When I Need You (Need You, #4)

by Lorelei James

Rules are tossed aside when a pro football player joins forces with a spitfire cheerleading coach in New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James’s brand-new romance…

Heir to Lund Industries and ladies’ man Jensen “The Rocket” Lund has three conditions when it comes to dating:
1) No single mothers
2) No cheerleaders
3) No medical personnel
So it makes no sense that he’s wildly attracted to Rowan Michaels, who breaks all three.
 
Rowan didn’t pass the rigorous requirements to become an athletic trainer and Vikings cheerleader in the hopes of landing a pro athlete. Been there, done that, and she has a young son as proof that football players and fidelity don’t go hand in hand. When Rowan learns her new neighbor is Jensen Lund, the smoking-hot tight end who takes being neighborly to a whole new level, she’s grateful for the team’s strict no fraternization policy because the sexy man defines temptation. 
 
But Jensen is intent on rushing straight to the goal line to prove to Rowan he’s much more than just a player…on and off the field.

• ISBN10: 0451477588
• ISBN13: 9780451477583
• Publish Date: 25 July 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451477583

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

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

See full review on The Book Disciple

[leelu92]

I'm a huge fan of this series and I'm always up for more from the Lund family. I knew Jensen's book was going to be a doozy and boy was it ever! Rowan was a perfect foil for him and they balanced each other out so well. Seeing Jensen mature from his past experiences we a pleasure to read.

[kimbacaffeinate]

strong>Coffee Dates with When I Need You

• First Date:  I was a tad worried going in since football jocks aren't my thing, but Jensen Lund is a serious contender for book boyfriend of the year! Jenson is back from Florida after surgery and extensive therapy to repair injuries to his leg that kept him on the injured reserve list all last season. The setup for how Jenson met Rowan Michaels and her son was perfect. From the get go, I liked Rowan, adored her little boy and knew Jenson was in trouble. Jenson's rules make Rowan an impossibility for a hookup, let along a romance and Rowan has only one rule no professional players. Between the chemistry and the banter, these two are in serious trouble.



• Second Date: A friendship begins and it was refreshing, fun and hilarious because these two are mentally undressing each other. The emerging friendship felt genuine, and James did a fantastic job of letting the reader get to know both characters through dual pov and alternating chapters. Both are strong, independent and focused. I loved how mature they were and appreciated how they communicated and processed things. In the meantime the three are becoming a little unit, only don't tell them that.



• Third Date: Realizations, rules, family, and friends all made the story have depth while tugging at my heartstrings and making me belly laugh. When I learned Jenson loved a fictional series as much I do, it was all over I was completely smitten. The relationship between Jenson and Rowan was hot but also showed elements of a sustainable relationship. Lund's mom was precious from her incorrect puns to her love of family. The ending left me smiling and hoping that we get more books in this series. I am not quite ready to be done with this family and their friends.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer