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Review

“I so much more than a lot love you, you know that right?”

4.5 gushy stars

I love this book! I more than love it! It captivated me from the very first page and I devoured every single beautifully written word. It made me laugh and it made me cry, and I spent the whole book swooning madly! And, of course, I fell in love with both Mikayla and my newest (cougar-ific) book boyfriend, Jake ‘Perfection’ Andrews.

It’s Mikayla (Kayla’s) prom night, and on what should be one of the best nights of her teen years, her world is destroyed. Firstly, she has her heart broken when she discovers her boyfriend of four years cheating on her. Sweet stranger Jake witnesses the whole thing and offers her a night out to forget her troubles, and she spends an amazing night with him and his friends laughing and having fun, only for a second, far more devastating tragedy shatters her world and leaves her broken.

Jake feels incredibly protective over Kayla, and is determined to be there for her. And even though they have only just met, Kayla clings to him as if he is her lifeline, the only thing keeping her together.

With nowhere else for Kayla to go, Jake and his amazing family take her in, promising to care for her and help her get her life back together and through it all Jake is by her side, literally holding her hand and being her strongest support. And from this, an incredible bond starts to form. Their relationship is that of friends with a strong attraction, and while they don’t fight what is happening between them, they don’t rush it either, and what we get is a slow burn that turns into an epic first love that is brimming with emotion and which absolutely sizzles!

“I’m your Jake,” he smiles. “And you’re my Kayla.”

I love their relationship! There are no labels, no definitions, no right or wrong between them, they go with what they feel, and do what works for them. Sure, I was frustrated, but it’s a unique situation and with all that Kayla has been through, I was willing to let her have her moments of fear and doubt. But even with the little bits of angst, the build-up of the love story is beautifully done, and I felt everything right along with them!

“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 heard me.
Then, “I more than a lot like you too, so much more than a lot.”

And then there’s the “epic ovary explosive sexual tension thing you guys have going on”…

The sexual tension between Jake and I is off the charts. I’m actually scared I might combust any second . No joke. If doesn’t help that we’re around each other almost 24/7 or that we’re always finding ways to ‘innocently’ touch each other. It’s almost at that stage where we’re pushing each other a little further and further seeing how much we can take until one of us cracks. I’m about two fucking seconds from cracking and if I don’t get a release soon I will cut a bitch. 

Yeah, there is some steamy time in this book. It’s not overdone, there’s just enough to keep things interesting, and it reflects nicely on the progression of feelings between Jake and Kayla. And through everything, Jake never pushes. He loves Kayla and he wants her, but he is willing to go at her pace and wait for her to be ready for him. The man is incredible!

I’m going to be the luckiest asshole in the world when she finally lets me love her. 

Yet he’s still such a guy…

“We’re testing each other. Seeing how far we can take this before something snaps. Most likely my dick.”

I saw more than a few guys checking her out. I couldn’t help putting my arm around her, and bringing her into me. Because it’s the stone age and I’m a caveman.

I love these characters! The story is told in dual POV, so we get to see everything that Kayla and Jake are going through as we watch them fall for each other, and OMG, their inner voices are brilliant! Jake is the perfect mix of sweet and caring, and horny teenager, and his narration is fantastic. And Kayla is incredible! She has so much strength. Even after all that she goes through, she doesn’t become a deeply traumatized basket case. Sure, she’s suffering and a bit broken, but compared to other heroines that I have read that have gone through similar things, she is absolutely amazing, and the way that she moves on and tries to find happiness is truly inspiring.

He was my Prince Charming. My White Knight. My Happily Ever After. My every fucking thing. 

Despite the seriousness of the set up to the story, it’s not all depression and gloom. It’s actually a really funny book, and I found myself laughing out loud a lot. Jake and Kayla laugh a lot together and Jake’s friends are hilarious, and they manage to combine that with genuine concern and care of Kayla. The dynamics between them are fantastic, and I loved the scenes where they were all together. I’m really looking forward to Logan’s book (Jake’s best friend) up next.

I loved this book, and devoured it in one sitting. This is my first book by Jay McLean, and I really love her style, I’m excited for more.

4.5 stars.

 

The More Than series

 

Check out our Author Spotlight on Jay McLean.