Love and Order (Legacy of the Maguires 4) by Stella Holt-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 14, 2023

She’s keeping secrets—and he has the answers she doesn’t know she needs.

Finn Maguire may be the baby of his close-knit family, but this former Navy SEAL has never shied away from a challenge. Now a lawyer with a plan to practice business law, he’s ready for a normal life. The coveted junior partner position is his next goal—but he’s pitted against the enigmatic woman he’s spent two years admiring from afar, and he can’t resist his desire to learn more.

Hailey Adams grew up in foster care, where she learned how to avoid danger. Her intense self-discipline and vow to never let anyone make her feel vulnerable again have landed her one case away from the security of partnership at a prestigious D.C. firm. But teaming with the charming Finn tests her well-honed ability to keep people at a distance.

Finn finally breaks through Hailey’s walls just in time for her to find out he kept the biggest secret of all. Will this be a case Finn loses, or can Hailey learn to trust the first person who’s made her feel safe?

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REVIEW:LOVE AND ORDER is the fourth (and final?) instalment in Stella Holt’s contemporary, adult LEGACY OF THE MAGUIRES romance series focusing on the Maguire siblings. This is former US Navy SEAL /attorney Finn Maguire, and twenty-eight year old attorney Hailey Adams’ story line. LOVE AND ORDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Hailey and Finn) LOVE AND ORDER follows the building romance and relationship between attorneys Finn Maguire and Hailey Adams. Finn Maguire and Hailey Adams are both in line to make junior partner at the firm of Baxter and Stewart but in an effort to prove who is worthy for the lone coveted position, the firm wants the duo to work together on a divorce case that will push the limits of betrayal and greed but Finn never expected to fall for his fellow attorney, a woman most considered cold and aloof, but fall he did for our story line heroine. Hailey Adams is determined to win the case and the position at Baxter and Stewart but someone is trying to sabotage behind the scenes, and Hailey is about to discover that the more time she spends with Finn Maguire, the more she is falling for the man who could break her heart. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Finn and Hailey, and the potential fall-out as another case for Finn begins to take on some familiar significance.

The world building continues to focus on the large and boisterous Maguire family including Finn’s siblings and their significant others. As Finn and Hailey begin to uncover some information pertaining to their case, help may come from an unexpected source, a judge with close connections to our story line hero.

The relationship between Hailey and Finn is one of co-workers; attorneys forced to work together wherein only one will be awarded a junior position at the firm. Finn Maguire is hoping for something more with our story line heroine but Hailey’s past is about to come full circle as she struggles to trust or let anyone get close. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and sassy characters including all of Finn’s siblings, their parents, several lawyers and partners at Baxter and Stewart, as well as Finn’s Navy commander Admiral Maddox, and a number of Finn’s former SEAL teammates. I am hoping the author has plans for the US Navy SEALs.

LOVE AND ORDER is a story of family, friendships and relationships, secrets and regret, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is captivating and intriguing with a couple of twists that were easily deduced; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, desperate and wonderful.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Last First Kiss
Battle of Hearts
Strictly Off Limits

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Author of your next binge-worthy romance series, Stella has been plotting sexy, tear-jerker stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born a Georgia peach, Stella loves all things country but calls the beach home. Most days she can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking.

Stella’s first series featuring first responders debuts in 2023.

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