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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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~
ARC REVIEW
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
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