More Than This: More Than, Book 1

I’ve reread More Than This about 30 times and I still can’t figure out how I’m supposed to express in words how much I love this book. The first time I read More Than This I blamed my overly emotional state after reading to me starting the book at one in the morning and finishing around 3 in the morning. But every single time, I read it I fall in love with the characters all over again. The emotions don’t get any less intense each time either. That is true props to Jay McLean’s writing style. The storyline is unique and still devastatingly as well as fantastically emotional. I found the characters relatable not because I’m Filipino just like Mikayla is half or because they’re young like I am, but because they are REAL. They say things normal people would say, they’re realistic, fiercely loyal, and hysterical. I loved the alternating points of view between Kayla and Jake.“I know, it’s strange, and I know it might be circumstantial. Like we shared an expericne, and that somehow makes us closer, but, Lisa, Jake, he makes things hurt a little less. He… He’s home for me, right now. If being around him takes the pain away just a tiny bit, then it doesn’t matter how or why he’s here with me. I just… You can’t understand.”The story wastes no time getting into the deep emotions. The first scene showcases just how happy and close Mikayla’s family was. Then, she goes out for prom night and nothing is ever the same again. I was in shock. Talk about the worst night of her life. Everything as she knows it is gone. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must be like. First, was the ultimate betrayal. Then, she met Jake Andrews and his group of friends. She joined them for the rest of prom night and BAM insta-connection between Jake and Kayla. Gahhh. Then the rest of her life is taken away in a flash. With no one else to turn to Kayla ends up staying with the Andrews’. I adore them. They took her in, no questions asked. They helped her arrange everything after and when she almost couldn’t go to college they all helped with that too.“Loved ones. I think I do. Love her, I mean. I think I’m in love with this beautifully broken girl.”Mikayla is probably one of my favorite book heroines. Her situation seriously became messed up in the blink of an eye. But not once did she have thoughts of giving up. She never thought about taking her own life. I applaud her for that. She never tried to run or do something extremely stupid. I loved her. She’s smart, feisty, independent, adorable, and sweet. She accepts the hand she’s dealt and makes the most out of it. But, I mean, if I was given Jake Andrews too I would more than gladly accept. She doesn’t put up with any kind of crap, and I just can’t get over how awesome she is.“God, Jake, I so much more than a lot like you.”“Mikayla, I passed that stage a long, long time ago.”If there’s one thing I can’t resist, it’s a guy that isn’t afraid to speak his mind or go for what he wants. Jake Andrews is definitely one of those guys. Absofreakinglutely. His inner monologue cracked me up at times. He was so respectful, patient, protective, loyal, strong, sexy, and I just love him okay. I can’t list all the reasons. Oh, and that ACCENT. Good lord, I wish I could seriously hear his voice. He doesn’t ever try to deny the insta-love connection he has with Mikayla. He accepts it and her easily. He is a crazy talented baseball player, yet he is still very down-to-earth. Sigh. I can just go on and on about how he’s one of my top book boyfriends.“Because if I kiss you, then I’ll want to taste you, and if I taste you, then I’ll need to f*** yu. And when I f*** you, it means you’re mind. And when I make you mine, I want it to be in our bed. Not a hotel room… Is that okay?”So, basically there was nothing you couldn’t love about this book, Jay McLean is magical like that. I loved their circle of friends. They brought so much comic relief, like Drunk Lucy and Logan’s infamous one-liners. I was also really happy that they accepted her into their circle so easily. Most of the time I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh or cry during this book. It was that amazing. Jake and Mikayla hold the record for most non-kissing moments. It was ridiculous. They have burning up the pages kind of scenes and it made my panties melt. And their cuteness together made me swoon. Big-time. The concept of insta-love as it was portrayed in this book made me swoon. I want a Jake, Or maybe a Logan, after all, he does get a book next. This is a heart-felt story about love: family love, first love, young love, friendship love, insta-love, and forever love. It’s a story of picking up the pieces and learning to move on. It’s a story of living and leaning to seize the moment.““Why should I be jealous?” I ask.He shrugs once.“Because I’m your Jake,” he smiles, “and you’re my Kayla,” he says.He’s my Jake. And I’m his Kayla.I like it.I more than a lot like it, so much more than a lot.”

More Than This was more than a book, a story, words strung into sentences, paragraphs, pages. More Than This was a heart, a feeling, an experience. An experience of a girl who loses everything everything and the man who shows her the way back to herself. No, scratch that. The man who shows her that she already knew the way back.Prom should have been everything that little girls dream of. A handsome Prince, a beautiful dress, friends who accentuate the experience with laughter and risky behavior. Instead, for Mikayla Jones it was the worst night of her life. At the same time, it may have led her to find the best thing that ever happened to her. Is that possible? To have everything ripped from you, only to find something that is like a balm for your soul?Instead of the fairy tale prom night Mikayla was expecting, she finds out something that dashes that hope. Devastated, she turns to Jake Andrews, who is a little bit of a big deal. He sees something in Mikayla that he is drawn to, something that he cannot walk away from. He invites her to spend that night at his prom, with his friends. Having no desire to spend the night with hers, she agrees. After an amazing night, she returns home only to have the previous tragedy rocked by one so dark, so heartbreaking, that it destroys her. And the only thing that's left for Jake to do is pick up the pieces and glue them together. One. By. One.As Mikayla and Jake navigate the wake of the tragedy together, Mikayla grows more and more dependent on Jake, who doesn't mind being there for her. Having lost everything, she agrees to stay with his family until she can make other plans. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings deepen from friends to something else. Mikayla doesn't want to be a broken person, she believes Jake deserves more that that. The best. So she attempts to make herself into that person so she can be with him, one day. Maybe forever.Jake wants to let Mikayla have the chance to repair what what she thinks is broken. He knows that she needs her space to try and figure everything out (my hero) while all the while supporting her decisions and being a sexy beast.And I look at him.Really, truly, look at him.And I fall in love all over again.Can she come to terms with two major, heartbreaking losses in order to be the whole person that Jake deserves?You know, I've seen a lot of mess written about the grammar and mistakes in the early copies of this book (even though it's being corrected as I type, because authors are the s*** and want to do what's best for the readers) and normally, I would wholeheartedly agree! Usually when I read stories with mistakes, spelling, word choice, etc it annoys me because the bones of the story aren't even present. Nothing is commanding about the prose at all. This wasn't the case for me with More Than This. I was riveted the entire. time. Jake had me at the accent. The writing, actual voice/storyline, was so strong to me that I didn't even care. And that never happens to me!The overall tone of the story actually kind of reminded me of Kristen Ashley, except in High School. The dramatic stakes, intrigue, alpha male protecting his girl, girl who doesn't think she deserves alpha male's attention and pulls away, alpha male who doesn't give a s*** and fights for the woman he loves while being incredibly sexy and sweet. A distinct language style specific to the author (much like KA's rambling dialogue) that's rough but somehow gives the book another layer of authenticity. Raw, real, intimate scenes with a no-holds-barred flare for description. I mean, c'mon:"Because if I kiss you, then I'll want to taste you, and if I taste you, then I'll need to **** you. And if I **** you, that means your mine. And when I make you mine, I want it to be in our bed. Not in a hotel room. Is that okay?"Aside from the tightly knit plot, intriguing, layered characters, and thoroughly satisfying emotional journey, More Than This also made me laugh. It made me laugh a lot. I love it when authors have the ability to turn up the heat, throw in a little mystery and drama! and then make me laugh. It's my favorite author trick and doing it well will guarantee that I enjoy at least part of the book, even if the rest is crap. Although I'm learning that if you can make me laugh, generally you aren't all that bad at the rest.I should lick him. Just his chest. NO! I'm not that wasted. Is he? Maybe he won't remember if I have just one lick.Nothing says awkward like coming in your pants while dry humping.Told from alternating POV's the first book in the More Than This series is an emotional roller coaster that will have you laughing, crying, and swooning from start to end. It's new cover is due out in the beginning of August over at Reality Bites. Following this I will have a giveaway to win an e-copy of More Than This! So stay tuned! Head to the blog for an interview with Jay McLean!

This book was everything I needed right now, fast paced and perfect, a definite addition to that quick, straight to the point with a touch of heart break goodness!!Jay McLean is definitely an author i need more from

This was one of the most frustrating books I have ever read! Good storyline, and well written although parts of it were a bit far fetched, especially with the twist at the end involving Megan. I found that hard to believe. But the most annoying part was the fact that Mikayla and Jake never had sex together until right near the end of the book. It was like the book was set in the Victorian era it was so stupid! They are both 18 year olds who have already previously had sex so it's not like they are virgins and this part of the story just wasn't realistic for me. Then when they actually did get together physically it was such a let down. There was this big build up in chapter after chapter where they nearly get it on and then when it actually happens, it's so flat and boring. Very disappointed and this story was definitely not as good as it could have been. I am going to attempt to read the second book which involves Logan, Jake's best friend, as I do like the way this author writes but I just hope the story is better and more realistic and that we are not kept waiting for them to have a personal relationship. I will let you know in my next review when I have read it.

Wow Kayla thought she had the world then within 24hours she had lost everything. There was one person who was there when it happened he started of as a stranger to Katya but Jake became her person. They were young and thrown together could what they feel for each other stay the course. Lovely couple

It's a nice story line and boy you sure go through the emotional roller coaster as you and along. Jake is perfect he's probably the kind if male that women want irl. The only downside for me was at times it seemed to drift off and drag out, I thought considering how close the main characters are, they would be able to express how,they feel,towards me anther, ESP as they have done and been through worse, but not until,the end. For me that's the only down side and what held me back from giVing it 5 stars. The characters are really well written in the book and it's refreshing to see that the focus isn't just on the main characters, but their friends and family and additional characters all plat a good part in the plot. Worth reading .

"This was my second attempt at reading this book and I'm glad I gave it another chance.It only took one night to change everything in Mikayla's life but it was also the night she met Jake."Well, yeah, I'm a guy. We don't need much to enjoy it, any hole's a goal"This poor girl! It broke her but boy could I just knock these two in the head."We're testing each other. Seeing how far we can take this before something snaps. Most likely my dick"I wished they could have talked it out earlier on than tip toe around each other.This is my type of book, a bit of angst, a bit steamy, a bit fun with a couple shockers.Maybe not many people would agree but I really REALLY would love a Megan book. Please?!!