Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 Sustained is a contemporary romance that I've heard compared to both a romantic comedy and a modern fairy tale. It honestly had to live up to some pretty big words-of-mouth compliments and recommendations, and I can say that for the most part, it totally did. It as funny. It was sweet. I even teared up. Twice. 
 Sustained is also told from the hero's POV. While I tend to avoid those kinds of romances because the hero's thoughts are often pretty sexist and douchey, I liked getting into Jake's head and I honestly couldn't imagine this romance being told with dual, alternating point of views. 
 It took me a minute to get used to the hero POV of the book because I'm so used to the dual POV, where the hero and heroine both having their own issues to overcome. But this was definitely more about Jake's redemption from bad kid to defense attorney representing some bad people to feeling like he's a person worthy of some goodness. Chelsea, to me, seemed pretty set in knowing who she is and what she wants. She just was struggling with the sudden responsibilities of raising a lot of children. 
 And can I say how much I loved the kids?! At first, I was extremely worried that I'd find it too gimmicky or that it would be ridiculously over the top. But I thought it was a good balance and everything seemed plausible. It also is what turned the romance into comedic territory. My stomach hurt from laughing as I read about Jake coming over after everyone is sick with an awful bug. 
 While I generally loved the book, I feel like it jumped the shark a bit on the pacing. Once Chelsea and Jake gave it and started a romantic relationship, most of the conflict came from a few repetitive fights and make ups where Jake would say something dumb or push her away and then apologize. But it was also nice to see them working as a team to take care of the kids. So I'm torn on this because I don't think the latter could have happened without the former. Regardless, the first half of the "courtship" was more interesting to me than seeing Jake keep second-guessing his feelings and future with Chelsea. 
 But it's still such a good read. To me, this was a feel good book and I loved reading about Jake's own personal road to redemption as he learns that he's deserving of love and of a good partner and a family. Because as Jake's colleague and friend Brent likes to remind him, "A knight in tarnished armor is still a knight." 
 - Amanda