Full review posted here. 
 This series. You guys. THIS SERIES. I am IN LOVE with this series! I Want It That Way was my first Ann Aguirre novel, and after reading it, I knew it wouldn't be my last. I jumped on the opportunity to review As Long As You Love Me because I just fell so hard for 2B! 
 ALAYLM is book two in 2B, which is a companion series, so I already had opinions formed about both Lauren and Rob. I saw Lauren as Nadia's clearly-dealing-with-some-stuff roomie and best friend, and I honestly wasn't that sympathetic toward her because I was too busy feeling bad for fell-too-hard bad boy Max. And Rob I believed to be Nadia's withdrawn and possibly jealous older brother. I fully believed Nadia's side of the story since that was what I was presented with. After having read ALAYLM...I'm not saying Nadia was wrong, but I loved reading Lauren and Rob's side of things. Interestingly, I now feel like I have much more in common with Lauren than I ever had with Nadia. This is one of the reasons I adore companion novels. 
 Lauren, who partied it up and crashed hard in IWITW, actually deals with severe anxiety, which is definitely something I can relate to. I have no idea if Ann suffers from anxiety, but her depictions of Lauren's mental process during stressful moments was SPOT. ON. Also, Lauren does a fair amount of self-sabotage, a tactic I am also quite familiar with. When dealing with change, good or bad, sometimes you just want to take the easy way out, even if the easy way actually means failure. Um, yeah. I feel you, Lauren. There are many books that I love because of their relatability for one reason or another, but I really do feel like Lauren might be the single character whose mental state I most understand because I've been there, and some days, I go back. There is a vast spectrum of illnesses of the body and mind, and I feel like so many books only glance over the surface. I love that Ann took the time and care to respectfully address anxiety, which everyone should know is not simple nerves. 
 And then there's Rob. After Ty, a determined and slightly desperate single dad working and attending school part time, it's definitely a shock to get cozy with Rob. Sweet, thoughtful Rob who is not traditionally "book smart," but is talented and kind, a dynamic duo of traits if ever there was one. There need to be more Robs, I've determined. More Robs, more Isaiah's from Katie McGarry's Crash Into You. There is nothing wrong working with your hands, especially if it's something you love, and there's no reason to be ashamed of dreaming for more than that. In Rob's case, he's a construction worker with dreams to be a furniture designer/creator. I can't stop singing Rob's praises because he's just...the eptome of a Good Guy, and I admit being jealous of Lauren because I honestly do want one. I want a guy who will open the car door and take me out for pizza and root beer and cook for me and teach me how to use tools for house projects and curl up and watch movies with me and call me when he's having a rough day and....erm, other things that happen in ALAYLM. *wink wink nudge nudge* If ya know what I mean... I know I have approximately a billion book boyfriends, but Rob is definitely one of my favorites now! 
 Another thing that is amazing in ALAYLM is the way Ann portrays female relationships, be they mom/daughter, longterm bff, frenemies, groups, etc. I see now that Nadia definitely let Lauren down just as much as Lauren let Nadia down. I love the cat fight between Lauren and Avery, and their slow transition from frenemies to enemies to friends. Sometimes it IS easier to confide in someone you odn't have to worry about disappointing, which we all know is the worst emotion. THE WORST. And although Lauren and her mom don't exhibit the same charm and wit as the Gilmore Girls (I mean, let's be honest: who the hell can?!), I felt like their relationship was real, honest, and supportive, and I appreciate that just as much as the fast-talking fictional duo from Stars Hollow. 
 There's a lot going on in this book, but not so much that you feel lost in the story. Rather, there's a lot going on because each character is developed and has their own life. It feels incredibly real. Not only do Lauren and Rob each have their own story in addition to the one they have together, Rob's parents have a story; Lauren's mom has a story; Avery, Krista, and Nadia have stories. I feel like these are all people who are living their lives beyond the pages, like I could go to Sharon and find these people there and see them in their entirety, and that is what I really have grown to love about Ann's writing. I feel that she gives all the characters a well-rounded background that complements the story rather than fighting it. 
 I have grown to love the new adult genre, but I admit that I find many of the books to be rather repetitive and similar. I feel like Ann is using the genre to address everyday real life situations, both big and small-mental illness, single parenthood, parental illness, sexual assault, alcholism, sexuality, bills, balance, driving stick-in a tender way that doesn't make for a boring book or an after-school special. I am incredibly impressed with this series, and I will for sure be reading more of Ann's books. 
 P.S. Um...I can has The Shape of My Heart nao? 
 P.P.S. Extra bonus points for the use of classic Backstreet Boys songs as titles. 
 P.P.P.S. If you think As Long As You Love Me as anyone BUT a Backstreet Boys song, you and I simply cannot be friends. That Canadian devil WILL NOT RUIN BSB for me! BSB forever!