The enemies to lovers trope is one that I adore because the snarky back and forth between the hero and heroine as well as their internal musings of frustration and annoyance mixed with undeniable chemistry between the two make for one hell of a reading experience, and in Lorelei James’ newest release, All You Need, the overwhelming feelings of hate and lust that Annika Lund and Axl Hammerquist have for one another makes it a must-read story.

There’s never a dull moment with the way Annika and Axl torture one another, not only with their snide nicknames for each other, but also with their inability to keep things just about positive PR for Axl’s hockey career, because regardless of how much they want to loathe one another, there’s no denying that the “Iron Princess” and the “Hammer” intrigue one another and wouldn’t mind working out the frustrations of their situation as well as their complicated feelings between the sheets.

The “girlfriend angle” that Axl’s agent wants Annika and Axl to take in order to clean up Axl’s image and get the focus on his hockey abilities rather than his off ice antics puts Annika and Axl in a daunting position because even if Axl is not Annika’s usual type and the attraction she feels towards him is unwanted, they are now coconspirators in a very public way, and if the double life they’re leading gets exposed in any way but a positive one, there’s more than just Axl’s hockey career at risk, which means Annika needs to wield her PR Superpowers while placing her trust in a man who doesn’t have a very good track record, even if there’s more misperceptions of Axl than there is truth to his manwhoring ways.

Lorelei James does a fantastic job of illustrating both Annika and Axl’s multifaceted personalities. There is so much more to them than what they allow others to see, and because readers are privy to every one of their thoughts and characteristics, it’s easy to see why these two are actually quite perfect for each other. Annika and Axl push each other to do and be better, and while the PR couple and the real couple seem to be separate entities, one allows Annika and Axl to truly get to know one another while the other is just between the two of them, making it all the more precious when the media as well as Axl’s agent want very different things than what the two want themselves.

There’s never a dull moment when Annika and Axl are together, and while they may drive one another crazy just as much as they make each other better, it’s clear that their feelings are real and so far beyond what they would have thought possible when Annika was hired to revamp Axl’s image to help his career. And being a part of their journey, witnessing all the highs and lows that they experience, makes All You Need one heck of a wild, steamy, and intriguing journey.

A complimentary copy was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Poison Apples (The Fairest of All Book Reviews)

I was on a Russian hockey player kick (I am looking at you Shelley Laurenston!!) and this really hit the spot. The hero Axle, was a complete ass at first and I don't think his excuses actually excuse his behavior. That being said once they started their fake relationship he is really sweet and I warmed up to him. Annika, loved her, I do wish that she told the Axel's manager to fuck off and said more choice words to her mother, but I probably wouldn't yell at my mother either so I shouldn't criticize. The ending was almost too sweet for my tastes but it made for a nice valentines treat! I am definitely going to recommend this to friends and check out the other books in the series (okay yes I read this one first but everything still made sense so no hurt no foul).

Ms. James is on my auto buy list.  I love her larger than life characters, her clever dialog and her way of spinning a tale that enmeshes her readers into the lives and loves that unfold from her clever pen.  The first meeting between Annika Lund and Ax-hell Hammerquist was not promising at all and the second was even worse but .............
With Axl's public ratings at an all time low, his agent approaches Lund Family PR guru Annika Lund for help. Holding her brother's sport's career hostage he blackmails her into a pretend relationship with Axl to help take the public attention from his womanizing ways and focus him on a winning career with the local hockey team. So begins a fake public romance between the two of them that  quickly spirals out of control as they spend time together and give the red hot chemistry between them free rein.
As it turns out Axl's true persona is not quite the womanizing front he puts out for the public and a genuine relationship is in the making between the two of them.  I really liked how patient Annika is with Axl's lack of English as she helps him navigate situations where he needs to use English. Of course as it turns out Axl speaks impeccable English and when he comes clean to the press and his team he's asked to pay a price that's going to give a whole new jolt to his relationship with Annika.
Readers really get to see and like the real Axl beneath his bad boy persona.  He's a great listener and his encouragement to help Annika find herself and go after her goals is very heart warming. Annika decides to use his black mailing agent to help her set up a meeting with a top notch very secretive group to promote Lund family products in return for becoming Axl's public girlfriend.  Unfortunately this charade comes to a screeching halt when photographs of Axl smooching with a brown haired babe at a party gone wild are released to the press.  The fickle public who was hard on him earlier now seems to be anti Annika and all encouragement of Axl creating an all time high for his public ratings.
Before Annika can come clean and admit that she's the brown haired babe in disguise, Axl's agent announces that their romance is over. Unfortunately now the two of them are truly in love but because the group that Annika is pursuing likes a low profile she and Axl are forced to hide their now true romance from the world.  Of course poor Axl gets the brunt of it since Annika's brothers are determined to show him the error of his ways and punch him out for hurting their sister.   The author adds in some interesting twists and family dynamics to keep the tale interesting.
This is a delightful new series and I just love the dynamics with Annika's mother and her butchering of the English language phrases that are sprinkled through the books giving readers some fun moments.  The Lund family is delightful and we get to poke behind the scenes and learn more about the Lund family skeletons. I can't wait to see how some of these threads work themselves out in future books.

ALL YOU NEED by Lorelei James is the third book in the contemporary romance series Need You featuring the Lund family and takes place in the Twin Cities. Annika Lund, a PR agent for her family company, has her hands full when she finds herself faking a relationship with Swedish hockey player Axl Hammerquist. James shares a romance filled with snark, wicked banter, tender moments and heart. Once again she held me captive, and I devoured ALL YOU NEED in one evening.

Annika finds herself unwillingly helping with the PR for Axl. He has a reputation for public sex and lots of ladies. I would be the first to admit I thought Axl was an arse during our initial encounters even if I laughed at his over the top displays. Poor Annika. She has her mother to thank for this mess. Axl doesn't heed her advice and soon finds herself faking a relationship with him when she unintentionally finds herself on Youtube. I adore the fake relationship troupe and James had me hooked.

I was unsure of Axl and couldn't get a handle on this obnoxious player. Thankfully, as James peeled back Axl's layers and exposed the man beneath I quickly found myself not only swooning but genuinely liking the guy.

Lorelei James has an incredible talent for bringing her characters to life while creating a fast-paced believable story with depth. She ultimately ends up melting my heart nd I have a hard time deciding which book and characters are my favorite.

Annika is a powerhouse in her profession and likes to take control. And while Axl filled her mind with lustful thoughts, he isn't the typical suit she usually dates. I loved the vulnerable sides of Annika that James exposed as well as her stubborn sides. It was wonderful seeing this couple's relationship develop as James took them from annoyed to respect. Their dates and growing friendship were filled with laughter, wicked banter and shock as things moved to something more.

I loved the clever plot twist James gave us as well as time with other members of the Lund family. Axl's motley crew of misfit friends added depth and humor as well as sharing another side of Axl. I worried about how all would play out and absolutely loved how James brought it all together. Fans of Cecy Robson, Jill Shalvis, Mandy Baxter and Jessica Lemmon will enjoy the Need You series.

I didn’t even know how much I had a hankering a sports romance book before I cracked this one open and proceeded to devour it with gusto. All You Need hit all the sweet spots that my heart was craving – surly hot hockey player, smart, sassy heroine, a whole lot of playful flirty banter, and just a pinch of forbidden romance. It was delicious.

There’s also a fair amount of fire here. The chemistry between Annika and Axl is damn near explosive. This made them extremely fun to read – because their personalities are as fiery as the physical connection between them – but also crazy sexy. They’re the whole package, really and I absolutely loved it – from the way the two traded sharp tipped barbs to the way they exchanged tender, breathtaking caresses. I couldn’t get enough and now that it’s over, I could not feel more satisfied.

This series just keeps getting better and better. The Lund family dynamic is fascinating and authentic. Each book introduces new nuances that keep me on the edge of my seat waiting to learn more. Each character is written in such a way that it’s impossible not to love them – flaws and all (and they are flawed which is what makes them so fascinating, I think). The storytelling is skillful and enthralling and I found myself wanting to tear through this book as quickly as possible, and slow down and savor all the swoons and smiles for as long as I could.

I literally cannot wait for more. There are so many other characters I’m dying to learn more about and so many stories that still need to be told. This is technically the third book in a series – but it can be read as a standalone. If you want my advice? Read them all. But definitely don’t miss this one.

Trouble with a language barrier (so it seems) and two strong-willed personalities. James does these characters credit when she lets them fight it out and then fight together to maintain a strong, wonderful relationship!

Annika Lund has an Ice Queen reputation because she works hard for her family's company, always doing what is best for the family, even if her personal life takes a back seat. But until she started spending time with Axl, she hadn't been with a man who was worth the distraction. Now she's found a guy who matches her word for word and makes her toes curl in the process. If only she could share it with others.

Axl Hammerquist is much more than the handsome, rough, playboy hockey player he portrays, but why let anyone see the real man when they don't expect anything more from him? However, when his agent insists on a public image makeover, it is his attraction to and respect for Annika that gets him to change his mind. So when his agent decides it's time to publicly end Axl's PR relationship with Annika, he realizes he's in way more than he ever planned.

All You Need is a wonderful, feel-good romance that hits all the right notes for me. Axl and Annika are equals from the start, and while there is some minor jockeying for position, their relationship isn't a power play struggle for dominance. I admire that both have serious careers and neither has to compromise his/her work ethic or ambitions, rather, both support the other along the journey.

But their story is far from all work and no play! The couple starts off on the wrong foot, as Axl drives to challenge Annika's PR abilities, causing trouble just to see how she'll react. He recognizes her intellect and admires her strength, and he has fun creating situations for her just so he can watch her work. Their silly name calling and hockey puns give rise to entertaining conversations. Equally enjoyable is their mutual attraction which creates wonderful sexual tension.

While there are several things that worked for me in the title, it's the fact that once Annika and Axl became a couple, they stayed a couple, that made their story shine. Although these two alphas butted heads at the start, they were upfront not only about their issues with the other, but their mutual attraction as well. Yes, they did try to fight the sex appeal, creating wonderful sexual tension and moments of witty banter, but they both recognized right away that they weren't going to be able to keep this PR relationship strictly platonic. Both characters are honest and upfront about their mixed emotions, and both are such genuinely good people beneath the surface that they work well together. And due to the circumstances that drove them together, they become an "us versus them" team, sticking together despite or rather because of what others say to them. The more time the pair spent together, the closer they grew.

By no means is their journey a smooth road to happily ever after. They come across road blocks and difficulties, issues that in other titles have caused breakups and mayhem. But it's how the couple handles the bumps that makes their story so amazing. Rather than allowing external factors best them, they were patient, communicated openly, and worked through the problems.

All You Need is a wonderful romance about two equals who go from coconspirators to friends to lovers. I admire that both Axl and Annika possess honorable fortitude and genuine hearts, sharing of themselves with one another. Their journey is an enjoyable ride, and I look forward to discovering what is next for the Lund Family.

My Rating: A, Loved It

All you Need is the 3rs story in this series, and can be read as a standalone!

This was such a fantastic book! Annika & Axle's story was fun, and sexy. It had me wanting for more when it finished. The Lund family & their friends are full of unforgettably characters its another great read from Lorelei James.


All You Need by Lorelei James is book 3 in the Need You series but can be read as a standalone contemporary sports romance.

This is the first story of Loreleis that I have read and I loved every minute of it. So much so, that it was hard for me to put this book down and didn't want it to end.

I loved that Annika and Axl were enemies to lovers. Their interaction was fantastic from their initial meeting and right the way through. They were so good together and each of the supporting characters were awesome as well

I'm a huge fan of interlocking series, that can be read as standalones, that have great characters sharing the same world and each have their own HEA and All You Need ticked all those boxes. It was clever, witty, very funny, sweet, sexy and sassy. I especially loved all the hockey and sport puns.

I'd happily recommend this book to avid sports romance readers and I am looking forward to reading much more in this amazing series

3- 3.5 Stars

I love the series and happy to see Annika getting her own story. I'm sad to say I didn't love it.

The pair had some series heat in the beginning of the book but I was getting tired of the games that they played. They didn't officially become a couple until 3/4 of the way through the book and even then they kept their relationship secret.
The ending was adorable and I was happy these two finally get their HE A

I was well into this book before I could like Axl. What a royal jerk. Or so he appeared. I actually wondered how these two could ever get together but of course all was not as it appeared. Ax-hole wasn’t really the right name for the sexy hunk. Once we get to see the real Axl he’s pretty easy to love. He’s so sweet and caring with Annika and it’s no surprise when their fake relationship turns into much more.

I wondered about Annika’s reasons for keeping their romance secret until she could pitch her company to a potential client. It seemed a bit contrived. The rest of the story was solid enough though that it wasn’t distracting.

I’m getting tired of the couples so many novels have where one partner is slow to realizing there is something serious developing. These two never did that and I like the story more because of it.

James is very talented at creating great characters and writing engaging dialog and All You Need is another awesome read from one of my favorite writers. I can’t wait for the next book

reviewed by Jem

I have only recently started to read Lorelei James's books and have enjoyed each one. However, I loved "All You Need." The chemistry between the characters was electric! James uses a deft hand to write engaging characters with humor and fleshed-out personalities. She knows the right amount of emotion to lend legitimacy to her characters and her storylines, yet does not stray into melodrama or excessive sentimentality. Fun, funny, and a fast read! Thoroughly enjoyable!

I did not request this book. I was only looking at the details and then it was on my shelf

So know how you read a series and you anticpate the 3rd bookin the series and well its hard to beat the first book or 2 you love? Well this book does it and beats the other two books in the series. I positively LOVED this story about the Lund sister, Annika and her fake boyfriend, manwhore and hockey player, Axl.

The author definitely makes Axl very unlikable in the beginning of the story, but once you get to know Axl you see he is a really smart and deep guy. He really changes in big ways in this story and well he totally stole this book away from the Lunds or Annika.

Annika has met Axl before and was not impressed. His agent and her mother decide she should fake date him to help his negative image.In exchange the agent will represent her brother and with a better image Axl will get more sponsors.

Once the two really put down the walls and start an honest friendship, well thats when this book really takes off. They form a friendship which eventually turns to lust and love. But they still haeto work out how they can be together when the world thinks Axl cheated on Annika.

This book was wonderful. I amnot sure who the next couple is but the author has a tough job because this book was the best one in the series. I loved seeing all Annika's family and we get toknow them more than the aprevious stories.