Cover Image: Not Guilty

Not Guilty

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Member Reviews

One of the hottest, if not THE hottest book written by Kris Bryant. This is full-blown novel to the short story Shameless.
Kris Bryant gives us a great story with heat that will leave your face pink. I'm surprised that my iPad didn't melt.

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Okay, I was so looking forward to this book that I snapped it up as soon as it was available and pretty much dropped everything to read it. I really loved the first novella Shameless and absolutely adored Emery. Not to mention how much I enjoyed the rather smutty story and the fantastic twist. When I heard that Not Guilty is the story from the mysterious woman in red’s perspective and then continues into a novel that expands the story and characters I was even more pumped. So I read it. I didn’t like it. I was gutted. The swagger and charm of Emery isn’t as apparent as this is all from Claire’s first person POV. And I loved Emery. Stupid Claire. 😦

Because I usually love Kris Bryant (Brit Ryder’s alter ego) books, I thought maybe it was me so I gave it another try. Second time was the charm. I enjoyed this much more the second time and I’m really glad I gave it another shot (note to self, stop setting up expecations and just go ahead and read what the author wants to write). I still miss Emery … and i think I was so set on a story focused on her that I didn’t give Claire the proper chance.

As a newly appointed Judge, Claire is hyper vigilant of reputation and not causing scandal – she’s so reserved and private that she fits the ice queen mold. But underneath that exterior is a woman of rather immense appetites (wink wink nudge nudge) and her unconventional rendezvous with Emery starts to chip away at her ideas of what and who she wants out of life. Claire’s an interesting character that at first I found was a bit bitchy and stand-offish but she grew on me. I think that there might have been a bit of a miss on developing her more as the bulk of the book was focused on her uninhibited love of good sex. As much as I did enjoy the book on the second go, I still have regrets around Emery’s character – she was so charming and roguish in Shameless and the other short story from BSB, that she felt flat and one dimensional in the book. Not having her POV was a miss and it may have given the story arc a bit more.

As Brit Ryder, the author writes a great sexapalooza. There’s a plot, there are characters, there are arcs, but there is sex. Lots of sex. Lots of sweaty sex. The change of POV from the original novella might give you pause, but it’s a good read if you are looking for a smutty bit of fun.

Overall, on the second read, I enjoyed this one.

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What a wonderful read. It hooks you up, from the first page. Honestly putting this book down was hard thing. You love the characters from the begining. They have awesome chemistry and are perfect for each other.
Add bit of crime and it is perfect mixture of hot reading.

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This steamy tale is the follow up to Brit Ruder’s Shameless. I enjoyed getting the know these awesome characters. Their story was entertaining and engaging. Thanks Brit for another great read!

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Exquisite!

Claire Weaver, a judge working on a high level case meets Emery on a night out and after an intense evening together, Claire didn’t expect to see Emery in her courtroom. When they recognise each other, they can’t help but end up entangled in one another’s lives, which ends up testing both of them and leaving them with many questions.

I loved this story! I have heard so many good things about it and it did not disappoint as it was so much more than I expected. Kris Bryant, writing has her alter-ego was absolutely brilliant. The story is hot, passionate and filled with drama making a really exciting read. You can really feel the passion between Claire and Emery, that instant attraction between them was just perfect.

The fact that this story concentrates on a fated meeting and builds in twists and turns to the story to make it so much more than the passionate affair you are first introduced to, made me excited for how the story was going to develop. I couldn’t put the book down as it really drew me in to the developing relationship between Claire and Emery, which was one hell of a rollercoaster because of the type of characters they were. They were both strong and determined women, they wanted different things, and yet at the same time when you really got down to it they just wanted to be loved.

An erotic story with a lovely romantic edge that makes for one tantalising and amazing story that you find yourself emotionally invested in. I adored the story and hope this is isn’t the last we’ll see of Claire and Emery as they are just magical together.

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This was such a fun read. Not Guilty is the full-length follow-up to the short erotica Shameless. Reading Shameless isn’t required to read this one but it’s so fun I definitely recommend it and you get to know Emery a little bit better. This is erotica with romance and a bit of a mystery/thriller aspect thrown in if the other two weren’t enough for you.

Claire is a newly appointed judge and Emery is a fire investigator and both are busy with their jobs. Neither have time nor a desire for a relationship. However, their chemistry and sexual compatibility has them deciding to give a no-strings-attached relationship a try. As you can guess, it doesn’t work out too well and feelings get involved.

Erotica usually isn’t my jam as there is little character development or emotional connection. However, Brit Ryder (Kris Bryant) successfully bypassed those issues for me. Claire’s changing feelings throughout kept my attention. She did go back and forth a little and while that got annoying it also felt realistic when you’re fighting with yourself about feelings you don’t want to have. Emery’s feelings also do a one-eighty and I wished we had gotten her point of view because it seemed to happen so quickly and was so different from her feelings in Shameless that it left me a little confused.

Even though it starts out pretty heavy with the steam, I thought the romance and the side plot of the mystery kept the story moving forward. Claire’s first case as a judge is more than it seems and I liked how it let Claire and Emery get to know one another better outside of the bedroom; even if they probably shouldn’t have been working together.

The heat level is very high here (it IS an erotica) and I will say if you don’t appreciate strap-on scenes, you probably should pass on this one. If that isn’t a deal breaker for you, I highly recommend this. It’s hot and sexy and entertaining until the very end.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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When Brit Ryder (Kris Bryant) burst on the scene back in 2017 with the erotic novella Shameless it became a hot favorite and one of my yearly re-reads. It still remains one of the sexiest pieces of lesfic to date. So when it became apparent Shameless would have a full-length companion I did the dance of joy! Could Brit do it again? Turns out she damn well did!

This time we get the before, during and after of what happened in Shameless between the judge and the fire investigator from the pov of Claire. Wonderful to get more insight into her life as a judge and how she struggles with keeping her private and work life separated. One fear I had was can a full-length novel both sustain that erotic punch of the novella and still have a believable romantic build-up. Not an easy feat but with Not Guilty I think Bryant made it work and keep everybody satisfied (pun intended!) in the process.

Read Shameless first. It would really be a shame if you didn’t.

f/f Have Mercy!!!

Themes: naughty judge Claire likes it rough, a new appreciation for the arts, strap-on excellence.

5 Stars

* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. for an honest review.

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For this book Kris Bryant is writing under the pseudonym of Brit Ryder. I have read all of Kris Bryant’s books and thought that I would try one of hers under Brit Ryder. Kris’ writing is particularly good, and I have enjoyed all of her books. As Brit, however, her focus is not on romance, but rather on erotica. I am not a fan of erotica and would not have selected this book to review. However, I read it since I was given it as an ARC.

There is a weak story in this book. It is written around hot, steamy sex. Brit has succeeded in writing an erotica book. For those who prefer romance to sex, then this book is not for you.

I rate this book 2.5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I am a huge fan of Kris Bryant and love erotica so I was very excited to get my hands on this book. Unfortunately, it really didn't work for me as I took a very strong dislike to Claire, one of the main characters. Setting aside how far-fetched it sounds to walk into a museum and have an encounter such as the one described in this book, I found Claire to be an extremely self-absorbed and pretentious character. Emery, the other character, was so considerate and lovely that I couldn't see what she saw in Claire. I also struggled to believe that someone who's just been appointed a judge would put themselves in the many reputationally risky situations that Claire did. Overall, this book was not for me.

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Sexy. Sexy. Sexy. Wow this was an amazing find, a great quick read with the inevitable loveliness. Great characters great story development and great sexy scenes.

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Brit Ryder/Kris Bryant wrote a great book, as always. Not necessarily you need to read Shameless first, but your experience might be more interesting id you do.
Be aware, this is not a sweet and slow burn romance. From the beginning to the end, you can feel the main characters chemistry. It is not exactly an erotica, but almost. You actually have a story there with well written sex scenes.

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My oh my! Although not necessary to read Shameless first, it makes for a far more interesting and entertaining read if you do. Shameless is told from Emery's point of view and Not guilty is told in more detail from Claire's point of view. These two women are intense and more romantic than they realize. Although realization unfolds as the story unfolds. While reading, I thought this is sizzling hot with an unsettling sub story. The secondary characters are a positive addition to the read, especially Jenn.

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3 stars. Claire Weaver has only goal, to be a judge for the Circuit court. She has won a case everyone thought she would not win. The last person the Judge expects to see is fire investigator Emery Pearson who dominated her last night in a way she cannot talk about. She technically can not be sleeping with someone who gives testimony in a case she is judging. She cannot stay away from Emery and how she makes her feel when they sleep together. They are perfect for each other, besides it might not be great for Claire's career.

If you are looking for a book with domination sex, this book is for you. This book has some good drama and I enjoyed reading it, and there was a lot of sex with the characters. This book is very similar to a Megan O'Brien's books, so if you like those, you will like this book. They both have drama that works well for the book, nd I enjoyed finding out where their story led. The only negative thing about this book is that it was not memorable to me. I am writing this review about a month after I read the book and I cannot remember little details about the book. The book was pretty well written and an easy read, I read it in a couple days.

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You just gotta love a Brit Ryder book.
Usually if you're looking for a book with erotic then it may lack a good story, and then if you're looking for a good story it may lack that bit of erotica, well if you're looking for both in one book you certainly won't go wrong with Not Guilty, oh boy does it hit both marks.

Great to see a book with strong characters, that bond and grow.

Would I recommend....Yes if you're looking for phew, hot under the collar moments

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This book is freaking HAWT! Way hotter than just hot.

So Not Guilty is a spinoff from the short story Shameless that was published back in 2017. Brit Ryder is actually Kris Bryant and over the years I have read a number of her romances and have enjoyed them. So picking up this one you know it's going to be solid. She does the d@mn thing with this one. If you haven't read Shameless, don't worry about it...Not Guilty includes all of Shameless at that beginning. I remember reading that short story and thought I was going to pass out.

Listen this romance is so good and steamy and sexy. Claire Weaver is a newly appointed judge. She rose to the top rather quickly because she took on a big case at a previous firm and won big. She is career oriented and doesn't have time for relationships. However, she does have time for sex. One would say that she has a fairly high sex drive and she doesn't mind seeking it out. She decides put some of that behind her and have this last high stakes fling with a stranger at a museum. Turns out that this sexual encounter is with fire inspector Emery Pearson. You wouldn't think they would run into one another again but they do on the first day of Claire's new gig at judge. Emery shows up as a witness. All I could do is SMH.

I loved that Claire is aloof and standoffish. She is actually a really likable character. And Emery is all butch and hot and sexy. The chemistry is off the charts and the sex is even better. BUT what makes this even better is there an actual story in there. There is some intrigue and mystery surrounding a case she is assigned. As you progress you still get the steaminess between the mains but you see how the other story unfolds. Kris Bryant/Brit Ryder does a really good job.

So honestly I would have given this 4.5 if the sex wasn't in it. With the hawt meter at 10 I have to give this 5 stars.

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

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This book was so hot I was worried it was going to burst into flames in my hands.

When I read Shameless in 2017, I knew I needed more from Emery and Claire. Their dynamic was so damn hot that a short story was never going to be enough. I'd advise heavily, that you read Shameless first. I gave it five stars and think it's the perfect prelude to Not Guilty.

Most of you know that Brit Ryder is the pseudonym for Kris Bryant. I love Kris' books because she has been straddling the erotica line with every book she sells. When Kris' writes a sex scene, she doesn't hold back, and her character dynamics play out beautifully in the bedroom. The reader always wants more. Not Guilty? Holy shit! Brit (Kris) killed it. This is erotica, so it's built-in that there will be a lot of sex, but when it's written as well as it was in this book… It was outstanding.

Sex is one thing, but what drives this book is plot and character development. Brit was able to keep my attention from start to finish with the story and the journey it took. I was so invested in Claire and Emery that I couldn't put it down.

I loved Emery. She is sexy, deliciously confident with a kind and compassionate warmth that frankly I was not expecting but was delighted by. However, the star of the book for me is the divine, Claire Weaver. If ever a goddess walked the earth, it would be Ms Weaver. There is something unbelievably sexy about a woman who knows what she wants but, more importantly, asks for it. Claire is the prime example of what sex positivity should look like, and damn, it looks good. Her character development warmed my heart, and by the end, I was crushing hard on her.

Claire’s best friend, Jenn, was another to add to my favourite secondary character list. She is a beautiful human who also found love along the way, and no one deserved it more. I loved that Brit added some diversity by making Jenn Pansexual. We need more diverse characters in our books, so this made me very happy.

Yes… there was an Epilogue, and it was so good that I would have given it five stars all on its own if I could have.

Listen, this book is on fire in the sex department. It's not safe for work and probably any place that's not your bedroom. I want to run through all the sex scenes with you one by one and tell you why they are exceptional and sexually progressive, but my laptop would surely burn out.

What was impressive is that Brit was able to show emotional chemistry and intimacy, which I adored. It made the happily ever after much more believable.

I will stop right there because you don't want me to ruin this excellent book for you. But I will say this. It is not often you find an erotica story that is not only an outstanding sexual journey but has excellent character development and a storyline that make you want to keep reading even when the sex scenes are finished. This book is the whole package. Don't miss out; grab your copy today!

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Claire Weaver is a newly appointed judge and the day before her first case in court she find her nerves appease by a stranger with a strap-on in a bathroom at an unexpected place. The last thing Judge Claire expected was to see the stud that had dominated her the day before in her court. Will she be able to resist the mystery stud or will she risk her court case and her heart?

This is the first book I read from Brit Ryder. I am a fan of Kris Bryant, so I knew this book was going to be good. I really liked the story line and both characters. I like that it was very centred on the main characters and not so much in the supporting characters. The sex scenes were well done and written although I wish they would have been longer. In my opinion they were too short and left you wanting for more... which actually tells you how good the author is.

I will definitely be getting a hard copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

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This was most definitely a hot read and one that I enjoyed for something a bit lighter with a lot more sex! I did like that there was some romance and storyline to this erotic book which helped me really connect with the story and the characters. An enjoyable read and one I would recommend.

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First can I say I love Brit Ryder. I read Shameless so I had an idea of what was going on but Shameless was from Emery’s POV and this is from Claire’s POV. Claire has just become a judge and has no time for romance. She just wants a hookup, so she’s goes to the Museum. Who knew the museum was a hot hookup place? She meets a tall dark and handsome butch that takes her breath away. They have a hot encounter that literally, takes Claire’s breath away. The next day Claire is excited to try her 1st case. She sits down and looks out into the gallery and there sits tall, dark and handsome in a fire inspector uniform and she look even more yummy. Her name is Emery and she is a witness. Needless to say they have more hookups but it turns out Emery may want more and that scares Claire so she stops seeing her. After the 1st case is tried the Mayor comes to her and asks for her to go easy on the perp. She did not. Odd things start to happen around her and to her. Someone is not happy with her. A man attacks her and Emery stops him. Claire and Emery join together to find out what’s going on. So you have hot sex, suspense and in the end a love story. Excellent read.

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NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Steamy mystery, erotic romantice book. It's the story of the Honorable Claire and fire investigator Emery. You will fall in and out of love with them and their friends. Be prepared to have to cool yourself down during the steamy bits.

Some won't like the direction the author took but I enjoyed all of it.

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