2.5 stars

I'm very sad for this rating because Taylor V. Donovan is one of my fav and an auto-buy author for me.

Derrick isn't very likeable, he's silly and childish and have an almost egomaniacal vision of the world. Roman is more bearable, but during a significant portion of the story he seemed somewhat timorous to me and without the temperance that would have been expected from a similar character; I admit that he has his reasons, but even so... Neither thoughts not even the conduct of both of them measures up with regard to what you would expect from adult men, seasoned and prestigious lawyers.

Regarding other characters, I don't like Tashana very much, her exaggerated inclination by gossiping and her general showy attitude it ends up being a caricature that I don't find funny. However, I liked the little that I could glimpse about Alan, Sergio, Dani, Noah and Jonathan.

The ups and downs between the MCs until finally they get together are basically due to miscommunication; I'm not saying that the crux of the matter is not important; on the contrary it's a big issue, difficult to broach, but that it take to them close to 70% of the book to lay their cards on the table and talk openly about it was too much. The two court sub-plots look promising but they are just starting.

Now, where were the beta readers? No beta readers? If there was some, unfortunately they didn't do a good job; If there was none it was a big error IMO, good beta readers constitute a very important resource that no author should disdain.

Until chapter fifteen inclusive my rating was 2 stars. But in the last three chapters —particularly chapters 16 & 17— the book improved quite a bit and that added up half a star more to my rating, Overnight Derrick matured, the proactive and decided attitude that one would expect from a character as Roman began to show up, delineating him more neatly, also there was a better rhythm, interesting facts, and excellent quotes.

Do I plan to keep on reading the series? Yes, three reasons:
* I continue having faith in what Taylor can produce, I haven't drawn her from my top five MM Authors neither from my list of auto-buy authors.
* Those last three chapters, they make me think that what comes next will be better
* Curiosity. I know, I know. In the long run the things will work out well, but I want to know how, and if there will be somewhat which satisfy my vengeful feelings against the villains of the story.

P.S. I adore the name of Derrick's sister —Malena—, I have a niece that is so called. :)


Jun 1, 2014
It's here! :D
but with some bugs. I needed seven!! attempts to downloaded it correctly from my library on ARe


May 31, 2014



Feb 28, 2014
Yay! ( )

UPDATED JUNE 7, 2014:
Since I read this book in late May 2014 and wrote this review on June 1st, [a:Taylor V. Donovan|4959678|Taylor V. Donovan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1384614504p2/4959678.jpg] has added the following disclaimer to the blurb:

"“Hearsay” is the first installment in “Bylaws,” my new series about attorneys working for Acosta, Bradford & Chadwick, LLP, a fictional lawfirm located in NYC. It is also part of a trilogy within the series, soon to be followed by “Gainsay.” and “Daresay.” All three titles will feature the same couple, Roman Bradford and Derrick Swain, and will follow their journey as they deal with damaging rumors, the judicial system, and life’s curveballs while they make their way toward coupledom."

The reason for my surprise that Hearsay ends on a cliffhanger in my review is because I was not aware that this was the first in a series of sequels when I originally read the book.

ORIGINAL REVIEW JUNE 1, 2014:
First and foremost, this book ends on a cliffhanger. Because of that, I do not believe I will be able to properly review or rate it until I read the resolution. If [a:Taylor V. Donovan|4959678|Taylor V. Donovan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1384614504p2/4959678.jpg] decided not to finish the series and I had to rate and review the book as-is, I would give it 2 stars and would not recommend it. Obviously because so much was left unresolved and also because this book lacked the one thing that makes a book stand out as a [a:Taylor V. Donovan|4959678|Taylor V. Donovan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1384614504p2/4959678.jpg] book. Heat, chemistry, unbridled lust/love and passion between the MCs. I didn't feel it here, the court case didn't get a chance to get off the ground yet, and I was never all that engaged with the storyline.

I will revisit this review and rate this book after reading the next book or books in the series. The next book will be called Gainsay (Bylays #2) but does not have a release date at the time of this posting.

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