Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase

by Emma Chase
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Goodreads

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight.

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 turn you on. 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 arguing cases in the principal's office.

Chelsea’s too sweet, too innocent, and too gorgeous for her own good. She tries to be tough, but she’s not. She needs someone to help her, defend her…and the kids.

And that — that, I know how to do.

Let me say this before I begin this review. I am a HUGE fan of Emma Chase’s Tangled series and Drew happens to be one of my favorite characters and book boyfriend’s of all time. When I was given the chance to read Sustained from her Legal Brief’s series, I may have done a happy dance and there was some giddiness on my part (yes, I’m a dork). Just wanted to disclose all that before my gushing over this book begins. You have been warned.

Oh Jake. Sigh. Did you really just knock Drew down as one of my favorite Emma characters? I just love you so much, I think I want to put you both on a pedestal. Jake, a hard ass attorney, taken down by a bunch of misfit kids ranging from 6 months to 14 years old. How can you not love a guy like that? This book had me laughing out loud so many times over the adventures that occur throughout the book. Jake’s inner monologue is hysterically funny. Emma Chase is one of the few author’s who does a phenomenal job of writing from the male perspective, keeping you laughing from beginning to end and yet, still have a sinfully seductive read. Jake has no filter and is not afraid to tell it like it is, even if it’s to one of the kids. It was epically funny.

“…I suddenly have the urge to call my mother, to apologize. Not for anything in particular…just the first fifteen years of my life.”

Jake is a love and leave ‘em, your money’s on the table, kind of guy. He doesn’t have time for romance and dating when he’s moving up the ladder in his firm. That all changes when he meets an imp with an attitude problem, his gang of equally impish brothers and sisters, and their gorgeous guardian/ aunt. This gang screams “help” in the worst way and Jake can’t get Chelsea out of his head or the desire to get into her bed. Little by little, they try to worm their way into his heart and Jake has a panic attack over the mixed feelings he has. Sure, he wants Chelsea but who knew you could fall in love with a bunch of kids and their antics. From a two year old learning new words, a night of hell at a One Direction concert, diaper changes, and Mommy and me classes. What’s not to love? Jake isn’t ready to commit but no matter how much he tries to fight it, they have their hooks in him.

“I want her – this fearless, stunning woman. And I want the kids. Those perfect, awful, amazing children – whom she loves with every inch of her soul. I want them to be mine. Mine to hold, mine to protect and teach. Their joy, their laughter, their love. I want to come home to it, bask in it, be the reason for it.”

I seriously have a ridiculous amount of highlights in this book from how much I loved all the characters and scenes. The kids were wonderfully described, their antics perfect and Chelsea’s love for them shines through. When her cubs are in trouble, she goes full on mama bear. This is a romance but it’s not heavily focused on the romance but more on the relationship of all of them. This doesn’t detract from the sexiness and heat between Chelsea and Jake at all. There is intense chemistry and heat between the two along with the level of sweetness when it comes to the kids. It is impossible not to fall in love with the kids, Chelsea, and Jake. This book, for me anyway, was utter perfection.