This isn't your typical rock star romance. Not with a pregnant widow still mourning the loss of her MMA fighter husband. Not when his brother was the fighter who killed her husband. Not when it feels like everyone and everything want to keep Zane and Rowan apart.

While most rock star romance fantasies have the unrepentant manwhore rocker pursuing some shy virgin, this was about real life pain and fear. The fantasy here was that even while in the depths of grief and loneliness, not to mention while also carrying another man's baby, Rowan was gifted with the absolute devotion and tenderness of a man in love. Zane isn't interested in the trappings of his rock star life; he just wants the chance to be with Rowan and to give her some much needed happiness. The problem, for me, was that I just couldn't figure out why Zane wanted so badly to be with Rowan.

Her raw grief aside, Rowan didn't have much going for her other than her pregnancy. I don't even remember if she had a job. She's passive in the face of her pushy in-laws, a timid fangirl in awe of Zane's life, intimidated by other women, and flat out wishy-washy when it came to her relationship with Zane. The entire book was Zane pledging to give her time and space while Rowan couldn't decide what she actually wanted.

While I loved that this really was about two wounded and lonely people finding each other (adulting!), I wasn't a huge fan of Rowan. While the end was beautifully done, I wish the epilogue had taken place further in the future so that I could get a better sense that Rowan and Zane actually did overcome fully their obstacles to get their HEA.

O. My. God. Wow just wow. What an amazing series! Cherrie Lynn you never disappoint. Loved loved loved it. I laughed I cried and then I cried some more. Just amazing 😉

Cherrie was one of my first authors that I read after I started reading daily again about 4 years ago, and I can honestly say that her writing just gets better with time!

I really enjoyed the storyline in Raw Need, it was a bit of an emotional ride. I Also felt the chemistry between Ro & Zane was hot and the build up between the two was perfect!

Overall I would give this book 4 stars and highly recommend it! I can't wait for the next book in the series after this fall.

dvanced Readers Copy Courtesy of Netgalley...:)

I was super excited for the second book in this series as I loved the first one. Mike and Savannah's book was soooo good and with the glimpses of Zane and Rowan, I knew it could be a awesome read.....only problem was this so did not live up to my expectation and I did not end up enjoying it half as much as the first one. Infact the way this one went, almost made me want to change my rating for the first book too......

Rowan is a widow whose husband died not to long ago. She is also pregnant and still reeling from her husbands death.

Zane is a member of a rock band and is Mike's (from the first book) younger brother. He first meets Rowan when her sister in law brings her to one of his concerts to cheer her up.

Now the problems I had with this book, is I know there is not a time limit on grief, but man this one went entirely too quick. She is like a few months pregnant and already with Zane.....I kept thinking maybe their book should have come after the next brothers book, so she could have had more time to get over her husband. Her mother in law was awful..... and the way she kept caving in to her, made me think less of her as a character too. I even despised Mike and Savannah for the way they treated Rowan and Zane . I mean really take your brother/sisters back why dont you.

Anyway as I said it was simply a ok read, just not for me as I really could not connect with either character. Hopefully the next book pans out better for me!!!!

Although "Raw Need" can be read as a stand-alone book I recommend to read the book of the series in order. Raw Need is the second book.

We met Zane and Rowan in the first book (Raw Deal). Now they got their own story.

Zane struggles with his demons from the past, his teenage years were difficult – but he found his way to survive and now he is a successful rockstar.

Rowans husband Thommy died and she learned that she is pregnant. Now she seems to depend on her former husbands family for emotional support (and maybe financial support too). To take her out of herself her sister in law offered the opportunity of a “meet & greet” with Zane – singer of her favourite band. What started as a casual date developed into something different.

Unfortunately I have to confess – I never really felt for Rowan – I always had the feeling, she was a whining woman, who expected that somebody took care of her. Despite the fact that she has a business degree she was not working and it seems she has no intention to do it in the future. I always felt like she was just looking for another supporter. Of course – she experienced a horrible event in her life, but she was acting like a starstruck teenager and not like a grown adult.

I am still waiting for the release of „Raw Heat“ - the third book and I hope the third story of the Larson brothers pleases me better.

An addictive story that makes you read it in one sitting.Zane was Rowan's husband's best friend. Until the truth came out. Rowan's husband was leading a separate life from hers.

owan Dugas is desperately trying to pick up the pieces after her husband tragically died. Alone, grieving, and pregnant she struggles to remember who she is. With an over controlling mother in law she feels lost. As a way to deal with her grieving, she gets a VIP experience to her favorite band August on Fire. After meeting her favorite singer age develops a friendship with him that helps pull her through her grief. Zane listens and helps provide direction in her life at a time when she greatly needs it. Only through the attention of one another are they able to heal the scars of their past. I received an advance copy for an honest review and I absolutely loved it.

Simply a good solid romance. Excellent writing. Thanks!

Raw Deal is the second book in the Larson Brothers series. I have to say Cherrie Lynn is a new to me author but quickly becoming a favorite. I enjoyed Rowan and Zane their struggles were real and with a great balance between story and romance it made for a very appealing read.

I enjoyed the story of Rowan and Zane. I thought the premise was original from other books I have read. I had read the first book of the series, but it is not necessary to do so as the situation is pretty clearly explained.

Having a love interest who is pregnant with her deceased husband's baby is definitely different from other books I have read. Add in that the other half of the couple is a successful rock star, and it leads to a unique story. Overall, I did like both characters and I enjoyed watching them interact with each other. Because of hardships they had both faced in their respective lives, there were struggles. Most of these things were believable and made the reader want to continue reading them through the problems to get to the happily ever after they both deserved.

The reason for the 4 of 5 star rating was because some of the drama seemed overdone. Though I felt for them most of the time, some other situations frustrated me. I found myself wondering how they could have made it this far being that immature.

Overall, this was a good read that I would recommend. I look forward to reading Damien's story.

I really wasn't sure how I would feel about this one going into it. Rowan was still reeling from Tommy's death, not sure that I was ready for her to move on. However, things were handled nicely, a friendship was built between Rowan and Zane, one where Rowan had another outlet to talk to someone about what was bothering her, a great thing because soon her family wasn't that outlet. I was furious how the mother-in-law acted! Rowan put it well when she said they viewed her as an incubator, but the worst was the name calling and threatening to take the baby away, that was stepping over the line.

I loved how Zane let Rowan know he was interested in being more than her friend, that we saw her as a beautiful woman and he would wait for her. That worked well for them both until the ugly family stuff reared it's head, causing Rowan to question everything.

The drama at the end was crazy, I hated that people were in danger, but loved it that it woke our characters up, loved too that Rowan was the one that made the decision that yes, she wanted Zane in her life and let him know if a spectacular way!

While this is the second in the Larson Brothers series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. This one is a heart-wrenching story of grief, healing, love and forgiveness, it swept me away and stole my heart. You will run the gamut of feelings, varying from joy and happiness to tears, before you get to the happy ever after ending.

I could tell after the first chapter this book was not going to be for me. I like books with storylines that are cutesy and sunshine and rainbows.

Rowan Dugas is pregnant with her late husband's child when she starts dating rocker, Zane Larson..... and there is where you lost me.....

Not really my thing....

I feel like I owe Cherrie Lynn something wonderful because with Raw Need she managed to get me out of spiraling book slump. I'd just come off of consecutive books that weren't working when I spotted Raw Need and after I read the synopsis I had hope that this book would be the one that would set my reading right; spoiler alert: I was right. Raw Need combined a number of things that resulted in my inhaling he story of Rowan and Zane until all hours of the night and morning. I cold not would not stop until I reached the conclusion.

I'll start with one of my kriptonite --a single parent narrative. I haven't done an soul searching about why I love this type of read so much but I'd bet it'd have something to do with knowing how hard it is to parent without a partner and how I love that a love interest wouldn't use a child as a reason to write someone off. What makes Raw Need especially interesting is circumstances that surround this couple. When you look at the synopsis you can see that this could easily become soap opera-ish or melodramatic but it really never did. Which leads me to the next thing that I enjoyed.

Sure this novel had some "bad guys" or situations that provided tension and conflict and those definitely had my blood boiling but those things never went too far. The real tension was provided by Rowan trying to sort through all the emotions she had when it came to her past and her present. And to Zane's credit he was supportive and patient as she worked through those emotions, despite people trying to divert them in other ways.

Add to all of this, a background of famous musician working in a studio and touring and the inherent intrigue and sex appeal that can come with that and you'll see that I stood no chance at resistance. The combination of interesting characters that so happen to have the background stories that I find fun to read, plus Cherrie Lynn's writing and a setting that's close to home (NOLA!) all really worked and made me wonder why it's been so long since I've read her!

*link to come when review is live

Post goes live 13 JUL

I enjoyed the continuation of this series. The author is on a winning streak and worth the read!

The premise of this story is about a grieving pregnant widow who falls for the brother of the man who accidentally killed her husband in a MMA cage fight. Rowan Dugas is first introduced to Zane Larson, her all-time favourite musician, at her husband's funeral by her sister-in-law Savannah who happens to be dating Mike the "Red Reaper," the famous MMA fighter who took Tommy's life. Rowan realizes that it was a freak accident, but is torn between honouring her husband's memory and moving on to being truly happy again.

Raw Need by Cherrie Lynn is the second instalment of the Larson Brothers series. This is not your typical storyline, right? I mean, who would start dating while pregnant and recently widowed? Turns out that Zane is more of a friend and support system then a wannabe lover and one can't help but root for the pair even though the circumstances are less than desirable. Bravo to Cherrie Lynn who can wrote such a believable story. I totally lapped it up and am now a devoted fan! Can't wait for what's next!

This is a standalone novel, but if you want a little more background on how Zane and Rowan first met, I would recommend reading Raw Deal where they are first introduced (to read my 5 star review, visit https://moesbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/12/22/raw-deal-by-cherrie-lynn/). Cherrie Lynn does a great job of developing the characters so you can read this book without having read the first. I rate this novel 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review. https://moesbookblog.wordpress.com/

Reviewed: June 2, 2017. Novel Publish Date: June 27, 2017.

I really enjoyed this story. Rowan is a recent young pregnant widow trying to come to grips with her grief. Those around her don't understand how to talk to her and she is desperate to feel something. Zane is the lead singer of a popular rock band and his brother is married to Rowan's sister-in-law. Rowan has been a big fan of Zane's band for years and can't believe it when Zane takes her out for dinner. He's doing this as a favor but soon realizes that Rowan is unlike anyone else he's ever met. Great storyline, characters, and romance!

Raw Need, Cherrie Lynn

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Romance,

Mmnnn...having been widowed myself last year I was a little skeptical about this book, however I do so love a rock star romance, and of course situations are different for everyone.
Maybe Rowan's husband was abusive, a bully, a drunkard, you know, someone dislikeable which was why she was able to fall in love again so quickly. 

But no, Tommy seems to have been a good guy, love of her life type so I just couldn't see how she'd put aside her grief and fall for Zane within just four months or so. She be mentally wishing for more between them, wanting to get closer, then in the next scene she'd be in deep depression thinking about Tommy. 

Zane's a great guy, I could see who the rock star lifestyle had got old, why he wanted more. After a while having everything and everyone you want must get old, knowing the ladies only want Zane the band leader and not Zane the man must be galling. Would he really fall for Rowan so quickly though? Find her pregnancy attractive ( yes I know, shallow, but appearances do count sadly, it's that first chance and attraction that leads to talking and what's underneath the surface. If the first look doesn't work someone can be a terrific person but it never gets known. ) 
I just didn't feel the chemistry between them, not at all, I got tired of Rowan's hot then cold personality, and I'm sure Zane would have been irritated by it too. Its not fair on him the way she acted. 

Regina the mother in law was a real b itch, and much as I dislike her I do love characters like hers, so she was a win for me despite being horrible :-)
Savannah, sister in law to Rowan and future sister-in-law to Zane was strange. One moment she's besties with Rowan and the next she's taking her mothers side, steamrolling over Rowan.

Maybe if I'd read the first book, I didn't realise there was an earlier one, then I'd have understood the characters better, but as it was it was just an OK read for me, a bit Meh... I just wasn't convinced of the romance, the feelings, between Zane and Rowan.  

Stars: Two and a half to three. There was a lot that just didn't work for me but a couple of parts that were OK.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read a pre release of Raw Need and loved it. I didn't realize until into the book that this was book two so of course I will go back and read book one and then anxiously await book three.

This book drew me in from the start with widow Rowan expecting a child with her deceased husband, killed in an MMA fight. I can only imagine how emotional book one was. There were so many things I loved about this book. Rather she saw herself that way or not, Rowan was a strong woman. She didn't give up, she may have been controlled by her husband's family on many levels but she also done so out of love and respect of her husband.

I saw a review that you would have to read book one to understand the insta love with Rowan and Zane but I got it completely... he saw her, understood her and allowed her to be herself in every level especially emotionally. I would like to read though how that met so of course, again, going back to read book one... especially so I won't be mad at how Savannah treated Rowan.

This revoked lots of emotion and you know these two people are RAW from life's up and downs. I really enjoyed this book.