Class Action
- Judith D Collins
- Dec 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Dec 7
What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You
ISBN: 978-1685136840
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Publication Date: 12/11/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
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3rd year law student Lennon Gallagher’s life turns from complicated to overwhelming when she receives a message meant for someone else. The text offers an advance copy of a final exam—a guaranteed ‘A’—but accepting it will violate the honors code she refuses to break. When Lennon declines, the collaborators behind the cheating scheme demand her silence or they will ensure she takes the fall if necessary.
Fighting for her future while balancing an internship, exams, studying for the bar, a boyfriend who no longer seems to understand her, and a mother who needs help rebuilding her life after prison, Lennon tries to handle everything alone. But when she discovers the lead plaintiff in her firm’s class action lawsuit might be the father she’s never known, it’s the final straw. She needs help.
With the support of her friend and mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn, Lennon must navigate betrayal, legal intrigue, and personal discovery. As one relationship unravels, another blooms in this gripping story of resilience, secrets, and second chances.
A captivating read full of unexpected twists and emotional depth.
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My Review
CLASS ACTION: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You by Gail Ward Olmsted is a riveting legal thriller that blends suspense, emotional depth, and a journey of self-discovery. The story centers around Lennon Gallagher, a dedicated third-year law student whose life is a whirlwind of personal and professional crises. As she grapples with intense ethical dilemmas and uncovers long-buried family secrets, she finds guidance and support from her wise mentor, attorney Miranda Quinn.
This captivating narrative invites readers into the complexities of law and morality, weaving a tale that is as thought-provoking as it is engaging.
About...
Lennon Gallagher receives a text message with an advance copy of a final exam, an "easy A" that would violate her honor code. When she declines to participate, the students behind the scheme threaten to frame her if she doesn't keep silent, jeopardizing her entire academic future.
Juggling her law school commitments, an internship, and studying for the bar exam, Lennon is also facing an unraveling relationship with her boyfriend, Seth, housing worries, and financial insecurity.
There is also a family crisis. Her mother, a recovering addict and a repeat prison resident, is in and out of jail, adding significant emotional and practical strain to Lennon's life.
To further complicate her life, while working on a class action lawsuit at her law firm, Lennon discovers that the lead plaintiff in the case might be the father she has never known. This potential family connection is a major emotional turning point, making her question her identity and "found family".
Overwhelmed by the multiple challenges, Lennon relies on the guidance and support of her friend and mentor, Miranda Quinn (previous series), who helps her navigate the legal and personal betrayals.
My thoughts...
CLASS ACTION: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You is an engrossing character-driven legal thriller focused on Lennon's struggle to maintain her personal integrity and strong moral compass in the face of immense pressure. She ultimately finds stability and a new, more compatible romantic interest (Nick Russo), deciding what she truly wants for her life.
The author showcases Lennon's struggles, obstacles, and her relatable character, which revolve around her unwavering moral compass, her ability to overcome a challenging past, and her journey toward self-discovery and finding a supportive community.
Her immediate refusal to violate her honor code, despite immense pressure and personal need for a good grade, establishes her core integrity and strong moral character, even when nobody is watching.
Lennon is placed in a difficult position: risk her entire academic future and potential disbarment by reporting the scandal, or stay silent and let the perpetrators get away with the fraud while facing the threat of being framed later.
When the students involved in the cheating scheme threaten to frame her, Lennon stands her ground. Instead of succumbing to silence or fear, this challenge forces her to seek help from her mentor, Attorney Miranda Quinn, demonstrating growth in her ability to trust others and fight for what is right.
Juggling a demanding law school schedule, financial stress, an unraveling romantic relationship, and her mother's ongoing struggles with addiction and the law, Lennon initially tries to handle everything alone. The turning point is when she realizes she needs support, which highlights her move from an isolated loner (from her time in foster homes) to accepting her "found family," community, and support system.
The discovery of her father is also an emotional turning point for her that challenges her understanding of her identity and pushes her to confront her past and her long-held trust issues.
Her other relationship with Seth and then with restaurant mogul Nick Russo shows her personal growth in recognizing and choosing a healthy, supportive relationship that aligns with the life she wants to build.
Readers will find Lennon highly relatable as she moves from merely surviving the demands of law school to proactively deciding what she wants for her future. She develops the confidence to pursue an education and a life of purpose, ultimately defining her own path forward beyond her difficult beginnings.
Lennon Gallagher's journey of personal growth unfolds with remarkable depth, highlighting her evolution from a lonely young woman weighed down by trust issues to a confident individual who fully embraces the principles of integrity and authenticity. This transformation is beautifully portrayed as Lennon learns to let go of her isolation, seeking solace and support from those around her, ultimately cultivating a "found family" that becomes a source of strength and belonging in her life.
Miranda Quinn, a central figure in the narrative, stands as a beacon of unwavering ethics and exemplary integrity within the intricate world of law. Her steadfast commitment to justice and moral principles serves not only as a guiding light for Lennon but also as a profound testament to the power of resilience and virtue in a field often fraught with challenges. Through Miranda, Lennon discovers the importance of maintaining one's principles, even when faced with adversities.
This book marks my first experience with the author's writing, and I was genuinely captivated by the richness of the characters and the intricacies of the plot. As an enthusiastic fan of legal thrillers, I was thrilled to learn about the upcoming sequel, "CLASS REUNION: Keep Your Friends Closer," slated for release on October 1, 2026.
In a recent interview, the author tantalizingly hinted at the unfolding drama: Lennon is on the verge of becoming a partner at a prestigious law firm and is in the midst of planning her dream wedding. Just when it seems her life is aligning perfectly, unforeseen complications arise that promise to challenge her newfound happiness and stability.
Having immersed myself in Lennon's compelling narrative, I find myself increasingly intrigued by the author’s celebrated Miranda Quinn Legal series, eager to explore the complex dynamics and thrilling legal escapades that await within those pages.
Recs...
Readers who enjoyed CLASS ACTION may also like legal thrillers by well-known authors, as well as character-driven stories involving moral dilemmas and strong women (female protagonists) navigating the complexities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas of the legal world. Here are some recommended fiction titles:
~Aime Austin (a long-time favorite); Her Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series (Aime is also the host of the popular A Time To Thrill Podcast)
~While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
~All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
~The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter
Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sharing an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 11, 2025
Praise
"With crisp dialogue and an engaging writing style, Class Action integrates themes of resilience, integrity and self-discovery. A standout legal drama that will resonate with readers who crave both tension and heart."
-Sublime Book Review
"Another winning thriller with a new female lead who has to choose between protecting herself and doing what's right. I love this series!"
-A.J. McCarthy, author of the Charlie & Simm Mystery series
"Class Action is a smart, fast-paced romp with heart, humor, and just the right doses of suspense and romance. Highly recommend!"
-Karen E. Osborne, award-winning author of Tangled Lies
"A delightful novel with a bit of hair-raising tension thrown in. It was so nice to see Olmsted's character from three previous books, Miranda Quinn, make an appearance in this engaging, romantic, suspenseful story with a legal twist."
-Linda Rosen, award-winning author of The Emerald Necklace
"Class Action is an emotional roller coaster that takes you from the edge of despair to the promise of a new life. Olmsted weaves a tale of hope and resilience as this young woman seeks a new reality free of the chaos from her past."
-Gary Gerlacher, bestselling author of the AJ Docker medical thriller series
"Lennon faces romance and danger... with a lawyer's penchant for detecting lies and a woman's desire to be loved and respected."
-Midwest Book Review
"Those who are interested in legal thrillers with some added romance and tension, look no further than Class Action. The strong characters, the incredible intricacies, and the excellent storytelling are all ripe for the reading."
-Literary Titan
About the Author
Gail Ward Olmsted was a marketing executive and a college professor before she began writing fiction on a full-time basis. A trip to Sedona, AZ inspired her first novel Jeep Tour. Three more novels followed before Landscape of a Marriage, a biographical fiction featuring landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, a distant cousin of her husband's, and his wife Mary.Olmsted enjoys writing about quirky, wonderful women in search of a second chance at a happy ever after. When not writing, she loves being on the water, especially in a kayak. She is well known for her blonde brownies and coffee is her love language. For more, check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gailolmstedauthor. WEBSITE
