First published 2025
Sydney Parks actually wants to serve jury duty. When Margot Kitsch from Authentic Moms of Malibu gets arrested for her husband Joe's death, Sydney sees jury selection as her chance at excitement. The sequestered jury experience proves nothing like TV shows promised. Worse yet, her childhood best friend Damon sits in the jury box beside her. They haven't spoken in ten years, not since their friendship ended right before it could become something more. Now Damon breaks courtroom rules and tempts Sydney into adventure during their boring sequestered days. His broad shoulders and intoxicating presence make avoiding him impossible. Sydney must navigate the complicated trial evidence while confronting why their relationship ended so abruptly. She falls under Damon's spell despite strict instructions against juror fraternization. The courtroom drama intensifies as Sydney struggles with unfinished business. She needs to give Margot a fair trial while managing her feelings for the man who sits next to her every day.
Genres: fiction, drama, contemporary, adult, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance
Vibes: emotional, intimate, romantic, suspenseful, tension-filled
Tropes: forced-proximity, friends-to-lovers, second-chance-romance, slow-burn
Setting: Malibu, courtroom
352 pages · Paperback · Harper Perennial
Content warnings: death, murder