Was this occasionally over-the-top? Yes. Did I sometimes question the logistics and/or the sheer volume of sexual tension packed into a single book? Also yes. Did I enjoy every messy, banter-filled, steamy second of it? Absolutely. Overruled is pure guilty pleasure. The legal backdrop is mostly there for vibes, but the enemies-to-lovers heat is undeniable. I had a great time with these characters even when I was side-eyeing their decisions. It’s dramatic, sexy and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which honestly made it all the more enjoyable. Not a five-star literary gem, but if you're in the mood for something hot, fast-paced, and delightfully chaotic, this one delivers. Solid romance escape read.

Read this if you like:
•enemies to lovers
•lawyers
•banter

I really liked the banter in this one. Family baggage makes it interesting too. And I love that we follow a case and they’re opposing counsel. Thank you Berkley for eARC!

What a fun, flirty, and deliciously spicy read! I was fully hooked from the opening argument. The banter between Dani and Ezra? Immaculate. The tension? Fantastic. And let’s just say Ezra Hart was so down bad, I couldn’t get enough.

Danica Pierce is a powerhouse divorce attorney who’s got no time for love and every intention of making partner. Her focus is razor-sharp…until a certain charming rival shows up on the wrong side of the courtroom.

Ezra might be the enemy on paper, but the real conflict is what’s simmering under all their sparring. As secrets come to light and emotional walls start to crack, Dani’s left questioning what’s more dangerous, falling for her rival or risking her heart again.

Smart, steamy, and full of heart, this book had me grinning one page and blushing the next. Fans of enemies with benefits, lawyer drama, and men who are absolutely feral for the heroine: this one’s for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley and the author for sending me an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

My rating: 4.25 stars
What you can expect:
- Loathe to love
- Divorce lawyers
- Opposing counsels
- Family drama
- Golden retriever MMC
- Black cat FMC
- Great banter
- SPICE (since the prologue)

My thoughts:
This was such a fun fun read and the perfect story for fans of lawyer tv shows.
I knew what I could expect of Lana and she didn't disappoint: fantastic banter, great characters and amazing spice. I had the best time with this book.
Dani and Ezra's chemistry was toe-curling good, and I was pleasantly surprised with their background stories, too (especially hers, actually. That was a fun twist to the divorced-parents trope).

His family drama was a bit too much for me, if I'm completely honest, but I liked how Ezra used his karma-loaded fists against this guy's nose. I'm not pro-violence but some people really do be asking for it, so THAT was really satisfying. It was also really vindicating to read how the other scumbag got what he deserved in the end. I was literally holding my breath during the final trial scenes and they DELIVERED.

In all truth, I don't know what I enjoyed more: their continuous loathing of each other as foreplay, the actual explosion of the tension each and every time, or the resolution of the whole family ordeal.
Also, this is my official petition to Lana: we need Eli's redemption book. Please!! (and thank you).

I have enjoyed all the books I have read by Lana Ferguson so far, and this one takes the number one spot hands down for me. The banter between Dani and Ezra was just SO GOOD. I loved how feisty Dani was towards Ezra and honestly so did he. Ezra was so down bad for Dani from the very beginning, while she was always in her head, fighting her feelings for him.

-Rival Lawyers
-Enemies with benefits
-he falls first
-workplace romance

I apparently did not know how much I need a fun little law themed romance in my life until I picked up Overruled. Once I started, I flew through this book and had so much fun with the banter and tension. If Law and Order and The Hating Game had a baby - it would be Dani and Ezra’s relationship. This was a spicy hate to love story with the sassiest, take no BS FMC and an irresistible golden retriever MMC. It’s such an enjoyable workplace romance that also delves into the topic of difficult family dynamics. Overall - this was another great read from Lana Ferguson and I’m so eager for her next book!

Thank you Netgalley & Berkley Pub / Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read and review this eARC 🫶🏼

3⭐

when two divorce lawyers also happen to be work-rivals-with-benefits, things can get a little... messy. which is exactly what entails in this fun and fast-paced romance. the drama was JUICY and that's mostly what kept my interest piqued. otherwise, this was a bit mid at best. not a super memorable romance and yes, while both the mmc and fmc have been through some crazy things in their upbringing, i just couldn't connect to them. i did feel for ezra though, seeing that he had a rougher childhood. the spice was a bit over the top in my opinion, and kind of cringed me out one too many times 😭 i thought they were fine together but it took them so long to finally get together. the entire time i was thinking that it was just going to get messier, which it did.

thank you to berkley romance for the e-ARC and PRH audio for the audiobook!

Overruled by Lana Ferguson
Narrated by Connor Crais and Samantha Summers
Standalone Contemporary Romance.
3.5 Stars

I requested an ARC of Overruled by Lana Ferguson and was thrilled to be approved for both the paperback and the audiobook. I love lawyer books, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read one. Opposing counsel? Yes, please! I enjoyed the listen, but I can’t say I loved anything more than the MMC and the client.

Dani and Ezra work at rival divorce law firms and find themselves in a hate-sex situation. Mostly, she hates him and he teases her. Every time they hook up, she claims it’ll be the last time—but of course, it never is. Dani is so mean to him, and he keeps pushing her buttons in this cocky, flirty way. I can’t blame her for caving.

They end up on opposite sides of a divorce case, and this part really pulled me in. I especially loved Dani’s client, and the case kept me fully invested. There was a LOT of sex in this book. Normally, I enjoy steamy romance, but the sex here was so frequent and so vanilla that I started zoning out. The scenes were well-written, but they seemed to be the only form of communication the couple had.

Ezra definitely falls first, and I adored him. He’s cocky, smirky, and always riling her up. He calls her “Sour Patch,” which is honestly perfect for her. They’re both in their thirties, but neither really acts like it, especially Dani.

Ezra has real family trauma, but Dani’s issues annoyed me more. She’s been angry at her parents for over ten years because they divorced when she was eighteen and told her they had only stayed together for her. She thought they were madly in love, but they said they’d always just been best friends. Now they’re both remarried and still close, and honestly, they seem like great parents. I couldn’t understand why she held onto that anger for so long. Ezra’s family situation is more complicated, but even he’s in his thirties and still letting his dad run his life. He had valid reasons, but he should’ve fixed things a lot sooner.

I love a good hate-to-love romance, and at first this had all the fun I was hoping for. The banter between Dani and Ezra was great, in and out of the courtroom. And I have to say, Connor Crais’s narration made it even better.
"Tell me to leave, Dani." Ezra's voice is quiet now, and I can feel the warmth of his breath only inches from my mouth. "Or I'm going to kiss you. Tell me to leave, or you're going to let me kiss you."

Likes:

•The hate-to-love at first.
•I loved Ezra.
•How he loves to ruffle her feathers.
•The divorce case they were on opposing sides of. I loved the female client.
•The banter.
•The sex was well written.
•I liked his family story.
•I liked the story of her friends’ little side “romance”.
•He uses her name all the time, and it made him so sexy!

Dislikes:

•I never thought I’d say this, but too much sex. While it was well written, it just got boring. Every time I thought they would finally talk, they just bone each other.
•Her family trauma just kind of pissed me off.
•Huge lack of communication.
•The way it all wrapped up felt rushed compared to the rest of the book, even though I liked the ending itself.

The Narration:
The narration is a big reason why I enjoyed Overruled as much as I did. Connor Crais was perfect as the sexy, teasing attorney. Samantha Summers nailed prickly Dani. Their chemistry made the banter and steamy scenes even better.

The Down & Dirty:
I have mixed feelings about Overruled. I enjoyed listening to it, especially Connor Crais’s flirty teasing as Ezra. However, I never loved the FMC, which is a big deal for me when it comes to fully enjoying a romance. I found her mean to him for no real reason, and instead of being mad at her parents for over ten years, I felt like she should appreciate them more. The sex scenes were vanilla and so frequent that they got boring, which made it hard to rate the heat level. If I’m going by quantity, it’s easily over a 4. But in terms of how hot it actually felt? More like a 3. Still, I really liked the storyline, especially the cases they worked on. I loved the sexy banter, the MMC, and Dani’s client and coworkers. If you like very steamy courtroom romances, I would recommend Overruled by Lana Ferguson. It reminded me how much I love a good lawyer book.

Rating: 3.5 Stars, 3.5 Heat, 4.5 Narration

Okay, your honor, i love them. Specifically Ezra. He was so down bad for Dani. DOWN BAD. These two were just so much fun, I loved their story, their characters, the banter, the spice, and the family suspense plot. It was so great and I adored this book so so much.

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers romance and I'm especially glad that I listened to the audiobook. Connor Crais and Samantha Summers did a fabulous job bringing the humor and chemistry to life. I adored the way Ezra fell hard and he knew Dani well enough to give her the time and space she needed to realize she loved him too. I also liked the family drama that gave a little mystery to the story and the way that was resolved. This is not your average romcom and the added depth makes it a more emotional experience.

3 STARS,

ONE thing i know for sure i will enjoy when reading any lana is that i will enjoy her writing. and i did in OVERRULED!!

ezra and dani had chemistry OBVS and i did enjoy them together, but dani was very unlikeable to me.. perhaps just a bit too prickly. ezra was so sweet that i just feel like he needed someone a little .. nicer .. to balance him out.

overall, this was an easy read, with a fun storyline and lots of spice. would recommend as a nice palate cleanser.

thanks for the ARC!

SO FUN! My favorite of Lana's books to date. We have two rival divorce lawyers against one another in a divorce case and the battle happens in and out of the courtroom.

The banter in this book was UNMATCHED. Ezra and Dani had so much chemistry. I almost felt bad for Ezra sometimes because Dani was so grumpy. Through the middle of the book though her prickly exterior made sense. Lana developed both characters so well with the backstories and family history. Overall, this book was a quick & fun romance book perfect for a beach read in the summer!

Such a fun, enjoyable ride by Lana Ferguson.
Believe it or not, this was my first Ferguson book. It was pretty much what I expected, but with some added humor and wit. Ferguson writes spiiiiiiicy books, you guys. Super spicy. I knew that in theory, but wasn't fully prepared for it. For me, it was a bit too much, which I knew was likely going in. As for the story: Well-written, well-paced. You will be rooting for these two before the end!

Lana Ferguson's "Overruled" is a highly entertaining and steamy enemies-with-benefits-to-lovers romance that truly sizzles from the first page. Dive into the world of cutthroat divorce lawyers, Danica Pierce and Ezra Hart, who are constantly on opposing sides in the courtroom and, as the story opens, also in the bedroom – attempting to keep their red-hot connection strictly physical.

The premise alone is a winner: two workaholics with deep-seated commitment issues, both shaped by their experiences with divorce, who just can't seem to stay away from each other. The "enemies" aspect of their relationship is expertly crafted through their professional rivalry and sharp, witty banter that leaps off the page. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at their exchanges, even as the tension between them ratchets up.

What truly elevates this book is the dynamic between Dani and Ezra. Ezra, in particular, is a standout hero – charming, persistent, and undeniably smitten, even if Dani tries her hardest to keep him at arm's length. His "he falls first" energy is incredibly appealing, and it's a delight to watch him chip away at Dani's carefully constructed walls. While Dani can be prickly and perhaps a bit stubborn in her resistance, her character arc feels earned as she confronts her past traumas.

"Overruled" doesn't shy away from the heat; the spice is abundant and well-integrated into the story, reflecting the undeniable chemistry between the leads. However, it's not just about the physical. Ferguson skillfully weaves in emotional depth, exploring the characters' vulnerabilities and the reasons behind their reluctance to commit. The legal subplot also adds an interesting layer, keeping the pace engaging.

While the "I hate you, but I want you" dynamic can feel a tad repetitive in certain sections, and a couple of the communication missteps could be frustrating, these are minor points in an otherwise compulsively readable and incredibly fun romance. If you're looking for a workplace romance with high stakes, undeniable chemistry, and plenty of steam, "Overruled" is definitely a case worth taking on.

3.5 🌟 Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review! First off, this book was LITERALLY screaming Stevie and Harvey from SUITS, like if you know you know. It was quite literally their dynamic, almost to a tee and I was living for it (although it did have some faults).

Both divorce lawyers who have always been on opposing counsels, Danica and Ezra have undeniable chemistry. Did I mention that they’ve been hooking up on the low this entire time, Dana saying “that was the last time” and Ezra “yeah right”. Again, Stevie and Harvey coded!! The story centers around one of Danica’s biggest cases of her career, one that potentially could make her partner of her firm, but you guessed it, Ezra is on opposing counsel and has been known to kick her ass so she is stressed and pressed.

As someone who ate shows like SUITS and Scandal and Law and Order up, this book was something I did enjoy. Especially with the chemistry in the courtroom banter and the fact that there was this underlying physical chemistry from their love affair but, I couldn’t stand Danica. It takes a lot in me to say I do not like an FMC, but I couldn’t get behind her behavior or attitude. I support a woman’s rights and wrongs, but I was fully on Ezra’s side during this story (and I would never pick a man over a woman).

Ezra quite literally deserved better than the way Danica treated him. I understand stress from a situation that was so high pressure, but she was just someone who lacked positive behavior or communication skills with ANYONE. I mean she didn’t lighten up at ALL. SHE WAS MAD THAT HER PARENTS WERE BEST FRIENDS POST DIVORCE (not a spoiler, literally you find that out second chapter in). My girl was bitter as hell. She was quite literally mean, like plain mean. I definitely wished there was more character growth out of her and I wish there was more communication for two grown adults in their 30s. ESPECIALLY FOR TWO LAWYERS WHOSE JOBS ARE TO COMMUNICATE!!!

All in all, this story was a sexy and fun time for people who love a steamy legal dramatic romance. A fun flip through, but Danica does not deserve a man as good to her as Ezra! HE WAS DOWN SO BAD FOR HER!!! 🫣👏🏻💖

LOVED!!! I think this is my new favorite Lana Ferguson book? The chemistry! The spice! The romance! I loved everything about it! Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this was soo good!

I loved Danica and Ezra! They both felt like well fleshed out characters. Dani occasionally got too fixated on her parents, but overall, everyone in the book had a great arc and showed real growth. The people felt real and I LOVED that Dani had a high profile job and was career-oriented. Her job never took a back seat, showing you can be a #bosslady and find your happily ever after.

The plot never slowed down with the romance and the case. There were twists and turns all along the way. I loved that we started with spice and then worked toward romance in this one. The spice was amazing throughout! So varied and Ezra was 🥵🫠 That one scene...no spoilers, but I legit flopped on my bed and had to take a break after 😂

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a spicy romance with believable characters and a strong female lead.

I thought the premise of this story was so fun and I ATE it up!!!

Dani is our grumpy FMC who just got put on the biggest case of her career and will do anything she can to make sure her client gets the justice she deserves. Meanwhile, Ezra, our sunshine-y golden retriever is her opposing counsel and under his father’s command to fight dirty so his client can win.

Both Dani and Ezra have been rivals for years as Divorce Lawyers and Dani has always disliked Ezra for reasons unbeknownst to him. Fortunately for him, they end up having a rivals with benefits relationship that slowly starts to become more as they bond over their familial relationships and traumas.

This story had banter, spice from the first page, tension, and depth to each of our characters that was HEAVILY worked through. I loved seeing both Dani and Ezra find healing in their lives together, but also getting to experience the court setting that pushed them together in the first place. I do think getting to see how their “benefits” relationship had started would have made the story come together a little better for the reader as we just see them in the middle of their affair as the book begins, but otherwise, I ate this book up and loved every moment of it!

If you’re looking for your next spicy contemporary romance with workplace rivals, a cat dad, and just enough emotional turmoil to keep you wanting more, pick up Overruled now!!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an early copy of this book!

4.5⭐️
3.5🔥

Quick Breakdown

Rivals to Lovers
Divorce Lawyer MCs
Enemies with Benefits
Fighting as foreplay
He Falls First
Dual POV
Open Door - High

Thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted eARC & @prhaudio for the ALC #berkleypartner

Not going to lie, I started off feeling indifferent while reading Overruled only to end it feeling charmed & low key obsessed. That’s part of the Lana Ferguson magic, IMO.

This read like a sexy book version of Suits. Two rival divorce lawyers who share an enemies w/ benefits situationship that morphs into more. As I’ve come to expect with Lana’s previous books, Overruled is hot & spicy, but it’s smut with a plot. Both MC’s came with their own baggage & backstory & I loved watching them find their way to each other.

I highly recommend reading via the audiobook if that’s your jam. Overruled is narrated by Samantha Summers & Connor Crais in duet which I fully believe is one of the reasons I enjoyed this as much as I did.

This was my first Lana Ferguson book and won’t be my last. Dani and Ezra had amazing chemistry in the courtroom and bed…er living room as rivals bordering on hate. Reading the court scenes was as much fun as the romance. Great time!