Ok all the hours I have spent watching reality TV finally paid off because I felt like I was reading about characters I have watched on TV. ( don't tell my husband because he's the one that makes me watch it) If you've ever watched any of the Housewives shows you'll feel right at home with this book. The author was very creative to use some of the Housewives but change the names slightly, but all us diehards know who she's referring to. I live in a gated community where several Housewives live so it just made it more fun and familiar. The story felt very similar to the movie Legally Blonde and I was all for it. The main character Sydney is picked for jury duty and excited to learn its for one of the stars of the reality show she knows all about. I found her a very likable character and was happy to see a little something happen for her in the story. I thought all the side info about what it takes/means to be on a jury was pretty cool as I've never had to do jury duty. ( If I get a summons after this I will not be happy). The story was lighthearted, funny at times, and just an easy read.

If you’re a fan of The Real Housewives, Courtroom Drama is a fun read. The mix of mystery, forced proximity, and emotional stakes really worked to make this a fast paced and exciting read. While the romance didn’t always work for me, I did find myself rooting for these characters

There has yet to be a Neely Tubati Alexander book that does not make laugh, cry and swoon. What a joy it is to read her stories!

"Courtroom Drama" is Neely's third book and is great for fans of reality TV, romcoms, and/or Legally Blonde — and who doesn't like at least one of those three?

Sydney Parks is a super fan of reality TV show Authentic Moms of Malibu and may be the only person excited to sit on the jury of the case against OG AMM cast member Margot Kitsch, who is accused of murdering her husband. But when Syd shows up for jury duty, she finds out that more than Margot's case will be tried when she comes face-to-face with her childhood best friend and first love, Damon. The pair haven't seen one another in ten years and will now spend every day by one another's side. Syd thought she knew the verdict of the case before the first gavel strike, but as she and Damon come to find out, not everything is as it seems in the courtroom — or in love.

I interviewed Neely for 12News and was sent a copy of her latest book to read before our interview. Thank you to Neely, NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to not only read such a great book but share it with the Arizona community. (Stay tuned for more on 12News.com and 12+ closer to release day!)

I love how immersed in the trial I became as I read "Courtroom Drama." Of course the central love story was great (more on that later), but I also felt very invested in knowing whether or not Margot committed the crime. The evidence was compelling, the descriptions of each day in the courtroom were vivid, and even though I had my suspicions of Margot's verdict, I still let out a gasp on the final page! The storyline presented also wove seamlessly into the overarching love story — parts of Margot's experiences reflected back moments in Syd and Damon's pasts, which was well done and offered a lot of depth to their shared history.

Now, if you've never read a book by Neely, you should know: her characters are laugh out loud, kick your feet funny, while also being layered and intentionally relatable. The banter is witty, the comebacks are sharp and the characters are as loveable as they are real. I love how it took Damon a while to open up even to Syd, someone he has known and loved for so long, because it was important to acknowledge that yes, they were best friends, but ten years have passed, and it's okay for people to change. I love how Syd wrestles with how her parents have impacted her life in both good and bad, and how we see not just her love story with Damon unfold, but the reconciliatory love between her and her mom.

If you are looking for a new book to binge by the pool or bring on your next vacation, mark your calendar for May 20 and snag a copy of "Courtroom Drama!"

I thought the premise of this rom com sounded interesting- two former flames, on a celebrity jury together. I didn't expect it to be literary but I thought it would at least be entertaining. Well, it was not. I have read some great books lately and this was not one of them. It was silly and not well written and somehow also boring. Unfortunately, this one was not a hit for me.

This was very cleverly done. The heroine, Sydney Parks, is thrilled to be on jury duty for the murder trial of a star of a reality show about rich wives in Malibu. She has watched every episode and followed all the gossip. Somehow, she makes it onto the jury. And there she encounters Damon, the guy who was her best friend while she was growing up and then who left without any further contact when she was 16. She was very resentful to encounter him now 10 years ago. And now they’re sequestered and warned that they shouldn’t be fraternizing with each other.

Well, of course they do. The author weaves together the information that is coming out in the trial to make Sydney doubt what she had thought about the woman now on trial for killing her rich husband. And she comes to realize that she still feels strongly for Damon. They have to navigate their past relationship and what has happened since then while hiding their connection from the bailiffs guarding them while they’re sequestered. I enjoyed following the murder trial from the jurors’ points of view while also following the growing romance between Sydney and Damon.

This was very well crafted. The only thing I objected to was the very last line of the epilogue. That was totally unnecessary, but otherwise, I recommend this book. I don’t like the sorts of reality shows depicted in this book and haven’t watched any of the sorts the author is describing, but fortunately that wasn’t all that big a part of the story so I could focus more on the trial and romance aspects of the story which I enjoyed much more.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander
This sharp, hilarious second chance romance is perfect for fans of reality TV drama, impeccable banter, and everyone who has ever gone to jury duty and wondered if two of your co-jurors were flirting with each other (hi, it's me). Childhood best friends to jurors to... you'll have to read to find out! 😉 Publishes May 20, 2025.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC! The premise of this one was so unique but the story just didn’t grip me like I hoped. I’m sure others will enjoy it, just didn’t hit for me.

Okay as someone who works in law this was SO well done.
The definitions I thought were such a wonderful addition for those reading the book who likely have no legal/court experience.
I am a big Real Housewives fans so anything with that type of a feel I know I am going to eat up.

I really think this books was a ton of fun and really did a great job of properly demonstrating a trial.
If you love Bravo and/or true crime this is for you!

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for the ARC

This book gives romance and mystery a whole new twist with a courtroom drama. Loved the concept of being into the two main characters but also sucked into the case taking place throughout the book. I thought adding in all the definitions with every chapter was fun. Makes you want to be on a jury but don’t want to be sequestered. I loved the banter, the second chance element and the behind of the scenes of being on a sequestered jury. I have read all her books and this might hands down be my favorite.

Courtroom Drama is delicious. An absolute DREAM for second chance romance x forced proximity fans like me. It’s clever and unique, incredibly fun and equally emotional. And the longing! The hurt! The past transgressions! Not to mention the way Sydney and Damon have unknowingly kept each other close during their decade apart. It’s tender and funny and honestly, everything you could want from a modern day rom com.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC!

Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander blends reality TV and legal drama in a contemporary romance with touches of humour. I love how the author was able to infuse both emotional depth and humour into this book. It all made for an engaging and enjoyable read. I also liked the chapter headers (1. Educative 2. Funny).
I got the ARC from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks | Harper Perennial via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

I was lucky to receive an advance digital copy of Courtroom Drama by Neely Tubati Alexander — a smart, genre-blending novel that surprised and delighted me. While it's categorized as contemporary/rom-com, the story skillfully weaves in elements of courtroom drama (true to its title) and emotional depth.

The plot centers around the high-profile trial of a famous reality star accused of murdering her husband. There is also the compelling subplot involving two jurors who share a complicated past - one of them, a die-hard reality TV fan - and the the story follows the pair as they reconnect a decade later and serve on the same jury.

This was my first time reading the rom-com genre, having discovered Neely's writing last year — and I’m so glad this was my introduction. Neely's book is excellently written. Neely does a fantastic job with character development, creating relatable characters while also maintaining a level of intrigue about 'what lies beneath.'

Courtroom Drama offered a much-needed escape from reality and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves the genre, as well as those (like myself prior to reading it) who haven't previously dived in.

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley and Neely Tubati Alexander for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

3.5 stars

This book is basically two stories. One, the trial of a reality star of which Sydney is a juror. Two, the reuniting of Sydney with Damon, someone she hasn't seen in ten years and who is also on the jury. While these two stories are woven together into Courtroom Drama it made for a lot to keep track of.

Personally my favorite story was the trial of Margot. The chapters about the trial and all the drama in the courtroom were easy and fun to read. I really didn't care much about the romance brewing between Sydney and Damon. I did like reading some of their backstory though. Not all of it. Just some of it.

Sydney and Damon were ok as far as characters go. I never felt a really strong connection to either of them. I thought some of their hijinks were a little far-fetched for a sequestered jury. Once again, I found myself enjoying the courtroom characters more.

The pacing of this book was a mix of slow and fast. I was a bit bored with the Sydney and Damon scenes but couldn't get enough of the courtroom. (See a pattern here?)

I think I would have enjoyed this book more had it just been about the trial. It was interesting to see how Sydney dealt with seeing one of her favorite reality stars on trial and how her perception of Margot changed throughout.

This wasn't a bad book. It just wasn't the rom-com I was expecting. There was also not enough of the trial I found myself enjoying.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you, NetGalley, Neely Tubati Alexander, and HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So admittedly, I didn’t know this was going to be more of a drama. Am I dumb because it is in the title? Mayhaps. I thought this would be a rom-com based on the description, but boy was I WRONG. This is basically a drama with a romance subplot. Which isn’t bad, don’t get me wrong! But not what I was expecting, nor what I was in the mood for. Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying the love that this main character has for reality television and what she feels is her call to ensure justice occurs. Her life was much more complex and had a strong parallel to the court case she is a jury on. And I loved the overlapping conflict that mounted tension with her best friend from her formative years that comes back into her life for this case.

It was a bit vulnerable, reflective, and educational (with all the legal definitions). And I enjoyed the main characters ability to self-reflect well and be aware of her own bias. But I just wanted MORE. More humor from our sparse glimpses from side characters, more romance with our hottie, neighbor bestie, and just way more drama on her side of things.

I did really love the twist that drives home a sneaking suspicion at the end.

Would I recommend this to most? Probably not. BUT if you are someone who loves reality television and the drama genre of fiction, you would undoubtedly love this. You would likely be imagining your favorite house wives and the likely case that would occur should one of them be accused of killing their husband.

Courtroom Drama is a great second chance romance. Syd and Damon are both characters that you want to win and find their shot at happiness together. Also, if you are a fan of reality TV and in particular, Real Housewives, you are going to love how spot on the references are and how these ladies act. Every single Easter egg made me smile and I bet I even missed some! I highly recommend this for a fun, steamy read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

First of all, huge props to the author for such a unique setting for a romance novel. I could have hardly imagine a romance set among jurors sequestered together!

However, because of this unconventional setting there was a lot going on and I feel the romance doesn't get a chance to develop properly. There were several characters to keep track of- jurors, the people on trial/witnesses apart from the main characters. This book was trying to be all at once- reality TV, romance, courtroom drama some mystery etc. - and I think because of that it was difficult to keep track of the broad story arc. Also, for the most part there is a lot of internal monologue and back story for the FMC, which gives less room for the actual romance to develop between the two characters.

Overall, I love the author's writing style and look forward to her next!

#CourtroomDrama #NetGalley

This was such a fun book! I really enjoyed it, and if you’re considering, definitely recommend picking it up.

First, it was such a unique premise. We’ve all thought about what it would be like to be on the jury of one of the biggest trials of the year, what it’s like to be sequestered with your fellow jurors, etc - but I never even considered a torrid romance coming out of it!

This has it all - friends first, forbidden love, forced proximity, reconciliation - and it’s all wrapped up in such an interesting court case.

If you like reality TV, or court cases, or just salacious stories, this is a must read.

I would have enjoyed this title more if it had focused on the trial at the center of the story rather than the romance between the two jurors. The chemistry between Sydney and Damon felt flat, and the tension from their past relationship added little to the narrative. Overall, I was hoping for a more compelling novel filled with courtroom drama and came away disappointed.

Courtroom Drama was a super interesting premise (love story within a jury) that never quite landed for me. I am not a Real Housewives fan, but I get the sense that those who are might enjoy the commentary about the case a bit more than I did. I was a little annoyed by the investment that Sydney made into the show’s characters- get back to the love story already. It was mostly enjoyable though I think the romance was a little less developed than I would have hoped. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This book read like a dream! I loved it so much oh my goodness.

This gorgeous, gorgeous novel follows a cast of characters as they are selected to be on a jury during a high profile murder investigation. BUT two of them know one anotherrrr.

The writing was so good I can’t believe this was a debut. I’m constantly in awe of people who can write such superb stories and characters. The plot of the book takes us through the entirety of the trial but sprinkles in some lightheartedness and background on the two main characters. It was tender and sweet - feels like it’s hard to say that when murders involved but as we learn from this book, two things can in fact be true at once. The final chapters of this book had my heart squeezing in my chest. Just yay