Sunday 13 October 2013

Blog Tour: Jay McLean's "More Than This."

@JayMcLeanAuthor  
The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Blog Tour Review: Jay McLean's "More than This." 
(Giveaway at bottom of post)

Amazon UK:       http://amzn.to/14t3iP5
Amazon.com:      http://amzn.to/19gXc98
Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/19qLoRK

Synopsis:

*Mikayla*
In one night my fairytale ended. Or it may have begun. This is my story of friendship and love, heartbreak and desire, and the strength to show weakness.

*Jake*
One night I met a girl. A sad and broken girl, but one more beautiful than any other. She laughed through her sadness, while I loved through her heartbreak.

*This is our story of a maybe ever after.*

He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years. 
I couldn't undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future.
I couldn't even predict it. 
It was one night.
One night when everything changed.
It was so much more than just the betrayal.
It was the Tragedy. 
The Deaths. 
The Murders.
But it was also that feeling.
The feeling of falling. 

Blog Tour Review: Surj


"More than this" was a love story born from tragedy. It made me laugh, cry, it had my stomach in knots and more often than not, I was on the edge of my seat waiting and hoping. Jake and Mikayla's story was one I was desperate to get to the end of because if ever there were two characters that deserved a "Happily Ever After" it was these two. 

One night was all it took for Mikayla's world to be turned upside down, for everyone she had ever loved to be suddenly gone. But that was also the night for new beginnings because that was the night Jake  walked into her life. 

No way anyone deserves to be treated like that, especially this girl. 
I feel the need to protect her. I don't even know her.

After finding out that her boyfriend James had been cheating on her with her best friend Megan, it was Jake (a complete stranger) and his friends that made sure prom night wasn't a complete disaster for Kayla. They'd never met this girl before but they welcomed her into the fold. They offered her friendship and support when those closest to her had let her down. But when the final blow of the night came and Kayla lost everything, when her world came crashing down around her, it was Jake who picked her up. He was the glue that held her together and from that moment on, their friendship was sealed:

"Jake, he makes things hurt a little less.  He's home for me, right now. If being around 
him takes the pain away just a little bit, then it doesn't matter how or why he's here with me. 

Jake's character was just perfect. He was beautiful on the inside and out, selfless to the end... he was most definitely Kayla's knight in shining armour. Kayla would always come first with him, even if it meant jeopardising his own future. He was kind, caring, protective and offered her unconditional friendship and support. Who wouldn't want a man like this. He let her heal at her own pace and never, not once pushed her for anything more.... a true gentleman. 

And Kayla, she was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for.  She saw herself as broken but I saw her as the complete opposite. Yes she had moments where she went into meltdown but who wouldn't after everything that had happened. She was trying to rebuild her life.... albeit a life she hadn't planned but she would do it. And she had people who loved her who would help her along the way. 

So let's talk about Kayla and Jake's relationship. There were moments I didn't know if I was coming or going,  these two had my insides doing all sorts. From the word go there was something there and as each day passed, it just grew and I loved it. Neither of them wanted to admit their true feelings, both afraid of the consequences, both afraid of rejection. But I was willing for them to open up.... even desperate at times for them to say those words. So what did I get? I got this:

"Hey Jake?" "Yeah Kayla?" He's almost asleep. "I more than a lot like you." 
It's quiet for so long I don't know if he's heard me. Then, 
"I  more than a lot like you too, so much  more than a lot."

Yup and I went weak at the knees  and my heart turned to mush. 

They went through all the motions of being a couple, they held hands, slept in the same bed together , argued, even got jealous (there was even some naughty stuff!!! Fans self) but Kayla just wouldn't label their relationship and never took it beyond a certain point and it drove me nuts:

"Because if I kiss you, then I'll want to taste you, and if I taste you, then I'll need to fuck you. 
And when I fuck you, it means your mine. And when I make you mine, 
I want it to be in our bed. Not a hotel room... Is that Okay?"

Bucket of cold water anyone???

The secondary characters in the book also stole my heart. I wanted so desperately to be part of Jake's family. They were good people who had bought up their children well. I could really see why Jake was the way he was. 

And Kayla's new found friends... wow. These people never thought about themselves and always put others ahead of their own needs. Each of them was different but I loved them equally. Lucy had me in stitches. Her love of reading represented so many of us but when she used the following line, I laughed so hard, I thought my sides were going to split. There were tears of laughter!!!! 

"I swear to god, Micky," Lucy snarls. Cam's pretending to hold her back, 
amused by her drunken state. "I'll cut a bitch for you, just let me go Cam. Let me go!" 

Quiet timid Lucy...amazing the lines you remember from books!!! And Logan... the asshole... but was he? I saw two very different sides to him but this kid had a heart of gold when it came down to it. 

James and Megan: I just despised  from the word go.... selfish, deceitful, conniving individuals who deserved one another!!!). They had my blood boiling. The twist at the end... not expected but not sure how I feel about it. I don't know whether it added anything extra to the story for me (unless we see more of Megan in future books.) 

This book was beautifully written and despite being told from alternate POV, flowed perfectly. I loved getting an insight into the minds of both Kayla and Jake and at times, I could have quite easily have banged their heads together. These two belonged together... call it fate... destiny... whatever... they were meant to be. There were moments where i felt my heart was being squeezed and I had a lump in my throat (the birthday box, the letters to Emily), but there were also moments of hope, of laughter and definitely of happiness. There was no cliff hanger with this book so these two did get their "HEA" even though it took a while (all good things come to those who wait... right?" 
I've just got to say though... the last line..... WTF!!!!! And so my review ends.
I rated this book 4 Hearts. I can't wait for Logan's story.            

Excerpt:

“He was going to meet you at the cages after he dropped us off. He was just there for me, that’s all.” I pause for a minute. “Wait, he didn’t tell you?”
Jake’s shaking his head, taking it all in. “He said it wasn’t his story to tell, and if I wanted to know I had to hear it from you.” He blows out a breath, puffing out his cheeks with the force of it. “Fuck, Kayla. I really am an asshole. I was a dick to him, and to you. And Julie, shit, I scared the shit out of her. Why didn’t you tell me? Was that what last night was about?”
“Yeah. I didn’t think about it until I was at the pharmacy with Julie, and then I wigged out, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t tell you, because I wanted to be sure first. I didn’t know what I was going to do if … you know.”
“So you’re not. For sure? Like a hundred percent?”
“Yeah, Jake.” I nod my head. “I’m sure.”
He breaths out a heavy sigh, and we sit in silence for a long time.
“Can I stay with you tonight? Please, Kayla?” It’s barely a whisper.
I scoot across the bed and lift the covers. He takes his shirt off and gets in. We face each other. Holding on, not wanting to let go, not even for a second.
We’re looking so intently into each other’s eyes, trying to see into each other’s souls. 
Talking without speaking.
Feeling without touching.
“Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s just you. It’s only ever been just you. It will always only everbe just you.”
And then he kisses me. A quick kiss on the lips. But it has the passion of a thousand kisses, and holds the power of a thousand promises.
“So much more than a lot,” he says, before we fall asleep, the best way we can, in each other’s arms.

 About Jay McLean:

I am the author of Mature YA / New Adult contemporary novels, MORE THAN THIS and a soon to be released sequel, MORE THAN HER. I enjoy reading and writing books that make people laugh, cry and swoon for dreamy book boyfriends. When not doing either of those, I can be found looking after my two little boys, and being completely awkward in most social situations.

Author Links: 

Facebook:-   https://www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor?fref=ts
Twitter - @   jaymcleanauthor
Website -      http://www.jaymcleanauthor.com/
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/Jaymclean

More Than This Playlist: 

Giveaway:
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