SUSTAINED Review Y'all don't wanna miss the latest Emma Chase book

SUSTAINED and Jake rank right up there with Drew for me.  5 stars & y'all know those are few & far between.

 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 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.

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, and defend her…and the kids.

And that—that, I know how to do.

(Blurb is from Emma Chase's website)

My thoughts....5 stars

Jake Becker is the quintessential bad boy made good. Thanks to an insightful judge and a liberal dose of tough love Jake spends his life defending people rather than being the defendant. Rising fast in one of the most influential law firms in D.C. Jake’s on the fast track to a corner office, until Rory McQuaid picks his pocket.

Chelsea McQuaid is aunt to the precocious Rory and his 5 siblings. Chelsea gave up life as a grad student in Berkley to raise her nieces and nephews after her brother and sister-in-law died in an accident. Raising six children ranging in age from less than a year to fourteen is hard for two people, let alone one. Everyone, Chelsea included, has issues relating to the deaths of Robert and Rachel but while the kids can act out, Rory especially, Chelsea is in the hot seat. No time to grieve there’s too much to do.

Jake, with the Judge and a younger Jake in mind, takes Rory home rather than to the police to press charges. This is the beginning of the end of life as Jake knows it. Already reeling from a close call he’s totally knocked for a loop by Chelsea and her passle of problems waiting to happen.

Jake gives Drew a serious run for his money. As a former bad boy he has that simmering, “I can revert at any time”, edge that the debonair Drew lacks. He’s blunt, honest, and completely devastating.

Chelsea is more subtle. She’s giving, loving, loyal, responsible, and puts the needs of her nieces and nephews above her own. She does all this without succumbing to martyr syndrome or being treacly sweet, quite the feat!

Most of my favorite scenes are, surprisingly, not between Jake and Chelsea but between Jake and the children. The honesty and sincerity he evinces warms the heart as much, possibly more for moms, than the love scenes. At least that’s the case with this mom. While I enjoyed Jake and Chelsea, Jake and the children made SUSTAINED.

Here’s a taste...Any parent who’s ever had to watch Barney can relate to this….

The cheerfully decorated door opens a few minutes later, and the sound of Barney’s “Clean Up Song” echoes though it.The hairs on the back of my neck stand up-I have nightmares about that song.

And did I mention his commentary is hilarious? Yes, (little happy dancing here) SUSTAINED is told from Jake’s POV. Words can barely convey how much I adore the male POV relayed via Ms. Chase.

Ms. Chase is certain to once again delight readers with her signature style of humor, romance, roguishly loveable heroes, and the lucky heroines who win their wary hearts. If these are qualities you look for in contemporary romance SUSTAINED should be at the top of your list.