Liam by Jay McLean is live!
A childhood enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story with drama, angst and emotion, Jay McLean has once again given us a story that had me laughing, hurting, falling in love and feeling everything, and kept me absolutely captivated. This is such a beautiful story of redemption, family, and finding your place, and I loved it.
Amazon | Paperback
Blurb
Hatred comes in waves.
But love? Love is a tsunami.
—
Liam Preston was five the first time he laid eyes on Adelaide Baker.
Eight by the time he found the courage to actually speak to her.
By ten, she’d ruined his entire existence.
And at fourteen, he got his revenge—a single decision that drove her out of town for good.
Or so he thought.
Five years later, she’s back
Not just back in town, but back in his life—and forced into close proximity.
Now, there’s no escaping the past.
No avoiding the memories, the damage they caused, or the secrets they tried to bury.
And worse? No hiding the desire that clouds their disdain.
Uncovering the truth could bring them closer together…
If it doesn’t first tear them apart.
Review
4.5 stars
A childhood enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story with drama, angst and emotion, Jay McLean has once again given us a story that had me laughing, hurting, falling in love and feeling everything, and kept me absolutely captivated. This is such a beautiful story of redemption, family, and finding your place, and I loved it.
This is the fourth book in the Preston Brothers series, and I was so freaking excited to be back in this world! I love this family so much and loved getting to know Liam. He is one of the younger Preston Punks, a twin to Lincoln and one of the quieter brothers, an introvert who struggles with anxiety, he has the biggest heart, and I instantly loved him.
Liam and Addie knew each other as children. He always crushed on her, but a dramatic twist in their story saw Addie become his tormenter. She teased and bullied him mercilessly, turning him into a target at their school, and it impacted Liam’s entire life, changing him, driving him even more into himself and making him forever mistrustful. Addie left town at 14 and Liam thought he’d seen the last of her, but when she reappears back in town five years later and is working for his family, no less, he’ll have to face up to his past in a way that he never wanted.
Addie’s life has been one heartbreak after another. She’s finally found some stability and peace when she decides to travel back home for the summer to spend time with her estranged brother. Quinn works for the Preston family, and he hooks her up with a job for the summer, but she had no idea she would be all up close and personal with Liam Preston all over again. She blames him for her life spiralling out of control and is horrified that they’re going to be working so closely.
It’s an angsty ride from the very beginning for these two. Of course we’re all going to be feeling for Liam, and I was so mad at Addie in the beginning – how dare she hurt our boy? But there’s more to the story, and as it all slowly unravels, I came to care for her so much. She’s been through hell, and it helps that she’s genuinely mortified and remorseful over her actions in the past, and she sets about making it right and moving forward, which I appreciated. But most of all, she’s lively and she’s fun, and as she and Liam become friends, she brings him out of his shell in a way that nobody else has been able to, and the change in him is so beautiful to see.
“I like being around you in general, but more than anything, I like the way being around you makes me feel. I don’t think you realize how grateful I am to you for pushing me. For forcing me out of my comfort zone and encouraging me to see the world differently. I want – no, I need someone like you in my life, and I really want that someone to be you.”
I was loving the story, so invested in these two becoming friends, Addie being welcomed into the family, and them slowly starting to fall for each other. But then they start to really unpack the past, and holy clusterfuck! The full picture of all that’s happened, and Addie’s trauma, is revealed slowly throughout the story, and OMG, it hurt! Jay McLean writes emotion so well, and we know she loves the angst, but I have to say that in this one, the devastation and emotion felt a bit too much. Like come on, how much can somebody endure? When will these two get a break? My heart broke, and I read with a heavy heart, desperate for these two to find their happy place.
Hatred comes in waves.
But love? Love is a tsunami.
Lightness comes from the slow burning romance, which is so beautifully written, and so well deserved as they Liam and Addie on each other through it all. And, of course, there are the highlights of the book spent with the Preston clan. This is such a close-knit bunch; they tease and laugh, they bicker and play and roughhouse, but they have each other’s backs without question, and the way they rally around Liam, and Addie (and her incredibly family by extension) is absolutely magical.
You can read this book a standalone, just know that there is a lot of family involvement in this one, and there are glimpses of some of the More Than characters too, and I loved seeing them again.
This is such a beautiful read, full of all of the feels, humour, and coming-of-age drama that I love from a Jay McClean book, and I loved this story so much. It looks like Lincoln’s story may be up next, and I can’t wait to get my hands on that one.
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Reader copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
The Preston Brothers
Lucas (#1)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Logan (#2)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Leo (#3)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Liam (#4)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Lincoln (#5)
To be released
About the Author
Writer. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm.
Jay McLean is a 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 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.
FACEBOOK | FB FAN GROUP | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE
