Review: More Than This (book 1) - Jay McLean

Book 1 in the More Than series
Pages: 275
Publisher: Skyscape
Release date: July 10, 2013 (ebook) & January 13, 2015 (paperback)
Get a copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

SYNOPSIS

When Mikayla imagined her prom night, she envisioned a fairy-tale evening full of romance. So when betrayal and tragedy come in quick succession, Mikayla is completely destroyed. Suddenly, everything she loved and everyone she relied on are tragically, irrevocably gone.

Jake, a handsome boy she just met, happens to witness her loss. With no one to turn to, Mikayla is forced to depend on this near stranger and his family, and he in turn is determined to take care of her. But Mikayla—thrust into adulthood with no one to guide her—is desperate to contain her grief and hide what she considers to be her weakness. Mikayla and Jake both want more, but despite their growing closeness and intense chemistry, she tries to keep her distance and protect her heart. As he does everything in his power to win her trust, Mikayla must choose between remaining alone and safe or letting love in.

MY REVIEW

It was my first try at a Jay McLean novel so I had no idea what to expect. When I read the synopsis first, I thought it pretty much ressembles everything I've read before. When Mikayla loses everything, it really means everything and I felt disappointed at this point in the book. However, McLean turned this tragedy into something really beautiful and captivating, which made me continue my reading. I enjoyed both Mikayla and Jake characters as well as Jake's friends. They are easy to relate to, well described and funny. Also, the book gives a great perspective to younger readers on how to become an adult and take responsibility in the grown up world.

RATINGS 

Plot: 7/10 - The general story is pretty common and the classic elements of a romance and young adult novel are all there. There are no surprises whatsoever apart from the beginning of the book. It's still very well written and captivating.

Structure: 8/10 - It seems pretty common in YA novels these days (maybe in other genres too, but I am not familiar with anything else) to have different POVs. I think it makes a book more interesting you can follow two stories at once and you can actually know what the other person thinks, not just the narrator. I think it gives more flexibility to the writer. Jay McLean used two different POVs, but they were all too short (1 or 2 paragraphs each, sometimes a full page but nothing more) so it made it difficult at times to follow.

Characters: 9/10 - The characters are well written and well described. I really liked the Logan character (book 2 and 3 are about him) and I would have liked more description of him. Mikayla is a strong young woman and she proves that we can all survive a tragedy. Jake is absolutely selfless and even though he saw Kayla at her worst, he still loves her no matter what. I call that endless love.

Ending: 8/10 - There's not much to say about the ending, it's a classic "they lived happily forever", but that's to expect in a YA novel. There is no suspense for the second book, since it doesn't revolve around them, but around Logan and Amanda.

Thumbs up!

OVERALL RATING: 8/10