Books for Christian Girls: "Beyond Justice" by Cara Putman

About this book:

“Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's handed a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there. She keeps the case alive through sheer determination and more than a little creativity, but then she's fired by a partner with a vendetta.

Further complicating matters, Hayden keeps finding herself completely distracted by Andrew, her roommate's cousin. But his father is a Congressman and she's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to see either the case—or her—die. Should she fight alone for the dead young man by launching her own unfinanced firm, or abandon the case in order to save her own life?”

Series: Book #1 in “Hidden Justice” series.

Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; A few talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Hayden has a faith; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of faiths; Mentions of churches, church going, & worship services; A couple mentions of Christian Fiction authors (Colleen Coble & Denise Hunter); A mention of a Bible verse; A mention of a blessing; A mention of Sunday School; A mention of going to a mass & begging forgiveness; A mention of a priest; A mention of the pope; A mention of a devotional; A mention of Corrie ten Boom;

*Note: A dog is named Zeus (after having a Percy Jackson phase); A mention of Dr. Pepper being the “nectar of the gods”; A mention of el jefe being like a god; A mention of a pair of demon shoes (heels); A mention of global warming.

Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blasted’, a ‘dumb’, and two ‘idiot’s, A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; Two chapters in the beginning are of a man beating up a youth, threatening, & hinted of killing him (we don’t see it, but there is mentions of blood/bleeding, injuries, pain, & a knife; semi-detailed; He feels guilt over taking a life); Watching three people shot & killed (up to semi-detailed); Being held at gunpoint (three times) & being kidnapped (up to semi-detailed); A car accident & cut brakes (up to semi-detailed); Pain (barely-above-not-detailed); All About mentions of a murder/wrongful death of a 17/18 year old & finding the killer; Many mentions of entering the US illegally & detention centers; Many mentions of drug cartels, drugs, & a drug boss/lord; Mentions of two people shot & killed, it being considered murders, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of orders to kill someone; Mentions of threats & being killed; Mentions of crimes & criminals; Mentions of domestic violence & keeping a woman from being killed by her ex; Mentions of a woman being beat up in an assumed burglary & her injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of assaults & injuries (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of cut brakes, car accidents, & being held at gunpoint (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of break-ins & intruders; Mentions of stalkers; Mentions of violence; Mentions of jails; Mentions of blackmail; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of divorces & exes; Mentions of tattoos; A few mentions of a picture of the murdered body & how it happened (semi-detailed); A few mentions of deaths from illnesses; A few mentions of wars; A few mentions of a wife beat up & her kids forced to watch; A few mentions of nightmares of a murder & blood (up to semi-detailed); A few mentions of gangs; A few mentions of stealing & a robbery; A few mentions of embezzlement; A few mentions of alcohol; A few mentions of hunting & a hunter; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of infants/toddlers who died on a journey; A couple mentions of cigarettes & smoking; A mention of terrorist threats; A mention of marijuana; A mention of a urinal;

*Note: Going to Starbucks; Mentions of brand names (cars & designers); Mentions of celebrities, actors/actresses, movies, & TV shows; A few mentions of GQ; A few mentions of Starbucks; A mention of Boy Scouts; A mention of a zombie in a horror movie.

Sexual Content- a not-detailed kiss, and two barely-above-not-detailed kisses; A bit of wanting to kiss (not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘hunky’; Mentions of dating & dates; A few mentions of staring; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of staring at lips; A couple mentions of wanting to touch; A couple mentions of winks; A mention of being shown as a playboy; A mention of a man’s come-hither eyes; A mention of honeymoon love;

*Note: A mention of a buxom woman; A mention of a woman filling out a dress in all the right places.

-Hayden McCarthy

-Andrew Wesley, age 30
P.O.V. of switches between them, {8 chapters in Rafal’s}
343 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens-

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens-

My personal Rating-

{Add up to a star and a half for older girls interested in law or a legal profession.}

When I think of the author Cara Putman, I think of a historical book by her that’s on my TBR or the contemporaries she’s written.

But, a legal thriller?
Can’t say that’s crossed my mind before now.

I think it’s no secret that I enjoy criminal justice books. I’ve done quite a few college courses in that field and also in government type topics, so the fact that this is my first legal thriller is a bit shocking.

I’ll admit that starting this book with that opening chapter, I was wondering just what in the world I got myself into. I will say, though, that was the bloodest/gorest it gets, while still not insanely over the top. (Which I appreciate.)

This book is very much legal words and parts, so while some things I didn’t know about fully, I was able to understand most and follow along pretty well thanks to the courses I’ve done in these topics.
I have to add though: I’m completely jealous that Hayden went to the Cherry Blossom Festival. Haha! I want to go to that so bad! ;)

Overall, I can’t recommend it fully because of the content, but those older girls interested in law and criminal justice might be okay with it. I have to say, though, I’m interested in the next book of the series and may pick it up when it releases in December.

See y’all on Friday with a new review!