SustainedAuthor: Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #2
Published by: Gallery Books
Publication Date: August 25, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 305
Source: Publisher
When you’re a defense attorney in Washington, DC, you see firsthand how hard life can be, and that sometimes the only way to survive is to be harder. I, Jake Becker, have a reputation for being cold, callous, and intimidating—and that suits me just fine. In fact, it’s necessary when I’m breaking down a witness on the stand.
Complications don’t work for me—I’m a “need-to-know” type of man. If you’re my client, tell me the basic facts. If you’re my date, stick to what will get you off. I’m not a therapist or Prince Charming—and I don’t pretend to be.
Then Chelsea McQuaid and her six orphaned nieces and nephews came along and complicated the ever-loving hell out of my life. Now I’m going to Mommy & Me classes, One Direction concerts, the emergency room, and am knee deep in a damn compost pit.
Ladies and gentlemen, court is now in session.
I’ve read a couple of the books in Emma Chase’s Tangled series and loved them, so I knew to expect a good time with Sustained. And it was! I absolutely adored it. Now, I plan to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this book is a must-read.
Let’s take a look at the evidence.
Exhibit A: The plot – Chelsea is 26 and recently became the guardian of her six nieces and nephews after their parents suddenly died. Jake enters their lives and … okay, yes, there are plenty of books and movies with similar plots, but I’ll be damned if Sustained was one of … hmm … no, I’d say the best one I’ve experienced. I feel like a big part of the reason is because it was told from Jake’s POV. We always get the focal on the woman who inherits the children, but this is a man that has no ties to the family and gets thrust into the chaos. It’s definitely a neat twist.
Exhibit B: Jake and Chelsea – Emma Chase kicks ass at writing from the male perspective, and Jake is no exception. Jake is one intimidating defense attorney. He’s huge and tatted, but they’re hidden under his suit … excuse me while I stick my head in the freezer to cool off. Anyway, the guy has priorities, and that’s his work. So it was a whole lot of fun seeing this sexy bad boy so far out of his element. Chelsea is a wonderful character too, so great with the kids and handles Jake really well. They make a pretty damn good team.
Exhibit C: Romance/chemistry – A romance when there are always six kids around? Who has time for that? Ahh, but Jake and Chelsea find time to nurture the yummy chemistry they have. And it’s some good stuff!
Exhibit D: The kids – All six of them, ages ranging from baby to fourteen! It makes my head hurt just thinking about it. They certainly have the ability to drive someone crazy, but are they ever entertaining! I honestly didn’t expect to get attached to any of them, like they’d mostly be props in the background. Nope. I adored each and every one. They easily wormed their way into my heart just as they did Jake’s. It was very amusing watching how Jake dealt with them, and the bond he formed with them is completely heart melting.
Exhibit E: The secondary characters – I’m excluding the kids from this, since they’re their own crazy system. There are a few others that stood out, including Stanton, Sofia, and Brent. This little group of Jake’s friends are like family to him, and they know how to push his buttons in all the fun ways. I’m looking forward to reading their books.
Exhibit F: It’s just flat out cute and funny!
As you can see, I loved Sustained. Immensely! Even though my case is basically hearsay, it’s the truth! So read it!
Court is adjourned.
Verdict. .yes we can still be friends!! I loved this and devoured it 🙂 Chase rocks male Povs.
Whew! I love when a book can make or break a friendship. lol.
Was this NA or not?
Nope, not NA. Chelsea is 26 and Jake is 30, I believe. He a man with a career, and she’s a woman who has already graduated college and doing adult things. There’s nothing NA about it. 😀
Oh wow it’s not often that get a male perspective with kids! Sounds like this one was done really well and believably. Lovely review Christy!
It’s a whole lot of funny getting his perspective of the kids.
This wouldnt ever be a book that I would pick up. But you did a worthy job, counselor, and I just may. Sounds good!
You’d like it. You’d love Jake. Mmmmhmm.
She has six kids in her care and she still has time for romance? Ohh, that’s something I need to see. Perhaps I’ll even learn a thing or two. Anyway, this sounds deliciously romantic and steamy, just what I need.
I know, right? It’s so much fun.
This sounds really fun and I love that it’s done from Jake’s perspective! Definitely a way to put a new spin on a series that’s been done quite a bit. Emma Chase is an author I’ve been wanting to read and this one sounds like a good one to start with. Plus I can never resist some humor mixed in with my romance.
You definitely need to read some Emma Chase. This is a really good book to start with.
WOHOO!! I’m so excited you loved this one as much as I did! Those darn kids totally melted my heart too. And YES to everything you said about Jake and Chelsea. They were great together and that chemistry was smoking! This was definitely Emma Chase at her finest for me. I can’t wait for more books by her! 🙂
I’m hoping we’ll still get to see them in Brent’s book. That’ll be fun! 😀
This was my weekend read, and I’ll review soon. Made me laugh and cry so hard!
Haha … yeah, Emma Chase’s books have a tendency to do that.
Court adjourned, must go read this! Haha, great review, Christy!
Yes, you must!
I need to read this series ASAP. I love the sound of this one – and the fact the kids aren’t just props and add something. Plus a good male POV and funny. Great review!!
You’ll love it, Grace!
I was suprised at how much I enjoyed this one. I expected the kids to be annoying or too sacharine, but they were perfect. Jake was terrific aside from his two bone headed moves and Chelsea was a sweetheart. I definitely want to read more from this author.
Aww, don’t be too tough on Jakey-poo. lol.
I want to read this! I have 2 audiobooks from Emma Chase but haven’t listened to them. Sustained sounds amazing! I loved your exhibits especially exhibit C lol
Sustained IS amazing. Hope you read it soon. 🙂
I really can’t wait to check this out. I read some of the Tangled series and loved it, so I think this book and the first have to be just as good. Great review, I’m convinced to read it, even more.
I haven’t read the first one yet, but I have no doubt it’s good too.
Wow! This sounds fantastic! I am so going to have to read this one! Yep, I just recommended it to my library so hopefully they will get it. 😀
I hope they do. It’s a really fun book.
LOL @ Kim, you two and your Emma Chase! I definitely need to try this author.
I’ve never read any of her books, but I def need to check her out. Great review!
Everyone is loving this book. I don’t think I’ve read anything by Chase before but this one sounds good. Telling it from the male POV is a good twist and I’m glad to hear that the kids aren’t just props. Sustained sounds so good!
I recently bought both books, so I’m excited to read them now considering how much you’ve enjoyed this one!
Woohoo! I had fun with them too and really liked it being told from his POV too. Can’t wait for the next.
I’ve read nothing but glowing reviews for this one so I’ve already gone out and bought it Christy! I can’t wait to read. I need something cute and funny and with lots of chemistry between the main couple! Looking forward to meeting all the kids:)
You certainly made your case! Adding this to my wishlist! I love that it is told from his perspective!!
My co-blogger loves this author and she liked this book a lot too. Must try it soon!
I feel a slump coming, I should give this a try because she never fails to make me laugh, maybe it’ll save me from having another one.
I don’t think I’ve read a book with this plot before, but this sure sounds like it does the plot right. I like it when you get a different point of view than most books do in a genre or if an author can take a plot line you’ve seen a lot of times and still add andoriginal spin to it and tunr it into a great book.
Sounds fun to see Jake out of his element and seeing him deal with everything going on. And it’s always great to see interesting secondary side characters in this book. Great Review!
The romance and chemistry sounds really well done in this one.
6? SIX? Too many. I would instantaneously combust from having to raise that many kids. But I do love a Emma Chase book.
Sigh… This sounds like the perfect read! I want to read it, seems like it has it all! I need to meet Jake and Chelsea! You’re killin’ me girl…
😉 Clever girl… (said in my best Jurassic Park impersonation)
You KNOW I bought this series b/c of you Kim 🙂
Ooh I need to check out this new series by Emma Chase! Tangled was fun and I do love court drama/romance!
Glad to see you enjoyed this, Christy!