Speed Date–Sustained (The Legal Briefs #2) 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. ~ Goodreads


Source: E-arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Speed Date Review:

1st date: Jack, if I went by how you behaved on our first date, we wouldn’t have had a second. Jack is a player. The type of guy who has one night hook ups, doesn’t promise more and moves on. I actually don’t have a problem with that – as long as the guy is up front BEFORE the hook up. But the book starts with him basically telling his latest hook up AFTER the fact and that just rubbed me the wrong way. He also doesn’t remember a random hook up after being confronted by the girl because she wasn’t hot. Yeah – I don’t like you Jack.

2nd date: Now the 6 kids start entering the scene one by one and I’m like noooooo…this book is more about the kids than the romance!!! But a funny thing happened. I LOVED the kids and the way Jack interacts with them. His is completely changed the second he meets them but he doesn’t become soft, mushy and boring. Instead he uses his ruthless reputation for good, helping the kids and, their aunt and guardian, Chelsea. It's all so funny and endearing - but mostly side splittingly funny.

3rd date: Third date’s the charm! This was such a fun romance that had me totally changing my mind about Jack and kids in romance. Very well done!

I really loved Chelsea and how Chase showed how difficult it is to juggle instant parenthood with putting aside your own hopes and dreams to help the kids have a stable environment. Chelsea and Jack have major chemistry but it’s more than that. They build a solid relationship based on trust, respect and security.

*Speed Date reviews inspired by The Book Swarm