Synopsis for Not Made to Last (from Goodreads):
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.
SERIESous' Top Picks: Favourite Authors
Series: Linked to the Heartache Duet
Author: Jay McLean
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: April 5, 2024
Source & Format: Wordsmith Publicity--eARC
Add: Goodreads | Buy: Amazon
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
This is Jay McLean's first book in two years and I was SO excited to see she was back with a new title! I couldn't wait to get sucked into a compelling story with fantastic characters.
The Plot:
Jay McLean always finds that perfect balance between love, angst, realism, drama, healing, hurt and family in her novels. I feel every range of emotion reading her novels and this book was no exception. The story never felt dull because something was always happening. If I wasn't swooning over Rhys and Olivia, I was laughing at Olivia's little brother or shedding a tear over a new revelation. This story was constantly building on itself and I loved every minute.
The Characters:
I've read a lot of Jay McLean's works over the years and her ability to write characters that I feel like I instantly know is incredible. I find myself so invested in all her characters' stories within a chapter or two and this one was no exception. Even the side characters -- I swear I had met them all before because I already knew I loved them!
I just couldn't get enough of these two, but in particular, Rhys just drew me in right from the start. He is simultaneously open yet closed; charming and outgoing but withdrawn. He's an enigma. I know to expect layered characters in a Jay McLean novel and this one delivers that tenfold. I loved unwrapping their story from start to finish.
The Romance:
You could see how these two balanced each other out and made each other whole. While I consider myself a romantic at heart, I need substance to my romances and this story had that. It was easy to see how these two made each other better people.
My Rating: 5/5
Definitely a favourite of 2024 so far!
Read if You Like: healing trauma, heartfelt romance, layered characters
Avoid if You: are triggered by trauma
Jay McLean
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.
Author Links: FB Page | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads | TikTok | Reader Group | Website
Add: Goodreads | Buy: Amazon
Book Tour Organised by:
Wordsmith Publicity
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