Appealed (The Legal Briefs #3) By: Emma Chase

Hey ya'll, I am so excited to get to share my review of Appealed by Emma Chase with you today. 

I fell in love with series back when Overruled came out, and each book in the series just gets better and better. I thought Emma had outdone herself when Sustained came out and we got to meet Jake and Chelsea. And while I still love Jake, Brent has worked himself into my heart and I have to say I really adore him, and Kennedy both.

I also want to say a huge thank you to Gallery Books for sending me out not only an eARC but also a physical ARC of this book for my review. Gallery seriously takes the best care of us bloggers and I can't thank them enough for all the awesomeness they send my way ♥♥♥

The New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled books returns with the third romance in the Legal Briefs series, a collection of sexy novels about first crushes, second chances, and the final verdict of the heart.

When Brent Mason looks at Kennedy Randolph, he doesn’t see the awkward, sweet girl who grew up next door. He sees a self-assured, stunning woman…who wants to crush the most intimate—and prized—parts of his anatomy beneath the heels of her Louboutins.

When Kennedy looks at Brent, all she sees is the selfish, Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue–worthy teenager who humiliated her in high school in order to join the popular crowd. A crowd that made those years a living hell for her.

But she’s not a lovesick social outcast anymore—she’s a Washington, DC, prosecutor with a long winning streak. Brent is the opposing attorney in her next case, and Kennedy thinks it’s time to put him through a little hell of his own.

But things aren’t exactly working out the way she planned. Brent has his sights set on Kennedy, and every fiery exchange only makes him want her more—and makes her wonder if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom. In the end, they may just find themselves in love…or in contempt of court.

I don't think saying that I loved this book really does it justice. I FREAKING loved this book!!! (Yup I think that works much better hehe)

I fell in love with Emma Chase's books back during the Drew Evans's days, and jumped at the opportunity to get to dive into her new series when Overruled came out. And now I have to say I'm a little sad to finally be writing a review for the last book in the series. But I am also really excited to be writing this one too.

To give you a little bot of insight into how this went for me...
I started this book one night when I went to bed. Figured I would knockout a few chapters before falling asleep. Bhahahaha!!!!!! Only read a few chapters... I crack myself up sometimes.
And I say that because 6 hours and no sleep later I had finished the ENTIRE book.
And the sleep deprived zombie state I lived in that next day was pretty much worth it. Because I really loved this book (It comes in pretty equally to Sustained which I'm sure you know was the best thing since microwavable mac and cheese) So if that isn't telling you something onto of my sleep depravity I don't know what will hehe

So I guess I should really be getting into things now huh?

As is normal per my reviews I'll get down with the characters. But I'll get to them in a bit. I want to talk a little about why I think this book was so good in general.
So lets get this baby started...

One thing that always draws me to an Emma Chase book is her writing style. She keeps things pretty fun and romantic while still able to bring in some more pressing issues without things turning heavy and losing that fun sort of bounce. Brent and Kennedy both have some demons from their past to sort through (Kennedy more than Brent) and Emma created a good balance of showing how those past issues effected both of their lives now, and how they were dealing with them and fixing them while forging this adorable relationship that had me on my toes and laughing more than a few times. (No matter how hard Kennedy decided to fight it. And believe me, she is a fighter in more ways than one)

Something else about the way Emma writes... And this can even go all the way back to Drew is the inner monologue she gives the guys. We  get the story, what's happening to the character and to the people around them. But then we get this incredibly fun little side note (I guess that's the best way to explain it) where the main character kind of takes a break from the story and explains things to you. It makes you feel more like that character is sitting on a couch across from you telling you about something that they had happen to them, rather than reading a story about what they are going through. It makes the reading experience much more personal, and I can admit... When I did read Tangled way back when, that style sort of surprised me and took a bit to enjoy. But once I got use to it I actually find it a great way to write and wish more authors would consider doing the same with their books.
(Thank you Lauren Blakely)

Guess I will jump into characters now.
Lets start with Kennedy.

I really enjoyed her character. She is feisty and fun, and has this bit of a self conscious streak from past experience. She's had to change some through her life to fit the image her job demands, but for the most part Kennedy is still the same head strong woman. She is great at her job and I found her history with Brent interesting, and it even brought out my fictional character protective side. hehe.
I would love to reach in to this book and smack some of those people her and Brent went to school with. Maybe even Brent too for being a dumb boy (But I guess that in its self is expected. I mean we are talking dumb teenage boy in this instance)

But back to Kennedy. If you haven't read any of my reviews or just haven't picked up on it. I don't tend to like female characters nearly as much as I do the male ones, and lately I just have seemed to be in a crabby mood and picked them a part like one of those peel apart Twizzlers.
But Kennedy was a refreshing character.

She was sexy and wasn't afraid to call Brent out on his crap when it was needed.

She also was kick butt at her job. I mean let's face it. Even in today's society woman still face obstetrical when joining a dominantly male profession, and as I mentioned, Kennedy sort of changes her look to be taken more serious as a lawyer. But really she could wear a bag and people would still take notice of her. She demands respect and authority and gets it in the court room.

She's actually a pretty inspiring character. Especially when you start to see all the insecurities that are hidden beneath it all. She doesn't let them show very often, but when she does it sort of breaks your heart to see this strong beautiful woman worried about that sort of thing.

We all went through our weird phases through high school and it made me so mad seeing how dumb Brent was when it came to what Kennedy went through back then. Have I mentioned men are dumb yet???? Because they are. Even super hot fictional ones *grrr

So I want to change gears now and jump over to Brent. I knew just from the previous books in the series that I was going to love him. He's always been the goofy fun one to ease the tension during some of the more intense moments, and is always the first one willing to jump up and take action when it's needed. Like cooling off his two hot headed besties when they freak out about their women. Or when someone is getting in trouble (Like when one of Jake's crazy brood of kids get's themselves into trouble. Or Stanton gets all alpha male on Sophia *hint hint there is something that is happening in this book to trigger said behavior and you're going to LOVE it all you Stanton and Sophia fans)

But back to Brent.

Ok so if you read my review of Sustained or just happened to catch one of the many times I recommend the book to someone or talk about it (It comes up a lot haha) You may have been able to tell that I am sort of a huge Jake Becker fan. Like seriously I love the dude. He may even get ranked higher then Drew *gasp! yes I know that is like Emma Chase style blasphemy.

But I seriously loved him and his whole story with Chelsea and the kids. It was such an adorable book and I had been like nope, nothing can outdo this book or this fictional man. HA!

Ok ok so Brent may still not have beat out Jake necessarily, but I still loved him and he is definitely ranked pretty high in my fictional man loving.

Emma had the potential to make Brent more of a bitter tragic character after losing his leg as a kid and dealing with his slightly insane family. And while we get to see some of his struggles through that lose, we also see what kind of man something like that did to him. While he is a sort of man slut now and then, Brent is really a good guy. He takes care of his friends and tries to be there for his family? That one is a bit more complicated I guess and I wont go into too many details so it doesn't ruin anything for you.

But anyways, we get to see this amazing man that doesn't let what some would consider a tragedy to slow him in the least. After a rocky start as a kid getting use to things, and with Kennedy's help he learns to not let it get to him and even tends to joke about things regarding it.

But as I say that, I do want to mention that even hot fictional men have their bad days and so we also get to see a struggling adult Brent deal with that just a little. (Am I contradicting myself yet? Haha)

But that is something that I love about Emma's writing. She is so amazing at mixing the good and the bad. And when her characters do meet the bad she makes it into a triumph for them to deal with, and be able to get back up and keep going. (I may have the emotions of a 40 year old man, but I do have a heart deep deep deep down in there somewhere, and that sort of thing always makes me mushy. I AM A SUCKER haha!)

But Something else that really struck me with Brent was his love for Kennedy. He truly does care for the woman, and he has for a long while even if he is too dumb to make anything of it till now. His friendship and now relationship with her is what every person wants in their life I think. Someone that will push all your boundaries, but still be kind and caring when you need it. That whole friends into lovers holds some merit I think (Coming from someone who doesn't trust easily and tends to push the people she cares about the most away I can relate. I have always been one to build before jumping into things. Probably the reason I haven't dated since high school. But when I have let people in they have been ones that I have known for a while. And while it is backwards in this particular situation, one of my best friends started out as a boyfriend. And while our relationship was super short it turned into something that I would never take back. He has been there for me through so much heartache and pain, and he is the person I always turn to when things get bad. He's seen first hand the things I went through, been willing to defend me when I needed it. And I can say I've done the same for him. So do I think friends to lovers is my favorite kind of story? Yeah, it's real. And it's relatable. And I just sort of fall head over heels for it)

Bent is an amazing character to read. He has so much personality and so much chemistry with Kennedy and I adored getting to really see his side of things instead of just his supporting character role we've seen in the past. He is too funny and goofy and I really truly loved not only him and Kennedy but his dynamic with both Jake and Stanton and Sophia. The four of them are so funny together and seeing all of them get their happy endings makes me happy. I get attached to characters (maybe more than I do real people. That is seriously weird right? I'm just going to shut up now and go hide in the corner booth of the coffee shop I'm writing this in haha)

And to see them love, and struggle, and persevere makes me loads happy.

It makes me have faith that while these amazing people are fictional that there are people out there like them somewhere. (Oh god I really just need to stop. I sound so crazy right now I bet right?)

I also want to add that the way Emma ends this whole thing made me so happy. It was absolutely the most perfect way to end such an amazing series and I have to say it was giving me major feels.

I love it when authors can tie it all up and give you an ending that leaves you completely satisfied and happy.

So, in conclusion... (I don't think I have used that phrase since those five paragraph essays I used to have to write for standardized tests back in 8th grade haha)

This book is going to be a must read for the new year.

It is funny, romantic, and a bit dumb guy slap worthy (Maybe that was just me though in a few particular places haha)

But I am so serious when I say you will love this book.

It is definitely on my list as one of my favorite books of the year, and yes I know, the year has only started. But so far it is off to an amazing start and I am in love with everything I've laid my eyes on so far.

Look out for Appealed when it releases January 19th :)

I give APPEALED: *****5 Stars*****

Sustained (The Legal Briefs Series #2) By: Emma Chase

I want to start this whole shebang out by saying thank you so much to Gallery books for not only sending me an eARC of this book, but for also sending me a finished copy too. I love Emma Chase's book so much and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book in this amazing series. And let me just tell you, this book did not disappoint. It is probably actually my favorite she has written so far.

Hope you enjoy this review, and I really do hope you go out and grab a copy of not only Sustained but The first book In The Legal briefs Series Overruled.

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 and 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.

Ok ya'll I think I have found the love of my life and his name is Jake Becker. (Chelsea McQuaid watch your back girl I'm coming for him hehe)

But in all seriousness I really did love Jake, and Chelsea, and well the whole book when it comes down to it.

Emma Chase never fails to amaze me with the comedy and characters she creates. I love that her books always come from these strong amazing men. Yes they are a bit over controlling and full of themselves, but I think that's what makes them so lovable. They think they are all big and bad and can do whatever they want and most of them are perpetual man whores (shock! gasp!) (And not all of them are, yes I know) and yet, I find it amazing that these men always wind up falling for women that are just a s strong and make them rethinking everything.

So lets go ahead and talk characters, just get it out of the way now, because ya'll know I can go on forever about them hehe. And you also know i never start with the guys, but in this case I am. Just because I feel he needs to be discussed to be able to talk about the other characters. 

So... Jake Becker

Like I said I am in love with the dude. He's hot, smart, knows how to argue, has tattoos, (So many tattoos *shivers)  is funny as heck, has amazing friends, and a seller job. I mean seriously is there anything the man doesn't do? Oh yeah, and he has an awesome Mom and Step dad. Can't forget that, the parents are always a big one when they're around. But even with all those things going for him, I just like Jake as a person. He really is a hard worker and cares about the people in his life.  He knows that he has made mistakes, and yet he has worked his butt of to make something of himself from them. 

Jake is also pretty brutally honest, which truth be told I like. He isn't one to lie to you about things and if asked will give you the full story. Including the story about his past and the bad things he did as a young man. He is so open with Chelsea and even makes some pretty dumb decisions out of that honesty (no matter how misguided). This is what makes him a good lawyer. Well that and the fact that he is intimidating as heck.

Also something I like about Jake's character is how passionate about things he is. Take his work. He is one of the best defense attorneys in D.C. and almost never loses a case. And he's like that because he know's what needs to be argued, how to spin a story, and how to make the other team run away screaming. He's pretty ruthless when it comes to his job actually. He knows he's working for the "Dark Side" but he also knows that someone has to do it, and that he does it well. And yet he does realize when defending someone can be the wrong choice. That right there is the one thing that makes him the man he is. Because even though he may be working for who are considered the bad guys he knows it, and he knows when it is time to draw the line. 

Something else I think that really needs to be talked about about him is that Jake was not always the good straight and narrow man he is. When he was younger he went through his bought of Bad Boyness. But Jake was able to find someone who cared enough to give him another chance and help him to learn the right things to do. He made him work for it but in the end made him so much stoner. Jake knows what it means to get a second chance and he knows what you have to do to fully make something of yourself from that. 

I think the most important thing was that he had someone who was willing to give that to him. Who didn't just see him as some screw up lost cause kid. 

The person who gave him that Jake fondly calls the Judge, and although we don't get a ton about him, he pops into the story enough that I really liked the man. He is tough but also a good person who cares a whole lot about the people around him. He took a messed up angry kid and showed him the potential he could have. And there were a few parts involving him that did make me a bit sad, but only because I grew to like this minor character that is barley even in the story so much.

Ok time to talk Chelsea.

This poor woman has really been through a lot when it comes down to it. Her whole life has been uprooted, and she is now the sole guardian to her brother and Sister-in-law's six crazy children, and yet no matter how crazy it gets she is there for them, and loves them like they are her own children.

She is strong, and kind, and acts like someone way beyond her twenty six years.

I really liked her relationship with the kids too. You could tell things weren't perfect between them all, but the kids care for her and she them. They all help Chelsea out when needed (Fighting included) and stick closely together. But no matter how on top of things she is there is only so much she can do to help them. And that is where I love that she's not afraid to accept help when it's given. Like when Jake come into the picture. It isn't really on the best circumstances considering her nephew is trying his hand at petty theft. But as soon as Jake walks into her and the children's lives and starts helping her, she never pushes him away or pretends that she can do it all alone (As much as she wants to be Super Woman she is not. And that's ok) 

I also like how she brings this completely different person out of Jake. Mr. I'm married to my job finally is given something he can care about and come how to with Chelsea and the kids (As long as he doesn't screw it up *cough cough) (Stupid man)  But she makes Jake see that he can be a caring person who has more to his life than work and a few quick hookups. She makes him want more and that scares him. 

Something else I really liked about Chelsea is that she isn't afraid to fight for what she wants. There is a scene in the book where the mama bear in her comes out and I had to say I was ready to give the girl a high five for it. I mean she seriously bared her teeth and was ready to throw down to protect those kids. 

Next I want to talk about all those adorable little monsters. Let's see if I can do this... There is Rory (The trouble maker) his twin Raymond (The smart one) their older sister Riley (Fourteen, need I say more. Oh yes and One Direction) their younger sister Rosaleen (The adorable curly headed cutie) Regan (the two year old "Hi" monster) and Ronan (The adorable little baby)

I think I got all of them, there's six there right? hehe

Ok so these kids are probably one of my favorite parts of this book, minus their dog It (Fuzzy little hairball) They all have such different personalities and add so much to the story. They are the reason Chelsea is in D.C. the reason Jake meets her, they provide comic relief to the plot, and I mean come on six kids in general in one household can make anyone laugh. Think about how many movies are out there with big families as the plot line. 

There is just something special about the way Emma writes these kids though. I mean they have gone through so much tragedy at such young ages and yet when they need to they come together and are always there for one another, not to say there isn't a whole lot of fighting and name calling involved in the process. And while there are also times where they get in a whole lot of trouble *couch Rory *cough Riley they know they have made mistakes and try to make things better from there. When it comes down to it they are scared kids who are grieving and they will make stupid decisions. 

Something I like about Jake being in their lives, is that he helps them see things from a different perspective. He doesn't just tell them things they need to hear, or condescending stuff adults tell kids when they screw up. He gives them advice out of experience, and wants them to earn a second chance and make something from that chance like he did.

Rory is probably my favorite because of how sarcastic and quick he is. They boy has the jokes and I like that fire I see in him. You can tell he is going to be so much trouble but yet he is smart and knows exactly what he's doing (even when it's the wrong decision) He's not afraid to speak his mind in the least, and really he's almost like a little mini Jake Becker (poor Jake haha)

We also get more Sofia, Stanton, and Brent. I love the three of them (Book 1, Overruled is Sofia and Stanton's story for anyone who hasn't had a chance to read it yet)

The four friends make such an amazing team throughout the books. They all help and defend each other, and are there when times get hard. They all have their own pasts, and personalities may be a bit different but that doesn't keep them from doing their jobs or supporting their friends. Even if that means giving them a kick in the butt when needed.

It's always fun seeing past characters though as series progress, I felt the same way when reading Christina Lauren's books and Kristen Proby's. All three series follow the same group of people but each book is about different characters from those books, and while it took me some time to enjoy books written like that, I can say that makes them so much better.

I love getting to see how things are still going with Sofia and Stanton, and I loved Sofia anyways so getting more of her is just great in general. And in the next book, Appealed we'll get Brent's story so I'm excited to get that when it finally is here too.

Well... I love talking about characters and could seriously talk about them all day (Not kidding)

but I just want to talk about some of my favorite parts of this book in general. And seriously there were a lot. I wont give you details because I don't want to spoil anything but I hope to give you places to look forward to.

So, my favorite part in the whole book you ask? When Stanton and Jake take Riley and Stanton's daughter to the One Direction concert. Literary gold there, I'm telling you. I laughed so hard, and the best part? Emma posted a list from Jake today on FB on how to survive going to a 1D concert. And it was so so funny. I shared the post on our FB page but I'll post it here too, because ya'll have got to check it out.

How to Chaperone a One Direction Concert (Without Killing Someone) by Jake Becker

Another part I really liked in the book is when Jake is telling you about all the crazy stuff that has happened with him, Chelsea, and the kids sense coming into their lives. It's all written in flashbacks, but Oh-em-gee those were some of the funniest scenes in the whole book. 

Also whenever there is a scene about It the dog, there is usually something funny said. One scene isn't really even with the dog. It's when Jake is teaching Raymond how to handle a situation from school and Rory does some pretty funny stuff involving It's uh... droppings haha

Drunk Jake is funny too. It only happens once so be ready, but he had me laughing a whole lot. The scene this happens in too though is also a very intense and eye opening scene. It is good on so many levels so it classifies in my top ones.

Ok so now that I've tried to giveaway all the fun I guess I should get this thing wrapped up.

Pretty much to recap, I loved this book. I loved how much humor and sarcasm was in it. And I loved how this book really talks about second chances and how when given them by the right person they can make all the difference. 

I also love anything Emma Chase so I really couldn't tell you I hated this book now could I? lol

The book was beautifully written and am so happy was able to get the chance to review it. I love books like this from a man's perspective. We get so few of them, other than split POV's and Emma always does a super job at making these men very colorful and fun.

I would suggest to anyone to get a copy as soon as possible.

I give Sustained: *****5 Stars*****