Wednesday 10 January 2018

Lucas (The Preston Brothers #1) - Jay McLean; Review


Book Details:
Paperback: 354 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (22nd Oct 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1539524965
ISBN-13: 978-1539524960

Summary:

In a sprint, every millisecond counts.  
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.  

High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each other.  
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven. 
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.  

It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.   
Eight life-changing seconds.  
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.

Links To Buy:




Rating:
Review:

This book. Was INTENSE. I’m still scrambling over finding the words to review this and it’s been months since I read it (.. also a downside because I can just barely remember what happens in it, LE SIGH). But what I can tell you, is that it’s a packed, intense (there’s that word again) story with strong characters and though it’s a storyline I’ve read before, the writing and the execution really made this one stand out and draw out all kinds of emotions from me. I vividly remember pounding my fist on my pillow (no good came of that, I assure you) at certain scenes and much ‘WTFFF’ing throughout. 

Jay McLean really knows how to write a story - let’s start there. The main reason why this story, despite running your typical girl-boy-friendship-turns-to-love storyline we’ve read over and over, the authors writing turned this into an emotional rollercoaster which I enjoyed being on. The depth of the two main characters, Lucas and Laney - was one of my fav things about the book. They were both flawed, felt very realistic to me and above anything else, you can see how much these two love and care about each other. That stood out to me so much throughout the whole book - even through scenes where I wanted to punch one of them (sometimes both) for their choices and actions. 

Told through a dual narrative (which I loved) the story is told in flashbacks - recounting the key events in both their lives and what it meant to each of them, how either of them saw these events, either the same or differently. With time, you see their friendship develop and turn to love - and there was just something quite heart-breaking about it in the way we could see how much they loved each other, cared for each other, but were at a loss on how to move forward, how to be with each other, with everything they knew about one another. 

There was angst and romance, friendship - the development of these characters was another thing I really appreciated, especially that of Lucas. There were moments I wanted to punch him, but he’s meant to be flawed, meant to be a little broken inside - but we see him develop, understand, learn, act - for the better.  The supporting characters also helped make this book what it is, with the relationships and family bond *cough the Preston brothers* and *bigger cough, Logan, MY FAV* - all which helped round this book into something more than just your usual YA teen romance and contemporary. 

Why didn’t I give this 5 stars? I’m actually not sure of the reason, I can’t seem to pin-point the why factor but there was just something *throws fists up to the sky* just SOMETHING that stopped it from hitting that 5 star for me. But what I can say, that at 4 stars, this was still such a great read - full of angst, friendship, romance - and a story that will have you rooting for these two main characters that will have you forgetting this is a work of fiction. Pick it up, read it, love it. So many people do and you’ll see why. In the meantime, I’m off to read the second book in the series, which is about Logan :D my FAV. Adios for now.

***

“My own home doesn’t feel like home unless you’re there.” 

***

“You impress people with your mind. With your kind heart and humble attitude. And while you’re a beautiful girl, your looks or the way you dress shouldn’t be the reason people are impressed by you. And when you’re older and boys start to notice you, I want you to remember that. Because if it’s only your looks they’re attracted to, then they’re not the one for you, Lo. You can do better. You will do better.” 

***

“You can't control what people do or how they treat you. You can only control how you react to it.” 

***

“Take your time, but don’t waste it. Trust me on that one.” 

***


“I need you. I need to love you. And I need to love you right.” 

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