BOOK REVIEW: The Homemaker by Jewel E Ann

THE HOMEAKER

by JEWEL E ANN

A romance inspired by TS “Fortnight”

I was hers, but she was never mine.

Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.

But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.

Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.

Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 5 WONDERFUL, AMAZING...FATEFUL STARS

"She was spontaneous and fun. Flirty and coinfident. But mostly, she was an enigma."

I will be the first one to tell you I believe in fate. Absolute, hard-fast belief in fate and how it has impacted my life has proven my belief for me. So when I find out JEA is going to infuse her charm into the wonderful world of fate (again, because c'mon), I know I am in for a good read. She made sure that was the point in this book. Sure, a little help from flirting and banter, but a lot of help with FATE and the truth behind it. But - getting this out of the way now, knowing I have more books in this series, in this vein, makes me extremely excited!! I know I always say JEA's books and writing is my favorite, but she once again proves it with this first installment in her newest series: The Chain of Lakes Series 

This journey was fanfreakintastic and one that held me captive from page one until I flipped the last page. I wanted more. I needed more. It was sooooo goooood - JEA has *always* had a way with her words. The story spins around you in real time and I got so caught up in her words that I couldn't believe it was over.  I has the sads that it's done...

This was the first time I’ve read a book in one sitting in years - YEARS. I sat down in the morning and finished it by the evening and was just afloat in a love so enigmatic and so heavy that my heart was just so happy and truly placated. She’s a favorite for a reason...so this book will be on my shelf because it feels like a love story that you can go back to and just read passages and feel that emotional connection all over again. It truly is a hot coffee kind of read. It was perfection for me.

"Reality is an afterthought when one's heart speaks louder than the mind."

The way their love story unfolded kept me intrigued the entire way through because the way she spelled out the timeline was truly the best way to pour the emotion onto the pages - because it wasn't a straightforward way to tell it. It was a slow reveal that forced me to feel it, to absorb it, to soak it in. The discovery alone was ON POINT! I love the way JEA tells me a story because she always makes sure I am completely engrossed while giving me facts and background to piece together. It's not easy...it never is, and I think that's why I enjoy her books as much as I do. She makes sure I discover it slowly and meticulously - but in due time. Without rush. The gymnastics my heart played during this book was a fun jaunt. 

Not even going to pretend that I wasn't giddy and excited, but my nail-biting was a bit on the exaggerated side throughout. I loved the dynamic between ALL the characters and how they each added their own energy and vibe to the storyline. I don't always pull in the side characters because they don't necessarily play an important part in the story, but these ones were worth mentioning because you too will fall in love with every single character you come into contact with. Life lessons, reality checks, and the heart knowing what it not only wants, but desperately needs - is high point in this book.

I also think JEA has given me yet another MC to hold on, well....a pedestal. Murphys' subtle whispers can sure make a girls' knees buckle...I mean, I know he sure would have made me weak in the knees. Everything about him made me swoon. I know that is such an outdated word now - probably not necessarily correct, but he made me just giggly smile like a shy gal would. I swear, thinking about him now while writing this is making me grin. I loved him and he was the perfect mixture of vulnerable and strong. Cocky and respectful. Yummy and naughty. I loved him HARD. So soooo hard. He truly was everything I needed in a man for Alice.

If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know I've slowed down on my reading and reviewing. Not because I wanted to, because I definitely didn't want to - but because the amount of honestly written, well thought out and planned books is hard to come by right now. I have started and stopped so many books lately - not much holding my interest or keeping me wanting to turn the pages. I was seriously concerned I was broken so I was desperately hoping for a win. Picking this one up, I needn't have worried!! My goodness, my expectations were blown far out of the water. I fell hard and fast and just knew the trip I was going to go on was easily going to be one that I could discuss in detail and with enthusiasm quite easily with any other reader - my favorite reason for having a blog. JEA has that ability and always seems to have my number....or book. Thank you.

BTW...I'll never hear "hi" the same again.

"She, by plan, gave me nothing disguised as everything."

~BEE

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~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS      TWITTER

CHECK OUT JEWEL'S BOOKS

ARC REVIEW

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Any links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase anything by clicking on them. You will not be charged anything extra. I use these links as a way to fund my book giveaways for every ARC Tour I do - so, thank you for your continual support.

BOOK REVIEW for THE GOOD BOOK by Jewel E Ann

A GOOD BOOK by

JEWEL E ANN

Gabriella Jacobson has one goal for her freshman year of Get Matthew Cory to fall in love with her.

Lucky for Gabby, her best friend, Ben, is attending the same college on a music scholarship. He is the perfect resource—girls love him, and he's more experienced with relationships than her, since she’s never had a boyfriend.

When Gabby panics before her first date with Matt, she begs Ben to show her how to kiss. But Ben has a secret, one he’s been keeping from Gabby for years. He’s in love with her.

One kiss turns into two, leaving Gabby confused and scared that their friendship might not survive the unforeseen emotions. She avoids Ben until something unexpected changes his life forever, and he’s forced to drop out of school.

Gabby tries to contact him, but he won’t respond. And Matthew Cory, her sister’s ex-boyfriend and handsome law student, is ready to fill the void Ben left behind.

Now that Gabby has the man she thought she wanted, can she forget about the boy who kissed her twice?

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 3.5 STARS

"I was terminally lovesick."

Oh goodness, where do I start....

I hoped for some tug. <sigh>

I wished for some tummy twisting. <sigh>

I pined for some angst. <sigh>

But, unfortunately, all I got was a very low key, sweet read. Signature JEA in the well written aspect of things, but just lacking in the tell-tale signs of the norm from her. I mean, that tells me that JEA can change it up as needed to fit the character - right? Positives. But, man - I was hoping for more. Just....more. Gabby was super sweet, super innocent (read: completely blindsided about all things relationship) and super naive. Like, suuuuuper naive. I'm not normally a sweet reader, so this threw me for a slight loop.

While the synopsis and lead up gave me all the makings of a good book (pun intended), it definitely didn't give me the angsty push and pull that I am used to with a JEA story, nor did it give me much of the emotion I normally get swallowed up in. I also didn't feel like I got the normal build-up that is so intrinsic in JEA's stories and that sort of took me out of the rush of the storyline. This was a very good read, don't get me wrong - I was just anticipating for the third and final book in this series to put me through the wringer and it just didn't. It was the most easy going, laid back, chill book I've ever read from Jewel. 

Ben had me laughing and enjoying the bestfriend aspect of this story because that was laid out so perfectly. Matt had me holding my breath - actually waiting for the ass to show his head, and while a few things made me cringe, he redeemed himself. I fell in love with Ben and Matt in a different manner. I appreciated Matt for who he was to Gabby when she needed it the most - ultimate respect for him. 

"That kiss reached far beyond my lips. I felt it everywhere."

But let me tell you this, when Ben and Gabby kissed, IIIIIII felt it!! Yep! Me. Felt it. Talk about knocking the wind out of you!! But....that was it, unfortunately. Some things were a little awkward, some were lacking the lead up - but some things just brought out all the smiles. I will admit I honestly didn't feel the Matt thing that she supposedly felt so deeply - so that helped me with my whiplash about Ben. 

Hoooowevvverrrrrr, the big twist left me ultimately scratching my head. Wholly confused about this wrench in the plan of this thing called life - which in all reality is a factual sidebar. Maybe I was a tad bit put off on how it all actually happened and then the discussion afterwards, but it definitely made my eyes go a bit wider and my head piqued a bit. 

Jewel has always, without fail, been a win for me, and while this wasn't my favorite of hers - it was an easy and classic read. It will be on my shelf - that isn't up for debate, because this series was a great one overall. It truly brought me back to my kindle for the first time in MONTHS and it has renewed my desire to pick up another book again. I got to sink into it and let go of the outside world for a few days.

"I was a dreamer floating in the wind, and he was my gravity, my gentle anchor to reality."

BEE

The SUNDAY MORNING Series

SUNDAY MORNING        THE APPLE TREE        THE GOOD BOOK

START The SUNDAY MORNING Series:

SUNDAY MORNING        THE APPLE TREE        THE GOOD BOOK

~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS      TWITTER

CHECK OUT JEWEL'S BOOKS

ARC REVIEW

AFFILIATE LINKS USED

COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY

Any links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase anything by clicking on them. You will not be charged anything extra. I use these links as a way to fund my book giveaways for every ARC Tour I do - so, thank you for your continual support.

BOOK REVIEW for THE APPLE TREE by Jewel E Ann

THE APPLE TREE

by JEWEL E ANN

He’s a single dad starting over in a new town. She’s a relentless flirt with a penchant for trouble, ten years younger than him, and the babysitter. What could go wrong?

Eve has just graduated from high school, but she doesn’t know what’s next aside from working at the local motel, spying on Kyle, her neighbor, and stealing apples from his orchard. If she doesn’t figure things out soon, she’ll be stuck at home and treated like a child forever.

Kyle is a single dad and the new football coach who needs a babysitter for his adorable son. When he meets Eve, there’s an instant connection because she reminds him of someone—himself. But Eve is the preacher’s daughter, off-limits, and Kyle has already had his heart trampled by his ex.

After earning his son’s affection with her homemade apple sauce and youthful spirit, Eve asks Kyle to teach her things like driving his fishing boat and shooting his hunting bow. Despite his better judgment, he agrees, but swears Eve to secrecy so no one gets the wrong idea about them.

Their playful banter and innocent flirting crosses a line, and Kyle misses the heartbreaking secret Eve’s hidden in plain sight.

When tragedy strikes, can they find their way back to each other?

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 4.5 STARS

"Show them that your strength is greater than your mistakes and imperfections."

For someone that swore off reading last year (mostly because I was getting bored or tired of the rants from authors), coming back to a tried and true, favorite author and being gifted a story that just made me smile, while remembering the innocence of growing up back in the 80s…yes, I just aged myself – this was such a nostalgic and so very welcome read. I smiled at the innocent actions to the very adult consequences. I smiled at the memory of falling in love for the first time and the butterflies and giggles that came with it - but also the love goggles that were foggy and didn't show the reality of the situation you're snuggled in. I smiled at the forbidden romance but also bit my nails at having to tread through all the what ifs. It was such a great mixture of living in La-La-Land without consequences and having your feet firmly planted on the ground - because there are always consequences.

"I was wind and fire - destructive and out of control. He was earth and water - a grounding, calm force."

For the second book in JEA's Sunday Morning series, she wrote The Apple Tree so effortlessly separate, but provided just enough of a dangle for Sarah and Isaac's can't miss read. We initially met Eve in Sunday Morning, so knowing all the trouble she was already getting into made this book that much more fun to read. Don't skip the first book, but just know you can read this one as a complete standalone as well. 

JEA allowed for a symbiotic relationship between innocence and naïveté with Eve's age and stubbornness. That huge, yet very small step between curiosity and emotional exploration with her bravado was so easy to read and laugh through. She gave me so many awww moments, so many giggle worthy moments - but she made sure to throw in plenty of head shaking moments as well. Looking back on life at Eve's age with the knowledge of love now, it sure makes me feel that awkwardness with a harsh laugh. But love works out, and JEA is a mastermind at proving that point.

It’s not black or white
It’s not right or wrong
It’s not easy or hard
It’s a journey through an all consuming love that was a bumpy ride...
But it was a worthy journey

"Eve didn't just gravitate toward trouble, she was trouble."

This was the most awkward, yet truly innocent love story and JEA excels at telling those types of stories. Her stories suck you in, make you comfy, and then she works her magic. Eve and Kyle were a love that shouldn't have been, but couldn't have NOT been. She hit on a romance that was made for my eyes. I love forbidden...and I love the way JEA tells it. Let's be honest, I love the way JEA tells any story. I feel like that's a disclaimer, but not really. Shhh....

However, this is not to take away from the very serious situation that is broached in this book. JEA touches on a very delicate and harsh reality that I'm assuming probably didn't have a lot of discussion readily available for teens back in the 80's, but it sure struck a chord with me knowing what I saw in the 90's during my high school days - here I am again aging myself. Watching it happen was concerning, but watching it come to a head was a whole other level of concern and so super sad. 

She gave a voice to those of us awkward teenagers out there. We thought we knew everything. We thought we could handle anything. We had a sense of independence, but didn't have the first clue what life was going to hand us. We knew we crushed on others; we were far from smooth - but we knew we were worthy of that love and that fight for love. I smile looking back on this story because I feel like she nailed that oh-so-real curious awkwardness. Take a journey back to the 80's with this nostalgia-loaded read - I sure hope it makes you smile as much as it did me. I absolutely loved this story!! It was the easiest read and what a wonderful welcome to 2025 with a renewed excitement for reading again.

Knowing I have one more book in this series about the baby sister is bringing me all the smiles. I look forward to THE GOOD BOOK knowing JEA will give Gabby all the love - when it releases in May. Thankfully the wait won't be tooooo....oooo long.

"Her insatiable curiosity and rebellious desire."

~BEE

The SUNDAY MORNING Series

SUNDAY MORNING        THE APPLE TREE        THE GOOD BOOK

~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS      TWITTER

CHECK OUT JEWEL'S BOOKS

ARC REVIEW

AFFILIATE LINKS USED

COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY

Any links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase anything by clicking on them. You will not be charged anything extra. I use these links as a way to fund my book giveaways for every ARC Tour I do - so, thank you for your continual support.

Book Review and Giveaway for I THOUGHT OF YOU by Jewel E Ann

I THOUGHT OF YOU

by JEWEL E ANN

I wanted to conquer the world.
She wanted to gaze at the stars.

It’s been twelve years since I last saw Scottie Rucker. A grim prognosis has upended my life, and no amount of my hard-earned money can fix it. So, after leaving a note on the nightstand, I search for my first love—I search for life.

When I find her in Austin, working at a quaint general store and living in an RV behind it, those twelve years vanish. She’s exactly how I remember her.

Scottie thinks our reunion is a small-world coincidence, and I’m not ready to tell her the truth. After we rekindle our friendship, she convinces me to work part-time at the store while she pursues her budding relationship with Koen, a welder and the grandson of a customer.

Scottie’s ability to live in the moment is exactly what I need. But how do I convince her new boyfriend that I’m not his competition? And what happens if my heart changes its mind?

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 5 EMOTIONALLY LADEN STARS

"But when you let your mind step outside social boundaries, the rules lose meaning, and love feels limitless."

As usual, go in as blind as you’re comfortable going. Try to avoid any reviews, because they’re going to inevitably give away the very essence of the journey that’s needed in order to watch Price, Koen, and Scottie's world develop as it should. There’s so much to discover while reading this book, and the organic way that JEA wrote it and delivered it needs to be experienced firsthand - in real time.

I  read this.

I felt this.
I am broken...

But I am once again in love with yet another JEA book that upended my safely beating heart, stole the safety net of the sanctity of my innermost thoughts - and left me crying for days while looking at life with a whole new perspective I didn't think I was missing out on. My heart may have skipped a few beats, but not in the manner it's used to. 

It took me a minute to gather my thoughts on this one, and I’m not going to lie - it wasn’t easy, but that’s signature JEA, and exactly why I love her writing. I'm not sure I'll be able to articulate this one well because I'm still pretty raw, but just know that I couldn't love this book more. This one will take up what little space I have left on my bookshelf, because this one was a rock solid emotional jolt straight to the heart - but I will have it signed because I hope this story will never leave me. I hope I reference it in my thoughts and actions often. 

"Baby, you're going to be a fucking tornado in my life."

Scottie is her own person - and if we all had a Scottie in our life, this world would be a better place. She’s so devout in her beliefs that she made me stop and think on many different levels, and I absolutely loved that about her. Her wisdom was not necessarily other worldy, but it can easily be described as old-soul reminiscent. She had a heart of gold and she was most definitely the bright spot in the whole book for me, no matter how bleak it got. I found myself looking to her for some wisdom and insight. 

"Countless memories of our summer together have permanent space in my mind."

Price gave me so much to LOVE in life, but with a deeper perspective. Hindsight is always 20/20, yet circumstances don't always align with our thought processes and given Price's predicament, his demeanor and knowledge was a breath of.....no, a walk on cool grass. Refreshing insight, and a deep and meaningful dance with fate. I honestly and truly loved the hardest truths I learned from him and loved watching him learn with each page I turned. Hard, but loved.

"Every time he hums, I feel it more than I hear it."

I’m irrevocably in love with Koen. Undeniably, hands down - in love. He’s so confident and witty - which really, really works for me. The banter was top shelf delicious in every drop given to me. I could have soaked in him forever and lived drunk on him with never having another care in the world. Ever. He was the literal definition of perfection and a high I seek with all of my book boyfriends. He was all man, with every bit of the alpha male with a caring heart we all love to see - and he was young, so it was natural to him and it read that way from the first meeting to the last page. I freakin' loved him!!

JEA has a way of encapsulating real life, real troubles, and real love by telling a story that hits me deep in my emotions. The mental aspect of her stories always adds another element to an all around great read. This one spared no feelings…I definitely ran through the gamut of emotions on this one and it just shows me how deep she can write and how much she can bring me in. I’ll read any of her stories. Heavy on the romance, or not, she will always reel me in and show me how diverse of a writer she can be and she proves it with every book I read. With every storyline - believable or not, every single book has made me question the solid ground I walk upon and that makes for some of my favorite reads.

I did have a friend confess to me that she read the ending first because she couldn’t handle the angst (totally side-eying you, my sweet, sweet Jenn), and I knew at that point that I was in for an amazing read. I wasn't wrong, but I couldn't imagine reading the ending first because I feel like that would have taken away the deep breath I took at the end and the final tears that I smiled through. Very important smile, but one of wonderment and bewilderment.

I highlighted so much in this book. The knowledge. The thought provoking experiences. The reality. The painful, harsh reality....oh gosh, it was a brutal walk through the lives of these three and I enjoyed it so much. Sounds morbid, and I don't mean for it to because amongst the tears, I had some pretty good giggles and plenty of smiles surrounded by butterflies in my tummy. Easily one of the most emotional books I have read in a very long time. I have a slightly heavier heart after reading it, but with that it carries a broader perspective on life. I cried quite a bit while reading this because much of it hit very close to home for me on multiple levels. It was an emotionally cleansing read as well, and that's also probably why I cried as much as I did. It was a chance for me to let go and release some emotions with a little more calm than I thought. 

It's a very safe bet that I am going to whole-heartedly recommend JEA's books time and time again. I know the emotional upheaval I'm sure to get will always be *everything* I need in a book, but it's also a book worthy of discussion - every.single.time. I love that discussions with my book friends are always spirited when it comes to her books because whether we see the story through the same eye, or a completely different lens - the fact of the matter is, se's a brilliant writer and she's always been able to induce emotions on a level many authors fail to reach with me.

"If loving too much or too many people is my biggest offense, I'll die with no regrets."

ALWAYS,

~B

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AND an alternate cover. I am not usually a fan of alternate covers, but JEA has some beautiful alternatives that aren't run of the mill cartoonish ones that I actually like. This is a hardcover one...

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FIND MY FACEBOOK POST, COMMENT ON THERE - COMMENT ON THIS BLOG POST - COMMENT ON MY GOODREADS REVIEW. JUST COMMENT SOMEWHERE AND MAKE SURE I KNOW WHO YOU ARE. 💔

~MEET JEWEL E ANN~

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~

FACEBOOK     AMAZON      GOODREADS     TIKTOK

CHECK OUT JEWEL'S BOOKS

ARC REVIEW

AFFILIATE LINKS USED

COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY

Any links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you purchase anything by clicking on them. You will not be charged anything extra. I use these links as a way to fund my book giveaways for every ARC Tour I do - so, thank you for your continual support.

BOOK REVIEW and GIVEAWAY for Not Made To Last by Jay McLean

NOT MADE TO LAST

by JAY McLEAN

Two simple words hold the truth of our love: wait and hope.

Olivia
Rhys Garrett—recent high school graduate, ex-captain of the basketball team, and my brother’s rival both on and off the court.
Oh, and he’s also the guy I just hit with my truck.
Awesome.
To be fair, he had it coming.
Why else was he dressed in all black, in the middle of the night, if not to hide out amongst the darkness?

Rhys
I wasn’t looking where I was going or what was around me. I didn’t even see the headlights. Just felt the impact. And I thought, as strange as it was, that getting hit by a car may be the best thing that could’ve happened to me.
Until I opened my eyes…
…and she told me her name.
***
Some might call it fate, destiny, kismet…
A collision of souls.
One night.
One chance encounter.
The problem?
One night wasn’t enough.
But the more time we spent together, the more truths came to light.
And soon, we’d discover that what we once thought was meant to be…
…is not made to last.

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 4 STARS

"The family we create means more than the family who created us."

Oh my goodness, hiiii. Remember me? *hides* I know it's been a while since I've typed up more than a few words on my computer and onto my blog, but coming back to tell you about a book I read is the sole reason I had to jump back on. I have my favorites and I still read occasionally, but actually publishing a review is few and far between right now. I have *missed* Jay McLean over the last few years she's been gone. Of all people, I know we all need a break now and then - but my gosh, it's stories like hers that bring me back to my reading happy place - and actually wanting to write a review.. The subtle reminder of why I love to read honest voices resides comfortably in her books. I enjoy her storytelling in a way that I'm not sure I can explain without you knowing her and how she articulates her thoughts - but it's so worth the journey. This was the best "welcome back" I could have hoped for.

"Breathe. One more time. Every time."

Young Adult wasn't my favorite for a long time because there just wasn't a voice out there that could articulate or tell a story for that age of characters that I didn't roll my eyes at. Jay McLean changed that genre for me, and I am ever thankful. There was a definite "inspired" ache in this book and one that I couldn't put down. I love getting pulled into a book that has my heart on a leash, and this one definitely did. The ache was more due to the circumstances that were all there, without foresight - and I couldn't get enough of it. The buildup to Rhys and Olivia figuring everything out had me anxious with anticipation - which is my favorite kind of read. I like the feel of the need to pace, to nervously anticipate how it's all going to unfold. I obviously knew there was going to be some heart-hurting moments, but that ache was a welcome emotion in this story. It's hard finding them well written in young adult books, I feel - and I'm pretty sure Jay McLean holds that niche in the market for me. She has always reeled me in and held me hostage with her words, and with Rhys and Olivia testing all their waters together, it just made that ache relatable and insightful. Basically, if she's writing it, I'm reading it. It's a foregone conclusion at this rate. So, that would beg the question: am I biased? Prejudiced? Already made my mind up? Nope. I know with every review I write, I will always say what I didn't like or did like with any author that writes it. Always.

So, yeah - the only thing that made me even remotely tip my head in this one was how the "deception" came about...but #money. And, it buttoned up suuuuper quickly. I mean, are those bad things? I supposed it's up to the reader but I am pretty confident I just didn't want a quick and easy out and I wanted to sit and settle into their world a little looooonger - but apparently books end. #Rude

BUT, the weirdest thing is, this one made me question fate...or kismet, and I have never questioned it, buuuut, I'm still smiling remembering how it made me feel. Just thinking back about how this all happened - it was supposed to be fate. It was supposed to be destined. But as I'm writing this, that helping hand that fate seems to enjoy every now and then played a blind part in this whole book and I honestly loved that dynamic. Having said that, I am not sure I wholly understood the meaning behind said helping hand until it was all said and done and I was reflecting on the story as a whole. Some things didn't line up for me as I was reading it because I was so caught up in Rhys and Olivia falling in love and finally figuring things out, but it all worked itself out in the end. I was wrapped up. Completely. And I fell hard. Super hard and rather quickly. I started it and looked down and I was at 63% and that was a tragedy in and of itself because I could have stayed there for days. I just loved how their relationship evolved and I'm pretty sure I connected with Olivia on a little deeper level as she tried to keep Rhys at arms length. Jay McLean is an excellent emotional writer and she expresses them not only in her words, but in the actions her characters have.

So, after a long break from writing reviews, I'm merely suggesting (or trying to suggest) you give this one a try and will easily recommend it - or any Jay McLean book, for that matter. Are you curious but not sure if you want to jump in? (Weird thought, right?) You can check out the first chapter HERE and see if it's something you'd like to read. I think you want to. I definitely recommend this book and hope you fall in love all over again, just like I did. So, hop right on over to Jay McLeans Post with the first chapter and give it a whirl. And then grab it, because, well...let's discuss!! 

"Because it's so much easier to hate you when the feeling is reciprocated."

Until next time,

~BEE

PURCHASE - NOT MADE TO LAST

Available on Kindle Unlimited

I'm giving away a copy HERE

but by all means, feel free to comment below too

 ~MEET JAY MCLEAN~

Jay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult Romance, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, playing house and binge watching Netflix.

She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.

Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in a forever half-done home where music is loud and laughter is louder.

~CONNECT WITH JAY~

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