August is Read-A-Romance Month and a few of my fellow #XOxperts* and I are celebrating the Joy of Romance. A special thanks to Victoria @ Arts Books & Coffee who has mad social skills and coordinated everything. Check out my review of Sustained by Emma Chase. This is the second book in her new Legal Briefs series but it works as a standalone. I adore Chases’ writing. Her character Drew Evans from the Tangled series is one of my favorite bad boys but, I might just cheat on him with Jake Becker. Enjoy, enter the giveaways and then be sure and visit the other stops.

by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:





Heat Level:




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.
I adore Emma Chase, particularly her Tangled series. In May I read Overruled and enjoyed it but it didn’t have the wow factor of Tangled, now Sustained book two in the Legal Briefs series is another story. I consumed Sustained. Seriously, I started reading and when I came up for air, I was already at fifty-five percent and did not want to stop. The only reason I reentered reality was that my hubby wanted me to watch a movie with him. *Being a good wife occasionally sucks. When does Football season start?* Please do not ask me what we watched, because I was too busy counting down the seconds before I could pick this book back up. Later that night Sustained and I cuddled on the sofa until I had finished every delicious, humorous, adorkable and heartwarming word.
Coffee dates with Sustained
- First Date: Sustained is told from Jake’s POV and Emma Chase is pure gold when her male leads narrate. I loved getting inside his head and seeing thing unfold through his eyes. Our first date had some serious moments and we get a sense that Jake is unhappy with his current life; he just does not realize it yet. A health scare and a pickpocket are about to turn Jake’s world upside down
- Second date: Chelsea McQuaid’s life has been upended by the unexpected death of her brother and his wife. This twenty-something college student is now wearing Mom Chic as she finds herself the sole guardian of six adorable and troubled nieces and nephews. When Jake shows up at her doorstep with her nephew in tow neither realizes that something wonderful, complicated and downright sexy is going to develop. Circumstances and fate have these two interacting and between their sizzle and those adorable kids I never want my date to end. We get some heat and it was deliciously steamy. The kids range from tween to infant and they sometimes stole the show. Sustained would make the perfect rom-com movie and Chase hilariously shared life with children.
- Third date: Jake is beginning to get cold feet.*nooooo* Granted commitment is a big step for this self-declared bachelor and his five-year partner plan. I am glad Chelsea can smell bullshit, because this could have caused a lot of drama. This late date was bumpy and downright nerve-wracking particularly regarding the children. I found myself holding my breath and maybe just maybe I wanted to slap Jake in the back of the head and call him stupid. Chase has but me through the wringer on more than one occasion….but children, friends and Jake’s own feelings keep the drama at a minimum. This may have been a rough date emotionally for me, but I also laughed my ass off, wiped a few tears and did happy dances.
Sustained was perfect and delivered that book high I am always craving. It had all the elements I crave making the characters and story memorable. I was emotionally invested and time stood still. Now where are my truffles?
Visit all the stops during the Joy of Romance

Cyn
Oh yes, Emma Chase! I need to check out this new series! Happy to see you loved it. This one sounds hilarious!
kimbacaffeinate
It was, she is queen of rom com.
Nise'
I listened to Overruled on audio and enjoyed it. Look forward to this second bok.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love this as much as I did Nise!
Bookworm Brandee
*snort* When does football season start, indeed! I’m thrilled you had such a good time with Jake, Kimberly. I have Chase’s books lined up on my kindle but haven’t taken the time to dive in yet. I certainly want to take the time to meet Jake though. 😉 Fun review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Brandee..I hope you love her books as much as I do 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I love Emma Chase. Her writing style is the best! Thanks for the giveaway.
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Jennifer and I totally agree 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I’ll have t give this author a try. Sounds interesting. Thanks for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do Mary 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
Sounds like a must read! I remember picking up Tangled, but wasn’t in the mood for a contemporary and put it down. I need to try again.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try Tangled again and add this to your list 🙂
Angela Adams
A FIVE Cup Review! Wow!!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..this one gave me that high I chase and all of the elements came together for a total escape from reality.
Braine
I love male POvs in general & I agree that Chase does it so well. It doesn’t hurt that I love her sense of humor too, she never fails to make me laugh. Will definitely read this!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, she always makes me giggle:snort!
Katherine
Emma Chase is an author I’ve been wanting to read for awhile and this sounds really good. I love characters that you can really connect to and get emotionally invested in. Sounds like a great read and definitely truffle-worthy.
kimbacaffeinate
She really does Katherine, I do hope you get to try her!
Kathy
Shame on me! I’ve had Emma Chase’s Tangled on my Kindle since its release and STILL haven’t read it, even though everyone keeps telling me I must. I honestly don’t know what I’m waiting for unless it’s the mood. Eventually, I’m going to laugh with everyone else and know who their talking about with her characters.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh Kathy Drew Evans has been my reigning book boyfriend since I read the series, although I might cheat on him a little with Jake. Go read Tangled. I read chapters allowed to my husband and even he laughed.
Melissa (Books and Things)
This sounds good. I need a good romcom about now. Especially since you LOL’d even though you were put through the ringer. You are also nicer than I would have been. I’d still be reading while “watching” the movie. LOL
kimbacaffeinate
The ringer wasn’t overdone, she killed me in the second or third book of the Tangled series, but this was just enough to keep you flippin the pages 🙂
Anna
High praise indeed. 🙂
Anna from Elements of Writing
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..fangirling over at Caffeinated 🙂
Melliane
I’ll really have to try this author, everyone is so loving her books, we even have some in French.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes…ooo and I am glad our friends in France love it too!
Sophia Rose
I love this is from his perspective and he’s a true rogue that gets won over by her and the kids. Definitely want to read this.
kimbacaffeinate
Chase does the male perspective like no one else..I hope you read it.
Heidi
I just read Nick’s review for this one and she loved it as well. I haven’t read anything super fun and adorkable lately, so I must get this one. Thanks for the heads up.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you try it, this is a good one because while there is heat it isn’t too much.
Sue G.
I love Emma Chase’s books. She writes the best funny alpha heroes!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Sue, good luck!!
Lisa
I’m SO EXCITED to read this!! I adored Overruled. I actually have a copy, but I decided to wait for the audiobook. SEBASTAIN YORK!! No explanation needed. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
York..yum! This would be hilarious on audio.
Marika Weber
This is the one book that I really need to read. I couldn’t get into the first book of the series and unfortunately it was DNF for me. Otherwise Ms. Chase is a wonderful writer and I love her books.
Marika Weber
maw1725@gmail.com
kimbacaffeinate
I enjoyed the first, but I totally loved Sustained 🙂
sherry fundin
Great segue from the cute banner to the hot cover. LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sherry 🙂
Ramona
Sounds as yummy as a big chocolate eclair (been craving one for days, lol). Men having troubles committing – here’s something all men on the planet have in common! Excellent review <3
kimbacaffeinate
Oh so not fair..now I want an eclair.
Debbie Haupt
I have seen this novel much on the interweb Kim and now I must have it. So I sprinkled fairy dust on my contest entry 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Good luck Debbie, such a good one to win!
Keionda
I can tell you reallllyyyyy liked this one girl. 🙂 I loved the way you broke it down and that made it totally interesting! I love the sound of the characters and it sounds pretty dang good if even a movie with the hubby couldn’t take your mind off it for too long. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It was wonderful and I truly enjoyed my time spent with them 🙂 Hope you get to try it!
kindlemom1
I so need to try this author! These look like great reads for those cold nights that aren’t too far away. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yes…I so hope you try her!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I haven’t read this author, but I loved the synopsis and your review. The characters sound like the kind I would root for. Thanks for sharing.
kimbacaffeinate
This had all the elements for a perfect escape Laurel 🙂
Ro
My goodness this sounds like a totally fun read and one I need to pick up! I love your review, as always and seems like the author is pretty dang cool, too! Hugs…
kimbacaffeinate
All the feels Ro…enjoy!
Jenny
I’m completely sold on this one Kim! I just bought it after reading Nick’s review, and now I come here and see you gave it 5 stars as well so I couldn’t be more excited to read this. And meet Jake. I might be most excited for Jake 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Squee..I hope you love it as much as we did!
Katie Lowden
Thanks so much for the chance, would love to read this! Loved Drew in Tangled and can’t wait to read!!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Katie..I hope you love Jake!
Katie Lowden
Would love to read, thank you so much for the chance!
Nick
YAAAS, Kim! I loved this one so much! This was so amazing and I loved Jake and Chelsea and the 6 little monsters. The little one who only knew how to say “Hi” was my favorite! 🙂
Can’t wait for Brent’s book! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Oh my yes..the little one made me giggle 🙂
blodeuedd
I have to try her one of these days
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do, I am rarely not satisfied when reading her novels.
Trish
This sounds like a must read! I loved Tangled! I agree that she does male PoV so well and I love her wicked sense of humour
kimbacaffeinate
This just had the perfect mix of the elements and I adored it 🙂