More Than This by Jay McLean

Series: More Than #1, companion series

Publication date: January 13, 2015 (orig. published July 10, 2013)
Publisher: Skyscape
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary
Format: eArc
Source: The publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Pages: 311

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When Mikayla imagined her prom night, she envisioned a fairy-tale evening full of romance. So when betrayal and tragedy come in quick succession, Mikayla is completely destroyed. Suddenly, everything she loved and everyone she relied on are tragically, irrevocably gone.

Jake, a handsome boy she just met, happens to witness her loss. With no one to turn to, Mikayla is forced to depend on this near stranger and his family, and he in turn is determined to take care of her. But Mikayla—thrust into adulthood with no one to guide her—is desperate to contain her grief and hide what she considers to be her weakness. Mikayla and Jake both want more, but despite their growing closeness and intense chemistry, she tries to keep her distance and protect her heart. As he does everything in his power to win her trust, Mikayla must choose between remaining alone and safe or letting love in.

I think I’ll start this review by saying that I absolutely loved this book. I was on a new adult kick when I started reading NA so I requested a bunch of NA titles on Netgalley which I’d heard about and this was one of them. Turns out I had no idea what it was about so it’s just been sitting on my iPad for quite a while and I finally picked it up!

I have to admit that I’ve read the first page like 10 times but I’ve never turned the page to continue reading before now. If I’d turned the page sooner I probably would’ve read it long ago since I was hooked from beginning to end!

Yes, I think this book is very, very dramatic. I mean Mikayla is out with her friends and her boyfriend just before prom and walks in on her best friend and her boyfriend. Then this incredibly sweet guy offers to take her to his prom and when she comes home her life is turned upside down. Even though I think this is way over the top I was still so captured by the characters and the story so when I finally came up for air I’d read 18% and I felt like I’d just started reading. Unfortunately I had to sleep but I picked it up the moment I woke and I didn’t let go until I’d finished the book. I seriously think I held my breath for the entirety of the book, I was definitely light-headed when I turned the last page.

I hadn’t anticipated being that captivated in the story, I hadn’t expected to cry, swoon and laugh throughout this book. I had expected a nice read to prevent a reading slump and though it definitely prevented a reading slump it wasn’t a light read. Mikayla is such a strong girl and I admire her for going through what she goes through in this book, it would have been hard for anyone!

The characters are in my book perfection! Mikayla is strong, sweet and sensitive and though I wanted her and Jake to be together earlier I totally understand and admire her for waiting – she definitely has her reasons! Jake is sexy and hot as hell but he’s also one of the cutest and most swoon-worthy guys I’ve ever come across in a book! Their set of friends is a set I wish to have one day, in my circle girls are missing and I wish I can have Mikayla’s girlfriends one day!

They’re all mature and I came to love each and everyone of them – even James. They all act mature and even though I’d expected to hate James for what he did I gradually began to forgive him alongside Mikayla.

The story is, as previously mentioned, dramatic, but it’s just perfect anyway! The last book to keep me up at night was probably A Court of Thorns and Roses and I hate to admit it but either More Than This is tied with ACOTAR or More Than This is better – I haven’t decided yet.

I loved where the story took me and I really think I needed this book. I’m glad I haven’t read this book before now because I fear I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much earlier on.

The romance in this book is so real, breathtaking and heartbreaking that I found myself so immersed.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, I didn’t look how far I’d read and the only time I actually did was to see how long before I had to say goodbye to my new found friends. Not a lot of books capture me this book and often I’m glad when a book ends – even though I would’ve liked more. When I came to the last page of More Than This I gasped and I couldn’t really comprehend what I’d read. I walked around in a daze for hours afterwards just thinking about the book and it probably took me as long to catch my breath!

I think I’ve ranted enough for know. If you’ve gotten the gist I loved More Than This and I think it’s a work of perfection. Now I need to go out and buy the rest of the series!