The Heartache Duet Box Set by Jay McLean is live, and it’s an incredible read!
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Blurb
Ava Diaz needs saving.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last…
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.
Review
5 incredible stars!
Three years ago, Connor and Ava’s story absolutely owned me when I read the Heartache Duet. Now, Jay McLean has released the two books in one bundle, with a glorious bonus epilogue which shows moments from the happy ending that these two incredible characters deserve as they continue to love each other out loud and without reservation.
“You … are absolutely everything my heart and soul desire. All day. Every day. Always. Forever.”
The Duet
The Heartache Duet is a brilliant and beautiful YA romance. Funny, sweet, heartbreaking, emotional and gorgeously romantic, Connor and Ava’s story is beautifully written and so, so special, and I loved every moment of it.
Ava’s life completely changed following a family tragedy when she was only 15 years old. Now a senior in high school, her life is almost unrecognisable from when she was a popular, perky, confident cheerleader. Now she’s quiet, reserved, and struggling with the weight of responsibility on her young shoulders which she bears without complaint.
Connor has recently moved to town and started at Ava’s school. A basketball star, he is hoping to gain the attention of college scouts, with his eyes firmly set on a future in the NBA. He has high expectations for himself, as does his father, and he is prepared to put in the hard work to reach his goals.
Neither Ava nor Connor have time in their lives for distractions, but from the moment they meet, they share a connection. It’s one that they fight briefly before falling into an easy, yet significant, friendship – there for each other, sharing their burdens and bringing much needed happiness and laughter into each other’s lives. Though they are falling hard for each other, they are both weighed down with the realities of their lives, making a relationship impossible. And OMG, the feels!
The angst, the want, the longing between these two is just beautiful, and the chemistry is fantastic! Connor and Ava are both smart, witty and sarcastic, and the teasing and banter is so entertaining! They have so much fun together, they laugh a lot, and I was laughing along with them at their playful antics. I could feel them falling for each other, and my heart ached for them that they couldn’t just follow their hearts. They have real, understandable barriers to contend with, but their need for each other proves too overwhelming for them to fight, and watching them begin to embrace that absolutely melted me.
“What do you want?”
He looks up now, his eyes locked on mine. “You, Ava. I want you. On your good days and your bad days – especially your bad days. I want you to let me in. I want you to come to me and look at me the way you’re looking at me now, and know that I’m all in. I just want you.” His voice cracks. “God, Ava. I want you so fucking bad, it’s killing me.”
This is very much a story in three parts – Connor and Ava’s individual journeys, and their story together as a couple. Each aspect bring challenges, but tie together beautifully, and I was equally invested in every bit of the story. Their personal tragedies touched my heart, and I felt so much for them. Their incredible love story is fraught with obstacles, and through no fault of their own, their relationship was never going to be easy. Watching them try to balance their incredibly complex and stressful home lives with their overwhelming feelings for each other is so beautiful.
“Everything I’ve done since the first day I met you has been for you. Every sacrifice I’ve made, every decision…” He holds a hand to his heart. “Every beat of my fucking heart has been for you. And I’ve tried so hard to be there for you through everything. No matter what was going on in my life, I pushed it all aside so that I could be your strength.”
Jay McLean writes fantastic YA romance, capturing all of the glory of first love – the happy, giddy, excitement, the absolute abandon of throwing yourself into everything you’re feeling, and yes, the hormones. It’s all here in beautiful, heartfelt detail, and I fell right alongside Connor and Ava. They become so special to each other, and they find something beautiful in the midst of their turmoil, and it’s truly magical.
I think, in some ways, I needed Ava before I met her, and once I found her, I loved her with all of me.
It’s that simple.
This duet is beautifully written with all the feels, and it’s what Jay McLean does best – angsty, emotional, laugh-out-loud funny YA romance that is realistic and that sucks you in from start to finish.
This is a fantastic collection, and a must-read
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Heartache Duet
About the Author
Jay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her three little boys, investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.
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 her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.
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