The main character Lauren Barrett after three years in college, drops out, and returns home to her hometown of Sharon, Nebraska. Lauren hated being away from her hometown, her mother, and friends, but mostly away from Rob Conrad, her best friend's older brother. Though Rob barely knew she was alive as a teenager, Lauren still can't hope daydreaming and wanting to be with him.

Honestly I quibbled between giving this book a half star to one star. I finally rounded up to one star because the author chose not to go with the ex girlfriend is evil personified story line. And sadly this character was more interesting and had more depth to her than Lauren and Rob combined. Other than that this book was in my opinion equal parts boring and infuriating. I swear I am starting to not think that New Adult fiction is going to be my cup of tea. I don't know if it is just this book or many in the genre that I have read lately but there never seems to be a major obstacle between the two characters getting together. There was a potential obstacle here and there, but things just got dropped until we had the most ridiculous story line come out of nowhere as an obstacle.

First of all, if I don't care for the narrator in a story it is going to be an uphill battle for me to like the book. I could not stand Lauren as a character. There is one part of the book where she remembers how Rob ended up saving her from the attentions of a boy who wasn't taking no, not interested, as a reason to back off. Rob was there to pick her and his sister up and got the guy off of her. So she remembers this fondly.

She also at certain times seems to have a social anxiety disorder and at other times does not. By the way this issue is never even brought up until page 72. If your character has a social anxiety disorder how about that gets brought up sooner rather than later. I think it was used as a plot point to advance the story at certain times but at other times the author forgot that the character suffered from this. Case in point, she wants to take online college courses thinking that it will be easy on her to finish school this way. Then she gets a job at a car dealership which is going to involve her having to talk to strangers and coworkers all day. Do you think we get one scene where she is having an attack? Nope. We get an attack after she has sex for the first time with the hero. Does she have an attack when she is out and doing freaking karaoke in a bar? Nope.

The character of Rob is also written inconsistently as well. Used to be thought of as himbo, Rob is sensitive about anyone talking about how good looking he is. He has a girlfriend that he cares about since she actually sees potential in him. Good thing that Rob doesn't realize that 90 percent of the time Lauren is inner monologuing about how hot and sexy he is.

Lauren also spends all of her time helping out Rob and telling him how awesome he is. Rob seriously has a self esteem problem. I would have been more interested in this book if told from Rob's point of view actually. Though his sad sack self got on my nerves too.

The book fluctuates around many plot points and none of them are done well. Things just seem to be happening after Lauren and Rob get together. Frankly this should have been a novella since I felt as if the author just kept throwing things in the story to prolong it. Instead of focusing on things that actually could have added meat to the story this totally out of the normal chance of a lifetime comes Rob's way. And of course because of her social anxiety disorder (that only flares once in a while) Lauren can't hold Rob back from having it all.

The writing isn't really that great either and each chapter ends awkwardly and the next chapter beginning doesn't tie into the ending of the previous chapter. Sometimes the preceding chapter would drop a sentence that you would think would be followed up in the next chapter and nada. It was beyond annoying to keep reading the book that was set up this way. I felt like I was reading a Dan Brown book since he is always ending his chapters on mini-cliffhangers.

This book is apparently part of a series that Ann Aguirre has written. I have not read the other book in this series and have no idea if those books are better or not. In my opinion I really wouldn't bother with this one.

Please note that I received this book for free via the Amazon Vine Program. ( )

"As Long As You Love Me" is an appealing and touching New Adult contemporary romance. The second book in author Ann Aguirre's "2B Trilogy" features irresistibly imperfect characters who face very real issues which will resonate with many readers. Lauren Barrett and her best friend, Nadia Conrad, left small town Sharon, Nebraska with big hopes for bright futures. Attending college in Michigan and finding two college buddies to share an apartment and split expenses seemed like a sensible and fun way to survive the academic experience. However, after several years, Lauren is burning out--making poor personal choices and feeling emotionally stressed and pressured to get her act together. Giving up her scholarship, leaving her friends behind,and returning home to Nebraska seems like the only way out. Moving back in with her mom is just a temporary fix while Nadia figures out her future. She has to find a job, buy a car, and face her inner demons. She also has to face Rob Conrad, Nadia's older brother, and the longtime object of Lauren's unrequited affection. Rob is a former high school football star with heart-stopping good looks and a collection of personal insecurities. His athletic ability, handsome face, and quiet nature belie his thoughtful smarts, kind heart, and amazing ability to design, remodel and build. His lack of pretense and reliable good nature are often mistaken for a lack of intelligence, something of which Rob is keenly aware. Lauren has always known there was much more to Rob than most people took the time to see, and she can't help but be drawn to him as they each struggle to overcome their present difficult circumstances. The more time they spend together, the more they support and encourage each other, and a definite attraction begins to grow. Is it possible that Lauren is not the only one with a longtime crush? As their pasts begin to make way for their futures, will their hearts take the same path toward each other? "As Long As You Love Me" is a poignant and passionate romance, one sure to tug the heartstrings of its readers.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine ( )

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A steamy sequel with even more feels than the first one!

Opening Sentence: “It would be hard to argue with anyone who called me a failure.”

The Review:

Whew! Where can I even begin. When I saw this on my review list I picked up the first one because I usually try to read a series in order, (I don’t always have the time to do catch up on a large series, but if one or two books are out before the one I have to review, I will read the series from the beginning) I really loved it! That being said, this one was my favorite so far… I mean seriously, Lauren was so freaking likeable and totally great! Rob was like the perfect book boyfriend, and well the perfect guy in general. If you remember his sister Nadia is the focus of book one, and this book actually parallel each other. Lauren fails out and leaves not too long into the first book. As Long As You Love Me picks up literally where she leaves off in book one.

Lauren comes home feeling like a failure, and she is struggling to admit to herself why she let everything turn into an epic failure. She runs into Rob and then ends up hanging out despite the fact that he is dating Avery. They really begin to get to know each other in spite of the major crush Lauren has had on him since she was 14. When a friend of Avery gossips that Rob is cheating on Avery with Lauren, Rob breaks up with Avery because of the trust issues (L + R are not cheaters, just so we are all clear). Not long after that Rob and Lauren start to fall into a relationship. Lauren ends up in one of the funniest fights I have ever seen in a book. I am not lying. I laughed out loud, and seriously loved every minute of it, including Avery! In an odd twist the girls actually become fast friends after the altercation!

From there it just gets way too filled with spoilers to tell you more. Suffice to say this book is the best. I loved the friendships, not only between the girls but between Rob and Lauren. It was a major highlight of this book to see such an emphasis on friendship! I can say that I laughed and cried during this book, the feels are there. I really connected with Lauren, I loved her wit, snark and just about everything about her. It was great to see a woman who can realize she is broken, and that is important for people to be successful on their own. I say that because a lot of people can get dependent in relationships, and I think the most successful relationships are between equals and it is important for you to know your demons, and love yourself regardless! That is a huge message and it made me love this book even more.

I thought for sure I would breeze through this book like I had the first one, but I enjoyed it so much that I found myself soaking in every word. You don’t need to have read book one, but it would help you to know who everyone is. I am super excited to read book 3, even though I am fairly sure it just won’t top As Long As you Love Me. If you are looking for an amazing New Adult read then look no further, so far this series has been amazing! Although I do have to admit that I really want more of Rob and Lauren, seriously I could read another book about them.

Notable Scenes:

“There were no running boards, and I was short, almost a full foot smaller than him; before I could clamber up, he set his hands on my waist and lifted, setting me on the passenger seat with a sort of casual strength that stole my breath.”

“He was tentative, and I wondered if he’d always been this unsure of himself.”

“Rob building my bed was likely the closet I’d ever come to having him in it.”

“I siphoned the bitterness out of the thought as he studied my face.”

“Everything was just hidden like a deep, deep well, and then sealed shut with an iron lid.”

“Not the best move when your not-boyfriend might be planning to bludgeon your boss to death.”

FTC Advisory: Harlequin provided me with a copy of As Long As You Love Me. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. ( )

Review
 

I freaking love this trilogy! Ann Aguirre makes me fall in love with her characters.

I loved getting into Lauren's head. We catch glimpses of her drinking and other problems in I Want It That Way. We find the reason behind those insecurities in this book. She's used to playing a role in her life, and finds it hard to open up. She's had a massive crush on Rob since she was a teen, and the feelings have never gone away. I like that she learns to open up some, and wants to get a handle on the issues that she has. Rob is absolutely adorable. He's not dumb like everyone thinks. He is a perfect gentleman, and absolutely swoonworthy.

I love the sexual tension between Rob and Lauren. What's even better about it is that it's not unknown tension. It's like they are purposely torturing each other. Their relationship is sweet, but full of doubt. They don't know that they could give themselves over completely.

I also loved seeing the personal growth in all of the characters. Each person is fighting their own battles, but they seem to find the strength in each other to move forward in their lives.

I can't wait to see Max's story, and where that leads him.

 
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Read the First Chapter HERE!
Other Books in the 2B Trilogy:

I Want It That Way
As Long As You Love Me
The Shape Of My Heart (11/25/14)
As Long As You Love Me Blog Tour
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As Long As You Love Me

The Characters

Rob Conrad is the best. So strong and caring and surprisingly sweet.
Lauren Barrett smart, funny and relatable.

The Story

I’ve been crap at reviews lately. I seem to be stuck at loved it or hate it. On the bright side I loved this one. All I can put together to say is the blurb should read:

Hot sex scenes, a smart heroine and a hero that will make
your heart and your panties melt.



The Random Thoughts

4 Stars ( )