This second-chance romance between childhood best friends, reunited after 10 years apart when they serve on the same jury for a murder trial, was slow and felt like a lot of unnecessary internal monologues. While the narration was fine, there was nothing particularly remarkable about the story and plotline.

Twists and turns abound in this novel of jury duty and romance. Fun characters with a rom-com spirit.

I just couldn't get into this one. I found the narrator a bit bland, and the story didn't keep my attention.

I enjoyed this one, but there was a lot going on. I'm not sure I entirely followed the courtroom portion of the plot, although I do always enjoy a second chance romance. Did she Margot kill her husband? Is this a series? I wasn't sure if I just missed something or if the cliffhanger at the end meant there was going to be a second book about Margo. I enjoyed Damon and Sydney's relationship and liked how they were able to work through their past issues. I did have some problems with Sydney's eagerness to get on the jury combined with her disregard of the rules. It seemed like she should have taken the whole thing a little more seriously. I also didn't love that she was mad at Damon for having a different opinion than her about the Margo's innocence.

I thought the audiobook was well done. I don't think I would seek the narrator out, but I think she did a great job with the male voices.

This was a fun audiobook that I'd recommend to library patrons looking for a genre-bending story with a mix of romance and mystery. I'm not a fan of the housewives-style reality shows, but I still enjoyed this book. The narrator did a great job.

A lighthearted forced proximity, forbidden, second chance romance involving two former summer camp friends who find themselves serving as jurors on the same LA celebrity murder trial. I liked the courtroom drama premise - there was lots of great Elle Woods moments that I enjoyed but to be honest I could have done with more relationship/romance moments and a little less court case moments. An okay read for me - lots of feel-good fun with a slightly predictable ending. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to HarperAudio for an early review copy.

This book follows Sydney, who has been selected for a sequestered jury on a high profile case, following a reality TV star she is convinced is innocent. Much of this book revolves around the drama of the court case, while the romance with Sydney's childhood best friend, and another member of the jury, takes a back seat. Narrator Cindy Kay delivers a great performance.

Sydney Parks is super excited to be chosen for the jury for the biggest celebrity trial of the year. Margot Kitsch star of "Authentic Moms of Malibu" is charged w/ murdering her husband, Joe, and Sydney is determined that she get a fair trial. However, Sydney soon discovers that she is to serve jury duty with Damon, her old neighbor/best friend that she hasn't seen in ten years. And they hadn't parted on the best of circumstances.
But being sequestered is definitely not what Sydney envisioned; especially since she's been concentrating more on Damon than the actual trial.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperAudio for an advance listening copy of #CourtroomDrama. Great characters in a sequestered jury setting. The book also offered an interesting commentary on the obsession with celebrities. Four stars.

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.

I have loved everything Neely Tubati Alexander has written, so I was excited to read this. And it didn’t disappoint!

Sydney Parks has been selected to serve on a jury for a high-profile case involving Margot Kitsch, a reality TV star she adores. However, when she discovers that Damon, her childhood friend and first love, is also on the jury, not all the drama centers around the trial.

This perfectly blends courtroom scenes as the trial unfolds alongside Sydney and Damon’s evolving second-chance romance. Similar to the trial, we uncover details about Sydney and Damon’s past, their intricate family dynamics, and subtle elements that demonstrate their connection, despite being apart for years.

The jury is sequestered for the trial, creating an atmosphere of enforced proximity, while Sydney and Damon try to sneak around to be alone. While there are moments of humor and even a bit of spice, I found it to be more personally intimate and emotional at times as serious topics are addressed.

Some people may find themselves captivated by the trial (equally as much as the romance) as it unveils a fascinating mystery, with Margot playing a crucial role in the story. The ending leaves me wondering whether this is a cliffhanger or merely a loose thread. Regardless, I'm eagerly anticipating what Neely Tubati Alexander will write next!

Thank you @harperperennial and @neelyalexanderwrites for this gifted book. 🎧Thank you @harpercollins #harperaudio for the gifted audiobook narrated by Cindy Kay via #NetGalley.