Feel good story about Jensen "The Rocket" Lund and Rowan Michaels.

First of all neither is looking for a relationship much less one with someone who is on their respective "Don't Do" lists. Jensen isn't one for single moms, cheerleaders, or any medical personnel. He gives his reasons for all of those and a couple actually make sense. Rowan's baby daddy is an NFL player and a playa if you get my meaning. So she's soured on the whole dating an athlete scene.

But chance has them meeting when Calder, her 6 yr old son, runs head first into Jensen's crotch. (That has to be one of the GREATEST first ever meetings ever written!) Heading over to his buddy Martin's apartment to drown out some pain and vent a little he meets Rowan, Martin's sister who is subletting the apartment for a few months.

Now while there is immediate attraction on both sides the "rules" each one has is brought up, discussed and it's decides they are going to be just friends...I know, I laughed my ass off too knowing this isn't going to last to long.

In spending time as friends they get to know each other on a very intimate level. Each others likes and dislikes. What their past relationships were like. She learns he's more than a pretty face and nice body. He has a generous heart When the summer camp Calder attends unexpectedly cancels he rushes to the rescue by getting the Lund family charity involved. To the point of being the head of the camp and helping out in the day to day running of it. She learns that as the baby of the family he has never felt like he was worth as much as the others. He was just the jock while the others took their places in the family business and made something of themselves. Once he is done with football is that all there is for him. She gets him to understand her situation being a single mom, trying to be a cheer coach, trainer and cheerleader while giving her son top priority.

They eventually give into their feelings but still keep their relationship a secret. The team has a no-fraternization rule about the players and the cheerleaders seeing each other. That all goes to pot at the end of the first pre-season game when Jensen let's the cat out of the bag and sics the media on the organization for this outdated rule.

It's sweet story about two people becoming friends and finding the HEA with one another. I liked the fact that he's learning to blend in to a ready made family and she's feisty enough to keep his ego in check. Would suggest this to my friends.

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4.5 stars.

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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He's an injured football player and she's a cheerleader/trainer. They both have rules negating who they will consider dating, they start as friends but the chemistry is too hot for it to stay that way. Feel good read, realism that is often missing in romances. Sweet, tender, real situations, dealing with real issues.
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From the outside looking in Jensen Lund is living on easy street. There is no easy street when injury sidelines your career and leaves you doubting yourself. Determined to fight his way through the storm, he sets out to gain back his losses, but ends up meeting two people who change his life. Rowan knows what it means to fight. Nothing has come easy to her and despite the roadblocks she doesn't give up. She works hard at making ends meet and building a better life for her and her son. In no way does she need another heartache. Until Jensen has her questioning whether she should listen to her brain or follow her heart. Lorelei James, knows what it takes to get readers invested in her stories. Strong central characters, excellent writing and eclectic dialogue are just the thing to keep readers coming back for more. When I Need You blends these three traits with a bit of heat on the side.

Copyright of Night Owl Reviews ( )

When I Need You caught me off guard. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was delighted with this story! Jensen is a pro footballer who is coming off an injury. Rowan is an athletic trainer by day and pro football cheerleader by night. When Rowan and Jensen discover they are neighbors, sparks fly.

Jensen has 'rules' about the women he will date and Rowan violates all three. For her own protection, Rowan has rules too. She refuses to date athletes because her last boyfriend was a footballer who bailed on her when she got pregnant. But, she adores her son Calder and enjoys their life. She is working at her alma mater as an athletic trainer and cheer coach, plus cheering for the Vikings as well. And because they are both part of the Vikings corporation, they are forbidden from getting involved with each other. Jensen thinks that a crap rule, but Rowan isn't going to risk her job. Jensen is pretty persistent though (super hot!)

I loved that Jensen wasn't willing to give up on Rowan. However, sometimes he was kind of a d-bag in how myopic his view was. He couldn't fathom WHY Rowan wouldn't want him. Rowan's hesitation seemed very realistic to me. A single mom can't just think about herself; anyone she brings into their life also affects her son. Plus, as a cheerleader, she is the expendable one in the eyes of the Vikings. They would never fire "The Rocket" from the team but would can her in a quick minute. The relationship progresses organically and I appreciated it. I also adored Calder! He is such an adorable addition to the story.

If you like realistic characters, single parents, pro athletes, and deep love, When I Need You is a perfect pick! There is one explicit sex scene and the rest are fade to black. I appreciated this!

The audio was pretty good. I thought Lidia Dornet did a great job. Her voice acting for the male voices wasn't overdone and didn't detract from the story. Roger Wayne's voice normally was fine. However, I found his attempts to alter his voice for the female speaking parts very distracting. It just didn't work for me. Overall though, his narration was good. Sometimes I can just be nit picky about voice acting.

 

• POV: dual 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: single parent, pro athlete


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes; I wish there was an epilogue though!

The Final Score by Jaci Burton, The Friend Zone by Kirsten Callihan, Real by Katy Evans...then you will probably like When I Need You!

 


When I Need You





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