in this new coming of age novel by
Jay McLean
AVAILABLE NOW!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AxvTEC
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1BYBqPP
Blurb
Chloe has one plan for the future, and one plan only: the road. She’s made a promise to herself: don’t let anyone in, and don’t let anyone love her. She’s learned the hard way what happens if she breaks her rules. So she’s focused on being invisible and waiting until she can set out on the road—her dream of freedom, at least for a little while.
Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.
One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.
Review by Bev
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
"Sometimes the wrong path can lead us to the right road."
Chloe is a senior in high school and she has a plan, like most people her age, only her plan is a little different. For the last four years she has spent her time being invisible, she doesn’t want to form relationships or include people in her life. Everything is going according to her plan until one night she meets a guy.
“You know how sometimes you can tell that something is about to happen, even though there are no physical signs?”
Blake Hunter is the opposite of Chloe, he is the star basketball player, dating the head cheerleader, and has tons of friends. Blake's life appears to be picture perfect from the outside, but things are never as perfect as they seem.
When Blake and Chloe meet, they are strangers and they share a perfect night. They spend hours talking and getting to know each other, and even have a hot little make-out session. At the end of the night they go their separate ways not knowing if they will ever see each other again. While Blake can’t stop thinking of the mystery girl, Chloe continues to attend their high school and tries to maintain her status of being invisible. Things don’t always work out as planned.
Blake and Chloe on the outside appear to be polar opposites, but the more we get to know them we begin to see they are more alike. Do they share the same problems or insecurities, no. However, they are able to bond over their struggles and the more time they spend together the stronger their connection. Regardless of their connection, friendship, or relationship things cannot continue past the school year since Chloe is planning on leaving after graduation to pursue the Road.
I absolutely LOVED the secondary characters in this story. I felt like they added a lot of value to the story, and as the story progressed I genuinely cared about them. Side note: Please write a book for Josh! I absolutely loved him! The family scenes were some of my favorite, but also caused some of my frustration since Chloe constantly shut them out.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the story. However, the story took a turn and I became very frustrated. I think what frustrated me the most was the latter part of the story felt eerily similar to another book I love. I tried to overlook this and focus on the differences, but a scene at the end cemented it all for me.
I tried to keep an open mind regarding Chloe and her struggles, but it was difficult to see her constantly shoot herself in the foot. There were scenes I wanted to scream at her. Additionally, the ending felt very rushed, it was like there was a list of things that had to be completed and they were all thrown in in the last 10%.
I feel very conflicted in reviewing this one. Mainly because Jay McLean is a fantastic writer and this book has so many great quotes and memorable moments. In the end I think some may enjoy this story, while others will be very frustrated. I can see the beauty in this story, but I can also remember my level of frustration at times.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt
Chloe lifted her gaze and locked it with mine. She shook her head again and groaned, “Fine.” Then she took off her shirt.
My jaw dropped.
My hands had touched her bare skin, the curve of her hips, and her tiny waist, but I’d seen her body only once, when she was in a bikini, and that had been for only a minute. But that was nothing compared to seeing her like this. Up close. So close her sports bra–covered breasts were just under my nose.
“Blake?” she whispered.
I struggled to take my eyes off her chest, but I finally made it to her face. She had her hair tied up in a messy knot on top of her head, like she often did. But a few strands were stuck on her neck and on her face . . . and a little sheen of sweat covered her arms and her stomach, her chest, her breasts . . .
“Blake,” she repeated, and I trailed my eyes back to hers again.
She pouted before she said, “Give me the ball?”
I shook my head and hid the ball behind my back.
She pouted again. “Please?” she whispered. Then a hint of a smile broke through.
“Are you trying to seduce me into giving you my ball?”
Teaser Quote
"Because over the years of building walls and living my life one day at a time, I’d learned to accept my fate and never hope for more than what I had. I’d never questioned the way I thought about my life. But Blake—he made me question it. He made me want to change it. To change my outlook. And to change myself. But I couldn’t. And I wouldn’t. Because one day, sooner rather than later, I’d be gone. And I’d leave them all behind.”
About the Author:
Jay McLean is the author of the More Series, including More Than This, More Than Her, More Than Him and More Than Forever. She also has two standalones coming soon titled Where The Road Takes Me, and Combative.
Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she's not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.
Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Pinterest | Google Plus | Google Plus Jaybirds Group | Goodreads
For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film, or television, please contact my agent, Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group. (less)
Giveaway
$50 Gift Card
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