As Long As You Love Me (2B Trilogy #2)
by Ann Aguirre
Publisher – Harlequin HQN
Release Date – 30th September 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository
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.
We first met Lauren as best friend and roommate to Angus, Max and finally Nadia in
I Want It That Way. Whilst she wanted to grow up, go to college and go to university with Nadia, she knew she was just following the footsteps of her best friend, it wasn’t her path to take. Clearly Lauren wasn’t herself, so she took to parties and alcohol to cover the rejections and failures she was getting through uni, she knew this was effecting not only herself but also those of her roommates, and distancing from her one true friend. So she decided to go back, to Sharon, Nebraska, to back home, where not only she will find a place to stay but also place to share it with. This is where
As Long As You Love Me continues. This was what I loved about this sequel, Aguirre completely transports you to where you left off and often highlights moments from the previous novel. Only this time we see new character relationships forming into the 2B family.
Lauren focuses on forming a new life or maybe just rekindling her old life, with old relationships and new. Krista, a friend from way back in high school has also returned to Sharon only to be pregnant and her boyfriend who is out fighting for his country. Instantly they started where they left off, so life in Sharon doesn’t seem so bad after all. She also befriends Rob’s ex girlfriend who has way more in common than they realise and become really close friends.
However, she also runs into Rob, Nadia’s very hot big brother in the superstore. Only, Lauren has a huge crush on him for like…forever. However, Rob currently has a girlfriend and even before then he has always treated Lauren like a second sister. But that doesn’t mean they can be friends now can it!? Lauren is very much a different character that we might have seen IWITW, we saw a totally unrecognisable self than we see in this novel. What I love about Lauren is that she is totally honest, bold, sweet girl who just wants to find a path for herself. She suffers from her anxiety problems, but she tries to take control of them rather than they controlled her in IWITW.
Rob isn’t your typical NA male character, he far from the badass, overly confident persona that we usually see, who just swoon into the female character’s lead. However, Rob has confidence, issues, he has always believed that he wasn’t the brains of the family and that he shouldn’t bother with his life. His mum and dad tended to resolve around Nadia for that. But Rob is talented, he’s a hard worker but he just doesn’t have inspiration or enthusiasm to build on or move up of his own life. So when Lauren waltzes back into his life, he finds someone to latch onto, to support him in his future but also his happiness. You instantly fall on love with his character, his heart is laid out for you too see and all you want to do is grab it for yourself, he’s kind, honest and literally has a heart of gold. In my book he has hit all the right buttons…oh and including his obvious hotness *blushes*
Aguirre’s companion novel in the 2B trilogy is far more emotional, realistic and heart-warming to read. It makes your toes curl, a dreamy sigh escapes you and a bright smile as an after effect. Like I’ve said before, NA truly is changing and I think this woman really has highlighted that more through her primary and secondary characters, building quite an flawlessly written New Adult novel. If your not usually into NA or haven’t read this series, I really urge you too and please let me know of your thoughts.
Rating – 5
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.
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I have to agree! I think I also liked this book more than IWITW and I really liked that one! And to say that I adored this books when I'm not usually a fan of NA is quite saying something! I also loved how Rob was a fantastic character and not the more usual cocky guys with a dark past we tend to find.
Fantastic review Emma, cannot wait to read the next 2B book!
Exactly, Rob is exactly the person I love to read about. Not that I don't love bad guys *wink wink* . Come Back to Me is another great NA if you want something to try. I enjoy NA more than I used too. Can't wait to read Max's story either! 🙂
Good to hear that Rob is a different kind of NA male main character, I have been thinking of reading these
I hope you get to read these ones soon, Brandi, they really are a refreshing change to the NA genre. 🙂
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Emma! I felt as if the tension towards the end of the book was a little too much, too late, but I was still a fan and cannot wait for Max's story next. Fantastic review!(:
Yes I can see what you mean, but I guess I knew inevitably that would happen, which was a little predictable. But I can't wait for Max's story either, great build up to his I think especially between him and Lauren! Thank you, Keertana! 🙂
I really need to start the 2B series since everyone has such good things to say! Love that Rob was a different sort of male NA character! Makes me love him already! Great review 🙂
I really hope you get to start this series soon, Lily. I can't wait to read Max's story as well. This series has been an eye opener to the NA genre. Rob is such a inspiring character to love. Thank you, Lily! 🙂
I have the first book in this series Emma and your review makes me want to dive right in straight away. There's only been a few NA books that have worked for me, but I have high hopes that this series will be a success for me. So glad that you enjoyed this book Emma and a gorgeous review!
Oh I do hope you give this one a chance Jasprit. I think it's been a while for me to read a NA after going through that had the same or similar tastes in the plotline. Thank you, Jasprit! 🙂
Ahhhh! I can't wait to read this Emma! I absolutely loved the first book, so I'm really excited to hear this one is more emotional and heart-warming. I liked Lauren in the first book, but I think I'm going to fall in love with her in this one. And Rob too 😉
Lauren is such an awesome character. Believe me she is such a different character that we see in the first book in the series. Can't wait to see what you think, Jenny! 🙂
I have heard really amazing things about this series and well just the fact that they've got titles based on BSB songs has got me curious. I love when stories are this emotional and I'll have to give this one a try someday. Great review, Em 🙂
I have to say a lot of people saw the BSB connection, I didn't sadly as it's not my sort of music era. LOL! I hope you give it a try someday! Thank you, Tanja! 🙂
Rob having a girlfriend makes me a little nervous, so I hope that gets resolved quickly as you read. I have a copy of the first book in this series so I need to get to it soon, seeing as you're enjoying the series so much. Wonderful review, Emma! 🙂
Why does that make you a little nervous!? I really am, so I can't wait to see what in-store for the third and final book in the series. Thank you, Rachel! 🙂