ALL YOU NEED by Lorelei James

Publisher:      Berkley

Published:     April 4, 2017

ISBN:        978-0451477576

Genre:     Contemporary Romance

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FIVE HEARTS  

 

Annika Lund is known as the Iron Princess.  She has a keen mind that has made her a star in her family business as the head of public relations.  A permanent relationship isn’t in the cards for her – by her choice.  And, the last thing she wants, is to hook up with an athlete.  Having two of them in her family, she’s more than aware of their shortcomings.  Her mother, Selka, however, has a different agenda. It seems Selka wants a really good agent for her son and to get that agent, she offers up Annika—to provide PR material for hockey bad boy, Axl “the Hammer” Hammerquiest.

Axl has a reputation as a bad boy both on and off the ice.  While his reputation as a top hockey player is well earned—his penchant for picking a different woman every night is far from the truth.  Axl is all about the game.  Well, until he meets Annika that is.  The moment he lays eyes on the Iron Princess his heart is forever hers, but he’s not about to let her know.  That would be so the opposite of his image.  And worse, it would open him up to heartbreak. 

But sometimes iron can bend and ice does melt. 

I’ve been totally enjoying Lorelei James’s Need Your series, but I have to say, ALL YOU NEED is the absolute best.  I wasn’t sure I’d like Annika because she appears as one of those beautiful, rich blondes who get everything they want just because they are beautiful, rich and blonde.  Instead James portrays an intelligent, caring, compassionate woman who you’d love to have as a friend.  She’s loyal and passionate—and comes through as very realistic.

Axl is a heartbreaker.  He’s that gorgeous hunky bad boy whose inner self is a very special man.  James develops their relationship step by step—she doesn’t rush into the romance or the bedroom, but builds the anticipation of both step by incredibly intense and sensual step. 

For non-sports fans or those of us who know nothing about hockey, James gives a bit of a primer through Annika’s learning about the sport.  She actually got me interested in finding out a bit more about it. 

I have to admit I particularly like Selka, Annika’s mother.  She’s a hoot and I looked forward to her next appearance in the book.  I’d love to see a story about how Selka and Annika’s dad met.

While ALL YOU NEED is part of a series, each book is a stand alone.  You do not have to have read books 1 and 2 (WHAT YOU NEED and JUST WHAT I NEEDED) to totally enjoy ALL YOU NEED.  Readers do have a chance to catch up with the couples from the earlier books and pick up hints of what is to come in future reads through the characters’ interactions in this one.  Not reading the entire series, though, means you are missing out on some great reading.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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