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The Ballinger Sisters #1

Want, Need, Love

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"Bryant knows how to hook readers from the first line." --RT Book Reviews

Finding Mr. Right isn't easy, but in this sexy new novel from bestselling author Niobia Bryant, one woman knows exactly how to do it--for everyone but herself…

Mona Ballinger has a talent for bringing the right people together--and keeping the wrong people apart. But when Anson Tyler's fiancée ends their engagement thanks to Mona's advice, he angrily confronts her. Unfortunately, Mona has not only caused him a broken heart--she ends up giving him a broken leg as well…

Guilt-ridden over Anson's injury, Mona decides to help him recover--whether he likes it or not. Soon, comfort turns to chemistry and it seems like Mona may have found a love of her own--until Anson's handsome brother, Hunter, shows up. His hot pursuit of Mona leaves her conflicted and she flees to her South Carolina hometown for some family wisdom. But the choice she makes only fuels the brothers' rivalry. Will Mona end up alone once more?. . .

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2014

150 people are currently reading
404 people want to read

About the author

Niobia Bryant

109 books503 followers
Niobia Bryant is the award-winning and national bestselling author of more than fifty works of romance and commercial mainstream fiction. Twice she has won RT Magazine's Best African-American/Multicultural Romance Award, "Kiss the Ring"--written under the pseudonym Meesha Mink--was listed as one of the Library Journal's Best Books, and her books have appeared in Ebony, Essence, The New York Post, The Star-Ledger, The Dallas Morning News and many other national publications. One of her bestselling books has been adapted to film.

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5 stars
252 (59%)
4 stars
120 (28%)
3 stars
40 (9%)
2 stars
9 (2%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Whit.
3,660 reviews52 followers
August 3, 2023
Laugh-out-loud-good!

What do you get when a successful matchmaker can't find her own soul mate? A hot ironic mess, that's what! The chemistry between Mona & Anson was explosive and fun to watch especially after the "accident".

This book is 10 stars funny!
Profile Image for Taisha Ryan.
Author 17 books81 followers
March 6, 2015
Loved it. Interesting storyline, kept me engaged from the beginning to the end.
Profile Image for Mississippi Library Commission.
389 reviews116 followers
June 1, 2016
Being in love is such a great feeling, and Niobia Bryant knows how to make her readers experience that magical emotion through the pages of her books. Want, Need, Love has witty characters and strong female roles partnered with a guy who has to work for the lady he loves. Bonus: It was a lot of fun reading about one of our favorite cities, New Orleans, and its familiar landmarks, like the French Quarter, and local events, like Mardi Gras and the Essence Festival.
Profile Image for Reshemah.
224 reviews10 followers
December 5, 2014
I was really missing the Strong family but Niobia Bryant kind of takes us back there with this book. We return to the town of Holtsville and reunite with several characters from other books. (I realized there are several books I haven't read that are now out of print) I'm ready to read the other two sisters stories and hang out with those crazy aunts again. This book is laugh out loud funny and I can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Brandy.
22 reviews8 followers
January 7, 2015
Another great read from Ms Bryant. It was different from all her other books and I really enjoyed the change. There were updates on the Strongs. Can't wait to read the next book!
Profile Image for Matysha.
386 reviews2 followers
January 14, 2016
Niobia has delivered with this one!I loved this love roller coaster the hero and heroine rode throughout this story!!! Definitely enjoyed the update on Strong family.
252 reviews4 followers
May 31, 2017
Loving your soul mate💛

This is second time reading this novel and I did not leave a review😴 I love revisiting the small town of Holtsville and how the Jamison and Strong families were included in this novel. Anson and Mona first meeting was a disaster which Anson blamed Mona for a problem that she had no control of. This novel was fast and a page turner, Love the way Anson and Mona went from her helping him to understand her gift with the help of her aunties which were a hoot. Mona was spontaneous
And Anson was lay back , Mona brought joy into his life which turns out to be a match with a whole lot love. Can't wait to see which sister falls in love with Hunter💛

Profile Image for NubianJoí .
2,112 reviews10 followers
August 21, 2025
Serendipitous

My first Niobia Bryant read was fantastic ‼️”Want, Need, Love (The Ballinger Sisters - Book 1)” was entertaining, exuberant & enchanting serendipitous yet precarious (🤭‼️) meeting (s) between Mona & Anson. Only the magic of Cupid🤦🏾‍♀️🤭‼️Nevertheless, no ones life is safe nor would it never be the same 🤣😂🤦🏾‍♀️🫣‼️ Watch the salutary transformation of the Ballinger’s & Tyler’s lives of Holtsville SC hometown (self imposed) heroes worst met & greet story ever told by two local service professionals🤭‼️…”For the Rest of My Life”
6 reviews
October 31, 2016
Don't normally write reviews, but these characters spoke to me. Enjoyed development of all and greatly look forward to learning about the rest of the family. L loved all the glimpses of other book characters. Thank you for giving a few hours of excited shivers, and moaning thrills. Can't wait until next one.

This is definitely for Niobia's followers and for new ones who are looking for romance, sex, love and laughter with a few years mixed in.
Profile Image for Mary.
112 reviews
February 6, 2022
An Extremely Amazing Book!

This is an awesome book. I don’t quite know what to expect, but OMG, this book hit the spot. I Love reading Love stories, and read every day. Mona and Anson story was absolutely wonderful and well written. My only problem is that now I have to read the Complete Series in order to be satisfied. MS. Niobium Bryant is an awesome author. I highly recommend this book and is getting ready to read as many books as possible written by her.
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
December 15, 2016
Kind of "WEIRD"...yet still another ENGAGING and sexy read...loved the way Mona stuck to her beliefs...and Anson was quite a charmer once he allowed the ice to slowly chip and melt from around his heart...it was nice catching up w/the Jamison twins and their wives Chloe and Anika...and I'm looking forward to seeing which sister is Hunter's soul mate.
Profile Image for Mary A. Marzette.
4 reviews1 follower
February 17, 2017
Loving all things Holtsville

Really enjoyed going on the journey with Mona and Anson, she brought joy to this very unhappy man that didn't realize he was until he met Mona, she's a fun loving love loving caring and giving woman, with a sixth sense and I love her. The twin aunties make me wish they were mine. Great read. Niobia Bryant, you are the ish you've got me hooked
Profile Image for Catherine edwards.
51 reviews
August 19, 2019
Great read, she show Anson that you can love and live happily.

I chose this book be sure I like to read books by Nobia Bryant. This book showed how the love for a man or woman could happen if you believe. Mona loved Anson with all her heart and she didn't care who knew it. I am so glad that they Was able to love each other.
215 reviews3 followers
May 27, 2023
Mona and Anson!

What a beautiful love story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Anson was a character but so was Mona. Loved Hunter and the aunts. The story is well written and an enjoyable read. Sometimes we must just let the past go. This? author did not disappoint. Now the question is who ended up with Hunter.
Profile Image for Lay Tonic.
164 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2025
The magical realism was good and the hard-to-get banter from the male side was a little hard to get past but understandable. Male character had a rough background, and the female character had a rough background just not as harsh as his. It took them some time understand each other but. him longer because he chose not to believe in the inevitable. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Profile Image for Tasha Milteer.
Author 1 book19 followers
January 14, 2019
This was the cutest love story. I like the element with Mona having a gift, this was a quick, funny and enjoyable read. This is my 1st time reading anything from this author and I'm sure I'll be reading something by her in the near future.
1 review
August 13, 2023
Love it

I fell in love with the Strong family years ago, but now I love the Ballinger sisters and the Tyler brothers. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Niobia Bryant never disappoints.
1,248 reviews9 followers
October 22, 2023
Excellent read

Excellent read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Anson and Mona met in bizarre circumstances. Their first interaction was not pretty. This is their journey to love, with it’s many ups and downs.
Profile Image for Dana.
229 reviews3 followers
July 6, 2025
Match Maker

Beautiful story! The close relationship of the sisters with their aunts is similar to many Louisiana families. Reading this feels like home. Looking forward to books 2 and 3.
1 review
February 5, 2020
Pretty good novel

The book was decent however it didn't have any moments that made me want to stay up late reading or anything like that. I enjoyed it but I wish it had more moments that pulled me into the story. It was bland yet satisfying.
Profile Image for Anne.
194 reviews
Read
February 13, 2020
I enjoyed the psychic thread winding through the story. Displeased that the protags didn't use/discuss condoms.
387 reviews1 follower
September 11, 2020
Want

Love in Huntsville was good read and good plot. This was a very different, but very good. Some things you want and can't always get.
4 reviews
February 15, 2023
Excited for more

Love this book can't wait to read book 2. You're an amazing writer I love reading your books especially when it has books 2 and 3 etc...
50 reviews
September 1, 2023
I Believe

What a great story. Anton and Mona were truly meant for each other. Both strong willed and needy. If only …
Profile Image for Bay Bay.
53 reviews
August 26, 2025
This was such a fun love story sprinkled with a bit of supernatural elements that I really enjoyed. Good read!
Profile Image for Meka.
274 reviews5 followers
September 30, 2025
Mona and Anson

I enjoyed their story. Usually not my type of story line, but I already started reading it. Their chemistry and character were well written and developed.
Profile Image for Torri (BlackRomanceConnoisseur).
177 reviews306 followers
August 24, 2022
love that Anson couldn’t stand Mona for the first half of the book. I am so intrigued by the Ballinger family and their gifts. Anson was cold and standoffish but he couldn’t give what he never received. Mona came into his life like a wrecking ball knocking everything over and getting Anson out of his usual routine. I was so frustrated with them being in their own way for different reasons. I had to be patient with them as they found their way to each other. I’m looking forward to the next sister’s love story.
Profile Image for Vonetta Augustine.
342 reviews
October 9, 2025
Talk about meeting your soulmate by hitting him with your car after have a premonition he's going to be hurt. That's how Mona and Anson started this quirky romance. Mona and her sisters have the ability to see someone's soulmate but are unable to see their own. Mona couldn't get a read on Anson's mate because it turns out she's his.

Anson is serious due to his unstable background and Mona is more open due to her loving, supportive upbringing. Throw in her amazing twin aunts, Millicent and Winifred along with their twin dialogue, her sisters Reeba and Shara, Hunter, Anson's brother, and this is such a fun read and a great start to this series.

I skipped Reeba's story and went straight to Shara. Reeba's character wasn't my favorite in this book. I'll read her last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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