Review: Sustained by Emma Chase!

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. 

Sustained quickly took me by the heart and made me fall in love! I have never been a huge fan of Contemporary Romance, but this one is special!

I was a little hesitant when starting Sustained. It was my first book from Emma Chase and I had never before read a book narrated by a grown man. I was afraid I might not get into it as much or have a hard time connecting with the main character, but I was quickly proven wrong. (I seriously need to get my hands on all of her other books ASAP!) Sustained is such a beautifully written and heart warming story. Jake is a troubled character- with a bit of a bad boy streak- and goes through a huge amount of character development. The way he opens his heart and loves- especially the kids- makes me smile. Chelsea is wonderful as well. The fact that she uproots her life in order to take care of her nieces and nephews makes the reader feel deeply for her. Her dedication is beyond admirable and she is the type of character you would want to be friends with.

The author did a really great job with all of the characters. All of the children have different personalities and it adds a wonderful depth to the novel. There are one liners, smartassness galore, and touches of deep emotions as the children and Chelsea are still grieving the loss of their family.

With any good romance novel there is, of course, a heaping helping of sexy and romantic scenes. These was some of the most fascinating and fresh scenes (along with all Jake's interaction with the kids) to read from a man's perspective. There chemistry is incredible in and out of the bedroom. You can't help but want all of them together from the very beginning. All the different aspects of the story are well balanced and make for a well paced and enjoyable reading experience.

A sexy tattooed lawyer with a dirty mouth, a sweet and caring Aunt, six sweet and crazy kids. What's not to love?

5/5