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chelsiemarie1218's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Audiobook (Libby) - cute second chance romance between a female with cheating fears and a hockey player who previously cheated on her while drunk and realized 6 years later how good he had it. Love that they figured it out in the end, forgave each other their parts in the failed relationship and grew so much to be better people for their daughter and eachother.
rihoward's review against another edition
5.0
4.7 stars
I knew going into this book that this was going to be a good read. I am not sure that there is anything this author cannot write. This is a big book with a lot of details. She goes all in regarding details and as a reader, I REALLY like that about her books. This is a slow burn romance which makes sense that there would be a lot of depth to the details and how these characters got from there to here. This is not a cookie cutter romance by any means. She covers some pretty heavy topics, one of which I have never seen discussed in romance. Not only is it never talked about but she did it with such grace and tenderness. I realize that people read romance to escape real life things, but sometimes, just sometimes, it is refreshing to see real things that aren't outlandish and how people learn from those mistakes and grow from them. Both of these topics are examples of how bad choices have consequences but it doesn't define the person nor does it mean that someone hasn't learned from their mistakes.
The characters were fantastic. I appreciated how Luce and Jax worked together. They had to overcome so many things that had broken them and learned how to let the past stay in the past and focus on the future. Their bickering/bantering was like foreplay and I loved every minute of it. I appreciate this author taking the risks that she did with them both laying all their cards out on the table. Some of the things were painful and harsh while others were sweet and vulnerable. There was a lot at play here and not just having a child who maybe wasn't as keen on her parents getting back together again or dealing with alcoholism as another topic.
If this is a prequel into what the rest of this series is going to be like then sign me up.
I knew going into this book that this was going to be a good read. I am not sure that there is anything this author cannot write. This is a big book with a lot of details. She goes all in regarding details and as a reader, I REALLY like that about her books. This is a slow burn romance which makes sense that there would be a lot of depth to the details and how these characters got from there to here. This is not a cookie cutter romance by any means. She covers some pretty heavy topics, one of which I have never seen discussed in romance. Not only is it never talked about but she did it with such grace and tenderness. I realize that people read romance to escape real life things, but sometimes, just sometimes, it is refreshing to see real things that aren't outlandish and how people learn from those mistakes and grow from them. Both of these topics are examples of how bad choices have consequences but it doesn't define the person nor does it mean that someone hasn't learned from their mistakes.
The characters were fantastic. I appreciated how Luce and Jax worked together. They had to overcome so many things that had broken them and learned how to let the past stay in the past and focus on the future. Their bickering/bantering was like foreplay and I loved every minute of it. I appreciate this author taking the risks that she did with them both laying all their cards out on the table. Some of the things were painful and harsh while others were sweet and vulnerable. There was a lot at play here and not just having a child who maybe wasn't as keen on her parents getting back together again or dealing with alcoholism as another topic.
If this is a prequel into what the rest of this series is going to be like then sign me up.
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Want You cozy romance series but actually part of the Need You universe (I'm calling it #5) — why James felt the need to break this up into another series I do not understand — and revolving around the Lund family in Minneapolis. The couple focus is on Jaxson Lund, his ex-girlfriend Lucy, and their daughter, Mimi.
My Take
This was definitely a story I wanted told, one that's about dealing with the past and starting out fresh. And James did it well, making Jaxson so responsible and terrified that he'd screw up. It covers many of the issues men and women have when they split up and there's a child involved. Those natural fears about one's child changing. It also explores those issues an alcoholic has.
James flips back and forth from present day to past as she explores the Lucy–Jaxson of now and how they met. It's fairly easy to know which time period we're in as we read. I loved their back history, as they got to know each other as people and not what their families represented. We also discover why Jaxson turned into such a jerk, cheating on Lucy.
James uses first-person protagonist dual point-of-view from Lucy's and Jaxson's perspectives, so we get the down-and-dirty of what they're thinking and feeling. I Want You Back does not spare either party in their self-reflections and fears, and James continues with the Need You series' supportive family schtick — wait'll you read about Edie's support of Lucy! It's what I loved about Need You, and I know I'll love it in Want You.
Dang, that Lucy is so supportive of her daughter, encouraging her to be anyone she wants to be. She can also put her foot down when it comes to way too many expensive lessons! But I was surprised that Jax had Mimi doing chores but that Lucy didn't. Totally unexpected. What is Luce thinking? As for how they disciplined Mimi? Oh, yeah. They did a good job there. I particularly appreciated how Jaxson handled Mimi not showing up for practice. Another "discipline" issue was with Walker and his company. Another one that was nicely handled...on both sides.
I did wonder what turned Jaxson around, and it's monumental. But what's more monumental is how Jaxson faces up to it and to "getting his daughter back". It's unreal, actually. Too many parents prefer to know only the "sweet, shiny, bubbly unicorn stuff" and not the truth of their child's behavior. It's usually the parent who has visitation rights who gives their kid all the fun leaving the custodial parent to deal with the negatives. It's nice to see Jaxson step up. I wonder how much of that approach is a reflection off the give-back programs LI has for its community?
The Lunds are a fun family. Supportive of each other and good with business ideas. Of course, it's easier when you have the money to play with, which is why so many of us love these billionaire romances. At least somewhere we don't have to worry about paying the mortgage or that ghastly utility bill!
Ooh, I gotta say I understand Lucy's philosophy about men and cheating. It's certainly been my experience too. And all those excuses...yep. I still can't believe they'd actually believe a woman would accept any of 'em. And it's that belief that leads to those problems between Lucy and Jaxson back then. It's too bad she wasn't interested in giving it a try.
Lol, it's amazing the "coincidences" that pop up. First Borderlands, then the ghost tours...hmmm, you'd think James knew something, *grin*. Jax steps up, coaching the kids. Yep, sounds like foreshadowing to me...and another Lund romance and another enterprise, lol.
The Story
Jaxson gets pulled up short when he realizes how badly he's screwed up his life. He has a second chance now, and he intends to make the most of it.
To earn back his girlfriend's love and be involved in his daughter's life.
The Characters
Lucy "Luce" Quade, formerly known as "Lucifer", is a graphic artist at Lund Industries and Jaxson Lund's ex-girlfriend. Mimi, a.k.a. Melora Michelle or "Meems", is her well-adjusted eight-year-old daughter whose father is the inattentive Jaxson. Lindsey is Lucy's sister. Their mother, Jill, survived breast cancer and then met Benny who turned all of her absolutes about men upside down. Their lying, cheating father divorced their mother when Lucy was ten.
Jaxson "Stonewall" Lund is/was an NHL hockey star with the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that he's retired, he needs to discover what to do with his life. Besides Stonewall Enterprises where Chris manages everything. He's living at Snow Village now that he's back. Nolan "the Prince" is a younger brother who is a true fashionista. Edie Lund is their mother and is in charge of the Lund Cares Community Outreach. Archer is their father and the CEO of LI.
Borderlands is...
...a bar that Jaxson bought with his business partner, Simone. It's also the bar where Jaxson and Lucy spent some quality time, the last place he remembers being happy. Seems Ash and Nolan have been screwing up with running Jax's half.
Axl Hammerquist is a Swedish hockey player and friend of Jaxson's. He's also married to Annika Lund (All You Need, 3), who is in charge of the PR department at LI. Brady, her brother, is the CFO of LI, and he's married to the now-pregnant Lennox who's out on maternity leave (What You Need, 1). I had to laugh at Lucy's fear that Lennox might not come back, lol. Walker (whom Mimi calls "Runner"), another brother, has his own restoration company, and is married to Trinity, who is friends with Lucy (Just What I Needed, 2). Liam is their son. Jensen is their youngest brother, and he's married to Rowan (When I Need You, 4). Calder is their son and Mimi's best friend. Their parents are Selka and Ward Lund.
Lund Industries (LI) is...
...owned by the billionaire Lund family. Ash, the COO, and his sister, Dallas, are Priscilla and Monte Lund’s kids and cousins to Jaxson and Nolan and Annika, a.k.a. "The Iron Princess", Walker, and Brady. Now Dallas, a.k.a., the Fair Maiden, now she has her business degree but she doesn't fit in with the rest of the business-oriented Lunds. She prefers being the idea girl.
Zosia and Zach are cousins whose family had been cut out of LI. Jackson Lund had been the kids' grandfather and a major jerk.
Britt is Nolan's admin. Lola is retiring. Jonna works in the graphics department and is the team leader for the social media brand.
Lakeside is...
...an ice skating rink owned by Agnes Lindholm who has a bad past history with Lunds. Margene is the rink manager. Gabriella "Gabi" Welk, a former Olympian, is the underutilized programs facilitator. Oh, man, wait'll you read her history! Dennis Dyklar is the know-it-all coach who knows nothing — his great-aunt owns the rink. Coach Olin is head of personnel. Flint is another coach and is married to Suzie. Thomas is the biggest boy on Mimi's team. I adore Sheila, Thomas' mother!
Dani is Gabi's sister who's going to the Olympics.
Snow Village is...
...an apartment complex for professional athletes owned by Jensen. Irina is a world champion figure skater. Martin, a.k.a. Uncle Martin, and Verily are/were Jaxson's neighbors.
Flint and Lund is...
...Walker's construction company that specializes in restoration. Jase Flint is his partner. Betsy is the office manager.
Peter had been Jaxson's agent. Damon is interested in dating Lucy. Jocelyn is a girl in Mimi's class. The Hockey Grail is a store for professional athletes. Gene had been Lindsey's dirtbag boyfriend back in the day. Mikey Speerbraaten is a jerk from even further back. Kiley is Lennox's best friend, a counselor, and a social worker.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a blend of soft blues that makes up the summer sky background with a hazy embrace by a long-haired Lucy in a black tank top and jeans and Jaxson, who's wearing a white, unbuttoned henley and blue jeans. The very bottom is a blue-tinged Minneapolis skyline. The author's name is in a deep pink centered over Lucy's and Jax's torsos with a tiny info blurb in between her first and last names. The title is in a black script below that with the series information tagged on in the same pink just under the last word of the title.
The title is too true, for I Want You Back is Jaxson's mantra throughout.
My Take
This was definitely a story I wanted told, one that's about dealing with the past and starting out fresh. And James did it well, making Jaxson so responsible and terrified that he'd screw up. It covers many of the issues men and women have when they split up and there's a child involved. Those natural fears about one's child changing. It also explores those issues an alcoholic has.
James flips back and forth from present day to past as she explores the Lucy–Jaxson of now and how they met. It's fairly easy to know which time period we're in as we read. I loved their back history, as they got to know each other as people and not what their families represented. We also discover why Jaxson turned into such a jerk, cheating on Lucy.
James uses first-person protagonist dual point-of-view from Lucy's and Jaxson's perspectives, so we get the down-and-dirty of what they're thinking and feeling. I Want You Back does not spare either party in their self-reflections and fears, and James continues with the Need You series' supportive family schtick — wait'll you read about Edie's support of Lucy! It's what I loved about Need You, and I know I'll love it in Want You.
Dang, that Lucy is so supportive of her daughter, encouraging her to be anyone she wants to be. She can also put her foot down when it comes to way too many expensive lessons! But I was surprised that Jax had Mimi doing chores but that Lucy didn't. Totally unexpected. What is Luce thinking? As for how they disciplined Mimi? Oh, yeah. They did a good job there. I particularly appreciated how Jaxson handled Mimi not showing up for practice. Another "discipline" issue was with Walker and his company. Another one that was nicely handled...on both sides.
I did wonder what turned Jaxson around, and it's monumental. But what's more monumental is how Jaxson faces up to it and to "getting his daughter back". It's unreal, actually. Too many parents prefer to know only the "sweet, shiny, bubbly unicorn stuff" and not the truth of their child's behavior. It's usually the parent who has visitation rights who gives their kid all the fun leaving the custodial parent to deal with the negatives. It's nice to see Jaxson step up. I wonder how much of that approach is a reflection off the give-back programs LI has for its community?
The Lunds are a fun family. Supportive of each other and good with business ideas. Of course, it's easier when you have the money to play with, which is why so many of us love these billionaire romances. At least somewhere we don't have to worry about paying the mortgage or that ghastly utility bill!
Ooh, I gotta say I understand Lucy's philosophy about men and cheating. It's certainly been my experience too. And all those excuses...yep. I still can't believe they'd actually believe a woman would accept any of 'em. And it's that belief that leads to those problems between Lucy and Jaxson back then. It's too bad she wasn't interested in giving it a try.
Lol, it's amazing the "coincidences" that pop up. First Borderlands, then the ghost tours...hmmm, you'd think James knew something, *grin*. Jax steps up, coaching the kids. Yep, sounds like foreshadowing to me...and another Lund romance and another enterprise, lol.
The Story
Jaxson gets pulled up short when he realizes how badly he's screwed up his life. He has a second chance now, and he intends to make the most of it.
To earn back his girlfriend's love and be involved in his daughter's life.
The Characters
Lucy "Luce" Quade, formerly known as "Lucifer", is a graphic artist at Lund Industries and Jaxson Lund's ex-girlfriend. Mimi, a.k.a. Melora Michelle or "Meems", is her well-adjusted eight-year-old daughter whose father is the inattentive Jaxson. Lindsey is Lucy's sister. Their mother, Jill, survived breast cancer and then met Benny who turned all of her absolutes about men upside down. Their lying, cheating father divorced their mother when Lucy was ten.
Jaxson "Stonewall" Lund is/was an NHL hockey star with the Chicago Blackhawks. Now that he's retired, he needs to discover what to do with his life. Besides Stonewall Enterprises where Chris manages everything. He's living at Snow Village now that he's back. Nolan "the Prince" is a younger brother who is a true fashionista. Edie Lund is their mother and is in charge of the Lund Cares Community Outreach. Archer is their father and the CEO of LI.
Borderlands is...
...a bar that Jaxson bought with his business partner, Simone. It's also the bar where Jaxson and Lucy spent some quality time, the last place he remembers being happy. Seems Ash and Nolan have been screwing up with running Jax's half.
Axl Hammerquist is a Swedish hockey player and friend of Jaxson's. He's also married to Annika Lund (All You Need, 3), who is in charge of the PR department at LI. Brady, her brother, is the CFO of LI, and he's married to the now-pregnant Lennox who's out on maternity leave (What You Need, 1). I had to laugh at Lucy's fear that Lennox might not come back, lol. Walker (whom Mimi calls "Runner"), another brother, has his own restoration company, and is married to Trinity, who is friends with Lucy (Just What I Needed, 2). Liam is their son. Jensen is their youngest brother, and he's married to Rowan (When I Need You, 4). Calder is their son and Mimi's best friend. Their parents are Selka and Ward Lund.
Lund Industries (LI) is...
...owned by the billionaire Lund family. Ash, the COO, and his sister, Dallas, are Priscilla and Monte Lund’s kids and cousins to Jaxson and Nolan and Annika, a.k.a. "The Iron Princess", Walker, and Brady. Now Dallas, a.k.a., the Fair Maiden, now she has her business degree but she doesn't fit in with the rest of the business-oriented Lunds. She prefers being the idea girl.
Zosia and Zach are cousins whose family had been cut out of LI. Jackson Lund had been the kids' grandfather and a major jerk.
Britt is Nolan's admin. Lola is retiring. Jonna works in the graphics department and is the team leader for the social media brand.
Lakeside is...
...an ice skating rink owned by Agnes Lindholm who has a bad past history with Lunds. Margene is the rink manager. Gabriella "Gabi" Welk, a former Olympian, is the underutilized programs facilitator. Oh, man, wait'll you read her history! Dennis Dyklar is the know-it-all coach who knows nothing — his great-aunt owns the rink. Coach Olin is head of personnel. Flint is another coach and is married to Suzie. Thomas is the biggest boy on Mimi's team. I adore Sheila, Thomas' mother!
Dani is Gabi's sister who's going to the Olympics.
Snow Village is...
...an apartment complex for professional athletes owned by Jensen. Irina is a world champion figure skater. Martin, a.k.a. Uncle Martin, and Verily are/were Jaxson's neighbors.
Flint and Lund is...
...Walker's construction company that specializes in restoration. Jase Flint is his partner. Betsy is the office manager.
Peter had been Jaxson's agent. Damon is interested in dating Lucy. Jocelyn is a girl in Mimi's class. The Hockey Grail is a store for professional athletes. Gene had been Lindsey's dirtbag boyfriend back in the day. Mikey Speerbraaten is a jerk from even further back. Kiley is Lennox's best friend, a counselor, and a social worker.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a blend of soft blues that makes up the summer sky background with a hazy embrace by a long-haired Lucy in a black tank top and jeans and Jaxson, who's wearing a white, unbuttoned henley and blue jeans. The very bottom is a blue-tinged Minneapolis skyline. The author's name is in a deep pink centered over Lucy's and Jax's torsos with a tiny info blurb in between her first and last names. The title is in a black script below that with the series information tagged on in the same pink just under the last word of the title.
The title is too true, for I Want You Back is Jaxson's mantra throughout.
jess_is_reading_in_abundance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
mybeastisreader's review against another edition
4.0
As usual LJ delivers real life dramas in a neatly packed book that made me completely forget that the smexy time was limited (very different to the Rough Riders and Mastered series).
“I want you back” will hold a special place in my heart now because I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk and this book completely pulled me out of that - to the point where I want to cancel social events to move on to Nolan’s book- so that’s brilliant.
What’s interesting is that even though I don’t like kids - yeh yeh hate me later lol- I do love reading about their shenanigans and how they play into character and plot development, Mimi is too funny!! I loved all her antics! #HereForIt
I guess the most important question is: would I recommend this book?
“I want you back” will hold a special place in my heart now because I’ve been in a bit of a reading funk and this book completely pulled me out of that - to the point where I want to cancel social events to move on to Nolan’s book- so that’s brilliant.
What’s interesting is that even though I don’t like kids - yeh yeh hate me later lol- I do love reading about their shenanigans and how they play into character and plot development, Mimi is too funny!! I loved all her antics! #HereForIt
I guess the most important question is: would I recommend this book?
rellimreads's review against another edition
1.0
Audio. Ugh. This was a complete disappointment. If I didn’t enjoy the Need You series and James as an author so much, it probably would have been a DNF.
The narrators were OK. Troy Duran and Kristin James we’re both new to me. I preferred the duo from Need You. However, it’s entirely possible that Duran and K James were hindered by the writing.
This series is a spin-off of Need You and some of the horrid behavior by Jax was weaved through that. I was expecting a serious redemption story and if this is what it was intended to be it was a complete miss. Most of this was incredibly boring. When things were moderately interesting, it wasn’t in a good way:
1. MiMi as a catalyst for so much of the story wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it weren’t for the fact that I felt like she was getting such a raw deal. Jax was an absentee father, an alcoholic, and vile to her mother for most of MiMi’s 9 years of life. When Jax starts to get his life together & when he and Lucy start to get their relationship as co-parents going and then lovers ~ they barely take MiMi or her feelings into account at all. Other than to “provide a united front” in punishing her. Then they’re surprised by her behavior and instead of acknowledging their part in it or getting her any professional help they punish her. Ah yes, there’s the throwaway toward the end of finally taking MiMi to visit a therapist who conveniently diagnosed her with “only child syndrome”. WTF?!?!
2. Jax pretty much solves his problems by hiding them, buying things, and then dropping his solutions on others without their input. Don’t like where you live in relation to your ex & your kid? Buy the ENTIRE building she lives in and renovate the top floor into a 6000sq ft home you are hoping to move them ALL In to. Don’t like your job? Buy not only a bar, but the entire block’s worth of businesses. Don’t like the asshole Peewee skate coach? Buy the Skating Rink and revamp the whole program. Tell your girlfriend you’re going to take care of all the Christmas gifts and then forget to do anything until the week of Christmas? Get reminded by the rink manager and then immediately borrow the company jet to fly to Chicago to go shopping. For gifts monogrammed for 2017. (See part one and take a wild guess where many of MIMI’s supposed issues come from
The narrators were OK. Troy Duran and Kristin James we’re both new to me. I preferred the duo from Need You. However, it’s entirely possible that Duran and K James were hindered by the writing.
This series is a spin-off of Need You and some of the horrid behavior by Jax was weaved through that. I was expecting a serious redemption story and if this is what it was intended to be it was a complete miss. Most of this was incredibly boring. When things were moderately interesting, it wasn’t in a good way:
1. MiMi as a catalyst for so much of the story wouldn’t have been such a big deal if it weren’t for the fact that I felt like she was getting such a raw deal. Jax was an absentee father, an alcoholic, and vile to her mother for most of MiMi’s 9 years of life. When Jax starts to get his life together & when he and Lucy start to get their relationship as co-parents going and then lovers ~ they barely take MiMi or her feelings into account at all. Other than to “provide a united front” in punishing her. Then they’re surprised by her behavior and instead of acknowledging their part in it or getting her any professional help they punish her. Ah yes, there’s the throwaway toward the end of finally taking MiMi to visit a therapist who conveniently diagnosed her with “only child syndrome”. WTF?!?!
2. Jax pretty much solves his problems by hiding them, buying things, and then dropping his solutions on others without their input. Don’t like where you live in relation to your ex & your kid? Buy the ENTIRE building she lives in and renovate the top floor into a 6000sq ft home you are hoping to move them ALL In to. Don’t like your job? Buy not only a bar, but the entire block’s worth of businesses. Don’t like the asshole Peewee skate coach? Buy the Skating Rink and revamp the whole program. Tell your girlfriend you’re going to take care of all the Christmas gifts and then forget to do anything until the week of Christmas? Get reminded by the rink manager and then immediately borrow the company jet to fly to Chicago to go shopping. For gifts monogrammed for 2017. (See part one and take a wild guess where many of MIMI’s supposed issues come from
kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
Lorelei James always sets the bar high and with I Want You Back she has once again blown me away. The second chance story between Jaxson Lund and Lucy Quade is not only a story between two jilted lovers, but also a story about their precocious daughter, Mimi, a story about reconnecting with family, and a story about rebuilding a new life upon a lot of burned ashes.
I once heard that falling off the wayward path isn't done in just one step. It begins with stepping off the trail, yes, but since you have the opportunity to step right back on the path it's easy to right your wrong. However, the more you commit that act, hence stepping off the path again and again, eventually that trail you've taken gets further and further away. It eventually leads to more bad decisions until it becomes the norm of your everyday life. The good news is you always have the opportunity to find your way back from the wayward path, but just like stepping off wasn't done in one step, neither is finding your way back.
What exactly am I talking about?
Jaxson Lund had stepped off the path and didn't like the man he had become. He hid it well because no one in his family knew, nor his teammates, or even the media had caught wind of the mess he'd made of his life. However, once he decided to wake up and finally make a change, he began by walking that long road towards the man he used to be. What kept him up nights, he worried if it was too late and all the damage he had caused would be forgiven. Would the people in his life forgive all the wrongs he had done while he had living on the wrong path?
Lucy Quade had been a single mom since the day Mimi, their daughter, had been born. Jaxson made her life miserable most of the time given he was an absent father, an alcoholic, and self-absorbed. There was a point early on in their relationship when she had loved him, but it also hadn't surprised when Jaxson proved her right knowing that all men cheat and all men leave. When Jaxson retired from hockey and moved back to Minnesota full time, she wasn't sure how their strained relationship would factor into spending time with their daughter. She wasn't about to dwell on the how's and why's he seemed different than all the other times he'd attempted to visit in the past, but frankly she was tired of arguing and perhaps she owed it to their daughter to get along.
This is a beautiful story of redemption, not only in Jaxson's life, but for those IN his life. Let's face it, we all get wiser, or should, as we age. We learn from mistakes and grow from those mistakes. I Want You Back is so much more than just a love story. The title is the perfect homage to everything the journey of the story leads the reader on. Getting back to a better you. Getting back to better relationships. Getting back to a better work life. Getting back to parenthood. Getting back the love you've missed. Just getting back to you. Jaxson and Lucy want to get back to each other, but it's a tangled road that they both have to walk alone before they can reach the same destination.
One last note...One of my favorite scenes is when Mimi is acting out, basically being a demon child, because let's face it, those of us with children, who've watched children, even been around children know what those moments are like. Children, even good children can turn into satan and we don't want them anywhere near us, but unfortunately we are the adult and have to deal with the demonic child. In I Want You Back in this particular moment of frustration Mimi bursts into tears and cries for her mommy after being all kinds of hellish for poor Jaxson. Jax is smacked with the ugly truth that even though he may love his child he doesn't like her very much and he silently wishes for his mommy too. I've personally had moments with my own children such as these and I love my children dearly, did I always like their behavior...eh. Lorelei brings her characters into my house where I have lived these tiny moments and that is why her books are so special to me. Her writing is family.
Thank you Lorelei James for making me part of your family!!
I once heard that falling off the wayward path isn't done in just one step. It begins with stepping off the trail, yes, but since you have the opportunity to step right back on the path it's easy to right your wrong. However, the more you commit that act, hence stepping off the path again and again, eventually that trail you've taken gets further and further away. It eventually leads to more bad decisions until it becomes the norm of your everyday life. The good news is you always have the opportunity to find your way back from the wayward path, but just like stepping off wasn't done in one step, neither is finding your way back.
What exactly am I talking about?
Jaxson Lund had stepped off the path and didn't like the man he had become. He hid it well because no one in his family knew, nor his teammates, or even the media had caught wind of the mess he'd made of his life. However, once he decided to wake up and finally make a change, he began by walking that long road towards the man he used to be. What kept him up nights, he worried if it was too late and all the damage he had caused would be forgiven. Would the people in his life forgive all the wrongs he had done while he had living on the wrong path?
Lucy Quade had been a single mom since the day Mimi, their daughter, had been born. Jaxson made her life miserable most of the time given he was an absent father, an alcoholic, and self-absorbed. There was a point early on in their relationship when she had loved him, but it also hadn't surprised when Jaxson proved her right knowing that all men cheat and all men leave. When Jaxson retired from hockey and moved back to Minnesota full time, she wasn't sure how their strained relationship would factor into spending time with their daughter. She wasn't about to dwell on the how's and why's he seemed different than all the other times he'd attempted to visit in the past, but frankly she was tired of arguing and perhaps she owed it to their daughter to get along.
This is a beautiful story of redemption, not only in Jaxson's life, but for those IN his life. Let's face it, we all get wiser, or should, as we age. We learn from mistakes and grow from those mistakes. I Want You Back is so much more than just a love story. The title is the perfect homage to everything the journey of the story leads the reader on. Getting back to a better you. Getting back to better relationships. Getting back to a better work life. Getting back to parenthood. Getting back the love you've missed. Just getting back to you. Jaxson and Lucy want to get back to each other, but it's a tangled road that they both have to walk alone before they can reach the same destination.
One last note...One of my favorite scenes is when Mimi is acting out, basically being a demon child, because let's face it, those of us with children, who've watched children, even been around children know what those moments are like. Children, even good children can turn into satan and we don't want them anywhere near us, but unfortunately we are the adult and have to deal with the demonic child. In I Want You Back in this particular moment of frustration Mimi bursts into tears and cries for her mommy after being all kinds of hellish for poor Jaxson. Jax is smacked with the ugly truth that even though he may love his child he doesn't like her very much and he silently wishes for his mommy too. I've personally had moments with my own children such as these and I love my children dearly, did I always like their behavior...eh. Lorelei brings her characters into my house where I have lived these tiny moments and that is why her books are so special to me. Her writing is family.
Thank you Lorelei James for making me part of your family!!
hmperera's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Why did we forgive this man???????
mistysreads's review against another edition
5.0
Jaxson Lund has everything he could want a successful hockey career, successful business, and a family that wants him to be the next CEO of Lund Industries. Well almost everything, he has to prove to the woman he loves that he is hanging around and that she can trust him.
Lucy Quade has been raising their daughter on her own for the last eight years while Jaxon fulfilled his dream of playing hockey and traveling the world. She doesn't trust him with her heart but when it comes to their daughter she's all in and they are a parenting team. Jaxson is keeping secrets from her like the fact that he bought the top floor of the building she's living in, the bar they met, and how much he really just wants her.
I loved these characters their story was one that was touching, easy to relate to, and they were always throwing little curveballs at us. I love the Lund family, they are always there for one another and have each others backs whether they are brothers or cousins. After Jax's major screwups and secret reveals I was happy to see that they got the HEA we were hoping for and their daughter eventually came around too.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
Lucy Quade has been raising their daughter on her own for the last eight years while Jaxon fulfilled his dream of playing hockey and traveling the world. She doesn't trust him with her heart but when it comes to their daughter she's all in and they are a parenting team. Jaxson is keeping secrets from her like the fact that he bought the top floor of the building she's living in, the bar they met, and how much he really just wants her.
I loved these characters their story was one that was touching, easy to relate to, and they were always throwing little curveballs at us. I love the Lund family, they are always there for one another and have each others backs whether they are brothers or cousins. After Jax's major screwups and secret reveals I was happy to see that they got the HEA we were hoping for and their daughter eventually came around too.
Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review.
annoflore's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0