MINI REVIEWS: NA EDITION – RULE by Jay Crownover and I WANT IT THAT WAY by Ann Aguirre

Posted September 16, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 21 Comments

Rule (Marked Men #1)
by Jay Crownover
Publisher – HarperCollins
Release Date – July 3rd 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight–A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want–and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

Now you all know that I started this series with Rome, which I then continued to the latest novel, Nash. I thought it was about time to start from the very beginning with Rule.

Rule doesn’t do attachments. Since the death of his twin, Remy, all his family have done is blame him for his death. Rule won’t live up to his parent expectations of what they wanted Remy to be. Remy was smart, intelligent and had a life planned through uni and his love for football and he also had the love support of not only his parents but of Shaw, his best friend. What I loved was that I got more of a background story of Remy, you only saw glimpses in Rome’s story, but I also saw the conclusion to Remy’s chapter of the series through his novel. Rule has lived to purposely to avoid his family, to work hard of his shop and develop their business and to enjoy the odd one night stands. I loved Rule, his story although slightly cliche does hold that fact, that this is one of the more emotionally thought- driven plotlines of the series so far.

What Rule didn’t anticipate is the one person that reminded of Remy everyday, stood by him, baby sat him and was there for him even though he didn’t know why. But deep down their friendship was only the beginning. Rule, as well as the rest of the family thought Shaw was in love with Remy, when in fact that was very much the wrong end of the stick. However, Shaw couldn’t really tell as it wasn’t her story to tell. With the alternate POV in place, I was able to really see the depth of each character, how they depend and it effects each other. Shaw was such a sweet girl, that she had her own troubles through her family, that was only in her teen years that she became a part of Remy’s and Rules family. Together, Rule and Shaw are so perfect and adorable together that they really bring real passion and emotion to such a novel.

When you find a series such as the Marked Men, when you have a family of characters, brothers, cousins and friends each with their own story, you want to know what happened to them. For me Rule and Jet are some of my favourite even just from the background.

Rating – 4.5

I Want It That Way (2B Trilogy #1)
by Ann Aguirre
Publisher – Harlequin HQN
Release Date – August 26th 2014
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

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.

Moving into an apartment, with her roomates, Lauren, Angus and Max, Nadia was just your average, hard-worker and dream career enthusiast. Going to uni, getting a degree in teaching, specialising in special needs and gradually building her career to be a teacher. But undeniably, she has passion, courage and drive to succeed. As you do, Nadia met her match falling down the stairs. All was hurt was her pride and possibly a sore bum. She didn’t realise that the man downstairs, Ty, was going to be a handful. 
Ty has the tendency to be tight-lipped around others, but once he saw Nadia, everything seemed a little brighter. Nadia saw that Ty was more than just Mr Hot. Ginger (as Lauren would say) but also a father. That didn’t stop their relationship from developing into friendship,with some added benefits. This makes it somewhat complicated when there feelings are so much more. There is an aspect of insta-love, as you may have gathered, bet yet again, surprising me it didn’t really bother me. Insta-love probably doesn’t bother me if the novel is well developed and character driven. Whilst working at Rainbow Academy teaching, 2-4 year old, she had the pleasure of teaching little Sam, Ty’s son! Oh Sam was such a little spark of the novel, that you wish you could just squidge his cute little cheeks. Despite the relationship being a bit rocky in places, it was Sam that brought them both together. 
I Want it That Way isn’t your typical NA, this novel showed more character development, able to see inside the mind of Nadia, rather her descriptive of her sexual urges. NA is changing….whilst this novel had no bad boys, or emotional past/backstory, but more of a need to grow, mature, overcome and be dependent on someone for them to share, listen and care, adding another layer to the genre of New Adult.
Rating – 4
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21 responses to “MINI REVIEWS: NA EDITION – RULE by Jay Crownover and I WANT IT THAT WAY by Ann Aguirre

  1. I definitely agree that New Adult is moving away from the overly dramatic and emotional story lines which is an aspect of Aguirre's novel I really enjoyed. I haven't read Rule yet, but I'm glad to see that fared even better than Aguirre's read–I'll have to check that one out for sure! Wonderful reviews, Emma! 🙂

    • New Adult is certainly changing and that is what I love about it. I haven't read some in a while because of it. Rule and the Marked Men series are amazing! You should really read them, they are the highlight of NA! 🙂

  2. YAY EMMA!!!! I loved both of these books as well, and pretty much had all my faith in the NA genre as a whole restored after reading them. I agree completely that I Want it That Was isn't typical NA, it has an added realism and depth and spares us the unnecessary drama so common in other books:) Lovely reviews!

    • They have restored my love for NA as well. It's been such a long time since I've read a good NA! Both of these series are awesome and I can't wait to continue with them. Thanks for stopping by, Jenny! 🙂

  3. While I loved Rome (and have a feeling that Nash's book will be my favorite), I loved Rule so much! It's such a meaningful and heartbreaking story with so much character growth and I agree! Rule's story is slightly cliche, but it's so very good! Remy's absence hurt me just as much as it hurt Rule and Shaw, but I'm glad they got togetehr because, yess!!! Adorable and perfect 🙂 I'm glad you loved it so much, Emma! As for I Want it That Way, I'm not sure if it's my kind of book, but I'm willing to try since creat chemistry (regardless of insta-love) and character growth. Great to learn that you liked this one too 🙂

    Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination

    • Rule was amazing! My favourite, would have to be Rome at the mo. But we've got Rowdy coming out soon, which I can't wait for. I loved how the I finally got to see the whole picture with Remy, no matter how emotional that part was. I hope you get to read I Want It That Way soon. Thanks Siiri! 🙂

  4. I'm over the moon that NA is finally getting read of overdramatic moments and cliche characters. I need some changes there to get back to that genre. I have heard of both of these and both sound really interesting, plus I haven't read any of Ann's books and I should really change that. Great reviews, Emma 🙂

    • I know your not really a fan of this genre, Tanja. But I hope for your sake that NA changes more so you could really enjoy it. I could recommend so many for you. 🙂

  5. Rule and Rome are my favorites in the Marked Men series so I'm thrilled you loved Rule! I have I Want it That Way for review as well, and I've seen some mixed thoughts so I was a little bummed I had to read it. I feel a bit better after reading your review, Emma! Lovely reviews! 🙂

    • I'm so glad your favourites are mine. I can't wait to read Rowdy though. I really hope you read I Want It That Way soon, given that it did have some mixed reviews, but overall it didn't bother me as the novel itself overcame them. The sequel was brilliant! 🙂 Thank you, Rachel! 🙂

  6. Awww I Want it That Way definitely sounds like it developed the characters properly which is great to hear. I love the sound of Shaw in Rule, she sounds like a really sweet character and their relationship something I could ship. Lovely reviews Emma!

    • I really hope you get to read these ones soon, Jeann. The Marked Men series is one of my favoruite NA series. Like JLA, Jay really writes them beautifully. Thank you for stopping by, Jeann! 🙂

  7. Yay I'm glad you liked Rule, I adore that series and Rome is my fave so far but I still have to meet Nash. I both loved and hated I want it that way, I liked the more "normal" problems that it examined rather than these torturous, sad stories with tons of sex thrown in but Nadia's thoughts at times were a bit too insta-lovey for me at times and drove me insane but I loved her when she was at work etc. Overall tho it was a good novel but probably 3 stars for me, we'll see when I finally write the review lol! Lovely reviews Emma!

    • Nash is so good, and hopefully we'll enjoy Rowdy too! 🙂 I can see where your coming from with I Want It That Way, but the insta-love and the drama balanced each other out and I loved Nadia and Mr Hot Ginger's relationship and characters. Thank you, Danielle.

  8. I completely agree that IWITW isn't your typical NA book. Ann's characters are completely true to life, which I appreciate. i also love that they're just regular people with regular problems, no stupid unnecessary drama, no unnecessary tension. NA is changing, absolutely, and for the better. 🙂

    • No I thought it was very plot and character driven, when was nice to see such a balance between them. I loved how they are so realistic there were to real life so I was able to really connect with them. Definitely for the better, Maja!

  9. YAY! I am glad to see that you enjoyed IWITW, Emma! 😀 It was definitely a fun novel and a definite step forward from the other NA out there. I definitely hope Ann will continue to explore this demographic and maybe step outside the contemporary genre too 😉 Throw in a little UF in there :DD

    Also, I haven't read any of Jay's book but… I like the sound of the romance in Rule.. plus Rule doesn't sound like a mega jerk and that's always a good thing right? 😀

    Lovely reviews, Emma! 🙂

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

    • Oh Urban Fantasy and contemporary sounds like a good idea. Hehe! It was certainly and a fun, hot and refreshing change to the NA genre. It's always good that male characters aren't jerks, lol. You should totally start this series, Rashika! Thank you! 😀

  10. I want to read both of these books so bad! Glad you loved both of these! I keep putting The Marked Man series aside, I think I even cleared the books off my TBR but I'll just put them back on. I heard a mass amount of great things about I Want It That Way so now I have no chance but love it. I love those novels in which the characters develop a lot so this is a must read for me.
    Amazing reviews. 🙂