Series: The Legal Briefs*
Release Date: April 24th, 2016
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.
– Sidebarred is 4 years after Sustained
– There’s an extended epilogue 17 years later at the end of this novel (We get to see where all the kids end up)
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• No OTT sad parts
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• No pushing away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Note: This is a review of the epilogue to the second book in the series; therefore, there will be spoilers from the second book below. Click Here to read my review of the second book in the series.
•••
I am a sucker for epilogues… I think everyone is when they grow attached to characters. Emma Chase hit the nail on the head with Sidebarred. Told in Jake’s POV, we get an update of his life with Chelsea and the kids after four years of them being together. Chase also cleverly ties in information, so we’re updated on the lives of Stanton, Sofia and Brent.
But, Chase knows that simple updates do not a novel make and so we get to be along for the ride as Jake and Chelsea take a big (but happy) step in their lives.
The kids were still their hilarious, annoying selves, and it was amazing seeing Jake and Chelsea juggle the lives of 6 kids and jobs. Similar to reality, there were ups and downs–Jake and Chelsea argued much like any couple, but they worked through them.
Jake is still hilarious in his interaction and reactions to the kids. Him having the Safe Sex Talk with Riley was definitely high up there on the top funny moments. But, some moments were incredibly beautiful and heartfelt. These 6 kids lost their parents 4 years ago… they’ve grieved and slowly healed, but that doesn’t mean their death hasn’t left a mark on all of them.
I also admired Jake and Chelsea’s relationship. They were definitely a team, but their love for each other–especially Jake’s for Chelsea–seemed deeper than in Sustained. I loved experiencing them as a family and just witnessing them going through life. If you’re a fan of Sustained, I highly recommend reading Sidebarred–you won’t regret it.
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