I really don't know why I didn't read this book long ago. I think Jennifer Lane is brilliant and I can't get enough of her deeply flawed and relatable characters. It almost feels wrong to call them characters because they feel like people. Her background and current work in psychology gives her books such a ring a truth that the plots hit harder than any work of fiction should. I also know that much of this is not fiction, the traumas and dysfunction, so skillfully portrayed, are evident in the people around us.

Now I know it might be a little odd that I rave about the author and then hold back a star, but I did. To tell you the truth it is very late because I stayed up reading this book. I am quite tired and can't quite put my finger on why I hold back the last star. When I am well rested I will either explain myself or find I am an idiot and add the fifth star. ( )

Grant Madsen and Sophie Taylor have been burned by the same people and they don’t even know it! Both have been recently released from prison and are prepared to put their stint in the system behind; however, the past has a way of catching up. When Sophie meets Grant outside their parole officer’s door both are attracted to each other. Everyone around them tries to separate them, but together they find their footing and help each other. Just when things couldn’t go wrong Grant receives an unexpected visit and Sophie finally realizes he’s related to the man who put her in prison.

Jennifer Lane has crafted an intricate story that leaves you breathless. First of all, I’m not a big fan of reading about the Mafia because I feel it can either be hit or miss. Some authors glamorize the lifestyle that it often mirrors Hollywood fiction versus reality. Of course there’s some romanticism to it and partly because of films like The Godfather and Scarface. While Lane could have gone this route, she doesn’t and instead gives us a plot about a jealous family member and the trials the acting mob boss of the Barbei family goes through to keep things in line.

Writing is engaging and narrative is third person, which I always particularly enjoy. I really liked getting to know Sophie and Grant especially their past. Lane doesn’t come out and immediately explain what crimes these two committed to land them in prison, but instead utilizes flashback scenes to relay the information. Your heart will break when you realize exactly how connected these two really are.

Character development is strong and even secondary characters are fleshed out enough for us to understand their motives. I’d like to say Sophie and Grant are the primary characters, but we also have Carlo, who is Grant’s cousin. He’s jealous of the status Grant and his brother, Logan have within the organization and feels he should be a son of privilege. Sadly, Carlo doesn’t realize that he’s the reason head family member Enzo is in prison. At times I was empathic towards Carlo, but it was Logan that I felt the most for. Logan was caught between two worlds: that of his father’s and the safety his uncle Joe provided. I suspect Logan opted to join his father’s world so Grant would be left alone since he was the youngest and the one who often felt his father’s wrath. I loved Grant and he fought so hard to keep out of his family’s life that when he was dragged down due to Carlo, your heart breaks. Sophie finds herself in a similar situation involving the Barberi family and she truly is the innocent victim. The only crime against her is falling in love with a client and having a relationship with him. I mentioned secondary characters, but Roger steals the show! I love how cranky he was and he’s just lonely.

What I really enjoyed about Good Behavior is the slow romance that develops between Sophie and Grant. They are attracted to each other from the beginning, but take the time to get to know one another. I kept wondering why these two were prison to begin with because they are model citizens and when the truth comes out, you are left with so many feelings. More so when you see exactly what Enzo did to Grant. I’m glad Grant’s a fighter even if he doesn’t think so. I adore that Lane gave us a beta hero, but one that is special and worthy of any girl’s heart.

If you’re a fan of crime fiction then I recommend Jennifer Lane’s With Good Behavior. With Good Behavior doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but it is part of a series. I can’t wait to read the rest and see what Enzo has in store for Grant. ( )

With Good Behavior by Jennifer Lane
(Book #1: The CONduct Series)
Source: Author for a fair and honest review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Sophie and Grant are having really, really bad mornings. Though both have been released from prison early (for good behavior!) they are both meeting with their parole officer for the first time. Jail was horrific but a parole office once a week for at least the next year is humiliating. Add to that, for the rest of their lives, Sophie and Grant get to live with the stigma of being ex-cons and all that comes with that title.

Sophie is a good girl and going to jail was never, ever a part of her life’s plan. However, early in her career as a psychologist, Sophie made a mistake and slept with one of her patients; certainly this wasn’t enough to send her to prison, right? Right! But, the fact that the patient is a criminal and stashed a load of stolen cash and guns in Sophie’s office and then fled, was enough to make Sophie an accomplice and send her to prison. Rat bastard!

Grant is a good guy and going to jail was never, ever a part of his life’s plan. After being rescued and adopted by his uncle as a child, Grant was on track to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and have a stellar Naval career. However, one mistake, made to save his uncle’s life landed Grant in the middle of robbery gone bad and right on into a dishonorable discharge and prison. Balls!

By chance, Sophie and Grant meet outside their parole officer’s office and it is interest and attraction at first sight! Understandably, both are very, very cautious about beginning any sort of relationship as their parole officer (the awesome Jerry!) has them both on the hunt for jobs, setting up meetings with shrinks (Sophie) and, finding places to live that don’t involve criminals. If either of them fails to meet all of Jerry’s requirements, they get a one-way ticket back to prison. How in hell are two people supposed to start up a relationship with all this on their plates? Well, they can start by working together.

Grant and Sophie do indeed begin working together on a delightful little cruise ship that educates tourists about the architecture of the area. Both work hard and as they work together they also begin to trust one another and discover that maybe, just maybe if they allow themselves to trust they can also allow themselves to heal. But before the true healing can begin both Sophie and Grant have to share their deepest, darkest secrets about their pasts with one another. But, before both Grant and Sophie can do the big reveal, the past literally comes crashing in through Grant’s front door and ruins pretty much everything. And this is where the crap really hits the fan: Sophie must face her estranged and very angry father; Grant must come face to face with his despicable family; Sophia must deal with the loss of Grant and; someone gets shot and Grant gets blamed. That is a lot of crap to be hitting the fan 

The Bottom Line: I have only two complaints about With Good Behavior: 1) Grant’s constant angst. Sure, given what he has been through, he deserves a bit of a pity-party but at some point, I really wanted Grant to get over it and man up. He’s a sweet guy with good intentions but he had better toughen up if he expects to keep my attention. 2) The length of the read; while I am not really opposed to long reads, I found myself thinking in several places toward the end “What a good place to end this one!” but it wasn’t the end.
With my two complaints being noted, I have to say that those two things didn’t keep me from enjoying this read as a whole. I like Sophie; she’s plucky and strong, good for Grant and, willing to work hard to correct the mistakes of her past. BUT, Sophie is no longer willing to take crap from others and that makes her quite likeable. Grant has a lot of potential for me and I am looking forward to seeing if he plucks up in book two. Recommendations? You bet! This one will appeal to lovers of light suspense/mystery, family drama and, romance. With Good Behavior is a solid read and the beginning of a series I think is going to get stronger with subsequent offerings.

A note about the cover: I really like this cover! It’s simple, it’s direct and, once you read the book you understand how every element of the cover ties into the novel. Excellent choices were made where this cover is concerned :) ( )

Review to follow ( )

Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2013/01/foodfic-please-welcome-jennifer-lane.html