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The Man I Need (Ward Duet Book 2) Kindle Edition

4.3 out of 5 stars 1,028 ratings

There are things that women want, and things that women need.
I know deep down, with every fiber in my body, that I need Mr. Ward.

He started out as my landscape designer, but became so much more.
Now, my life is on the line while living with the devil himself. I have been torn down and broken, and I don’t think I can take anymore.

The man I need was never the one I married.
No, the man I need is the one I was never supposed to have. He’s the one who showed me gentleness, kindness, and true love.

Ward would put up a fight for me at any cost.
I know for a fact, I could be so much happier with him…
But when I come face-to-face with reality, I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to risk it all for someone I’ve just met, even if it seems like Mr. Ward and I are a match made in heaven.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07RHKTYBR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shanora Williams
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 2 ‏ : ‎ Ward Duet
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,028 ratings

About the author

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Shanora Williams
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Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author known for her versatile voice, diverse characters, and high-stakes love stories. Whether grounded in reality or set in a magical world, her books explore connection, chaos, and the kind of love that lingers long after the last page. When she isn’t writing, she’s deep in family life, binge-watching her favorite shows and movies, working out, or getting cozy with a book. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and three sons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,028 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fantastic conclusion to the Ward Duet series, with plenty of drama and a well-thought-out story. Moreover, the book receives praise for its readability, with one customer noting it's an easy read. Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the story, with one review describing it as a tear-jerker, and they love the characters, particularly Gabby's character development. Additionally, customers praise the book's portrayal of strength, with one review highlighting its focus on resilience.

32 customers mention "Story quality"32 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's well-thought-out plot with plenty of drama and intrigue, describing it as an exciting conclusion to the Ward Duet series.

"...Overall good ending and really enjoyable. I listen more to the book than read, so unsure of typos...." Read more

"...the author did a little more with the antagonist, but overall, the story was good. Happy Ever After for those who require that." Read more

"...Once she begins to make her own choices, her future becomes clearer and the hurricane of emotion this story yanks out begins to calm...." Read more

"...Book 2 answers all those questions and more! This story was well thought out and the reader will go through so many emotions...." Read more

15 customers mention "Enjoyment"12 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy this book, finding it crazy good and saying they loved the first book in the series.

"...Overall good ending and really enjoyable. I listen more to the book than read, so unsure of typos...." Read more

"...While the series itself was pretty damn good, there were parts that were incredibly predictable, following the same formulas I’ve seen time and time..." Read more

"...This was such a great book and I loved taking in each page to the very end. Bravo Shanora on outstanding job!..." Read more

"...William’s books always are entertaining and fun to read. It’s reading real life romance and once your start reading you just cannot stop...." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good and amazing read, with one customer noting it's an easy story to follow.

"Good book. Good ending! I wish the author did a little more with the antagonist, but overall, the story was good...." Read more

"This book was to good. Who doesn't like a happy ending? Every woman deserves a Marcel. Sweet ending love always wins" Read more

"...Still, like I said, it was well written. The character’s were believable and the dialog felt genuine...." Read more

"...This book is a must read and it haunted me until I was finished! Thank you to the author for bringing this story to life!" Read more

12 customers mention "Emotional content"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, noting how it brings out strong feelings and how love conquers all, with one customer describing it as a tear-jerker.

"...Happily Ever After, Page-turner, Realistic, Steamy, Tear-jerker, Wonderful characters" Read more

"...This story delivers on the drama, heartache, betrayal and love. Get ready for a whirlwind of emotions. And in the end everything is as it should be." Read more

"...but I have to say that Marcel and Gabby have a difficult but incredible love story!! Marcel is just something special...." Read more

"...There are so many things that you experience in this book: love, lust, secrets, betrayal and PLENTY of drama...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book.

"...Still, like I said, it was well written. The character’s were believable and the dialog felt genuine...." Read more

"...I loved the way Gabby's character is written, we see a whole picture weak and strong, a bit of immaturity and the maturity as she gets wiser...." Read more

"...I love the care Shanora takes with her characters, it’s what allowed me to connect with them...." Read more

"...Well written and good character development." Read more

5 customers mention "Strength"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of a woman's strength, with one customer noting it as an awesome story about resilience.

"...Gabrielle was a strong and independent woman and even if it weren't for Marcel she would have left Kyle because she realized she would have ended as..." Read more

"...And Marcel is just.....OMG... his struggle, courage, his desire to stand against anyone that does Gabby wrong,...I can’t put into words, but his..." Read more

"...I couldn’t put this book down, a page turner til the end. I love the strength and heart of both Marcel and Gabby...." Read more

"...It was gut wrenchingly painful at times, but Gabby is a strong female that has the backing of swoon worthy Marcel by her side...." Read more

perfect ending for a perfect duet :)
5 out of 5 stars
perfect ending for a perfect duet :)
When I finished the first book - I waited like crazy for the sequel... After the way it ended, I didn't know what to expect, but... WOW, It was the perfect ending for a perfect duet!!! "Maybe we aren’t meant for each other, but were placed in each other’s lives as a means to save one another." I wrote in my review for the first book that the plot develops slowly - but this one started with a big BANG!!! I was so surprised that I went back to the first book to look for all the signs I missed... Since this is a sequel, I will not go into details about the plot so I will not to ruin the reading experience with spoilers, but I should remind you that the book is about a subject that not everyone likes - infidelity. The second book is about even more painful subjects which often caused me to shrink in my chair - rape and violence... but I must say that the writer dealt with these issues with high sensitivity! “It’s hard adjustin’ to what’s right after dealin’ with somethin’ so wrong." After having a little taste of Marcel, the man she will never be able to have... Gabi feels trapped. She promised to be loyal to another man, her husband. she feels that everyone's burden is on her shoulders. But when Kyle reminds her who he really is - the choice doesn't feel so hard anymore! Unfortunately life is not so simple... everyone has secrets... and sometimes secrets can ruin everything... OMG! this book was full of emotion and melted my heart! It brought back my faith in people and reminded me that everything always happens for the best. It wasn't easy... There were some scenes that made me shudder - but it was undoubtedly amazing. The author was not afraid to push boundaries and write in detail on real issues that happens all over the world... “This might sound crazy, but sometimes I think maybe that’s why I met you, so I can tell you every day that you are amazing, and that you can do whatever the hell you want, so long as it makes you happy.” I enjoyed every second and felt it was over too quickly, but I must admit that even though the ending was moving and made me shout out loud "Aooo!"- I felt that after all that had happened, the ending was... too easy... yet inspiring. I especially liked the strong message behind this duet - there is always a way out... and us women, are much stronger than everyone thinks! "You stormed into my life like a hurricane and turned my whole world upside down, but only for the better." It's a story about strength, the willingness to receive help and a forbidden love that sometimes it's just... right! This duet is one of my favorite reads of 2019 and Shanora has become without a doubt one of my favorite writers! I highly recommend this duet! ***I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.***
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2025
    I was hooked after book one and I’m happy to know what happened to Gabby! Book two picks up right where book one left off and you see that this isn’t the first time Kyle put his hands on the h. I loved that the author put a trigger warning. Overall good ending and really enjoyable. I listen more to the book than read, so unsure of typos. I think the book could have been a little longer to tie up a few loose ends, I would love for Gabby’s brother to get a happy ending as well, maybe with her best friend?
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025
    Good book. Good ending! I wish the author did a little more with the antagonist, but overall, the story was good. Happy Ever After for those who require that.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2019
    Readers and writers toss around monikers all the time, but Williams straight up EARNS the ‘Queen of Angst’ with this real, raw concluding follow up to the tour-de-force wind up, The Man I Can’t Have.

    If I were to choose a message for this story—and there has to be a positive one to pull from the ugly gut-wrenching turns Gabby’s life takes—it’s that there is a romance within you. There is a mystery to how the human heart can survive and endure. Gabby’s remoteness is earned, from the vivid portrait Williams paints of her life that immediately follows the end of TMICH to the later developments as Gabby wrestles with a possible HEA, or more heartbreak. Williams choses to explore Gabby’s remoteness, the ease with which she dismisses Marcel, the ambivalence she extends to her family. This marriage has taken a massive toll. And Williams doesn’t shy away from examining it fully.

    I’d label this a Recovery Romance. Because this is Gabby’s story from start to finish. And no detail is spared. She is stripped down and claws her way back. I haven’t read a more real story. Sure, Marcel is there, fighting for her. But he is a secondary figure, to Gabby’s transformation. He shares a tawdry backstory, and it’s complicated to ponder how far and long its effects will linger in his life. That said, Marcel is her standard, her scarecrow and tin man, the constant as Gabby makes her rite of passage trip into a woman in full.

    I kept forgetting how young Gabby was, or how the choices she made weren’t always her own. Once she begins to make her own choices, her future becomes clearer and the hurricane of emotion this story yanks out begins to calm.

    You’ll need all the time you can spare to read through this story. And congratulations to Shanora Williams. I can only imagine the feelings I had reading this story pale in comparison to those she explored teasing this story out of herself.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2023
    About the first 50% of this book really had me. I read almost 80% of this book in one day. Unfortunately, after that first 50%, things felt like they dragged on quite a bit and the epic beginning that was book one kind of fell flat for me here. It would have been interesting to get at least a few chapters of Kyle's POV. That would have added an interesting element.

    I also genuinely think it is so strange that Marcel had literally no dating history beforehand and married the first woman he fell in love with lol. It seemed very crazy. I also would have enjoyed them not getting married for like 3 years or more. Gabby jumping from one terrible relationship to another felt irrational and immature. I think she needed to be single for a little while.

    Overall, I still enjoyed the read, but it just felt like it all carried on for too long.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
    This book was to good. Who doesn't like a happy ending? Every woman deserves a Marcel. Sweet ending love always wins
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019
    But by the end of second book of this series, It felt like I was ending the same way I had the last several books I’ve read.

    While the series itself was pretty damn good, there were parts that were incredibly predictable, following the same formulas I’ve seen time and time again. And while I understand that romances generally have a happy ending, I feel like I’m being given the same setup for a happy ending. Does HEA really have to happen the exact same way in ever single book?

    Still, like I said, it was well written. The character’s were believable and the dialog felt genuine. And I’m very happy that you know who didn’t kill the dog (I don’t think, but I will admit that there were some parts that left me skimming rather than legit reading).

    If the book didn’t throw in that misunderstanding cliche because of lack of communication and if it hadn’t given me the HEA that I’ve read in the last nearly ten books I’ve read, it would have been give stars from me.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2019
    This book is by far one of the best books I have read this year. Even though this story featured Marcel and Gabrielle the story was Gabrielle's story of survival. Domestic Abuse is something that occurs within relationships and women should know that there is a way out. Gabrielle was a strong and independent woman and even if it weren't for Marcel she would have left Kyle because she realized she would have ended as another statistic of domestic violence.
    Gabrielle survived but truth be told some women do not. There is no shame in seeking assistance and finding your strength to leave. Kyle was an evil man who got what he deserved. And while I do not believe in adultery I do believe that Marcel and Gabrielle met for a reason. That reason was to save each other. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and Gabrielle met Marcel because she needed to realize that not every man is Kyle. In fact Kyle wasn't a man. She deserved better and even though she found love with Marcel the most important lesson is that she found love for herself. This book is a must read and it haunted me until I was finished! Thank you to the author for bringing this story to life!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing ending....
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2019
    I love Shanora Williams and I have read all her books and I must say this has become one of my favorites. I love that it sheds light on domestic violence which more women and men faces everyday and people seem to ignore. This was a good topic to write about and the way Gabby was able to finally speak out was admirable even though she made her own mistakes too.

    Marcel and Gabby were meant for each other regardless of the circumstances behind their meeting. It was a love story well written and I loved each moment of it. It’s definitely worth reading
  • Chook74
    5.0 out of 5 stars The complete package
    Reviewed in Australia on February 9, 2024
    After we were left reeling from book one, along comes the stunning conclusion of this dramatic duet. You don't get to catch your breath before you are catapulted into the frantic continuation of tension, uncertainty, and unrest. I couldn't imagine that a story could get better than book one. I WAS SO WRONG. Nothing prepared me for the delivery of this conclusion. I finished the book and thought, what now?
    The impact that the story had on me was something I cannot put into words. I was speechless. What a stunning finish to one of the best duets I have ever read. It was every wish, thought and fantasy brought to life in vivid clarity. The recovery after will be long but oh so delicious.

    I was so scared for this couple. They faced so much adversity. So much unknown. But together they could weather any storm. I was on the precipice of heartbreak as I didn't know which way their journey would go. it was hazardous and monumentally arduous. Their strength was commendable. Their resilience limitless. Just when you think that they could never get back up after being so knocked down, they are up fighting good fight. Fighting for the future and their happiness. Their bond magnetic. Everything about them fascinating. A compelling couple that deserves the best life. Together. My words cannot possibly convey what a gift reading this story individually each book had its own stand out moments and breath stealing scenes. Collectively, their impact is immeasurable and the pleasure they gave me as a reader will be impossible to match. I will never been able to express my gratitude for authors such as Shanora Wiliams and the magnificent books they provide. A true blessing in the literary world. 5 stars.
  • Donna S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Triggers
    Reviewed in Australia on January 25, 2020
    Sensitive subjects await in this ending of Gabby and Marcel. Very well written with a fabulous outcome/ending. Marcel is as hot as ever and Gabby has finally found true love. Highly recommend.
  • Be My Book Boyfriend
    4.0 out of 5 stars It was good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2019
    This was a good book to read and i needed to find out what happened after book 1 but I can't say I felt the same connection to this one as I did to the first it just felt like there was.something missing that it didn't suck me in as much as that one. But its still a good story and Marcel is still my book husband I would definitely read more books from this author.
  • Marian Chawner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the dark comes light
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 16, 2019
    The second book in this series. A very moving and emotional story. This particular episode explores the trauma of domestic violence on all issues. The physical, psychological and emotional aspects. It is well researched and sympathetically written. The perpetrator Kyle shows no signs of remorse, guilt or reason to blame himself. History in these cases often repeat themselves, but that doesn’t make it correct. Only two victims. Marcel is a constant rock during all the turmoil, and is so understanding , loving and patient. Gabby is typically the victim, ashamed, guilt risen but eventually the lights turn on and reality hits. It is a well written descriptive novel, depicting some incredibly dark moments, but it is also a very passionate, romantic fulfilling novel full of warmth, happiness and delightful moments. There is drama, there is realisation amongst all characters that their decisions have a devastating impact on innocent parties. There is also denial. Gabby is a strong spirited lady, eventually and has to make some life changing moves. Kyle is a snake in the grass. Marcel is definitely a hero. Put this all together and you have the ingredients for a fabulous book/series with a glorious ending. Shanona is not afraid to tackle controversial subjects with flourish, tact and obvious research resulting in an excellent story.

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