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.

1 Comment

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

One Response to Review: All You Need by Lorelei James

  1. Timitra

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kathy