From New York Times bestselling author, J. Daniels, comes a sexy new STANDALONE novel.Riley Tennyson has made a huge mistake.At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself.Showing up to her brother’s wedding pissed off and newly single, Riley seeks comfort in solitude and an open bar, until the gorgeous and irresistibly charming CJ Tully makes her a better offer—a wild night with the master of … makes her a better offer—a wild night with the master of smooth-talking where nothing is off limits.
Riley does what any single woman would do, and a connection is made. One neither one of them can ignore. But when she comes home to the boyfriend she no longer thought she had, Riley buries her secret and begs CJ to do the same.
Forget about each other. It was a mistake. That’s all it was… right?
Desires are hidden. Distance is kept. Until one night CJ makes the ultimate sacrifice, and Riley can no longer avoid the man she can’t stop thinking about.
Not with him sleeping down the hall…
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I love all J Daniels works, she always leaves me feeling completely wonderfully happy
Riley & CJ – I love these two so, so much!! Even though I wanted them together after the wedding, I think the time they spent holding back from one another and developing their friendship was the best thing for them. I don’t think their relationship would have been what it was in the end. And I totally knew that Reed would be ok with them being together, as he knew the type of person CJ was….and knew that he would treat Riley how she deserved to be treated.
Intense and full of powerful emotions.. Uncertainty and fear hold Riley back, her brother and family is so important to her and she needs them, but she also has need of someone else. CJ is consumed from the minute he meets her but holds back and gives only what she asks for, but needs so much more. The mix of emotions twist around to the point you know something will give. I found this gripping and a story I could completely get stuck into and forget everything else, the characters are fabulous and so easy to love. I forgot how good the author is at weaving such meaningful stories full of feeling, it’s been a while since I read the last in this series, it’s good to be back with the Bamma Boys. Started 30/1/21 fifinished 31/1/21
I listened to the audio, the narrators Stella Bloom and Eric Michael Summerer did a great job. I’ve been enjoying every book in this series, however, CJ has been my least favorite main character. He’s a little too alpha for me, but I do understand he’s a police officer and had to be somewhat assertive and aggressive. My general feelings on CJ aside, it was a good book, great banter, just enough heartbreak, of course, it’s great to “see” everyone else again. Riley is so sweet and was the perfect addition to the series.
Ben Kelly will forever be my #1 book boyfriend. This story flows perfectly as Ben and Mia’s relationship grows. I adore this book!!
If you haven’t read the Alabama Summer series yet do it now!! Each book is an awesome read!!
Don’t forget, Benjamin 9 inch Kelly is MINE!
Love it
I love these Bama Boys and their major Alpha tendencies. Riley and CJ are Hot Hot Hot! love having all the others included into their story.
I’m a huge fan of the Alabama Series and I’ve read every single one. I enjoyed What I Need. Did I love it as much as the others? Unfortunately no. For some reason I just couldn’t connect and understand certain choices Riley made. They made no sense what so ever and it kept on for far too long. I was pushed in every direction when it came to her and it frustrated the hell out of me. I did enjoy her chemistry with CJ. That was off the charts hot and I didn’t complain at any time. There’s no doubt in my mind that they want and need each other.
CJ was great too but I felt there’s too much focus on how big of a douche Richard was and how good of a guy CJ was. I didn’t need it spelled out constantly. I wanted to see CJ in action and prove himself which he also did. I would’ve like to see more of that.
I love that the other characters from the series made an appearance. I can’t get enough of them. Especially Ben and Mia. I’m very excited about CJ’s brother Jake who was introduced. He’s a flawed man who still struggles and I can’t wait to read his book.
Although What I Need wasn’t my favorite I’m still going to stick by my Bama guys. They mean too damn much.
Love this series. Wonderful Story Line. Highly Recommend
~ 4.5 Tell Me A Secret Stars ~
I love this series and I’m pretty sure I will never get enough. While I was excited to get CJ’s story, I was truly unprepared for how much he stole my heart. I didn’t think it could happen but I dare say that he might be my new favorite Bama Boy. (Sorry, Ben)
This isn’t the first time we’ve met CJ, if you have followed this series. He’s the one that we’ve all really wanted to have his own story and pretty much did some kind of freak out dance when we discovered that he was getting one. Wait, that was just me? No one else did a freak out dance? Is that not normal? Anyway, I digress… I really enjoyed that he fell in love with Riley, Reed’s sister.
Riley was in a pretty crappy relationship, even though she wasn’t fully aware of that, when she went to her brother’s wedding. Thinking that she is broken up, her eyes lock on CJ and it’s on from there. The two of them can’t take their eyes off of each other and thanks tequila, they can’t keep their hands off each other. CJ makes it clear he wants to keep this going after the weekend but Riley discovers that she has more at home waiting for her than she thought, forcing her to ask CJ just to be friends. We then embark on a journey where it is very clear they were destined to be way more than friends.
One of my favorite things about CJ is how up front and honest he is. He lays his cards on the table and makes sure that Riley knows what he is thinking from the start. He’s also one of the sweetest guys ever. He makes sure that he let’s Riley know how beautiful she is and how much he appreciates her. Pure Southern Gentleman. He swooned his way into my heart and I don’t think he will ever let go. Plus, he had a bit of a rough dialogue that was just sexy. I will admit that in the beginning, the excessive use of “babe” made me think of Deuce West and I was almost turned off but then it just because a part of CJ and I didn’t even think about the comparison anymore. It just turned into CJ and CJ only.
I also enjoyed the banter between CJ and Riley. They were fun, sexy, flirty and hilarious at times. They have one of those best friends/lovers relationship that can keep you on your toes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. If you are looking for a hot sexy cop who speaks his mind, goes after what he wants and is the epitome of a Southern Gentleman, then this is the book for you. You do not want to miss CJ’s story! Well done, J. Daniels. You alway keep me wanting more and I can’t wait for Jake’s story next.
I’m waffling so much on this book, which is odd for me when it comes to J. Daniels- I’ve loved all the previous books in this series, but this one just didn’t grab me like the rest.
Cj’s sweet and swoony and he deserved Riley’s whole heart. But the way he spoke reminded me too much of a Kristen Ashley character and I just couldn’t get past that.
I was frustrated right along with him, though, when it came to Riley and her wanting to hide their relationship. I think that really showed her age and immaturity. He’s a grown man, he shouldn’t have to be hiding who he’s with. And for him to put up with that was surprising. I know Riley’s reasoning for keeping things from her brother made sense to her, but he’s not her father and she’s not a 16 year old living at home- she’s allowed to date whoever she wants, and Reed can get over it or not. CJ should have manned up and spoken to him a lot sooner.
Another thing that I didn’t love about this book was the age difference. I know 8 years isn’t a lot, but to me it is when the h is only 22 and the H is 30- especially when the h is on the immature side, as was the case with Riley.
Sadly, this just really fell short for me.
I did love seeing all the rest of the Alabama crew, it’s always so fun when they are all together. Tessa is too much, and Nolan is always such a bright spot, that kid is awesome!
I must confess, I love J. Daniels. I have read every single book she has put out and loved it. Her stories just resonate with me. All of her alphas are extremely sexy, fun and dirty. Not to mention they are completely full of love for their women. All of the heroines are genuine and there is always is some sort of drama (not too excessive though) for these couples to overcome. Four Letter Word and Hit the Spot are definitely two of my most favorite but I am so glad we got back down to business with the Bama Boys and finally got CJ’s story. It was more than I could have imagined and so very worth the wait!!
Every single Bama boy is hot. Period. Like I want to move down south and stalk them hot. There HAS to be men down south like this, right????
What I Need is CJ Tully’s story, co-worker of Ben and Luke and friend of Reed. If you’ve read the other books in the series, you know these men are panty melting hot (if you haven’t read them, GET ON IT). The story is told in an alternative hero/heroine point of view from the connection at the wedding to becoming more then friends.
Riley is in a relationship that has hit a bump. After breaking up with her boyfriend and heading to her brother’s wedding, she meets CJ and they immediately click. CJ could tell that the man in her life has not done a good job of being attentive to her so CJ made sure he went out of his way to let her know exactly how beautiful she was, how she should be treated and how special she was to him. When Riley returns home and learns that she misunderstood the situation with her boyfriend, she thinks that her chemistry with CJ is just a fluke…right?? They can just be friends. SURE they can.
“I am the worst friend this girl could possibly have, because that’s the last thing I want us to be.”
This is a friends to lovers story that has CJ becoming the book boyfriend to end all book boyfriends. FOREVER. He is so very attentive to Riley, shows her how much he appreciates her and just is an all around good guy. CJ and Riley share so many secrets, many laughs, stories and they both enjoy their time together.
“And if it’s possible to look inside another person’s soul, I swear CJ doesn’t just peer at mine. He stares and studies it like I mean something to him.”
Every time CJ said “Darling’” I fell in love even deeper. I like my guys in suits but hell, I like CJ and his police uniform much better! And every time she called out his REAL name….ugh! I could just imagine the look on his face!
This line, however, is probably the best line of them all….
“He’s such a good man, Beth. And he says things to me and I think, every girl needs to be with someone who talks to them like this. He’s that guy. There isn’t better. I know in my heart there isn’t.”
Every girl DOES deserve someone like CJ Tully. This story really resonated with me because of the way CJ made sure that Riley knew she was special, appreciated and loved. He would do anything and everything for her, even though they were “just friends”. Reading this story made me think about how many of these things my husband does for me…and how I need to tell him just how much I appreciate it!
I am completely smitten with the story of Riley and CJ. I will be re-reading this book because it is utterly perfect. And I cannot wait for Say I’m Yours, CJ’s brother Jake’s!