I Want It That Way (2B Trilogy #1) by Ann Aguirre
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.
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.
I was drawn to this book by the same things that drew lots of others to it--Backstreet Boys reference, pretty cover, and ROMANCE. Seriously, I jumped into this one without knowing much of anything about it. I didn't even really read the description too closely. I probably should have, because a heads-up about Ty's child would have been welcome, but that actually turned out perfectly fine. This whole book actually turned out fine for me. BETTER than fine, actually. I found myself enjoying this one so much, and was so invested in this story by the time the end came around.
Nadia was such a kind, selfless MC. She wasn't the type to sit around complaining about everything, and she had such a drive to her that I liked a bunch. Her practical and honest outlook on life and her situations turned me into a fan of hers right quick. I landed on #TeamNadia, which isn't something that happens to me with female characters that often. You know, because I spend so much time focusing on attractive-guy swoonage. It's an important thing to give my attention to, y'all.
Ty was first and foremost a great father. Sam came first with everything, and I 100% respected that. Ty had his own battles to fight within himself, and he could be so aggravating during those times, but I definitely ended up loving him. He's a great guy, and he did make me swoon more than a few times.
I was kind of worried about there being a young child mixed into everything, but Sam was freaking awesome. Seriously, my favorite book child ever. So cute! I also loved me some Max. He's getting a book in this trilogy, and I can't wait to read it! Max and Angus, and the general roommate dynamic the occupants of 2B had going on, was definitely a bright spot in the story. While things were tense and uncertain between Nadia and Ty, these roommates were fantastic.
The romance was more than enough to make me feel happy. The road was most definitely bumpy for Nadia and Ty, but it was beautiful watching their story unfold. My only real issue in the romance department was the beginning of their relationship, when things didn't seem to progress in a natural way. It was weird. But that faded fast, and I got on board the Sam and Nadia train. I worried I'd have a problem with their Friends With Benefits situation, but I was actually kind of okay with it. I really just wanted Nadia and Ty to be TOGETHER, however that ended up needing to happen. Things fell apart, of course, but watching those pieces grow back together made my heart all flippy-floppy.
While the plot didn't really pack any curveballs (I totally knew when that shoe was going to drop), I can't say that this book didn't satisfy me. This is Nadia and Ty's story, and it was fabulous. I was rooting for them the whole way through, feeling this story so much. Though there's a lot of kissy-kissy times, that's not all this story is about, and I loved that. It's about taking what life gives you and using it to make yourself happy. It's about letting love happen when it's ready It's about moving on and letting go of the crappy parts of your past that are affecting making a fulfilling future.
Overall, I Want It That Way hit me right in the heart, and I loved it. The writing made me feel, the characters made me love, and the romance made me swoon. This is the first book I've read by Ann Aguirre, but I will definitely be checking out more from her. The rest of this trilogy, surely. I'm looking forward to it!
I was kind of worried about there being a young child mixed into everything, but Sam was freaking awesome. Seriously, my favorite book child ever. So cute! I also loved me some Max. He's getting a book in this trilogy, and I can't wait to read it! Max and Angus, and the general roommate dynamic the occupants of 2B had going on, was definitely a bright spot in the story. While things were tense and uncertain between Nadia and Ty, these roommates were fantastic.
The romance was more than enough to make me feel happy. The road was most definitely bumpy for Nadia and Ty, but it was beautiful watching their story unfold. My only real issue in the romance department was the beginning of their relationship, when things didn't seem to progress in a natural way. It was weird. But that faded fast, and I got on board the Sam and Nadia train. I worried I'd have a problem with their Friends With Benefits situation, but I was actually kind of okay with it. I really just wanted Nadia and Ty to be TOGETHER, however that ended up needing to happen. Things fell apart, of course, but watching those pieces grow back together made my heart all flippy-floppy.
While the plot didn't really pack any curveballs (I totally knew when that shoe was going to drop), I can't say that this book didn't satisfy me. This is Nadia and Ty's story, and it was fabulous. I was rooting for them the whole way through, feeling this story so much. Though there's a lot of kissy-kissy times, that's not all this story is about, and I loved that. It's about taking what life gives you and using it to make yourself happy. It's about letting love happen when it's ready It's about moving on and letting go of the crappy parts of your past that are affecting making a fulfilling future.
Overall, I Want It That Way hit me right in the heart, and I loved it. The writing made me feel, the characters made me love, and the romance made me swoon. This is the first book I've read by Ann Aguirre, but I will definitely be checking out more from her. The rest of this trilogy, surely. I'm looking forward to it!
**About the Author**
Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.
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**Giveaway**
Val interview Ann Aguirre, Jay Crownover, and Laurelin Paige. You can check out the interview and enter giveaways for not only I Want It That Way, but also Better When He's Bad and Laurelin's Fixed trilogy. Check that out HERE.
And then there's the tour giveaway, which you can enter through the Rafflecopter below!
I love it when a romance is sweet, but there should be a learning curve as well. I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI love that this story focuses on the people. Sometimes I feel like books in the YA/NA genre try to show you how much two people are in love with the kissy kissy, but I don't always buy it.
ReplyDeleteI like strong characters (especially female leads) in my contemp romances! Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
This sounds like a contemporary romance I would really love - maybe a little more grown-up than some of the other stories I've seen around (which I appreciate). Great review!
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I would like to read some more steamy chapters in my NA contemporary romances.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love this one, but I did like it. So glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteI am still on the fence about this one, but your review definitely makes me feel better about it. I'm not going to lie, the BSB reference really pulls me in. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one as well. I know there are a lot of mixed reviews out there, but I for one, really got in to the story. I agree that Ty was an amazing father, who put his son above all else, and I respected that. I thought that Sam was adorable as well, and am excited to continue this series!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy when NA contemporary romances have depth to them, and not just a bunch of fluff.
Great review Jessica. I liked this book too, but thought it was lacking a little. I liked Sam, he was fun! And Ty is yummy!! Great review!
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace