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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 ‘first and forever’ stars
Oh, Jay McLean. After rocking my world with book #1 in this duet, Heartache and Hope, I have been destroyed all over again with this book which is an angsty and emotional ride, but it’s just amazing. A beautifully heartfelt read that had me crying, laughing and falling in love with these characters all over again as their sweet, funny, heartbreaking story continues.
This book picks up Connor and Ava’s story where that devastating cliffhanger left off in the first book. I was immediately swept up into the emotion of it all, and couldn’t wait to see where their journey would take them.
I don’t want to be spoilery, so I won’t go into too much detail, but just…. wow. I fell in mad love with both Connor and Ava in book #1. Their personal tragedies touched my heart, and I felt so much for them. Then they found each other, and an incredible love story began, but one that was fraught with obstacles. Through no fault of their own, their relationship was never going to be easy, and this book is a continuation of that as they try to balance their incredibly complex and stressful home lives with their overwhelming feelings for each other.
“I don’t think I can be just friends with you Not now. Not when I know what it’s like to have all of you.”
It’s heartbreaking and angsty, but they’re just trying to survive their situations the best they can, and every moment of it is just dripping with feels!
He cups my neck, his forehead resting against mine. Breath warm against my lips, he whispers, “Ava, you know my heart.”
Their circumstances have forced them to grow up and be mature beyond their years, but we still get to see them being silly and having fun, and I laughed so many times while reading. Their playfulness is so funny, and it balances out the serious stuff really well.
Like the first book, this is very much a story in three parts – Connor and Ava’s individual journeys, and their story together as a couple. All of them with their own challenges, but tying together beautifully, and I was equally invested in every bit of it.
“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.”
OMG, I need to reflect on the wonder of Connor, because the boy is amazing! Sweet, funny, supportive, and unabashedly in love with his girl, he’s what every girl should have for her first love, and I loved that Ava got to have that.
“You’re my girl, Ava. My first and forever.”
Again, the side characters are wonderful and contribute so much to the story. I loved their involvement and the depth that they add to the book, and the dynamics between the characters is just gold.
I loved this book, and I adored the duet as a whole. It’s 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.
Such a great read. 5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy of this book was 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.
For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film or television, please contact her agent Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group.
Writer • Reader • Mom • Wife • Master of Awkward Sarcasm
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