I Want You Back

Lorelei James

Apr 2019 · The Want You Series Book 1 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James kicks-off her Want You Series with a Lund family cousin hot enough to melt the ice and mend a broken heart.

Former NHL star Jaxson Lund has returned to the Twin Cities, but he's at loose ends, unsure if he belongs at Lund Industries, or where he stands with Lucy, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter, Mimi. Despite the signs she'd like to leave him in the penalty box, the attraction burning between them reinforces his determination to prove that he deserves a second chance...

Lucy Quade is in a good place with a steady job, a nice apartment, and a well-adjusted daughter, which is why she's hesitant when Jax insists on co-parenting. It's not that Lucy doesn't trust Jax...she's just unconvinced he can handle multiple responsibilities when he's been singularly focused on playing hockey. But when issues arise with Mimi, Lucy's shocked at how levelheaded and paternal he acts, giving her a glimpse of the Jax she used to know, the sexy, sweet man she fell for years ago.

Once Lucy lets her guard down, Jax goes all in to show her how good they are together, but will their past remain too large an obstacle to ever overcome?

Ratings and reviews

Lorelei James has written another smash hit. She knows how to capture the heart of redemption. How love over comes addiction. How even at our worst we all search for a way back to our happiness. Jaxson Lund is a man wanting redemption from the one woman who he knows shouldn't give it to him. Without Lucy he'll may never find peace. Without Jaxson she may never find love.

I Want You Back took me by surprise with its different take on the typical second chance romance. Unlike so many that rely on misunderstandings, one-sided attractions, or a romance that almost was, this couple had their chance at love and one of them thoroughly blew it. So, yes, cheating was definitely a factor in the breakup, but for those who cheating is a hard limit in their fiction, it's mentioned, but the actual act is not on page. We do, however, get a lot of Jax and Lucy's early years through memories scattered throughout the story. I really liked that we got to see the early attraction for this couple without the story getting bogged down by that part of it. That left plenty of room for their current day relationship as two people co-parenting their child while still dealing with the emotional baggage between them, and it is considerable. I was disappointed when we're finally given the catalyst for Jax's lifestyle change. It just felt unnecessary, and once revealed, I felt like Lucy and Mimi were the consolation prizes for him. Whatever his reason, he does have his redeeming qualities. and I ended the book liking him much more than I thought I would. That aside, I was impressed with the author's ability to give us such an emotional story while still keeping the angst low. There is angst, but it's more subtle rather than big dramatic issues, and the high emotions are tempered with well-timed humor. All in all, this is a solid start to the series, and I'll be interested to see which of these engaging characters finds love next.

4.5 Stars This is book one in the Want You series and it features Jaxson and Lucy. I’m not usually one who believes in a redeemable partner who cheats. With that said, after reading this book, it’s actually nice to read a story that happened YEARS AFTER all the cheating happened. I think it was easier to get past because I didn’t bear witness to the emotional trauma of infidelity between them. I loved these two! I loved their love! It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. They had some real issues to get past. Some of the issues were totally unexpected. I’m not sure I’ve EVER read a book that confronted this issue the way this author did. BRAVO! The events in their story felt real and played like a movie in my head. The characters were fabulous and the story line had great flow. I LOVED Jax’s family. They were all amazing and I’d LOVE to hear their stories as well.

About the author

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Need You Series, the Blacktop Cowboys series, and the Mastered series. Her books have won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award.