Book Review: More Than This (More #1) by Jay McLean

I love when a book takes me by surprise and More Than This certainly did that. Makayla Jones is at the end of her senior year of high school and things are going pretty great. She has been with her hunky boyfriend James for four years, she's got her best friend Megan by her side and they are all going to UNC together in the fall. But in just one night, everything she knows shatters.

Jake Andrews is a pretty big deal. Also a senior, he has a full baseball scholarship to UNC and there is no doubt he will go pro one day. When he sees the beautiful broken girl standing in front of him, he can't help but reach out to her and help take away some of the pain. When the night of betrayal also becomes a night of tragedy, he stands by her, holds her and does everything he can to get through the most difficult time in her life. But when a brand new friendship starts to become more, how will they know that what they feel is real and not just because of what they experienced together. After everything Makayla has been through, will she be able to love again? Or will she always be a broken little girl?
More Than This completely sucked me in from the very beginning. I barely even took a break until I was done. The range of emotions I felt while reading this book was just... wow. First you are hit with anger and hurt for the betrayal Makayla suffers. I saw it coming just before it happened and I wanted to hurt someone.

Then she meets Jake and his friends and you are happy for her because she found good people to hang with the rest of the night. She has found real friends with Jake, Logan, Cam, Lucy, Dylan and Heidi. Real friends who seem to really care, even though they just met, and help her turn this crap night into something fun. Jake is really sweet and attentive (and hot) and it is impossible not to fall for him. Just as things were going good, Kayla's world ends and her heart is ripped from her chest and you feel every ounce of her pain. I have to say, I was not expecting it at all.

Jake and his family go way above and beyond for Kayla in helping her grieve, helping her love and move on. As they spend more time together, Jake isn't shy about letting how he really feels for her show. But Kayla has to fix the broken in her first before she can give all of herself to him.

"I want to kiss you so bad." He eyes my lips and licks his, before moving back to my eyes. "So why don't you?" "Because if I kiss you, then I'll want to taste you, and if I taste you, then I'll need to fuck you. And, when I fuck you, it means you're mine. And when I make you mine, I want it to be in our bed. Not a hotel room... is that okay?"

While walking through the club, I saw more than a few guys checking her out. I couldn't help putting my arm around her, and bringing her to me. Because it's the Stone Age and I'm a caveman.

I love a book that makes me really feel, even when some of what I feel is pain and anguish. Because along with that pain, I got to watch Makayla grow and overcome to find her happily ever after. Plus along with the hard stuff, there is a lot of good stuff. Happiness and humor and so much love. I cannot wait for book 2, More Than Her, which is Logan's story. The brief intro we get of him in the epilogue had my eyes widening in shock and I just know it is going to be another great read.

Check out author Jay Mclean's Facebook page for deleted scenes from Logan's point of view plus sneak peaks of More Than Her.

Excerpt

“He was going to meet you at the cages after he dropped us off. He was just there for me, that’s all.” I pause for a minute. “Wait, he didn’t tell you?” Jake’s shaking his head, taking it all in. “He said it wasn’t his story to tell, and if I wanted to know I had to hear it from you.” He blows out a breath, puffing out his cheeks with the force of it. “Fuck, Kayla. I really am an asshole. I was a dick to him, and to you. And Julie, shit, I scared the shit out of her. Why didn’t you tell me? Was that what last night was about?” “Yeah. I didn’t think about it until I was at the pharmacy with Julie, and then I wigged out, and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t tell you, because I wanted to be sure first. I didn’t know what I was going to do if … you know.” “So you’re not. For sure? Like a hundred percent?” “Yeah, Jake.” I nod my head. “I’m sure.” He breaths out a heavy sigh, and we sit in silence for a long time. “Can I stay with you tonight? Please, Kayla?” It’s barely a whisper. I scoot across the bed and lift the covers. He takes his shirt off and gets in. We face each other. Holding on, not wanting to let go, not even for a second. We’re looking so intently into each other’s eyes, trying to see into each other’s souls. Talking without speaking. Feeling without touching. “Jake?” “Yeah?” “It’s just you. It’s only ever been just you. It will always only ever be just you.” And then he kisses me. A quick kiss on the lips. But it has the passion of a thousand kisses, and holds the power of a thousand promises. “So much more than a lot,” he says, before we fall asleep, the best way we can, in each other’s arms.

Marianna's Rating:

**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title: More Than This
Author: Jay McLean
Series: More #1
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/18285151-more-than-this
Playlist: open.spotify.com/user/1295682553/playlist/7ahhWng9lzSYsi2nlFjjYa
Book Blurb:
*Mikayla*
In one night my fairytale ended. Or it may have begun. This is my story of friendship and love, heartbreak and desire, and the strength to show weakness.

*Jake*
One night I met a girl. A sad and broken girl, but one more beautiful than any other. She laughed through her sadness, while I loved through her heartbreak.

*This is our story of a maybe ever after.*

He was right. It made no difference whether it was 6 months or 6 years.
I couldn’t undo what had been done. I couldn’t change the future.
I couldn’t even predict it.
It was one night.
One night when everything changed.
It was so much more than just the betrayal.
It was the Tragedy.
The Deaths.
The Murders.
But it was also that feeling.
The feeling of falling.

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About the Author
Author of Mature YA / New Adult contemporary novels, MORE THAN THIS and a soon to be released sequel, MORE THAN HER. I enjoy reading and writing books that make people laugh, cry andswoon for dreamy book boyfriends. When not doing either of those, I can be found looking after my two little boys, and trying to avoid house work at all costs.

Website: www.jaymcleanauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor
Twitter: @JayMcLeanAuthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/Jaymclean

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