Review: Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) by Emma Chase

Title: Sustained
Author: Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #2

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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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.

When I picked up this book, I did so without even reading the blurb. This is the first book I read by Emma Chase and I’m really impressed wither talent. I’d like to point out that this is the second book in the Legal Briefs series but it can definitely be read as a standalone. I haven’t still read the first book but if it’s anything like this one then go read it.

Sustained was nothing like I expected it to be, I thought it was going to be an adult romance which it was but it had so many other things going on. Jake is a criminal defense attorney and everything a parent shouldn’t be. Jake strives to make a name for himself in his field and thus he tries to keep his life as uncomplicated as he can. So when Chelsea Quaid comes into his life, Jake knows he should run as fast and as far as possible only he can’t seem to be able to get away.

When Chelsea’s brother and his wife unexpectedly die in a car accident, Chelsea finds herself responsible for their six children. Her nieces and nephews, aged from 6 months to 14 years old, are all she has and she’s not going to abandon them. Chelsea leaves her old life behind to fend for these little devils. When her life crosses with Jake’s there’s an instant attraction between them and they are willing to explore it if they find time.

As time passes, Jake finds himself dealing with situations he swore he never would and when the pressure of his new life becomes too much, Jake wants out.

Sustained was nothing like I expected it. I thought it was going to be an adult romance, which it was but it had so many other things going on. The book progresses slowly but steadily and there is no chance you will find yourself bored with 6 kids running around. Unfortunately (for me) the book is only from Jake’s point of view so we didn’t get to see what Chelsea felt. I was impressed by the author’s ability to portray Jake so well and although I was a bit frustrated for not getting dual POVs, I got over it because Jake hid nothing. He was a good guy but he was a jerk in the beginning. I had no problem with him having personal issues it only made him more realistic.

All in all, I loved Sustained. It was a pleasant surprise, light, realistic, very funny and romantic. We also got to see Sofia and Stanton from book one, Overruled and bits and pieces of Brent. If you’re in for some fun and romance, go read it.