Book 2 in the Larson Brothers series. It is told from dual POV, both Zane and Rowan. There were some things I disliked about the book and some things I loved. I wasn't sure how it was going to pan out between Zane and Rowan. There are so many obstacles they had to overcome. Her just loosing her husband and finding out she was pregnant. I felt it was too soon for Rowan to be having feelings for another person, I mean it was barely four months since the accidental death of her husband. I kind of wish their time line would of been further along. But that is what makes me love this story! I started reading it and I thought no way is this going to work out. How can these two people who have so many odds stacked against them make it work. I had to keep reading this book every spare chance I got to figure out if they get their HEA. I adored Zane like no tomorrow. He is a saint! He is patient, puts Rowan on a pedestal and helps her heal. Rowan was a hard character to like. Some points in the story I really loved her and some points I just thought she was too much of a push over. But Ms Lynn did a fantastic job with her words to convey the struggle that Rowan was going through as she was dealing with the crushing reality of being a widow and having a lot of guilt over having feelings for someone else so soon. You get a glimpse of the mysterious third brother in this book. I can't wait to read about Damien's story next. It was a good read and I would recommend it.

I submitted a request to the publisher to read and voluntarily review an uncorrected advanced copy of this book.

3.5 Stars
Good rockstar romance. While I liked it overall, I was really irritated by Rowan's lack of backbone with her "family". The whole thing rubbed me the wrong way, so I disliked Savannah, Mike and Regina. They were all awful and rediculous, and that Rowan accepted their behavior made me dislike her as well. So while I liked parts of,the book, others bothered me, hence the lower rating.

3.5 Stars

When Zane and Rowan's friendship began in book one, I was a bit concerned to read the next book would be their story and agree with another reviewer that maybe it should have been the last book in the series and be further into the future and at least after Rowan had time to grieve her husband and give birth to their child. However, the author chose to have their story follow on straight from Mike and Savannah's story, so Rowan is four months pregnant and it's only been that long since she lost her husband.

I'm a fan of this authors writing but the heroes in this series are a little too 'nice' for me! Don't get me wrong, I love Zane in this book but he's just too perfect. He's far too accommodating, he only really gets upset once. Considering he's falling in love with a widow who is pregnant with her dead husband's child, he doesn't seem to wrestle with any guilt or with any angst about her still being in love with the dead husband. Therein lies the problem for me with the storyline in that it happens too quick for me after Rowan becomes a widow. She doesn't really spend much time pining for her dead husband who she loved and she doesn't really wrestle with any guilt over falling for another man so soon. Her only problems come from how her dead husband's parents and sister feel.

I did like Zane and Rowan's relationship but they spend a lot of the book apart but they text and face time a lot. I did feel their connection. They do have sex while Rowan is pregnant. Again, I just wished the author had chosen to start this story after Rowan had given birth. I know some people move on quickly after they lose a partner (I have a friend who did so) but always at the back of my mind while reading I kept thinking 'I wish this wasn't so'.

I liked the concert scenes and life on the road. I didn't like how Rowan's mother in law interfered so much but I suppose it was acceptable when it seemed so soon for her to be moving on. I was surprised at Savannah's reactions considering what her and Mike went through in the first book. I liked the epilogue but again, it seemed too soon...I wish it had been a year or so down the line.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to reading the third book about the youngest Larson brother, Damian.

Disclaimer - DO NOT READ THIS AS A STANDALONE! Although you technically could, you'd be WAY more interested and invested in the story if you start from the beginning.

Ok, so not exactly what I was expecting with this one, but it totally still worked for me. After all, where do you go with a story that includes a rock star, a pregnant woman (who's baby belongs to a dead husband) and self esteem issues? You go exactly where this author went. And she did a good job.

Rowan is a widow and pregnant. What a combination, right? Sucks. In more ways than one. But she can always rely on her favorite band to help her through the rough times in life. After meeting the lead singer of August on Fire in the first book, it looks like the two of them may have more in common than people might think. The problem? Well...do you really need to ask?

Zane is the lead singer of August on Fire. He's also super hot, super kind and struggling with his own personal demons. But for some reason, Rowan has warmed a place in his heart that hasn't been touched in a very long while. She's beautiful, kind, sweet and....oh yeah, still dealing with the loss of her husband by the hands of his brother. Oh yeah, and she's pregnant. She's TOTALLY off limits, but has that ever stopped him?

Being pregnant isn't the only thing that's an issue in this story. Add in Rowan's nagging Mother in law and the fact that Savvy seems to NOT support her and the flood gates have opened. I'm not typically a fan of pregnancy stories, but this one was done really well. This story is more about the struggles of healing and coping, more than the romance. Although you'll get that too.

But let me digress for a second....I. Need. D's story...STAT!!!!!! Ok, carry on.

reviewed by Chris

She made him want to create art.

This book took me by surprise! Raw Need is book two in Cherrie Lynn’s Larson Brothers series, and the first book I’ve read by this author. I was initially drawn in by the blurb. As a reader, I’m tempted by stories that take your emotions to the limit, and boy, did this one bring it!

Rowan is recently widowed and is expecting her late husband’s child. Grief is all-consuming, and the only respite she has comes in the form of her favorite singer, Zane. The problem? Zane’s brother is responsible for her husband’s death. But she can’t help but be drawn to the charismatic Zane, and it’s not long before Rowan’s swept away into a whirlwind attraction.

Oh, what a tangled web…!

I just had mad respect for Rowan as a character right from the beginning. She’s so stinking sweet and adorable! I loved watching her get swept into Zane, but it’s not just about that either. She’s trying to heal and rediscover herself. Rowan’s got her own feelings to wade through, a baby to prepare for, and all the while, her late husband’s family is breathing down her neck. Girl has composure down to an art, although I did wish Rowan had told them where to shove it!

For. Real.

Zane completely won me over too. He’s got the patience of a saint, but make no mistake. Zane’s got his eye on Rowan, and he’s not ready to let her slip away. I enjoyed how upfront Zane is. He’s a refreshing rock star hero! The man’s got moves, but he’s had it rough too. Vulnerable one minute, full-blown confident the next. I couldn’t wait to see what side of Zane would prevail. Zane’s POV also had some of the most downright lyrical language I’ve read. Hands down.

At the end of the day, Raw Need doesn’t stray from Rowan and Zane’s love story. It’s about two lost souls riding this epic wave of a romance with all the ups and down, the joys and sorrows, that come with it. Stripped down to its nuts and bolts, it’s all about the romance and that’s what makes this book so great. I’d recommend anyone looking for a hazardously emotional story to get their hands on this one.

4 stars!

3.5 stars

Raw Need was a sweet and sexy story.I haven't read the first book but I didn't have problem with this one.When I start it I find the story promising and I couldn't put it down.But there were some things that didn't reach my expectations.

First of all everything happened so quickly with Zane and Rowan.I loved Zane, he is sweet,protective and he is so intense with Rowan.Unfortunately,Rowan isn't one of my favorite heroines,there are moments she frustrated me a lot.I didn't fall in love with them as a couple 100% they didn't have the sparkle I want in my book couples, but there are some great moments between them that I like.

Overall this one was an ok story nothing too special.Zane is the main reason why I gave this story 3.5 stars.

Raw Need is book Two in the Larson Brothers series. I read the first one, Raw Deal, and couldn't wait to read Zane and Rowan 's story in this one. Each book has a different main character so you could read this one as a standalone.

I loved Raw Need. I'm not even sure if it's a long read or a short read because I was totally engrossed in it and couldn't put it down until I was done.

Rowan has lost her husband and is pregnant. Rowan is grieving. She need to let lose a little and be free. Zane is in a rock band and has been a crush of Rowan's. Rowan gets to meet him and there is a connection. I really liked Zane. He's a rock star but he's not overly cocky. A realtionship between the two of them isn't easy. Rowan has an overbearing mother in law, Regina, that causes issues.

It's good read with it's emotional ups and downs.

After reading book one in the Larson Brothers series, I really wanted to know Rowan and Zane’s story. It was gonna have to be a strange one, right? Rowan is pregnant with her recently deceased husband’s baby . . . and Zane is the lead singer of the rock band, August on Fire. There is a HUGE hurdle for them to surpass from the get-go. Color me intrigued.

However, I had to calm my high expectations because —HELLO— recently widowed heroine. AND she is pregnant with a baby. I was very nervous on how Cherri Lynn would continue their story.
Rowan Dugas has been drowning in her personal pain and grief. And no one seems to understand her need to escape, even just temporarily, from the hell that has become her life. Especially those in her family. Her sister-in-law, Savannah should be able to relate. She is dating Zane’s brother, Mike Larson. (SPOILER—Mike is “responsible” for the death of Rowan’s husband). But the people she counts on the most think she has lost her ever lovin’ mind when she decides to go on tour with the band, August on Fire.

And I kind of have to agree. To A Point. What pregnant woman (she is roughly six months at this point of the story) takes off on a tour bus with a bunch of rockers?

Although the romance sparking between Zane and Rowan start off slow, things start to heat up pretty quickly while she is on tour with them and I just had some very personal issues with this. I wanted Rowan to have more time to grieve for her husband. Maybe if their relationship started out as friends first and grew over time (like a LOT of time, Oh, say---AFTER she had her baby and had figured out her life), I would have been more sympathetic.

I do sympathize with Rowan though, when it comes to having time and the desire for space to make her own decisions. Her mother-in-law was too overbearing, always showing up at her house and walking right on in like she freaking lives there. And Rowan, who feels guilty because this family practically raised her, lets her. Rowan needed time to grow up, put her foot down, and take a stand. And I don’t think she was ever given the chance. She jumps from one frying pan into another when she takes off with Zane and his band. I would have liked to see her grow a bit more on her own.

With that said, both Zane and Rowan have tons of chemistry and match perfectly in all other ways. And Zane finally does give her the space she needs to come to her own conclusions—she loves Zane. And although Rowan’s mother-in-law finally comes around, it was a bit anti-climactic.

Overall, the romance was a little too instantaneous – I needed a slow burn for this one.

4 - "Never be afraid to hope..." Stars!

The second book in Cherrie Lynn’s Larson Brothers series, pretty much picks up from where its predecessor left off, although now Mike and Savannah have worked through their problems the focus now switches to Zane Larson, and Savannah’s sister-in-law Rowan Dugas.

IMAGE.

You don’t really need to have read the first book in the series to be able to get along with Raw Need but I think it gives you more of an insight into Zane and Rowan before they step beyond just friendship.

"I get the feeling you need someone else to talk to, and I would love to be that person…"

Four months on from her husband’s death, Rowan is still grieving and unexpectedly pregnant. Lead singer of rock band August on Fire Zane, has been a part of Rowans life through his music for years, getting to meet the man in person gives her a break from the reality of her situation, from a life that at times has become almost unliveable, what with a mother-in-law intent on smothering her, and no real outlet for her emotions, Rowan grabs hold of the time and contact she has with Zane like a lifeline.

"I’m not here to hurt you… I’m not here to break your heart. I only want to put it back together for you… let me try."

There are a whole heap of obstacles in this couples path, which when you take into account that initially it’s only been a few months since Tommy’s death, emotions are still understandably raw. On the whole I think the author again managed to deal with a pretty heavy story-line without making it overly angsty. That-said I struggled to get on-board with some of Rowans decisions in the second half of the book, and at points I really wanted to slap Savannah and her mother for the pressure they put on a vulnerable pregnant woman.

"You’re like a little puppet dancing on the end of their strings."

But the author once again gave me a man to fall in love with, in Zane; hardened rock-star with a heart of gold, pretty much like his brother Mike, what you see is definitely not all you get with him, the guy had the patience of a saint, dealing with some of the stuff thrown his way in the second half, but through all of it, Rowan was his one and only priority and I loved him to bits for it.

"The last thing I want to do is hurt you… Thing is, if you’re around me, I’m going to push you. I want you that much, and I can’t stop."

I am really enjoying this series, Cherrie Lynn excels at giving her readers men to fall in love with, although the heroines are proving a little harder for me to find as agreeable, but it does just make the Larson brothers all the more sweeter for it. Damien is up next in Raw Heat the youngest Larson, has more than a few dark secrets of his own, and I cannot wait to read his story when it releases in the Fall.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and I was my pleasure to provide the above honest review.

In the second book in a series about forbidden romances, Raw Need takes us into the very taboo romance of two people with everything possible pushing them apart. With a pregnant widow and the man of the brother who killed her husband, Lynn set up the story with as much angst and tension working against them as possible, but tempered it with the perfect amount of emotional care.

Rowan was difficult to grasp as a reader; at times it was easy to connect with her and become one with her, but other times she was quick to act out-of-character or without thought. Her position and predicament probably had a lot to do with that, one where she could not win no matter what she did, and I carried that frustration with me throughout the book. The animosity surrounding her in-laws became really difficult to read, but I felt it as I were her, wanting to fight through her and become her champion if she wouldn't be her own. Difficult as it was, it was easy to understand how well Lynn wrote the dynamic between a grieving family, all tied together because of one lost soul. Rowan's battle of grief warred with her needs and I craved that resolution, but the battle was half the fun (I mean, Zane <heart eyes>).

The connection between Zane and Rowan, though, was rife with delicious sexual tension. His gentlemanly ways lent well to his wild sex god demeanor. His sweet, caring nature made him a stand-out male character, one that you can easily swoon and pine over. His kind of affection can tear up the inside of your chest easily, and I adored him and his want of her.

Lynn always writes fantastically sexy books with great, well-developed characters and this was no different. Raw Need lived up to its name, building a great resistance and inner struggle with two people whose raw attraction to each other overpowered all logical thought. While there were random moments throughout the book that felt off or a bit cliche, almost as if Lynn was trying a bit too hard at certain angles, I still really loved this unique love story and thoroughly enjoyed the stomach-dipping need that surrounded these two. It was a truly beautiful and inspirational love story with a connection that defied the odds against them.

<b>3 Stars</b>

I liked this book...but I didn't love it like I loved <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1842789858">the first one in</a> in the series.

Why not, you say?

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/07/58/d8/0758d8307f2adf644a006dfe85cf302e.gif" width="500" height="200" alt="description"/>

Let's face it.

The heroine being McKnocked Up by her DEAD husband?

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/f0/b9/9ff0b99bf054faa32cf77b2e004a50c6.gif" width="450" height="259" alt="description"/>

#Hurdle

The periphery characters sticking their noses in where it doesn't belong, saying awful shit to the heroine under the guise of "caring..." and the heroine TAKING it?

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/49/cf/58/49cf58bcb3febafca0222bcc6dcc1311.gif" width="320" height="309" alt="description"/>

#IrritatingAsFuck

This^^^ sitch causing me to halfway dislike the main characters from book one?

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4c/7d/a2/4c7da28b70a57b3488f91900eed19da2.gif" width="292" height="385" alt="description"/>

#Disappointing

Now, don't get me wrong, characters do and say shit we don't always agree with all the time.

I don't expect or want characters to act just like me.

But when I spend almost the entirety of a book wanting to fuck up half the characters and tell them shut their mouths and mind their damn own?

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/22/d9/2b/22d92b43ce137e097ac2fcc8153a7d8a.gif" width="480" height="271" alt="description"/>

#Annoyed

But whatevs.

Aside from the proverbial pink elephant in the womb and me wishing I could build the heroine a backbone that does more than bend, I DID enjoy this book.

Zane was a cutie and I LOVED the glimpse we got of Damien, the mysterious and hot AF youngest brother.

Golly gee, I sure hope his book is next.

<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3d/8c/04/3d8c046b1e2ca054df1939524d2ecfd9.gif" width="200" height="178" alt="description"/>

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Ill be honest here I love Cherrie Lynn I'm a huge fan but I just couldnt love this. It wasn't written badly or anything. But this story I just couldnt connect with. I will still give it 4 stars because it was a good book.

If there’s anything you need to prepare yourself for with a Cherrie Lynn book, it’s turning into a—giddy, giggly, starry-eyed—schmoopy chick. Or, in the case of Zane Larson, a complete and utter fangirl. I’m telling you, there’s no resisting the frontman's charisma; especially, if you’re a music junkie who’s been known to harbor a crush on the vocalist of your favorite band (Ahem . . . I'm not ashamed to admit that's totally me!). Is there anything more incredible than watching the songs that have touched your very soul come to life during a live show? I don’t think so. Or, what about the thought of the frontman singing you to sleep? *swoon* I'm telling you, Rowan is one lucky girl.

I’ll admit, the beginning of Zane and Rowan’s story was somewhat of a bumpy ride for me. I couldn’t wrap my mind around a woman, one who’s pregnant and newly widowed (we’re talking only 4 months ago!), going out on a date with someone new. Not to mention, he’s the brother of the man that accidentally killed her husband in the ring during an MMA fight. Whew . . . that’s a lot to take in, right? I had to wonder, would anyone in their right mind be ready to move on that quickly?

Rowan agrees to go out with Zane, the sexy man that happens to be the frontman of her favorite band, but she doesn’t expect much. His raw, soul-crushing lyrics have helped her through some of the toughest times in her life, so this feels like nothing more than a fantasy; a dream really. A one and done pity date, on his part, because their relationship can’t go anywhere.

Zane plays it cool, but he has bigger plans for him and Rowan. There’s something about this angel of a woman that captivates him. He flies to New Orleans to take her out and it’s pretty clear, he’s smitten. Why? Other than the timing, this was my one contention; I wish there had been a little bit more development in this area. Don’t get me wrong, Zane and Rowan have an insane amount of chemistry and blush-inducing hotness between the two of them, but I wanted to watch their relationship build—maybe starting with a simple friendship first.

From the start, Zane is pretty darn close to perfection. I’m not talking cardboard cutout, fantasy man, perfection. I’m talking a man that’s been through hell and lived to talk about it. A patient man that wants nothing more than to spend his time with Rowan; to be there for her while she finds the strength to pull herself out of the grief, fight back against everyone and everything trying to pull them apart, and realize she deserves to be happy—with him.

“You have a universe behind your eyes.”

At the end of the day, who am I to judge how quickly someone moves on? Life is fleeting and when you find that special person, sometimes the timing just isn't relevant. Being the self-proclaimed picky reader that I am, I think it’s a testament to just how magnetizing these two characters were that I was able to move past my hangups and simply wallow in the experience. This book is angsty, incredibly hot and pretty darn addicting. Zane and Rowan reminded me why I love this genre.

4 1/2 Stars! Great book ... couldn't put it down.

Rowan finds out she's pregnant shortly after her husband is accidentally killed in a MMA fight. She is devastated that her husband will never get to meet their child. Zane is the lead singer of Rowan's favorite band ... and also the younger brother of the man who accidentally killed her husband. Rowan and Zane meet through Savannah (Rowan's sister-in-law) and Mike (Zane's brother) at one of Zane's concerts. Zane is immediately taken with her, but he knows he has to walk a fine line until Rowan is ready to move on. As tension builds between Rowan and her late husband's family, Zane invites her to go on his tour bus so she can get away from it all. As their relationship goes to the next level, there are obstacles at every turn that they will have to get over if they want their happily-ever-after. Take their sweet, heartfelt journey ... you won't regret it!

I received an ARC copy courtesy of St Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Raw Need for me fell a little flat. I also felt this way with Raw Deal, It's something about the endings, they seemed so rushed. I do appreciate this story very much. I am so glad that Rowan stood up to Tommy's mother, that lady is awful. I was so shocked just how much I really liked Zane., he was a very pleasant surprise. I thought maybe it would b hard to see Rowan mov on so quickly but It was handled really beautifully. I was all for it , until the end. I had to tell myself that the engagement would be at least a year. I just had a hard time with her hubby being gone not even a year and she is getting engaged? I'm sorry but that was hard for me to swallow. It has nothing to do with the characters ' they are amazing, I just had a hard ice with the fast timeline. Considering the horrible way Rowan had treat d Savanna when she found out she was dating Mike. But in return, Sav was not very nice to Rowan in this book. I don't know, I just wanted to love this so much and in parts I did. Zane's soft side and the way he was there for her, I loved that. I loved the chemistry Ro and Zane shared, it was hot. But I just wanted more, so much more to the story.

As always I loved this book. The story is great, the characters are real and the problems they face are believable. There are many obstacles and struggles to get over in this story but there are also strong feelings, love and understanding. The writing is great and it's fast paced, just how I like my books.
Well done!

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I always love a good rock star love story. I did not realize it was book 2 of a series. I was able to piece together the back story quickly enough. Seems as if the author could have given a quick synopsis so that it flowed a little smoother.

I felt Rowan capitulated to her in-laws too quickly -- despite the threats from her mother-in-law. It made her seem weak and foolish. I did not like how she left Zane without so much as a note. Thank goodness Jase was willing to spill the story. Why would Rowan not be willing to discuss it with Zane, esp. after his constant willingness to support her decisions?

Not sure if more of Zane's backstory was given in book 1, but felt he deserved more depth. It felt like the reader was being teased with the potential of his backstory, but never delivered.

Overall, I liked it. I would read the next one and am interested in reading book 1.

Fantastic story you can not put down! This author knows how to craft characters that leave you wanting more and more

Raw Need is the 2nd book in the Larson Brothers series. It can be read as a standalone, but is best read in order. I'd rate this book 4 stars. I was extremely excited to read this book after Mike and Savannah's story, but this one I had a little bit of a tough time with-- with Rowan's husband tragically dying barely 4 months ago, but she in general is such a weak female that her character was a struggle for me. Zane is the frontman for August on Fire, a talented musician and has a mess of skeletons buried in his closet. After getting cleaned of booze, drugs and women, now music is his only form of getting high. He pulled himself up by himself and still managed to be successful. Then there's Rowan... Rowan seems to completely lack self esteem, she bows to peer pressure, dug into a huge pit of despair since her husbands death that she can't and doesn't seem to want to get out of. Then there are her controlling in-laws. I can't imagine letting people that aren't related to me dictate my life and threaten me without me losing my cool and going off and ensuring that I'm legally protected. But she cowers to Tommy's family, peers, everyone, very disappointing. I did enjoy Zane's character, he's strong, sweet, caring, etc. When Rowan wasn't been pathetically weak, there was some nice chemistry between her and Zane. If they started with her being week and then finding herself again, it might have strengthened the story. It was a good story, just would have been better with a stronger female lead, didn't even have to be anything crazy but she was so weak, it was hard to really enjoy her in the story. She does get better at the end.... Overall I would recommend and did enjoy. Happy Reading!!!