Want You to Want Me (Want You #2) by Lorelei James
Publication Date: August 4th 2020 by Berkley Books
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★
About the book:
The new sexy contemporary romance in New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James's Want You series, set in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Hockey player Gabriella "Gabi" Welk spent her life in pursuit of championships, but she has little to show for it besides dusty trophies and second-place medals. Now her career consists of several part-time jobs to make ends meet. When Gabi gets a chance at her dream job, she swallows her pride and asks her nemesis--smart, sexy and savvy Nolan Lund--for help.
Since being named future CEO of Lund Industries, Nolan has tried hard to overcome his reputation as a fun-loving playboy and ladies' man. For the first time ever, he's more focused on the company than his personal life. He spends his free time at the ice rink his brother owns, cheering on his niece at her hockey games...and watching Gabriella Welk, the superstar athlete and assistant coach who gets under his skin in a way he can't ignore. He's shocked when Gabi agrees to trade a favor for a favor.
They have little in common besides their mutual mistrust, but between family crises and sibling rivalries, Nolan and Gabi realize they want to be more than just friends--much more.
My
Thoughts:
Gabriella Welk is at a crossroads in her professional life
and has just been dumped by her guy friend for younger sister. When she goes to
drown her feelings the last person she expects to accompany her is Nolan
Lund. Just when she thinks she was wrong
about the guy, and they might have a connection, he goes and says something that
hurts. But she doesn’t care what “Mr. Fancy Pants” thinks of her, right?
Nolan Lund is supposed to be the future CEO of Lund Industries,
but his family hasn’t been including him in crucial decisions, and the lack of confidence
burns. His serious commitment and long hours don’t seem to be enough.
In Want You to Want Me Gabriella is the athlete, and
while Nolan is very masculine, he’s known for his fashion savvy and flair. In
the previous books it’s usually been the male set in sports role, however the
switch worked, and I liked seeing a Gabriella cast a strong athlete. The story tackled some of the stereotypes female
athletes face, like being called “butch” or not feminine, having people assume you’re
a lesbian because you excel in sports. And Gabriella’s confidence did take a
hit over the years because of this. She questions her desirability, and so
Nolan’s words at the bar hurt. Nolan has had the opposite problem, his looks
and interest in looking good has had people assume he doesn’t have a head for
business, or he’s gay.
Once Gabi and Nolan got past the initial hiccup over his
words, they get to know each other more and more through flirty texts, reaching
out to each other more and more for guidance and support. So, when Gabi gets a
chance to interview for a sportscasting job and needs the perfect outfit to
nail the interview she goes to Nolan for help. Oh, loved the trying on scene,
sparks flying as Nolan gets a full on look at just how gorgeous is, and Gabi
enjoying his lusty appraisal!
I loved this slow burn romance, the flirty banter back and
forth through texts and in person was a delight! At a glance, Nolan and Gabi
seemed to be complete opposites, but they got each other on a deeper, meaningful
level, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these two fall in love!
This is book two in the Want You series, but the Need You series
ties in as well, featuring more of the Lund’s and their romances. I’ve loved
every book, but each holds up as a standalone romance. There was some history
with Gabi and Nolan in the previous book, I Want You
Back, a situation I didn’t remember until I started reading this one
that gives some insight into their relationship. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to
read it first, and there is the fact that it was sooo good! I LOVED Lucy and Jaxon’s
second chance romance so much!
4 Suns
I tried reading a few of her books but I just couldn't get into them. Glad to hear you liked this one though.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that, Mary. I totally understand, not every author will work for everyone.
DeleteI like that the heroine is the athlete. It's usually the hero or both in the majority of the sports romances I read. I liked previous book and will most likely read this. Family romance series have been very good to me in the past.
ReplyDeleteYay! Hope you love this one when you get to it. :)
DeleteThis sounds great. I saw another positive review. I might enjoy this series. I didn't like her Blacktop Cowboys series.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I enjoy her Blacktop Cowboys series, but not as much as this one. Hope you like it!
DeleteShari loves these and I want to read them eventually. Neat how she's the athlete, but so sad that she took so much flack for being good at her sport. Looks like a good set up to the romance.
ReplyDeleteI know. It's unfair to those women. I hope you get to this series. I'd read the prior book first, though.
DeleteGReat review. I am always on the hunt for a great slow burn romance, and I have been in the mood for a good one lately. Definitely need to grab up this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you love it!
DeleteI've heard great things about this series. I especially like that the woman is the athlete, not the man. Way to switch things up!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun change up. Not the first book with a female hockey player I've read, though. Kate Meader wrote one of my favorites: So Over You.
Deleteslow burns and flirty banter is a sign of good things. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
They are fun reads.
DeleteSounds so romantic.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun romance!
DeleteNice change that it's the woman who's the hockey player this time around. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I liked the change! :)
DeleteI could read this :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Gabi and Nolan's story and the slow burn aspect of it. And I'm so with you on the trying-on scene... loved it! :)
ReplyDelete