Overruled

I've been looking forward to Emma Chase's new series for sometime. Her writing is witty, funny, and yet still has the emotional pull I'm always looking. I was hoping to fall in love with these new characters they way I did with those from her Tangled series and I did. And I've got to say this story really reminded me of "My Best Friend's Wedding," an iconic movie, but with a bunch of twists to make it a different story.

I will admit to being torn about my feelings about Stanton and Sofia. I liked them for the most part but there were moments when I wanted to grab them by the shoulders and shake them because I didn't understand the logic behind their actions. For some successful hotshot lawyers they sure did a lot of thinking with their body parts as opposed to using logic when it came to making decisions about their personal lives. Of course I'm making them sound horrible and they weren't. They were just trying to figure out what it was they needed as opposed to wanted. It was very obvious from the beginning they gave off lots of sparks whenever they got close to one another. I was definitely fanning myself in some of the scenes the two of them were in together.

I've got to say though, I understood Stanton's shock at what was happening at home. He'd always thought things would stay the same and when they didn't it took him a while to adjust to the new reality. I've also got to say how much I loved Stanton and Jenny's families. Stanton and Jenny both have crazy siblings, but it's clear that they love each other. And Jenny's Nana is just wonderful! She's kooky yet strong. I also loved Presley, Stanton and Jenny's daughter. She's seriously smart, adorable, and wise beyond her years. I loved seeing her and Stanton with each other. I also loved meeting Stanton's friends and there was a particular friend who made me squeal with happiness when he made an appearance.

Emma Chase has written another great story. There are lots of laughs, emotions, and realizations that happen over the course of this book. It's fast paced story and the pages just flew by. I'm really looking forward to seeing Brent and Jake possibly finding their happily ever afters. I'm already looking forward to more shenanigans, laughter, and tears!

Review originally posted on Reading Books Like a Boss

I enjoyed this book. Fans of Emma Chase's Tangled series will enjoy this new series about three attorneys living, working, and playing in Washington D.C. I got really excited about this series considering I know a lot about the legal profession myself. Overruled was sexy, fun, and a good read when you want something for complete escapism.

Stanton Shaw grew up in Sunshine, Mississippi. As a high school football star, he had loftier aspirations than playing college football at Ole Miss. He wanted to go to Columbia and then go to law school. When his high school girlfriend gets pregnant their senior year, he wants to give up his goals for his new family, but Jenny doesn't let him. She loves him enough to let him go follow his dreams. So he does. He leaves Mississippi for Columbia.

Ten years later, Stanton is a up-and-coming criminal defense attorney, hot off his next win, successfully defending a Senator along with his second char, Sophia Santos. Sophia and Stanton have been "enjoying each other's company" (if you know what I mean) for the last six months. Stanton gets some news from home that knocks the air right out of him, making him question everything. In an effort to make things right, he goes back to his hometown and he takes Sophia with him to help calm him...and to meet Jenny. This should be interesting...

What I really liked about this book was the element of unrequited love. The novel is told is dual points of view, so the reader gets to delve into Stanton and Sophia's mind. It's very evident that Sophia has feelings for Stanton. She recognizes that their simple arrangement has morphed into something more complicated and she no longer sees him as just someone she uses for sex. I really liked her fiery nature and the fact that she didn't really let the guys jerk her around.
"What we have—what he and I do together—is fun. Physical and convenient. And above all else, it was supposed to be simple.
But the sick feeling in my stomach, the tinge of sour jealousy on my tongue—there's nothing simple about that."

I had a hard time falling in love with Stanton Shaw. I thought some of his actions in the beginning of the book were less than honorable and not something that can be excused with "well that was their agreement" or "he's a young college guy." I also didn't like the way he used Sophia when they went back to Mississippi, clearly oblivious and not self-aware. Eventually, I liked him, but he wasn't a favorite hero.

Though Stanton's mixed emotions, however, there is a little nugget of truth about love. Over time, love ebbs and flows and there are different kinds of love. The love he felt for Jenny and the love he felt for Sophia are distinct. I liked that little message in the book.

What I also liked about this book was when they were back in Sunshine, in the deep South. Stanton's southern family talked to him like they didn't care that he was a big wig attorney, which was really endearing. Being back home really stripped down Stanton's guard and I think the reader got to see a more emotional side of him (I liked that!).

I'm looking forward to getting more acquainted with Jake Becker in Sustained and Brent Mason in Appealed. Emma Chase gives us a glimpse into both of those guys in this book and I can't wait to see what kind of trouble they get in.
* I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Overruled by Emma Chase is the first book in her new Legal Briefs series. A beautifully twisted tale of first love, friends, family, and overlooked opportunities.

At first I was excited to read this book - Emma Chase is a go-to author for me. I enjoyed the snark of Drew and gang and wanted more. Then I started reading and I wasn't sure how to peg Stanton. The tale is told in dual POV's with flashbacks to Stanton's past with Jenny scattered throughout the story. He was charming but he was a bit of a manwhore. I mean, poor Jenny seemed to be left pining away in the country for the hot shot criminal defense attorney to find time to come home. But then I got past the surface of the story and realized that the meat of the story was in Stanton and Sofia's slow realization of their feelings. Of Stanton accepting that the path he thought was forged for him and Jenny is NOT the path he's meant to take.

The journey of this realization is the meat of this amazingly juicy story. You'll laugh, you'll cry.