Sidebarred by Emma Chase [Review]

Posted April 20, 2016 by FMA in 5 Stars - It fed my addiction!

Sidebarred by Emma Chase [Review]Sidebarred by Emma Chase
Series: The Legal Briefs #3.5
Also in this series: Overruled, Sustained, Appealed
Published by Indie
on April 24, 2016
Pages: 101
Genres: Humor, Romance
Review Copy Provided By: Author
five-stars

Goodreads
AMZ US

Join Jake & Chelsea, Stanton & Sofia, Brent & Kennedy as they navigate the hilarious and heartwarming hurdles of love, life and the law in this final addition to the Legal Briefs Series.

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 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.


I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.


For a Novella, ‘Sidebarred‘ packed in a novel sized punch!

heart in water

‘SIDEBARRED’ hit me right in the feels. Tears! OMG, I cried tears! Tears of laughter, tears of sadness, tears of happiness, tears of understanding. Chase had my emotions confused! Even now, as I read my notes and the highlighted quotes, I am crying all over again!

The love Jake has for Chelsea is stunning, it’s beautiful and dream-worthy. But the love he has for his family is astounding. His love is strong and undeniable. No one messes with a Becker or McQuaid if Jake has anything to say about it.

And while I wait…I silently do something I’ve never done before. I pray. Please, God, please don’t let me screw this up. Don’t let anything go wrong.❞

What I love most about ‘Sidebarred’ was the realism. Chase brought her experience of motherhood to this book.

While those of us who love Emma Chase, know her as the ‘Master of The Male POV’, with Sidebarred, she spoke the truth of parenthood, and of a parents joy and love, of their frustrations, struggles, and of their fears.

If you are a parent, you couldn’t help but relive your own school shopping experience, while reading Jake and Chelsea’s.

❝This box has ten crayons, Mommy. The List says I need the eight box,❞ Regan explains to Chelsea, who looks as frustrated as I feel.

❝There aren’t any eight-crayon boxes, Regan.❞

The midget shrugs.

❝Then we have to go to a different store.❞

There’s no way the person who made these lists actually has kids.

See? Genius, Emma Chase, is a Genius! (YES, who makes those headache inducing, lists? I want to know!?!)

Jake’s story has been my favorite from the beginning, and to get more, was like visiting an old friend. He is such a vulnerable character, yet strong and endearing. He is multifaceted. I guess that’s why I love him so much. He’s loving, funny, smart, protective, (sometimes, overly so) but always with intentions of good. He is good. Jake Becker is one of the good guys.

Jake and Chelsea

There is so much to this story and I can’t wait for you to experience it. I purposefully stopped short of sharing with you swoon-worthy quotes (there are many), or plot information (it’s beautiful). I hope you won’t read them in other reviews because it was the reveal of them, which made this story so spectacular for me.

I was thrilled to revisit Stanton & Sofia, Brent & Kennedy as well. The Legal Brief’s series, was my favorite of 2015, so to get a little of all of them in this Novella was a true treat for me. The Legal Brief’s series is one of those stories, about a set of characters I could never tire. I would love to have spin-offs of their children.

Another winner by Emma Chase. One of my favorites so far this year!

 

Excerpt new

Chelsea sits beside me on the couch, facing me, her legs tucked, her pretty feet curled under her. Yes—Chelsea has pretty feet, okay? I never knew feet could be pretty—until I saw hers.

“So . . . that talk I mentioned before? We should probably have that now, while we can.”

I take a sip of my drink and nod. “Yeah—I wasn’t at all hoping you’d forget about it or anything.”

Her face slides into a grin. “Funny.”

I look back at her, straight-faced. “I’m a funny guy.”

When she doesn’t say anything for a few moments, I ask, “What’s up?”

Because now I’m actually getting concerned. My stomach tightens as I brace for whatever’s worrying her—and before I even know what I’m up against, in my head I’m already planning all the ways I’ll take care of it. Because that’s what I do—and I’m good at it.

But what she tells me next blows my fucking mind.

“I’m late.”

Two words—ten thousand thoughts exploding in my head at once.

I’m a big guy, six-five, 225 pounds of muscle. Guys like me, our voices don’t squeak. But at this moment, mine comes damn close.

“Like . . . for an appointment?”

Chelsea inhales deeply, then breathes out, “No.”

 

Sidebarred teaser 2

 

five-stars

About Emma Chase

By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother who resides in a small town in New Jersey. By night she is a keyboard crusader, toiling away the hours to bring her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.

Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.

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