Not Made to Last by Jay McLean is live!
A raw and emotional read with all the feels, this beautifully written book owned me! It’s a mature YA romance with serious themes, and Rhys and Olivia’s story had me captivated from beginning to end. I laughed, cried and loved with them, and I adored this book so much.
Amazon
Blurb
Two simple words hold the truth of our love: wait and hope.
Olivia
Rhys Garrett—recent high school graduate, ex-captain of the basketball team, and my brother’s rival both on and off the court.
Oh, and he’s also the guy I just hit with my truck.
Awesome.
To be fair, he had it coming.
Why else was he dressed in all black, in the middle of the night, if not to hide out amongst the darkness?
Rhys
I wasn’t looking where I was going or what was around me. I didn’t even see the headlights. Just felt the impact. And I thought, as strange as it was, that getting hit by a car may be the best thing that could’ve happened to me.
Until I opened my eyes…
…and she told me her name.
***
Some might call it fate, destiny, kismet…
A collision of souls.
One night.
One chance encounter.
The problem?
One night wasn’t enough.
But the more time we spent together, the more truths came to light.
And soon, we’d discover that what we once thought was meant to be…
…is not made to last.
Review
“Just breathe … One more time…every time.”
5 “Wait and Hope” stars!
A raw and emotional read with all the feels, this beautifully written book owned me! It’s a mature YA romance with serious themes, and Rhys and Olivia’s story had me captivated from beginning to end. I laughed, cried and loved with them, and I adored this book so much.
It’s best to just dive in without knowing too many details beforehand, so I’m going to keep this review vague.
Rhys and Olivia are coming from horribly traumatic pasts, and each of them are dealing with some pretty huge issues. But when Olivia accidentally runs her car into Rhys and they end up spending the rest of the night together (platonically), their lives are changed forever.
There is instant attraction, and I was right on board as Rhys falls hard and fast, and determinedly pursues a somewhat reluctant and secretive Olivia. The boy is irresistible and the romance is so, so gorgeous, and I loved every moment watching these two come together.
“What are you hoping for, Rhys?”
His answer is simple.
Fast.
To the point.
“You.”
With all that they’re dealing with, their pasts, and their secrets, they have a difficult path, and the story is wonderfully put together as they navigate it all. It’s a bit complex, with backstory revealed slowly throughout the book, and I relished falling deeper and deeper into the story, coming to understand the characters, and feeling so freaking much for them!
“Breathe. One more time. Every time. And I promise to do the same.”
It’s not always an easy read. There is drama, angst, and scenes that actually hurt to read. But watching these amazing characters deal with everything that they’ve been through, continually battle their demons, and find the strength to keep going is really special. They find something so incredible in each other, and though they have to work for it, it’s worth it to see them support each other, learn how to trust, how to forgive, and how to move forward, and it’s just perfect.
It’s four simple words.
A million different emotions.
“My miracle is you.”
There is fantastic bunch of friends and family supporting them, and the theme of found family comes through loud and clear. Each of the characters bring something special to the story, and I loved this group!
“When Rhys loves, he loves with everything inside of him.”
I lower my gaze. “So, what you’re saying is that I’m not worth of that love?”
“No. What I’m saying is that now, it’s his turn to be loved. And that love better come with everything inside of you. Because he deserves nothing less.”
Even with all of the heartache, this book made me laugh so much. Jay McLean writes the teen voice so wonderfully, and the combination of humour, drama, angsty emotion and romance is balanced just right.
I loved this book so much. It’s a standalone that ends in a great place, and I finished this book with a smile on my face (made even bigger by a surprisingly little easter egg thrown in there at the end… more books are coming).
Such a fantastic read – 5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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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