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2B Trilogy #1
I Want It That Way
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, dating's the last thing on her mind. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B....
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down--and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, the last thing he wants is noisy students living in the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.
The timing is all wrong--but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down--and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, the last thing he wants is noisy students living in the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.
The timing is all wrong--but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2014
73 people are currently reading
5898 people want to read
About the author
Ann Aguirre
80 books7,039 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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August 3, 2016Warning: adding this book to your TBR will result in the BSB running constantly through your head! heeeee.
August 20, 2014
2.5 STARS
I’m a little confused right now so bear with me as I try to process this book.
This is my first Ann Aguirre book. I’ve first heard of her Razorland series and while that seems to be widely loved by my friends, it’s not named after a Backstreet Boys song so… New Adult it is and hello Ann Aguirre, it’s nice to meet you.
On the one hand, this book managed to avoid a lot of the tropes and pitfalls I’ve come to hate about New Adult Contemporary. The romance was between neighbours Nadia, an aspiring teacher, and Ty, the young father to her student, four year-old Sam. Their issue is that Ty refuses to engage in any form of commitment because of his predicament and Nadia settles for a Friends With Benefits type of relationship with him, with “half a loaf being better than none” at all.
While the plot and premise was rife with potential cliche land mines , Aguirre pulls a surprise by presenting her characters’ maturity in situations that have been ruined and recycled in so very few, uncreative ways elsewhere in this genre. I mostly liked how Nadia was portrayed and the smallest details about her father was quite impressive because I found him relatable real to mine.
On the other hand this story was just so unbelievably boring. From the moment Ty and Nadia engaged in their non-relationship, it felt chapters and chapters of non-events, a series of scenes that contributed very little to the overall plot and development of either protagonists. It was like:
It felt like their story was stuck in this black hole where things are happening but nothing is actually happening, and it was only around the 90% mark when the story resumed some semblance of motion and direction.
The minor storylines on this one were Nadia’s family, Sam and Nadia’s time together at the Learning Center (I am not quite convinced Sam is as adorable as this book seems to believe him to be, honestly) and her best friend Lauren’s on-going drama which I suppose sets the scene up for the next book. I quite liked the conflict in Lauren’s character (a little reminiscent of the heroine’s depth from Catch a Falling Star) but I’m reluctant to jump back in to this series with Aguirre’s vernacular preferences. It swung wildly from quirky fun,
to gag-worthy treacly strange
to OTT drama-llama
The sex scenes and dialogue were awkwardly unerotic and Ty’s declarations felt like eye-roll inducing pick-up lines. He truly was a difficult hero to fall for and I couldn’t fully understand Nadia attraction towards him outside him being a young father and a red-head. I wanted a little more complexity for this character, a worthy match to Nadia’s maturity and not someone who seems to be pulling a fast one on an unsuspecting, lovelorn girl.
Romance should make me want to fall for the guy and root for a HEA, not feel like he’s trying to con the heroine into some elaborate plot. Though I won’t deny, this would have been a brilliant thriller had Ty
When I read Aguirre’s dedication to Leigh Bardugo at the beginning of this book, I was almost certain I would fall for this cleverly titled book (capitalising on the collective kitschy 90’s music nostalgia of it’s reader base was nothing short of marketing genius). And while I appreciate the effort to stand apart from this overly crowded genre, I’m finding everyone else is striving to do exactly that these days. And this book, with its forgettable characters and dull, boring story, will unfortunately be lost among the very crowd it seems to strive to rise above.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers. Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof.
Also on Booklikes.
Not all love stories end happily. Sometimes they just end.
I’m a little confused right now so bear with me as I try to process this book.
This is my first Ann Aguirre book. I’ve first heard of her Razorland series and while that seems to be widely loved by my friends, it’s not named after a Backstreet Boys song so… New Adult it is and hello Ann Aguirre, it’s nice to meet you.
On the one hand, this book managed to avoid a lot of the tropes and pitfalls I’ve come to hate about New Adult Contemporary. The romance was between neighbours Nadia, an aspiring teacher, and Ty, the young father to her student, four year-old Sam. Their issue is that Ty refuses to engage in any form of commitment because of his predicament and Nadia settles for a Friends With Benefits type of relationship with him, with “half a loaf being better than none” at all.
While the plot and premise was rife with potential cliche land mines , Aguirre pulls a surprise by presenting her characters’ maturity in situations that have been ruined and recycled in so very few, uncreative ways elsewhere in this genre. I mostly liked how Nadia was portrayed and the smallest details about her father was quite impressive because I found him relatable real to mine.
On the other hand this story was just so unbelievably boring. From the moment Ty and Nadia engaged in their non-relationship, it felt chapters and chapters of non-events, a series of scenes that contributed very little to the overall plot and development of either protagonists. It was like:
Chapter 8: Nadia and her roommates go to a club.
Chapter 9: Nadia and her roommates go watch Project Runway but figured it was too boring and went to the movies instead.
Chapter 14: Nadia bakes cookies.
Chapter 17: Nadia and Ty stays in Ty’s apartment the whole weekend having sex.
Chapter 19: Halloween party.
Chapter 21: Nadia and Ty go to a ski lodge and have sex doggie-style.
It felt like their story was stuck in this black hole where things are happening but nothing is actually happening, and it was only around the 90% mark when the story resumed some semblance of motion and direction.
The minor storylines on this one were Nadia’s family, Sam and Nadia’s time together at the Learning Center (I am not quite convinced Sam is as adorable as this book seems to believe him to be, honestly) and her best friend Lauren’s on-going drama which I suppose sets the scene up for the next book. I quite liked the conflict in Lauren’s character (a little reminiscent of the heroine’s depth from Catch a Falling Star) but I’m reluctant to jump back in to this series with Aguirre’s vernacular preferences. It swung wildly from quirky fun,
”They stole our pie? Now I’m mad. And pie less. But mostly mad.”
to gag-worthy treacly strange
More kisses. I hoarded them like a squirrel chasing nuts around the yard.
to OTT drama-llama
Ridiculously, I touched a figertip to my phone, as if Ty lived in there because some evil wizard has cast a spell and locked him away from me like a genie in a lamp. But nothing happened apart from the solitary tear trickling down my cheek. I didn't like feeling this way, but I had no idea how to stop.
The sex scenes and dialogue were awkwardly unerotic and Ty’s declarations felt like eye-roll inducing pick-up lines. He truly was a difficult hero to fall for and I couldn’t fully understand Nadia attraction towards him outside him being a young father and a red-head. I wanted a little more complexity for this character, a worthy match to Nadia’s maturity and not someone who seems to be pulling a fast one on an unsuspecting, lovelorn girl.
”I just feel you, that’s all. If you’re anywhere nearby, I know it. I can always tell when you’re looking at me, too.”
Romance should make me want to fall for the guy and root for a HEA, not feel like he’s trying to con the heroine into some elaborate plot. Though I won’t deny, this would have been a brilliant thriller had Ty
When I read Aguirre’s dedication to Leigh Bardugo at the beginning of this book, I was almost certain I would fall for this cleverly titled book (capitalising on the collective kitschy 90’s music nostalgia of it’s reader base was nothing short of marketing genius). And while I appreciate the effort to stand apart from this overly crowded genre, I’m finding everyone else is striving to do exactly that these days. And this book, with its forgettable characters and dull, boring story, will unfortunately be lost among the very crowd it seems to strive to rise above.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers. Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof.
Also on Booklikes.
August 18, 2014
Title: I Want It That Way
Series: 2B #1
Author: Ann Aguirre
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Rating: 3.5 stars
Cliffhanger:. No
HEA:
I Want It That Way is a story about Nadia, college student that finally moved out with her friends from campus to nice neighbourhood; that’s where she meets Ty, who happens to be living in apartment above her. He’s handsome, young man that quickly caught her eye. He’s also a single parent raising his four year old son, Sam.
In a matter of short time, Nadia is seriously crushing on her neighbour from 1B. But Ty is not ready for any kind of relationship, he avoids commitment for now as he has a little boy to raise, work and his studies.
So when the things get a little bit out of hand, and they find themselves tangled in friends with benefits situation, Nadia’s heart is ridiculously close to being broken and Ty’s vow to not to fall in love may be endangered.
Ann Aguirre surprised me with nice, strong storyline, that definitely was captivating; seeing Ty as a single parent was as much heart-warming as heartbreaking. I started liking him instantly. He was strong, good and awesome young man, who was dealing with single parenthood the best he could. Although, some of the things he’s done made me mad at him and I really wanted to hurt him for being an asshole.
Nadia was also very likeable, warm heroine. I liked reading about her and her struggles. She seemed very ‘normal’ and relatable. I quickly grew to cheer for her and hoped she would get her HEA.
Overall, I really enjoyed most of this book. It was sweet, romantic and touching. It had a little bit of angst, lots of great sexual tension and nice, likeable characters. It was quick charming new adult read, which didn’t completely blow me away, but kept me entertained enough. Although the execution was okay, if things were a little bit more thought through (there were some issues that need fixing), the whole novel could have been wonderful; I just hoped the main characters would be more developed and didn’t go friends with benefits route. It made this book quite predictable, yet I felt glued to the pages.
**ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
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July 29, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
Book One of the 2B series
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this book contains mature subject matter, and is for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.
The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
What I Liked:
You all KNOW my struggle with New Adult contemporary romance novels. A few years ago, I read a lot of the "originals" - New Adult contemporary romance novels that weren't yet christened "New Adult", that weren't yet bought by large publishing companies. Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, and Tammara Webber were still doing the indie thing. I liked what I read... up until the publishing companies starting buying these indie books, and suddenly, EVERY author was writing New Adult contemporary romance novels, and self-publishing them, probably hoping that the big companies would buy their book's rights.
And the sad thing was/is, these books all started to sound the same. They WERE the same - innocent girl meets "bad" boy, falls in love with him, wants to fix him. Meanwhile, he has a dark, deadly past, he doesn't do emotions, but oh yes, he'd love to do her. It's very possible that she either has experienced or will experience rape or sexual abuse at some point.
Blah. Blah. Blah. I'm telling you right now, if this book followed the same bulls*** plot as the "older" New Adult contemporary romance novels, I would barf, rage, write a heck of a 0-star review, and forget that I requested and was approved for the next book. Aren't we all happy that's not the case?
Nadia and her friends Max, Lauren, and Angus have just moved into a new apartment. They're juniors, so no more on-campus dorm housing (don't I know this struggle). Nadia isn't expecting to fall into lust (and eventually, love) with the hawt neighbor on the floor below, Ty. Ty is three years older, works during the day and takes night classes, oh, has a four-year-old son (no wife, no girlfriend, no baby momma). Ty doesn't want a serious relationship with anyone, not after what happened with his ex-girlfriend, not with his son so young. But he and Nadia can't seem to stay away...
I don't think this book was too cliche at all. I haven't read a single New Adult contemporary romance novel that involved the male protagonist having a son - oh wait. Actually, now that I think about it, I remember on of J. Lynn's has that story. Ish. It's not as serious as it is in this book (if you know what I mean). We see so much of Sam, you can't not love him. Nadia is a part-time teacher at a daycare academy, so when Ty enrolls Sam, Nadia is teaching Sam every day.
I really enjoyed this story. I found that I read it really quickly, which was nice. It wasn't *too* focused on the angst and heartache and chemistry and blah blah blah. I mean, it was, kind of, but nothing like most New Adult contemporary romance novels (in which the romance is ALWAYS over the top and exaggerated - in my opinion. Don't forget that I'm a "new adult" in college). Ty and Nadia aren't constantly banging or flirting or doing that dance around each other. Their relationship, from the start, is more meaningful. They don't start based on oh-my-gosh-I-want-to-be-in-his/her-pants-ASAP. I mean, they both think that, but they start actually interacting on a deep level first, physical second. Or maybe third. Or tenth.
That being said, I really liked the romance. Ty and Nadia don't have a cookie-cutter fall-in-love story. They don't meet, flirt, hook up, fall in love, break up, fall in love and end up together. No, their journey is much more complicated than that, especially with Sam in the picture.
I love how much else is going on in this book. Nadia has a lot to deal with, with classes and work and her best friend's school crisis and her apartment-mates and Ty. Towards the end, it's like life took a giant dump of Nadia, but it feels very natural. Like there were little cues throughout the book that hinted that something of this or that nature would happen. I like how natural things flowed, instead of how most New Adult contemporary romance novels just throw random plot twists and climaxes at readers.
I didn't hate the female protagonist! Nadia isn't stupid or wishy-washy or straight-up DUMB, like most female protagonists in New Adult contemporary romance novels. And I love in the end, how SHE took charge of things (being vague). Good for her! Nadia doesn't necessarily have demons, but Ty does. His demons, in my opinion, are REAL. Not that I'm saying that the demons of male protagonists of other New Adult contemporary romance novels aren't necessarily real... but they don't seem to matter as much as something like a pregnancy, a child.
You know how most New Adult contemporary romance novels end perfectly? Like, boy and girl FINALLY get together as a real couple, girl faces her demons, boy faces his, boy saves girl from getting raped or run over by cars or beat up or whatever, and everyone sails off into the sunset. Well, in this book, the ending isn't what you would expect in a New Adult contemporary romance novel. Not everyone ends up perfectly happy. But I shan't give anything away!
Overall, I really liked this book. And not just because it's an Ann Aguirre book (though I do love Aguirre's books in general), but because it was a genuinely good book. Also, perhaps it's good that I took such a long break from New Adult contemporary romance novels. But I don't think I would have liked this book less if I still had been reading (and hating) New Adult contemporary romance novels, like before!
What I Did Not Like:
In no way do I promote the practice of day drinking, binge-drinking, post-break-up drinking, blackout drinking - quite frankly, I don't promote or endorse any type of drinking. Contrary to what you'll infer from most authors and their wine, alcohol is bad for you, people. Moderation is good though.
That was more like a disclaimer, not a dislike. Take it as you will!
Would I Recommend It:
If you like New Adult contemporary romance novels, definitely give this book a chance. If you like contemporary or romance novels in general, you will enjoy this book! There is adult content and whatnot, so be warned.
Rating:
4 stars. YAY, a positive rating for a New Adult contemporary romance novel, coming from a "new adult" who has read sooo many New Adult contemporary novels, and disliked a good number of them! That says something, people.
I Want It That Way by Ann Aguirre
Book One of the 2B series
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Publication Date: August 26, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
***Warning: this book contains mature subject matter, and is for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Nadia Conrad has big dreams, and she's determined to make them come true—for her parents' sake as well as her own. But between maintaining her college scholarship and working at the local day care to support herself, she barely has time to think, let alone date. Then she moves into a new apartment and meets the taciturn yet irresistible guy in 1B….
Daniel Tyler has grown up too fast. Becoming a single dad at twenty turned his life upside down—and brought him heartache he can't risk again. Now, as he raises his four-year-old son while balancing a full-time construction management job and night classes, a social life is out of the question. The last thing he wants is for four noisy students to move into the apartment upstairs. But one night, Nadia's and Ty's paths cross, and soon they can't stay away from each other.
The timing is all wrong—but love happens when it happens. And you can't know what you truly need until you stand to lose it.
What I Liked:
You all KNOW my struggle with New Adult contemporary romance novels. A few years ago, I read a lot of the "originals" - New Adult contemporary romance novels that weren't yet christened "New Adult", that weren't yet bought by large publishing companies. Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, and Tammara Webber were still doing the indie thing. I liked what I read... up until the publishing companies starting buying these indie books, and suddenly, EVERY author was writing New Adult contemporary romance novels, and self-publishing them, probably hoping that the big companies would buy their book's rights.
And the sad thing was/is, these books all started to sound the same. They WERE the same - innocent girl meets "bad" boy, falls in love with him, wants to fix him. Meanwhile, he has a dark, deadly past, he doesn't do emotions, but oh yes, he'd love to do her. It's very possible that she either has experienced or will experience rape or sexual abuse at some point.
Blah. Blah. Blah. I'm telling you right now, if this book followed the same bulls*** plot as the "older" New Adult contemporary romance novels, I would barf, rage, write a heck of a 0-star review, and forget that I requested and was approved for the next book. Aren't we all happy that's not the case?
Nadia and her friends Max, Lauren, and Angus have just moved into a new apartment. They're juniors, so no more on-campus dorm housing (don't I know this struggle). Nadia isn't expecting to fall into lust (and eventually, love) with the hawt neighbor on the floor below, Ty. Ty is three years older, works during the day and takes night classes, oh, has a four-year-old son (no wife, no girlfriend, no baby momma). Ty doesn't want a serious relationship with anyone, not after what happened with his ex-girlfriend, not with his son so young. But he and Nadia can't seem to stay away...
I don't think this book was too cliche at all. I haven't read a single New Adult contemporary romance novel that involved the male protagonist having a son - oh wait. Actually, now that I think about it, I remember on of J. Lynn's has that story. Ish. It's not as serious as it is in this book (if you know what I mean). We see so much of Sam, you can't not love him. Nadia is a part-time teacher at a daycare academy, so when Ty enrolls Sam, Nadia is teaching Sam every day.
I really enjoyed this story. I found that I read it really quickly, which was nice. It wasn't *too* focused on the angst and heartache and chemistry and blah blah blah. I mean, it was, kind of, but nothing like most New Adult contemporary romance novels (in which the romance is ALWAYS over the top and exaggerated - in my opinion. Don't forget that I'm a "new adult" in college). Ty and Nadia aren't constantly banging or flirting or doing that dance around each other. Their relationship, from the start, is more meaningful. They don't start based on oh-my-gosh-I-want-to-be-in-his/her-pants-ASAP. I mean, they both think that, but they start actually interacting on a deep level first, physical second. Or maybe third. Or tenth.
That being said, I really liked the romance. Ty and Nadia don't have a cookie-cutter fall-in-love story. They don't meet, flirt, hook up, fall in love, break up, fall in love and end up together. No, their journey is much more complicated than that, especially with Sam in the picture.
I love how much else is going on in this book. Nadia has a lot to deal with, with classes and work and her best friend's school crisis and her apartment-mates and Ty. Towards the end, it's like life took a giant dump of Nadia, but it feels very natural. Like there were little cues throughout the book that hinted that something of this or that nature would happen. I like how natural things flowed, instead of how most New Adult contemporary romance novels just throw random plot twists and climaxes at readers.
I didn't hate the female protagonist! Nadia isn't stupid or wishy-washy or straight-up DUMB, like most female protagonists in New Adult contemporary romance novels. And I love in the end, how SHE took charge of things (being vague). Good for her! Nadia doesn't necessarily have demons, but Ty does. His demons, in my opinion, are REAL. Not that I'm saying that the demons of male protagonists of other New Adult contemporary romance novels aren't necessarily real... but they don't seem to matter as much as something like a pregnancy, a child.
You know how most New Adult contemporary romance novels end perfectly? Like, boy and girl FINALLY get together as a real couple, girl faces her demons, boy faces his, boy saves girl from getting raped or run over by cars or beat up or whatever, and everyone sails off into the sunset. Well, in this book, the ending isn't what you would expect in a New Adult contemporary romance novel. Not everyone ends up perfectly happy. But I shan't give anything away!
Overall, I really liked this book. And not just because it's an Ann Aguirre book (though I do love Aguirre's books in general), but because it was a genuinely good book. Also, perhaps it's good that I took such a long break from New Adult contemporary romance novels. But I don't think I would have liked this book less if I still had been reading (and hating) New Adult contemporary romance novels, like before!
What I Did Not Like:
In no way do I promote the practice of day drinking, binge-drinking, post-break-up drinking, blackout drinking - quite frankly, I don't promote or endorse any type of drinking. Contrary to what you'll infer from most authors and their wine, alcohol is bad for you, people. Moderation is good though.
That was more like a disclaimer, not a dislike. Take it as you will!
Would I Recommend It:
If you like New Adult contemporary romance novels, definitely give this book a chance. If you like contemporary or romance novels in general, you will enjoy this book! There is adult content and whatnot, so be warned.
Rating:
4 stars. YAY, a positive rating for a New Adult contemporary romance novel, coming from a "new adult" who has read sooo many New Adult contemporary novels, and disliked a good number of them! That says something, people.
August 27, 2014
***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
It’s so hard to describe this book because, while it isn’t particularly special and will probably not blow your mind away, it’s also a fantastic read and something that combines youthfulness, young love and the difficulties one faces when you have to grow up, and it is done in such a fresh manner. There is something great when a book manages to merge those elements together--and I Want it That Way is that kind of great.
The new adult demographic has become known for tons of sex and not having enough character development but a lot of the NA books coming out lately are starting to change how we see them and are starting to really explore the potential this demographic holds. I Want it That Way is one of those books. It’s why I ended up adoring this book in spite of the handful of problems I had.
For starters, the characters are fantastic. Both the main and secondary characters (Lauren aside) are well developed, are easy to like and have depth to them. They all have their own sets of problems, yet they aren’t really a depressing bunch. Even Ty, which is surprising considering what he’s been through. He may come off as somewhat bitter in the beginning, but it’s more of a "once bitten, twice shy" kind of thing. He doesn't mope around and whine about how life isn’t fair.
Nadia was such a likeable female lead and was SO relatable. I loved how in spite of all the heartbreak that was in it for her, she never really gave up on Ty. Even when they had their ups and downs, she wasn’t tempted to go run and jump the first guy she came across. She handled a lot of the situations she found herself in like an adult and was mature, but at the same time, she also acted like her age. What I loved more about her, though, was how she was around Sam (Ty’s kid) and her friends. She is the kind of friend anyone would want and is just all-around likeable. What really sold me on her was, when after hearing Ty’s story, she didn’t take his side. She didn’t take any side, for that matter. She neither condoned nor condemned his actions and just understood him instead. A character who doesn’t just butt into everyone’s business and just lets people talk, just LISTENS and offers comfort (instead of lies) is bound to be a good character.
Ty was just swoon-worthy and he also complemented Nadia perfectly. He needed someone who could help him get outside the solitary circle he had created for himself--someone who would push him to do things--and in that manner, they worked well together. That aside, what really made Ty endearing was how much he loved his son. He never saw him as a burden or someone that stopped him from living more. There were obviously things he missed from "before", but at the same time, he never really blamed his son. He was also a sweetheart and definitely not a jerk. He was always straight with Nadia about how far they could take things and never really tried to lead her on. He cared enough about her to know that at that point in life she might not be ready to give everything up and he knew that being with him wouldn’t just be about him because he also had Sam to think of.
Their romance did have the insta-love vibes, and while that should have disturbed me me, I wasn’t all that bothered since the two complemented each other. Their relationship wasn’t purely sexual and there was so much going on. The two took their time to actually talk to one another. They talked about their favorite things, dreams and aspirations, etc. Plus, there is the fact that we, as readers, weren’t privy to all their interactions. In the end, they made a good couple and were very easy to ship--isn’t that all that matters?
What stopped me from absolutely loving this book was Lauren, and then the Lauren-and-Max drama. I felt like the whole issue between the two was unnecessary, not to mention painful to read about! It would be a great build-up for the third book and would probably add to Max’s tortured-ness but… is it really Lauren’s fault that she didn’t fall head over heels for him (even though I happen to think he is fabulous)? I just feel like, in Max’s book, Lauren might be seen in a negative light for "breaking his heart", and I don't like that. All that aside, I wasn’t even a huge fan of Lauren in the first place. I absolutely hate it when people hide secrets from their best friends. The fact that Lauren spent such a huge chunk of time hiding stuff from Nadia--and ended up only telling her when necessary--didn’t really make me like her. They're supposed to be best friends--she shouldn’t be scared to tell her things, no matter how Nadia might respond! What are you doing, calling yourself her best friend when you cannot even do that?!?!
With all that said, this really is a story worth reading. I might have had some problems with the book, but I was thoroughly invested in it and wasn’t let down in the least. It may not have blown my mind but not all novels are meant to. Sometimes, for a novel to be something we can relate to, it doesn’t have to be totally amazing. It just needs to be down to Earth. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good NA novel to read.
FUN FACT: The first song I listened to after finishing the book was NOT in fact I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys... it was Bye Bye Bye by 'N Sync.
It’s so hard to describe this book because, while it isn’t particularly special and will probably not blow your mind away, it’s also a fantastic read and something that combines youthfulness, young love and the difficulties one faces when you have to grow up, and it is done in such a fresh manner. There is something great when a book manages to merge those elements together--and I Want it That Way is that kind of great.
The new adult demographic has become known for tons of sex and not having enough character development but a lot of the NA books coming out lately are starting to change how we see them and are starting to really explore the potential this demographic holds. I Want it That Way is one of those books. It’s why I ended up adoring this book in spite of the handful of problems I had.
For starters, the characters are fantastic. Both the main and secondary characters (Lauren aside) are well developed, are easy to like and have depth to them. They all have their own sets of problems, yet they aren’t really a depressing bunch. Even Ty, which is surprising considering what he’s been through. He may come off as somewhat bitter in the beginning, but it’s more of a "once bitten, twice shy" kind of thing. He doesn't mope around and whine about how life isn’t fair.
Nadia was such a likeable female lead and was SO relatable. I loved how in spite of all the heartbreak that was in it for her, she never really gave up on Ty. Even when they had their ups and downs, she wasn’t tempted to go run and jump the first guy she came across. She handled a lot of the situations she found herself in like an adult and was mature, but at the same time, she also acted like her age. What I loved more about her, though, was how she was around Sam (Ty’s kid) and her friends. She is the kind of friend anyone would want and is just all-around likeable. What really sold me on her was, when after hearing Ty’s story, she didn’t take his side. She didn’t take any side, for that matter. She neither condoned nor condemned his actions and just understood him instead. A character who doesn’t just butt into everyone’s business and just lets people talk, just LISTENS and offers comfort (instead of lies) is bound to be a good character.
Ty was just swoon-worthy and he also complemented Nadia perfectly. He needed someone who could help him get outside the solitary circle he had created for himself--someone who would push him to do things--and in that manner, they worked well together. That aside, what really made Ty endearing was how much he loved his son. He never saw him as a burden or someone that stopped him from living more. There were obviously things he missed from "before", but at the same time, he never really blamed his son. He was also a sweetheart and definitely not a jerk. He was always straight with Nadia about how far they could take things and never really tried to lead her on. He cared enough about her to know that at that point in life she might not be ready to give everything up and he knew that being with him wouldn’t just be about him because he also had Sam to think of.
Their romance did have the insta-love vibes, and while that should have disturbed me me, I wasn’t all that bothered since the two complemented each other. Their relationship wasn’t purely sexual and there was so much going on. The two took their time to actually talk to one another. They talked about their favorite things, dreams and aspirations, etc. Plus, there is the fact that we, as readers, weren’t privy to all their interactions. In the end, they made a good couple and were very easy to ship--isn’t that all that matters?
What stopped me from absolutely loving this book was Lauren, and then the Lauren-and-Max drama. I felt like the whole issue between the two was unnecessary, not to mention painful to read about! It would be a great build-up for the third book and would probably add to Max’s tortured-ness but… is it really Lauren’s fault that she didn’t fall head over heels for him (even though I happen to think he is fabulous)? I just feel like, in Max’s book, Lauren might be seen in a negative light for "breaking his heart", and I don't like that. All that aside, I wasn’t even a huge fan of Lauren in the first place. I absolutely hate it when people hide secrets from their best friends. The fact that Lauren spent such a huge chunk of time hiding stuff from Nadia--and ended up only telling her when necessary--didn’t really make me like her. They're supposed to be best friends--she shouldn’t be scared to tell her things, no matter how Nadia might respond! What are you doing, calling yourself her best friend when you cannot even do that?!?!
With all that said, this really is a story worth reading. I might have had some problems with the book, but I was thoroughly invested in it and wasn’t let down in the least. It may not have blown my mind but not all novels are meant to. Sometimes, for a novel to be something we can relate to, it doesn’t have to be totally amazing. It just needs to be down to Earth. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a good NA novel to read.
FUN FACT: The first song I listened to after finishing the book was NOT in fact I Want it That Way by Backstreet Boys... it was Bye Bye Bye by 'N Sync.
Want to read
April 18, 2014This is a romance trilogy written by Ann Aguirre. EACH OF THE TITLES IS A BACKSTREET BOYS SONG. No April Fool's joke.
I Want it that Way
As Long As You Love Me
The Shape of my Heart
I am confused, especially because I'll most likely end up reading them all.
I Want it that Way
As Long As You Love Me
The Shape of my Heart
I am confused, especially because I'll most likely end up reading them all.
February 17, 2018
I Want It That Way es el primer libro de la trilogia llamada 2B escrita por Ann Aguirre, ademas de ser mi primera lectura de la autora.
Cuando lei la sinopsis de esta novela me recordo a uno de mis libros favoritos ( Shameless de Lex Martin ), objetivamente se que no tienen demasiadas cosas en comun, solo pequeños detalles que me empujaron a darle una oportunidad e iniciarlo.
La historia esta bien desarrollada y tiene unos personajes bien creados pero por alguna razon durante toda la lectura me senti bastante desconectada, no terminaba de conectar con lo que leia, aun asi tengo que reconocer que la historia de Ty y Nadia me mantuvo entretenida.
Algo que le cambiaria a la historia es su longitud, algunos capitulos no aportaban nada y si los hubieran suprimido no creo que hubiera afectado al resto del libro.
En resumen, I Want It That Way es un libro ideal para quienes disfruten de las lecturas lentas y pausadas, no se lo recomiendo a quien no tenga paciencia, ya que creo que los sacara de quicio xDD.
En unos dias comenzare el siguiente!
2.75 Estrellas!
September 22, 2014
This is truly an example of a New Adult book done right.
This book did not make me roll my eyes, or make me cringe at insta-luv, or have a ridiculous love triangle. Instead, we are treated to a remarkably normal couple who are working hard to put themselves through school. Both have strong goals, and both work so much it's hard to believe that they even have the time and energy to have a romantic relationship. There's Nadia, who lives with three roommates, works in a daycare and goes to school full time studying to become a special ed teacher. Nadia lives upstairs from Ty, nicknamed Hot Ginger by her roommates. Ty is also working full time, attending night school, and is a father to the cutest 4 year old ever. The two are attracted to each other, but there are complications. The buildup is delicious, the couple are perfect for each other, and Nadia does have a life and friends outside of Ty. And did I mention that Sam is the cutest 4 year old ever?
Christal and I discuss this book as part of Lovin Los Libro's Jumble Your Genres Challenge on Badass Book Reviews. See what we thought about this book and more on the blog.
Highly recommended.
This book did not make me roll my eyes, or make me cringe at insta-luv, or have a ridiculous love triangle. Instead, we are treated to a remarkably normal couple who are working hard to put themselves through school. Both have strong goals, and both work so much it's hard to believe that they even have the time and energy to have a romantic relationship. There's Nadia, who lives with three roommates, works in a daycare and goes to school full time studying to become a special ed teacher. Nadia lives upstairs from Ty, nicknamed Hot Ginger by her roommates. Ty is also working full time, attending night school, and is a father to the cutest 4 year old ever. The two are attracted to each other, but there are complications. The buildup is delicious, the couple are perfect for each other, and Nadia does have a life and friends outside of Ty. And did I mention that Sam is the cutest 4 year old ever?
Christal and I discuss this book as part of Lovin Los Libro's Jumble Your Genres Challenge on Badass Book Reviews. See what we thought about this book and more on the blog.
Highly recommended.
January 17, 2021
Este libro debió llamarse: 'Ain't nothin' but a heartache', No es nada más que una angustia
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen
I want it That Way de Anne Aguirre Trilogía 2B libro 1
Argumento:
Nadia Conrad tiene grandes sueños, y está decidida a hacerlos realidad;
por el bien de sus padres, como también por el suyo. Pero entre mantener su beca universitaria y trabajar en la guardería local para sustentarse, apenas tiene tiempo para pensar, mucho menos para salir en citas. Entonces se muda a un nuevo apartamento y conoce al chico taciturno pero irresistible del 1B…
Daniel Tyler ha tenido que crecer demasiado rápido. Convertirse en papá soltero a los veinte años puso su vida al revés… y le trajo un dolor al que no puede volver a arriesgarse.
Ahora, mientras cría a su hijo de cuatro años, equilibrando un trabajo a tiempo completo en administración de construcción y clases nocturnas, tener una vida social es imposible. Lo último que quiere es que cuatro estudiantes ruidosos se muden al piso de arriba. Pero una noche, los caminos de Nadia y Ty se cruzan, y pronto no pueden mantenerse alejados el uno del otro.
No es el momento adecuado… pero el amor ocurre cuando ocurre. Y no
puedes saber lo que realmente necesitas hasta que vas a perderlo.
Mí humilde opinión:
Los BSB fueron parte de mí adolescencia, los amaba, aún hoy si escucho una canción del grupo me acuerdo de toda la letra y por supuesto la canto en voz alta, no me da vergüenza admitirlo. Vaya sorpresa enterarme luego de que la autora nombró el libro por la canción.
Lamentablemente el libro lo sentí por un lado tedioso y por el otro tan angustioso como dice la canción de los BSB: Ain't nothin' but a heartache, No es nada más que una angustia.
Estuvo genial el mensaje hacia los jóvenes de hacer lo que te gusta, cumplir tus sueños como te hagan feliz y que el camino no es fácil en la vida, te equivocas y aprendes. Esto está bien retratado aquí pero todo eran escenas tras escena del grupo de amigos de Nadia, interactuando y mostrando sus vidas cotidianas y tantos detalles sobre lo que hacían y dejaban de hacer que me resultó tedioso de leer y no precisamente me enganchó a la historia.
Nadia y Ty me gustaron, son personajes realistas que puedes conocer en el mundo real pero su historia de amor no fue algo que me mató. Hubo atracción, algunos momentos lindos y escenas de sexo tirando a normales pero faltó una química especial.
Por qué tanta angustia? Leer tanto dolor era una patada. No creo que el problema fuera tan malo como para hacer pasar por tanto dolor a los protagonistas y al lector. Me enojó porque sentí que no valió la pena tanta angustia para llegar a sus felices para siempre.
Sam fue un dulce de leche de niño, toda esta parte del padre soltero me gustó. Sin embargo, que Ty rompiera tan fácil con Nadia y la mandara a encontrar a otro me tiró para abajo como héroe. No luchó por ella, por encontrar una manera para estar juntos. Fue Nadia la que luchó al final por los dos.
En definitiva, ok pero fue duro de leer.
⭐⭐⭐ Estrellas por mí recuerdo de los BSB y por Nadia que no se dio por vencida con Ty.
August 19, 2014
Aguirre's I Want it That Way is a relatively unexceptional piece of literature. It isn't the New Adult Series I'd recommend on a whim but, an important distinction to note is that I also wouldn't warn away from it. For me, it seems to be a new milestone in New Adult literature when I can find a novel that steers clear of slut-shaming, misogyny, rape, or other over-used tropes. Thus, though I hesitate to say it, Aguirre's I Want it That Way belongs to that new milestone of New Adult; not remarkable but a far cry from terrible too.
I Want it That Way is, at its core, a romance novel. Nadia moves into a two-story apartment complex and finds herself living above Ty, the gorgeously sexy single-father who works by day and studies by night. Nadia and Ty have chemistry--they can feel it, even from the vertical separation of a few feet, but with his son and complicated lifestyle there is no place for Nadia in Ty's life. But as Ty spends more and more time with Nadia he finds it more and more difficult to stay away. Just a brief place-holder relationship until The One came along...it couldn't hurt, right? But what if The One was there all along and Ty just won't open his eyes...?
I hardly feel the need to touch upon the love story within I Want it That Way. Just the way I like it it's a slow, tortuous burn and I appreciate the fact that Nadia and Ty get to know one another on an emotional, mental level before they broach a physical relationship with one another. It isn't easy for Ty to let Nadia into his life and, similarly, it isn't easy for Nadia to choose to be with Ty. Ty lives the life of an individual at least another decade older than he really is and for Nadia to adjust to that--and vice versa--is tough. Aguirre leaves no stone unturned, however, in exploring their relationship and its struggles and I found it a delight to read. Moreover, I really enjoyed Nadia's collegiate experiences bleeding into her romance. Whether it be a tiff with her best friend and roommate or lending a shoulder for another friend to cry on, the dynamics of these four roommates and Nadia's role in the midst of it, juggling her school work with her social life with Ty, was not only a balance to have to live through but also to write. Granted, Nadia's experiences as a college student are not the focus of this novel but their presence enhanced the tale and brought Nadia's unique decisions into broader perspective. Perfect for a lazy afternoon or a stormy night, I Want it That Way is quick, entertaining, and satisfying. While you can certainly ask--and expect--more from both Aguirre and New Adult, this is likely the best you'll read of them together.
I Want it That Way is, at its core, a romance novel. Nadia moves into a two-story apartment complex and finds herself living above Ty, the gorgeously sexy single-father who works by day and studies by night. Nadia and Ty have chemistry--they can feel it, even from the vertical separation of a few feet, but with his son and complicated lifestyle there is no place for Nadia in Ty's life. But as Ty spends more and more time with Nadia he finds it more and more difficult to stay away. Just a brief place-holder relationship until The One came along...it couldn't hurt, right? But what if The One was there all along and Ty just won't open his eyes...?
I hardly feel the need to touch upon the love story within I Want it That Way. Just the way I like it it's a slow, tortuous burn and I appreciate the fact that Nadia and Ty get to know one another on an emotional, mental level before they broach a physical relationship with one another. It isn't easy for Ty to let Nadia into his life and, similarly, it isn't easy for Nadia to choose to be with Ty. Ty lives the life of an individual at least another decade older than he really is and for Nadia to adjust to that--and vice versa--is tough. Aguirre leaves no stone unturned, however, in exploring their relationship and its struggles and I found it a delight to read. Moreover, I really enjoyed Nadia's collegiate experiences bleeding into her romance. Whether it be a tiff with her best friend and roommate or lending a shoulder for another friend to cry on, the dynamics of these four roommates and Nadia's role in the midst of it, juggling her school work with her social life with Ty, was not only a balance to have to live through but also to write. Granted, Nadia's experiences as a college student are not the focus of this novel but their presence enhanced the tale and brought Nadia's unique decisions into broader perspective. Perfect for a lazy afternoon or a stormy night, I Want it That Way is quick, entertaining, and satisfying. While you can certainly ask--and expect--more from both Aguirre and New Adult, this is likely the best you'll read of them together.
September 13, 2014
3.5 stars
I know that most of you know Ann Aguirre because of her dystopian novels (which I haven't read yet, by the way) and that most of her readers are doubtful about Ann writing contemporary romance, new adult romance - but since I am in the mood for new adult and more realistic stories, this was a great choice for me.
Let's talk about that title! I am guessing that younger generation doesn't know or has vague knowledge about very popular boy band from the end of the nineties, Backstreet Boys. Rest of you thought about their song as soon as you saw the title, admit it? I laughed like crazy, but Ann Aguirre gets extra points for being a fellow BSB fan. (Yes, I know - I am so old!)
Story - interesting idea, but put on a paper... Girl moves in with her friends into the new apartment. Cute guy lives floor below her. They have connection. He has a kid. Oh, the complications and drama! This was truly brilliant idea for new adult story full of twists and turns and tension and feels. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver sometimes mostly because of writing and few plot holes.
Characters. Nadia was constantly on that fine line between acceptable female character and the one that annoys the hell out of you. She could be so selfish and self-centered at times and then do something so awesome that you would scream girl crush to anyone who would listen. Ty is build from a swoon worthy material, but even he can't see further from his own nose at few occasions.
Final judgement? Adorable story that will be a perfect fit for warm August evening, especially if you need something sweet and romantic.
***Copy of the book was provided by publisher, Harlequin HQN, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!***
I know that most of you know Ann Aguirre because of her dystopian novels (which I haven't read yet, by the way) and that most of her readers are doubtful about Ann writing contemporary romance, new adult romance - but since I am in the mood for new adult and more realistic stories, this was a great choice for me.
Let's talk about that title! I am guessing that younger generation doesn't know or has vague knowledge about very popular boy band from the end of the nineties, Backstreet Boys. Rest of you thought about their song as soon as you saw the title, admit it? I laughed like crazy, but Ann Aguirre gets extra points for being a fellow BSB fan. (Yes, I know - I am so old!)
Story - interesting idea, but put on a paper... Girl moves in with her friends into the new apartment. Cute guy lives floor below her. They have connection. He has a kid. Oh, the complications and drama! This was truly brilliant idea for new adult story full of twists and turns and tension and feels. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver sometimes mostly because of writing and few plot holes.
Characters. Nadia was constantly on that fine line between acceptable female character and the one that annoys the hell out of you. She could be so selfish and self-centered at times and then do something so awesome that you would scream girl crush to anyone who would listen. Ty is build from a swoon worthy material, but even he can't see further from his own nose at few occasions.
Final judgement? Adorable story that will be a perfect fit for warm August evening, especially if you need something sweet and romantic.
***Copy of the book was provided by publisher, Harlequin HQN, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!***
Want to read
September 25, 2014I might be late to the party, but did Ann Aguirre intentionally name all of the books in this series after boy band songs?
You know how hard it is for me to get songs stuck OUT of my head? Thanks man! =/
"Ain't nothin' but a heartache..."
Dangnabit. >_____<
You know how hard it is for me to get songs stuck OUT of my head? Thanks man! =/
"Ain't nothin' but a heartache..."
Dangnabit. >_____<
October 1, 2017
I really loved this!
Nadia Conrad is incredibly busy with college and working at a daycare. When she moves into a new apartment with her friends she meets Ty, an intriguing and handsome guy that lives right below her. Nadia soon finds out Ty is a single dad raising his four year old son, Sam, by himself.
While Nadia’s falling for Ty, he is unsure and tries to avoid real commitment. He believes his only commitment can be to Sam and his studies so he can make a life for his family.
I have read Ann Aguirre’s Razorland series and started the Sirantha Jax series, this was so different from anything I have read by her but I really enjoyed this! Ty was a little frustrating to read, with how much he resists his attraction to Nadia but he did thankfully come to his senses.
Technically I give this a 4.5 out of five stars because even though I liked it, it did feel forgettable. It was a nice read and I loved the characters but there wasn’t anything special or different from the rest of the NA genre. Sam was quite adorable but I don’t really love babies/kids in the NA genre. Sam was definitely the least offensive kid I have read to be fair.
I think the BSB titles are quite cute and catchy but they don’t have much to do with the plot (as expected).
|Featherbrained Books Blog | Twitter |
Nadia Conrad is incredibly busy with college and working at a daycare. When she moves into a new apartment with her friends she meets Ty, an intriguing and handsome guy that lives right below her. Nadia soon finds out Ty is a single dad raising his four year old son, Sam, by himself.
While Nadia’s falling for Ty, he is unsure and tries to avoid real commitment. He believes his only commitment can be to Sam and his studies so he can make a life for his family.
I have read Ann Aguirre’s Razorland series and started the Sirantha Jax series, this was so different from anything I have read by her but I really enjoyed this! Ty was a little frustrating to read, with how much he resists his attraction to Nadia but he did thankfully come to his senses.
Technically I give this a 4.5 out of five stars because even though I liked it, it did feel forgettable. It was a nice read and I loved the characters but there wasn’t anything special or different from the rest of the NA genre. Sam was quite adorable but I don’t really love babies/kids in the NA genre. Sam was definitely the least offensive kid I have read to be fair.
I think the BSB titles are quite cute and catchy but they don’t have much to do with the plot (as expected).
|Featherbrained Books Blog | Twitter |
August 6, 2014
2.5 stars
Not a bad book and not a good one either. I Want It That Way felt contrived even though I have not read many books of its genre: I could discern its repetitive nature from the "handsome guy with a mysterious and dark past" and the "playful yet melodramatic relationship" tropes from miles away. I wanted more depth from Nadia and Ty, aside from their instant attraction and the problems given to them by Ann Aguirre. For example, here's a passage on page 44 - one of their first encounters - that made me roll my eyes:
A muscle flexed in his jaw and he closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if I'd stroked him in an unspeakably intimate place. My fingers curled against the urge to touch him, brush the bright hair away from his brow or test the gold bristles of his jaw. A rush of longing hammered at my composure, a visceral attraction unlike any I'd ever known. He rubbed his palm over his mouth, and I could've sworn he whispered something like, make it stop, I don't have time for this right now, but it was more of a breath or a sigh, and it could've been my imagination.
As I watch a little bit of television this summer, I keep coming back to the idea of plot coming from the characters vs. plot appearing for plot's sake, an idea that Stephen King mentions in his book On Writing. For a story to work, I feel that the plot must manifest from within the characters: external conflicts should also reflect within characters' internal conflicts. In I Want It That Way, however, all of Nadia's problems stemmed from forces outside of herself that worked in a disjointed manner. The story did not guide me; rather, I recognized each of Nadia's problems as another predicament to further the plot, removing me from her voice and the story itself.
All of that aside, Ann Aguirre's writing was decent and the book entertained me on a surface level. If the synopsis or this type of NA interests you, I would give I Want It That Way a shot. If the blurb does not sound appealing, skip it.
Not a bad book and not a good one either. I Want It That Way felt contrived even though I have not read many books of its genre: I could discern its repetitive nature from the "handsome guy with a mysterious and dark past" and the "playful yet melodramatic relationship" tropes from miles away. I wanted more depth from Nadia and Ty, aside from their instant attraction and the problems given to them by Ann Aguirre. For example, here's a passage on page 44 - one of their first encounters - that made me roll my eyes:
A muscle flexed in his jaw and he closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if I'd stroked him in an unspeakably intimate place. My fingers curled against the urge to touch him, brush the bright hair away from his brow or test the gold bristles of his jaw. A rush of longing hammered at my composure, a visceral attraction unlike any I'd ever known. He rubbed his palm over his mouth, and I could've sworn he whispered something like, make it stop, I don't have time for this right now, but it was more of a breath or a sigh, and it could've been my imagination.
As I watch a little bit of television this summer, I keep coming back to the idea of plot coming from the characters vs. plot appearing for plot's sake, an idea that Stephen King mentions in his book On Writing. For a story to work, I feel that the plot must manifest from within the characters: external conflicts should also reflect within characters' internal conflicts. In I Want It That Way, however, all of Nadia's problems stemmed from forces outside of herself that worked in a disjointed manner. The story did not guide me; rather, I recognized each of Nadia's problems as another predicament to further the plot, removing me from her voice and the story itself.
All of that aside, Ann Aguirre's writing was decent and the book entertained me on a surface level. If the synopsis or this type of NA interests you, I would give I Want It That Way a shot. If the blurb does not sound appealing, skip it.
May 4, 2019
May 2019 4 Star Review
This was an enjoyable read. The story is about the romance between Nadia and Ty. Nadia is a great character. She is smart, never gives up, and tries really hard in everything she does. Ty is an interesting character. I had to take some times to understand him as a character, and his decisions. The story was well-written, and I thought their love story was interesting and I thought it was enjoyable to see. It is not my all-time favourite New Adult Contemporary book, but it is in my Top 20 list. I hope to see more NA contemporary novels by Ann Aguirre. I enjoyed it. Overall, a great read.
July 2017 4 Star Review
This was an enjoyable read. The story was well-written, and the pace was great. I really loved the Enclave series by Ann Aguirre, so I wanted to see what her other books were like. When I read this NA book, I really enjoyed the characters and they did seem relatable to me. Nadia is a strong heroine. She is a good person, but she also questions herself on certain things, which I feel like people can relate to when in a difficult situation. Ty is a bit frustrating. He is guarded because of past things, so I get why he is hesitant. However, I thought out of the main characters, Nadia was my favourite as she was more relatable to me. It was not my favourite book, but it is still a recommendable book for all fans of the NA Contemporary Romance Novels. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. The story is about the romance between Nadia and Ty. Nadia is a great character. She is smart, never gives up, and tries really hard in everything she does. Ty is an interesting character. I had to take some times to understand him as a character, and his decisions. The story was well-written, and I thought their love story was interesting and I thought it was enjoyable to see. It is not my all-time favourite New Adult Contemporary book, but it is in my Top 20 list. I hope to see more NA contemporary novels by Ann Aguirre. I enjoyed it. Overall, a great read.
July 2017 4 Star Review
This was an enjoyable read. The story was well-written, and the pace was great. I really loved the Enclave series by Ann Aguirre, so I wanted to see what her other books were like. When I read this NA book, I really enjoyed the characters and they did seem relatable to me. Nadia is a strong heroine. She is a good person, but she also questions herself on certain things, which I feel like people can relate to when in a difficult situation. Ty is a bit frustrating. He is guarded because of past things, so I get why he is hesitant. However, I thought out of the main characters, Nadia was my favourite as she was more relatable to me. It was not my favourite book, but it is still a recommendable book for all fans of the NA Contemporary Romance Novels. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. Overall, a great read.
May 30, 2015
2 stars? 2.5?
I Want It That Way. Oh, what an enticing title. I admit, the title was what made me read the book. But I wouldn't deny that I also got a little bit excited to read this. Come on! Plenty of positive reviews. Add the fact that most of my friends here love Ann Aguirre.
But see.. here's the thing. Looks can be deceiving, eh? Or should I say, titles? Whatever. The main point is that I didn't like this book the way I expected I would. I hate that it was only at about the 80% mark where things got exciting. Pretty much everything before that was Nadia narrating her monotonous everyday life. I don't know anyone who wouldn't get bored with that. And I couldn't for the life of me understand how Nadia can jump from lust into love when she and Ty barely had any conversation before she realized that she was already in love. Add the fact that Ty was also a grumpy ass (his words, not mine) in the beginning. Lust ? Yeah, that I get. But love? When you've only known each other for less than two months and in that span of time you can only count in one hand the number of meaningful encounters and conversations you had? Hehehe. NO. Don't you have to at least have a connection with someone to be in love? I've never been in love but I'm pretty sure about that. (Again, it's the cynic side of me speaking but come on!)
The upside of this book was despite the FWB situation being a trope in NA books, Ann Aguirre's characters have depth. Somehow, the characterization escaped the cliche that most NAs fail to get out of. They aren't only some college kids who want to get laid and wasted. They have problems too - as much as any problem a 21-year old can have. And they try as best as they could to if not solve, but manage them. I also appreciate the involvement of the main characters' families. How their families play a big part in their lives. Also, the friendship! Ahhh great friendship in a book = happy me. I'm a firm believer that no man is an island after all.
The book may not be for me but it doesn't mean that you guys wouldn't enjoy it. There are still some good things about it that I'm just too lazy to write about. So might as well read it and see for yourselves. Aaaannndd.. here's to me still looking foward to the next book. Yeah. Because I'm optimistic like that. I have my moments.
I Want It That Way. Oh, what an enticing title. I admit, the title was what made me read the book. But I wouldn't deny that I also got a little bit excited to read this. Come on! Plenty of positive reviews. Add the fact that most of my friends here love Ann Aguirre.
But see.. here's the thing. Looks can be deceiving, eh? Or should I say, titles? Whatever. The main point is that I didn't like this book the way I expected I would. I hate that it was only at about the 80% mark where things got exciting. Pretty much everything before that was Nadia narrating her monotonous everyday life. I don't know anyone who wouldn't get bored with that. And I couldn't for the life of me understand how Nadia can jump from lust into love when she and Ty barely had any conversation before she realized that she was already in love. Add the fact that Ty was also a grumpy ass (his words, not mine) in the beginning. Lust ? Yeah, that I get. But love? When you've only known each other for less than two months and in that span of time you can only count in one hand the number of meaningful encounters and conversations you had? Hehehe. NO. Don't you have to at least have a connection with someone to be in love? I've never been in love but I'm pretty sure about that. (Again, it's the cynic side of me speaking but come on!)
The upside of this book was despite the FWB situation being a trope in NA books, Ann Aguirre's characters have depth. Somehow, the characterization escaped the cliche that most NAs fail to get out of. They aren't only some college kids who want to get laid and wasted. They have problems too - as much as any problem a 21-year old can have. And they try as best as they could to if not solve, but manage them. I also appreciate the involvement of the main characters' families. How their families play a big part in their lives. Also, the friendship! Ahhh great friendship in a book = happy me. I'm a firm believer that no man is an island after all.
The book may not be for me but it doesn't mean that you guys wouldn't enjoy it. There are still some good things about it that I'm just too lazy to write about. So might as well read it and see for yourselves. Aaaannndd.. here's to me still looking foward to the next book. Yeah. Because I'm optimistic like that. I have my moments.
Want to read
July 3, 2014*NETGALLEY*
OMG!!!! The titles to all 3 books in this series are Backstreet Boys songs!!!!! <3 LOVE IT!!! (I was born in 1980 peeps, my teenage years were spent obsessing over them and singing their songs!!!!)
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way
Sorry! I couldn't resist throwing that in *SMIRK*
OMG!!!! The titles to all 3 books in this series are Backstreet Boys songs!!!!! <3 LOVE IT!!! (I was born in 1980 peeps, my teenage years were spent obsessing over them and singing their songs!!!!)
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way
Sorry! I couldn't resist throwing that in *SMIRK*
October 7, 2014
Move along. Nothing new to see here.
September 7, 2014
Picture me with a couple tears in my eyes and a ginormous grin on my face, hugging this book to my chest. Because after finishing it, that's pretty much what's happening. <3
Review to come soon.
~~~~~~~~~
Review time!
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .
I've been sitting on my review for Ann Aguirre's I Want It That Way for months because I just have no idea what to say that will do it any justice. To say I loved this book would be a gross understatement. I don't think I've stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen (and some people who probably want me to shut up about it already!) since I finished. It was of the "devour in a single sitting" variety and oh my god the feels!
There was just something about Nadia and Ty that made me fall in love with them pretty much on site. Nadia and I would totally be friends in real life. I found her to be such a relatable character. I admired her determination. I loved her inner dialogue. I connected with her on a very real level. And Ty? I just wanted to cuddle Ty. (Ok, maybe not JUST cuddle him, but you get what I'm saying.) He was wonderful. He was damaged and insecure, but still strong in so many ways. He was passionate, but scared to get burned again. His past definitely left a mark and he built high walls to protect him and his son, Sam. Sam was about the cutest thing ever, too. Gah! I just wanted to smush all of them.
I loved how realistically the thing between Nadia and Ty developed. The chemistry between them was evident from their first meeting, regardless of how skeptical they were of each other. Their balcony night scenes melted my heart. They took the time to get to know each other and I, in turn, felt like I really got to know them. I understood their motivations and the things that were holding them back. The sexual tension between them was high and when they finally gave in to their desire, it was hot, but sweet. There were tons of emotions for me throughout all of it. All. The. Feels. (And quite a few tears.) I absolutely adored them together. They were both flawed, but somehow together they were nothing short of perfect.
Nadia's character development throughout this book was one of my favorite things. I loved her in the beginning, but loved her more at the end. None of the things that occur in I Want It That Way were in Nadia's plans. She thought she knew what she wanted from life, but after meeting Ty (and Sam!), she started to wonder if there was an alternative to the goals she had for herself. Some might question if she was settling, but I say no. She was just choosing a slightly different path because her circumstances changed. (And I fully support it!) Of course, there's a healthy dose of drama from friends and family – and the main characters themselves at times – but none of it was too angsty or unbelievable.
The residents of 2B would make a great TV show cast. I don't even watch TV anymore, but I would definitely tune into their show every week. Each of them had something special about them and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of them a little better in the future books in the 2B Trilogy.
There's not one single thing about this book that I would change. It was perfection just as it was. It spoke to me on so many levels. I read this back in July and I'm not sure a single day has gone by that I haven't thought about it in one way or another. It left a mark on me. Several, actually. At the time, it was my first Ann Aguirre book. I've read the second book in the trilogy and loved it nearly as much. I have every intention of going through her YA titles and seeing if I can find a new love there, too.
If you're a fan of new adult books that are as heartfelt as they are sexy, I Want It That Way should be the next book you read. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2014 so far. I am so, so, SO glad my friend recommended it to me and put me in contact with the publisher to get an early copy. *Squees* So damn good.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review to come soon.
~~~~~~~~~
Review time!
Find this review and more at kimberlyfaye reads .
I've been sitting on my review for Ann Aguirre's I Want It That Way for months because I just have no idea what to say that will do it any justice. To say I loved this book would be a gross understatement. I don't think I've stopped talking about it to anyone who will listen (and some people who probably want me to shut up about it already!) since I finished. It was of the "devour in a single sitting" variety and oh my god the feels!
There was just something about Nadia and Ty that made me fall in love with them pretty much on site. Nadia and I would totally be friends in real life. I found her to be such a relatable character. I admired her determination. I loved her inner dialogue. I connected with her on a very real level. And Ty? I just wanted to cuddle Ty. (Ok, maybe not JUST cuddle him, but you get what I'm saying.) He was wonderful. He was damaged and insecure, but still strong in so many ways. He was passionate, but scared to get burned again. His past definitely left a mark and he built high walls to protect him and his son, Sam. Sam was about the cutest thing ever, too. Gah! I just wanted to smush all of them.
I loved how realistically the thing between Nadia and Ty developed. The chemistry between them was evident from their first meeting, regardless of how skeptical they were of each other. Their balcony night scenes melted my heart. They took the time to get to know each other and I, in turn, felt like I really got to know them. I understood their motivations and the things that were holding them back. The sexual tension between them was high and when they finally gave in to their desire, it was hot, but sweet. There were tons of emotions for me throughout all of it. All. The. Feels. (And quite a few tears.) I absolutely adored them together. They were both flawed, but somehow together they were nothing short of perfect.
Nadia's character development throughout this book was one of my favorite things. I loved her in the beginning, but loved her more at the end. None of the things that occur in I Want It That Way were in Nadia's plans. She thought she knew what she wanted from life, but after meeting Ty (and Sam!), she started to wonder if there was an alternative to the goals she had for herself. Some might question if she was settling, but I say no. She was just choosing a slightly different path because her circumstances changed. (And I fully support it!) Of course, there's a healthy dose of drama from friends and family – and the main characters themselves at times – but none of it was too angsty or unbelievable.
The residents of 2B would make a great TV show cast. I don't even watch TV anymore, but I would definitely tune into their show every week. Each of them had something special about them and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of them a little better in the future books in the 2B Trilogy.
There's not one single thing about this book that I would change. It was perfection just as it was. It spoke to me on so many levels. I read this back in July and I'm not sure a single day has gone by that I haven't thought about it in one way or another. It left a mark on me. Several, actually. At the time, it was my first Ann Aguirre book. I've read the second book in the trilogy and loved it nearly as much. I have every intention of going through her YA titles and seeing if I can find a new love there, too.
If you're a fan of new adult books that are as heartfelt as they are sexy, I Want It That Way should be the next book you read. It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite books of 2014 so far. I am so, so, SO glad my friend recommended it to me and put me in contact with the publisher to get an early copy. *Squees* So damn good.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 1, 2015
"The first time I saw Ty, I fell down the stairs and tore my pants. A superstitious person might called that an omen. He had nothing to do with it, of course; that was just a quirk of timing."
I was excited for I Want It That Way because 1. My friend Stephanie, of No BS Book Reviews, loved it and 2. each book is named after a Backstreet Boy song. While I wasn't the biggest BSB fan (Nsync baby!) I was eager to check this series out and I'm glad I did. Despite a few hiccups, I really liked I Want It That Way.
"You want me to bare my soul, huh?"
I want you to take your pants off. But I'll settle for deep, meaningful conversation.
I Want It That Way was funny, sweet, and packs plenty of swoon. My favorite part of this novel was Ty and the devotion and love he has for his son, Sam. A man who is a great dad= instant sexiness. Ty sacrifices so much of his own personal happiness and while that leads to problems with him and Nadia, that just made his character drool-worthy.
"You take another little piece of me every time you open your mouth. You know that, right?"
Ty says these things that literally had my heart racing. It was understandable to see how easy Nadia was falling for him but my problem with that was how fast it happens. I wouldn't call it insta-love but within just a few conversations both of them came off as too connected too fast. Especially since most of those conversations centered around their mutual attraction to one another.
"I'm afraid if I blink, you'll be gone. I didn't think anyone would put up with the rules and limitations that go along with me."
"You're worth it."
The moments of intimacy between Ty and Nadia were charged with sexual tension and longing. They embark on a friends with benefits approach to their relationship and even the foreshadowing that this had bad written all over it, it was relatable. Unlike books like Ugly Love, that show how little the woman receives from this sort of arrangement, the risk of things backfiring was worth the reward of them spending time together.
"I love you, I thought. It wasn't rockets or fireworks or any of the Hollywood effects I'd been led to expect. Instead, it was crisp air lightly touched by the scent of burning wood, spiced with insatiable longing."
I Want It That Way is one of the better NA novels I have read of late. I laughed, swooned and ached for Nadia and Ty's story. I can't wait for As Long As You Love Me, the second book in this series that follows Nadia's best friend Lauren, and Nadia's brother, Rob.
3.5 stars*
I was excited for I Want It That Way because 1. My friend Stephanie, of No BS Book Reviews, loved it and 2. each book is named after a Backstreet Boy song. While I wasn't the biggest BSB fan (Nsync baby!) I was eager to check this series out and I'm glad I did. Despite a few hiccups, I really liked I Want It That Way.
"You want me to bare my soul, huh?"
I want you to take your pants off. But I'll settle for deep, meaningful conversation.
I Want It That Way was funny, sweet, and packs plenty of swoon. My favorite part of this novel was Ty and the devotion and love he has for his son, Sam. A man who is a great dad= instant sexiness. Ty sacrifices so much of his own personal happiness and while that leads to problems with him and Nadia, that just made his character drool-worthy.
"You take another little piece of me every time you open your mouth. You know that, right?"
Ty says these things that literally had my heart racing. It was understandable to see how easy Nadia was falling for him but my problem with that was how fast it happens. I wouldn't call it insta-love but within just a few conversations both of them came off as too connected too fast. Especially since most of those conversations centered around their mutual attraction to one another.
"I'm afraid if I blink, you'll be gone. I didn't think anyone would put up with the rules and limitations that go along with me."
"You're worth it."
The moments of intimacy between Ty and Nadia were charged with sexual tension and longing. They embark on a friends with benefits approach to their relationship and even the foreshadowing that this had bad written all over it, it was relatable. Unlike books like Ugly Love, that show how little the woman receives from this sort of arrangement, the risk of things backfiring was worth the reward of them spending time together.
"I love you, I thought. It wasn't rockets or fireworks or any of the Hollywood effects I'd been led to expect. Instead, it was crisp air lightly touched by the scent of burning wood, spiced with insatiable longing."
I Want It That Way is one of the better NA novels I have read of late. I laughed, swooned and ached for Nadia and Ty's story. I can't wait for As Long As You Love Me, the second book in this series that follows Nadia's best friend Lauren, and Nadia's brother, Rob.
3.5 stars*
September 2, 2017
I’ll be honest. I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for a couple of years now and I wasn’t really sure I wanted to read it. The New Adult titles of late have been a little underwhelming for me, so I worried that would follow me to this book. But since this is written by an author I typically enjoy, I thought I would give it a shot.
Aguirre isn’t a stranger to writing in first person. She does it quite a lot in her UF and YA titles, but this one felt different to me. It’s a little more laid back and snarky in style. The heroine, Nadia, is especially sarcastic. For me, this was a double edged sword. I thought it brought a lot of fun personality to her, but at the same time, too much of it didn’t make me take her seriously.
With New Adult, you often have a particular trauma that the protagonist suffers from, however, this one felt quite light in comparison. The romance is also simple and efficient. Aguirre builds the tension between Nadia and Tyler in a way that is straightforward yet sizzling. I only wished that there was more going on in terms of plot. Maybe I’m just used to Aguirre’s worldbuilding and extensive plotting that I expected something more with this book. Nevertheless, I WANT IT THAT WAY is an enjoyable read that is perfect for the summer.
August 4, 2015
Rating 3.5
So this book was very, very cute I really enjoyed all the little interactions between the two characters, Nadia and Ty. The pace is this book was quite perfect to be honest. I loved how things flowed easily and then how things progressed but even more so I love how Ty kept trying to deny himself.
In this book Nadia is such an amazing female character, she has a strong head on her shoulders, she doesn’t give up, she goes above and beyond when it comes to things. She really is a good person and someone you can look up to. But at the same time, I like how she does question certain things about why she is going a certain direction and how she does end up taking things in her hands and making a decision.
The main character male, Ty, there are so many things I like about him even though he is absolutely frustrating. Yes, with his situation you can understand why he is so hesitant and is trying to do what is right, but at the same time you just want to shake him and be like snap out of it and take a risk for once when it comes to yourself.
All in all I did enjoy this book a lot, it wasn’t one of my favorite books, but I would definitely read it a again and want to read the other books with the other characters.
So this book was very, very cute I really enjoyed all the little interactions between the two characters, Nadia and Ty. The pace is this book was quite perfect to be honest. I loved how things flowed easily and then how things progressed but even more so I love how Ty kept trying to deny himself.
In this book Nadia is such an amazing female character, she has a strong head on her shoulders, she doesn’t give up, she goes above and beyond when it comes to things. She really is a good person and someone you can look up to. But at the same time, I like how she does question certain things about why she is going a certain direction and how she does end up taking things in her hands and making a decision.
The main character male, Ty, there are so many things I like about him even though he is absolutely frustrating. Yes, with his situation you can understand why he is so hesitant and is trying to do what is right, but at the same time you just want to shake him and be like snap out of it and take a risk for once when it comes to yourself.
All in all I did enjoy this book a lot, it wasn’t one of my favorite books, but I would definitely read it a again and want to read the other books with the other characters.
October 26, 2017
I'm not gonna lie, one of the main reasons I wanted to read this series was because of the titles. I am a HUGE BSB fan and these titles just amused the hell out of me. Did the book live up to it's title? Not completely, but it was still enjoyable.
Nadia is a hard-working college student on the fast track to getting her special education teaching credentials when she moves upstairs from single father, Ty. She's instantly drawn to him, but something about his personality says 'stay away'. It isn't until their late night patio chats that she realizes something might have happened to him to make him this way - he is a single father.
I actually really liked all of the characters in this book. Nadia was smart and driven, she knew what she wanted and she worked for it. When things didn't work out as planned, she re-planned, taking it in stride. She didn't whine and she wasn't needy. On the other side there was Ty. He was also hard-working and driven but not just for himself. He was his son, Sam, to have a good life. While he seems closed off at first, it's understandable because he has more to think about when it comes to relationships and attachments. I really liked Ty as a dad. You could tell that Sam was his world. Then there was Sam himself. I adored the hell out of this kid. He was just so inquisitive and smart, you couldn't help but fall in love with him.
The reason why I didn't rate this higher...well, there are a few. First, the pacing. This book dragged in a lot of places and it seemed the author wasn't quite sure how to get from A to B and just filled the space with nothingness. Other parts were over explained. I didn't need to know every action Nadia did throughout the day. Another thing was the beginning of the love story. Having spoken less than a handful of times, Nadia was professing love for him in her head. Like how? It felt very rushed instead of a gradual falling. And the final issue was the writing. I believe this is the author's first book (I could be wayyyy off here) and at times the writing felt very juvenile. Nadia did this. Then she did this. Then this person walked in. Then they did this. I just wanted a little more flow.
I will give the author a plus because one plot point that I thought was going to come out never did, so yay for not taking the obvious route. Now onto the second...
Nadia is a hard-working college student on the fast track to getting her special education teaching credentials when she moves upstairs from single father, Ty. She's instantly drawn to him, but something about his personality says 'stay away'. It isn't until their late night patio chats that she realizes something might have happened to him to make him this way - he is a single father.
I actually really liked all of the characters in this book. Nadia was smart and driven, she knew what she wanted and she worked for it. When things didn't work out as planned, she re-planned, taking it in stride. She didn't whine and she wasn't needy. On the other side there was Ty. He was also hard-working and driven but not just for himself. He was his son, Sam, to have a good life. While he seems closed off at first, it's understandable because he has more to think about when it comes to relationships and attachments. I really liked Ty as a dad. You could tell that Sam was his world. Then there was Sam himself. I adored the hell out of this kid. He was just so inquisitive and smart, you couldn't help but fall in love with him.
The reason why I didn't rate this higher...well, there are a few. First, the pacing. This book dragged in a lot of places and it seemed the author wasn't quite sure how to get from A to B and just filled the space with nothingness. Other parts were over explained. I didn't need to know every action Nadia did throughout the day. Another thing was the beginning of the love story. Having spoken less than a handful of times, Nadia was professing love for him in her head. Like how? It felt very rushed instead of a gradual falling. And the final issue was the writing. I believe this is the author's first book (I could be wayyyy off here) and at times the writing felt very juvenile. Nadia did this. Then she did this. Then this person walked in. Then they did this. I just wanted a little more flow.
I will give the author a plus because one plot point that I thought was going to come out never did, so yay for not taking the obvious route. Now onto the second...
July 30, 2014
This is first book by Ann Aguirre I have read. I can already see friends, who recommended me speculative fiction novels by Ann Aguirre, taking a swing at my head. Probably with a some hardback, because they always keep them close for emergencies. In my defense I can say that it was on NetGalley, it had shiny pretty cover and contemporary romances are perfect reads for the summer. Who could have resisted?
As soon as I finished reading the first paragraph of I Want It That Way, Naida and I were BFFs. Her narration had natural flow. And the best part was how she makes fun of her own poetic descriptions.
"He had auburn hair, brown eyes and a strong jaw dusted with gold scruff. I’d always had a soft spot for gingers, probably a result of growing up on Harry Potter movies. He was also tall and lean with a sculpted, ascetic face, like an austere warrior who would be at home on the prow of a ship. Okay, it was possible I’d watched too many episodes of Vikings this week."
If you haven’t guessed yet. The described ‘hunk’ is Ty, Nadia’s new neighbor. There is a huge list of reasons why Nadia should not get involved with Ty: “He has a four-year-old, he works fulltime, takes college night classes, and he doesn’t date.” So Ty and Nadia are just friends. As Nadia described it:
"I want you to take off your pants. But I’ll settle for deep, meaningful conversation."
What I wanted just that way?
• Realism. There are a lot of new adult contemporary romance novels who are about sex, angst, bdsm etc. I Want It That Way is not like that. It’s real, with real people who have the same problems you had when you were young: at college, trying to earn money for living, hanging out with friends, trying to prove to their parents how they are not total failures… It’s love, tears, work, boredom, laugh, sadness, grief, … It’s life.
• Friendship between Nadia and her roommates. Also there are some lessons that Nadia will learn: like that friends do not have necessarily to have same goals like you…
• Banter between Nadia and Ty:
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“I refuse. I’ll invent a time machine as soon as I get home.”
“I highly suspect that will take longer than twenty-four hours.”
“Always, the ladies underestimate me,” he said mournfully.
• When the inevitable happens and Nadia and Ty sleep together, (I don’t think this is a spoiler, because in this kind of novels they always do end up together.) it’s great to see them exhausted after one or two times. No all-night sexual marathons like in some other romance novels.
What I did not want that way?
• Time sometimes moves too quickly and weeks or months pass by with brief description of events. I did not feel like that amount of time has passed and deeper connection between Nadia and Ty seemed too instant.
• Ty has a four year old kid. This could have been a source of a lot of funny accidents and added even more humor to the story. Ann Aguirre didn’t use this plot element to it’s full potential.
• Book titles in trilogy are titles of Backstreet Boys songs… REALLY? No better idea?
In The End…
Ann Aguirre‘s trilogy 2B Trilogy starts with a surprise - I Want It That Way, a book that is cute, funny, romantic and real. In the horde of romance novels bragging with new adult label, I Want It That Way is one of the rare ones that truly belong to this genre.
Recommended for those who like to read about real people juggling college, work and friendship (and don’t mind heavy load of romance in the story).
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
As soon as I finished reading the first paragraph of I Want It That Way, Naida and I were BFFs. Her narration had natural flow. And the best part was how she makes fun of her own poetic descriptions.
"He had auburn hair, brown eyes and a strong jaw dusted with gold scruff. I’d always had a soft spot for gingers, probably a result of growing up on Harry Potter movies. He was also tall and lean with a sculpted, ascetic face, like an austere warrior who would be at home on the prow of a ship. Okay, it was possible I’d watched too many episodes of Vikings this week."
If you haven’t guessed yet. The described ‘hunk’ is Ty, Nadia’s new neighbor. There is a huge list of reasons why Nadia should not get involved with Ty: “He has a four-year-old, he works fulltime, takes college night classes, and he doesn’t date.” So Ty and Nadia are just friends. As Nadia described it:
"I want you to take off your pants. But I’ll settle for deep, meaningful conversation."
What I wanted just that way?
• Realism. There are a lot of new adult contemporary romance novels who are about sex, angst, bdsm etc. I Want It That Way is not like that. It’s real, with real people who have the same problems you had when you were young: at college, trying to earn money for living, hanging out with friends, trying to prove to their parents how they are not total failures… It’s love, tears, work, boredom, laugh, sadness, grief, … It’s life.
• Friendship between Nadia and her roommates. Also there are some lessons that Nadia will learn: like that friends do not have necessarily to have same goals like you…
• Banter between Nadia and Ty:
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“I refuse. I’ll invent a time machine as soon as I get home.”
“I highly suspect that will take longer than twenty-four hours.”
“Always, the ladies underestimate me,” he said mournfully.
• When the inevitable happens and Nadia and Ty sleep together, (I don’t think this is a spoiler, because in this kind of novels they always do end up together.) it’s great to see them exhausted after one or two times. No all-night sexual marathons like in some other romance novels.
What I did not want that way?
• Time sometimes moves too quickly and weeks or months pass by with brief description of events. I did not feel like that amount of time has passed and deeper connection between Nadia and Ty seemed too instant.
• Ty has a four year old kid. This could have been a source of a lot of funny accidents and added even more humor to the story. Ann Aguirre didn’t use this plot element to it’s full potential.
• Book titles in trilogy are titles of Backstreet Boys songs… REALLY? No better idea?
In The End…
Ann Aguirre‘s trilogy 2B Trilogy starts with a surprise - I Want It That Way, a book that is cute, funny, romantic and real. In the horde of romance novels bragging with new adult label, I Want It That Way is one of the rare ones that truly belong to this genre.
Recommended for those who like to read about real people juggling college, work and friendship (and don’t mind heavy load of romance in the story).
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
August 23, 2014
La reseña fue originalmente publicada en SMW Book Blog Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way
Ain't nothin' but a heartache
Tell me why
Ain't nothin' but a mistake
Tell me why
I never wanna hear you say
I want it that way
—I Want It That Way, Backstreet Boys
Lo que más me llamó la atención, me imagino que al resto de ustedes también, de I Want it That Way al leer la sinopsis fue la primicia de que el héroe de la historia fuera un padre soltero tan joven. Hay que admitir que eso no se “ve” demasiado en los libros del New Adult, al contrario del género adulto. Como pueden notar en mi WoW del libro, estaba realmente emocionada por I Want it That Way, pero creo que tenía mis expectativas demasiado altas porque, lamentablemente, el libro no resultó ser lo que imaginaba.
Nadia como protagonista resulta fácil de leer pero no es demasiado emocionante. Su personaje es simpático, sarcástico e inteligente. Sabe lo que quiere, laboralmente, y trata de la vida como mejor puede con o sin ayuda. Algo me gustó de su personaje, es que nunca se rindió a cuanto Ty. Y aunque tuvieron sus altibajos, Nadia manejó las situaciones de manera adulta y siempre actuó como su edad. No fue infantil e inmadura.
Ty es un padre soltero que hace lo mejor de sí para darle una buena vida a su hijo. El abandono de la novia de Ty, dejándolo con su hijo recién nacido, ha dejado un agujero enorme en el corazón de Ty. Pero también ha dejado ira, odio y culpa para sí mismo. Así que resulta “entendible” su compartimiento frío/caliente para con Nadia. Sin embargo, su actitud de empuja-y-tira llegó a enfadarme. Aunque algo que no se puede negar es el amor que le tiene a su hijo. Ty nunca lo ha visto como una carga o alguien que le impidió vivir su vida. Y sí, hay cosas que extraña de su vida de "antes” pero al mismo tiempo no cambiaría su hijo por nada.
Creo que la razón principal del por qué no disfruté tanto cómo quería de I Want it That Way es porque la relación entre Nadia y Ty se desarrolla demasiado pronto. En los primeros capítulos, podemos ver una cierta amistad desarrollándose entre ellos pero luego ¡BOOM! Nadia estaba enamorada de Ty y eso impidió que, de cierto modo, sintiera en totalidad la conexión entre ellos.
Recién cuando comencé a leer I Want it That Way ¡estaba segura que sería un libro que me encantaría! En las primeras páginas era así “I’m loving it!” Pero después del insta-love, mis ánimos cayeron notablemente. Me resulta difícil describir I Want it That Way porque no es un libro especial ni tampoco es un libro que recordaremos por toda la vida pero sí es un libro entretenido de leer y bueno para pasar el rato. A pesar de los problemas que tuve con el libro, y de no haber resultado lo que esperaba que fuera y que no haya terminado completamente enamorada de él, sí disfruté leerlo. Estoy segura que leeré el próximo libro en la serie, en el cual espero llegar a conectar más con sus personajes y ofrezca el romance que careció I Want it That Way.
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January 24, 2015
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I want it that way….
I couldn’t find one with The Backstreet Boys so this is going to have to suffice.
Okay, imagine badly bleached hair. Guys who shouldn’t be drooled over (but are). And you have the late 90’s. I love the title of this New Adult series. It’s so nostalgic and fun and…that’s about all the nice things I have to say about it.
I am really skeptical about reading New Adult these days, because it’s a genre that just doesn’t work for me. No matter how many chances I give it. It’s too formulaic. However, I was hoping I Want It That Way (ugh, that song is perpetually stuck in my head now) would be different since it involved a plot device that’s not usually seen in New adult (single dad trope).
Let’s talk about the single dad trope, it can either be a really good thing or really bad thing. It just depends on how parenthood is depicted.
If portrayed realistically it can work really well, if glamorized…well, vomit time.
If you haven’t guessed by my tone, this is barf worthy.
Let’s be clear. I do not have kids, but I have been around them enough to know that those cherubic faces aren’t always going to be innocent and cute.
Example of a child that is not cute.
I Want It That Way, would have you think otherwise.
Also, it really didn’t go into that much detail about how hard it is to be a single parent. I have worked with several single parents in the past year, and let me tell you their lives aren’t easy. Money is very tight, especially when the other parent is not involved at all. Finding a sitter is not easy either. And let’s forget that finding a job that works around your child’s day care system isn’t easy.
So, most of them don’t have time to notice and sweet talk the hot coed next door into your bed.
But it’s fiction, MJ…
Yeah, work with child support cases for a year and then tell me it’s fiction.
Whatever.
I think this is one of those cases where real life bias sort of taints the reading experience, though that’s not to give credit to the book.
The New Adult formula is used to its fullest. Nadia is the non-conventional pretty girl who falls in love with the BMOC. Introduce half a dozen attractive coeds to have a series (check). Of course, have them fall into the tropes of the used to be ugly but now gorgeous best friend, the man ho, and the hot token gay guy. Everyone will get a spinoff save for the hot token gay guy, which is a shame because he’s the only remotely interesting character.
Side Note: New Adult is in desperate need of diversity.
Back to the New Adult cliches. Nadia pretty girl, friends with lots of pretty people that equal spinoff potential, who is perfect in her classes and intent on paying back her parents for paying her college tuition.
That part made me gag a little bit (I gagged a lot when I tried to read this).
They’re her freaking parents. Of course, they’re going to help her. I really hate it when you have these heroines that make it feel like accepting your parents’ help is like taking charity and that you’re a greedy little moocher. I just wanted to tell little Ms. Perfect off.
But again, digressing.
This book might work for someone else, but it didn’t work for me. It was too formulaic and it sugar coated issues that should’ve been much more complex and less romantic. Plus, hot dogs in macaroni and cheese with broccoli-excuse me, but gross.
I want it that way….
I couldn’t find one with The Backstreet Boys so this is going to have to suffice.
Okay, imagine badly bleached hair. Guys who shouldn’t be drooled over (but are). And you have the late 90’s. I love the title of this New Adult series. It’s so nostalgic and fun and…that’s about all the nice things I have to say about it.
I am really skeptical about reading New Adult these days, because it’s a genre that just doesn’t work for me. No matter how many chances I give it. It’s too formulaic. However, I was hoping I Want It That Way (ugh, that song is perpetually stuck in my head now) would be different since it involved a plot device that’s not usually seen in New adult (single dad trope).
Let’s talk about the single dad trope, it can either be a really good thing or really bad thing. It just depends on how parenthood is depicted.
If portrayed realistically it can work really well, if glamorized…well, vomit time.
If you haven’t guessed by my tone, this is barf worthy.
Let’s be clear. I do not have kids, but I have been around them enough to know that those cherubic faces aren’t always going to be innocent and cute.
Example of a child that is not cute.
I Want It That Way, would have you think otherwise.
Also, it really didn’t go into that much detail about how hard it is to be a single parent. I have worked with several single parents in the past year, and let me tell you their lives aren’t easy. Money is very tight, especially when the other parent is not involved at all. Finding a sitter is not easy either. And let’s forget that finding a job that works around your child’s day care system isn’t easy.
So, most of them don’t have time to notice and sweet talk the hot coed next door into your bed.
But it’s fiction, MJ…
Yeah, work with child support cases for a year and then tell me it’s fiction.
Whatever.
I think this is one of those cases where real life bias sort of taints the reading experience, though that’s not to give credit to the book.
The New Adult formula is used to its fullest. Nadia is the non-conventional pretty girl who falls in love with the BMOC. Introduce half a dozen attractive coeds to have a series (check). Of course, have them fall into the tropes of the used to be ugly but now gorgeous best friend, the man ho, and the hot token gay guy. Everyone will get a spinoff save for the hot token gay guy, which is a shame because he’s the only remotely interesting character.
Side Note: New Adult is in desperate need of diversity.
Back to the New Adult cliches. Nadia pretty girl, friends with lots of pretty people that equal spinoff potential, who is perfect in her classes and intent on paying back her parents for paying her college tuition.
That part made me gag a little bit (I gagged a lot when I tried to read this).
They’re her freaking parents. Of course, they’re going to help her. I really hate it when you have these heroines that make it feel like accepting your parents’ help is like taking charity and that you’re a greedy little moocher. I just wanted to tell little Ms. Perfect off.
But again, digressing.
This book might work for someone else, but it didn’t work for me. It was too formulaic and it sugar coated issues that should’ve been much more complex and less romantic. Plus, hot dogs in macaroni and cheese with broccoli-excuse me, but gross.
November 9, 2014
I love my contemporary reads, something cute and fluffy when I’ve had a crap day it’s always known to bring a smile to my face. But you know when you’re just in the mood for something a bit more hot? I really didn’t know where to begin, I’m not normally a fan of a lot of NA books, I need books to offer me something different, so when I first read Aguirre was writing an NA series, I was intrigued and to be honest it was just what I was in the mood for.
Nadia’s just moved into an apartment with her friends for college, it seems to be cheaper living off campus and living with her best Nadia really can’t complain. Then she meets the guy who lives in 1B, he seems a bit obnoxious at first, but boy is he hot! Of course I was expecting Ethan and Nadia to have their share of problems and this long list of reasons why they can’t be together, but I could truly understand this time where Ethan was coming from. Since he’d last been burned I understood that he didn’t want to take a risk, and he was upfront about his feelings, what he was like and what Nadia could expect from him. But still there was this whole sexual tension between Ethan and Nadia for ages honestly I would have been happy just to see a kiss; this for sure was a long time coming!
Aguirre sure had the swoony, hot side nailed, she didn’t shy away from writing a kissing scene and then closing the scene down completely, her scenes were certainly smoking, that I found myself constantly longing for Ethan and Nadia to have their alone time together again, why did they have to be so many restrictions? And why did everyone have to get in the way? *shakes fist*
Despite Ethan and Nadia’s story being the central storyline, I liked how Aguirre infused some important secondary characters into the story too. When things became a bit tense between Ethan and Nadia, it was nice to get to know the other characters a little bit more. One character definitely ended up surprising me I only wished that they got their happy ending.
There was a lot of heartache and anguish our characters had to deal with in I Want it That Way, and although I had a feeling how things would end, I was really surprised at how things ended for some of our characters. I Want it That Way really ended up in surprising me in a lot of ways, it was a book which over looked a lot of cliché aspects that I normally have a tough time dealing with and of course had some of the best sexy scenes I’ve read in a long time! This was my first read by Aguirre, but with the great impression she left on me with this read, it certainly won’t be my last!
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
Nadia’s just moved into an apartment with her friends for college, it seems to be cheaper living off campus and living with her best Nadia really can’t complain. Then she meets the guy who lives in 1B, he seems a bit obnoxious at first, but boy is he hot! Of course I was expecting Ethan and Nadia to have their share of problems and this long list of reasons why they can’t be together, but I could truly understand this time where Ethan was coming from. Since he’d last been burned I understood that he didn’t want to take a risk, and he was upfront about his feelings, what he was like and what Nadia could expect from him. But still there was this whole sexual tension between Ethan and Nadia for ages honestly I would have been happy just to see a kiss; this for sure was a long time coming!
Aguirre sure had the swoony, hot side nailed, she didn’t shy away from writing a kissing scene and then closing the scene down completely, her scenes were certainly smoking, that I found myself constantly longing for Ethan and Nadia to have their alone time together again, why did they have to be so many restrictions? And why did everyone have to get in the way? *shakes fist*
Despite Ethan and Nadia’s story being the central storyline, I liked how Aguirre infused some important secondary characters into the story too. When things became a bit tense between Ethan and Nadia, it was nice to get to know the other characters a little bit more. One character definitely ended up surprising me I only wished that they got their happy ending.
There was a lot of heartache and anguish our characters had to deal with in I Want it That Way, and although I had a feeling how things would end, I was really surprised at how things ended for some of our characters. I Want it That Way really ended up in surprising me in a lot of ways, it was a book which over looked a lot of cliché aspects that I normally have a tough time dealing with and of course had some of the best sexy scenes I’ve read in a long time! This was my first read by Aguirre, but with the great impression she left on me with this read, it certainly won’t be my last!
This review can be found on: The Readers Den
February 17, 2018
OK LET'S GET IT STARTED!
i cant say with words HOW much i LOVE this book it was
AMAZING
INCREDIBLE
BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY
it just beyond words
i was so completely into it, first we have
NADIA
jesus she was such a cute thing, and she was dealing like us with LIFE and the obvious question that this have, but she was strong and sure of herself so she can hand pretty much everything and i had such and admiration for her she was in college and she had an apartment with her friends, she work and she was so passionate about her career, and even knowing she had almost all her plate full she also note the sexy as HELL neighbor that she has
and that's must be a quote to call MR. hot ginger
HOLY guacamole with nachos!!
he study, has a formal job and an adorable and super intelligent boy name sam
(he was so damn cute that it make me think about having kids) who enjoy dinosaurios jokes
and have as a friend,his always confident mr.O'Beary (which is a teddy bear, he is only four give it a break)
yeah that was TY and i love him -BUT- (there is always gonna be a problem right?)
he had seriously some post traumatic stress for his last relationship (yeah sam mothers THAT bitch)
but the atraccion and chemistry was too much between bout of them and the thing with atraccion is when you just want to resist it is gonna be ther permanent and even more stroger than before so they decide that they gonna start some friend with benefit thing (sure so that way sam is no gonna be involve)
and everything started fine,but love always get people in troubles and misunderstanding but they solved it and i had my happy ending,but that doesnt mean they had it easy
you know
but you can't live life bitching about it
and i can't post every quote i like because post all the book (see i loved this one) but this one were the more funny or lovely
¨and that would hurt sam. is any of this making sense?¨ to be honest, i was still fixed on him saying he want to fuck me so hard it hurt
¨you want me to bare my soul huh?¨ i want you to take off your pant. but i'll settle for deep, meaningful conversacion¨
¨hey bud.¨
¨my name is sam!where were you? you were gone forever.¨
¨was not, it was like, four days¨
¨they stole our pie? now i mad and pie-less but mostly mad¨
i cant say with words HOW much i LOVE this book it was
AMAZING
INCREDIBLE
BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY
it just beyond words
i was so completely into it, first we have
NADIA
jesus she was such a cute thing, and she was dealing like us with LIFE and the obvious question that this have, but she was strong and sure of herself so she can hand pretty much everything and i had such and admiration for her she was in college and she had an apartment with her friends, she work and she was so passionate about her career, and even knowing she had almost all her plate full she also note the sexy as HELL neighbor that she has
and that's must be a quote to call MR. hot ginger
HOLY guacamole with nachos!!
he study, has a formal job and an adorable and super intelligent boy name sam
(he was so damn cute that it make me think about having kids) who enjoy dinosaurios jokes
and have as a friend,his always confident mr.O'Beary (which is a teddy bear, he is only four give it a break)
yeah that was TY and i love him -BUT- (there is always gonna be a problem right?)
he had seriously some post traumatic stress for his last relationship (yeah sam mothers THAT bitch)
but the atraccion and chemistry was too much between bout of them and the thing with atraccion is when you just want to resist it is gonna be ther permanent and even more stroger than before so they decide that they gonna start some friend with benefit thing (sure so that way sam is no gonna be involve)
and everything started fine,but love always get people in troubles and misunderstanding but they solved it and i had my happy ending,but that doesnt mean they had it easy
you know
but you can't live life bitching about it
and i can't post every quote i like because post all the book (see i loved this one) but this one were the more funny or lovely
¨and that would hurt sam. is any of this making sense?¨ to be honest, i was still fixed on him saying he want to fuck me so hard it hurt
¨you want me to bare my soul huh?¨ i want you to take off your pant. but i'll settle for deep, meaningful conversacion¨
¨hey bud.¨
¨my name is sam!where were you? you were gone forever.¨
¨was not, it was like, four days¨
¨they stole our pie? now i mad and pie-less but mostly mad¨
March 7, 2015
New Adult is certainly looking up. Or maybe I've been more willing to give it a chance? Whatever the case, there have been several NA books added to my favorites list this year, and I'm optimistic about some of the directions it's heading in. Sure, I've been a fan of heavier, even angsty, books in the past - Easy by Tammara Webber and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay come immediately to mind - but I'm excited that lighter ones are becoming more popular as well. I fell in love with the first book in Cora Carmack's new series, All Lined Up, and I was beyond happy to read a romance with so little relationship drama. I'm also thrilled that popular YA authors are giving the genre a try - Jennifer Armentrout of course has been doing it for a while, but also Sarah Alderson, Veronica Rossi, now Ann Aguirre, and Liz Czucas next year. I love it. A sexier, more grown up version of YA sounds exactly like my cup of tea - it's just the actual books haven't been very appealing... until recently.
Read the rest of my review at Love at First Page.
Read the rest of my review at Love at First Page.
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