I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining. I love this author!!

Okay, if you know me, you KNOW I loves me some Ghost from Cherrie's Ross siblings series and I can confidently confirm Zane Larson can give Ghost a definite run for his money! There is not one thing about Zane to hate on. He's thoughtful, respectful, considerate, and kind. He was also a little dirty behind closed doors ;-) He was everything I wasn't expecting and with each swipe of my Kindle screen, I fell for him more and more. Rowan was still struggling with recent events and coming to terms with her future, and Zane was constantly putting her needs first. There was no spoiled rock start here. Cherrie nailed Rowan's inner turmoil and conflict, and my heart hurt for her. Zane was everything Rowan needed, he was everything I needed, and he'll be everything you need.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Raw Deal, so I was delighted to receive an advance copy of Raw Need and while I did like this story I didn’t love it. I actually had to take some time after reading it to mull it over in my head before I could write my review because I had very mixed feelings about this story, this couple, and the events that took place in this book. First and foremost I want to say that author Cherrie Lynn did not disappoint in any way, she crafted an intricate story that she most likely knew would not resonate with a lot of people, she didn’t shy away from that, she went in full throttle and gave two people a happily ever after there is no doubt they deserved. When I finished this book, I wasn’t really sure of my feelings in regards to this couple and while I was happy for them, I had to really step back and examine their relationship and the tragedy that brought them together. I had to dig deep and put myself in their shoes and come to terms with the unusual way they met, the background between them, and the way their lives were connected. It wasn’t easy because at first I had a hard time with their relationship, but as I began to dissect their interactions, I began to truly understand where their relationship came from and why it was right for them even when it came at an unusual time in their lives. Emotional doesn’t even begin to describe this book, however the title Raw Need does in that two people find one another at a time when one is raw from an event that has changed her life forever and the other has a need so deep to help her find her way that they form an emotional bond neither one is expecting and soon find they can’t live without.

Rowan Dugas is broken; her husband died following a MMA match, she’s pregnant with his child, her mother in law is overbearing, her sister in law, who is her best friend, is dating the man that landed the blow that caused her husband’s death, and she just can’t seem to make sense of anything. The only thing that soothes her is music, more specifically the music of Zane Larson, the lead singer and songwriter of August on Fire and brother to the man whose punch left her husband dead. Her life sounds like a bad country song or an episode of Jerry Springer and all she wants is some time to figure out how she feels and what she needs, but no one will let her. When she meets Zane, she is a bit star struck but mostly she likes that she can confide in him, that he listens without offering an opinion, and he lets her express everything she is thinking and feeling without judgment. He planned to be her friend, he loved that his music has spoken to her for years, he wanted to help her through a tough time in her life, and he just never expected to develop feelings for her.

This is one of those impossible romances because you will have people saying that she should still be mourning her dead husband and having feelings for someone else is wrong, you will have people saying that the fact she is pregnant with her dead husband’s baby makes it not okay for her to explore anything with someone else, and you will have people who condemn them both because it is too soon. I had to wrap my head around the timing, but what I also came to realize is even though they had never met before they had a relationship. His music got her through some very tough times in her life, his words spoke to her and made her feel not so alone or afraid and that is something I can totally relate to. I can also understand that he realized from the first time they spoke that she saw the man behind the music, not just the rock star behind the microphone. They bonded over his words, their individual losses, and the need to be able to talk freely with someone who wouldn’t judge them.

I very much respect the friendship that formed between them and the way their relationship grew from there and while this isn’t my favorite book by Ms. Lynn, it is still a very good, solid story. I will admit I was disappointed in the way some of the secondary characters acted in this story, the threats that were made, the way they claimed to love and want what was best for them, but their actions told a different story, but I am happy with the way this book ended and the bumpy path that led them to their happily ever after. Despite my reservations and the fact I had to really dissect this book after reading it, Raw Need is an extraordinary romance that might seem taboo to some, but in reality it was two people who found each other at just the right time for them.

This was a decent take on a MMA storyline but I'm starting to realize that this is not my favorite sport. The single mother aspect was more interesting to me.

It was a sweet story. I liked Zane. Rowan I didn't like to much. everything happened quickly. Zane is protective and sweet. Rowan was picked on by other characters and just took it. Pregnant with a deceased husband and a rock star that is really sweet. Zane is a good book. Boyfriend. He made the story. Rowan not so much. She was irritating and in the end claiming he was cheating in her when he was nothing but great her. That was a no go for me.

This was one powerful read. Two seemingly distant souls that would have no chance to meet in life... Unless a tragedy happens and that bounds them together. A pregnant wife, the borther of the man who is responsible for the death of her husband... You would think it would be impossible to get over these facts. But life has a way to surprise you in many many ways you would never expect. Emotional, heartbreaking and a very perfect second-chance novel in my eye.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. Unfortunately in this case I found it difficult to connect to the story. As I didn't completely finish this book I will not be publishing a review. We do not review uncompleted books on the blog, and again, thank you for sending through a review copy. Although this title didn't work for me, I do look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Rowan is pregnant and 4 months widowed. She has recently met Zane, her favorite singer, through a concert and now he's coming to see her. Zane feels that Rowan needs a friend but he realizes he wants more. After an argument with her MIL, Rowan takes Zane up on his offer to join him on part of his tour. Zane is sexy and despite really wanting Rowan, he's willing to wait, such a gentleman. I felt like the whole book was about Rowan wanting Zane but not ready to let their relationship go further as it didn't feel right....this was the center of the book over and over and over with no end in sight. I found it tedious and annoying.

Another super sexy book by Cherrie Lynn! I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next!

This book is incredibly well-written. From a writing standpoint, it's quite good. From a character standpoint, there were some characters in this story that I will never forgive for how they acted, whereas the others I wish they had been as strong as they ended up being sooner than they were. Story-wise, it was one of those books that was a little too heart-breaking for me at times. I loved Zane and Rowan together. What became almost too much for me to handle at times were their backstories. It was a lot of heartache to go through. To the point where I didn't know how Rowan was still standing. But that being said, it was done and done well, and Ms. Lynn definitely stood by her reputation for stories that drag you under their spell from beginning to end.

Raw Need is exactly as the title suggest raw. After reading Raw Need I felt all sorts of emotions such as anger, sadness, happiness, joy, humor, adoration, and raw down to my core. The quest to Zane and Rowan’s HEA is the largest emotional rollercoaster that I’ve ever experience and left me with one large book hangover. Rowan is pregnant but didn’t know until after the death of her husband. She is dealing with a tidal wave of emotions with the death of her husband and her upcoming motherhood alone. Her saving grace during soul crushing times has been the escape of music and her main escape has been Zane Larson. After Rowan sister-in-law (who is dating the man that accidently killed Rowan’s husband) get tickets to Zane’s concert in the hope of getting Rowan out of her grief funk, Rowan and Zane (who is the brother of the man who accidently killed Rowan’s husband) form an unlikely bond and friendship. Rowan has a hard time opening to anyone but Zane has a way of getting in. Their bond grows bigger that either one anticipated and they begin a journey that neither one wanted or asked for but that both needed more than words can express. I can’t express how much I loved reading this novel. I easily give it 5 stars.

Zane Larson is a man who has fought his demons and came out kicking them to become an amazing lead singer of August on Fire. Rowan Dugas is a widow who is pregnant with her first child yet finds herself physical and emotional attracted to Zane. As they grow closer forces from their familes are trying to pull them apart. Can a pregnant woman hold on to the rock star who no one has been able to tie down ever.

Loved the second book in the Larson brother series. I can't wait for the next one.

I truly admire authors and their ability to put words to paper/screen and share their thoughts/ideas. Sometimes I struggle writing a paragraph review so reading 100-200 pages of work humbles me. That said, I unfortunately really struggled to like this story because the characters in this story were ANNOYING. There really is no other explanation I can provide except ANNOYING.

Rowan, the h, is a recent pregnant widow. She's spineless and whiny. I understand she's a grieving widow but she makes for an unenthusiastic heroine. She makes for a very long, how many pages can I skim through, h.

Her sister-in-law, Savannah, is with the man, Mike, who killed her husband in the MMA ring. It's ok for her to be with Mike but God forbid Rowan move on with her life because she's carrying Savannah's brother's baby. Really?

Mike feels guilty for causing Rowan's husband's accidental death in the ring but he wants/needs to be with Savannah. Yet Zane should slow down his pursuit of Rowan because it's not quite right.

Zane, the H, is Mike's brother and the singer for a famous band. Of all the characters in this story he's the only one I liked. At some point I kept asking why he was sticking around and why he didn't tell everybody to STFU!

And let's not forget Rowan's mother-in-law who is passive aggressive and deserves a swift kick in the ass for the way she treats Rowan. She's a piece of work and contributes to Rowan's scared, whiny behavior.

There were just too many characters I actively disliked and not enough I liked to make this story tolerable for me.

3-3.5 stars
I am way late on reviewing this book since I have had the good fortune to have read all 3 in the series. This one is the weakest in my opinion. It comes across as more of an add-on to the first story, "Raw Deal" given the fact that the h is the pregnant widow of the MMA fighter killed at the beginning of "Raw Deal" as well as the sister-in-law of h from that book. The H is the brother of the H in book 1. The storyline is less compelling and I couldn't help but feel that the dead husband is getting a weak case of he "wasn't so great" to rationalize the h's interest for the H. The author doesn't make him a secret wife abuser or anything like that but there are mild points of him not being as present as he could and that he was messy and pandered to his parents, mom in particular. Both h and H didn't come across as "big" personalities, no real stand out characteristics - he is a rock star and she is the pregnant widow who seems to have the weirdest penchant for heavy metal rock to help her out of grief.
There are the inherent hurdles of how soon is too soon to move on and the fact that again, the H is the brother of the husband killer (sorry it would have been too convoluted to come up with another term). Overcoming the grief and self-doubt on both characters could have been enough but you have the addition of a family villain who goes over the top in their own grief. It was a bit much for me and I felt it was kind of thrown in as another plot twist.
ARC received from Netgalley

What an emotional read!

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book after reading Raw Deal (Book 1) but I steeled myself and forged ahead...

Was not disappointed at all (not that I really expected to be as Cherrie Lynn always comes through) but I do recommend you read book 1 to get the full spectrum of the story and background.

Loved that Zane was NOT the typical 'rockstar' man whore and loved they way he was taken with Rowan and allowed her the time she needed to get to the place she needed to be to accept their connection.

Cannot wait for book 3!!!!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley.

I enjoyed Raw Deal by Cherrie Lynn (my review), but it didn’t completely wow me like her Ross Siblings Series did. But I had high hopes for Raw Need. I mean, a pregnant widow and the rock star whose brother killed her husband? That’s a helluva story right there! While I enjoyed it though, it didn’t quite live up to what I hoped it could be.

Zane was awesome. Perhaps too perfectly awesome. What man, especially a famous rock star, falls for a woman who is pregnant with another man’s baby? A woman who is grieving for the man that only died 4 months ago? Rowan is a mess. She is depressed and suffocating from Tommy’s (her late husband) mother and sister-in-law (the heroine from the first book). She has no family of her own, and she has developed a friendship with her idol, the rock star who literally saved her sanity with his music.

“He was her favorite singer. Ever. The music he made with his band, August on Fire, had gotten her through some of the worst times of her life, and by an insane stroke of fate, they’d become friends. But that stroke of fate had begun with her husband’s death.”

Personally, I think you need to read the first book, Raw Deal, to really see how they met and get the full back story, but this book does stand alone.

Rowan is sinking deeper and deeper into a depression, even as her baby grows inside her. Who can blame her? Her mother-in-law was a total bitch, and her best friend was taking her mother in law’s side. Thank goodness for Zane.

“Talking to him was refreshing; he made her feel good somehow, even among so much bad, so much pain.”

When Zane invites her on tour with the band, even 6 months pregnant, she knows she needs to do it. A-when would she ever get this chance again? B- she was suffocating in her grief and by her mother in law and sister in law. C- Her IDOL invited her on tour! The thing is, Zane is just too good to be true.

“Keep looking for something bad. You can’t be too perfect, Zane. You just can’t.” (internal thoughts by Rowan)

Honestly, he was pretty damn awesome. He WAS too perfect.

She could no longer blame this attraction on his voice, or on being starstruck. It was him. It was the juxtaposition of security and danger. The way he looked at her, the way he knew her when he shouldn’t. He made her feel like everything was fine when nothing was fine. Calm in the middle of crazy. Right in the middle of so much wrong.

But Rowan kind of pissed me off. She was a doormat and let everyone tell her how to live, and she couldn’t trust the guy that gave her no reason to doubt him. I think she moved on too fast, but lets face it, if your idol fell for you, would you not jump at that chance, even if you are still grieving? Life gives you only a few chances at happiness, grab it while you can. So while I did think it was fast, that wasn’t what bothered me. I just never really felt the connection between them form. I don’t know what he saw in her. I didn’t really see her move past the love of her idol and the love of the man. Why did this lifelong playboy rock star want a pregnant girl still mourning her ex? He wanted her right from the beginning, but WHY? She was emotional, miserable, hormonal, indecisive and a fan, something he usually avoided. So although I liked reading the story, I never fell in love with it. And one thing that really upset me was that this story made me dislike the couple from the first book, especially Savannah.

Likes:

•I love a rock star romance.
•Zane was all kinds of awesome.
•The storyline is unique and compelling.

Dislikes:

•I didn’t see the connection build up.
•I couldn’t stand the characters from the first book in this one, sadly.
•I didn’t really love Rowan, she let people walk all over her and jumped to conclusions.

The Down & Dirty:

Raw Need was an okay read for me. I read it on vacation and was never really motivated to pick it up that often. I had trouble understanding what Zane saw in Rowan, and felt like Tommy’s family walked all over her. Sadly, I now really dislike the couple from the first book as well. I like the premise of the storyline, but Raw Need never really went above an “okay” rating for me.

Rating: 3 stars, 3 heat

WOW WOW WOW

This book is truly amazing. Unfortunately I had not read the first book in this series before reading this one. While I don't think it took anything away from this book, I think it would enhanced it more had I read the first book and truly understood the situation with Mike and how Zane and Rowan first met.

Rowan's story is utterly heartbreaking. First, to lose your husband so soon after your marriage. Second, to learn after his death that you were pregnant with his child. Third, to having no family other than your husband's family.

Zane has his own battles, but it immediately taken with Rowan. The fact that she's pregnant isn't an issue for him as they develop a strong friendship. Overtime that friendship begins to feel like something else but any chance of something happening between them is not only complicated by the fact that Rowan is pregnant with another man's baby but also by the fact that Zane's brother killed Rowan's husband.

An absolute amazing read!

This novel hits two of the current hot topics for Contemporary Erotic Romance, rock stars and MMA. I was reluctant to start the series, because I am not usually drawn to the genre. I id, however, thoroughly enjoy Ms. Lynn's prior books, so I gave Raw Need a read. I am so glad I chose to read this novel! Cherrie Lynn has a knack for making even the toughest, most distant hero compelling. All of her characters are complex and intriguing. They are easy to support and I always find myself invested in the outcome of their journey to happily ever after.
Raw Need is book 2 in the series, but I had no trouble at all having not read the first book (I have since remedied that). If you like stories written with passion and compassion, humor and skill - choose Cherrie.

I guess my problem with this book is I never really connected with the main characters. I never felt that the main characters connected to each other. Through out the book I didn't understand why Zane would go through all the effort to be with Rowan and I had a hard time with Rowan moving on so fast from her husband's death. While I did get annoyed with her dead husband's family trying to stop her and Zane from being together I total saw there side. Out of all the characters I think Savanah annoyed me the most. She claimed that she was Rowan's best friend but most of the times she didn't act like it.
I can normally go through a book in a couple of hours this one seemed to drag. It took me a week to finish it. I kept finding other things to do besides read and I hate that because once I start a book I have to finish even if it takes forever.

Excellent read. Absolutely loved the story and the characters xx