What You Need by Lorelei James

January 7th, 2016 Kimberly Review 50 Comments

7th Jan
What You Need by Lorelei James
What You Need
by Lorelei James
Series: Need You #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame

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 outside his corner office. His brothers stage an intervention and drag him to a seedy night club...where he sees her, the buttoned up blonde from the secretarial pool who's starred in his fantasies for months. Lennox Greene is a woman with a rebellious past—which she carefully conceals beneath her conservative clothes. She knows flirting with her sexy, but aloof boss during working hours is a bad idea. So when Brady shows up at her favorite dive bar, sans his usual snappy suit, and catches her cutting loose, she throws caution aside and dares him to do the same. After sparks fly, Brady finds keeping his hands off Lennox during office hours is harder than expected. While 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 if Brady wants her for the accomplished woman she is—or the bad girl she was.

FED-THE-NERD ROMANCE SWOON well written

What You Need by Lorelei James is the first novel in her Need You series and works as a standalone. What You Need introduces us to the Lund family, a successful and powerful family in Minneapolis-St. Paul who despite their wealth share similar problems when dealing with family and love. James brought unexpected depth and a sexy, nerdy hero to swoon over.

Coffee dates with What You Need

  • First date: I was both curious and nervous about meeting the Lund’s. Especially Brady Lund, when I heard he was so freakin’ hot. I worried he would be one of the pretentious snobs. James delivered a nerdy hero who is socially awkward, a little damaged and a whole lotta sexy! I adored Brady. He is confident in the boardroom and shy around the ladies. He is intrigued by Lennox Green when he hears her laughing and it takes him ten months to learn her name! Ten Months! A family intervention and Lennox soon have him taking chances and the ride was sweet, funny and adorkable.
  • Second date: We meet some of the Lund family in little side threads that worked wonderfully as our couple kept bumping into each other. James provided depth and interesting side stories from troubled youth in the city to family dynamics and interventions. Lennox is a true gem. Her childhood was horrible, and she spent her teens as a runaway. She is one of the lucky ones, who got her life on track and put herself through school. At work, she is very prim and proper, hiding her tats and removing her piercings but that does not hide her outspokenness. The interaction and banter between Lennox and Brady was hilarious and laced with sexual tension. This was a slow building romance and the buildup was delicious. James created scenes without intimacy that were smoking hot and heart-thumping.
  • Third date: Our couple finally tango between the sheets and it was worth the wait. However, both characters experience some growing pains as they navigate their relationship towards our. Brady shows tremendous growth finding balance between career and life outside the office. I really enjoyed this couple and appreciated that the growth came from within and the drama was quickly diffused. Their story wraps up nicely and realistically.  James brought depth, humor, family and a realistic ending. I am eager to being my next coffee dates with this series and hope for updates on this couple.

What You Need is the perfect romance to snuggle up with on a cold winter’s eve. I feel confident you will love our snarky heroine and nerdy hero.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

50 Responses to “What You Need by Lorelei James”

  1. Ksenia

    I haven’t heard about this book before. I like the sound of the hero. There a lot of books with playboys and a lot less with sexy nerds. Great review, Kim!

  2. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ve read some of James’ steamier romances and enjoyed them. 😉 I saw this was releasing and I’m so happy to see your review of it. A nerdy hero?? I’m all over that. And I like the sound of Lennox, looking all prim and proper but not afraid to open her mouth and say it like it is. 🙂 I really can’t wait to get to this one, Kimberly.

  3. Lorna

    Nerd and a snarky heroine-sounds like a fun read! Hope the rest of the series is as good 🙂

  4. Cyn

    Snarky heroine and nerdy hero? Yes, please! This definitely sounds like a steamy romance. I will have to check this out! Great review, Kim!

  5. Angela Adams

    The blurb mentions “his brothers” makes me wonder if each brother will get his own book in the series. Thanks for the post.

  6. Katherine

    A nerdy hero? That’s pretty much all I need to know. This does sound like lots of fun and I love that they know each other before meeting in the dive bar. Another one on my TBR!

  7. RO

    I’m a James fan, despite this cover (lol), and this book sounds right up my alley, and ready for my shelf. The characters sound fab and I can’t wait to meet them! Hugs…RO

  8. Candace

    I wouldn’t have expected nerdy or shy from him. Usually these characters in high positions are all cocky. This sounds different (and better IMO). Glad you enjoyed!

  9. Heidi

    Happy to hear that the drama diffused quickly, and I like to hear that it was realistic and that it had snark.

  10. Jenny

    Um. A nerdy, socially awkward hero? That is all I need to know about this one Kim! I’m completely sold. I haven’t read anything by Lorelei James either, so I’m excited to give her a try:)

  11. Maureen Beatrice

    Brady Lund sounds like a great character. Who doesn’t like a sexy and nerdy male character right?! This definitely sounds like a nice read. Don’t know what I think about that cover though…

  12. Nick

    Ooh sexy and nerdy! You know I can’t resist that combo, Kim! And there’s family dynamics also, so I’m in!
    Great review, Kim! 🙂