed – and, conversely, to stay silent when needed.

Chandler… blissful sigh. The Captain America comparisons are not far off. This military vet is an all-around good guy with a protective heart and a faithful Golden Retriever named Aslan (which, as an aside, is totally what I want to name a golden retriever, should i ever get one). His instincts are spot-on as he gets to know Jaime and begins to see the hurt she’s carried inside for far too long. Balancing his attraction and growing feelings for her with the need to make sure she is protected – and to patiently and compassionately work through her honest faith questions with her – definitely shows off his Captain America side quite nicely...

Bottom Line: I loved the journey that Jaime and Chandler take toward God, justice, and wholeness in this latest installment in the Hidden Justice series. It’s not a light-hearted read, to be sure, but there are moments of humor at just the right times along the way. The references to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe made my bookish heart happy – and the way Putman used this book in Jaime’s life is just perfect. Besides being a great legal thriller, this is a story of courage and hope even when God seems absent, knowing that He is in fact closer than the air we breathe and grieving with us. Putman tackles tough questions and does so with grace and authenticity. A great addition to the series!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

This is one of those books that has me feeling conflicted within...it is both hard to put down and hard to pick up.

Let me explain myself. You see, it is hard to pick up because it deals with some very difficult issues in life, the main one of which is childhood sexual abuse.

Reading about Jaime as a young girl and the terrible things she went through was about more than I could take.

And yet, these kinds of stories are exactly the kind we need to read, to remind us that horrible things like these might be happening where we least expect them to be. What can I do, what am I doing, to help?

Jaime is an incredible character. Strong, and yet oh so frightened. Lovable. Wounded. Looking for hope. Daring to believe. I was drawn to her from the first chapter.

And now, after saying all of this, you probably see why I also found it hard to put down. It is the kind of story that you feel like you must keep reading just as fast as you can. In hopes to get the character out of that hard spot in life.

I love this story. The realness of it. The pain. The courage. The growth.

And the suspense...ah...yes...I love a good suspense novel. And legal thrillers are way up at the top of my list. This one ranks up there as one that is worth re-reading.

Due to the painfulness of the abuse described in this book, I would not recommend it for younger readers.

Thrilling, yes. Thought-provoking, absolutely. Bringing hope, yes. I choose to believe that reading a book like this can only help but draw us closer to God.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Delayed Justice, the third book in the Hidden Justice series by Cara C Putman is a story that lures the reader in immediately and doesn't let up. Even though part of a series, this book can easily be read as a stand-alone story as the author has filled in enough backstory that the reader is not left with a lot of questions wondering who characters are and what has happened in the past. In Delayed Justice, readers follow the painful journey of Jaime, a victim of childhood sexual abuse, as she pursues legal action against the perpetrator. The emotional tension and drama are intense as Jaime's difficult and crushing past collides with her unknown future. Putman does an excellent job with the sensitive and devastating subject of sexual abuse, never explicit and yet accurate in the depiction of the emotional and life-changing aftermath. Deep scars have left Jaime with a burden that she has carried alone for years. Will she allow her friends and family to help carry lighten her load? "Maybe she didn't have to walk with a pronounced limp of brokenness the rest of her life". She has felt abandoned by God since childhood and as a result, her journey to faith is not a simple one, even as she senses His tug on her life. The story is multilayered with several other broken characters and the author expertly intertwines their stories into Jaime's story. Two interesting factors in the story were the use of comfort dogs for children who have had traumatic events in their lives and the information regarding Veteran centers to help soldiers readjust to life at home after a tour of duty. Delayed Justice is a poignant and heartbreaking story and yet it is filled with hope, hope that is found in family and friends and the blessed hope that is found as one places one's faith in a God who is present and is at work in our lives even when we cannot see or feel Him.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

I think this third book in Cara Putman’s Hidden Justice series is my favourite so far, offering an engrossing and emotionally charged story as the two main characters not only struggle to overcome their own demons, but help a young girl battle hers. And it includes the bonus element of Chandler’s therapy dog Aslan, who has a special role to play in helping this young girl find her voice—and a somewhat less serious role in introducing Chandler and Jaime to one another!

While the legal element was definitely still here, this story dealt a lot more with the emotional impact of abuse and preparing to confront an abuser in court. In some ways I felt this overshadowed Chandler’s personal story a little bit, but overall, I felt the characterisation in this novel was the strongest of the three books in the series so far. Jaime, in particular, had quite a lot going on, not only finding the courage to speak up about her abuse, but also taking tentative steps towards a romantic relationship and discovering a God she had long resented for not saving her from abuse. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Chandler and Jaime—her mix of spunk, sass, and guardedness, and his determined but cautious pursuit.

The suspense element to these stories simmered in the background for the most part, occasionally increasing a little in heat, but never quite reaching boiling point until the last chapters of the book. But when it hit boiling, boy did it hit boiling!

A great choice for readers looking for a strong emotional element to their romantic suspense!

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

I thought the author did a good job at tackling the extremely difficult subject of abuse without overwhelming the reader with details. The characters (main and secondary) were all believable and authentic. Especially Jamie's emotional struggle with her past as well as her future.

From being forced to open up herself and her home, Jamie is tasked with reexamining her relationships with her friends and family, as well as with Chandler. Jamie really goes on a journey throughout this book and it's so interesting to see her grow and change throughout the story.

I liked Jamie and Chandler's relationship. For one thing, it wasn't cheesy! He was the perfect person for her and their relationship was really well done. He wasn't pushy but he also knew when he needed to step in and help.

The faith aspect was also well done. I find that a lot of Christian books can really beat you over the head with religion and just be way over the top, but the faith angle in this book was subtle yet resolute.

While there wasn't as much suspense as maybe the other books in the series, I was still left wanting to know what was going to happen next. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Cara Putnam's Delayed Justice is as real as today's headlines. Jamie Nichols has undergone years of therapy to become strong enough to hold her uncle accountable for the abuse she suffered at his hands. Now a lawyer she hopes her voice will be heard before he is elevated to a higher rank.
Chandler Bolton a retired veteran, has been training his dog Aslan to help young victims. Chandler, Jaime, and Aslan work together to help a young girl become strong enough to testify. This is a thrilling story of Delayed justice. Set in Washington DC this story is very realistic. So grab a sweet tea and settle in for a great read!

I was given this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

“This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life. “

Before I start the review, I feel the need to give a trigger warning. This book deals with childhood sexual assault. No details are given but the whole book revolves around this topic.

What a perfect book to end this three book series! Cara Putman expertly deals with a horrifying topic in a very caring and informative way. I wasn’t sure I could read this book, due to the subject manner but I am so glad I did!
I love Jaime and Chandler and I rooted for them through the whole book. Everyone needs friends like Jaime’s and a man like Chandler Bolton in their life. This book is all Christian, part suspense, part mystery and part romance. I honestly thought I had the whole thing figured out but I was utterly wrong.

I appreciate an author that keeps me guessing. The only negative of about this book is the side plot involving Chandler and another man. It just didn’t add anything to the story and seemed completely out of place within the context of the rest of the book.

I recommend to anyone who loves a good suspense book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own.

#NetGalley #DelayedJustice #ThomasNelson

This novel could be out of today's headlines. It is amazingly timely. Jamie has waited nearly twenty years to report the sexual abuse of her uncle when she was a child. Putnam has crafted Jamie well, giving us insight into why Jamie felt she must wait until she was strong enough to go through the pressure of the accusations. The striking part of the plot is that her uncle is up for a military promotion to one star general. Jamie is a strong woman but she needs additional strength and that comes in the form of Chandler, so a little romance is involved too.

I appreciate Putnam revealing the legal processes involved. I was surprised to find that there is no statute of limitation for such sex crimes in some states. But it is hard to prove something that happened so long ago. It's also dangerous when the predator is a powerful man determined to prevent his reputation from being ruined.

I highly recommend this novel to readers who like plots centered on legal procedure and the people involved. You'll get a clear sense of the residual damage from sexual abuse, the feelings of unworthiness, questioning God's role, and more. You'll also experience the pressure of testifying to abuse, whether a child or adult.

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

Love this legal thriller by Ms. Putman. Plenty of thrills and interesting characters. Looking forward to her next book!

As an elementary teacher for over a decade, I have a heart for children, especially those that come from difficult homes. In grad school, I remember learning how childhood trauma can have devastating results. I am so glad that Cara Putman wrote this book! The author deals with this difficult topic in a brilliant manner. She made the trauma painful and very, very real without actually describing any of it. This book is the third novel in the Hidden Justice series, which focuses on female lawyers and their dangerous cases. While I loved the other novels in this series, I loved this one the most so far. It is by far the most personal of the three novels, because the pain is that of the protagonist in this novel, as well as the young girl she tries to help in a similar situation. This is a powerful novel that deals with this painful topic while never resorting to cliché. This book is perfect for readers that love mysteries and novels with great emotional depth. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Delayed Justice is the thrilling third book in the legal suspense series, Hidden Justice. Like the first two books in the series, Delayed Justice offers a riveting mix of legal drama, romance, strong friendship, faith, personal discovery and suspense. Delayed Justice is particularly stirring and tender as the characters face horrific cases - personal, past and present.

Jamie Nichols works tirelessly as a criminal defence attorney to give a voice to those who don’t have one, fighting against the powerlessness she faced in her own childhood. Now in her adulthood she has decided to press charges against her abuser, but she knows it might bring about fierce retaliation. When she is asked to assist a young girl facing the same horrors she herself faced, Jamie knows she can’t refuse. Even if it means working closely with retired veteran, Chandler Bolton and his Golden Retriever therapy dog.

Delayed Justice takes readers on a journey of healing, of justice and voices standing strong. Delayed Justice and its message of speaking out against sexual abuse, especially when committed by people in positions of power, is incredibly timely. Jamie’s story is powerful and moving, as is the story of the young girl Jamie and Chandler work to help. Delayed Justice explores the heartbreaking process of trialing these cases in the US legal system.

Family, friendship and romance all play important parts in Delayed Justice. Jamie struggles with her relationship with her parents. Launching the case against her abuser gives Jamie a chance to reveal her pain to her parents and to start rebuilding the relationship between them. Fortunately, Jamie has an incredible support system around her (even if she is sometime reluctant to draw upon it). Her friends (many of which are familiar faces from the first two books in the series) bring tension release to the story and very needed support to Jamie. Finally, the romance is a delightful part of Delayed Justice. While Chandler and Jamie do not have a smooth first meeting, it isn’t long before the two are working together and supporting each other through the challenges they both face. The chapter sections written from Chandler’s perspective, which alternate with those written from Jamie’s point of view, also give readers a more in-depth understanding of the pain he has faced and his growing feelings for Jamie.

Jamie undergoes a journey of spiritual transformation in Delayed Justice. Through gentle (and persistent) nudges from her caring friends and frank discussions with Chandler, as well as reconciling the events of her childhood, Jamie is able to move from distrusting and doubting God to entering a firm relationship with him.

At times a little disjointed and heavily dialog focused, Delayed Justice has a complex and layered story but is quick and easy to read. With a constant underlying tension and a spike of action right at the end, Delayed Justice will keep readers hooked to this thrilling tale of justice.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

What happens when you finally come forward to accuse the man who molested you when you were a child and he also happens to be your uncle? Jamie Nichols was molested by her uncle while her father was on deployment when she was a child....she didn't have the "voice" to step forward then but as a public defender she does now and the accusations just happen to coincide with his appointment as a general. In the process, Jamie is asked to help another young victim who has been molested with the help of Chandler Bolton, a veteran who has a therapy dog to help clients.. Jamie's uncle will stop at nothing to have her "voice" silenced.

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.
Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.
This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.

This was quite an eye opener book for me. The story reveals the trauma experienced by children who have been molested in childhood and how it affects them into adulthood. Jamie was a victim of sexual molestation by her uncle. As an adult, she now feels she is strong enough to press charges against him. This is the story of Jamie's journey. I recommend this book to everyone. It is the third in the series. But can be read as a stand alone book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I really enjoyed reading Cara Putman. I had not read any of her books before, she was one I had always wanted to pickup and just never gotten around to. That is one of the reasons I signed up for a blog tour. I will have to go back and read her other ones as this one is not really a straight romantic suspense. It is more a romantic issue book. I do recommend it to those who like romantic suspense though because it has the same feel.

Well done and well worth the read. Can't wait for another of Cara's books.

I have yet to read any of the other books in this series but regardless I enjoyed this book and loved reading about Jaime's story. It's a story about strength and finding the courage to face your past. I found it slow moving at times and there were a few storylines that I felt could've been left out as they didn't make sense. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I am planning on reading the other books in the series.