Oh. My. Gosh.

Y’all, this was one of those books that I didn’t want to end. And it’s not a short book, but the more I read the more I wanted to keep reading. I was positively glued to it, and I still couldn't get enough. And that, right there, is the hallmark of a fantastic book to me.

And it was fantastic. This is a second chance romance, so the story is told in present time and in flashbacks which are threaded neatly into the chapters as the characters experience the memories. I sometimes lose patience with books that rely heavily on flashbacks to paint me the picture of the love story, but that wasn’t the case here. I felt like the flashbacks were balanced pretty perfectly with the present love story, and there was no feeling of dread like an anvil was going to drop on me. We already knew what had happened to pull them apart. The flashbacks served to show us what brought them together in the first place, and establish the chemistry and connection that – even after everything fell apart – was never really severed.

I loved it.

I felt like Ms. James nailed the chemistry. I loved the sparks that flew between Jax and Lucy, the tenderness they showed each other, and ultimately the grace they gave each other in order to move on with their lives together. I adored the family dynamic – both between Jax, Lucy and Mimi, and between the entire Lund Collective. I felt like the “blended family” storyline was realistic and authentic and added layers to the love story that made me feel it on a much deeper level. I loved how the Lund collective pitched in, stood up, and stood by while Jax and Lucy sorted through their baggage and slowly made their way toward their happily ever after. There are layers here, and each one is complicated, nuanced, and completely lovely.

I Want You Back delivered for me on literally every level. Not only was the storyline compelling and addictive, but the love story set my heart aflutter and got my pulse racing. I loved the hockey pieces. I loved the character growth in both Jax and Lucy. I loved the sweet slow burn and the tiny little curveballs Ms. James threw at me. I completely adore the Lund family and am beyond excited to get more from them in the future. And I loved – loved, loved, loved - the happily ever after here. It was so sweetly satisfying, so adorably romantic, and absolute perfection for these two. I could not be more thrilled with this book and I absolutely recommend it!

Jaxson Lund knows he hasn't been a good father, for the last eight years he has only made a few attempts to spend time with his daughter. His career in the NHL has kept him on the road and away from her, but it's also enabled him to make excuses to not be around for her, and her mother Lucy too. He has spent the last few years drinking, carousing with women, and trying to get over being crushed by the woman he loved. But no matter how many liquor bottles he fell to the bottom of, or nights he spent with random women, he just couldn't stop the feelings for Lucy from bubbling to the surface.

When Lucy found out she was expecting he offered to help her, but his intentions didn't seem genuine, and he wasn't exactly giving off a responsible air, or making her feel welcome in his life. Not to mention it would have required her to give up a lot of her own, so she decided to do it on her own. But a lot has changed for him in the last eight years, and he wants to prove to her, and his daughter, that he is a better man... he just has to hope they'll believe him, and be willing to give him a shot.

As soon as I read the synopsis for I Want You Back something about it struck a cord with me, and made me feel like I needed to read it, and I am so happy my instincts lead me to it. This one was really tough on my heart, and gave my emotions a serious work-out, but there was a beauty to be discovered there too. The situation these characters found themselves tangled up in seemed impossible. But little by little I saw growth and forgiveness, a relationship start to take shape, and eventually love begin to bloom, but not without a few setbacks. This was such a beautifully crafted story, it shined a light on addiction, and also showed the importance of forgiveness. I really encourage anyone who stumbles across this one to take a chance on it, within it's pages you'll meet some endearing characters, that have an unforgettable story to tell.

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley, and I am leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

This was my first time reading a Lorelei James book and it truly did not disappoint. Great for the fan of contemporary romance, second chances, or sports (hockey!). I'm going to keep James on my to-read list for sure.!

This is my first read by Lorelei James and it did not disappoint. Great for the fan of contemporary, hockey, and/or second-chance romance. I'm definitely adding the other Lund family books to my TBR list.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Lorelei James is one of my go to authors and I Want You Back is one I have been anticipating the blurb had me from the get go. The POV is Now and Then and it is such an emotional read. Jaxson and Lucy is defiantly a story of 2nd chances and at time I didn't know if i wanted it to happen. I am so excited for others to dive into this story and feel all the emotions that I did.

Whilst reading the blurb for I Want You Back, I was instantly intrigued, but more so worried than any thing. See, Lorelei James is a new author to me, so I was not sure of her writing style, or if she would write about some major NO GOES of mine, with this certain kind trope. She surprised me in so many ways, especially the way she went about Jax and Lucy's story. James, wrote their story in such a classy way, even though this book features anything but , if that makes sense. Jax and Lucy's story was most definitely not an easy one, there was many hardships. Hardships, that at times were hard to swallow.

This author had an astronomical way of making their story seem, so authentic, so real, that I felt at times, I questioned if this was a work of fiction or not. The banter was absolutely astounding, and one I can very much relate to. I also am usually not a fan of past and present in books, but Lorlei sure knows how to weave the past and present so well together, that it made the story, that much more realistic.

I applaud this author for not following in line with most authors, when it comes to most attributes of the Hero. She hit many points that are most definitely not common in the romance world. That took guts and what sets her apart from other authors.

I am trying to cautious of what I write, because in order for you to understand either Jaxon or Lucy's actions, you have to go back to the past and see why things are the way they are. You will better understand, the need for redemption, even though it may not be deserved. It may even make you look at your own situation a bit differently, like it did me. Sometimes in life, it takes one thing to change the course of the rest of your life, but what you do with that information, is entirely up to you.

*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK A MILLION TIMES!
*Reviews For Reviews From The Heart

4.5 Stars

I have not read any previous books by this author. This one works fine standing on it's own. It is a second chance romance that involves some forgiveness and wooing but what a wonderful journey the characters take us on.

Jaxson and Lucy have history and a child together. Jaxson retires from the NHL, gets some counseling and then heads back to his family and the family he wants to have. The story gets told in flash backs and alternating POV in the present. I loved that Jaxson not only took responsibility for his actions but also set out to prove he was better than his past.

Meddling family, a precocious young girl, pee wee hockey....all wrapped up in some sweet romance. Great read!

This was a story about rekindling a flame and owning up to your mistakes. Jaxson is a retired NHL star who has made plenty of mistakes, including losing the woman he loves and years with his daughter. Lucy is a strong, independent woman who has raised an amazing little girl virtually on her own. Lorelei James has woven a heart-warming, feel good tale of two people who love each other but have tons of baggage to sift through to be together. If you love sports and romance, this is the perfect novel for you.

A sexy HEA tale with plenty of conflict and chaos! Lucy and Jaxson have history. In fact, they also have an eight year old daughter together. But years of deadbeat dad action, alcoholism, and cheating have erroded Lucy's goodwill towards her ex. As Jaxson continues to show Lucy and their daughter Mimi how he has changed, they will be forced to confront their broiling chemistry...and Lucy has to decide whether their relationship is worth a second chance. This book is definitely steamy, with sex scenes that border on graphic without crossing the line into complete erotica.

I want you back is a contemporary romance with feisty characters. It leaves lots of room for development of other characters in this new series. I enjoyed the story, and it was sexy.

This is the story of Jax Lund, a former NHL star who has finally retired and moved back home. Problem is that he has to decide what he wants, to join the family business or, to get back with Lucy, his old girlfriend and, the mother of his daughter Mimi., Jax fell for Lucy when he first met her. Unfortunately, at that time Jax believed in his own hype. He was the star, the womanizer and, the guy who went out after every game and, got plastered with his friends. Can he change for the woman he has never stopped loving and, the daughter he has never known or, will he regress to the man he used to be?
Lucy is a fierce woman now, who won't put up with any of Jax's misbehavior or mistakes. She is also a mother bear and, won't allow Jax to hurt their daughter!
This story is an in depth description of the hills and valleys of a relationship and, what both people have to do to forgive, forget and, move on to better times.

Wow! This is my first book by the talented Lorelei James and I was blown away! I Want You Back is book one in her new Want You series.

The characters were written so flawlessly, seeming so real, I struggled to put this book down, needing to devour every word and soak it in. Even when I was forced to put it down to adult, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Jax and Lucy’s story broke my heart then taped it back together. This is a story about love, forgiveness and second chances.

The strength Lucy inspired left me breathless. She was such a selfless woman and having to endure the awfulness of a love gone bad was heartbreaking. She was so strong, a lot sassy and was willing to not let the past dictate her future.

Jax. At first, I didn’t know what to think of this sexy, egotistical man.

“I may not kiss you tonight, but by our third date you will know how perfectly wicked it’ll feel to have my mouth all over you.”

He was young and listened to the wrong person and it changed his life forever. He broke my heart with how he treated the ‘love of his life’ and his child before he confronted his addiction. I was elated for him in his decision to get healthy and in time, get her (them) back. And then left me holding my breath when he bared his soul and all his secrets only to fear losing her again because of them.

Addiction is an ugly beast and I think this author did a great job of showing the struggle isn’t just contained to the person with the addiction, but everyone around them. It was wonderful to see that both Jax and Lucy had a unshakable support system.

I absolutely loved feeling like I was part of Lucy and Jax’s story and I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Jax...I alternately loved and hated him. Hated how he treated his wife, but loved how he was now that she’s his ex. Lucy is a strong heroine who isn’t about to make the same mistakes again. Luckily, loving Jax isn’t a mistake, it’s something beautiful. This book was a rollercoaster of emotions and the perfect start to a new series!

A somewhat typical “bad boy changes his ways” for the woman (and daughter) he loves, but entertaining nonetheless.

I have come to love the Lund family and this book does not disappoint. It's a hard-hitting, bittersweet and compassionate second chance at romance that delves into not often written about issues such as infidelity, addiction, and the consequences of unsafe sex. Very powerful book.

I really enjoy reading series books that have characters from other books that you can find out how they are doing. This book does that while at the same time letting us come to know Lucy and Jax, who we were introduced to in an earlier book and while the chemistry was definitely there, but they would not act on it. Too much history that was not good. Jax has grown up a lot since then, but he has much to prove to Lucy before she will take him seriously about wanting to be a real father to their daughter Mimi. He is determined to prove to both that he is a changed man and that they can depend on him to be there for the long haul .Lorelei James writes characters that you just want to meet and be part of their lives. This is a very good read.

:I like romances and this book was an exceptional one. It dealt with issues I have never seen in a romance before. The male protagonist develops maturity and discovers what is important to him. He starts as a wild famous hockey player who learns from his mistakes and becomes a better person. The child in the story is more realistic than in most stories since she can be a brat at times. I would rank this book with the recent Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward.

Ajax has retired from ice hockey and has returned home, where he hopes to begin a new life with Lucy, the mother of his of daughter. A warm and delightful read.

Jaxon and Lucy used to be in love but Jaxon's many nights away from home playing professional hockey put an end to that. Lucy got pregnant and Jaxon didn't seem interested in being a father. Now years later, Jaxon has cleaned up his act, stopped sleeping around, and drinking. Can he get Lucy, the only woman he ever really loved, to give him a second chance? Can she trust him to be there for their daughter? Enjoyable romance about second chances.

I was captured by the characters in this book and was cheering for them the whole way through! I really liked the way the book flowed. It was an easy read that let me escape for a while.