Sidebarred: A Legal Briefs Novella

I find it the most difficult to write reviews for the books I loved the most. My words just can’t do them justice. SIDEBARRED is one of those books.

Emma Chase has done something most authors strive for but rarely achieve: She’s written the perfect book. It was absolute perfection in every way: the storyline, the kids, Jake and Chelsea’s relationship, Jake himself (holy hotness), Sofia & Stanton, Brent & Kennedy, the humor, the tears, OMG the FEELS!!!

I loved every. single. word. It now resides in my EPIC collection, with only two other books for company. And whenever I’m in a book rut or need to be uplifted, I’ll pull this out and soak up all that feel-goodness.

EPIC deserves more than 5 stars. Pfft! On second thought, there aren’t enough stars for this book.

An excellent finale to a superb series. Fun, touching and HOT in all the right places. Thank you for giving us this HEA follow up to Jake and Chelsea's story along with an awesome epilogue; bringing the perfect close to this entire series.

I love the Legal Affairs series by Emma Chase, but the second book Overruled with Jake Becker was always my favorite!! So I was pleasantly surprised when Emma basically made this novella about Jake and Chelsea about four years after they first met. I loved seeing all the kids and where they were in their lives, especially Rory and Raymond, the twins were my favorite of all the McQuaid kids!! And I loved the glimpse into the future, made me misty!!

An excellent finale to a superb series. Fun, touching and HOT in all the right places. Thank you for giving us this HEA follow up to Jake and Chelsea's story along with an awesome epilogue; bringing the perfect close to this entire series.

I love the Legal Affairs series by Emma Chase, but the second book Overruled with Jake Becker was always my favorite!! So I was pleasantly surprised when Emma basically made this novella about Jake and Chelsea about four years after they first met. I loved seeing all the kids and where they were in their lives, especially Rory and Raymond, the twins were my favorite of all the McQuaid kids!! And I loved the glimpse into the future, made me misty!!

Emma Chase has demonstrated once again how superior she is at captivating readers with her male voice. I've not read another author before or since that nails the male point of view the way Chase does. The sharp sarcasm, the sexually charged monologues, the raw masculinity that bleeds from every word and every thought, is what makes this series so damn delicious. But even more poignant than the voice she gives Jake Becker is the seamless manner in which the author weaves the heavy with the light, the humor with the heartbreak throughout this unputdownable novella. Sidebarred had me laughing aloud, had my heart bursting with joy and love for all that these characters have become and where they're going in this novella. But woven through the romance and the comedy are stark reminders of how Chelsea and Jake came to be and all that's been lost. Peppering this edition are both painful memories of the past and paralyzing fears for the future. This story tugs at the heartstrings, simultaneously drawing laughter and tears, and culminating into a wholly satisfying ending that made me want to go back to the beginning and read the entire Legal Briefs series all over again.

Jake Becker truly is the BEST kind of man. I didn't think it was possible, but I fell even harder in love with him in this novella than I already was. He's obsessed with sex and he curses too much and he's sarcastic and inappropriate and vulgar. But HE. IS. GOOD. He loves with his whole heart unconditionally. He's an affectionate, passionate husband. He is the ideal parent, the dad that guides without judgement, the dad that talks to his kids and listens and reminds them they're free to be themselves but that he'll always be there. Jake is the guy that you still can't really believe stepped into this role as an insta-dad, yet there's no denying that he was so obviously made for THIS.

This series is my crack. It's so sexy and so funny and so honest. I sniff these books out from months away and I crave and long for my next fix until I manage to get my grubby hands on them at which point I devour them eagerly. Sidebarred lived up to every ounce of anticipation and expectation I had. I just want to get lost in these characters, in their crazy unexpected antics, in their addictive banter, in the undeniable love that exists between every single one of them. Friends, lovers, spouses, parents, children, colleagues... these characters in every possible dynamic bounce off each other and feed off each other and live to antagonize each other and they love fiercely and passionately and they make me laugh. I can't articulate my love for Jake and Chelsea, Stanton and Sophia, Brent and Kennedy, their evolving families, the ever changing dynamics between them all, without blabbering incoherently. So I hope you get my point. The Legal Briefs series is a decadent addiction, and the potency of the romance and sensuality, humor and heartwarming emotions bursting from these pages are the deliciously satisfying taste I crave every single time. Sidebarred is the perfect addition to this series. This bittersweet farewell left me smiling with contentment and a satisfying sense of closure, but also ensured I'll be rereading this series again and again.

Sidebarred is a look inside the family that Jake and Chelsea created. If you have not read the Legal Briefs series you do not have to read the full series to enjoy this one simple #1click Sustained to read how this family came to be.

In this one, Ms Chase has proven yet again that she is the Queen of male POV. This book is filled with wonderful banter, masterfully crafted family dynamics and love; love on so many levels. Sidebar is one those books that as I got more distance from it, as I tried to put my love into words the rating went up!
There is many great lines, so many scenes with deep emotions, Ms Chase will make you smile, she will make you laugh and she will warm your heart!
I was yet again reminded why she is a must-click author for me!

Sidebarred provides a glimpse into the life Jake, Chelsea and McQuaid kids created, this unplanned family is making it work; with up and downs and curves along the way!

Jake is truly comfortable in his skin and loves this life and the “I would pick you” conversation sent chills up my spine.

I think I could quote this book all day, but I wont because then this won't be accepted lol

Jake with the children is epic!!!

I think I snorted and almost choked reading one hysterical exchange between the children:

Jake was all male and I adored how he tried to be the best he could for Chelsea and the kids

The Jake truly alpha male moment in this book was so well done!!!! It was realistic and so well done, the reader will understand each parties point during the disagreement.
In the end Jake feels he is defending his family and Chelsea just wants to be heard; something I think many of those in relationships will completely relate to.

In the end the epilogue to this one was much fun and it was such a beautiful vision of this “family.” Nope not a traditional family but one build with love and devotion!

Ms Chase thank you for the whole Legal Briefs family! I so hope someday we get to see the children’s happy play out!

I abso-freakin-lutely adored Jake and Chelsea's first book Sustained. This couple combined with the six crazy kiddos all with "R" first names and Jake's friends made it such a heartwarming, smile inducing story. So I was ecstatic to hear they were getting a follow up novella! This is a cute and funny extended epilogue focusing on Jake, Chelsea and their adopted kids, but also allows us to catch up with Stanton, Sofia, Brent, and Kennedy's progress.

This novella is full of good and fun stuff, but there are also some issues, concerns, and situations that they have to face adding some tension and emotional drama. So it gives them opportunities to continue to grow as a couple and as a family. It is a look into the organized chaos that is the combined Becker and McQuaid clan and how two people work to manage their lives, kids, careers, and try to find time for their love life.

Fans of this series are going to enjoy visiting with this beloved family and getting more of Jake's point of view. I did not realize how much I missed them until I was right smack dab in the middle of all of the love and craziness again. Jake is one of my favorite book heroes and I adore each and every one of these characters, their banter, and their strong bonds. I have really enjoyed this Legal Briefs series and was thrilled to also see where the other couple's lives have taken them and see the kids grow. This is a humorous, sweet, sexy, emotional and swoony novella and we are left with the ultimate of HEAs. What a sweet treat!

ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t even begin to tell you how MUCH I absolutely love this final addition to one of the series that’s dearest to me! I’ve read all of her 10 books and my love for each is still going strong! Actually, no—it just got stronger by each book. And I’m freaking ecstatic!

Jake Becker never thought he’d love his life now. His life before the McQuaids was simply… grey, colorless. Until the troop of six crazy, parent-less kids with their beautiful, kind-hearted aunt came along in his controlled life. And that changed everything. Now, it’s colorful—beyond colorful (because Chelsea’s now his wife) that he knew nothing could make him anymore happier. Until the day he was proven wrong again.

I’m crying happy tears, sighing joyfully, gratefully because there’s no way I could explain how stunningly beautiful this bonus novella has been. Sidebarred took me to the family-hood spin and boy what a spin! Jake and Chelsea are now parents to the six grown up kids that I loved so much as well. I got to see how freaking amazing they are as parents. And even greater as husband and wife. And how the keep their marriage strong. I mean, sure there had been a few misunderstandings but still it’s part of the journey they needed to overcome. And damn, they still go at it like the first time!! Not that I’m complaining because really, Emma could nail the most epic of steamy scenes! And even when this was just a novella, Emma still managed to make each character (including the kids and secondary characters from the previous books) bloom on their own while keeping their original attitude—crazy, wild, cute, so much fun, so very curious.

Sidebarred is everything I wanted it to be. Everything I wanted for Jake and Chelsea, Stanton and Sofia and Brent and Kennedy. Everything I wanted for the kids. Family, parenthood, marriage, friends, the jobs they love—everything’s in there and it was magnificent! Sidebarred is perfection at its best with the hottest, craziest, wildest, heartwarming, even the most emotional of scenes that are topped with Jake’s exceptional male POV. Emma did not left any single character out without their most-deserved HEAs. It’s the perfect treat for everyone who loves the series!

And if you’re like me who’s been a fan since Stanton and Sofia, in Sidebarred, you can now let go of the characters once you read this because you’re going to be content with how things turn out for everyone and it won’t left you wondering. Emma has covered all the bases. But it doesn’t mean I won’t want to read more about them because I still will, still do. What I’m saying though is—I’m now at peace because Sidebarred sealed the deal of all HEAs for me. It left me thankfully spent and blissfully content. You won’t be disappointed—not one bit!

Reviewed by Rachel & Sharon Thérèse

Could we possibly have wanted for more? We certainly didn’t expect this amazing offering from the author of a series which has had us enchanted with all her unforgettable characters. Each and every one of them managed to steal our hearts with such an ease that when we talk about Jake, Chelsea, Stanton, Sofia, Brent and Kennedy, it’s as if we've known them for a lifetime. Choosing between these gals’ drop-dead gorgeous partners is like being asked to pick your favourite child. Awful, right? Albeit having a gun put to our heads, we’d have to plead the fifth because there’s no doubt the legal representation would be nothing less than excellent! Shh… no offence to Jake’s best mates who we adore to pieces. Smitten with this guy is an understatement!

"Don't ever leave me. Promise me you'll be with me always. I know it's not a promise you can make.... but do it anyway."

As per usual, the exuberant banter is overflowing and has the right mix of angst and humour. Laugh out loud, we did. Some scenes were also cause for concern. So much so that while we were messaging one another, we had to take a quite a few deep breaths and dry happy-sad tears before carrying on. The reason for our emotional state was simply because as always, Ms Chase not only has a way with words, but also writes a story which comes alive and is effortlessly related to.

"Regan, give me my turn on the Wii or I'm gonna knock you up!''...
"That phrase is going to go over well in kindergarten tomorrow."

Jake is back and still at the helm! Narrated by him in first person, he has a lot to say. Who wouldn't with a household full of rowdy but loveable kids! Faced with everyday problems, his fatherly advice showed us that he is in his element and he wouldn't change it for the world.

"Some guys may try and give you a hard time about using condoms. And as a guy, I'm telling you straight up - sc**w them"...
"I mean don't! Don't sc**w them. Ever."

Mind you, he’s still learning by his mistakes. Taking an issue into his own hands doesn't exactly please his gorgeous wife, Chelsea. Nevertheless, being such a solid team as they are, he quickly realises she’s right and is there to share his predicaments, his joys and his sorrows. We’re sure by now you all have a good idea what makes Jake tick. And ooh boy, in this little gem of a novella he’s at his best. His better half, his one and only love, has a challenge of sorts that can’t be refused. Positive in every way, he handles it with manly gusto in and out of the bedroom magnificently.

"I didn't plan on you, Chelsea. Or them. And for as long as I live, you will be the best thing that ever happened to me."

Why we fell hook, line and sinker this time was meeting up with the gang again. Seeing them together, and we do say ‘seeing’ because this is exactly how we felt, was beyond our wishes. It shone light on how they were getting on and left us sighing a tearful goodbye to these three couples so different but so very connected. Stanton and Sofia won us over in Overruled as did Jake and Chelsea in Sustained. Hmm… our beloved Jake! We've always been enamoured with Brent and Kennedy. Yet interrupted, their heart-rending love story spanning over the years left us with a smile on our faces as did the two previous books. We've savoured these friends’ up and downs, relished their moments of triumph and suffered while they fought to overcome life’s hurdles.

"We can hear you singing One Direction!"
"We're never going to live this one down. Ever."

So we've decided not to say goodbye since we’ll most definitely be rereading this series or even better, listen to them on Audible. Thank you Ms Chase for giving all your Legal Briefs’ fans this extended insight into these outstanding folk. Bravo!

Sustained was the most amazing book and I'm THRILLED that we got to catch up with Jake and Chelsea and the whole gang with this novella.

I rarely give novellas 5 stars because they usually leave me wanting more. And while I could never get enough of reading about this family, Sidebarred filled up my heart and left me smiling AND satisfied.

Sidebarred is told from only Jakes POV. Emma Chase has really nailed the male POV and I love being in Jake's head. He is such an awesome hero.

What I loved about this book:
~The writing. I was sucked in and couldn't stop turning the pages.
~ The feels. Seriously. I laughed OUT LOUD many times. Funny scenes, sexy scenes, heart wrenching scenes, happy scenes. I felt SO much while reading this little nugget.
~ Jake. It warrants repeating. Jake is so awesome. I especially love the scenes with Jake interacting with the kids. Him braiding hair, giving sex talks, easing Raymond's fears....SWOON. Seriously, I could not be more in love with this fictional character.
~ Chelsea. She is also a pretty amazing heroine. I love that she is strong and challenges Jake when he gets all caveman. (But I also love that he gets all caveman over Chelsea.)
~ The kids. This story would not pull at my heart without EVERY SINGLE ONE of the 6 kids. They all have different personalities. They all bring out something different in the story. Even if you don't like kids, you can't help but fall in love with these kids.
~Narration. I read the book first, but HAD to get the audio. This is my favorite way to re-read a book and Sebastian York played Jake perfectly. PERFECTLY. I love his narration in general. But awesome narration + awesome story = absolute perfection.

What I didn't like about the book: not a thing!! I loved every second!!!

Bottom line: Sustained and Sidebarred are hands down one of my most favorite reads this year. PLEASE read Sidebarred, but start with Sustained.

READ IT.

Highly Recommend.

Super-awesome-favorite!!!

Jake, Chelsea, and the McQuaids are back in this heartwarming and BEAUTIFUL novella! Like every other Emma Chase book, it starts with HEAVY steam and ends with GLEEFUL tears, with TONS of laughs in between! This was such a TREAT! These characters will forever be embedded in my heart! Even though this is goodbye...Jake, Chelsea, Stanton, Sofia, Brent, and Kennedy will always have a place on my bookshelf and in my heart. Fans of the series, SIDEBARRED will be one you read over and over again. NO ONE writes Male POV with such wit and style like Emma Chase!

The family we all know and love are back and there are more craziness and chaos to be had! I couldn't stop smiling and laughing the whole way through. It was so DAMN fun to experience. I absolutely LOVE that Emma Chase wrote this for her fans. She knew that we couldn't get enough and you can just tell she didn't want to give up these characters either. It shows in the heart and soul of the story. I pretty much highlighted this whole damn book because of its greatness! I had the hardest time picking just one quote to make a teaser (shown below). Chase just cracks the whip in every single page and I am just speechless with the fabulousness of it all. I believe that every single romance readers should read this entire series. It's an all time favorite of mine and I think it will check off every box with the romantic comedy and contemporary romance fans. SIDEBARRED, and the entire LEGAL BRIEFS series, left me with so much joy and so much happiness that I will never forget it. I will tell anyone who will listen about this series and I will re-read these books over and over again. So, in hindsight, it's not goodbye to these wonderful characters and this amazing writing. It's a see ya soon kind of thing. We'll be reunited in the near future, and for many years to come.

*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

I loved every word of every chapter. Every woman dreams of a man like Jake Becker, and Emma Chase perfected the man I thought was already perfect ... in a story that is beautiful in every way.

We first met Jake Becker in Sustained, #2 of the Legal Briefs series, and the novel that I still consider the best of them all -- even though they all earned 5 stars! Jake's transformation from a player to a family man was one of the funniest, sweetest, sexiest stories I've ever read, and certainly one of the best reads of the past year.

In Sidebarred, Jake has settled, beautifully, into a life he never imagined, but absolutely loves. The chemistry with his wife, Chelsea - and the relationship he has with the children Chelsea inherited upon their parents' death - the children they are now raising as their own - is simply electric. Readers wanted more, and Emma delivers a first-rate spin-off novella that satisfies a deep craving we all had to see how their chaotic lives turned out.

Just when you think there couldn't be another thing to love about Jake -- we find another side of him that's even more endearing. Chelsea's pregnancy takes their relationship to a different level altogether. Jake recognizes the depth of his love for Chelsea as he faces his worst fear - losing her. His emotions run the gamut from numbness, to joy, to terror, and everything in between. He has to come to terms with his own vulnerability even as he must reassure Chelsea and the children that their lives will continue to change, but his love, devotion, and desire to be the husband and father they deserve will never diminish. I choke up just writing about it again.

Needless to say, I couldn't put it down. It was, as usual, hilarious, yet tender, sensual, and powerful. Emma has done it again, finishing this series in a stunning way. I'm already craving whatever she offers us next.

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

I have to admit I went into this one blind. Don’t ask me why, I didn’t read the blurb. So imagine my excited surprise when I discovered this novella is a revisit on my favorite couple of the series! Jake and Chelsea have a special spot in my heart. He’s the jerk with a heart of gold and she’s a young woman who took on the most daunting and selfless task ever for the love of her family. I love them both. And it was so nice to revisit with them and the whole clan. This was the perfect end cap and a total treat. If you’ve read their book or this series, you need to get this one!

Now, I don’t want to go into the details of the story too much but suffice it to say this book portrays well the dynamics of Jake and Chelsea’s relationship while juggling 6 kids. And gives us an update on those kids lives! I do hope that this means we may get a spin off series with those siblings because I would so totally read that! Love this family. It was nice to see them a bit more grown up and with new sets of complications.

That being said, Jake is still so deliciously sexy. He’s got the looks, yeah, but he’s also that perfect husband that helps you when you need it and still finds time to make sure your relationship is as steamy as ever. And we get to see all that in SIDEBARRED.

And as much as we explore their HEA, we also get to see the other couples. So it could be considered a series epilogue. There were definitely some characters I was excited to see more than others. But overall, I enjoyed reading this a lot and …did I mention this book is so cute? SIDEBARRED is, in one word, adorable!

I was fairly certain after Sustained that Jake Becker was my favorite Emma Chase hero, and Sidebarred absolutely affirms my decision. Jake is all kinds of wonderful in his and Chelsea's follow-up novella. Sidebarred takes place a couple years after the conclusion of Sustained, and everything I adored about Jake's interaction with Chelsea's nieces and nephews is even better now that the kids are older, and even though the pain has not completely faded from the loss of their parents, they can verbalize exactly what Jake and Chelsea have done for them. I'm sure their instant family dynamics took some getting used to, but Jake was definitely up for the task and then some and his ability to make every single one of the kids and Chelsea feel how much he loves them is why Jake Becker is such a fantastic alpha male!

There are so many heartwarming moments in Sidebarred between Jake and "his kids" as well as Jake and Chelsea. I love how Chase illustrates how Jake and Chelsea work to keep their passion alive and sneak in alone time even if it's early in the morning.

Fear of the past repeating itself is a real concern for some of the kids, but Jake knows exactly how to calm their anxiety and prove to them that he won't let anything happen to any of them and even though he can't exactly promise, he vows to work his ass off to ensure that no more loss occurs.

Each book in Emma Chase's Legal Briefs series is full of laughter, steam, a bit of drama, and a whole lot of love and friendship, and Sidebarred carries on those qualities and gives readers insight into a couples and family's happily ever after and boy do they all deserve it!

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher.

4.5 Poison Apples

Sidebarred is an novella, and sadly the last book in the Legal Briefs Series! I love this group of sexy, fun, and wild couples. I am so happy that Emma decided to give us a glimpse of their futures with this little gem...

Jake and Chelsea have been married for two years. Their life is crazy with having six kids running around the house that range from six to seventeen years old. It's chaos but they wouldn't want it any other way. Its perfect chaos in their eyes. They wouldn't want to change a thing until they are hit with disappointment. Only then, is it time to shake things up! Jake and Chelsea are not the only ones going through changes. The kids are forever changing. Their friends have some coming their way too. One big bag of changes getting all mixed up...

I loved this book!!! Catching up with all of the characters of the series was so fun. The kids are amazing and so sweet. They have their moments like most kids do. Jake and Chelsea are still one sexy couple. They also have their moments like all married couples do. It makes them even more real.

Overall...its an novella with a lot of heart, humor, sexiness, and emotion. I laughed. I cried. I wanted to make a gingerbread town.

BTW: There is a little treat at the end of the book for you Appealed fans!

Quotes:

Chelsea’s voice is low, so the kids can’t hear. “There will never be anything sexier than watching you—with your muscles and tattoos—braiding a six-year-old’s hair.”

“You know how in school they tell you, ‘there are no stupid questions’?”
“Yeah?”
“They’re lying to you.”

“Better?” I play with her hair.
“Yeah. Better.”
“Good. Now I need another bath. You got me all dirty.”

This novella, you guys. I loved it even more than I thought I would. It just made my heart so freaking happy. Jake and Chelsea are one of my all time favorite book couples so I was thrilled to get more of them and their brood. Of course, seeing more of Stanton and Sofia and Brent and Kennedy made me happy, too. This novella was sexy and funny, but it wasn’t without some emotional moments too. Feels for days. If it went on forever, I’d have gladly continued reading it. *big happy sigh*

I can’t even say anything else about this one. I don’t want to ruin a single moment for you. If you’re a fan of The Legal Briefs series, you NEED to read this one. I couldn’t have asked for a better addition to the series than this novella. And, as I think I’ve said in every review for the books in this series, if you’re a romance fan and you’re not reading this series, you are totally missing out and you need to reevaluate your life choices. ? Absolutely no one writes the male POV like Emma does. I pretty much guarantee you’ll fall in love with Stanton, Jake and Brent (and their lovely ladies) if you just give them a chance.

I know this is supposed to be the final book in the series, but I have my fingers crossed there just might be more in the future. I’ll read about Jake, Chelsea and their family – and the rest of The Legal Briefs characters – as long as Emma continues to write about them. There’s just something special about these characters. I miss them already.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this sexy, heart-warming and very funny novella! Emma Chase continues to entertain readers with this delightful installment in the Legal Briefs series. Fans of this series will be enchanted by Jake’s POV about life with his very full house.

No one writes a male POV like Emma Chase. In Sidebarred, we get more of Jake and Chelsea and even the other characters from the Legal Briefs series make appearances. This is a laugh-out-loud, feel-good short story about life in a crazy household with lots and lots of children. But since this is an Emma Chase story after all, there are lots of sexy times and sarcastic comments from the narrator.

“We’ve been married for about two years and there hasn’t been a single morning when I didn’t wake with a smile tugging at my lips. Not one f*g time. Because she’s beside me—half on top of my—and the six little s*ts we love more than anything are tucked safely away upstairs. They’re all really good sleepers. That’s key.”

There is always a happy ending with an Emma Chase story and you can bet she delivers lots of laughs along the way. Once again she brings her unique comedic voice to a fantastic entry in the Legal Briefs series. Grab this highly entertaining story and enjoy a few hours of light, fun reading!

Sidebarred is a sweet narration of Jake's life with Chelsea, after instantly gaining six orphaned kids, whom they both embraced as their own. It's a chaotic household and he faced the extra responsibilities of, among others, school supplies shopping for their younger kids and safe sex education for their eighteen year old girl. He's really an adorable character.

Married life wasn't always a bed of roses for both Chelsea and Jake. They had a major disagreement involving decision-making powers but in the end they understood each other's intentions and they kissed and made up.

They also had a new baby. Of course, it wasn't hard work to get there for the sexy Jake Becker but labor day was amusing and cute .

This book also made me a bit nostalgic because it gave a brief overview of the respective lives of the other couples in The Legal Briefs Series, which are of course intertwined with Chelsea and Jake's.

Sidebarred was a fun and entertaining read that made me feel giddy and nostalgic at the same time. It's a happy conclusion to all books in The Legal Briefs series.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:
Overall: 5.0
Performance: 5.0
Story: 4.75

Hands down...this was the best novella I have ever, ever read. It's short...and yes, it follows on as an added bonus to the original story, but OMG, it was so well done. The audiobook was just over 2 hours, but it felt like a book that had 10 hours worth of build up because this is a thorough complete story...and OMG, did I mention just how good it was?

This is the followup to Sustained (which coincidentally was also an A+ rated book)...you can find that review HERE. This book was the perfect follow-up to that great book. It continued the story of Jake and Chelsea and gave glimpses of all six kids as they face a new transition in their lives. The novella covers a full year and was so full of epic greatness. If you loved their first book, you HAVE TO READ THIS ONE TOO. If you haven't read Sustained, I highly recommend you go grab it now and devour it...and then read this one. The entire series is fabulous, but all the books work as stand-alones from the original full-length novels. For this one, do yourself a favor and read Sustained first. You won't regret it.

Note: I love Sebastion York as a narrator and discovered this book when I was searching audible for his narrations. This book is told entirely from Jackson's POV (another huge bonus) and Sebastion York rocked it. There are six kids in this story and he rocks all the different voices and inflections!!

5 "Happily Ever After" Stars

Sidebarred is the culmination of the three book Legal Briefs series. It's a novella that follows up with the three couples we met in each previous book: Stanton and Sofia, Brent and Kennedy but mainly focusing on Jake and Chelsea. Taking place a couple years after the series ended, Sidebarred shows life for the three couples and how Jake and Chelsea are adjusting to instant parenthood and married life.

This short story kept a smile on my face as I was able to reminisce with some of my favorite characters as well as watch them overcome new challenges. Jake and the rest of the crew were hilarious as usual and getting to see just these hard nosed lawyers turn into big ol' softies had me giggling and swooning at the same time.

Emma Chase did a phenomenal job once again of portraying the male point of view as well as giving a true depiction of life with so many little ones running around. I adored the fact that we also got a peak way into the future. This was seriously one of the best extended epilogues I've read in a while and it makes me want to start all over again from the beginning.

If you have loved the Legal Briefs series as much as I have then you can’t miss Sidebarred. Not only to we get to see all of our favorite attorneys, we get more of Jake and Chelsea and the kids. This is a novella but I wasn’t disappointed at all because while I would have loved it to be longer, it was just the right length to remind us why Jake and Chelsea are one of our favorite couples. Sidebarred goes beyond the instant family Jake acquired when he got with Chelsea, it shows what a family truly is all about, and that is while you may sometimes fight, you are all one big team. That team will only get better and if you read this one you will know why that is exactly, and wish you could be a part of it all. This is a funny, sweet, and for Jake life changing in the best of ways.

Emma Chase has ended the Legal Briefs series the perfect way, with fans wanting more but at the same time feeling fulfilled by the story she wrote. This book whore does hope that we will see more of this bunch in the future but if not then I will just have to revisit them by reading the books all over again!

Out of the Legal Briefs characters, I would have to say that my two favorites are Jake and Chelsea. We met Chelsea in Sustained when her brother and his wife were killed, and she became the legal guardian for his six children. One of them was constantly getting into trouble which brought Jake and Chelsea together; the pair hit it off, and we watched a Yours, Mine and our sort of scenario hitting off. In Sidebarred which is a novella based on Jake and Chelsea, we read as life is going great for them - the kids are all growing up and sadly the Judge has passed away. Their relationship couldn't be any better until one morning Chelsea decides she wants a baby. Thus begins a story of love and romance but also the views of what can happen when a baby’s added to the mix of a previous big family and inappropriate co-workers. Can Jake and Chelsea keep their family together when tensions run high or will this baby be the end of their perfect happy family unit? I did love reading this book, the only thing though is at the end we have the epilogue with seventeen years later, and Jake and Chelsea are in their 40's and their baby is all grown up and we catch a glimpse of all the children's lives and what they have made of themselves. Here's hoping that Emma will write a spin-off series featuring each of the McQuaid children and what has happened in their lives.

I read this novella straight after book 2 Sustained in the The Legal Briefs Series (3 Book Series). It was the perfect time to read it as it has closure for the couples in all three books, but is mostly about and told from the perspective of Jake and Chelsea who are the protagonists of Sustained. All 6 children were loveable in book two as well as the protagonists, and so to see them in the years that followed was rewarding for me. A very enjoyable epilogue novella. Sustained and SIDEBARRED are perfect book companions even if you haven't read the other novels in the series yet.

'I cup her beautiful face in both hands. “I didn’t plan on you, Chelsea. Or them. And for as long as I live, you will be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

That pretty much sets the bar for this gorgeous novella. We are back with Jake & Chelsea as they are knee deep in parenthood. It would be fair to say that they have a crazy busy life but I don't think they would wish for it to be any different. They are in love with each other, but more importantly their kids. As they navigate their way with - Jake becoming a pro at plaiting hair, talks about birds and the bees and first love heart break with their children, it is evident to see just how far they have come.

"Kids are incredible - their insight, their capacity to adapt and accept, grow and love. They're powerful too. We'd all be in some seriously deep ___ if they ever realized just how much power they have over us. Because the warm, tingling, insanely proud, totally devoted feeling that spreads through me - it's indescribable." - Jake

I loved being drawn back into this family's life and laughed so much, cried a lot and shared in the joy with them too. I LOVED the epilogue, my eyes would not stop leaking! This is a must read for fans of this series :)

'Regan looks at me like I’m a monster. “You put your ___ in Mommy’s ____?” Christ, this went downhill quick. “Why would you do that?”

Hands down, Sustained is my favourite Emma Chase book to date. Be it brooding alpha male, swoon worthy scenes, off the chart hotness and add to it bunch of adorable noisy bickering kids, BAM!! You get one helluva hilarious, heart-warming romantic story. So to get an additional novella of all your favourite characters is like a dream come true - THANK YOU EMMA CHASE!!!

‘Sidebarred’ takes place four years after ‘Sustained’ and not to be read as standalone. Gone are the days when Jake Becker lead a life of a hardcore bachelor, dedicating all his time solving cases and keeping criminals out of streets but now he is full time husband and a father figure to six lovely kids. In this cute li’l story we get to see Jake in all new role of parenting, it’s just swoon-worthy!

Only complain I’ve about this story is that it’s way too short to acquire all the great and fun stuff of this controlled chaos, I WANT MORE!! *pouts*. Loved the dynamic relationship between Jake and the McQuaid clan, it was sweet, charming, wickedly funny and entertaining to the fullest. Emma chase captured the essence of family and bonding pretty damn well, she makes you want to be part of it.

If you’ve read previous books this series, trust me you don’t want to miss this! It’s indeed a great conclusion to the Legal Briefs gang and those extended epilogue was just icing on the cake.

I will NEVER get enough Jake Becker and those kids. I think that Emma Chase could do nothing but write books about them from now on and she would still be one of my all-time favorite authors.
I think that I cried no less than 4 times while reading this book and it's only pages!! Fortunately they were happy tears and when I wasn't crying I was either laughing or swooning over Jake and all of his awesome. It doesn't hurt that Stanton, Sophie, Brent and Kennedy make a few appearances and you get to see what they've been up to as well.
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it means that the series is really over, and frankly I'm just not ready to let it go.

*I received an ARC for voluntary review

Ms. Chase is an excellent storyteller and she succeeds once again with her latest novella, Sidebarred. This story is replete with tons of humor, emotion and love.  It is primarily an add-on to Sustained, the second book in the Legal Briefs series, but can be thoroughly savored as a standalone. It is told from the male point-of-view, which I really enjoyed.

Two years ago, attorney Jake Becker never thought he would be married to the love of his life with six children. His wife Chelsea is a great mom and a part-time museum curator. They are deliriously happy and parent their brood with an amazing grace. Their lives are busy and complicated, yet they always find time to keep the spice in their marriage. The bumps in the road are always a lot easier to deal with when you are in love and lust.

This is a terrific story! It is a smartly written novella and I read it from cover to cover in a no time at all. I just could not put it down. In addition to a top-notch story, genuine characters, and a scorching hot couple, Ms. Chase sums up the entire series with a unique epilogue. This book, as well as the entire Legal Briefs series, should not be missed.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

I absolutely love the Legal Briefs series, so I was super excited when I saw that Sidebarred was getting added to the series!

Jake and Chelsea have been busy with taking care of six kids, and with them both having careers. When something comes up that will make them even busier, how will they handle it?

I loved going back into this world and catching up with the whole gang. Jake is as crazy about Chelsea as ever, and he is definitely still protective of her. Chelsea is still being a great aunt for her nieces and nephews, all while now working part-time at a museum.

Emma Chase knows how to write a good book! I loved that she decided to continue their story. The new journey they go on is perfect for them, and it is written very well. Even though we got a great epilogue with the last book, this one was excellent as well. She shows the future of these characters, and it was an awesome way to end this series. I look forward to reading whatever Ms. Chase decides to write next!

*ARC provided for honest review*
*Reviewed on behalf of Give Me Books*

I absolutely adored this book! The humour was spot on, it literally had me laughing out loud! It's heart-warming and tender at times and I was left in awe of these two! This is the conclusion of Jake & Chelsea's story and it is wrapped up in a neat and happy package, with of course a few wrinkles in the process. The chemistry between these two is amazing and they fit each other perfectly! The family dynamic is real and you feel apart of it, as you can easily relate to their daily life!
I'm going to be honest here... I have not read the previous books! I got a little over zealous and didn't research the book very well...I know?! Crazy! But now that I've had a glimpse into the life of Jake and Chelsea, I am going to HAVE to go back and start from the beginning! Because if this novella is any indication of how hot, steamy and chaotic their life is... I have to know how it all started!
This is a cute, funny and heart warming story that I would highly recommend... Of course I would also recommend reading the previous books in the series and that is exactly what I'm about to go and do!! Enjoy!!!

Just when I thought that this series couldn't get any better... SIDEBARRED happens! Loved, loved, LOVED!!! Emma Chase continues to give her readers just what they want without them knowing that that is what they wanted! LOL! Sidebarred was a such a pleasant surprise... I had no idea it was coming until I started seeing the promos and then was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy. It was LOVE at first sight! Seriously, more about Jake, Chelsea, and their adorable brood? YES PLEASE!

Sidebarred is a novella in The Legal Briefs series and while the focus is mainly on Jake and Chelsea, we get plenty of Stanton and Sofia, as well as Brent and Kennedy, plus all of the McQuaid kids too! It was a super short, fun, sexy, read that had me smiling, crying, laughing, swooning, and feeling all sorts of giddy. If you are a fan of the series, this is a MUST READ. No one does the male POV better than Emma Chase! Jake shines in this one and I fell just a little bit more in love, if that's even possible. Such a feel good read! And that epilogue?! So unexpected, yet absolute perfection!

Such a perfect and lovely novella!Like every other book by Emma Chase this one was amazing!!I love this series and the characters!Sidebarred was sweet,quick,sexy and funny!And I mean it when I say funny, actually it was hilarious there are moments that I couldn't stop laughing!!
Jake is awesome,I loved him so much and the best part about him in the novella is his interactions with the kids!I'm in love with him and I could talk for hours about how perfect he is!!Chelsea is lovely,strong and funny.And the kids are so unique they play an important part in the story and if they wouldn't be of them the story wouldn't have the same meaning to me.

“I didn’t plan on you, Chelsea. Or them.
And for as long as I live, you will be the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Jake, Chelsea and the others will have a place in my heart!I loved being drawn back into these couples, I can't get enough of them!I'm planning now to read the first book and know better Stanton and Sofia!!!If you love this series then this is the perfect novella for you!You are going to love it!!

Emma Chase does it again, If you were lucky enough to read Sustained, you are going to love SIDEBARRED A legal Briefs Novella. SIDEBARRED continues the story of Jake & Chelsea and there chaotic live with an instant family of 6 children. The story picks up, they have been married for two years and have kind of settled into a organized routine. What I love about this Story is you can read this Novella as a stand alone, but if you have any of the legal briefs as a fan SIDEBARRED give you what you were hoping for when you read the last page in SUSTAINED. There are big changes coming for everyone, I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone, so you will just have to find out for yourselves what changes are ahead. All you need to know is Emma Chase is a talented writer and if you have not read any of her work, you need to do so now. Do yourself a favor and add this to your goodreads TBR list, I promise you will not be disappointed. I give this a 5 star review, because so much care and love has been put not only into the story, but in each character.

Now Emma Chase has done it again!!!! By bringing us “Sidebarred”
Were brought back with Jake and Chelsea two years later after marriage.
Oh how life has changed! Yup now parents to!
But was full of love, lust and even some drama. Yet again Emma Chase had my head and heart spinning at the same time. How the hell did she do that? Yes it was one quick as hell story. Very short in my opinion. But Heck I fell hard for this conclusion of the series. It was perfect!!! SWOON!!!!!!!!

ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.