What You Need (The Need You Series)

Yet again Lorelei amazes me with her storytelling. I love how you can put yourself right in the story and feel the characters emotions and what they are thinking. I especially loved the politics of working for a large company...that was spot on as I deal with that daily. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

What you need is a different kind of contemporary romance than Ms. James usually writes. It is a fun sweet read that has plenty of sexual tension in it as well. Brady is a great book boyfriend! I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next!

Really enjoyed reading the new series fresh new characters with the original Lorelei flavour. I chose 5 stars because it's refreshing and original and in a typical Lorelei James fashion great writing and great substance as always.

Cute story. Very tame. Very vanilla. Lorelei's website does state that this series would be sexy contemporary(not erotic) romance. If you are anticipating romance like in the stories from rough riders, blacktop cowboys or mastered series, you will be disappointed. Overall this book was still a cute fast read.

Not at all what I expected from Lorelie James. Brady doesn't seem as nerdy as self centered, Lennox doesn't come off as being as wild as I think she wanted. I have read James' other series and they are fantastic!!!! This book left me bored.

Lorelei wrote this book from two perspectives but both in first person. So the reader misses the outside perspective on the story. The writing style just didn't work. First book written by James that I could easily walk away from and won't read again.

While the characters show promise for a new series, the total lack of tension or suspense made a boring read. It's the first dull book from a really great author. Lorelei, your readers deserve better.

✦Review: What You Need: The Need You Series by Lorelei James http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-3xB
Publication Date: January 5, 2016
Genre: Erotica/ Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4.5 Stars

I’ve read a lot of hot alpha CEO’s but this one was a little different. I liked that Brady, the sexy scary boss hid some nerd and a little ineptness as it made him seem more human and relatable. I identified with Lennox right away as well and loved how their chemistry just seemed so natural and real. The friends and family around them added another layer to the story even though at times their actions seemed a little one dimensional. This is a fun, flirty light romance filled with some smoking sex and it just made me feel good. I can’t wait for the next one.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

Brady Lund is CFO of Lund industries, Lennox Greene is a temp for Lund Industries, they couldn't be more different. Brady noticed Lennox instantly but with his fair share of failures in the past never got up the nerve to approach her. When he finally sees her on his floor he does! He talks to her! Although it doesn't turn out the way he would have liked it to. Soon after it seems like chance encounters are bringing them together, that must mean something.

Lennox decides a date with Brady couldn't hurt. There is definitely attraction. Brady has conquered the business side of his life but he needs help finding his way in his personal life, and recruits Lennox to help him with that. The only problem is Lennox has already lived out her wild side at a very young age and doesn't know if this is a good turn of events for her.

I love the writing in this story! Lennox was the wild child turned good and Brady was to nerd wanting to find his wild. Such a well written story in every way! I love the characters and the banter. It was cute seeing how Brady struggled with Lennox at times. I really took to Lennox right away as well. She is strong willed and just doing what she needs to to survive after having a pretty crappy childhood.

I am very excited to continue with this series!

Another series started with the first book in Lorelei James The Need You Series. And what a great opener to have indulged myself in for the beginning of a new year of exciting new books.

Set in the Minneapolis - St. Paul area the four Lund siblings are set to discover that true love is fate-filled and never planned! Beginning with the CFO of Lund Industries, Brady Lund is a workaholic of the first order. No life but work, work, and more work - his choice mind you as his siblings although most holding top positions in the LUND Industries corporation all find time for play.

Enter Lennox Greene, a woman with a rebellious past who conceals body tats with conservative clothes, and a toned down personality [other than a smart mouth when provoked] . Everyone in Lund Industries knew of Brady, and Lennox wasn’t blind to his good looks and superb way he filled out a suit. So when Brady happened by in Lennox’s favorite dive bar where she just happened to be cutting loose and doing some dirty bar dancing, Brady was ever so intrigued! Brady had never dared to step out and do FUN. However, seeing the uptight blonde from the office pool Brady was in hot pursuit.

Lots of fun can be one very apt description of this fast paced and totally enjoyable read of WHAT YOU NEED. I was caught up in the first chapter and couldn’t let go. Not only a great read, but one very fast read as I couldn’t put it down. After having met the rest of the LUND siblings, I can’t wait to read the rest of this new series.

Marilyn Rondeau

Such a fun read, playful, and flirty. Loved it!

Great intro that pulled me in. I really liked both Lennox and Brady. They have totally different backgrounds and I enjoyed learning their stories. They had great interactions, a bit of verbal sparring and animosity happening (which I am a big fan of!). It was just so fun and entertaining to watch and that animosity grew into more. Great development as they get to know each other and things move forward.

Brady is the sweetest guy ever! He could also be a bit commanding and dirty. It was awesome! I liked the bit of edge Lennox had as well, I thought she was a touch chick. Together they had great chemistry together, there was so much passion between the two. I had so much anticipation for these two to physically connect, the build was killing me. It was totally worth the wait!

There are some ups and downs throughout but nothing too heavy. I thought there was a really good pace, I thoroughly enjoyed the overall story line and the characters. Really great writing. I really liked the secondary characters as well. Brady's family was great and I liked getting to know them and love how close they all are. I am really hoping each of the siblings get a story, I want more of them.

The ending was really sweet and I like how all the loose ends wrapped up. This was my first Lorelei James book and I will definitely read more.

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed reading this book and feel that the story flowed well. The characters were well written. I really liked that the alms in female character had tattoos and piercings. It was refreshing to me to see something different in a main character. Anyways I would read the other books in the series if asked.

Great writing, sex, no violence, multiple narration. First In a series can be read as a stand alone

Such a fun read, playful, and flirty. Loved it!

Great intro that pulled me in. I really liked both Lennox and Brady. They have totally different backgrounds and I enjoyed learning their stories. They had great interactions, a bit of verbal sparring and animosity happening (which I am a big fan of!). It was just so fun and entertaining to watch and that animosity grew into more. Great development as they get to know each other and things move forward.

Brady is the sweetest guy ever! He could also be a bit commanding and dirty. It was awesome! I liked the bit of edge Lennox had as well, I thought she was a touch chick. Together they had great chemistry together, there was so much passion between the two. I had so much anticipation for these two to physically connect, the build was killing me. It was totally worth the wait!

There are some ups and downs throughout but nothing too heavy. I thought there was a really good pace, I thoroughly enjoyed the overall story line and the characters. Really great writing. I really liked the secondary characters as well. Brady's family was great and I liked getting to know them and love how close they all are. I am really hoping each of the siblings get a story, I want more of them.

The ending was really sweet and I like how all the loose ends wrapped up. This was my first Lorelei James book and I will definitely read more.

Complimentary copy received for honest review.

OMG!
I love Lorelei James and her Rough Riders and Blacktop Cowboys Series. Didn't think she'd be able to top either one of those. But I was so so wrong!
I fell completely head over heels in love with Brady Lund.
He's sweet, and a little shy, (unless he forces himself to be bold.), he's a little vulnerable and completely H.O.T!
Brady knows what it feels like to be the 'dorky' kid. Most of us know what that feels like. And he's made some really big changes in his life so he doesn't have to feel like that anymore.
Brady is also a corporate big-wig. So he's got it all now...Looks, Money and a job most people would kill for. Except his job is his life.
And his family is striving to change that. Much to Brady's annoyance.
Then I got the pleasure of meeting Lennox. (Such and original name. <3 it.)
She's the quintessential 'girl from the wrong side of the tracks'. She's been on her own for a long time. Running from a bad growing up and a really bad Mother. She wants only one thing...to change her life.
Only to do that, she'll have to change almost everything about herself.
And she does. Until a sexy CFO gives her a reason to reclaim a part of herself she thought she left behind.
This book has it all. Smoking hot sex. Chemistry between the main characters that scorches the pages. Really good feels and some feels that makes you want to cry. There's even some family drama thrown in for good measure. Oh, and Brady's Mom? Don't even get me started on how her language blunders made me laugh.
This book is Rockin'!
Reviewed for FMR Bookgrind Blog

Reviewed for A Wanton Book Lover Blog
Brady Lund is in charge of a Lund Industries. He is a work-a-holic and living life like he is already pasted him time. His brothers decide that Brady needs to get out of the office and live a little. Little does Brady know, the hot woman from the secretarial pool from Lund Industries is out having a good time at the same bar. Brady has been lusting after her after seeing her working in different places at Lund. Lennox Greene is all business and seriousness at work. She has had several awkward encounters with the “big” boss, Mr. Lund. All the ladies thinks he dreamy but of course, completely unattainable. When Lennox is out at a local bar, she is surprised to see Mr. Lund there. Brady enlists Lennox to help him have more fun in his life but at the same time, they both begin to fall for each other.
This is only the second book that I have read by Ms. James so I was unsure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised with What You Need. I loved that Brady Lund was a nerd when he was younger; and actually, still is a bit of a nerd. The banter between Lennox and Brady was entertaining. I also enjoyed the fact that Brady Lund, hot as he is now and lusted over by his female employees, was once a awkward, shy, acne prone teenager. I think it made his character more believable. I think this is a great start to a series.

My introduction to this author was a few years ago with her Rough Riders series. I only got a few books in before I had a hard time finding the books available to borrow, but I definitely saw growth in her writing from the first book to the third. With each book I found she added more substance to her characters. Soon after I found the Mastered series and read the first couple of books there. I found them very well written and plan to finish the series someday. Honestly, the only reason I haven’t finished it yet is because cowboys appeal to me way more than martial artists. So I was beyond happy to discover her Blacktop Cowboys series. It had a slow start for me, but I really love that series. Somehow, until recently, it escaped my notice that Lorelei James has a new series. I couldn’t wait to get to the first book.

The concept of this story is great. I love both Brady and Lennox, too. Somehow it fell a bit flat for me though. This time I can’t even explain why. I know I really enjoyed most of the back and forth between the characters. And Brady’s decision to not have sex right away was the catalyst to many hot petting sessions. I even felt the connection between the H and h. When they weren’t together there was something missing. It’s like I was told they both had layers and shown they both had layers, but didn’t feel they both had layers. It’s frustrating to not be able to explain that better. Ugh!

That all being said, I still enjoyed the story and even finished it quickly. Something about their story kept me reading. I was also hoping to get to know Brady’s siblings more (which I’m sure I will in future books) but didn’t see them as much as I would have liked. The scene you think will happen with Lennox’s mother doesn’t happen the way you would expect and I appreciated that. It was a bit anticlimactic, but it was nice to not get the same old story there. From my experience with Ms. James’ other series, they tend to gather steam as she goes along and get better and better. Therefore, I’m looking forward to going along on this ride.

What a super new series by Lorelei James, sexy, fun and sweet. I haven’t read a book yet by Ms. James that I haven’t loved and this one was just that. She brought the upper Midwest on the maps with how she placed this book in Minnesota and brought all that is to our area to life. Loved reading about the Lund family and looking forward to seeing what she has in store next for this close wild, wacky family.

Brady Lund and his family run Lund Industries, the sexy numbers cruncher is a working 80 hours weeks. Doesn’t put much time into dating, but when he sees the sexy Lennox working and hearing her laugh he wants to know more about her and with the push from his brothers and cousins he gets her to fall right into his arms.

Lennox works for Lund Industries as a secretarial floater. She is a hard worker, who is trying to hide her wild side from everyone. She has issues from her past that she wants to keep hidden and she thinks unleashing her wild side brings her back to who she has been running from. Although after a tumble into Brady’s arm and him wanting to find his wild side brings out Lennox’s wild side as well.

Lennox and Brady set off sparks, but family and work are going to be an obstacle that they will both have to work around to find the love that is meant to be for them.

Reviewed by Francesca and posted at Under The Covers Book Blog

If there is one author out there that can make you fall in love with a group of characters, that is Lorelei James. She’s proven that time and again. But where I’m used to seeing her do that with a western setting, this is a bit different. Brady Lund and his family are billionaires. You can find athletes, business men, and yes maybe even a bit more rugged one. But at the center, it’s that family dynamic and the connection that keeps me coming back for more. I am excited to explore that in this new series because I’m already hooked on all of them!

That being said, I went into this book thinking it was an erotic romance only to find it categorizes more as contemporary romance for me. The heat level is much lower than what I’m used to seeing from Ms. James. That doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing, just a different thing, because as much as the same focus on relationships and connection as her previous work is still there, I found I was missing a bit of the steam.

Nevertheless, this takes a simple and done before concept (billionaire falling for secretary working for his huge family empire company) and Ms. James makes it her own. I know to always trust that she will do that and that I will enjoy what she comes up with. Lennox is a spunky a heroine as I like to see. She’s had a tough go at life but she’s made something of herself, all on her own, and she’s at a better place now. Brady is looking for a bit of adventure to loosen up his buttoned up, all work all the time, lifestyle. And as soon as he realizes he can have that with the woman he’s been lusting after for a while, then all bets are off. And I loved seeing him let go!

The characters are perfect, the romance is perfect and takes things step by step. Not too rushed, not too slow. There is no unnecessary drama or angst thrown in for no reason. But it’s also not one of those “too sweet” stories. It has the perfect blend I want in my contemporary romance. It kept me turning the pages so fast that I didn’t even realize when we were getting near then end and then I couldn’t stop.

All that, and my blue balls from the sexual tension aside, this is a series I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of soon! Great job at putting your stamp on this trope Ms. James

I am a lover of mainstream contemporary romance, so I was curious to see how one of my favorite romance authors would handle a tamer genre and author Lorelei James has proven once again that it is good to step out of your comfort zone and try new things because What You Need is everything I love about this genre. There was so much I loved about What You Need including a smart and gutsy heroine, a hero who doesn't realize his appeal, an intriguing group of secondary characters and a love story that was sweet, sensual and sexy.

Brady Lund and Lennox Greene are complete opposites only Brady doesn't have a clue. As CFO of Lund Industries Brady has led a pretty charmed life and almost 10 months after he first noticed Lennox he decided it was time to make a move, but he gets way more than he bargained for when he meets the sharp witted, quick thinking woman who works for his family's company.

Brady is a pretty buttoned up closed off man, but mostly it's because he believes he's not good with people especially women and because he has spent the last few years of his life proving he is worthy of the job and title he earned. Brady is a good man; he's dedicated to his work, he appreciates the opportunities he's been given, he loves his family fiercely and he supports his mother's pet charities. But Brady lacks balance in his life, something his brothers and cousins and to be honest his mother intends to help him change.

Lennox has led a very colorful life and has proved over and over again she's a survivor. While it would be easy to feel sorry for the cards life dealt her she wouldn't be the woman she is today without the experiences she's lived. I admired Lennox and her worth ethic greatly, but more than that I liked that she wasn't afraid to ask questions, to stand up for herself and her co-workers and to speak her mind even with people who tried to intimidate her.

From their first face to face meeting the verbal sparring between Brady and Lennox was a good indication that they were not only meant for one another that together they'd be explosive. It was interesting watching them uncover each other's secrets and I loved that they weren't afraid to share the good, bad and ugly with one another. While Lennox helped Brady loosen up and live life she also helped him see that he wasn't a boring, stick in the mud guy. I loved that Brady made Lennox see her worth and that he appreciated everything about her even the parts she was sure would send him running.

What You Need is a feel good romance with a sexy side and it absolutely proves that author Lorelei James is extremely capable of busting into the mainstream contemporary romance genre with style.

*I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review!

This was my first experience reading a book by Lorelei James. I was excited to have won What You Need because I've seen her books around and have wanted to try reading one. I hadn't talked to anyone before about James' books, so I didn't really have any expectations going in. What I found was great writing, intriguing characters and a great plot.

At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like What You Need. It started out feeling like a stuffy office romance. Brady the CFO was all high and mighty and lowly office floater Lennox was one to challenge authority. That perception only lasted a minute. Once I got to know each character and their thoughts better, I realized they had a lot of depth and so did their love story. It wasn't simply co-workers falling in love. It was people from two different tracks of life finding comfort and acceptance in each other. 

My favorite thing about this book was the main characters. Lennox was buttoned up on the outside, but inside was a wild child waiting to be free again. She was doing everything she could to make a name for herself, even if she had tame who she was to do it. There was so much fight and drive in Lennox despite her rough upbringing. I found her to be so inspiring. Initially it seemed like Brady had life handed to him, but he was more than a man groomed to be CFO. Many thought Brady to be all hard business, but there was more to him than met the eye. He was sweet, caring and had sexy side no one would have expected. What hit me most about Brady was his insecurities. They plagued him even though he had wealth and power.

While each was a great character on their own, I loved Brady and Lennox together. Their personalities matched against each other perfectly. Both liked to get their way. Brady had a commanding side I didn't see coming. He knew how to take the control Lennox was used to wielding. He was so uptight at work, I didn't expect him to have a little bit of a dirty side. I found it almost as sexy as Lennox did. Their push and pull of authority was fun. 

This might have been my first Lorelei James book, but it won't be the last. What You Need was a great contemporary romance. It was the perfect mix of sweet and sexy. It made me excited to find out what's in store for the next Lund son. 

First in the Need You contemporary romance series and revolving around the Lund siblings. The couple focus is on Lennox Greene and Brady Lund.

My Take
James uses first-person dual point-of-view from Lennox's and Brady's perspectives, so we get that first-hand insight into the thoughts and emotions from each of them.

Be aware this is not the usual Lorelei James…nothing kinky, dang it. It's a straight contemporary romance that takes forever before anyone gets in bed with each other and sweet, even as Lennox works to push Brady into being more spontaneous and less controlling. I did enjoy the football "play-by-play" as Brady does, ahem, get into Lennox's pants at the stadium, lol.

It's also a good lesson in seeing life and circumstances from the other person's perspective and not jumping to conclusions! A trait that Brady definitely displayed [the former] with his involvement in the floaters' situation and wanting to get to the truth. Quite the satisfying end result there!

I did enjoy James' maneuvering for Brady to get up the nerve to go after Lennox, especially with that "help" from Kiley during the outreach session. Definitely a unique pick-up what with the family's intervention with Brady. It's an involved bit of writing and nicely done.

Okay, the niggles. Ash was way off in his reaction to Brady's screw-up, which led to Brady being way off with Lennox. The set-up with Kiley's kids, as much as I enjoyed Kiley's help, and the follow-on from it didn't strike me as realistic. Oh, it was sweet, and I did love it, but…it didn't ring for me.

That said, I want to give this a "3", but that would be unfair since it's mostly because I'm disappointed in a, ahem, "clean" romance, lol.

The Story
It's Brady Lund's ambitions, spurred on by his grandpa, that find him working eighty-hour work weeks with no life outside the office. A state of affairs that lead his brothers and cousin to stage an intervention that includes a night at a seedy bar…where he sees her, the buttoned up blonde from the secretarial pool who's starred in his fantasies for months.

Yep, that rebellious streak that Lennox Greene hides at the office is out there at the bar. A situation that finds both Lennox and Brady throwing caution to the wind.

The Characters
Lennox Greene works as a floater for Lund Industries. Sydney is her best friend there. Kiley Kinslie, a.k.a., Kiki, a very involved social worker with the Hennepin County Outreach program, is Lennox's roommate.

Lennox's mother, Lisa, is a low-class, selfish woman currently shacking up with Billy Ray. Rick was the closest to a real father Lennox ever had. Adam, a pervert, is another boyfriend in the long line of men. Maxie is Lisa's best friend. Still. Maxie runs a bar, an old-school dive, called Maxie's Hideaway, regulars — Boz, a burly biker with the Wastrels motorcycle club, Fatso, a skinny mechanic along with Dickie; DJ, a former host for a morning radio show; and, Pistol manages a gun range — call it Maxie's Pad. Hugo is one of the bartenders. Shasta likes dancing on the bar.

Taylar is the teen girl Lennox hooked up with in high school. Travis, her brother, was in a band.

Brady Lund is the chief financial officer for Lund Industries. Jenna is his very efficient admin; her husband is an engineer. Patrice is Jenna's secretary. Selka "the Vicious Valkyrie" Jensen is the Lund siblings' Swedish former-fashion-model mother with an interest in community organizations. Lund Cares Community Outreach (LCCO) is her baby. Their dad heads up corporate relations — a salesman who doesn't come off like one; Maggie is his secretary. Selka and their dad have been married thirty-five years and still making out like horny teenagers. Maggie is Dad's secretary. Siobhan is Maggie's rebellious and rude teenage niece from Ireland. Brady's siblings include Walker in the construction arm; Annika works in PR; and, Jensen "The Rocket" plays for the Vikings football team.

Nolan "the Prince" Lund is a cousin with an intense interest in fashion; Andres is his personal shopper. Toni is his snake of an admin. Ash is another cousin and COO for Lund; Olivia is his excessively loyal admin. Veronica is Ash's ex. Cousin Jaxson is a hockey star. Uncle Monte is president of the board of directors. Priscilla is his wife. Uncle Archer is CEO; Edie is his wife. Cousin Zosia is in charge of the Duluth office and really hard. Zeke is her brother. Jackson Lund had been their mean, nasty grandpa. Britta is Selka's sister. Bill and Mary are the country house caretakers.

Lund Industries is…
…the family business. Lola is in charge of the floaters. "Perky" Penny goes after anyone in pants. Marcus Benito works in marketing. Anita "Attila" Mohr is the nasty head of Personnel. Renee and Zach are the attack dogs from Finance. May had been on maternity leave from PR. Frank is a security guard. Gaby is in HR.

The at-risk kids…
…Kiley works with include DeMarius "DeMan"; Feisty Maria; Juice; Willa, a.k.a., Red; Owen is quite artistic; Tonto; and, Quay whose sister is Needra. Jonesie is staying anywhere but with the stepdad who's getting out of jail.

Burt is a guard at the stadium. Martha and Chuck Abbott have their own box at the stadium. Drew seems to be a friend (and former roommate) of Jensen's; he's proposing to Brianna. Bud is a majority owner of the Chicago Bears. Nate is Brady's trainer. Flurry is a happenin' club that's very exclusive. Benjamin Larken is the VIP coordinator for Flurry. Zorn is the tattoo artist to see. Tawny works with Zorn. Pixie of Pixie's Skin Pixels in Kansas City did some of Lennox's tattoos. Jessica Lewis was Brady's high school classmate who taught him about gold-diggers. Carly and Tyler are her nasty friends. Persia is another snot in Brady's adult life.

The Cover and Title
The cover is golden in its yellows to rusts in a general gradation from top to bottom. It's the profile of a tattooed Lennox Green in a gorgeous slip of a deep rust dress embracing Brady Lund in his suit, unbuttoned shirt, and loosened tie. Below them is the Minneapolis skyline in silhouette with the title in a white serif and script font just above the skyline and the author's name in an embossed black across their torsos.

The title is more like what Brady's family thinks, that What You Need is a life.

Brady Lund is the successful CFO of Lund Industries. He works too hard and has no time to play. When he was a teenager, he was used for his money during a prom date. This marked him and he's suspicious by default now. His family is worried about him not having a personal life and they intervened. Brady admits he needs to start enjoying something more than math. He had his eyes set on Lennox for ten months before he finally approached her. He knows she's the right person to help him find his wild side.

Lennox Greene is finally in a job she likes. Her childhood was not perfect. She didn't get along with her mother and the company she kept. She left home and joined her boyfriend's band traveling from city to city. Once she noticed she was running away like her mother did, she came back home, went to school and applied for a stable job. She is happy at Lund Industries and she's not sure helping the wild side of Brady is what she needs now that her life is on track. If only he didn't look that good wearing suits!

I love Lorelei James books so I knew this was going to be good too. I like that Lorelei set up this novel in a way that most of the characters can get a book too. I like Brady and Lennox together. They had chemistry and neither was too damaged. I felt like Brady made a couple of bad choices but he was good at apologizing. Lennox had ambition and she has made something of herself. Before she met Brady, she could have continued her life without responsibilities but she wanted more out of life.

My favorite secondary character was Lennox's roommate. I hope she lands a book soon.

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

When I first heard that Lorelei James was releasing a contemporary romance series, I was ecstatic! I love when an author tries a new genre and is challenged by all that comes with it. Lorelei has blown me away with a beautiful romance that is sexy and sweet and I loved every second of it!

There are several things I love about What You Need. The characters seem like real people. The super-rich, hot hero works his gorgeous butt off for the family company and I could see myself drinking a beer with him, chatting about anything. Lennox, our beautiful heroine, reminds me of a real-life friend I have. I adore her! She’s grounded and a good person who knows how to have fun when she wants to.

The family dynamic is intriguing. They are an elite, powerful and wealthy family. The glimpses of Brady’s brothers and cousins has me looking forward to the next books. I hope they all get their own books eventually. I enjoyed them all so much.

The storyline was heart-tugging in parts (as any good book should be), heartwarming other times (Yay!) and 100% believable. It has been over a week since I finished the book. I want to immerse myself back into that world and stay there awhile longer.

What You Need is a 5+ Stars book that I fell instantly in love with!

Review copy provided for an honest review.

aaahhhh Brady. This will be another re-read series by Lorelei James. We step away from the world of cowboys and the rodeo into the corporate business world and meet Brady Lund and Lennox Greene.
Brady Lund is the CFO of his families company Lund Industries, working 80 weeks and pretty much having no social life. Lennox Greene is a "floater" at Lund Industries, who is always professional and buttoned-up. However, she has still managed to catch the eye of the Brady.

Lennox is trying to shed her wild child past but one night her former boss and her mom's best friend calls her down to the bar telling her to make sure that she "dresses to impress" so to speak.
Brady's brothers decide to take matters into their own hands and force or push Brady to take a trip on the wild side, starting first with dragging him to a seedy bar to let loose. While making his way to the bar for another round of drinks, he looks through the crowd to see two women dancing on the bar. One catches his attention. A blonde bomb shell in tight leather pants and an open back belly shirt displaying a belly button ring and a tattoo going from neck to waist, shock is not the right word when he realizes that it is the button-upped blonde that he has been trying to get up enough nerve to talk to at the office.
Lennox slips and starts to tumble off the bar and lands in the arms of Brady. She doesn't know how to react to this situation. She doesn't let this side of her show at the office. She has been turned down for positions due to her tattoos and piercings and now her she is in the arms of the CFO of the company. Not her direct boss but one of her bosses nevertheless.

Brady sees this as a sign, and already being attracted to Lennox, he decides to ask her to help him cut loose and open up his wild side.

The sparks fly between these two. You will get to see the wilder side of Brady and the softer side of Lennox as their relationship blooms.
If you have read any previous books by Lorelei James then you know that she will not disappoint you when it comes to writing the sex scenes. HOT HOT HOT!!!!

I reviewed a personal copy of this book for Wicked Reads.

Another great read from Lorelei James. This is the first book in her new series and I can't wait for book 2.

I listened to the audio version of this book, which means I spent a lot of time in the car getting to know these characters. Then I listened to it again just in case I missed anything. I like audio books because they make me feel closer to the characters, the narrators voices give the inflection that sometimes the written word doesn't quite convey. The narrators did an excellent job of bringing Brady and Lennox to life.

Brady and Lennox come from different worlds both professionally and personally. Brady is the CFO in Lund Enterprises while Lennox works in the temp pool. Brady is fascinated with Lennox and doesn't understand why doesn't seem to receptive to his flirting, but when Brady finds her at this little dive bar that his brothers and cousin drug him out to, he realizes that the person beneath the conservative suits is much more interesting that the woman she presents at work.

I really enjoyed this story and of Brady and Lennox learning to merge their lives together. I'm anxiously awaiting the second book in the series.

REVIEWED BY SUNNY (originally posted on Kindles & Wine Book Blog)

WHAT YOU NEED is a great audiobook that alternates between two narrators for the hero and heroine’s points of view. Lennox Greene’s point of view is first, and I couldn’t help but love her! Lennox has made something of herself in spite of her tough upbringing, and it contributes to her mental toughness, which I loved about her character. With hard work, she landed a job she loves and takes pride in, so much so that she is willing to take risks to do it better. I loved the subplot these risks create throughout the story. Even though Lennox doesn’t have many friends, those she calls friends are very important to her, and I enjoyed how they help her demonstrate her soft and funny side. She spends her spare time volunteering for a charity program her roommate runs, has confidence in herself, and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. All of these things add to her unique character and shape how she approaches life.

Brady Lund is quite the opposite. Even though he was a bit nerdy growing up, his upbringing was quite easy with his family owning a very successful business. His family means everything to him, and because of his strong relationships with them, he likes to spend a lot of time with them. Add to that the fact he is a workaholic, and he really has no friends. One way Brady is similar to Lennox is how he’s willing to work hard to be successful at the work he does for the family business as its chief financial officer. However, this also means he has very little time when he isn’t working. Brady needs and gets a reality check in WHAT YOU NEED as his work–life balance is a bit out of whack. I thought this aspect of Brady’s story was very well written, and it led to thoughtful changes in his character. I also loved how awkward Brady is around women. His self-proclaimed nerdy side was endearing.

WHAT YOU NEED is set in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Having lived in Minnesota for over half my life, I loved the setting. I loved even more that the Lund family is obsessed with the Minnesota Vikings, as a member of their family plays on the team. As hard as it is sometimes, my family is a big fan of the Vikings, so it was fun to read those scenes.

The relationship between Lennox and Brady is both difficult and wonderful. They come from different sides of the tracks and have very different levels of positions at Lund Industries, the business Brady’s family owns. This requires them to navigate through rocky waters at times, yet once they decide to take a risk and be together, I loved how they balanced each other out. Where at times I was irritated with the games they played with each other, there were other times where I loved how they forced the other out of their comfort zone. Where at times they were completely hot for each other, it seemed as if there were too many times a bucket of ice got thrown onto the scene. And where some of the sexy times lacked description, when Brady used football play-by-play jargon to educate AND get it on with Lennox, I realized I had just read one of the sexiest scenes ever! My favorite part of their relationship was how they opened up with each other over time, as that was when they really started to blossom as a couple.

The impact family and friends had on Lennox and Brady’s story hit home for me. I loved the intervention the Lund brothers and cousins had for Brady, and I loved how Lennox’s friend/roommate gave her valuable advice and provided a realness to the story with the charity work she did for her job. Those were nice touches to polish off a great love story.

I really enjoyed WHAT YOU NEED and look forward to reading more from Lorelei James, especially in this Need You series, which will feature more of the lovely Lund family. I also loved Lidia Dornet and Roger Wayne narrating the two points of view throughout the story. Both are skilled narrators who I will not hesitate to listen to again!

BOTTOM LINE
WHAT YOU NEED is a great romance where very different people navigate tricky waters to find their happily ever after. If you like stories where people have to overcome differences with the help of those close to them, this is a great book to try! If you like audiobooks with great narrators, this one won’t disappoint!

RATING: B+ (4½ stars)

Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.

Brady Lund and Lennox Greene have a lot in common regardless of which rung they occupy on the social ladder. Both are incredibly hardworking and have paused their lives in order to advance their careers. Where they differ, though, is background. Brady has had the luck of being born into a well-to-do family, and the advantage of that family company to work himself into. Lennox, on the other hand, has had an incredibly rough upbringing that she’s since closed to herself off to in order to forget where she’s from. But just because Brady has had the luck of money, doesn’t mean that he hasn’t also suffered in his own respect.

Brady has the reputation as the Shark for his unforgiving work ethic, but all female employees find his beauty fascinating. When it comes to Lennox, he loses that harshness and his cool, confidence demeanor. He can sense her hesitance, her sensitivity, but he isn’t going to back completely off even if maybe he should. What he does best is put up just enough of a push/pull with her to where she can’t resist what beauty he’s offering. He’s sweet with her, caring, but not altogether used to how to balance all of the responsibilities he has. And the wildness and life experience she possesses has a desirable effect on him. But Lennox was very real in that she didn’t know when or how to accept that something good was happening to her because it just…didn’t. This job was her way out of a never-ending social class, and her desire to hold onto that with everything she had was strong.

WHAT YOU NEED was a sweetly, sexy romance that had two endearing characters who had every reason not to cross paths but also every reason to. I loved the fact that Brady was a paradoxical character who put out one sort of perception about himself and underneath that it’s a different story. He’s cocky and confident in his impeccable suits, but yet that lacks in his personal life, which made him a likable, real-feeling character. Lennox was the opposite in that she’s very sure about herself underneath her hidden demure persona. The balance the two of them created together rounded the characters out which made for an enjoyable read. I can’t wait to see the rest of the Lund family in further books!

**Received an early copy in exchange for an honest review, and this in no way affected the outcome of my review**