Title: As Long As You Love Me
Author: Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Harlequin
Publication Date: September 2014
Genre: Adult/New Adult Contemporary Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Series Book Two
Synopsis can be found here.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review:
Lauren moves home, back to Sharon Nebraska, running away from her college life and the anxiety she felt almost every day. There, she finds her best friend’s older brother Rob Conrad and old crushes resurface as they spend more and more time together. Rob is gorgeous but he’s been made to feel sad most of his life. He doesn’t think he deserves Lauren and she doesn’t think he would ever be interested in her. So imagine their surprise…
After reading the authors YA new release Mortal Danger, I was eager to try her New Adult story.
Sadly, this didn’t live up to expectations. Lauren’s voice is consistent, but I couldn’t connect with her. I found her slightly annoying and her internal dialogue seemed more about commenting on how hot Conrad was rather than providing a lot of depth or observations. She didn’t bug me, but I didn’t feel like she was very formed. Conrad is a much better character. His insecurities seemed real and his vulnerability was believable. I liked the journey his character went on through the book from plain hot guy who didn’t believe in himself to taking control over his life and realizing how valuable he really is. For me, this was more about Conrad’s development. Lauren seemed more of a side character.
Even with Conrad and some steamy scenes, I still didn’t feel a whole lot of emotion. Some of the dialogue felt very forced like the characters had to say this because they were in this situation and actions dictated that this had to happen. It didn’t feel real and sometimes seemed out of character to me. There were also some strange dramatic confrontations that fell flat. These situations inflicted conflict and drama where there didn’t seem like there should be. It’s one of those things where it’s like your friend wants to argue with you even when there is nothing to argue about. And you walk away thinking – what was that all about?
I have to admit, I don’t read a lot of New Adult anymore. I stopped a few months ago because while some of them can be really good, a lot are formulaic and flat (troubled girl and troubled boy can’t stop their sexual attraction and while finding love, they deal with their individual issues.) Don’t get me wrong. I love a good romance like any other girl. But something about New Adult genre leaves me feeling deflated. This was no exception.
Rating 4 Not My Cup Of Tea
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
I agree. NA is becoming the thing to write which means it’s all the same. Everyone is trying to get in on the cash cow. I loved NA when it first started popping up. Now, I only read NA if it’s NOT romance.
I’ve read The Wicked We Have Done by Sarah Harian and it was really good. Sort of like Hunger Games but the kids that get sent to the “compass room” are there because they were in juvi for horrific things and the compass room determines whether they should live or die..
I have also read Blood Debt by Nancy Straight and that was a good NA too. It dealt with a girl who finds out she has centaur lineage.
Kristin! I’m so glad you said something!!
I will have to check out those books! I really liked NA at the beginning too but it’s just gotten too shallow for me. Thank you so much for commenting!
It is sad how repetitive the plots are in NA lately. I haven’t stopped reading them yet but take in small doses. I was looking forward to reading this series but am holding off a bit until I catch up some others first. Thanks for the review!
I agree. I was never a huge NA fan and now I feel like everyone has one coming out. It’s been very hit or miss for me. I often feel like there are endless descriptions of how hot everyone is. I mean I love my romance but it gets old after a while. This will probably be on my library list.
I think library list is a good way to read it. I wasn’t blown away. And i so wanted to be!
I have this and need to read it but now I’m wondering how I feel about it. i hate when an mc keeps mentioning someone being hot.
Yes! That super annoys me as well. It’s like once is okay but after a while – I get it. he’s hot. you’re hot. everyone is hot. eye roll.
I am getting less and less thrilled with NA titles. I am primarily a Sci-fi/paranormal/fantasy reader but do read contemporary. I click on a NA synopsis and they all seem the same. I do enjoy Ann Aguirre and have read a number of her YA books, like the Enclave series.