Series Review // The Legal Briefs by Emma Chase

Today's flashback is The Legal Briefs series by Emma Chase. These books are romantic comedies with a legal backdrop, but it's the friendships and families that make these stories so enjoyable. Ranging from 4 and 5-star reads, I think if you love romance and laughter, then you need to read these books.

I read this series many years ago and wouldn't mind doing a re-read. Have you ever read these books? Are you interested in giving them a try?

Overruled

As a 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 and 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 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.

Rating - ★★★★

Loved seeing my sexy man Drew again... Even briefly.

Overall a great book, but I expect nothing less than great from Emma Chase!

Stanton was lost, immature and delusional.... But I loved him anyway. My heart went out to Sofia and I wanted him to work harder for her. The ending didn't completely heal my broken heart. I think I just needed more from the epilogue.

Sustained

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.

Rating - ★★★★★

Another winner for Emma Chase. I cannot get enough of her books and her writing style.

I laughed so much during this book. Each character added their own variation of humour to each scene. And the kids? Priceless!!

I am anxiously awaiting Brent's story because his character is amazing. I want to learn more about his accident and how he triumphs despite his disability. His attitude and personality is one we could only hope to emulate under the same circumstances.

Appealed

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 Christian Louboutins.

Brent has never let the loss of his leg in a childhood accident affect his ability to lead a fulfilling life. He sets high goals–and then he reaches them.

And now he has his sights set on Kennedy.
**
When Kennedy looks at Brent Mason, all she sees is the selfish, Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue-worthy teenager who humiliated her in high school to join the popular crowd. A crowd that made those years a living hell.

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

But things aren’t exactly working out that way.

Because every fiery exchange has her wondering if he’s as passionate in the bedroom as he is in the courtroom. Each argument and objection only makes him want her more. In the end, Brent and Kennedy may just find themselves in love…or in contempt of court.

Rating - ★★★★★

Another phenomenal hit from Emma Chase (not that I doubted it)!! I swear... this author and her Midas hands. I can never go wrong with one of her books.

I fell in love with Brent earlier in this series and I eagerly anticipated his book. This read was definitely worth the wait.

This was a second chance romance, which can follow the same old predictable plot, however, the author found a way to not only make this story fresh and unique, but to also make it relevant.

It tackled issues such as insecurity, loss, fear, bullying, heartbreak, healing, closure, and love.

Brent by himself was a magnificent character, just as I knew he would be. I always admired his strength, perseverance, and determination, and these traits shone brightly in this book. Add Kennedy to the mix and this couple were a force to be reckoned with.

My favourite parts of this book were:

* them running away from a marriage proposal
* imagining Brian singing "I Can't Feel My Face When I'm With You"
* the rich history between Brent and Kennedy
* the interactions they had with their friends and families
* their banter
* the extended epilogue (how freaking cute was that?!)
* EVERY COMIC BOOK REFERENCE!! I'm a huge comic collector and this made me connect HUGE with Brent.

I see there's a book with Jake and Chelsea and all of the kids so I'm off to start that. I hope that if you haven't tried this series yet, my reviews have at least piqued your interest.

Sidebarred

There was a time when Jake Becker had it all together. He was controlled, driven, ruthless—in and out of the courtroom.

Then, six irresistible orphans and their heartbreakingly beautiful aunt crashed into his perfectly ordered life. They changed everything. They changed him. Now he’s a husband, an upstanding member of society, a father figure—a family man. And he’s pretty damn good at it.

Sure, he has to referee sibling smackdowns, re-learn algebra, ensure his clients stay out of jail, and keep his wife happy—but it finally feels like he’s got it together again....

So, of course something has to screw it all up. It’s huge. Life-changing. Kind of terrifying.

And it will be the most amazing, perfect thing he’ll ever do.

Rating - ★★★★★

Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh! OH MY GOSH!!

This book... getting this book... reading this book... it was like Christmas came early.

Jake has been a favourite of mine in this series. Who doesn't love a reformed bad boy? I swear he was the hottest male lead (not that they all weren't hot because they most certainly were). Add in the McQuaid children and you've got the recipe for hysterical genius.

To say that I loved this would be an understatement. I'm so grateful that the author thought to gift us with this little addition. It gave me everything I love about this series: the laughs, the insanity, the crises, the family, the friends, and the love.

I would say I'm sorry to see all of these characters go, but that epilogue was absolutely brilliant. It was the best send-off I could ever imagine for them. So while I laughed my a** off and then almost cried (my eyes definitely felt some stinging action), I was able to cheerfully bid them "adieu".