Book Review of 'An Appearance of Impropriety' by Jayna Breigh

Happy Friday Bookworms!

My quest to broaden my horizons and to branch out into different genres continues into 2026, as proof of the novel I am featuring today! One upon a time, I loved legal dramas as far as television was concerned, but I've never been a fan of legal dramas in the literary sense. But this gorgeous cover with its moodiness and enticing title won me over, and I gave it a shot. I am so glad I did.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Romantic Legal Drama and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

An Appearance of Impropriety JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for An Appearance of Impropriety by Jayna Breigh, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Appearance of Impropriety

Author: Jayna Breigh

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: January 27, 2026

Genre: Romantic Legal Drama

Will their love turn into a scandal despite their efforts?

As the youngest female judge in Los Angeles, Mahalia Jackson has her career on a fast track to success. Her polished exterior makes sure of that. But when she volunteers for the Junior Jurors and ends up working side by side with attorney JD Cash, her plans begin to falter.

JD heads up the program—born out of his own troubled past—where local teens learn about the legal system. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God's calling on his life: to support the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved fathers and husbands to TransNation's eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America's freeways.

Mahalia's rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow's attorney. When Mahalia is placed in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver.

Her increasing proximity to the empathetic lawyer sparks an onslaught from anonymous online adversaries attempting to destroy Mahalia's reputation and career by throwing around claims of an appearance of impropriety. The digital disgrace pushes Mahalia to ask one hard question: Is loving JD worth risking her career?

With a great story, well-developed characters, and a tale that explores the value of second chances and giving back, the latest from Breigh is a must-buy. —Library Journal, Starred Review

"An Appearance of Impropriety is filled with characters I cared about who were placed in challenging situations that compelled me to keep reading long into the night." —Cara Putman, award-winning author of the Secrets to Keep series

My Review

I guess you can judge a book by its cover! Talk about gorgeous!!! With its moody look and enticing title, how could I not take a chance? I am so glad I did. JD’s heart quickly won me over, and while Mahalia seemed like a one-note, career-focused woman, she has so many layers beneath her tough exterior that was fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking to unpack. JD is a perfect complement to her in every way, and I really enjoyed seeing their chemistry simmer and grow.

The scene in the elevator was one of my favorite moments. With the confined space serving as a real-life truth serum, I was able to see both JD and Mahalia connect in such a natural way, which was quite the juxtaposition from the tone of the rest of the story thus far. The subject of colorism is one that I’ve known about on a personal level, and to see it in this novel was truly refreshing. It’s a subject that doesn’t get talked about enough in my opinion, so it was nice to see it highlighted with such care and consideration.

One thing I am learning about myself is that I do not particularly care for work-based fictions. They tend to be boring to me, but there’s something different about An Appearance of Impropriety. It goes so much further than a court room and shows a heart and depth that is usually lacking in other legal dramas. It is clear that the author continues to have a passion for law, and it shines through the pages. I have never really been a fan of legal dramas in particular, but I think Jayna Breigh just converted me. Amazing book!

My Rating: ★★★★★

Also Available

About the Author

Jayna Breigh is a retired attorney living in the southeastern United States and the author of The Hunted Heir. She brings to her writing over a decade of experience in trust and estate litigation in Los Angeles.

Connect with Jayna by visiting www.jaynabreigh.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of An Appearance of Impropriety and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 4, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!