Overruled (The Legal Briefs Series)

****Warning**** This review does contain some spoilers

I usually try to keep me reviews as spoiler free as possible. However with this one, I was not able to write this review without some spoilers.

I thought Overruled was a quick and easy read. Overruled follows the story of Stanton and Sofia. Stanton and his ex (can I really call her that) Jenny share a very unconventional relationship. Stanton and Jenny were high-school sweethearts with bright futures ahead of them, until Jenny gets pregnant. Once Jenny gets pregnant, their courses have to change. Jenny wants Stanton to go to college and not give up his dreams and that she’ll be waiting for him once school finishes. Stanton struggles with being away because he’s missing so much of his baby’s life, but he still presses on, trying to make a better future for his family…..

Many years down the road, Stanton is now a successful lawyer, living the life that he always dreamed. Until one day, he gets a wedding invitation in the mail. He finds out that Jenny is getting married…and it’s not to him.

Sofia is one of Stanton’s law partners and one tough lawyer. She’s also his friend with benefits. Once Stanton looses it over his ex getting married, she some how finds herself going back to Mississippi to help Stanton try to win Jenny back.

Overall, I thought this was an ok read. I really enjoyed the beginning of the story and seeing Jenny and Stanton’s relationship. I enjoyed seeing how Drew and Stanton met. And Drew was funny as ever.

The thing that really bugged me was that Jenny and Stanton were “in love” but yet, Jenny wanted an open relationship while Stanton was away. I understand that there could be temptation for Stanton, but if you have a kid, shouldn’t you be at least trying to make it work. I don’t really like cheating in books, so even though they both agreed to an open relationship, it still really bugged me.

Also, I guess I didn’t really understand how Stanton could get upset about Jenny getting married. I mean, there weren’t together. They did hook up whenever he was in town and they did share a child together, but that was it. Plus, he was messing around with Sofia. So, I didn’t really get the whole, I have to win Jenny back thing.

Some of the things that I did like: I did enjoy the small town setting. I adored Grannie and how they were always worried she was going to shoot someone when things went into another direction. She was so entertaining. I also really like that this story being told from the male pov and it did make me laugh quiet a few times.

I know that I’m probably in the minority here. I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t hate it either. I’m not sorry that I checked it, there were just some things that bothered me and made it hard for me to get past.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Sorry, Tangled is one of my all time favorite books, but I could not finish this one. I had to stop reading at about 50% in to the book because of the hatred (yes hatred) for the main characters. By then I could not have cared less about either on them having their happy ending.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

HERE YE BE SPOILERS, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

Stanton and Jenny are lifelong friends and high school sweethearts. When Jenny gets pregnant their senior year, she doesn’t want to hold Stanton back from achieving his dreams of becoming a lawyer. Unfortunately that is done at the expense of raising their family together. Jenny stays back in Mississippi to complete nursing school while Stanton attends college then graduate school. Fast forward ten years later…

Stanton is practicing law for a prestigious DC firm and Jenny and his now ten-year-old daughter are still back in Mississippi. Stanton though has a “friends with benefits” relationship with one of his fellow attorneys, Sofia. When Stanton receives an invitation to Jenny’s wedding to a man he’s never met, he enlists Sofia’s help in order to win Jenny back and reclaim the family he should have had all along.

*****SPOILERS START HERE!!!*****

Problem is of course that Sofia has developed far more feelings for Stanton than are allowed in your typical FWB relationship, and he is too daft to figure it out.

I’ll admit, I had a rough time with this one. I loved Chase’s Tangled series and the first chapter of Overruled started out strong, but once I got to know Stanton better I did not like him, at all. And Sofia? Nope. Did. Not. Like. I’m not sure I’ve come across a character I have ever disliked as much as I did her. I did not appreciate that she seemed to look down her nose to the way Stanton was raised and his relationship with Jenny. And who takes the woman he’s currently banging to go claim his daughter’s mother? I’m not kidding, they have sex on the way there, AND while they’re there. And Sofia, what sort of woman does that to another woman?!? These characters were so unlikeable they really deserved each other.

Chase’s books tend to feature male characters that are very misogynistic (my favorite, Drew has a brief cameo!). Stanton however takes that a step further and really just comes across as a d---hebag. It’s only an “open relationship” if both parties agree to see other people. While Sofia was a career-driven woman, she did not come across as “strong” to me, otherwise she wouldn’t have run at the first sign of trouble. The way she is characterized she comes off as a prima donna, entitled, brat and that just didn’t sit well with me. The whole book just gave me a “cheater” vibe and I while I don’t necessarily go out of my way to avoid books like that, this one I really had trouble getting over my discomfort and dislike of both the subject matter and the characters. The only characters in the book with any redeeming qualities were Nana, Jenny, and their daughter.

That doesn’t mean the book isn’t well written, because of course it is! It also doesn't mean I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I read the synopsis. My dislike for the characters and the way that the relationships were represented affected my enjoyment of the book. I like love triangles, but not if they are resolved through the use of the constant justification for deplorable actions. (Stanton's continuous "I can do it but she can't".)

I will definitely be around for the next book because I really loved the support characters of Jake and Brent. I found them far more fun and engaging than both Stanton and Sofia. Fans of Chase will appreciate Overruled, however for those that try to avoid cheating stories, it might be best to give this one a pass. Like I said though, come back for the second and third installments, I have a feeling we’re in for a couple of great stories filled with humor and heart.

I really really really disliked these characters. A guy who leaves his family to go to college to make a better life for them I get, but the moment the book jumps 10 years and he is still living away from his daughter, never seeing her is where I checked out. What a d-bag. Then it gets worse when he gets mad that Jenny moves on and brings the girl he is currently banging to help get her back? My gosh I really hated him. Then Sophia letting him play her like a fiddle really pissed me off.
I will say that I did really like Brent and Jake and I'm thinking I'm going to like their books a lot better. I do still love Emma Chase and her writing, it was the characters I hated

Audible Review: The narrators were awesome. This was my first time listening to Jason Carpenter and I could listen to him all day long. What a voice! Charlotte Penfield was really good as well. I have absolutely no complaints on their performance.

Story Review: Stanton gets his high school sweetheart pregnant. She pushes him to continue on with his college plans while she stays in their hometown raising their daughter. She does make the choice to keep their relationship open while they are apart, but of course she hates that he takes her up on it. They then decide to keep the arrangement open and just don’t talk about it. 10 years go by. That’s right, 10 years and this arrangement is still going on. The true heroine of the story is the woman he has a friends w/benefits arrangement set up with who happens to be a co-worker of his.

What shakes everything up is a wedding invitation for Jenny. He’s completely shocked because he thought she would wait for him to sow his wild oats and marry him when he felt the time was right. Yeah, that right there did not endear this man to me. Stanton decides to go home and stop the wedding and thinks it’s a good idea to bring Sophia to help him. Again, just no.

It’s disappointing because this had potential of being a great read. I could have loved Stanton if he left Jenny alone and pursued Sophia only. When I could forget about the reasons for bringing Sophia home, I loved their interactions and the interactions of the small town side characters. I really hope the next two books go in a very different direction.

Sustained was a pretty good read. I liked the secondary characters so decided to give this a try.

What a mistake.

Are you kidding me? The hero, a term that could be used loosely, is sex on wheels. Yes, he is. Emma Chase writes exciting, seductive heroes and Stanton definitely falls in this category. Too bad he is an amoral jerk who wants his cake and eat it too. Sorry. I am angry.

He gets his high school sweetheart pregnant, is there for her, but they decide not to get married as he has to go get his law degree in New York. The girlfriend says they should keep things open, and boy does he. Ten years later Stanton is in a friends with benefit relationship with Sofia, another attorney at his firm, but still keeps things open with the mother of his daughter.

He finds out that his ex is planning on getting married so he takes Sofia, and goes back to get his ex back. Sofia actually goes. Stanton and Sofia have sex as much as possible while he tries to manipulate Jenny back into his life.

I am done.
Is this supposed to be charming? Who does this kind of garbage?

Overruled is book 1 in The Legal Briefs series. I knew I had to try this series after seeing such good reviews for it. So when Audible had a 2 for 1 credit sale going on and these were on there, I grabbed them as fast as I could. While starting out in DC we head to a small town for a good chunk of the story, and I love novels that have that vibe.

We start off meeting a young Stanton, about to go off to college, when he finds out his girlfriend Jenny is pregnant. They make an agreement that they'll have an open relationship but when he's in town they'll be together. We quickly see him in college and not getting many chances to be in their lives. Then we reach the present where Stanton is a DC defense attorney and charming a jury on a case he's handling with his coworker Sofia Santos. It's not all work and no play though, Sofia and Stanton have a friends with benefits arrangement. Then we get the drama mixed in, Stanton finds Jenny is getting married and he's very distraught. He does the only thing he can think of, hightails it back to his hometown to stop the wedding and win back his woman. But he knows he can't do it himself, he asks Sofia to come with him to help. I was wondering if he'd realize he was clinging to the past when really he had feelings for Sofia all along.

Overruled is a steamy contemporary romance that made me actually like a lawyer main character. That's pretty much unheard of for me, I really don't like lawyer characters in stories, but knew I had to try this series out since I've enjoyed other books by Emma Chase. While a bit predictable at times, the story was quite entertaining with all the different things going on. If you're a fan of drama in your romance and some seriously steamy scenes, you'll love this book!

If you like your romance novels to feature clueless, arrogant heroes and clueless, spineless heroines, then "Overruled" is your cup of tea. I recently discovered Emma Chase and enjoyed another entry in this series quite a bit (I'll be fair and post a positive review for that one) but this book is a big letdown. Never mind the plot (which consumes not very much at all of the book). The hero spends 90% of the his time lusting after his ex and doing his best/worst to win her back all while sexing up (in each and every chapter, I believe) the heroine. Who goes blithely along with that plan. And get this: She is supposed to be a high-powered, accomplished, amazing, gorgeous, witty, sexy attorney but has no problem trailing behind the hero and accommodating his (believe me, intense) sexual needs while he chases his One True Love. We're told at every turn how charming the hero is, but sorry, didn't see it--Southern accent notwithstanding. Oh, and when his One True Love marries someone else and he decides he really loves his Friend with Oh-So-Many Benefits after all, her response is, "OK great." Personally I wanted to see a little groveling. I get that it's romance and some suspension of belief is required, but this book just had too many "WTF?" moments to make it believable, relate-able or enjoyable.

Hilariously "schmexy", Emma Chase does it again with Overruled, book #1 of the Legal Briefs series! There are those authors that you know you can go to and be guaranteed a fun ride, and Emma Chase is one of those. I love her humor and the way she writes romance and the male POV!! There are few female authors who have mastered the telling of the male point of view, and when it is done with humor, it makes it even more of joy to read. That’s what Ms. Chase does with her men, they are believable, "schmexy" and hilariously funny. At 17, the star football player for Sunshine, Mississippi’s high school football team, Stanton Shaw knew he had his future planned out. He would leave his small town and head out to New York and study Law where the only girl he’s ever loved – Jenny, would visit him once a month. Only, everything changed in an instant, when those two lines showed and the monthly visits from his sweetheart wouldn’t be so easy with a baby in tow.

Seven months later, The valedictorian and his homecoming queen gave birth to their beautiful baby girl, Presley. Jenny stayed at her parents house, and two months later, Stanton Shaw moved to Columbia, University, in New York. Stanton’s relationship with his daughter was incredibly heartwarming and touching. I could hear him singing “You are my sunshine” to her. He was a great father, even at a distance. I loved this about him.

Oh, college days, drinking games and – DREW EVANS! briefly, but DREW! *sigh* This is where Stanton learns to become a man (whore) … and when he returns back to great ole Sunshine, he is the ever respectful, loving “boyfriend”. The reason, Jenny. Yes, she decided they needed to have an “open” relationship since they were both so far away and needed to explore and essentially, make sure they were right for each other. This worked perfectly fine for Stanton. He just didn’t like the idea of anyone touching her. Especially marrying her. So when he finds out she is getting married, he takes his best-friend – friends with benefits – Sophia, back home with him – purely as moral support *cough* RIGHT *cough* – to convince Jenny to break off the marriage.This is told in dual POV. That of Stanton and Sophia. Sophia is equally as funny, smart and "schmexy". As a defense attorney, she has worked hard to make it in a male dominated profession, one where promotions and professional opportunities are an afterthought for women. So a career complication such as a relationship with Stanton, isn’t anything she needs.

“Don’t want that type of complication. My career is right where it’s supposed to be—the fast track—and come hell or high water, or orgasms that make me forget my social security number, that’s where it’s going to stay.”

Therein lies the problem. Anyone who is having orgasms that make you forget your social security number cannot possibly get away unscathed. Unfortunately, Stanton is a mess of what if’s, how it should be’s, and walking through his days with blinders on. The question is, who will be the one to unravel him, Jenny or Sophia?

Oh swoon. I must admit, when I started Overruled, I was worried. There seemed to be this love triangle and I was not going to like that. But you know? It’s Emma Chase and I should have had faith because she totally pulled it off. I loved both the heroine…and.. well, the other heroine? You gotta read it to understand.
Stanton is a southern boy which is a huge weakness of mine. His POV and his sexy, sexy scenes made me swoon.
I feel like I maybe shouldn’t have loved this as much as I did because really, the premise seems outlandish (Hero wants heroine 1 – with whom he’s having sex – to help him win back heroine 2 – with whom he has a child. Say wha…?) but I just loved it anyway.

Author: Emma Chase
Title: Overruled
Series Title & Book #: Legal Briefs
Continuing plot or functional as stand-alone: Standalone with crossover characters
Overall feel: Angsty but funny (trust me)
Smexy level: Smokin’
Best for: Anyone who likes great books!
Read or Skip It? Read It

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“There’s just something about a man from Mississippi.”

The writing is as perfect as the other series is. This series is a spin-off from the Tangled series as we get to see a glimpse of Drew in this book a few times. He is friends with Stanton and helps him get to where he is in DC. Like the other series, Chase has funny dialogue and thoughts for the two main characters in the story. Unlike the Tangled series, we get to see both sides of the story in one book rather then having separate books.

What make Emma Chase’s book so entertaining and refreshing is that they are different. The guys are jerks that are believable. Stanton is mean and selfish at times but it’s because he thinks that his child hood sweetheart is always going to be there waiting for him. How many people have been that person who is so fixated on something from the past that they can’t see what’s right in front of them. Sofia is better for him in all the ways but because in his mind he was convinced it would be Jenny, he never opened up to other possibilities.

Sofia is a strong-willed person trying to make it in a “man’s world” so it wouldn’t be crazy that sometimes Stanton forgets that she is not just one of the guys. Obviously he knows she’s a woman because they are friends with benefits, but he thinks that she is just like him in his thinking, where they just have fun. For her, I had a problem with how willing to just let Stanton do essentially what he wanted without much of a fight. If it were me, I know that I wouldn’t want to help someone that I was obviously in love with get with someone who doesn’t love him. Yes I get the whole, if you love them, set them free or whatever, but Sofia prides herself on being strong-willed but let’s Stanton walk all over her?

Even though Stanton has a lot of moments when you just want to yell at him, you can tell he is a stand-up guy. He sticks up for his friends and loves Jenny and his daughter Presley more than anything. From reading some of the scenes of him before he became a lawyer, you can see that having freedom from his home has changed him and how the struggle of the small-town boy that he grew up as and his ambition are constantly fighting. The large city has obviously affected but it’s a nice change of pace to see that he still has morals and doesn’t completely become like how Drew was before Kate.

The ending was predictable but I don’t think that was meant to be a surprise. Spoiler alert, they end up together. Just like the issues that I have with Sofia’s character about not being strong, I wished she would have put up more of a fight when she did get mad at him. Other than that, it was a fun and enjoyable read and the stuff I didn’t like is not nearly enough to have me not to re-read this story. I had just hoped for more from the character of Sofia.

Drew Evans is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever read. He made no apologies for his filthy mouth and sarcastic humor and relished his arrogance and crudeness. What many of us didn't know was that he literally mentored a frat brother back in college who became a hotshot criminal lawyer.

Enter the sexy lawyer, Stanton Shaw. He grew up as the golden boy of the south. Valedictorian, quarterback, good looks, with lips that can provoke the dirtiest of thoughts, charm oozing out of his pores.... yes, he caught quite a huge amount when the shower of blessings was released.

With all these qualities, women came tumbling down to catch his attention. Two were a big part of his story.

Jenny was his high school sweetheart, they became parents to a baby girl at the age of seventeen. His first in everything, she was selfless enough to let him spread his wings, so to speak, so he can reach for his dreams and be the successful guy he was meant to be.

Sofia was smart, ambitious, witty, gifted in the looks department too ( go figure!). She was also a lawyer in the firm where Stanton worked and his friend-with-benefits.

Jenny held his heart, a life with her and their baby a forgone conclusion. Sofia brought out the fun, playful part of him. One girl held his past and in his mind, his future. While the other made his present enjoyable and complete. I loved Stanton and Jenny's history, but I also loved Stanton and Sofia's easy camaraderie.

There were two women who represented different aspects in his life. Which one is for keeps?

Sometimes, what our mind dictates is different from what we feel and what's in our unfiltered thoughts is a direct reaction of how we truly feel. Stanton had it all planned: Jenny and their daughter will be his ultimate destination. Playing the field with one night stands and bed partners without commitments is just a pit stop. But how do we know if we're stuck at what we think was supposed to be to notice that things already changed? How do you let go of what's familiar to finally see what your heart is telling you?

I will admit that I was hesitant to read this one at first. I don't want the guy to use another girl, regardless of how hot he is. I don't want the girl to let a guy use her, regardless of how hot he is, lol!

But I'm glad I trusted my admiration for the author to give this one a chance. It helped that the story was told in dual POVs. Stanton made a slight twist in a popular quote because in his case, his thoughts speak louder than his actions. Emma Chase made a brilliant point about the kind of love that's like an echo.

Overruled had all the ingredients that made Emma Chase in a league of her own. The wit, the spot-on male POV, the banter, the real life feel of it all. That's what I loved best about her stories. It could be a story of any one of us in a normal setting in any normal day. It's relatable, simple, realistic. The difference lies in the story-telling. And when Emma Chase tells a story, it's exceptional.

Overruled is the first installment in Emma Chase's adult contemporary romance series titled The Legal Briefs. Despite the title, this is not a law-centered story. There are characters in this book who are lawyers and a few use legal terms in jest while talking with each other about non-work related matters which added a bit of cleverness in my opinion. Also, Drew Evans, our favorite lawyer from Tangled makes a few cameos in person and by name!

In Overruled, I loved how the story starts out with complex characters in interesting and heartfelt situations. But I quickly lost any respect or heartstrings I had for the hero Stanton Shaw. I personally didn't find him very likable. Despite that, I did enjoy this book overall. It was sexy, funny at times, and I really did want the characters to be happy. I could see how confusing the conflict in this story must be for them. If you have historically enjoyed Emma Chase, then be sure to consider this series.

My favorite quote:
“All the things we don’t say in front of children to preserve their innocence, the words we spell, the actions we hide so they don’t copy our bad habits. Like the way my father used to smoke behind the barn, out of view. But we could still smell it on him. They don’t listen to what we say—they look at how we say it, picking up on the undercurrent of emotion like a sixth sense. And they just know.”

Overruled (The Legal Briefs #1) by Emma Chase
4 stars!!

“Sex with Stanton is exhilarating; working beside him is a privilege. But loving him…that just hurts.”

I love a legal book and this one was a great one, not only did I have the courtroom scenes that I crave but this book was also full of Emma Chase’s amazing sense of humour and of course some smoking hot sex scenes. Emma Chase never fails to deliver a fantastic male of POV and she certainly mastered Stanton and brought our cocky lawyer to life.

This story starts out in the past with Stanton Shaw and his childhood sweetheart Jenny. They are both approaching graduation and have made plans, but sometimes even the best laid plans go awry. Stanton Shaw was getting out of Mississippi to go to law school; he was going to become a hot shot lawyer so that he could give Jenny and himself the life they deserved. They had planned it down to the last detail however, Jenny falls pregnant and Stanton is caught in a catch 22 situation. Jenny wants him to continue with their plans but Stanton has trouble ruling between his heart and his head. Jenny however is adamant and packs him off to law school, Stanton goes begrudgingly.

Long distance relationships hardly ever work and I must admit I was shocked about Jenny’s stipulations with Stanton. She wanted the open relationship, she knew that it was going to be difficult for both of them but despite Stanton’s reluctance she was adamant. However, fast forward ten years later and Stanton and Jenny are still in the same situation, miles and miles apart but Stanton still sees Jenny as his. I have to admit that this was one bizarre situation and I did have trouble getting my head around it, but when you are reading about it, it kind of made sense for them.

“Of course I’m right. Now dry your eyes, take some Midol and stop with the premenstrual pity party.”

Stanton Shaw is one man that you are going to fawn over, it just cannot be helped, he has this cocky demeanour, a prerequisite for any successful lawyer, but inside he had a heart of gold. Stanton was a fantastic dad, despite the distance and his relationship with his daughter just melts your heart. Despite everything his daughter always came first, he always made time for her whether it be in Mississippi or for her visits to him.

Stanton has his fair share of women but most recently he has been friends with benefits with a lawyer who also works at the same firm, Sofia Santos. They both know the situation, Stanton making it perfectly clear that he belongs to Jenny and his daughter, so when a bolt from the blue comes pertaining to Jenny, Stanton is thrown off kilter and heads to Mississippi to sort it out, taking Sofia with him for guidance and the female point of view.

“There are no minivans or white picket fences in her future, just corner offices and billable hours. She’s frank, direct but also fun. A woman I consider a friend - someone I enjoy going out with as much as I enjoy going down on.”

I loved Stanton with a passion; he was adorable, but somewhat blinkered when it came to Jenny. I personally felt that he was constantly living in the past, remembering him and Jenny as they were as teenagers without actually looking at what was happening in the present. As far as he was concerned, he loved her and she was it for him, but really was it love? After ten years apart, with infrequent visits could he really expect Jenny to be living all those years just waiting for him and his sporadic visits? It was only matter of time before Jenny wanted more.

I loved Sofia too, she was a feisty Latino in both the courtroom and the bedroom and she too had a heart of gold and I felt was the perfect match for Stanton. Not only did they have their careers in common but their chemistry between the sheets was off the charts. Sofia always knew where she stood as far as Stanton was concerned and had done really well keeping an emotional attachment away from the physical, but Stanton was just so lovable it was only a matter of time before the lines started to get blurred.

“I know it now. I can’t stand by and pretend to help him fight for her. Because I want him to fight for me. More than anything. For him to want me - not just as a friend or lover. But as his forever.”

I am a fan of the slow burn and this was just that, as I said above, Stanton was blinkered as far as his heart was concerned but will the feisty Brazilian be able to show him what we the reader have seen unfurling between the pages? Stanton has to do a lot of soul searching and he definitely has to wake up and smell the coffee. I loved the relationships in this story whether it be family or friends and it was great to see a totally different side to Stanton too.

“Yes, Stanton! I want him to push me, pull me - effing use me - as long as it’s only me he’s thinking of. Me he wants.”

This was a really enjoyable read, with plenty of laugh out loud moments. My only niggle was that I wished that Stanton had his eureka moment a lot sooner, as I would have liked to have seen a lot more of him and Sofia together. I know some will say that the situation is rather unbelievable but for me it worked on the pages. Personally I felt that Jenny had already had that emotional detachment and she was just waiting for Stanton to catch up. Perhaps she underestimated just how Stanton had been leading his life due to their relationship, but none the less, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

“Young love is strong. First love is powerful. But what you don’t know when you’re young - what you can’t know - is how long life actually is. And the only dependable thing about it, besides death and taxes, is change.”

I cannot wait to read the rest of this series, there are some great characters throughout this book whose stories will be told in the coming books. I can see plenty of shenanigans to come.

What a really great story that had a different twist to it. I always love a story with a hot hunky suit wearing professional, especially a really sexy lawyer and with having heard great things about the author’s Tangled series I decided I would check this new series out. I have to say I wasn’t completely sure what to expect or how the story would play out after reading the synopsis but I will say I was intrigued. I am not a huge lover of Love Triangles so after reading in the synopsis about him taking his “friend with benefits” to the wedding of his high school sweetheart (who was also the mother of his 10 year old daughter) I wasn’t sure how it would play out but was pleasantly surprised.

Stanton Shaw has known Jenny Munroe for most of his life and has been in love with her just as long. They were high school sweethearts, the perfect couple, he the football jock and her the head cheerleader. They had dreams of what their future looked like but all that changed with 2 blue lines. Jenny not wanting him to give up his dreams of making a life for them convinced him to head off to college to get his law degree. Now 10 years later Jenny and Stanton still love each other but live in separate places while they raise their daughter and have an unconventional and very open relationship. Once again everything changes with the news that Jenny is to be married, not willing to give her up he heads home to fight for what is his. Knowing he will have a hard time keeping his head on straight and keeping his cool he takes his co-worker and good friend (with benefits) Sofia to help him. Sofia is a hard worker lawyer at Stanton’s firm that is driven to make partner and who knows about Stanton and Jenny’s relationship and is okay with enjoying her friendship and it’s “benefits” that she has with Stanton. The question is what will happen when they both realize there is more to this “friends with benefits” between them.

There truly is nothing better than a great story with a really strong confident heroine and I must say Sophia did not disappoint. Sophia is a hard working woman trying to make a name for herself in a very dominant man’s world and I love how well she holds her own. She beautiful and confident, she knows her assets and she doesn’t have issues using them but best part, her biggest asset is her brain. She’s funny and sassy and she knows what she wants and has no problem going after it. But she also still has that female side that makes her want more than just work and sex, she wants that special someone, and she has found him, only problem is, his heart belongs to someone else.

Stanton Shaw is truly a fabulous book boyfriend. He’s cocky and confident and he’s a smooth talker but he’s good at it. Damn he’s good at anything he does and boy can he make your panties wet. You know he’s all talk and is using charm to win you over but you can’t help but fall under his spell, he’s just that good. His life is perfect, he’s got his high school sweetheart and his daughter still living at home where they grew up and stays in constant contact with. They have an unconventional open relationship, he’s got a great job in the city at a great firm working towards becoming a partner with his great winning streak in court. He’s got great friends, especially one in particular who they have added benefits to the equation the last 6 months. They are perfect together, neither want a relationship, both are career driven and she gives up all control in the bedroom and he is able to let the sexy Alpha side of him out to play. But all that changes when he gets a wedding invitation to the other women in his life, the first women for him to ever love. And at that moment we then get to see a different Stanton, we get to see the Alpha caveman Stanton who is off to Mississippi to lay claim to what is his but we see how passionate he is, the great dad he is to Presley and see a softer side to him but as well we get to see how pig headed and stubborn he truly can be.

This story had two really awesome main characters that I couldn't help but connect with but it also had so many other great characters that I fell in love with. It was such a great fun group of characters that I can’t wait to see more of, I think this series is going to be a great one read. I loved their co-workers Brent and Jake, they added a lot of fun and humor to the story. I really loved Jenny, she truly loved Stanton but I loved that she was the one to move on and make him wake up. She was such an independent woman, yes she had her family to help her raise her daughter but for them to have the relationship they had over the past 10 years it really spoke to her character. And I loved getting to know both Jenny’s and Stanton’s family, especially Nana, she cracked me up so many times and I loved her at the end!

Overall this was a really fabulous read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story was told from both Stanton and Sofia’s POV so we got to get in both of their heads and I loved that. The characters and the storyline was so well thought out that the book had a really great flow to it and from the moment I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down and it was over way too soon, I wanted so much more of Stanton and really hope in the coming books we will get to see so much more of him. The book was such a great mix of sweet and sexy, some funny moments but also moment where I was on the edge of my seat biting my nails needing to know what was going to happen. This was my first book by this author but it definitely won’t be my last and after getting a glimpse of Drew Evans, I will definitely be checking that series out next while I wait for the next book in this series.

That’s it! Emma Chase has solidified herself as one of my favorite authors. No questions asked. If you thought her Tangled series was hilariously awesome, you’ll get a kick out of Overruled. I was hooked from the first page, with Stanton sparking my interest as to how his relationship with his ex-girlfriend grew into what it was, and I was left pleasantly smiling after flipping the last. You’ve got quite a different situation here as Stanton chases his dream to become a hot-shot lawyer, which he eventually is, living the life of a careless playboy, all while still committing himself emotionally to his high school sweetheart and mother of his child. How does this all work?! Well, Chase takes us on one hilarious, sweet, often frustrating, yet insanely entertaining ride to find out.

Stanton’s story and his way of thinking was very different than what I’m used to and even though I didn’t agree with it at times, his mindset was just so innocent and good-natured, you can’t help but love the guy regardless. In all honest, I’m more of a “black and white” kind of thinker and I could never really wrap my head around couples who are serious about each other, and who have a child involved, having an open relationship. Add that with long-distance and it just doesn’t make sense to me. It can’t work! I’d sooner cut ties, especially if you’re going to see other people, and not create such a mess where feelings and emotions could get hurt. However, Emma did an excellent job at showing readers just how complicated relationships can be and that not everything is cut and dry. Stanton’s relationship with his ex, Jenny, was anything but normal, it was all he knew of love. She’s the one he always thought he was supposed to be with. His end game once he achieved his goals in life. And then you have his relationship with Sofia, which was so passionate and really, they just made sense. You could easily see how they just fit together perfectly. They understood each other on another level and their chemistry was insanely hot. I loved how Emma points out that what you think you want and what you actually want may not always be the same thing.

So, how does a guy who gives his body so carelessly to one girl and his heart to another still make my list of book boyfriends? Well, like I said, it was really his mindset that got to me. He was never a bad guy with devious intentions, or even the naive playboy who tries to sleep his way through a city for the fun of it, quite the opposite. He was just doing what he thought was natural, all while envisioning a future with the supposed love of his life. You couldn’t find a guy who cared more for his family or was more dedicated to his first love. Yes, there were moments where I wanted to punch some sense into Stanton and glare at him incredulously because he just could not be this clueless! But, despite his playboy ways or his take on love and sex, Jenny and his daughter were always in his life in a very significant way, and their situation just worked! What would’ve initially turned me away from a story like this, Chase was able handle with flair and she made me see things with more of an open mind.

I loved Sofia so much, even more so than Stanton. She’s a strong-willed, determined lady who can hold her own with the “big boys”. She’s very ambitious and caring with a bit of snark and attitude mixed in. I loved that from beginning to end, she’s all about achieving her goals in regards to her career, and she knows she deserves only the best, in love and in life. She was also open about what she wanted sexually and was never ashamed of it. She was fierce all around and I greatly appreciated Chase creating a character like her. At first, I thought she was crazy to let Stanton sort of use her like he did while trying to win his ex back, but she didn’t even know how much she truly cared about him until it really mattered, so she never let it get to her. She stayed true to herself in the end though, and that’s what I another thing respected about her.

Overruled was filled with touching moments, sinfully delicious sexy times, and hilarious inner monologues with plenty of Southern antics to keep you breezing through the pages – I couldn’t stop reading. It was definitely a different kind of romance read and one some might be hesitant to try at first, given the circumstances, but I assure you, you don’t want to miss this book. Chase charms readers with her irresistible characters and delightfully absorbing writing style, as usual. Oh, and I loved the glimpse we get of the next book at the end. Both Jake and Brent seem like very intriguing characters that I am eagerly looking forward to reading all about.

Reviewed with my co-blogger from The Geekery Book Review, Wendy.

On the book overall:

​Jenn: I loved this book, once I started reading it was so hard to put it down. Emma Chase did such a wonderful job of blending funny and heart. All of the characters in the book had such big personalities I couldn’t help but completely fall for them. I loved getting caught up in thier story waiting to see when Stanton was really gonna figure it all out. :)​

Wendy: She has a way of writing that is seamless. Once you start, you are immersed in this story that is equal parts funny and sexy, and you have no choice but to fall in love with her perfectly crafted world. Before you know it, it’s over and you’re wondering where the time went. She did it with the Tangled series, and I’m so happy she brought it back for the Legal Briefs series.

On Jenny:

​Jenn: ​Overall, I wasn’t her biggest fan. I get that she didn’t want to leave home and her family and I was impressed with how much she encouraged Stanton to pursue his dream. I felt like she could have been more open with Stanton regarding their relationship (or lack there of).

Wendy: I have to admit to being a little heartbroken when I realized she wasn’t the protagonist. Guess that’s why you should always read the synopsis first. ;-) By the time I realized it was Stanton and Sophia, I was totally invested in Jenny.

I can see why she wasn’t as open with Stanton. The man is like a bull in a china shop. I would have put off talking to him too!! But I love that she saw things for how they were, and was able to do the right thing.

On Sofia:

​Jenn: I love this woman! She is so strong and confident and doesn’t take crap from anyone. Sofia became a favorite for me, she’s fierce and funny and I think she’s the perfect match for Stanton.

Wendy: She is totally kick ass!! It took me a little bit to warm up to her, to totally connect with her. What cinched her as my idol was how she dealt with Stanton concerning his little sister and her love life (aka: hickies). That moment was priceless. She’s the type of woman that Stanton needed. He would bulldoze anyone else!!

On Stanton:

Jenn: Oh Stanton you big smart dumb man! More than once while reading I found myself shaking my head and thinking for someone so smart he sure is dumb. I absolutely adore Stanton. He’s so perfectly alpha with the mix of Southern gentleman. It definitely took some time, but I loved watching him figure it all out – and who truly owns his heart. Stanton is such a brilliant character to fall in love with. ​

Wendy: Again, the man is a bull in a china shop. If you get in between him and something he want, watch out!! I love his southern charm, but I love even more when Sophia challenges him when he’s being a bit chauvinistic. It’s just too cute!

On the fact that it has a tie-in with the Tangled series, and more importantly, man among men, Drew Evans:

​Jenn: LOVE LOVE LOVE the connection with Drew! I actually clapped when I saw his name appear and Emma Chase made it happen so very perfectly. ​

Wendy: The second Drew’s name popped up, I was so happy. It was like getting to see an old friend again. I wanted to shout, “I know him!!”. There’s just enough that if you’ve read the Tangled series, you’ll be thrilled, but If you haven’t, it’s no biggie. It was definitely the frosting on the cake!!

On the rest of the guys from the office:

​Jenn: I loved the whole gang in this book! I wanted to know the other lawyers Jake and Brent just as much as I wanted to get to know Stanton and Sofia. They were such a great team together, not just in the court room but in life too. I really enjoyed seeing the friendship they all share.​

Wendy: I feel like they’d be the best group of friends ever. I can’t wait for more of their stories, especially Brents!! There are a million and one stories out there about men with absolutely perfect bodies (and trust me, I’m not complaining about that!!), but only a few about men with some physical imperfections. I’m excited to see how it plays out!!

Any other thoughts:

​Jenn: I definitely can’t wait to read more of this series!

Wendy: I second that!! There’s a reason I read anything she writes without reading the synopsis first. I know I’m going to love it!

I received an advance copy to review for The Geekery Book Review

Wow, I absolutely loved this read. When I started Overruled I had just told my bestie I was looking for a certain type of book, but couldn’t even describe it. I love Emma Chase and decided to jump in. I am so glad I did. This story was absolute perfection.

The story begins with us meeting a young Stanton and Jenny. They have just learned they are having a child unexpectedly. While they are very in love and plan to spend the rest of their lives together the timing is completely off as they are still in high school. Stanton is supposed to leave for Columbia and Jenny has plans to become a nurse. Despite all their obstacles they decide to stick it out and try a long distance relationship. As time goes on the distance becomes too much and they decide to have an open relationship.

The story then picks up ten years later. Stanton is working at a high profile law firm in Washington, D.C. His life is right on track, he is happy. Jenny and Stanton are together when comes into town and they raise their daughter together, but they both have relationships outside each other. Stanton never looking for anything serious has been sleeping with his coworker Sophia. This friends with benefits relationship fits their lives perfectly, but how long until it all falls apart.

Things unravel rather quickly when Stanton learns Jenny is getting married. This isn’t a part of the plan and he is a planner. He is used to getting his way and refuses to go down without a fight. With his plan in place he decides to go back to Mississippi, he only needs one thing: Sophia to accompany him.

Sophia is a smart girl, she the only girl amongst her brothers and she understands what men want. She knows their relationship is strictly physical, but that doesn’t stop her heart from falling for Stanton. Now he wants her to go help him fight for “his girl.” Torn about what to do, she decides to be his friend first and decides to go help.

Oh boy, I loved where things went from here. I won’t lie I was a nervous freaking wreck, but from here things really took off. I love the time they spent together and the discoveries made about each other. These two weren’t planning on falling in love, it was just physical, but their respect for each other and their friendship helped things progress into more.

This story is a super quick read and honestly left me wanting more. Not because it is incomplete, but because I was craving more of Emma’s writing style. She writes a flawless love story, with the perfect amount of comedy, sexiness and angst. The characters were developed perfectly and I could feel their emotions.

If you haven’t read Emma’s writing before you are missing out. Saying I recommend her books and especially this story is a HUGE understatement. I have recommended Overruled to anyone who will listen. I even went and purchased the paperback early. Emma’s writing makes reading fun. She provides comic relief without going overboard. I will read anything she writes and cannot wait for more in the Legal Briefs Series.

Overruled is a standalone. The other stories in the series will focus on other characters.

PJV Quickie: Is it possible to love a character while simultaneously wanting to throttle him? Because that’s exactly what happened here! In Overruled, Emma Chase is doing what she does best – writing characters you love to hate to love. (Yes, that’s exactly what I meant to say :) )

Review:
Stanton Shaw and Jenny Monroe have a ‘don’t ask/don’t tell’ arrangement: When he’s home in their tiny town of Sunshine, Mississippi, Stanton and Jenny are a couple – sex with Jenny is good and he loves being a dad to their 10-year-old daughter, Presley. When he’s home in Washington, D.C., where he’s a criminal defense lawyer, Stanton and Jenny see other people, no strings attached. When Stanton gets a wedding invitation in the mail, to Jenny’s wedding, he’s determined to stop it – she’s his girl, even if he’s not always there, and there’s no way he’s going to let her marry someone else.

Stanton Shaw and Sophia Santos have a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement: They work together and make a great criminal defense team. When they’re not at work, they have incredible, no-strings attached sex. Neither has time to go bar-hopping for sex, plus, Stanton’s got Jenny at home in Sunshine and Sophia plans to make partner at the firm soon. Their arrangement is win/win for everyone.

When Stanton asks Sophia to go back to Sunshine with him to win back Jenny, Sophia starts to realize that maybe she doesn’t want Stanton to win back Jenny, and that maybe what he really wants is right in front of him -in the present, not back in the past.

~~~~~

When I saw Emma Chase had written a romance with a law theme, I could not wait to read it. I loved Tangled, and I love romance in a law firm setting – this is totally my catnip. The writing is fabulous and I was immediately pulled in to the story, from the pink lines on the pregnancy test while they were still in high school, to the high-powered courtroom in Washington D.C. where Stanton defended accused criminals, I could easily visualize it all. That being said, I really had a hard time figuring out my thoughts on this one: While I liked Stanton as a hero, I was also frustrated that he seemed to think he could do his thing in DC and come home to Jenny like nothing had changed, as if he put her away in a box for future use and she ceased to have a life while he was gone. And I loved his reactions when he realizes that’s not what happens.

On his journey to realization, there several scenes with laugh-out-loud humor (cue the obligatory Forrest Gump “I am not a smart man, Jenny” reference), and a nice cast of secondary characters who round out the story and add to the fun. The sexy stuff between Stanton and Sophia was smokin’ hot and once he pulled his head out of his @ss, it was actually pretty sweet, too.

I wiggled between 3 1/2 and 4 stars, but ultimately went with 4 stars because I kept coming back to the story; I had no desire to switch to something else, which is something I do often. Plus, I liked that Sophia stood up for herself, even when it hurt to do so. And, I loved how Stanton and Jenny co-parented without using the daughter against each other.

Recommendations:
If you like Julie James’ books, I would recommend Overruled. If you enjoy contemporary romance in a courtroom setting, small towns, and heroes that are simultaneously smart and idiotic, give Overruled a try.

My Review:
Stanton...god love him, but for as brilliant and smart as he really is, he's a complete and total idiot. This book is about how clueless he is.

When they were seniors in high school, Stanton and Jenny got pregnant with Presley. Stanton had a promising future so he went on to college while Jenny stayed at home with her parents to raise their little girl. They led separate lives with the promise that they could do whatever when apart, but when they were together, they were completely committed. That open relationship went on for ten years...until Stanton got Jenny's wedding invitation. He's completely devastated. Someday they were supposed to be together forever. She wasn't supposed to fall in love with someone else. Yeah, like I said...he was an idiot.

But just wait, it gets better. Another lawyer who works with Stanton is Sofia. She's just as driven and talented as him. They have a great friends with benefits relationship...to the point where they are regularly having sex 3-4 times a week for the last 6 months. Yeah, they are in a committed relationship too. They just really don't realize it. But she's his voice of reason, so he takes her home with him to convince Jenny to not go through with the wedding.

Okay, I know what you're thinking...and no, this is NOT a book about cheating. Even with all the "open" relationship...there is no bed hopping in this. Believe me, I would let you know that if that were the case, because those kinds of books make me feel sick to my stomach. This book is about Stanton and Sofia. They are both just so accepting of their easy relationship, it just never occurs to them that maybe they've become something more along the way. It's sweet just in that they, especially Stanton, are so bogged down in what's supposed to be that he doesn't see what truly is.

The other really heartwarming aspect to this book is that these are NYC lawyers, but when they go down to Kentucky, Stanton's country comes right back to the forefront. The scene out in the field after Carter's party is especially funny and sweet just in that it's so unexpected with their professional personas.

The book is fun and sweet. There isn't much actual romance, but I enjoyed the friendship between Stanton and Sofia. They definitely have sexy times, but for them, the friendship is always first and that was fun to read.

If you've been reading Emma Chase, then you will see a familiar face. Drew Evans makes an appearance in this too. He was in the same fraternity as Stanton at Columbia...so it's fun to see him in this new series. And the series is setting up for some fun books. I'm assuming that Brent and Jake are the other two upcoming heroes and I, for one, can't wait. I really, really liked both of them.

I definitely recommend this one, especially if you've enjoyed Emma Chase before. If you haven't read any of her books, it's time you gave her a go. She's an incredibly talented and fun voice in contemporary romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Emma Chase creates heroes who while flawed and foul mouthed are also captivating and endearing, deeper than their macho façade portrays. Chase’s newest hero, Stanton Shaw, is a man after Drew Evans’ heart – at least the older version of Stanton. I’m sure the “old Drew” would have a thing or two to say about the “pansy ass” Stanton who wanted to do right by his high school girlfriend, Jenny, and his baby girl, Presley. But for readers, Stanton’s need to take care of his daughter and Jenny despite his future goals makes him extremely likeable. Stanton’s complexity as a character, though, will also make readers extremely frustrated because his vision of how things are “supposed to be” cannot be dissuaded and when that path goes awry, his stubbornness leads him to make decisions that not only affect him but those he cares about in ways he can’t even begin to comprehend because his headstrong focus won’t allow him to delineate from the course he’s followed ever since he was young.

Chase’s heroines are her cocky heroes perfect match. Any woman who can bring a man to his knees knows how to hold her own, and that’s exactly the type of woman that Sofia Santos is. She’s a passionate and driven lawyer just like Stanton and she knows how to handle Stanton in all areas of his life, which is exactly what Stanton needs when his life threatens to implode, requiring him to head back to his hometown and make a play dragging Sofia along for the ride.

Sofia is extremely self-assured and portrays herself to be okay with the no strings relationship she has with Stanton, but through her point of view, readers grow to understand just how much she cares for Stanton, and it’s heartbreaking to witness a clueless Stanton unknowingly shred Sofia’s heart when she agrees to help keep him grounded as he works to make things right for his family.

Emma Chase also creates stellar secondary characters, and Overruled has them in abundance. Between Stanton and Sofia’s friends, Sofia’s family, Stanton’s daughter, Presley, and Jenny’s nana, there’s a plethora of hilarious, witty, and emotional moments that add so much goodness to the storyline, which means that future books in the series are going to continue to include fantastic supporting characters and allow those characters who readers have already met to have their time in the spotlight.

I have to admit…I didn’t know if Overruled was going to be a book for me because I couldn’t see how the dynamics between Stanton, Jenny, and Sofia were going to work without the whole cheating vibe ebbing into the storyline, but to my delight, it doesn’t have that feel at all. Loving someone and being in love with someone are two concepts that are explored in Overruled and being able to understand the difference between them is what the characters have to work through, especially Stanton, which means hurt feelings, overreactions, and heartache around prominent emotions strewn throughout the text.

Once again, Emma Chase’s sweet and filthy talking alpha male made me swoon and want to kick him in the face at the same time. The moments between Stanton and his daughter are beyond precious, and the times Stanton acts without thinking are situations where he needs a wakeup call, but warts and all, Stanton is a fantastic hero, and his and Sofia’s story is must read!

A complimentary copy was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4/4.5 poison apples

REceived in exchange for a honest review.

This book is great. Usually a author tries to follow a pattern if her first series is successful but Emma chase forged a different distinct path for the drop you panties from a smile and how he treats his daughter Stanton. He messes up continuously but their is arrogance in it and he isn’t even realizing he is doing it until it may be too late and than he feels incredible remorse. He doesn’t brood after messing up like Drew did but takes action and he admits his screw ups. The story comes from two POV’s so that we don’t need to wonder what Sofia is thinking or what Stanton is thinking along the way we are privy to both. The supporting characters are great the one that gives me the most laughs is Carter.

We do see Drew in this book but it is peripheral and although his appearance at the beginning was a not good one in getting Stanton to do something in college against his better judgement he still was a sort of good guy. Stanton is a stand up guy. He was kind when needed to be, respectful and smart. He was also dangerous. Dangerous for juries and ladies alike. He could turn a jury to what he wanted easily and have ladies heads turn to him with a smile.

Sofia was one he turned the head of. She was feisty smart and stubborn. At first not wanting anything more than the wonderful sexy extras being friends with Stanton gave her. But as she got further in her heart grew for wanting more.

Stanton was always with Jen. Although they weren’t in the same state and had a open relationship he was stuck in a past. A past where him and Jen would eventually be together. He will have you swoon when you read the scenes of his daughters birth and how he is with his daughter Presley. This man is a keeper. He has feelings for Sofia but denies them until it may be too late.

When Jen drops a bombshell it turns his happy world upside down. Everything goes kablooey and it is so fun to watch. He gets possessive for the past while ignoring the tug of the present and Sofia just to prove a point. Jen’s grandma you will love. She reminds me of Chester in Abigail Roux’s cut and run series except chester has a what looks like a rake and she has a shotgun without bullets. They are both protective of their grandchildren, shoot from the hip and let everyone know where they stand. She until the end isn’t in Team Stanton and when she has a chat with him you understand why.

Stanton does some huge screw ups. They make Drew’s from the Twisted series look like boo boos. When he realizes them he just about lost what was important. This is the fun exciting and exhilarating story of Stanton and Sofia and how they came together after Stanton went through his past and let it go. It is funny, sweet and done in a fashion to have swept up in the drama and passion of each plot and character.

Overruled is the first book in Emma Chase's Legal Briefs Series and is every bit as aggravating and entertaining as her other novels. Emma Chase knows how to create heroes that readers will despise at first but fall in love with by the end of the story. First came Drew Evans in her Tangled Series. He was a jerk at first but found his way into my good graces as his story unfolded. Overruled introduces us to Stanton Shaw, defense attorney and royal dick.

I loathed Stanton Shaw. He's a fraternity brother of Drew Evans and we follow his journey from fresh out of high school to adulthood. Stanton started out as a fiercely loyal boyfriend who was working for the sole purpose of bettering his loved ones' futures. I adored him. Enter Drew Evans. A few words of wisdom: NEVER and I mean NEVER take advice from Drew freaking Evans unless you want to ruin your life. Literally. Can you tell I was frustrated? Let's just say adult Stanton and teenage Stanton are quite different.

Overruled made me feel a lot of things. Pity for Jenny. Hatred for Sophia and Stanton. Anxiety over what paths the story would take. I wanted to slap sense into every character and send them all to therapy. I ached and fretted and had to put this story down several times to compose my anger towards Stanton.

Journeys are a funny thing. One second you can want to set the main character on fire and suddenly events unfold and insight into that character is laid out before you, molding your impressions and changing your view of Stanton Shaw. Before I knew it, I was rooting for Stanton. Wanting him to get the girl and find happiness. Despite his less than admirable decisions toward women, one thing holds true about him. Stanton Shaw is a phenomenal father and that alone makes him one of the most desirable heroes around.

Prepare yourself for a roller coaster. Emma Chase toyed with my emotions and forced me to reevaluate my first impressions about every character in this story. Her writing is so fantastic it has the power to make your feelings about a character fluctuate from one extreme to the other. I am not shy about my absolute disgust for Stanton in the beginning, but I was surprised to find my heart melting for Shaw by the end. Emma Chase absolutely killed it and once again proved her brilliance and mastery of the male point of view.

Emma Chase write stories that bring plenty of smiles, swooning, oohing and smiling again and again. Overruled, her latest creation is filled with all of this and a story I loved and know you will too.

Let me tell you all about Stanton Shaw, the male lead in this story. Oh my! This protagonist is totally delicious. Stanton is this sexy, powerful, swoon worthy lawyer living in D.C. He’s a good old country boy too. Yeah… cowboy hat included. Just think sexy Marlboro man minus the cigarettes. You’ll see. I once thought that Drew Evans from her beloved Tangled series had won me over. But honestly, Drew and Stanton are running neck and neck on this race. Fortunately, Drew makes an appearance in this book keeping his fans happy. Thanks Emma for that.

Now back to Stanton. He works with Sofia Santos, another powerful lawyer from his law firm. They are “friends with benefits.” Their relationship is sexy, funny and convenient. I love her character. She is a force to be reckoned with. Equally talented, they share the same career goals and work well together both in and out of the courtroom.

In this story, Stanton’s past, "Jenny" comes into the picture taking him and Sofia along with it. Stanton and Sofia must visit Mississippi, his hometown and the home of his adorable daughter Presley, the rest of his friends and family who together make this book so much fun to read. Trust me, the little town of Sunshine, Mississippi has never been funnier.

Stanton’s time back in Mississippi is both emotional and funny. You’ll find acres of farm land, a Sunday Church Service, a tractor race, a backyard bbq, and a small town where everyone knows your business. Presley, his daughter, his family and even Jimmy Dean, not the sausage are awesome too adding to this lighthearted and “fantastic” read.

It’s during Stanton’s time back in his hometown that he learns a valuable lesson about love and home. His visit reveals more to him than he ever expected.

This story is told in both Stanton and Sofia’s POV making it totally come to life in the mind of the reader. I loved the tidbits that were perfectly sprinkled in indicating their feelings for each other. The friendly banter between their common friends Jake and Brent added to this brilliant piece.

Now, without giving this fantastic story away, I’ll leave you wondering all about this sexy alpha male named Stanton and his gorgeous colleague Sofia. No spoilers from me.

There’s so much to love about this book and especially more to look forward to in the next book in this series. I can’t wait to read it. The Legal Briefs Series is sure to be another success for Emma.

Overruled is another start to a fantastic series by Emma Chase! In my opinion, Ms. Chase is the master of writing from a male's perspective. We all know she gave us the unforgettable Drew Evans (and yes ladies, he does make a quick appearance in this book and is hilarious as always, with his "great" advice when it comes to women). And now she is giving us a brand new group of awesome characters.

I was a bit hesitant when I first read the synopsis--my first thought was "ugh, please don't let this be a love triangle!" No worries, it's not, far from it.

Stanton Shaw is the small-town boy with big dreams. He was the football star and dated the head cheerleader, Jenny. They were going on to bigger things after high school and live their happily ever after. But of course life, real-world and unexpected news comes and changes everything.

Now a hot-shot lawyer (and I love stories that takes place where I live--DC!), Stanton is on top of his game. He's successful and has a no-commitment, constant hook-up with his work partner, Sofia. Life is great for Stanton. He seems to have both of worlds. Jenny, his high school sweetheart, who lives back home (yes, they have worked out a deal over the years) and his life in DC.

Over the last ten years, Stanton seemed confident of his unconventional relationship was enough for Jenny. That was until Jenny started to move on and not with him. So he takes matter in his own hands to stop her, but needs Sofia's help.

Sofia Santos is hot, smart and a successful lawyer too. She's hardworking and thinks needing a man is not in the cards for her. It's why her and Stanton's "friends with benefits" relationship works. But over the course of time, feelings starts to run deep and Sofia finds herself having feelings for Stanton.

But playing the good friend and trying to help win Stanton's "girl" back, things start to get messy and feelings get hurt. There were plenty of moments in this book when I just thought--"Really Stanton, open up your eyes!"

Overruled is a great read about learning that life and falling in love doesn't always go to plan when your eighteen. Life changes. People change and move on.

Stanton Shaw lives and works in Washington, DC, as a defense attorney. With his charming nature, southern drawl, and ability to read people, he is successful and compelling. Having grown up in Mississippi, the city has always called to him, though he still loves his hometown.

Sofia Santos grew up in the city. She doesn’t have time for relationships in her career focused plans. She is no-nonsense and driven.

Stanton and Sofia strike up a mutually beneficial agreement -- a friends with benefits agreement. Because neither have the time or plans for a relationship right now. At least, until Stanton learns his high school sweetheart (and the mother of his daughter) is getting married. Now all he can think about is winning Jenny back, and he needs Sofia’s help.

Early in the book, I was a little frustrated by Stanton’s attitude about Jenny and Sofia and their places in his life. He invited Sofia to travel to Mississippi with him because he couldn’t leave her in DC by herself for a week, while he has left Jenny (whom he claims to love) on her own in Mississippi for 10 years, without visiting in over a year?! I was baffled at his confusion that she would find someone else when she was obviously not his priority. He had no plans to move back to Sunshine, and she refused to leave.

BUT I also loved him. Emma Chase has a way of writing these selfish, career driven men in a such a way that I can’t help falling in love with them. Watching him build his bed, knowing he’s skating a fine line that can’t hold, and knowing everything is going to collapse around him is one thing. And I didn’t like him several times through the beginning. But then watching things fall apart for him I can’t help but feel sorry for the man. It’s as exasperating as it is amazing.

There were times the general premise of this book and the characters themselves seemed so far fetched that I had a hard time feeling like the story was believable. But then again, it was just so entertaining to watch Stanton try to sort out the mess he found himself in that I couldn't help but love this story.

Another series from the fabulous Emma Chase - let me at it!

From the minute we meet Stanton and Jenny back in their high school days, you just know that he going to be a stand up kind of guy. When their lives change in an instant, he doesn't run away like a lesser man does.

12 years later, when his career in DC is about to really take off, he gets the news that he never thought he would hear - Jenny is getting married - to someone else.

Sofia, Stanton's friend with benefits agrees to help him get "his girl" back, even as it breaks her heart to do so.

Oh Stanton, I wanted to shake some sense into the man! How could he not see that what he wants, what he needs is standing in front of him, not the woman he always thought he was meant to be with

My heart shatters for Sofia as Stanton keeps pursuing his first love at her expense. Stanton was a bit of a jerk to her, wanting his cake and eating it too. Gah, men! Hey, sleep with me but help me get my girl back? Yeah, NO!!! But I could feel the pull between the two and that kind of thing is hard to ignore, or resist.

To quote Forrest Gump... "I'm not a smart man Jenny, but I know what love is." That may be so, but does he know who it is with?

Overruled is a smart, sassy, sexy story. While at times I was laughing out loud, there were other times where I shed a few ugly tears as well.

Well played, Ms Chase, well played!

Oooh and a really great part of Overruled? We got a bit more of my man Drew Evans! Both past and present! Woohoo!!!! And her work colleagues Brent and Jake are great. Can't wait for more of them!

So, will Stanton keep chasing his past, or will he finally see what it right in front of him,and get the HEA he is after?

Nope, for that you are going to have to read for yourself.

Can't wait for book #2 Sustained.

**Advanced copy received for an honest review**

Holy crap. That pretty much sums it all up. Holy. Crap. This book stressed me out so much in the best way possible. I have never read a book in which the hero and the heroine are sort of together before the book even starts and it was a very refreshing little twist in the romance novels I read. From the very beginning, the reader is aware of how close the characters are to one another. They know what they are to one another and it is completely fine with them. They have been honest from the very beginning about their feeling on relationships as well as work. This was all something I LOVED about this book. It was different and it was great.
The only thing this book did was make me want more and more books like this. I haven't read enough romantic comedies and after reading this book- I definitely will. I was laughing half the time and when I wasn't, I was too busy wishing for the two main characters to finally just get together- for real.
When Staton and Sofia were together, it was amazing. Their chemistry was perfect and they cracked me up as well as made my heart damn near thump out of my chest. This was my first read from Emma Chase but after finishing this book, it won't be my last.

I was really nervous when I started reading this story. It's a very precarious move on the author's part to introduce Stanton's first love, the mother of his child, the sweet and beautiful country girl that the reader will undoubtedly connect with... And then lead Stanton another way. As a reader, I immediately clicked with Jenny, with the naive, innocent, young love story I was introduced to when the story opened. Jenny was Stanton's first love, first everything. Furthermore, she was the mother of his child. Even though they were surprised with a baby at a very young age, even though Stanton went on to pursue his college goals and his career aspirations despite having this family back in Mississippi, even though they had some weird arrangement where they'd be free to see other people while they were separated, it still seemed as though they'd find their way back to each other. My gut instinct was to hope they did... for the sake of first love, for the sake of their daughter, for the sake of traditional garden-variety happily ever afters. It's unorthodox to introduce the love of Stanton's life and then steer the reader toward another woman... to a Brazilian bombshell lawyer and Stanton's platonic hookup. As it turned out,I had no reason to be nervous. Emma Chase's Overruled was absolutely perfect, the course of true love never running smoothly, but the road to happily ever after leading precisely where it was meant to.

It's fitting that Stanton Shaw was "little brother" to Drew Evans in their college fraternity. Stanton is kind of a pig. Feeling slighted by his high school sweetheart and mother of his child, he decides to head home to Mississippi to win her back after he finds out she's engaged. But he can't leave his friends-with-benefits and colleague, Sofia, behind in DC for fear she'll sleep with someone else while he's gone, so he demands she come along for the ride... TO WIN BACK HIS EX. Um... what? You're a dog, Stanton Shaw. Talk about having your cake and eating it too! I had no idea how he thought this would work, what his plan was when he got back to Sunshine, Mississippi... pledging his undying love to his high school sweetheart while still trying to get in Sofia's pants at every turn. And as disgusted as I was by his selfish ways, I was so consumed with this story. I could not put it down. I felt what Stanton felt... an inability to separate the different kinds of love, the inability to let go of the past and see that what was right under his nose was his future. I couldn't really blame him for refusing to let go, because letting go was sad, letting go was not how this kind of story typically plays out. It made me sad, but it also made me laugh. This city boy going back to his roots to win back his girl... ever bit of this story was just deliciously addictive. I devoured it in one sitting and I wish I could jump right back in and do it all over again.

I love what Emma Chase did with this story, illustrating how very different the attraction between 17 year old Stanton and Jenny was from the attraction between 28 year old Stanton and Sofia. It's hard to accept how much people change and grow. It was hard for me, as the reader, to know what once was and how it'll never be. It was bittersweet, knowing how much Jenny and Stanton grew apart, how different their lives are even though they'll never let go of those memories, of everything that they'll always have between them. The chemistry between Stanton and Sofia is so much different. Sofia represents everything Stanton has become... the rising lawyer, the city boy, the man. The dynamic between every character in this book made this story everything that it was... these families made up of the most eccentric personalities, new friends and old friends, colleagues and lovers... all of these personalities woven together made for the most incredible, most amusing, most unforgettable story I've read in recent memory.

After reading Overruled, I'm convinced there's nothing more fantastic on this earth than an Emma Chase book. Sarcastic and hilarious, sexy and romantic, angsty and fraught with family drama, tumultuous romance and profoundly raw emotion: Overruled. Is. Everything. I loved Drew Evans with every fiber of my being. I was skeptical that the humor and sexually charged antics of Emma Chase's Tangled series could be topped. News flash... it was just topped. Stanton Shaw just made my year. His sexy, courthouse charm and his country, cowboy sweetness all juxtaposed with his unbelievably hot bedroom prowess make for one of the most fantastically addictive stories I've ever read. I could not have loved Overruled any more and I can not wait for more of the Legal Briefs series.

I adored this book to pieces! Although it wasn’t exactly what I expected, I found myself loving the book anyway. You see, the book is about a hotshot D.C criminal defense attorney who goes back to his southern roots to stop the woman he loves from marrying another man. All of this with a little help from his friend Sophia- who he has a scorching “friends with benefits” type of relationship. But Stanton doesn’t realize that what he has wanted all along is right in front of his eyes, and maybe home is not where the heart is…

What is it about this book that I didn’t expect? Well, for one I thought it would be a lot more of a “legal romance” with more courtroom drama and other law type stuff. In all actuality though you don’t see much of this hotshot attorney at work but rather in the south trying to make his long time love come back to him. So if you’re looking for something that has a lot more courtroom stuff in it, you won’t find it in this book- not much anyway. This may take away from some reader’s enjoyment if this is what they expected.

So, although it was a bit different than I thought I must admit that this book charmed me. Stanton is not the arrogant jerk that you may expect for the type of work he does nor for his behaviors (sleeping with one woman while being in love with another?). He is really a sweet and charming man who takes pride in his southern roots- he loves his family, his daughter is his world, and he has a big heart. Sophia is a great character too- one that I really enjoyed reading about. She is not your typically girl that allows men to walk all over here (even though she comes off as this type). Rather, there is more to her than meets the eye. She may seem naïve to some, but to me she is independent carefree. I also loved the relationship between Stanton and his baby mama. They have a unique relationship that may make readers swoon and fall in love. So who does Stanton pick? Or does he end up alone because he can’t see what’s right in front of his eyes? Well, you will have to read to find out!

Overall, this is a really sweet and charming read. I adored it to pieces and I cannot wait to see what else Emma Chase has in store for us in the continuation of this series. This is a romance you do not want to miss out on. Stanton Shaw will charm the pants off you for sure!

Santon thought his life was planned out, Perfect love, Perfect Girl. The career was on track, going to the perfect school, until it became complicated.
Jenny loves the man that Santon is but she wants the best for him and her both. A life with no regrets, dreams fulfilled and accomplished why should one mistake take that away, so she comes up with a solution.
Santon has lived up to Jenny's wishes and has completed his dream of becoming a lawyer. He sees his family every chance he gets. He loves Jenny until she blows his world apart.
Sophia is Santon's legal partner she knows how to complete him in the courtroom and out. They have an understanding it works for them, until Jenny, the love of his life changes everything.
In true Emma, fashion this book has it all~ Heat, romance, passion and most of all heat. You can't help but love Santon and all that he does for the one he loves. Brilliantly written you picture it all in your head. You actually can see the big shot defense attorney in the country showing the woman he loves how beautiful country life is with him in it.
I know that there will be times when you want too yell at your e-readers cuz he can be hard headed at times but in the end you will love all that Stanton is, because after all he everything he does is for his family and the woman he loves beyond all else.

This story was really something. It was funny as I expected since I'm very familiar with this author's magical humor but what I didn't anticipate was its surprising plot. Here the author introduces the hero and the story of his first love which then almost drives the whole book and I found that a little risky. Risky because I usually like to connect both my hero and heroine romantically right away and with too much of their past histories that can make it kind of difficult. Fortunately, I did connect them and felt connected to them at the end as the hero made me laugh even at times when I wanted to slap him into his senses, hehe. ;)

Stanton Shaw is a successful twenty-eight-years old defense attorney who lives a carefree life. Based in D.C. he makes sure he never gets attached to any woman other than the two he has in Missouri, his precious ten-year old daughter and high school sweetheart Jenny. Oh don't panic, no cheating in this story at all. You see, Stanton and Jenny have an arrangement that while apart they can live their lives freely but always keeping other relationships casual. That's how it's always been for them since Stanton moved out for college and law school and after their daughter was born. So of course with that arrangement, it's perfectly fine for Stanton to have his fun in D.C. and he currently has it with Sofia Santos, his dear friend and lawyer colleague.

“With a sharp grin and an almost evil spark in her eye, she grips my tie and pulls me back in for a kiss.”

Since day one Sofia has known about Stanton's past, his current situation in Missouri, and how their relationship could only be strictly casual sex. She's been totally fine with the arrangement and has been enjoying it just as much as him. However, when Stanton gets a very unexpected invitation to Jenny's wedding and he drags her there to help him stop the wedding, she soon starts to feel something more for her so called "friend with benefits."

“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.”

Once they head to Missouri this story goes completely nuts and I loved it. There's crazy family members, tension, regrets, competition, and lots of confusion. During all that again, I did feel like slapping Stanton so he would wake up and make up his mind but it was also too funny to see him struggle in the mess he was in. Moreover, while him and Sofia took their time to realize their true feelings for each other and figuring out their situation, they had me laughing in the madness that was Missouri and everybody in there. Not to mention, I felt that their connection kept getting stronger with every chapter so it was very clear for me who was my heroine and what love story I was supposed to be cheering for. Yeah, when that switch finally happened it was perfect. ♥

“Darlin’, you have me. By the heart, by the balls, and any other way you want.”

I found this book sexy, funny and unexpected. I really enjoyed it. The humor, sexiness, and characters in the story really made me a fan of the series. Now I'm very curious to see what Ms. Chase has up her sleeve for the stories of Stanton's friends Jake (Sustained) and Brent (Appealed)! :D

Sometimes, you just find that book that sucks you in and never lets go until the very last page, yeah, this book did that to me! It was such an emotional rollercoaster! Hold on because you are in for one crazy ride! Overruled had everything you could ask in a book...several steamy scenes, humor, passion, angst, heartbreak, love, and so much more!

I have a love/hate relationship with Stanton. During the beginning I was Team Stanton, all the way, but then he got me so frustrated. I just wanted to grab him by the shoulders, shake him, and tell him "What is wrong with you?!? Do you not see what is right in front of you?!?". So that frustration brought me to Team Sofia! I love a strong female heroine and Sofia is just that. She's strong, passionate, and independent. I can completely relate to Sofia and what she goes through with Stanton, so I felt really connected with her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, fantastic story line, it was well written, and I thought the pace of the story was perfect. There weren't any slow parts to the story. I highly recommend Overruled, I don't think you will be disappointed!

*Read and Reviewed for FMR Book Grind*

AudioBook Review: Stars Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4

As I said before, going in I knew this was going to be a wild ride: Emma Chase writes her male characters with a varying degree of misogynistic attitude and maturity, and she seemed to heap all of that frustration on Stanton. Qualities that make him a solidly successful defense attorney don’t work in the real world, at least not without consequences.

In high school, Stanton and Jenny were an item, and then she got pregnant. Unwilling to use that pregnancy to ‘trap’ Stanton in their small Mississippi town, she made it easy for him to move on, go to school and start a career. In the ten years since that time, Stanton has visited his family back home, but it has been nebulous and untethered, he prefers the fast track and the fast women who occupy it.

Sofia is a litigator in the office with Stanton: good at her job and driven, and their friends with benefits situation is one she is fully on board with. But. She is spoiled, entitled and a bit too full of herself for my taste. Sure, she is smart, and good at her job: but she and Stanton have taken a few too many pages out of the books of their clients: NOTHING is ever their fault, their problem or their responsibility. It is always a “situation that brought it on” or someone MADE them do it. Really? GAH

Fast forward to Jenny’s wedding (YAY JENNY) to a character that will be familiar to readers of Chase’s work. And Stanton completely loses his mind. Think three year old with 3 trucks and one friend who wants to play with the truck he abandoned in the corner. THAT sort of Lost His Ever Loving Mind. And Sophia isn’t far behind: not only did she accompany Stanton in his mission to STOP the wedding, but she was deluded enough (or clueless enough) to think that her feminine wiles would keep Stanton reasonable. Can you say doormat?

Through all of the moments – funny to gaspingly incredulous – I couldn’t walk away – there is something to these characters. Perhaps I want to see if they actually get it, or grow up, or find out just how wrong they have been, but even wanting to use a Whack A Mole mallet on Stanton and Sophia, I couldn’t look away.

Narration is provided by Jason Carpenter and Charlotte Penfield and these two portrayed each character beautifully. Carpenter captures that “star high school football player’ arrogance in Stanton’s tones, while Penfield gets Sophia and gives her plenty of vocal nuances that fit her perfectly, from uber-feminist I am woman, hear me roar to rather bratty spoilt child. The dialogue is fast paced and laden with humor, these two allowed for the laughs and moments of “I can’t believe you just said that” without losing pacing or momentum. Additional characters, accents and delivery were spot on, with just enough variation in tone, delivery and accent to present each character as a recognizable change.

Alternately funny, infuriating, sweet and moments that will leave you gasping this is a story perfect for when you want an escape, not necessarily into the lives of people who have it all together, but people who are so fabulously dysfunctional that you will wonder how they make things work at all.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Simon Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.