Desperate for You

by Weston Parker

You just can’t make these things up…

Life has been a rollercoaster through a forest filled with dream-eating squirrels who are hot on my tail.

Okay, it’s not that bad, but it feels like it is at times.

I’m a single mom to my sister’s little girl, and I found out a year ago that Hollywood is making a movie from one of my books.

It would be great news except they failed to tell me they were making the film.

To top it all off, I’m falling for a smirking, self-entitled jerk who almost ran into me the other day.

He’s busy flirting with the single moms at the school play and pretending to be God’s gift to women.

Why is he stealing my thoughts, my breath, and my desire to be independent?

I might’ve made a name for myself writing fantasy, but my life is no fairy tale right now. The last thing I need is to be falling in love with him.

Him of ALL people. Ugh.

There has to be more than meets the eye. And the eye is very, very happy.

This single-father lawyer is willing to save my career and what does he want in return?

Me. Nothing much, right?

It would be easier to stay frenemies with this handsome hunk, but I find myself in the one place I hoped I’d never be.

Desperate for him.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Enemies To Lovers

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2020

About the author

Hey there. I'm Weston.

Have we met? No? Well it's time to end that tragedy.

I'm a former firefighter/EMS guy who's picked up the proverbial pen and started writing bad boy romance stories. I co-write with my sister, Ali Parker, but live in Texas with my wife, my two little boys, my daughter, two dogs, three cats, and a turtle.

Yep. A turtle. You read that right. Don't be jealous.

You're going to find Billionaires, Bad Boys, Military Guys and loads of sexiness.

Something for everyone, hopefully. I'd love to connect with you. Check out the links below and come find me.

Reviews

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each time I read a Weston Parker book, I fall more in love with his work and this was no exception. Loved this enemies to lovers between Laurie and Jacob. From the first time that they met, it was war between them. They get thrown together more and more since their daughters are becoming friends, it became hard for them to ignore each other. So, the more time they spend together, the feelings of hate started to change into something more. The chemistry between them was so intense. This story will pull you from page one and won’t let go until the very last page. I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend!!

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperate for You is a well written, sweet and spice frenemies romance story with an interesting storyline and great characters, heart-wrenching moments, steamy scenes, and so much more.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Laurie and Jacob. Jacob is a divorced single dad, raising his young daughter and Laurie is an unexpected single mom, raising her niece after the sudden death of her sister. As Laurie and her niece, Katie, are slowly working through their grief and figuring out their new normal - there is a chance encounter with Jacob that does not go well. She immediately despises him and as luck would have it, they continue to run into each other due to events involving their children.

As their kids become the best of friends, they slowly allow their walls to come down and she realizes that maybe he isn't the bad guy she had thought he was as he realizes how much she is dealing with in her current situation. As their relationship moves from "non-friends" to friends to much, much more - Jacob allows himself to believe in love again and Laurie allows herself to accept the help that he is offering as well as understanding that she needs to include herself when it comes to finding their happiness. As she has put her wants and needs on the backburner for her niece.

Their relationship starts off definitely as enemies, but as the saying goes - there is a fine line between love and hate and soon they are both feeling things for the other that they are not quite ready to admit to themselves - let alone each other. When Jacob helps Laurie with a work-related item that she has been dealing with for more than a year - the flood gates open and the sparks fly!!

This is a great story that draws you in. The characters are well-written and I enjoyed this story very much.

[MJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's swoon time everyone as you are introduced to Jacob! Laurie is bringing up her seven year old niece and trying to come to terms with her grief of losing her much beloved sister and supporting her niece in her grief of losing her mum. Life isn't easy right now as Laurie is in the midst of trying to sue a film company who are using one of her books that she wrote for young adults into a film without her permission. But her lawyer is useless and unprofessional. When Laurie is annoyed by a cocky father of a child at the same school she is not happy. But then he seems to pop up everywhere she goes. Then, to make it worse, their girls become friends and this is when the 'fun' really begins!! He seems just too good to be true and everything that Laurie could possibly want in a man. But can she trust him? Jacob knows he didn't make a good impression on their first meeting but he is determined to change her mind about him even though he didn't think that any woman could make him think about forever after his disastrous marriage ended. This is a fabulous story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you engrossed from beginning to end. Weston Parker is a very talented best selling author who creates the most magical storylines and adorable characters that are very relatable with plenty of passion! I received a reader's copy of this book and voluntarily leave my honest opinion of it here. MOST DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book with the intention of reading just a couple of chapters, and then returning to it the next day or so. Ha! Of course, that’s not what happened. Weston Parker has given us another story that will just suck you in and refuse to let you go until you finish the book.

Jacob is a great guy and an awesome single dad who really has good priorities. Laurie is a single woman in her mid-twenties who has stepped up to the plate to raise her young niece after a family tragedy. Circumstances lead to these 2 good people getting off to a very bad start. Over the course of a couple of months things change slowly but dramatically, in varied and wonderful ways. I will warn you to have a couple of tissues ready, because I certainly needed them at least twice. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of smiles to balance out the emotional equation.

I thought the plot moved at a good pace. Jacob and Laurie experience some solid character development, and are responsible about their adult times not putting the kids in awkward situations. There is also a nice array of secondary characters, including Jacob’s daughter and Laurie’s niece. The ‘happy for now’ ending works well because the characters have not known each other for very long, but there are also very clear indications that they will have their HEA. This story will make your heart feel warm and content.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sucked me in. I was only planning to read for a little while, but the next thing I knew, I’d reached the end and it was over already. When Jacob and Laurie first meet, it’s all out war. But Fate keeps putting them together and forcing them to get to know one another. Eventually, all those initial sparks lead in a much spicier direction as they realize what they were feeling wasn’t hate. This story is sweet and adorable. It has all the magic of the holiday season without specifically being a Christmas book. There are a couple of scenes that are fondly reminiscent of The Parent Trap, especially as we get closer to the end, but that’s not where the book itself goes. I loved watching these two families blend and I’m sad to see the end of the story.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[LeMiliere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful love story about Jacob and Laurie, who when they first met had the totally wrong impression about each other. They are both bringing up daughters alone, no easy task, but apart from having that in common a series of events happens forcing them to spend more time together after which things change.

The story flows well, grabbing the reader's attention and holding it, the characters are so well-drawn and not just the main ones. Jacob is a sweet and romantic guy whom you can't help falling in love with. He's also the sort of man you can't help but admire. Their story is something of an emotional rollercoaster featuring great chemistry, romance as well as just the right amount of heat but not everything is hunky-dory here be warned I reached for my tissues.

There's much more to their story than I expected, sorry Weston. This book is definitely one not to miss it's so worth reading, but be warned you won't want to put down once you start!

[Suez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This incredibly emotional story begins like most of our own journeys. Maybe by misjudging, jumping to conclusions and definitely not giving that person a chance. Well, Laurie did exactly this and much more when it came to Jacob. The story and all its characters were so entertaining. Don’t miss any of the happy moments, emotional struggles with loss and the fantastic feeling of healing as they head towards their HEA.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "DESPERATE FOR YOU" Weston Parker you wrote such an amazing emotional sweet heartwarming love story it grabs you from beginning to end.
I loved the journey Laurie who's a writer, a single mom to her sister's little girl after her unfortunate unexpected death and a screenwriter stole her story & Jacob who's a lawyer, single father, who she thinks is self entitled jerk who likes to flirt with the single moms at the school play.
I definitely recommend to get this heartwarming, sweet romantic book that pulls you from the start the chemistry between Jacob & Laurie is so great these two are meant for one another so well written and definitely well worth the read it won't disappoint a very enjoyable book you don't want to miss getting.

[Jo-Ann Forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob and Laurie's story is heartwarming, sexy and heart wrenching at the same time. Jacob is a single dad who had to learn how to raise his daughter on this own while Laurie steps up to take care of her goddaughter after a tragedy. One day in the drop off zone at school they bump into each other. He rubs Laurie the wrong way, with his arrogance and intolerable actions but their chemistry is sizzling. Soon they will learn to coexist since their daughters are now friends. What started out has enemies will change to lovers. A great story that you will not be able to put down, even if you tried! I volunteered to review this amazing heartfelt story.

[April Raimond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weston Parker never disappoints me. I love all of his books. I enjoyed this one as well. Single parents living in the world. Meeting by each others child.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down. I really hope there is a sequel to this story. Please keep these amazing books coming.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacob & Laurie’s Enemies To Lovers Romance Is An Intelligent Slow Burn About Single Parents Who Find Love Through Their Children. Their Story Is Serious In Tone. It Deals With Grief And Moving On.


Laurie, 28, is a best-selling young adult author. She self-published her first book five years ago with low expectations, but three months later her career as an author began to rocket. She loved her life then. She had friends, an apartment in town, put effort into looking good, and made herself her priority. She dated, but only casually. Six best sellers followed over the course of three years, but it all came to a stop two years ago when her life was upended and she cannot seem to get her muse back since. At that time she had suddenly lost her sister Katherine, who had been her closest friend an confidant. Katherine had also been a single mom to Katie, Laurie’s goddaughter. Appointed Katie’s legal guardian, Laurie was thrust into learning how to be a mother to her niece while trying to grieve her own loss. To make things worse, she discovered a year ago that a big budget Hollywood movie that ripped off the plot of one of her books was in production. She had secured an attorney to fight for her rights, but getting updates was like pulling teeth and meanwhile the theft of her intellectual property caused such anxiety that she hardly felt comfortable writing anymore. But now the royalties that have supported her and Katie are drying up and Laurie has to get her act together. She and Katie settled into a house in the suburbs as seven-year-old Katie began second grade a month ago, something closer to Katie’s school and perhaps better suited to for raising a child. If Laurie can just get the lawsuit behind her and finally go through Katherine’s things, she believes she can then have a clear mind and be ready to return to her writing.

Jacob Parker, probably in his early to mid-thirties, is a single dad to seven-year-old Allie. He had always wanted to be married with children, but it turned out Allie’s mom Shannon didn’t share his dream of a big happy family. She left them four years ago, and although it was difficult at the time, Allie is his world. Between caring for Allie and his demanding career as an attorney at a law firm in Savannah, he has no time for anything else in his life. He loves that his firm allows him to do pro bono work, and helping the little guys to win against powerful corporations gives him great satisfaction. Helping victims get justice is what drives him, and the media loves to cover those wins. He cannot remember the last time he was with a woman – though it is not for lack of options. He has heard himself described as a hot commodity, and it comes as no surprise to him. Women fawn over him wherever he goes, but he has little interest. He still wants the dream of a big family one day, but after being burned the first time around he knows he has to get it right. He cannot force it to happen this time around; he must make certain it is for love.

When Jacob and Laurie meet at the school drop-off lane one October morning shortly before Halloween, their chemistry is obvious. But Jacob’s arrogance infuriates Laurie, who has no tolerance for that in a man. And while Jacob doesn’t understand what has the angry lady up in arms, she certainly has his interest. As she and Katie settle into their new home, Laurie continues to bump into the infuriating and handsome jerk who makes her blood boil. But eventually Katie and Allie form a friendship that force the two to finally face one another. Along the way Laurie’s opinion about Jacob is challenged, but she stubbornly wants to stick with her first impression. Jacob’s confidence isn’t touched by Laurie’s angry outbursts, and he finds the fact that she is so open and genuine with him refreshing. He considers himself a good judge of character, and discovers himself feeling unusually protective when he senses an injustice.

Jacob and Laurie’s enemies to lovers romance is an intelligent slow burn about single parents who find love through their children. Their story is serious in tone. It deals with grief and moving on. It is about the challenges of being a single parent, self-identity, and finding balance in life. It is nicely written. The plot is somewhat complex. There are some parts that feel unnecessary, though; it could be tightened up a bit. The characters are well-developed. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Jacob and Laurie. I rate this book four stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this Weston Parker’s books

I honestly didn’t know how I would feel about a male “romantic comedy” author. This is my 3rd book from him and I’ll tell it is refreshing to not have some of the unnecessary drama that female authors tend to throw into the very end of their book. There are several female authors that I have come to expect some sort of insanity from at about the 80 to 85% make. The story will be going great and you think you are in the home stretch, everything will end happily and the bam something stupid happens.

Weston’s books have humor and love and steamy sex and adults who talk to each other when they have questions. It is very refreshing. There is truly nothing worse that a story where the main characters break up for some extended amount of time just because one assumed the other did something bad.
I call BS, if you really love someone (or you want me to believe that the characters really love each other) then don’t make them split up over something stupid and then the get back together and everything is peachy. Whatever... thanks for not writing those type of stories Weston!

[An · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurie's life took an unexpected turn when she became an instant parent to her neice. As her life changed drastically from writer to full time mother she was only existing and not really living.

Jacob is living his best life raising his daughter on his own after his now ex-wife walked out on him and their then very young child.

Once Laurie and Jacob unexpectedly meet,
They slowly realize what has been missing from their respective lives.
Through Laurie's struggle to get recognition for her copyrighted work, Allie and Katie's growing friendship and Jacob's realization that he wants more for his life, they all begin to change.

This book had many emotions and made you feel everyone of them. There is grief, depression and uncertainty. However, there is also love, healing and happiness.

This book kept me reading long into the night. I had to know how things were resolved.

I didnt think I would like this book as much as I did, but it just hits you somewhere in the feels and you are hooked!
Another good one from Weston Parker.

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the romance between Jacob and Laurie. Laurie is the single mother to her niece Katie after her sister passed away. Laurie is an author and is suing a movie company because they stole her books and never gave her credit. Jacob is a lawyer and the single father to little girl named Allie, who is the same age as Katie. Jacob and Laurie don't get off on the right foot and Laurie actually hates Jacob. Jacob is attracted to Laurie and wants to get to know her better. When Jacob learns Laurie's lawyer is not working for her as he should, he offers to help her. Laurie starts to think she might be wrong about Jacob and they grow closer. I really enjoyed this book. I liked Jacob from the beginning, even if he was a little full of himself. I think Laurie misjudged him, but she also needed to learn that for herself. I loved the relationship between the girls and how both Laurie and Jacob treated them as they were their own. Another great one from Weston.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The death of her sister left both Laurie and her niece Katie trying to adjust to life without the sister and mother they both loved. If that wasn’t enough of a challenge Laurie finds out that one of the books she has written is being used as the basis for a movie without any compensation or permission. The last she needs is an entitled yet sexy man to cause further complications in her life.

Jacob is trying to balance his career as a lawyer and being a single father to his daughter Allie. He has a way with women but after being burnt by love in the past he is cautious about giving his heart.

Although he and Laurie may not have gotten off to a great start the friendship of their daughters keep bringing them together and along the way they may just find the future they both want in each other.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weston Parker at his best. A great author who never ceases to amaze and never disappoints. Laurie and Jacob will grab your heart and take you on an emotional journey. If you like enemies to lovers romances you'll love this story. They're both single parents of girls as Laurie is raising her late sisters child. Fate keeps bringing them together since their children are friends. He didn't make a good first impression on her but he's determined to make amends. She's an author who's being taken advantage of by a film studio stealing her work. He's determined to help her and make her want him. This book is addictive and hard to put down once you begin. The characters are great and the story is entertaining. I read an advance copy via the author and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperate for you follows the characters of single dad Jacob Parker, and single aunt, turned mom, Laurie. When Laurie’s sister dies, she becomes a mom to seven year old Katie. While trying to juggle her new role as parent, and best selling author, she needs to hire a lawyer since she discovered that someone wants to make her book into a movie, without her consent. Jacob Parker, also a single parent to a seven year old named Allie, works as a lawyer in a nearby firm. At first, the pair’s chemistry sizzles, but Laurie doesn’t seem interested in a relationship until the pair are forced to spend time together when the two girls become friends. Will Laurie and Jacob be able to make a future together?

[Terra Oenning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes this book was absolutely fantastic and it will keep you hooked from the beginning until the end and the storyline flowed and you could connect with the characters emotions and feel like you are a part of the book. I love Jacob and his daughter Allie and how he took the role as a single parent and was raising his daughter right. Laurie took over guardian ship over Katie after her sister passed away and was still learning the role of motherhood and trying to find justice when a movie is being made from her book. These two connect on so many levels and hopefully they can become more but will it jeopardize her case or will he have to stay away from her? This book was such a great read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacob and Laurie had a less than auspicious first encounter... each left with a very inaccurate impression of the other... fate has different ideas and brings their worlds together. Jacob is a single dad. Laurie is caring for her niece after the unexpected death of her sister. Her life is in turmoil on a professional level as well after a screenwriter stole her story. What neither anticipated was how well their lives would fit together... if they just gave each other a chance. There were moments that left me laughing out loud and others that had me reaching for a tissue... kept my attention throughout. Weston Parker has done it again!

[Jennifer Soppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply emotional and highly romantic

Laurie, a writer with a stifled muse, does not have the best impression of Jacob, a lawyer, based on their first encounter. As the story progresses impressions change, walls come down, and finally getting the meaning behind clichés could finally allow them both to move towards the future. Weston Parker’s Desperate for you is a deeply emotional and highly romantic story about two people trying to live for the children in their lives without really thinking about how it affects their perception and what they didn’t know they needed.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

[Kathryn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars+++
Spellbinding, emotional story. Laurie is a writer who is raising her sisters 7 year old. She’s discovered there’s a movie being made of one of her book, but they’ve not told her! This has tossed her into writers block, and her unscrupulous lawyer is not helping!
Her niece has made a friend at school and Allies father, Jacob, is a lawyer, but from their first meeting, Laura hasn’t been impressed. Sounds like a plot made in haven, right?
You’re going to love this book! It will grab you from page 1 but be warned, you might have to pull an all-nighter! Another winner from Wes. Definitely a 5++++!
I received this as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers storyline that deals with loss, single parenting, and finding love. Laurie had written several best sellers when her world changed. She lost her older sister Katherine and was now raising her niece/goddaughter Katie. Katie was five years old when her mother died. Jacob is a lawyer for Watkins Inc. in downtown Savannah. He is raising his seven year old daughter Allie after his divorce. His ex wife lives in New York where Allie goes to visit in the summer for a month or two. Laurie and Jacob have amazing chemistry once they get to know each other. This was well written and kept me entertained. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Nickie Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful love story!

The chemistry between Jacob and Laurie is fabulous!

Laurie writes fantasy love stories and has become a an author people notice. When she finds out her first book is being made into a movie, she attempts to sue them, however, she seems to have hired the worst attorney on the face of the earth. The way she met Jacob, a prominent attorney, wasn’t the best. He cut her off on the way to dropping off her niece to school. From that moment, she despised him. Nothing he could have done, would have changed her mind. Well, life has a funny way of changing one’s mind.

Great book

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had happy tears!….5 Stars!

Jacob and Laurie’s love story is beautifully written. It’s another home run for Weston Parker. He writes novels with angst and sadness but full of love and understanding. Laurie is a young writer, saddled with a child her older sister left behind from a sudden death. Her novel/story had been hijacked and made into a movie without her knowledge and consent so she’s suing for her legal rights. Her lawyer though is not working hard enough and milking her for more money while standing by doing nothing more than he should. She couldn’t write from stress but meeting Jacob, the new lawyer came to her rescue and…. more.

[Diane W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate for You by Weston Parker

Laurie is a spitfire when someone has done a wrong to her. On this fateful day Jacob Parker was that someone. However, Jacob’s reaction to Laurie had the opposite effect on him. Jacob’s young daughter Allie and Laurie’s niece Katie bring both together that leads Laurie to change her mind about Jacob. I liked this book and smiled about Weston’s names for these characters as they are real names in his extended family. Weston Parker is an awesome writer that keeps you reading and enjoying his works.

Diane W.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance between Laurie and Jacob. It's a well written enemies to lovers story that had me glued to the pages from start to finish. The author pulled me in with all the emotions and held me fast with all of the obstacles they have to go through. He paints his scenes perfectly as he moves the story fluidly. He flows the story fluidly and delivers an entertaining story. I enjoyed and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Lyne Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book; couldn't put it down before the end!!

It's a great storyline with lots of understanding, patience; with some angst and drama and lotsa love.
I especially liked the part where Laurie realizes that Jacob might not be the jerk she thought he was.
I love their conversations.
Their connection is almost instant and slowly builds itself into lust, then love.

Another great read that I will reread, and that I hoghly recommend !!

I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there such a thing as a compassionate lawyer?

Weston Parker gives another compelling story with all the feels as Laurie working through her grief to get on with her life as well as adjusting to becoming an instant mother to her niece. Now finds herself in a legal battle about one her books, unhappy with her current attorney finds she needs help. Jacob thought he had everything he needed. Thought life was fine, being a successful attorney, single parenting his 7yo daughter, until he meets Laurie and wants to help her. Can they keep things professional? Do they want to?