Category Archives: Need You Series

July 23, 2017 · 11:56 pm

Review: When I Need You by Lorelei James

Title: When I Need You by Lorelei James
Need You Series Book Four
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 365 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Rules are tossed aside when a pro football player join forces with a spitfire cheerleading coach in New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James’s brand-new romance…

Heir to Lund Industries and ladies’ man Jensen “The Rocket” Lund has three conditions when it comes to dating:
1) No single mothers
2) No cheerleaders
3) No medical personnel
So it makes no sense that he’s wildly attracted to Rowan Michaels, who breaks all three.

Rowan didn’t pass the rigorous requirements to become an athletic trainer and Vikings cheerleader in the hopes of landing a pro athlete. Been there, done that, and she has a young son as proof that football players and fidelity don’t go hand in hand. When Rowan learns her new neighbor is Jensen Lund, the smoking-hot tight end who takes being neighborly to a whole new level, she’s grateful for the team’s strict no fraternization policy because the sexy man defines temptation.

But Jensen is intent on rushing straight to the goal line to prove to Rowan he’s much more than just a player…on and off the field.

Review:

When I Need You by Lorelei James is a sweet, yet sexually charged addition to the Need You series.  Although this latest installment is the fourth in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone but I HIGHLY recommend the previous novels as well.

It has been a very tough year of surgeries and physical therapy, but football superstar Jensen Lund has finally overcome the series injuries that have sidelined him for the past year. Although his recovery has been full of frustration and worry, Jensen has arrived at a few surprising discoveries about himself. Now content to spend time on his own or with his family, Jensen has no desire to turn back into the hard partying  playboy he was before his injuries. So why is Jensen suddenly so enthusiastic about spending time with single mom Rowan Michaels and her adorable six year old son Calder?

Between her busy work schedules and raising Calder completely on her own, Rowan has no time or desire for a man in her life.  She is quite self-sufficient with a good relationship with her parents and brother.  Rowan has absolutely no desire to become involved with an athlete, so what possible explanation can there be for her eagerness to hangout with Jensen?

In spite of the very obvious chemistry between them, Rowan and Jensen agree to a platonic relationship.  They initially go into their budding friendship with a few preconceived ideas about each other, but it does not take long to dispel these erroneous assumptions.  Their friendship is refreshingly free from conflict although they do experience a few minor ups and downs as they get to know each other. With such a sizzling  hot attraction burning underneath the surface of their easygoing friendship, will Jensen and Rowan finally give into their desire? Or will Rowan’s fears ruin any chance for a real relationship with Jensen?

When I Need You is a highly entertaining and emotionally compelling novel that old and new fans of the Need You series will enjoy. The characters are vibrantly developed with easy to relate to fears and imperfections. The friendship between Jensen and Rowan is fun and flirty and Jensen’s interactions with Calder are incredibly sweet and tender. Lorelei James once again delivers a romance with plenty of heart and steam without throwing in any unnecessary angst or drama. A truly delightful addition to a much loved series that is extraordinarily heartwarming and quite captivating.

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Filed under Berkley, Contemporary, Lorelei James, Need You Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, When I Need You

March 29, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: All You Need by Lorelei James

Title: All You Need by Lorelei James
Need You Series Book Three
Publisher: Jove
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A pro hockey player and a PR powerhouse burn up the ice in the third sexy Need You novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

PR agent Annika Lund can spin any disaster into a win. But revamping the reputation of a notorious Swedish hockey player will take every trick in her arsenal, especially when his agent insists that convincing everyone he’s no longer a playboy is top priority. And that it requires a sham relationship—with Annika playing the part of the loving girlfriend.

On fire in the rink and in the bedroom, Axl Hammerquist couldn’t care less about being anyone’s golden boy. So when his agent forces him to play nice with a new publicist, he takes satisfaction in being as much of a pain as possible. But the more time he spends getting to know Annika, the more Axl starts to think that being Mr. Nice Guy might be worth it if it gets him the girl…

Review:

All You Need by Lorelei James is a marvelous enemies to lovers romance.  Although this newest release is the third installment in the fantastic Need You series, it can be read as a standalone (but I HIGHLY recommend the entire series).

Annika Lund  is loyal to her family which is why she grudgingly agrees to help hockey bad boy Axl “the Hammer” Hammerquist salvage his image.  Annika positively loathes Axl whose list of transgressions is looonnng, so she is rather shocked to realize she is attracted to the hockey hottie.  When Axl’s agent suggests the two pretend to be in a relationship, neither is thrilled with the proposal but they both realize the plan has merit.  What neither Axl nor Annika expect is for their contentious fake relationship to turn into a real romance.  What will happen to their budding romance once Axl no longer needs Annika to save his reputation?

Annika is tough as nails but she loves her family so she will do anything to help them.  Axl is nothing like the men she usually dates and she absolutely despises him right from their first introduction.  Hiding her unexpected attraction behind scathing comments and a slew of hilarious nicknames, Annika is taken off guard once she gets to know the man behind the hockey mask and wild reputation.

Axl is an incredibly talented hockey player but his out of control antics are a PR nightmare for his new team.  No one can bring themselves to look past the bad publicity swirling around him so his agent knows he has to clean up his client’s image sooner rather than later. Axl has his reasons for his over the top behavior, but now that he is with a team that he genuinely likes, he is ready to do whatever it takes to smooth his transition with his new teammates. As he spends time with Annika, he realizes he has misjudged her but will Axl be able convince her he is not as out of control as she believes?

Annika and Axl do not make any effort to hide their disdain for each other when they first meet.  Annika is particularly withering during their initial encounters but Axl’s exploits are so incredibly outrageous, he deserves her inventive nicknames and derisive comments. However, once the fake relationship plan goes into action, Annika and Axl finally take the time to get to know one another.  After the various misconceptions about each other are cleared up, will Annika and Axl give in to their simmering passion?  What will happen to their fledgling relationship in the midst of well meaning interference from family and friends?

All You Need is a sizzling hot romance with a fabulous cast of well-developed characters and dialogue that is brimming with humor.  The relationship between Annika and Axl is an absolute joy to watch unfold as their dislike for one another gradually gives way to mutual respect and eventually, love.  Old and new fans will fall in love with this latest addition to the Need You series and the intriguing glimpses of Jensen Lund will leave readers eagerly awaiting Lorelei James’ next release, When I Need You.

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Filed under All You Need, Contemporary, Jove, Lorelei James, Need You Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance

August 3, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James

Title: Just What I Needed by Lorelei James
Need You Series Book Two
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 367 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same.  He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

Review:

The second installment in Lorelei James’ endearing Need You series, Just What I Needed, is a sweet, steamy and humor-filled romance.

Trinity Carlson and Walker Lund’s initial meeting is quite memorable and their relationship seems meant to be when they finally connect with each other again.  Right from the beginning, there is a powerful attraction between them but what really makes their relationship work is the fact that they just get one another.  Both have an off-beat, quirky sense of humor but more importantly, they naturally fit in each other’s lives.  Although they truly enjoy spending time together, Trinity and Walker understand that sometimes work comes first so when they are together, they savor one another’s company. While their romance is mostly trouble free, Trinity and Walker each have a few secrets they yet to reveal to one another.  However, Trinity’s unhealthy way of dealing with problems is what eventually threatens to derail their relationship.

Trinity is a truly gifted artist with a few deep-seated insecurities that undermine her confidence.   With few close friendships, she has a tendency to overlook negative influences and she allow her friends’ toxic behavior to continue unchecked.  It takes her a while to find her backbone, but Trinity is definitely a force to be reckoned with once she takes charge of her life.  She is very self-aware and she warns Walker upfront that she can be a little difficult to deal with and she is quick to point out her neuroses.  Despite her idiosyncrasies,  Trinity is a wonderfully charming, loyal  woman with a fantastic sense of humor and an interesting personality.

Walker views himself as the black sheep of his family since he has no interest in joining the family business.  He is happy with the niche he has carved out for himself and while he is extremely close to his family, he is sometimes a little lost in the midst of his über successful and high achieving siblings and cousins.  Walker’s family certainly loves him but lately they find it easy to overlook him until they need his help with something. Despite his long string of failed relationships, Walker never loses hope he will find the right woman to share his life with.

Trinity and Walker’s relationship is such a delight to watch unfold.  The banter between them is laugh out loud funny and they completely complement one another.  Well-planned outings and sweet, thoughtful gestures provide the perfect backdrop for burgeoning romance.  A delicious anticipation builds as they get to know each other before acting on their simmering attraction. While their relationship is mostly free from conflict, they are quick to resolve the issues that crop up in a realistic, forthright manner. Although Walker and Trinity fall in love rather quickly, their feelings  for one another ring true.

Just What I Needed is a fun, sexy addition to the Need You series. Although the storyline is mostly light-hearted, there are serious undertones that will resonate with readers. Old and new fans of Lorelei James do not want to miss this latest novel starring the close-knit and lovable Lund family.

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Filed under Contemporary, Just What I Needed, Lorelei James, Need You Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Signet

December 28, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: What You Need by Lorelei James

what you needTitle: What You Need by Lorelei James
Need You Series Book One
Publisher: Signet
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 359 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series, the first in a brand new contemporary romance series . . .

The Lund name is synonymous with wealth and power in Minneapolis–St. Paul. But the four Lund siblings will each discover true love takes a course of its own. . . .

As the CFO of Lund Industries, Brady Lund is the poster child for responsibility. But eighty-hour work weeks leave him little time for a life. His brothers stage an intervention and drag him to a seedy nightclub . . . where he sees her: the buttoned-up blonde from the office who’s starred in his fantasies for months.

Lennox Greene is a woman with a rebellious past, which she conceals beneath her conservative clothes. She knows flirting with her boss during working hours is a bad idea. So when Brady shows up at her favorite dive bar and catches her cutting loose, she throws caution aside and dares him to do the same.

After sparks fly, Brady finds that keeping his hands off Lennox during office hours is harder than expected. Though she makes him feel alive for the first time in years, a part of him wonders if she’s just using him to get ahead. And Lennox must figure out whether Brady wants her for the accomplished woman she is—or the bad girl she was.

Review:

What You Need, the first novel in the Need You series, is a delightfully sweet yet highly sensual romance that old and new fans of Lorelei James are sure to love.

Brady Lund is the CFO of the family owned business, Lund Industries. He is handsome, intelligent and charming, but he is a workaholic with no personal life outside of spending time with his family. While self-assured when it comes to his career, he lacks confidence when it comes to dating. It is not until his family convinces him to try to find balance between work and leisure that he finds the courage to ask Lennox Greene, the woman he has secretly been crushing on for months, for a date. With Lennox, Brady is relaxed and eager to experience new things, but his old insecurities threaten their burgeoning romance.

Lennox might have grown up on the wrong side of the tracks but she has worked hard to leave her painful and difficult past behind. She has completely turned her life around and she is well on her way to achieving her personal goals. No one at work knows much about her life before she started working at Lund Industries and Lennox goes to great lengths to keep it that way. With everyone else, she is demure and self-assured, but around Brady, she is nervous and prone to blurting out whatever thought pops into her head. Despite their mutual attraction, Lennox cannot help but wonder how she can fit into Brady’s life on a permanent basis.

The relationship between Lennox and Brady is fun and flirty, but there is also an undercurrent of seriousness as well. They reveal parts of themselves to one another they carefully keep hidden from everyone else. With Lennox, Brady is more spontaneous and open to new experiences and Lennox reluctantly steps out of her comfort zone when he introduces her to the activities he enjoys doing.

In a change of pace from Ms. James’ erotic novels, there is more emphasis on developing Lennox and Brady’s relationship outside of the bedroom. Despite their red hot attraction to each other, they take their time getting to know each other before acting on their passion. There is plenty of sexual tension between them as they tease, touch and flirt their way into the bedroom.  While the sex scenes are not overly explicit, they are still quite steamy.

With an engaging storyline, a believable romance and minimal angst or drama, What You Need by Lorelei James is a captivating love story. The characters are wonderfully developed and appealing with easy to relate to flaws and insecurities. The storyline is well-written, refreshingly unique and fast-paced. An overall fabulous beginning to the Need You series that will leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installment.

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Filed under Contemporary, Lorelei James, Need You Series, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Signet, What You Need