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 … 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.
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Things start off with a bang when “in training” CEO Nolan overhears hockey player Gabi getting dumped by her boyfriend who just happens to have fallen in love with her sister. Humiliated that he heard everything the two embark on a relationship that is filled with annoyance and mistrust. When the two are thrown together outside of the rink a certain friendship evolves. Can Gabi let her walls down and allow Nolan in? Or will Nolan’s womanizer ways be too much to get over? Can two opposites really make it? With beautifully written characters and a storyline that kept the reader involved with humor and real life strife this was a great read. I look forward to more in the series.
I love this story!!!!
Gabi and Nolan together are wonderful! I loved the build up between them.
Can’t wait for the next one to fall!
4.5 Stars for Want You To Want Me
Lorelei James is a fairly new author to me and I haven’t read book one in this series but that took nothing away from the enjoyment of this enemies to lovers story so I can certainly say you can read Want You To Want Me as a stand-alone and still follow the plot.
Hockey romances are one of my favourite genres so this story was always going to be on my radar and it didn’t disappoint, it was everything I expected and more.
Gabriella (Gabi) Welk and Nolan Lund have very little in common except their love of hockey and an attraction that borders on hate but you know what they say about the fine line between love and hate.
Their story is an entertaining, witty read that will appeal to a wide audience, the chemistry is sizzling, the banter is witty, the story believable and the characters adorable. This book ticked all my boxes and I was so glad I was on Gabi and Nolan’s journey, I really enjoyed watching this couple come to terms with their attraction and I laughed at the sarcastic banter they shared, so I guess all I need to say is please one click this gem of a read.
Want You to Want Me begins with Nolan Lund having a meeting with his brother, Brady. Once Nolan figures out that he’s just Brady’s sounding board, he is not happy. He leaves the meeting and heads to his own office, on a different floor than the other “executives”. Nolan is the “CEO in waiting” but is having a hard time with his family not taking him seriously, even though he is putting in the hours and trying to leave his playboy past behind.
Gabi Welk had spent most of her life being an elite athlete playing hockey. Once she retired, the last place she thought she would find herself is holding down several part-time jobs in order to pay the bills. One of those jobs being a coach for one of the youth teams at a facility owned by Nolan’s brother. She also never thought that her boyfriend would be breaking up with her for her sister.
Nolan overhears Gabi being broken up with and feels bad for her. The two of them, Nolan and Gabi, have had a love/hate relationship (mostly hate, it seems) since the first time they met. Gabi is not someone Nolan would normally be attracted to and the same goes for Gabi. Nolan is a fashionista and Gabi……..is not.
On a night out, Gabi and Nolan cross paths, which leaves them both a bit off kilter. They eventually strike up a sort of friendship that is surprisingly easy for each of them. Nolan is in charge of the Lund Cares Community Outreach project this year and persuades Gabi to help, which she is more than happy to do. Gabi then finds herself in need of some help because she has landed an interview that would be a dream job: sports broadcaster. Knowing she needs to impress at the interview, she approaches Nolan for help with her wardrobe.
Gabi has a good feeling about how her interview went and signed an NDA, which isn’t a problem as she and Nolan don’t really discuss much about their work. As time progresses, Nolan finds himself at odds with his family and his role in it, as well as his role at Lund Industries. The one thing the two of them are sure about is that they have developing feelings towards each other. However, as things begin to happen and transition in their professional lives, misunderstandings abound that, unfortunately, affect their personal lives as well.
Want You to Want Me is an amazing addition to the Want You series, which is a spin off of the Need You series. I’ve wanted Nolan’s story for a long time and Gabi is an added bonus. Both characters are desperate in that they just want to be accepted and acknowledged for who they are and what they contribute both personally and professionally. The chemistry between the two if them literally jumps off the page and pulls you in. The vulnerability that you feel from them, however, is the heart of this book. If you’re a fan of the genre, you will never go wrong with one of James’ stories. As with the other books in her series, this one leaves you wanting the next. Well done, Lorelei James!! Very, very, very well done!
4 star Review Want You To Want Me (The Want You Series #2) by Lorelei James
From start to finish Lorelei James wove together a story that had me invested from the first to the last chapter. This was an entertaining, at times humorous story about Gabriella “Gabi” Welk and Nolan Lund, enemies to lovers story that ticked the boxes for me.
Gabi and Nolan have nothing in common except an attraction that simmers between them until finally they give in. It was fun to see that Gabi was the ex hockey player, rather than Nola, a pleasant change to be honest.
As their relationship progresses, it was entertaining to watch it play out. Nolan and Gabi are well suited and I was cheering for them to get their happily ever after.
First of all I was so excited that this was a role reversal sports romance, meaning the female Gabe, is the athlete, a hockey player at that! What begins as an enemies situation with lots of heated banter. I absolutely love how their relationship progresses and loved loved Nolan. The story had moments that dragged a bit for me and I had to step away for a bit and come back with fresh eyes but I’m happy I stuck it out because of really is a great book!
**I was generously provided with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review**
This is Nolan Lund’s book and it was amazing. He and Gabi have had kind of a frenemies relationship from the start. The moment he met her he made an incorrect assumption about her and they have not gotten along since. Gabi works for Nolan’s brother Jax and while he was at the rink to pick up paperwork Jax had left there, Nolan overhears Gabi being dumped by her boyfriend. Nolan offers to take her out for a drink and while they are out, she overhears him says something unflattering about her, so she leaves him at the bar. Nolan cannot stop thinking about Gabi but she does her best to avoid him even more than before. A few weeks pass and while at a Lund family function she confronts him about what he said and he sincerely apologizes to her. She forgives him and the two of them form a friendship and start texting and talking more. When Gabi has a fashion emergency she calls Nolan and he agree to help her, this lets Nolan see another side to Gabi and he starts to want her even more. He ups his efforts to try and make Gabi his. Can these two opposite truly attract and overcome their difference? This was a great story and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
The Lund family saga never lets you down for a great story. Nolan and Gabi keeps you entertained all thru their story. An uplifting fun love story.
I don’t know how Ms James does it but she does. I wasn’t expecting to like Nolan and Gabi as much as I did. Nolan being such a fashion conscience man isn’t the first type that would enter my mind as being someone that would hold my interest as a love interest. But, boy, does Nolan exceed my expectations! He’s everything that Gabi needs, even though she doesn’t know it. Especially, considering, at first, they were constantly sniping at each other. They both learn that everyone has misconceptions about them and they learn that there is more to them than just the outward appearances and demeanors that they show to the world. As with everything that I’ve read of Lorelei James’ (which I think is everything that she’s written), the words flow effortlessly and you will be hooked on the story before you know it.
A slow burn, frenemies to lovers book. Want You To Want Me is the kind of book that will give you all the warm fuzzies. Nolan Lund and Gabi Welk are two unlikeliest souls to ever hook up, but when destiny makes that decision up for them there is a lot more in common than people give them credit for.
Nolan Lund is the second child, known as the playboy, never take anything seriously, even called “the spare” by his own grandfather. How do you work harder than “Stonewall” Jackson, his oldest brother who’s won championship cups in hockey and is still expected to come back and take over the company–except when he didn’t do that last part. So when it came time for Nolan to step up and contribute to LI Nolan really wasn’t taken seriously by his family either. No matter how many hours he worked, no matter what input he gave, he was given a pat on the head and then shuffled out of the room. It seemed like Nolan was running in circles.
Gabi Welk spent her life working towards the Olympics and when she finally retired, she found herself shuffling between part-time coaching jobs just to make a living. It wasn’t exactly what her future dreams consisted of. When she’s given a lead on a broadcasting job it’s one that could change her entire life, but it’s also one she has to keep to herself due to NDA requirements. The further she gets in the application process the more excited she gets, but the harder it is to keep it to herself. If she gets the job it could affect more than just her she isn’t sure when life became so difficult.
Nolan the known social butterfly befriends Gabi who appears gruff and anti-social, but that is until you get to know them. You find that somewhere along the way she’s become more aloof after retiring from the Olympics and she actually misses the comradery of being on a team. Nolan too has been working so much lately that he used to be known to have a different woman on his arm every weekend, but lately he’s gone solo and held back, that is until he begins hanging out with Gabi. These two befriend one another at a time when they are both at a crossroads in their lives and they develop a friendship. A deep and competitive friendship that is really run to read. It opened them both up to who they really are inside, exposing those soft underbellies that is really attractive to a person, before getting all nekkid.
While they didn’t talk about business, per say, they talked about everything else. They found each other at a time when the world was crazy around them. When they were both surrounded by family, co-workers, friends, etc…they were basically alone and yet they had each other and their connection grew stronger. This story is beautiful and Lorelei once again blew me away at how deeply she ingrains her characters into my life.
Another aspect I loved about Want You to Want Me or really about any of the books in the Want You or Need You series is how Lorelei brings a special cause to light in each book. In this particular book it focused on the LGBTQ community. Whatever cause she has the Lund family raising awareness of she does it with sensitivity and it’s always thought provoking enough to raise a discussion in our household.
Interconnected with the Need You series, Want You To Want Me can be read as a standalone, but understanding the Lund world might be more enjoyable if you’ve read some of the prior books. However, Lorelei James is an excellent author and never leaves you wanting for information so if this is your first dive into this series it can be read as a standalone.
The best take away from Want You To Want Me, Nolan loves everything about Gabi and doesn’t want her to change to fit into his billionaire world. Her gruff, sports, sweaty body – it does it for him. There are preconceived notions from the world he lives in just as much as the one she’s from and Gabi adores the metrosexual, fancy pants man that Nolan is too. They are both very comfortable in their own skins and the beautiful thing is they appreciate each other for what they are. That is real love.
Love comes easy for Gabi and Nolan, but navigating their very different worlds takes underdstanding and trust for them to share their deepest fears and feelings.
4.5 stars
Gabi and Nolan both broke my heart. The things they kept quiet about throughout their lives that just built up and built up as the years went by. Neither of them had terrible lives or horrible families, but there were always assumptions about them that caused them to put their heads down and plow through. They have found they can finally be their true selves and break through those assumptions with each other.
Of course, these assumptions are at the forefront when this story starts. Nolan has made some not so nice comments to Gabi in the past and jumped to outlandish conclusions about her and his brother. Which has Gabi’s back up when it comes to Nolan. So, she judges him based on that first confrontation (in the book I Want You Back) and believes him to be an entitled playboy.
As much as I have come to love all of the Lund’s, I wasn’t particularly keen on their treatment of Nolan. Again, they weren’t terrible to him for the most part, but they weren’t giving him his due. To put someone in a position of power, yet not allow him to exercise that power (or even fill him in on important matters) is very shortsighted of them all. I don’t want to give spoilers here, but I’m glad Nolan was able to come up with a plan that works for them all and had the guts to speak up when enough was enough. Something his dad, uncles, and cousins should have done long ago.
I know I said Gabi’s family wasn’t horrible, but they did do some horrible things. But Gabi’s a giver. She would never dream of putting her needs above any else’s, especially when that someone else is a loved one. Logan realizes this about Gabi from the very beginning, so why can’t everyone else?
This story is beautiful and heartbreaking and inspirational. Ups and downs, highs and lows. They’re all in there. I can’t decide if it’s a friends to lovers or enemies to lovers story, so let’s say enemies to friends to lovers. Which I loved and had a lot of fun reading.
Gabriella and Nolan are what you would call Frenemies, they aren’t exactly friends and they aren’t exactly enemies but they are some combination of both. Nolan Lund has been named the future CEO of Lund Industries when his brother Jaxson decided he didn’t want to run the family business, I’m guessing this all happened in the first book of the series which I did not read. Now Nolan is finding himself in a position he never thought he would be in, since he wasn’t the heir he was just the spare…I really dislike that saying but I guess it holds true in this case.
Gabriella “Gabi” Welk is a former Olympic Hockey Player now she is holding down a few different part-time jobs, one of those jobs is working for Jaxson. Lets face it things aren’t going that great for Gabi but then she gets a call about a dream job only she needs some fashion help and her two girlfriends aren’t available to help her so what does she do, she turns to the Prince of Lund Industries to enlist his help because lordy that man can dress!
I really enjoyed the way Gabi and Nolan fed off of one another with their bickering and bantering, but I absolutely loved their text messages! The chemistry was great and both were really likable characters. I liked this book so much I gobbled up the 384 pages in just 1 day, who needs sleep anyway! Since I hadn’t read the first book in this series, I Want You Back, or any of the NEED YOU SERIES I didn’t know any of the secondary characters and I think if I knew them and their backgrounds this would have been a 5 star read for me. This can be read as a standalone if you choose to read it that way.
I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys Contemporary Romance that has some spice to it, the Frenemies-to-Lovers trope, or Sports Romance.
Happy Reading!!!
**Disclaimer: I was provided an advance reader copy by the author in exchange for my unbiased review and opinions.**
Oooooooooh. So. I usually do not enjoy a slow burn story. I am an impatient person and live for thrills in my books, hehe. But now and then,you’ll find that exceptional story that will make you turn the pages at the speed of light because you need to know, now… and want to see them *fall*. Keep in mind, this is my first Lorelei James book. She’s one of those authors you recognize their names, but I’d never read anything by her.
That was Nolan and Gabriella’s story for me. This story was surprisingly low-drama and high in reality and laughs,it’s the type of story that you thoroughly enjoy. Sometimes, you want a yummy sweet cinnamon roll hero. I don’t have anything against alphaholes, they’re just not my jam. I rather you give me a grump with a heart of gold.
But I digress…Nolan is a great boyfriend because he is deliciously self-aware, low on drama and bullshit, and unusual and weird enough to click with Gabi…a woman that’s tired of people’s assumptions just because she’s an athlete. Although there’s some animosity when they first met, when they leave assumptions at the door and really interact with each other, they realize they have more in common than they think. I really can’t recommend this story enough. To me, this story is the perfect, classic romance that ticks everything on my list.
Five quirky stars to Want You To Want Me!
I was so excited to be reading about the Lund Family again!! Book one was amazing and I had no doubt book two would be, as well. Of course, I was not disappointed.
Poor Nolan always feels like he’s being looked down on. As hard as he tries, he always feels like he’s living in the shadow of his father and no matter what he can’t fill those shoes.
When Gabi enters Nolan’s life, he knows he’s met his match!
I loved Nolan and Gabi in this story!!
This was a fun, steamy read. A sports romance where the heroine is an ice hockey player and the hero is one of the eligible bachelors of the Twin Cities! This story was a slow burn…you get a front row seat as they realize their initial assumptions about each other were completely wrong…both Nolan and Gabriella have layers that few people get to unravel. James does a great job of detailing the evolution of their relationship and showing what funny, passionate, caring, and deep characters they really are. Nolan is fastidious in his fashion, yet he is also a dirty talking, sexy alpha…Gabriella is strong, smart, sassy, and loyal – their chemistry is off the charts. This is a well written book that slowly builds to its climax and will keep you entertained throughout. Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Her boyfriend breaks up with her and tells her that he’s in love with her sister. She realizes she can’t continue to make a living what she is currently doing. So she applies for a job with a company for sports broadcasting.
But she also can’t seem to get away from Nolan Lund. But after realizing they both had misconceptions about each other they clicked.
Nolan Lund is learning the ropes to be the CEO of Lund industries. But something is off until his father has a medical emergency and he is placed as the acting CEO. Then he starts learning all the secrets that are being uncovered.
No feeling humiliated by his family, he has some decisions to make. But his families secrets aren’t the only ones that have him upset. After opening up to Gabi he learns she’s hiding things of her own.
Another fantastic read by Lorelei James and I will anxiously await her next release.
Yes my book friends, I finally was able to read a Lorelri James book and I feel complete again! I loved Gabi as she was strong and takes no bs from anyone. Not even from Nolan. I do love that our leading lady is a hockey player! It was a great change to the stiory.
Nolan may have some rough edges, but his compassion brought me to my knees. I loved these two. Want You to Want Me has it all! The drama, enemies to friends trope, strong character, and an amazing story that stays true to my heart. I was left happy and with a smile on my face.
Want You to Want Me by Lorelei James was just mindblowing. I loved loved loved every single thing about this story. The characters. The chemistry. The feelings. The storyline. The writing. Perfection from every side.
Billionaire businessman Nolan Lund is known for his charisma and impeccable fashion sense and prominent page three presence. Rather than his business acumen. No matter how hard he works to prove himself and make his family members take him seriously, he is still ignored. Gabrielle is not his type. She is a prominent women’s hockey player who won many accolades for her country and now she is helping Nolan’s brother aka hockey legend Jax’s coaching centre. She is fierce, sassy, forward and she always speaks her mind. But somehow they click. Because just like Nolan, no one sees the real Gabi.
The slow burn is this story is absolutely epic! They start as this almost enemies kind of relationship. Gradually they come to a middle ground. I loved how they ribbed and pushed and went after each other with easy humor. Those witty and funny conversations with sexual undertones were the best. And then we move into the more serious and swoonworthy and intense territory. And I loved that part too! Nolan is a great guy. He is sweet and charming with right edge of dominance and alpha beauty. It breaks my heart to see how everyone made him doubt his own abilities. Except Gabrielle. He is basically lonely in a big family. And Gabrielle filled up his heart with colours. Similarly Gabi is always taking care of others and doing selfless things. Nolan made her feel cherished and cared and pampered. But he didn’t try to control her wild and feisty side! The story arc and character development was impeccable. I was lost in their story. It was sexy. It was heartfelt. It was a bit of angsty. Just everything together.
Billionaire romance and sports romance came together beautifully in Want You to Want Me by Lorelei James. It was an intoxicating and mesmerising combination! You just cannot miss this story.
Received ARC for honest review
This is my first book from the author and what a wonderful start I had. At first I was very into the blurb, for several reasons I’ll detail later and the story didn’t disappoint at all. Definitely won’t be my last read from Lorelei.
Gabi is amazing, let’s start with this. Such a strong, wonderful woman, ruling at a male-dominated sport, such as Hockey. She spent her life working to reach the Olympics for the Hockey team and now that she is retired she is doing part-time jobs as a coach for the younger teams at a facility Nolan’s brother owns. Definitely not her dream job and that’s when she start to do some interview to an amazing opportunity as a broadcasting job.
Nolan is under appreciated by his family, even when he is the one to have to step up to takeover the family business when his older brother didn’t do. He works hard to prove himself worthy of everything and to try to put in the past his old playboy’s way. But no matter what he does, nothing changes.
When Nolan and Gaby met the first impression is not the best, their relationship becomes more of a frenemies. They are so opposite of each other in a lot of aspects, but as they get to know one another their connections grow strong and they start to help each other. Their story is utterly beautiful to read.
One of the things I like the most in this book is how the roles are reversed from the usual. She is the athlete one and more grumpy, while he is the social butterfly and more into fashion and appearances.
I really enjoy how the author wrap up the story given how both of them were career driven and their road were pointing to different directions. In this slow burn romance, full of chemistry, love wins after all