by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
A Washington, DC, defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing—with his southern drawl, disarming smile, and captivating green eyes, he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him, and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him. Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan. Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart, the mother of his beloved ten-year-old daughter. Jenny is getting married—to someone who isn’t him. That's definitely not part of the plan. *** Sofia Santos is a city-raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions. But when Stanton, her "friend with mind-blowing benefits," begs her for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi, to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves. Her head tells her she's crazy...and her heart says something else entirely. What happens when you mix a one-stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage, and a gun-toting Nana? The Bourbon flows, passions rise, and even the best-laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.
I absolutely adored the Tangled series and Drew Evans, so I was a tad nervous going into Overruled the first novel in Emma Chase’s new Legal Briefs series. Ultimately, I ended up falling for these characters as Chase made me shake my head, laugh aloud and swoon when Stanton finally figured it all out.
Coffee dates with Overruled
- First date: We meet a young Jenny and Stanton who have been friends forever and have fallen in love. She is a high school cheerleader, he the captain of the football team. Cue the song A Little Ditty About Jack and Diane by John Cougar Melloncamp. They end up in trouble and Stanton wants to marry her. Jenny wants him to go to college and then they will begin their lives together. Ten years later while he visits regularly the two have never married. She didn’t want to move to DC but in the back of Stanton’s mind one day they will. Stanton is now a defense attorney in Washington D.C. and quite good at it. Men want to be him and woman want his green eyes, southern drawl and yummy abs. He and Jenny have an arrangement allowing the other to date. To his credit, he is upfront about his girl and daughter back home. Now I will admit I was convinced Stanton was an ass and Jenny was an idiot. Seriously, who does this? Sofia Santos is a litigator at the same firm as Stanton and shares a friend with benefits relationship with him outside of the courtroom. I liked Sofia immediately. She is level headed, gorgeous and an executive who is confident enough to see the benefits of a friend like Stanton.
- Second date: Wow the chemistry between Stanton and Sofia is off the charts. I think my fingers were burned a little while holding this book. Ooo, and a certain character from Tangled makes an appearance. (Thank you Emma, le sigh) After receiving an invitation in the mail for Jenny’s upcoming nuptials Stanton has a meltdown. This scene made me giggle:snort. I felt bad, but dude how could you not see this coming? Sofia and their friend Brent try to coach him, but oh lord Stanton is losing it. He decides he is going home to stop the wedding. He ends up begging Sofia to go with him and seeing this city girl in the country was fun. Jenny and her family are wonderful. Wait until you meet Nana. (Passes a bottle of whiskey to Nana) She is hilarious, wise and the first time I met her I laughed until tears formed in the corner of my eyes. Things are about to get crazy and while I am one hundred percent sure I know exactly how this is all going to play out I have a feeling the ride there will be a hoot.
- Third date: Where is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, commander from the TV Show NCIS? The man needs to slap a few heads. Stanton needs a few smacks in the head and Sofia needs one too. Interaction between Stanton and Jenny’s new man was hilarious. My final date with Overruled was fantastic. It was filled with humor, stupidity, sweetness, and win-me-over moments. I couldn’t set the book down and laughed so much my sides hurt. Chase also threw in a little turbulence and an ah-ha moment. I loved how Chase wrapped it all up, redeemed our sexy, lunk-head and made me smile like a fool.
Caffeinated thoughts about my dates with Overruled: Emma Chase won me over, and I cannot wait to continue this series. The characters were successful, smart and completely dumb when it came to love. I love the how Chase allowed them to grow while weaving in humor, wicked banter, hot wicked sex and tender moments. She gave the tale depth with secondary characters and family. I would date them again.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Bruna
I love the idea of this! Sounds like the kind of romance I would really enjoy. I also really liked this reviewing style. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Bruna, my daughters ended up loving this too (they are adults)
Bookworm Brandee
I’ve yet to read Chase despite owning Tangled. But you’ve just given me several reasons to meet her and her witty characters.
Lindy
I loved this story, and Nana was my favorite character! Tangled is still my favorite, but I love the humor that Emma Chase write’s in her stories, and she write’s from the male perspective so well! I agree 100% with you Kim! I wanted to slap some sense in to Stanton and Sofia too! How could he possibly be surprised that Jenny had moved on with her life?! Wonderful Review Kim!
Megan McDade
I need this book now it sounds so good. Added to my TRL.
Melliane
One day I’ll have to try a book y this author. I heard great things about her work! Yes one day!
Judy
I just received the audiobook version of this and can’t wait to get started. Yeah that it was good!
Paij Slater
Kim you crack me up! Some one needs a smack on the head and the other needs two. I feel like that a lot while reading books! Your reviews are always so much fun to read 🙂
Lover Of Romance
I have been meaning to read this author soon, especially after reading your review…I have a feeling this author would probably win me slowly over with this story too!!
Angel
I love Tangled but I chose not to continue the series…or maybe I will someday. I’ll definitely read this one though.
Faye
Eeep, I’m not sure about all the “let’s date other people while still being in a relationship”! I feel like I’d be too attached to one girl (Jenny) than root for Stanton and Sofia. Haha. The premise is intriguing but I don’t think it’s for me~ Amazing review, still though! I’d check out the author’s over books!
Candace
I think the other series appeals to me a bit more but I’m glad that you enjoyed this!
Angela Adams
Sounds like a Lifetime for Television mini-series in the making. Thanks for the post.
Cyn
Ooh, I didn’t know that Emma Chase has a new series! I’m happy to hear that this series managed to win you over! I do love good lawyer romances, haha.
Thanks for the lovely review, Kim!
Grace MyBookSnack
Stanton drove me crazy…that is all. Loved Jenny and Sofia.
Braine Talk Supe
I love Tangled series too…even if I have yet to finish reading the rest of the books. It’s great that this is humorous, is it in the hero’s POV?
Melissa (Books and Things)
LOL! I don’t know if I would enjoy this book but I loved the review. Btw, totally have the Mellencamp earworm now. :p Plus, I want to read this one so I can see Jethro Gibbs sneak up behind them and smack them. I know it would happen and I would blame you for that imagining. LOL
Lanie
Sounds like a fun read, specially since it’s about two successful individuals!
Brandi Breathes Books
Yay, l like the friends to lovers theme!
Ramona
Yum, absolutely yum! This is definitely something I can see myself devouring quickly (and preferably, on a beach 😉 I can’t believe this author is new to me – she sounds quite good. Great review, Kimba ! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Ro
You can’t go wrong with fun characters and a storyline like this! Great review! Hugs…
Heidi
I need a book that will make my sides hurt from laughing. I will have to check this one out. Have a wonderful weekend.
kindlemom1
Someone else reviewed this today as well and liked it. I really need to give this author I try this summer I think. Great review Kim, glad you liked it. I hope you have an amazing weekend!!
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kim, I’ve heard good things about this series.
Have a good weekend!
Kathy
I’ve been really curious about this one after hearing so many great things about Tangled (I still haven’t read that one). I wondered if the author could keep that same stride going. I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
Laurel-Rain Snow
Oh, this one sounds like fun! I do love lawyers who charm those around them, even though I know it’s part of their game. Thanks for sharing!
Nick
We’re review twins today, Kim!! 😀
I’m so glad you liked this too. LOL. Yes, I would have liked to personally smack Stanton a few times too, but he certainly redeemed himself.
Lovely review!
Sophia Rose
I love the city girl visits the country bit and even that ridiculous arrangement between him and the girl back home makes me curious. What a riot!
Katherine
I’ve been wanting to give Emma Chase a try for awhile (probably thanks to your influence) and this one sounds good. I’ll have to keep Gibbs and his head slaps in mind if the characters start irritating me too much with their stupidity.
Red Iza
I wasn’t sure I would read this book, but now I do – I had adoooored Tangled and want to end up smiling like a fool too ! Plus I love John Cougar Mellencamp 🙂
Jennifer
I have this one on audio for review and tried to listen to it at the gym the other day but was having problems with the audio playing. I guess I’ll have to buy it since no matter how many times I re-download it has the same issue.
I really enjoyed Chase’s Tangled series and can’t wait to finally get around to listening to Overruled.
Berls
Oh this sounds like a good one! I have Emma Chase on my tbr already – but this is going on the list too. I think I want to wait to read it so the character crossover will be a treat too. And I’m super excited for Nana. I just love characters that make me laugh that hard!
Silvia
I’m very curious about this one! Like you, I truly LOVED Tangled and I’m definitely ready to read more by this author, and I’m glad she won you over! 🙂
Madiha
The synopsis is this book is really quite intriguing. Definitely I’ll give it points for thinking outside the box. Although it isn’t up my alley, I definitely like the idea. Great review, Kim!
blodeuedd
*gives him a slap on the head* Jethro sent me