Review: What You Need by Lorelei James

What You Need
Author: Lorelei James
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: A-

What I’m Talking About:

What You Need is the first title in Ms. James’ new contemporary romance series which focuses on the Lunds, a highly successful and very wealthy, multi-generational family. Brady Lund, workaholic CFO for their multibillion dollar corporation, is crazy for the beautiful woman he’s seen from afar in the halls of Lund Industries. After ten months of watching her without approaching her, he’s finally put in a situation to meet Lennox.

Lennox loves her job as a floating admin for Lund Industries, but she feels conflicted. There is also the tattooed and pierced part of her that misses her blue collar friends, but she does not miss being around her neglectful mother. When she starts to realize that there may be more to Brady than meets the eye, she decides to give him a chance.

What You Need is an extremely enjoyable, easy-going romance. Although there are the occasional misunderstandings that made me want to scream, the author is quick to address them rather than allow problems to linger. Kudos to that! The romance between Brady and Lennox is pretty smooth sailing and filled with passionate flames. With its Pretty Woman vibes, the story focuses on breaking down stereotypes and learning to love oneself, as well as others.

Brady and Lennox make the perfect “opposites attract” couple. I admire that they are put into situations which allow each to see the other as more than a co-worker from the office.Not that their work personas aren’t real, but rather each character is a complex, multi-faceted individual that doesn’t fit neatly into a stereotype. I adore Brady’s geekiness and lack of confidence. I love that Lennox isn’t sure of exactly where she fits in. They are giddy and cute. And what makes the story work is how honest they really are with one another. It helps them learn more about themselves.

Overall, What You Need is a sexy, joyful romance with easily likable characters. While the story is somewhat idyllic, it’s okay and even enjoyable to escape into Brady and Lennox’s happiness. What You Need is the perfect story to read all cuddled up on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day. It warmed me up from the inside out.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

About the Book:

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.

Release Date: January 5, 2016
Publisher: Signet
Series: Need You #1
ISBN: #978-0451477552
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (359 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher

Purchase Info:
What You Need (Need You #1)