Review: What A Boy Needs

What A Boy Needs by Nyrae Dawn

Genre: YA

It's Raining Men! 2012 Challenge 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Says:A companion novel to WHAT A BOY WANTS.

Jaden Sinclair knows he'll never amount to anything...so why would he deserve a girl like Priscilla Mendoza? 

Since last summer, things have been screwed up between Jaden and Pris. He knows it's his fault, but that doesn’t stop him from wanting to go a few rounds with her new boyfriend. He also knows he’s the loser his dad calls him, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting her.

After getting a huge bomb dropped on him, Jaden lashes out and lands himself in jail. Everything in his chaotic life is turned upside down and to make it worse, his mom kicks him out in order to side with his dad. Yeah, he’s totally a prize for a girl like Pris. 

Sebastian, Aspen, and Pris are all going places in their lives...and he knows he can't keep tagging along for the ride.

The group has one last chance for The Epic Adventure they've been looking for: a road trip to New York, where Jaden's friends will be going to college. Unfortunately, the more time Jaden hangs around Pris, the harder it is to keep the carefully constructed walls between them so she doesn't find out what a train wreck he really is. 

When the trip ends, Jaden has to decide if he's ready to say goodbye to his friends, and the girl he loves. He knows what he needs, but will he be man enough to go for it?

Contains mature themes. Some sexual situations and language.


Nyrae Dawn… you are one talented mama!

I totally loved What a Boy Wants. Upon finishing I was so high on that book that I immediately purchased What a Boy Needs. I just had to have more and let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed.

This book is written in Jaden’s POV and takes place about a year after What a Boy Wants. You’ll find that What a Boy Wants is light and funny whereas What a Boy Needs is delivered in a more serious voice but written just as well.

Upon finishing this book I have only one word…WOW. A lot happened in this book and I didn’t find any of it predictable. I fell in love all over again with Jaden and Priscilla. My heart bled for these kids. Jaden has endured a lot in his life and has managed to keep it all to himself without letting any of his friends in. The one thing Jaden wants more than anything is acceptance and love from the people that matter the most. Priscilla yearns for the same thing only Jaden’s situation is a lot tougher. Priscilla just wants all of Jaden because he means everything to her. She was a strong, smart and understanding Latina (YAY) who blew me away. She stuck it out and helped Jaden realize his worth.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone. I loved the writing/storytelling. I loved how it flowed. I loved all the emotions it invoked in me. I went from feeling anxious to heartbroken to hopeless to hopeful.

I’m a fan. Can’t wait to read the next book Nyrae Dawn sends our way!

P.S. Note to author… there were a couple of lines recycled from What a Boy Wants… NO! Don’t do those things. I still love ya! OK. That was all.