What I Need Series: Alabama Summer #5 Published by Everafter Romance Publication Date: March 5th 2017
Pages: 226
Also in this series: What I Need
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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 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...
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from Inkslinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
Love a great story of people who are attracted to each other but are friends first – even if their friendship is by accident. Β I am happy that J Daniels took on us on this journey with CJ and Riley and what a fun journey it is.
Riley’s older brother Reed is getting married but Riley is not happy with her brother since he just fired her boyfriend. Β When she goes to confront him the night of his wedding rehearsalΒ Riley realizes that this is probably not the right time. Β Overly emotionally anyway since she got into a huge fight with her boyfriend and “broke” up with him she does the right thing and takes a step back and heads to the bar. Β There she meets for the first time CJ Tully the really hot groomsman she is walking down the aisle with. Β One thingΒ to another and they spend a fantastic weekend together – in bed. Β When Riley goes home she finds that what she thought was true isn’tΒ and she does what she thinks is the right thing and stays in the friend zone with CJ for the sake of her relationship. Β After a series of events, Riley needs a place to stay and CJ needs help after being injured so they end up as roommates – just as friends or at least that is what Riley tries to convince herself of.
CJ’s attraction didn’t stop when Riley asked just to be friends, in fact keeping her at arms length has made the attraction to her grow as he gets to know her. Β When he is injured and Riley moves in he does everything he can to respect her wishes, but now neither one of them can deny what is going on and they finally act on it. Β Now if they can convince her brother this is a good thing then all will be ok – or so CJ thinks.
What J Daniels does really well is to weave a story that is complex, fun and sexy all at the same time and she does it her again with What I Need. Β Told in dual POV’s we can’t to see what both CJ and Riley are dealing with and how they are trying to stay true to the friendship they both may not want but need. Β The writing is fast pacedΒ with great dialog between these characters. Β Since this is part of a larger series we do get to see friends again from the previous 4 books and also some hints on what Ms. Daniels is planning ahead in her Alabama Summer series. Β This is a true standalone I promise you won’t be lost if you dive into What I Need.
All in all, I loved this book and would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun friend to lovers story.
