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LEO
by JAY MCLEAN
One single summer changed them forever, and one moment of devastating silence destroyed it all.
Growing up with six siblings, Leo Preston has always struggled to find his voice.
While his brothers are loud, greedy, and somewhat obnoxious, Leo is forever the quiet one.
The thinker.
The listener.
He watches his life pass by as an outsider in his own world, absent and alone.
Lost.
Until he finds her.
For Leo, Mia Kovács is like a prize, a gift wrapped in passion and devotion.
And she’s his—his very own secret he doesn’t have to share.
Together, they can overcome anything…
heartache and destruction, guilt and regret.
Mia gives Leo everything he didn’t know he needed,
including her fragile heart.
The only thing she doesn’t give him...
are secrets of her own.
REVIEW: 4 STARS
"I don't know who I am when I'm with her."
I love a story that I can get lost in. One that can emote what I need in order to get caught up in the characters and fall in love with the storyline - or the other way around, but for this reason, Jay McLean regularly sits on my favorites list each year. LEO was such a sweetheart, but he had his demons to contend with and I think that is what made his story that much more intriguing. Mia added another element, and she had her own battles as well. Hers were definitely of the heartbreaking variety, but they were each other's balm and I loved that they were soulmates.
Leo is definitely in a class of his own. He’s his own person with his own thoughts...his own actions, and I love that he wasn’t the typical “everything is perfect” kind of Hero. I loved that there was some reality seeped deep within him and his struggles were real, not easily glossed over. Little clues to catch onto, a few looks deep into his world, those were what gave him the depth I regularly enjoy in a McLean book. There was a sweet softness to him; a very soft side that was warm and inviting. But there was a dark, naughty, unequivocally dirty side to him that was delicious and I enjoyed every whispered word that came out of his mouth. Really, really enjoyed.
by JAY MCLEAN
One single summer changed them forever, and one moment of devastating silence destroyed it all.
Growing up with six siblings, Leo Preston has always struggled to find his voice.
While his brothers are loud, greedy, and somewhat obnoxious, Leo is forever the quiet one.
The thinker.
The listener.
He watches his life pass by as an outsider in his own world, absent and alone.
Lost.
Until he finds her.
For Leo, Mia Kovács is like a prize, a gift wrapped in passion and devotion.
And she’s his—his very own secret he doesn’t have to share.
Together, they can overcome anything…
heartache and destruction, guilt and regret.
Mia gives Leo everything he didn’t know he needed,
including her fragile heart.
The only thing she doesn’t give him...
are secrets of her own.
"I don't know who I am when I'm with her."
I love a story that I can get lost in. One that can emote what I need in order to get caught up in the characters and fall in love with the storyline - or the other way around, but for this reason, Jay McLean regularly sits on my favorites list each year. LEO was such a sweetheart, but he had his demons to contend with and I think that is what made his story that much more intriguing. Mia added another element, and she had her own battles as well. Hers were definitely of the heartbreaking variety, but they were each other's balm and I loved that they were soulmates.
Leo is definitely in a class of his own. He’s his own person with his own thoughts...his own actions, and I love that he wasn’t the typical “everything is perfect” kind of Hero. I loved that there was some reality seeped deep within him and his struggles were real, not easily glossed over. Little clues to catch onto, a few looks deep into his world, those were what gave him the depth I regularly enjoy in a McLean book. There was a sweet softness to him; a very soft side that was warm and inviting. But there was a dark, naughty, unequivocally dirty side to him that was delicious and I enjoyed every whispered word that came out of his mouth. Really, really enjoyed.
"That's because you bring out a side of me that no one else does."
Jay does an impeccable job lining up this story and allowing us to fall in love and feel the pain, interchangeably. I feel like Jay gifted me with plenty of laughable moments wedged between Leo being a complete and absolute gentleman in love and being a typical cocky guy with some deep rooted issues he had to work through. It made it so much fun to fall in love with him for who he was. It really was hilarious, but I loved the dichotomy of the different sides of Leo. I never once had to question who was feeling what because as she painted this picture with her words, I was able to watch it all play out. She does it so well. I know people hate the back and forth side of stories, but there are times when it’s legit. It’s real. It’s honest. This one went back and forth with cause. With truth. With heartbreak. It added an element of discovery as I got deeper into their story.
Something I haven't come across yet with one of her books: it felt long winded in some spots, even though it was explanatory in nature. What I mean by that is for 600+ pages, this had some spots that I could have easily stopped reading and put it down to get stuff done. I am usually completely caught up and can't put her books down, so this was a change of pace for me. I am not complaining, because again - it was all explainable, but it made for a very long read. To add to it, I'm almost scared to say this, but it felt anticlimactic at the end. {{hides}} It sort of just... petered out. Not in an 'oh my gosh, I hated this book' way - not at all, but it was a sweet and easy ending given the enormity of the drama they had to wade through just to get their HEA. I can say, however, that it never stopped making me smile. Jay McLean has always had that way with her words - she's nothing short of brilliant.
I am irrevocably in love with Jay McLean's writing and will read anything she writes. I love the way she tells me a story. I am excited knowing I have another story to look forward to, because THAT makes me smile. Add Holden's story to your TBR!!
I am irrevocably in love with Jay McLean's writing and will read anything she writes. I love the way she tells me a story. I am excited knowing I have another story to look forward to, because THAT makes me smile. Add Holden's story to your TBR!!
"The things that matter to me can't be seen. They're not physical. They never have been."
~BEE
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE MORE THAN SERIES
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited
PURCHASE LUCAS
My review: http://bit.ly/2eOQLOM
PURCHASE LOGAN
My review: http://bit.ly/2xMdg1P
My review: http://bit.ly/2eOQLOM
PURCHASE LOGAN
My review: http://bit.ly/2xMdg1P
IT ALL STARTED WITH THE MORE THAN SERIES
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited
~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~
ARC REVIEW
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
AFFILIATE LINKS USED
Great review as usual.
ReplyDeleteLove your review❤
ReplyDeleteLove your review Bee!!! I hear good this about this book but it diffy when you recommend it!! I read her books before and I love it! Adding this to my never ending tbr!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Bee!!
ReplyDeleteI love Jay's words too. I need to prepare and be ready for this journey with Leo and Mia.