2B Trilogy #2
by Ann Aguirre
Release date: September 30th, 2014
Published by: Harlequin HQN
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook
SUMMARY
Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother.
Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever.
Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.
MY REVIEW
After reading I WANT IT THAT WAY, I was completely intrigued by Lauren and what her story was about, and really liked Rob's cameo appearances and often wondered what was going on with him. I am so thrilled that they are the main characters for book two, AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME. I really enjoyed this book far more than the first one. The characters are so likable and relatable, fun and endearing. The storyline is exceptionally realistic and entertaining...
Lauren has dropped out of school and moved back home ignoring all of the small-town rumors, she holds her head up high and is confident that she has made the right decision. She will pursue her degree via online and deal with her social insecurities at her own discretion. While she puts her education together and starts to concentrate on her well-being, it wouldn't hurt to help Rob out with getting his dream business going... especially since it will give her a front row seat to continue to crush over him. He has always been off limits to her, so she has had plenty of practice in keeping her hands off and drooling over him from afar...
Rob is trying to build a career for himself but is not knowledgeable with how to market himself. Working in construction gives him a lot of flexible time to rebuild the home he has just purchased and design/create furniture, that he hopes to make a living from doing some day. However, Rob lacks determination in making that dream come true. His whole life, everyone around him, has labeled him as the 'pretty boy' who is good with working with his hands that he isn't the brightest one to accomplish things. His lack of confidence keeps him from striving... Also, his current relationship is consuming and frustrating. And lacks the spark that he longs to have but doesn't think he deserves.
Once Lauren and Rob reconnect and things start moving along, I couldn't help myself but cheer them along and hope for the best. Like always, lack of communication and assumptions get in the way. But their kindred spirits keep bringing them back together. They compliment and balance each other. They also understand and encourage each like no one else ever had. They are sweet and goofy. I adore them to pieces.
Rob's lack of confidence was something that was mentioned over and over again. He continually dwelled on the fact that no one ever takes him seriously and that he's just another pretty face with no brains. Since he was a child, his sisters academics overshadowed any of his small accomplishments. He places no blame on his sister, which was refreshing, since it is the parents fault and not hers. All of this is understandable - something that has been said to you your entire life, you're going to believe it. However, when you have someone like Lauren come into your life and she gives you an outsiders point of you, it's time to step up to the plate and make something out of yourself rather than back off and continue to hide behind the obvious. I guess I expected him to put himself out there more. It is truly rare to find such a humble male character that can be so withdrawn. But once Lauren gets him to open up, he is charismatic and brilliant, loyal and supportive. He is clearly very unique in more ways than you can imagine and I ended up adoring him way too much.
Lauren has dropped out of school and moved back home ignoring all of the small-town rumors, she holds her head up high and is confident that she has made the right decision. She will pursue her degree via online and deal with her social insecurities at her own discretion. While she puts her education together and starts to concentrate on her well-being, it wouldn't hurt to help Rob out with getting his dream business going... especially since it will give her a front row seat to continue to crush over him. He has always been off limits to her, so she has had plenty of practice in keeping her hands off and drooling over him from afar...
Rob is trying to build a career for himself but is not knowledgeable with how to market himself. Working in construction gives him a lot of flexible time to rebuild the home he has just purchased and design/create furniture, that he hopes to make a living from doing some day. However, Rob lacks determination in making that dream come true. His whole life, everyone around him, has labeled him as the 'pretty boy' who is good with working with his hands that he isn't the brightest one to accomplish things. His lack of confidence keeps him from striving... Also, his current relationship is consuming and frustrating. And lacks the spark that he longs to have but doesn't think he deserves.
Once Lauren and Rob reconnect and things start moving along, I couldn't help myself but cheer them along and hope for the best. Like always, lack of communication and assumptions get in the way. But their kindred spirits keep bringing them back together. They compliment and balance each other. They also understand and encourage each like no one else ever had. They are sweet and goofy. I adore them to pieces.
Rob's lack of confidence was something that was mentioned over and over again. He continually dwelled on the fact that no one ever takes him seriously and that he's just another pretty face with no brains. Since he was a child, his sisters academics overshadowed any of his small accomplishments. He places no blame on his sister, which was refreshing, since it is the parents fault and not hers. All of this is understandable - something that has been said to you your entire life, you're going to believe it. However, when you have someone like Lauren come into your life and she gives you an outsiders point of you, it's time to step up to the plate and make something out of yourself rather than back off and continue to hide behind the obvious. I guess I expected him to put himself out there more. It is truly rare to find such a humble male character that can be so withdrawn. But once Lauren gets him to open up, he is charismatic and brilliant, loyal and supportive. He is clearly very unique in more ways than you can imagine and I ended up adoring him way too much.
Ann Aguirre really captured me with both of the main character's growth and blossoming relationship. These two complimented each other so perfectly and it was really amusing watching these two transform their crush turn into friendship turn into crushes again and then fall in love. Nothing is rushed and everyone meets in the middle on their own terms - perfection.
*I received an eARC from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
PURCHASE LINKS
THE 2B TRILOGY
I Want It That Way (Release date 8/26/14)
As Long As You Love Me (Release date 9/30/14)
The Shape of My Heart (Release date 11/25/14)
GIVEAWAY
(*Bumbles and Fairy-Tales will not be held responsible for any lost, damaged, unclaimed, etc. prizes.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Ann Aguirre
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.
I'm glad to hear (or read?) that this book was better for you! Objectively, there wasn't anything wrong with I WANT IT THAT WAY but I was detached from the story...however, I did find Lauren more compelling as a character so yay that I can finally read from her perspective! And Rob sounds like a cutie :D
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