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Heartache Duet #1
Heartache and Hope
Ava Diaz needs saving.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last…
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy she sits next to on the first day of senior year.
He thinks she’s a brat.
She thinks he’s entitled.
Maybe first impressions don’t always last…
Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.
He just doesn’t know why.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2019
1865 people are currently reading
12887 people want to read
About the author
Jay McLean
44 books8,181 followersJay 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,318 reviews
February 22, 2024
5+ stars
It's been way too long since I've read a book by Jay McLean, but she's back and better than ever with Heartache and Hope. Seriously, this is one of her best books yet and it gave me all the Kick Push/More Than vibes and that, my friends, is a HUGE compliment. This story was epic. I devoured each page and was left craving more.
Ava Diaz is a teenager, but her life is not like the typical teens. It's a hard life, a life of sacrifice and she does it tirelessly without complaint. She does what needs to be done and what she has to do, even when it's not easy because what's the alternative? Then she meets Connor Ledger and as much as she tries to resist him, she can't. He turns her life upside down. It's the best thing that could ever happen to her but also complicated for her.
Connor is the new guy at his school and a serious athlete. He plays basketball and he's on scholarship for it. He's going to make it big one day and that has been his only focus. Until he meets Ava. Ava is special. She's different. And her life is one Connor can't imagine. They fall for each other and they fall hard. Even though both of them cause each others lives to be more challenging in a way, they need each other desperately.
There is nothing quite like first love. Reading about the good parts, the angsty parts, all the highs and the lows, I love it so much. Connor and Ava's story was so well done. The writing was amazing and I fell so hard for both of them. Connor is one of Jay's best heroes yet and Ava has to be her strongest heroine. I admire that girl so much. My heart ached for her, but I have hope. Hope that her life will change for the better.
Jay McLean's words are magic. They fill me with so much love and hope. This story had an amazing family dynamic. That's one of the things I loved most about it. It wasn't always an easy read, it definitely gave me all the feels, but it also had me laughing out loud and smiling huge. When a book can do both, that's when it's really special. This book is special. I have no doubt this duet will be sitting pretty on my favorites list for 2019.
If you're looking for a story about young love that's not always easy, pick this book up. I loved every word of this story. Jay McLean will always be one of my favorite authors because no one delivers books like this but her. This one was memorable and unputdownable and I can't recommend it enough!!
When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.
It's been way too long since I've read a book by Jay McLean, but she's back and better than ever with Heartache and Hope. Seriously, this is one of her best books yet and it gave me all the Kick Push/More Than vibes and that, my friends, is a HUGE compliment. This story was epic. I devoured each page and was left craving more.
Ava Diaz is a teenager, but her life is not like the typical teens. It's a hard life, a life of sacrifice and she does it tirelessly without complaint. She does what needs to be done and what she has to do, even when it's not easy because what's the alternative? Then she meets Connor Ledger and as much as she tries to resist him, she can't. He turns her life upside down. It's the best thing that could ever happen to her but also complicated for her.
Connor is the new guy at his school and a serious athlete. He plays basketball and he's on scholarship for it. He's going to make it big one day and that has been his only focus. Until he meets Ava. Ava is special. She's different. And her life is one Connor can't imagine. They fall for each other and they fall hard. Even though both of them cause each others lives to be more challenging in a way, they need each other desperately.
Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.
There is nothing quite like first love. Reading about the good parts, the angsty parts, all the highs and the lows, I love it so much. Connor and Ava's story was so well done. The writing was amazing and I fell so hard for both of them. Connor is one of Jay's best heroes yet and Ava has to be her strongest heroine. I admire that girl so much. My heart ached for her, but I have hope. Hope that her life will change for the better.
Jay McLean's words are magic. They fill me with so much love and hope. This story had an amazing family dynamic. That's one of the things I loved most about it. It wasn't always an easy read, it definitely gave me all the feels, but it also had me laughing out loud and smiling huge. When a book can do both, that's when it's really special. This book is special. I have no doubt this duet will be sitting pretty on my favorites list for 2019.
If you're looking for a story about young love that's not always easy, pick this book up. I loved every word of this story. Jay McLean will always be one of my favorite authors because no one delivers books like this but her. This one was memorable and unputdownable and I can't recommend it enough!!
“Sometimes hope is the only thing that gets us through to the next day.”
June 24, 2019
You know that Eminem song Without Me - it has the line "Guess Who's Back, Back Again".. well that's how I'm feeling right now. It's been a long time since I got to enjoy new words from Jay McLean and what does she do - she storms back into my life with a story that puts me on my ass.
It's not like the usual NA reads of late where everything is over the top angst. Trying to be all gangster about everything. Nope. This one is smooth. It's subtle and it sucker punches you right in the heart. Jay has the ability to capture the true emotions and dialogue of NA characters that have you nodding your head, holding your chest & shaking your first - remembering those first kisses, first heartbreaks and all the bad decisions in between.
Ava is an extraordinary young lady - doing the very best she can in an awful situation. Her young life was turned upside down by some very adult circumstances and she's had to learn to function regardless. But that's all she's doing - functioning. Ava herself is a shell. Connor blows into town and he's everything she shouldn't want. Everything needed to fill her up! If we're being honest she's everything he should avoid too - his scholarship is all that matters.
So of course they're drawn to each other - I mean come on we'd have no book if they weren't. But it's the reasons they're drawn to each other, what they see in each other and the relationship they develop that drew me in. These characters are young but their love story is very genuine and completely hooked me. I cried A LOT in this one. Like piles of tissues kind of a lot but it was so worth it. I love a book that can break my heart like this.
The cliffhanger is brutal and I might have called Jay some colourful names when I tried to flick on and there were no more pages but I wholeheartedly recommend this one and will be waiting impatiently for book two.
All bow down to the Queen of NA - she's back!
I received an arc of this book.
It's not like the usual NA reads of late where everything is over the top angst. Trying to be all gangster about everything. Nope. This one is smooth. It's subtle and it sucker punches you right in the heart. Jay has the ability to capture the true emotions and dialogue of NA characters that have you nodding your head, holding your chest & shaking your first - remembering those first kisses, first heartbreaks and all the bad decisions in between.
Ava is an extraordinary young lady - doing the very best she can in an awful situation. Her young life was turned upside down by some very adult circumstances and she's had to learn to function regardless. But that's all she's doing - functioning. Ava herself is a shell. Connor blows into town and he's everything she shouldn't want. Everything needed to fill her up! If we're being honest she's everything he should avoid too - his scholarship is all that matters.
So of course they're drawn to each other - I mean come on we'd have no book if they weren't. But it's the reasons they're drawn to each other, what they see in each other and the relationship they develop that drew me in. These characters are young but their love story is very genuine and completely hooked me. I cried A LOT in this one. Like piles of tissues kind of a lot but it was so worth it. I love a book that can break my heart like this.
The cliffhanger is brutal and I might have called Jay some colourful names when I tried to flick on and there were no more pages but I wholeheartedly recommend this one and will be waiting impatiently for book two.
All bow down to the Queen of NA - she's back!
I received an arc of this book.
June 25, 2019
❝ It's just a year Connor. Do the work. Stay focused. No distractions..❞
'HEARTACHE AND HOPE' is the first full length, young adult book in Jay McLean's 'Heartache' duet. Spoken in 'Dual POV's' In this we meet Ava and Connor.
A unique painfully raw, thought provoking rollercoaster of a read. My most fav author is baccckkkkk with a vengeance!!!
Without going overboard this author right here is my most highly recommended author..Her #MORE series is one of my all time #FAVOURITES and is the #ONLY series or even #BOOKS for that matter that I have #EVER re-read!!
God what a roller coaster of a read Heartache and Hope was, a slow burn that quickly got its hooks into me and never let go..
So many feels that kept coming at me like a yo-yo my heart couldn’t take any more, what Ava went through on a daily basis with no bright light shining in the distance was a bitter pill to swallow, my heart was in constant turmoil. Such a strong, resilient character, her heart was bigger than the ocean.
My head and my heart were forever at war over the injustice of Ava's life, but at the end of the day I empathised on such a profound level with her, she had such a strong love for her mother, but with her mother came her disabilities which became Ava's daily responsibilities, she had the world on her young shoulders at the age of seventeen. My heart went out to her. She wasn't afforded a normal teenage life that many took for granted, she missed out on so much, she lost friends, she missed days of school, she never partied, to start a relationship with a guy was out of the equation because she wouldn't be able to give him her all.
Connor strived to make his father proud of him and with that 'the end game' Four years. Graduate. NBA. was always in his sights a girl would distract him too much. New comer to town Connor was on a basketball scholarship at St. Luke's Academy.
But that's not how this story goes. These two were made for each other, Connor noticed her the very first day of school. The girl was crazy hot; all naturally tanned skin and legs upon legs beneath her school-issued skirt.
With my never ending heartache I always had hope at the bottom of my heart that these two would get their well deserved HEA..
'HEARTACHE AND HOPE' is the first full length, young adult book in Jay McLean's 'Heartache' duet. Spoken in 'Dual POV's' In this we meet Ava and Connor.
A unique painfully raw, thought provoking rollercoaster of a read. My most fav author is baccckkkkk with a vengeance!!!
Without going overboard this author right here is my most highly recommended author..Her #MORE series is one of my all time #FAVOURITES and is the #ONLY series or even #BOOKS for that matter that I have #EVER re-read!!
God what a roller coaster of a read Heartache and Hope was, a slow burn that quickly got its hooks into me and never let go..
So many feels that kept coming at me like a yo-yo my heart couldn’t take any more, what Ava went through on a daily basis with no bright light shining in the distance was a bitter pill to swallow, my heart was in constant turmoil. Such a strong, resilient character, her heart was bigger than the ocean.
My head and my heart were forever at war over the injustice of Ava's life, but at the end of the day I empathised on such a profound level with her, she had such a strong love for her mother, but with her mother came her disabilities which became Ava's daily responsibilities, she had the world on her young shoulders at the age of seventeen. My heart went out to her. She wasn't afforded a normal teenage life that many took for granted, she missed out on so much, she lost friends, she missed days of school, she never partied, to start a relationship with a guy was out of the equation because she wouldn't be able to give him her all.
Connor strived to make his father proud of him and with that 'the end game' Four years. Graduate. NBA. was always in his sights a girl would distract him too much. New comer to town Connor was on a basketball scholarship at St. Luke's Academy.
But that's not how this story goes. These two were made for each other, Connor noticed her the very first day of school. The girl was crazy hot; all naturally tanned skin and legs upon legs beneath her school-issued skirt.
With my never ending heartache I always had hope at the bottom of my heart that these two would get their well deserved HEA..
July 4, 2021
I absolutely adored every single page of this book, which isn't a surprise really because this author is the writer of my "all time favorite" mf book "More than Forever". Now as much as I loved this one...and believe me I did...I don't think any couple will ever top Cam and Lucy in my eyes. That said... Ava and Connor came real freaking close !!
What I love most about opening a book by this author, is knowing I am gonna be hit with all the feels....in the best ways possible.
Again she has managed to make me laugh, cry, swoon and curse.... I loved it !!!
I fell head over heels in love with not only Connor but Ava as well. Just like with "More than Forever", I developed a little girl crush because if there is one thing this author excels at, it is writing female characters I absolutely adore !!!
Ava had such a tough life, but she was so strong and so mature for her age....not that she really had a choice...She also has a heart of gold.
She really deserves a Connor in her life and after the ending this book gave me...I can't wait to get my hands on the next book !!!
Now I can tell you all about Ava and Connor, but I highly suggest you go and one click this book, so you can find out all by yourself. You won't be sorry, I promise !!!
An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
July 2, 2019
Holy smokies how I have missed you Jay McLean!!!
In the past you have rocked my world, and today, you still rock my world, but you have tilted it on its axis!!!!
Yep, I started this review almost a week ago and I am still thinking and dreaming of this book!!! This author has the ability to suck you into her storytelling book world, and my god, how I loved this!!! Ava & Conner took over my world for a day, and guess what, I AM NOT SORRY!
This was an emotional roller coaster, a bumpy, turbulent ride. I'd do it all over again, after the slow burn wore off....haha! My eyes are itching for the next book, I can not wait!!! So, I am here patiently waiting to get my hands on it to give my fingernails and my heart some relief!!
So, if you can't tell, I LOVED this book, would recommend this to all you romance lovers!!!
In the past you have rocked my world, and today, you still rock my world, but you have tilted it on its axis!!!!
Yep, I started this review almost a week ago and I am still thinking and dreaming of this book!!! This author has the ability to suck you into her storytelling book world, and my god, how I loved this!!! Ava & Conner took over my world for a day, and guess what, I AM NOT SORRY!
This was an emotional roller coaster, a bumpy, turbulent ride. I'd do it all over again, after the slow burn wore off....haha! My eyes are itching for the next book, I can not wait!!! So, I am here patiently waiting to get my hands on it to give my fingernails and my heart some relief!!
So, if you can't tell, I LOVED this book, would recommend this to all you romance lovers!!!
July 16, 2019
*****FIVE STARS*****
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5++++
Heroine: 5
Plot: 5
Angst: 4.5
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5++++
Heroine: 5
Plot: 5
Angst: 4.5
Steam: 4
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5+++++
October 23, 2020
4 STARS!
Moving directly to book 2!
We find peace in each other's arms, find solace in each other's touch, and find a home in each other's hearts.So glad I didn't DNF! After what I thought was an overly dramatic start, I really fell in love with Ava and Connor.
Moving directly to book 2!
July 6, 2019
3.5 Stars ⭐️
August 23, 2020
4 Stars
Overall Opinion: I liked this! It got my feels going for these character’s messy life situations. I liked both characters apart as well as their connection together. I’m hoping that the second book wraps things up in a good way...especially because I’ve realized that I’ve established a dislike for duets and trilogies because usually the pacing is all wrong for what seems like an attempt at just stretching out the story to multiple books instead of one. So fingers crossed! On to the next 🤞🏻
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ava and Connor’s story. Ava’s life is not unicorns and rainbows, so she is shocked when the handsome new kid starts talking to her in a desperate attempt to make a friend. Connor moved schools to try to get noticed by a D1 school for basketball and things aren’t going very well for him socially, so when he is stuck with the mysterious but beautiful Ava for a class project he cannot stop thinking about her. They bond over their messed up pasts and fall in love deeply and fast, but life continues to get in the way...
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Ava and Connor’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they are more like friends to love.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Connor. He is pretty amazing! He gets a little overwhelmed and makes some stupid decisions at the end — but we gotta have some relationship conflict, right?!
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Ava. My heart breaks for Ava and what all she goes through! I appreciate her strength and loyalty though.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very much and not so much it takes away from the story
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes, but mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends on a cliffhanger, but the next book First and Forever has been released.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: I liked this! It got my feels going for these character’s messy life situations. I liked both characters apart as well as their connection together. I’m hoping that the second book wraps things up in a good way...especially because I’ve realized that I’ve established a dislike for duets and trilogies because usually the pacing is all wrong for what seems like an attempt at just stretching out the story to multiple books instead of one. So fingers crossed! On to the next 🤞🏻
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ava and Connor’s story. Ava’s life is not unicorns and rainbows, so she is shocked when the handsome new kid starts talking to her in a desperate attempt to make a friend. Connor moved schools to try to get noticed by a D1 school for basketball and things aren’t going very well for him socially, so when he is stuck with the mysterious but beautiful Ava for a class project he cannot stop thinking about her. They bond over their messed up pasts and fall in love deeply and fast, but life continues to get in the way...
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Ava and Connor’s POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they are more like friends to love.
H (Hero) rating: 4.5 stars. Connor. He is pretty amazing! He gets a little overwhelmed and makes some stupid decisions at the end — but we gotta have some relationship conflict, right?!
h (heroine) rating: 4.5 stars. Ava. My heart breaks for Ava and what all she goes through! I appreciate her strength and loyalty though.
Sadness level: Moderate. I shed a few tears but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not very much and not so much it takes away from the story
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes, but mild
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends on a cliffhanger, but the next book First and Forever has been released.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
June 28, 2019
Jay McLean is back!!!
I’ve missed this authors work, I’ve missed her words and the way she makes you fall in love with a story from the first page until the last.
Heartache and Hope is everything I hoped for and so much more. It’s raw and full of so many emotions. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I was happy. This book had it all!
Ava and Connor had me head over heels in love with them both. I loved the separately and together. Both of them haven’t had a easy life for very different reasons, and reading what they have been through had me in tears.
I really do hope that the headache that Ava and Connor have endured will all be worth it in the end. We will just have to to wait for First and Forever to find out how their story ends!
I’ve missed this authors work, I’ve missed her words and the way she makes you fall in love with a story from the first page until the last.
Heartache and Hope is everything I hoped for and so much more. It’s raw and full of so many emotions. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I was happy. This book had it all!
Ava and Connor had me head over heels in love with them both. I loved the separately and together. Both of them haven’t had a easy life for very different reasons, and reading what they have been through had me in tears.
I really do hope that the headache that Ava and Connor have endured will all be worth it in the end. We will just have to to wait for First and Forever to find out how their story ends!
June 26, 2019
Title: Heartache and Hope (Heartache Duet #1)
Author: Jay McLean
I am having a miserably hard time writing this review.
I have been a huge fan of Jay McLean and she has never let me down with her books. One of my all time favourite's by her is Lucas but I have to admit defeat and say that Heartache and Hope has become my favourite book by Jay McLean.
I buddy-read this beauty with two of my friends and I realised half into the book that I was buddy-reading it because I was completely and utterly enamoured with this book.
“Love is not a noun.
Love is something you do.
Something you prove.
Something you work hard to create.
Love is not something that simply exists because you say it.
Love it not a noun.
Love is a verb.”
I don't know how you did it Jay but Heartache and Hope is a true beauty. A true Gem.
“We find peace in each other’s arms, find solace in each other’s touch, and find a home in each other’s hearts…even if the space is limited.”
I also don't know why but this book sort of took me by surprise. This book isn't a slow burn romance per se but at the same time, it did have a slow build up which I think really helped the storyline and made us completely invested with the characters and the storyline.
"We hold on to each other for the rest of the afternoon, talking about everything but tomorrow. We fight, we float, we laugh, and we fall. God, do we fall. Deeper and deeper into these reckless emotions."
I fell deeper and deeper in love with Connor and Ava. You have no idea how much I was rooting for them.
Ava is truly out of this world.I love this female protagonist so much! She is so strong. Such heavy responsibilities and burdens for someone so young and she carries it with such strength and resilience. I am in awe of her.
I loved Connor but Ava is the ultimate hero in my eyes.
This book is filled with raw emotions that is beautiful and at times heartbreaking and filled with hope.
I love an author who can write amazing secondary characters. Jay perfected that in this book! I loved Rhys but don't even get me started on Trevor. This character is awe-inspiring.
I hope you guys grab this book as soon as possible. This one was absolutely unforgettable. I for one cannot wait for book 2!
For an excerpt, click link below:
https://sentrancedjem.wordpress.com/2...
September 15, 2019
3.75 ‘Magic’ stars
Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.
Ava and Connor’s story was so heartbreaking and so beautiful at the same time. It was filled with both hope and heartache. And it was so magical.
Ava is so strong. She carry a heavy weigh and have a lot of responsibilities for such a young girl. She gave everything she can without complaining, even when it gets hard. And believe me, it gets hard.
Connor is so sweet, loving, and caring. My heart breaks for these two. They deserve all the happiness in the world.
When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.
I loved the slow and steady build up of everything. Of the characters, of their life, and of both Ava and Conner’s relationship. The book kind of dragged at times tho. I loved the side characters and how significant there prescience was. I’ve read many of Jay Maclean’s books and I love how her writing style keeps on getting better with every book and she certainly know how to give her readers all of the feels.
But nothing good can come of this. There’d be no happy ending to our story. There’d be an intense beginning, a shaky middle, and then heartache. And we’ve both been through enough heartache to last a lifetime.
Song recommendation:
Fireflies by Owl City
The letter by Kehlani
Magic by Coldplay
Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.
Ava and Connor’s story was so heartbreaking and so beautiful at the same time. It was filled with both hope and heartache. And it was so magical.
Ava is so strong. She carry a heavy weigh and have a lot of responsibilities for such a young girl. She gave everything she can without complaining, even when it gets hard. And believe me, it gets hard.
Connor is so sweet, loving, and caring. My heart breaks for these two. They deserve all the happiness in the world.
When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.
I loved the slow and steady build up of everything. Of the characters, of their life, and of both Ava and Conner’s relationship. The book kind of dragged at times tho. I loved the side characters and how significant there prescience was. I’ve read many of Jay Maclean’s books and I love how her writing style keeps on getting better with every book and she certainly know how to give her readers all of the feels.
But nothing good can come of this. There’d be no happy ending to our story. There’d be an intense beginning, a shaky middle, and then heartache. And we’ve both been through enough heartache to last a lifetime.
Song recommendation:
Fireflies by Owl City
The letter by Kehlani
Magic by Coldplay
March 22, 2020
This book! This book! Oh my! The entire day I can not do anything but clutching into tjis book. Such perfection. It reminds me of Ginger Scott. Story of a young adult dealig with adult situation.
Ava is just heart breaking. There is so much on her shoulder to bear. Her whole world falling apart. Her entire future is gone. She is prisoner on her own home. And Connor. He is such a gentle hero. Slowly he breaks into Ava's world and they both find peace.
The reality of their world ripping them apart. Oh such a brutal cliffhanger. And I have to wait for book 2!!! Such a cruel cruel wait.
5 stars
Ava is just heart breaking. There is so much on her shoulder to bear. Her whole world falling apart. Her entire future is gone. She is prisoner on her own home. And Connor. He is such a gentle hero. Slowly he breaks into Ava's world and they both find peace.
The reality of their world ripping them apart. Oh such a brutal cliffhanger. And I have to wait for book 2!!! Such a cruel cruel wait.
5 stars
July 15, 2019
I should not have loved this, but I did. When I neared the end, I thought, Here we go. This is why I can't do YA. But nope, I was pleasantly surprised.
If you're like me and hate YA for the high school drama, you can rest assured, this book doesn't have any. McLean somehow manages to write believable teenagers that don't make you want to roll your eyes.
And I loved the basketball references, even though I hate basketball. Mind blown.
Don't laugh. I have no say over who my mind casts. 😂😂😂
If you're like me and hate YA for the high school drama, you can rest assured, this book doesn't have any. McLean somehow manages to write believable teenagers that don't make you want to roll your eyes.
And I loved the basketball references, even though I hate basketball. Mind blown.
Don't laugh. I have no say over who my mind casts. 😂😂😂
May 30, 2019
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh new words from Jay!!!!!!!
ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!!
When you are a blogger you read A LOT of books. Some you enjoy, some you love, some just stroll "meh" through your life. But some, they stain your soul, the words bleed into your being and just exist, as if they were destined to be a part of YOU. Ms. McLean writes these stories. This one though? This one just replaced the favorites that resided prior. This one is SPECIAL. A read that reminds us that life is unfair, brutal even, but even in the brutality of it lies beauty, a magic that can be found when first love is realized and even better when it's hard fought. I LOVE ANGSTY FIRST LOVE. And this is how it should be done. Family. Love. Friendship. Magic. READ THIS STORY.
ALL THE STARS IN THE SKY!!
When you are a blogger you read A LOT of books. Some you enjoy, some you love, some just stroll "meh" through your life. But some, they stain your soul, the words bleed into your being and just exist, as if they were destined to be a part of YOU. Ms. McLean writes these stories. This one though? This one just replaced the favorites that resided prior. This one is SPECIAL. A read that reminds us that life is unfair, brutal even, but even in the brutality of it lies beauty, a magic that can be found when first love is realized and even better when it's hard fought. I LOVE ANGSTY FIRST LOVE. And this is how it should be done. Family. Love. Friendship. Magic. READ THIS STORY.
January 2, 2020
#1 heartache and hope — 4.5 stars
#2 first and forever — 4 stars
how this book made me feel ...
what did you do to me, book?? you have completely rocked my world within the span of twenty four hours!!
i’m not the kind of girl who’s easy to impress. yet during the time we spent together, you’ve managed to make me: laugh from your easy jokes and snarky banter; weep over how crazy and tragic your life is at seventeen; fall in love bcs of your words, your strength, your compassion, your ambition, and your determination to never give up no matter how many times life has failed you.
you broke my heart unapologetically, and you reassembled the pieces flawlessly. now, it beats for you from your magic touch. you are the connor to my ava!!
what this book is about ...
this is a high school sports romance with an emotional intensity and depth that i think we rarely found in books from similar genre. it’s full of touching and tender moments that are bound to melt the coldest of hearts and crush them in the same breath. not to mention, it features basketball!! i’m so used to reading about football and hockey in sports romance, so this was definitely a fresh change of scenery for me.
what i think of the characters ...
i would say this book is character driven. the characters are more mature and have more responsibilities in comparison to the typical ya characters. however, they don’t at all sound unrealistic. this book may not present you the stereotypical high school teen drama, but the struggles that these characters have are undeniably real and tough.
ava is truly a force to be reckoned with. i couldn’t even comprehend going through half of what she does with her family. she is so strong, and i love how she takes care of her mom. her love is so unconditional and selfless. i adore the sibling relationship ava has with her older step brother. i love connor and how driven he is. i also love every single moment of him and ava together. both the good ones and the bad ones. their dirty texting is always so hilarious. i really like all the supporting characters as well.
what i think of the story ...
as for the plot, this book pretty much focuses on ava and connor’s friendship and blooming romance. but with ava’s mom situation (her being a war veteran suffering from a lot of trauma both mentally and physically), it plays a huge part in ava and connor’s character development and relationship. i really love this narrative in the book bcs we get to see so much more than teenagers’ puppy love. we get to see how important it is family and how hard it is maintaining a household of “dysfuntional” or non traditional nuclear family.
overall experience ...
reading this book can get a little depressing. some may even say it's overdramatic, and that the characters are some whiny bratty teenegers. however, it’s also quite thought provoking and a full on roller coaster ride. it’s brutally raw, awe-inspiring, and memorable.
July 12, 2019
What I like about Jay McLean is her ability to write mature teenagers without making it too adult. Ava and Connor are two amazing characters who each have their struggles in life. It’s relatable and at times hauntingly real. Their friendship and blooming love is beautiful written and explored through these two seventeen year olds.
Heartache and Hope was fast read but only because I couldn’t stop reading. I was so invested in Connor and Ava’s journey. Connor is such a great and sweet guy who likes to form his own opinions and not based on hearsay and rumors. Despite only being seventeen Ava has had to grow up and take responsibility before it was her time due.
Through and with each other they find peace and a break from real life but sadly it can’t last. I’m just grateful I can dive into book 2! What a story.
4 Magic Stars
Heartache and Hope was fast read but only because I couldn’t stop reading. I was so invested in Connor and Ava’s journey. Connor is such a great and sweet guy who likes to form his own opinions and not based on hearsay and rumors. Despite only being seventeen Ava has had to grow up and take responsibility before it was her time due.
Through and with each other they find peace and a break from real life but sadly it can’t last. I’m just grateful I can dive into book 2! What a story.
4 Magic Stars
June 27, 2019
“Teenage hormones are one hell of a drug.”
Jay McLean does a beautiful job, in Heartache and Hope, blending the magical feelings of young love and the bitter realities some must face in life. H&H has a mature YA feel, and covers some serious subject matter. Told in the dual POV’s of Ava and Connor. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but this is book one in a duet so it lends to the build of the characters relationship!
I want to say so much about Ava and Connor, but I think it’s best you meet them on your own. They are lovable, they are flawed, and they feel real. Their love is... *sigh*. It just is. These are two people who fit so easily together, but have other important things that require their focus, so they try to avoid it. Two people who make each other so happy and so hopeful, but can’t seem to easily navigate how to make it all work. In H&H Ava and Connor are juggling responsibilities, harsh realities, high school life, and young love. It’s not always easy, but to them it feels worth it and the ride is such a good one.
It wouldn’t be a Jay book without an amazing cast of side characters in our main’s lives. They not only give so much depth to the main story, but they really have a life of their own. I love how Jay could make me feel invested in the friends/family without taking away from Ava and Connor’s story.
H&H is the first part of Ava and Connor’s story and it will own you, break you, and heal you. I mean it’s in the title, so prepare yourself for a little heartache. There is It’s an intense read, but a good one. Jay is definitely back and better than ever.
https://instagram.com/p/By5QmIfgvXt/
^fan teaser on IG!
COMING JUNE 28TH!
*ARC
Jay McLean does a beautiful job, in Heartache and Hope, blending the magical feelings of young love and the bitter realities some must face in life. H&H has a mature YA feel, and covers some serious subject matter. Told in the dual POV’s of Ava and Connor. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but this is book one in a duet so it lends to the build of the characters relationship!
I want to say so much about Ava and Connor, but I think it’s best you meet them on your own. They are lovable, they are flawed, and they feel real. Their love is... *sigh*. It just is. These are two people who fit so easily together, but have other important things that require their focus, so they try to avoid it. Two people who make each other so happy and so hopeful, but can’t seem to easily navigate how to make it all work. In H&H Ava and Connor are juggling responsibilities, harsh realities, high school life, and young love. It’s not always easy, but to them it feels worth it and the ride is such a good one.
It wouldn’t be a Jay book without an amazing cast of side characters in our main’s lives. They not only give so much depth to the main story, but they really have a life of their own. I love how Jay could make me feel invested in the friends/family without taking away from Ava and Connor’s story.
H&H is the first part of Ava and Connor’s story and it will own you, break you, and heal you. I mean it’s in the title, so prepare yourself for a little heartache. There is It’s an intense read, but a good one. Jay is definitely back and better than ever.
https://instagram.com/p/By5QmIfgvXt/
^fan teaser on IG!
COMING JUNE 28TH!
*ARC
August 31, 2020
The book is called Heartache and Hope. Well, that ain't no lie! Connor and Ava's story is overflowing with heartache and pain and suffering and struggles with a tiny glimmer of hope. From the moment he saw her, he wanted to know her. She was shrouded in mystery and he couldn't help but want to solve her puzzle. Yet the more he learned, the less he knew and Ava was absolutely no help.
Oooh the angst. Jay McLean has got to be the queen of angst and this story has it in spades. There's something so juicy and entertaining and gut wrenching about teenagers discovering themselves, what they want their future to look like, and young love. This author captures the teen experience in all of its shades. It's sometimes (most of the time) ugly, but I can't help but find the beauty in the murkiness of self-doubt, self-consciousness and the youthful feeling of invincibility.
Connor has dreams of making it pro. He wants to be in the NBA to make life easier for himself and for the father who sacrificed and gave everything of himself for his happiness. When they relocate so he can get noticed at a new school, he knows he's got to focus on the end game. But then he meets Ava and he gets caught up in all of her broken pieces.
Ava's life is a mess. A hot, twisted, I-don't-wanna-look-but-can't-help-myself mess. She and Connor had rotten timing and I wish there was some way to make things easier for them. With miscommunication and misunderstandings, these kids had it rough. I can't wait to read the next book, First and Forever to find out how (or if) they make everything work.
"... you never have to hide who you are with me. Because I'm here. And I'll wear your pain as if it were mine. I promise." - Connor
Oooh the angst. Jay McLean has got to be the queen of angst and this story has it in spades. There's something so juicy and entertaining and gut wrenching about teenagers discovering themselves, what they want their future to look like, and young love. This author captures the teen experience in all of its shades. It's sometimes (most of the time) ugly, but I can't help but find the beauty in the murkiness of self-doubt, self-consciousness and the youthful feeling of invincibility.
Within the four walls of my bedroom, we find peace in each other's arms, find solace in each other's touch and find a home in each other's hearts. - Ava
Connor has dreams of making it pro. He wants to be in the NBA to make life easier for himself and for the father who sacrificed and gave everything of himself for his happiness. When they relocate so he can get noticed at a new school, he knows he's got to focus on the end game. But then he meets Ava and he gets caught up in all of her broken pieces.
Ava: You're something else, Connor.
Connor: You're something MORE, Ava.
Ava's life is a mess. A hot, twisted, I-don't-wanna-look-but-can't-help-myself mess. She and Connor had rotten timing and I wish there was some way to make things easier for them. With miscommunication and misunderstandings, these kids had it rough. I can't wait to read the next book, First and Forever to find out how (or if) they make everything work.
June 26, 2019
ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE
Magic. Pure heart magic. Between the pages of this book you’ll find a captivating and magnificent tale created by one of the most talented YA authors out there. Jay McLean poured her magical fairy dust throughout this story and I fell. Hard . I’m writing this review and trying to see through the tears that won’t stop pouring from my eyes. Jay, what have you done to me?!!
I have been waiting for new words from my unicorn author, and when I saw she was writing a duet, I was elated. Heartache and Hope, the first book in Heartache Duet, was EVERYTHING.
“Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.”
The queen of teen angst, ruler of first-love romance made me feel hope and heartache—the pure magic of being young and falling so in love, your heart is bursting.
“We fight, we float, we laugh, and we fall. God, do we fall. Deeper and deeper into these reckless emotions.”
I’ve fallen in love with many of Ms. McLean’s books in the past and I have to say that Connor + Ava’s story took my breath away. All that this pair have been through will break your heart. You will cry. You will hurt. But above all, you will fall in love. And, when you finish that last page, you’ll hold your breath in anticipation of First and Forever. Because when you’re done, you’ll need MORE. I can’t say it enough—MAGIC!!
“Today… Today is a +infinite day.”
Magic. Pure heart magic. Between the pages of this book you’ll find a captivating and magnificent tale created by one of the most talented YA authors out there. Jay McLean poured her magical fairy dust throughout this story and I fell. Hard . I’m writing this review and trying to see through the tears that won’t stop pouring from my eyes. Jay, what have you done to me?!!
I have been waiting for new words from my unicorn author, and when I saw she was writing a duet, I was elated. Heartache and Hope, the first book in Heartache Duet, was EVERYTHING.
“Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.”
The queen of teen angst, ruler of first-love romance made me feel hope and heartache—the pure magic of being young and falling so in love, your heart is bursting.
“We fight, we float, we laugh, and we fall. God, do we fall. Deeper and deeper into these reckless emotions.”
I’ve fallen in love with many of Ms. McLean’s books in the past and I have to say that Connor + Ava’s story took my breath away. All that this pair have been through will break your heart. You will cry. You will hurt. But above all, you will fall in love. And, when you finish that last page, you’ll hold your breath in anticipation of First and Forever. Because when you’re done, you’ll need MORE. I can’t say it enough—MAGIC!!
“Today… Today is a +infinite day.”
June 29, 2019
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears…”
It has been so long since I have read a Jay McLean story and when I found out she was releasing a duet, I knew I had to drop everything and read it. I absolutely adored Kick Push and her More Than series, but I believe Heartache and Hope is her best book yet. I read this book in one sitting and could not get enough; it is a complete rollercoaster of a read that had my emotions all over the place, but the pain I felt whilst reading this epic story was well worth the heartache and one I found positively unforgettable.
Ava Diaz is one heroine I felt for deeply as her life is a constant struggle. I found it particularly difficult to read about her, but having said that, I connected with her in such a profound way which I think is all thanks to Jay’s impeccable ability to tell a story. She is able to make me believe I am living my life along with these characters she has created. While Ava’s life is not easy, she has so much strength and courage to just keep moving. She was a true inspiration and I adored everything about her. Her life was to become even more complicated when Connor Ledger entered her world.
“And even if I have to spend the rest of my life wondering what it would be like to kiss you just once… these moments with you… they’re worth everything. YOU are worth everything.”
Connor is the new guy at school and the star basketball player on a scholarship. Connor has plans to one day be drafted to the NBA and his dreams are his only focus, he lives and breathes for his basketball career. Connor notices Ava instantly and while his basketball takes up so much of his focus, he can’t help but fall for the girl with the life he can not possibly imagine. Connor and Ava soon fall for each other and fall hard. I will remember their first kiss for the rest of my life, it was sweet, electrifying and positively breathtaking. An intense and powerful moment between two teenagers who are meant to be.
Heartache and Hope was positively exquisite. Jay captured every emotion beautifully and it was just magical in every way. I know it’s not possible for me to love this story any more than I already do. This is a story of first love, the ups and the downs and everything in between and, while there is heartache, you are holding onto hope that it will all work out. I cannot recommend this unforgettable story enough.
October 19, 2019
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears,”
This is my first book by this author and it completely broke my heart. This book just become one of my fave read of the year. I love the characters so much, and just want to be happy. Can’t wait to read the next book.
“Connor: Ava, I love you. ALL of you.”
This is my first book by this author and it completely broke my heart. This book just become one of my fave read of the year. I love the characters so much, and just want to be happy. Can’t wait to read the next book.
“Connor: Ava, I love you. ALL of you.”
July 12, 2019
Good God, this was miserable! Really, the title ‘Heartache Duet’ should’ve clued me in but damn, this was depressing and painful on a level I didn’t expect. Like, imagine scraping your palms. And then rubbing salt into your scrapes. Repeatedly. That’s what reading this felt like. My chest still hurts. :(
March 16, 2024
OK - I'll write a longer review later - scroll down for that - but for anyone who doesn't want to get spoilered AT ALL ... I will just say this:
HEARTACHE AND HOPE was ... just that. It was so full of emotion and love and pain and family and loss and hope and the future and sport and the past and growing up and fighting to just ... be happy.
It was a beautiful young adult love story with a bit of heartbreaking drama and a bit of an unsure future for our two darlings.
I LOVED IT. Adored it. And I can't wait to read the 2nd book - there might have been a tiny little Cliffy. (OK, it was a lottle Cliffy!) ☺
NUFF SAID!
Now here comes my 'bigger' review. It doesn't spoil anything really, but it tells you a bit about the background and what's happening exactly.
══════════════
Connor just moved to North Carolina with his dad. He needs to make the best of the Basketball scholarship at this rich-kids school if he wants to have a chance at professional sports.
Ava is also starting her senior year at that school.
Her homelife is not what you might call easy.
Her stepdad left them a while back and now she and her stepbrother have to take care of everything. Food, money, school, work ... and ... her mom.
She's been badly hurt in Afghanistan and it's not easy living with her. It's not something a 17 year old kid should have to do on her own.
The only happy moments Ava has these days are when she's with Connor. The new kid at school. He's beautiful and sweet and funny and he likes her - when the whole town talks badly about her family.
But nothing can ever happen between them. Her mom has to be her priority .... and his priority has to be Basketball.
Right?
What will happen with Ava & Connor?
Will there be a HEA?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺
══════════════════
Well, that was so effing heartbreaking and adorable!
You immediately fall in love with Ava and Connor. You just want to grab them and hug them and promise them everything will be okay.
Their lives have been very hard. In different kinds of ways, but still hard.
Ava had the perfect teenager life until her mom came back home broken.
And Connor's life started hard and he and his dad have been fighting to be where they are now ever since.
Ugh - it's all so very sad and hopeless. But of course we hope that all their dreams will come true and that they both get their happily ever after together. But we have a long way to go until we might get that.
This is book #1 of 2! But the second book will be with us in two weeks - I CAN'T WAIT!
There were some tiny little moments where I wanted to hit some people over the head - but you have to keep in mind that they're only 17 years old. I still adored the story! ☺
HEARTACHE AND HOPE was such an adorable & heartbreaking young adult sports dramance! Run to your nearest amazon asap for your own Connor - he'll be sold out in no time !!!
♡
♡
June 19, 2019
Omgggggggggg!!!! This!!!! This is the book I've been dying for. This is the book that would unknowingly satiate all of my relentless cravings for angst and heartache and deliciously brutal teen drama but only momentarily because now I'm left hungry for more. THIS BOOK is precisely why you'll never in a million years hear me complain about cliffhangers. THIS is a superb demonstration of exactly why I enjoy them so much. I'm actually dying right now... dying from that ending, dying for MORE. But that's the point... it left me REELING. It left me DEVESTATED. It left me DESPERATE. It was so perfectly done! And this pain, this desperation, this NEED I'm feeling is exactly why I read in the first place.
I loved everything about this book. I love a slow burning, angsty high school romance and this one knocked it out of the park. All of the complicated emotion and the teen angst and the sweet, tender flirtation that can only truly be captured in stories set against the difficult backdrop of high school all culminate here on these pages and it was absolutely ADDICTIVE. I could not get enough. With every turn of the page, this book got netter and better. With each word, these characters broke me a little bit more.
It's truly horrific what Connor and Ava have endured in their short lives. They each have been dealt a seriously crappy hand and they continue to battle those demons throughout this book. The light for Connor is basketball. The reprieve for Ava is Connor. What they come to mean to each other is SO BEAUTIFUL. But the impossibility of their circumstances is this palpable, devastating THING lurking on each page and it reaches into the reader and pummels the heartstrings until the very end.
I don't even know what to say, I'm just blown away. I seriously loved this storyline. It's powerful and tragic, this testament to our wounded warriors and how we continue to fail them everyday in this country. But it's also the most breathtakingly beautiful testament to love, to HOPE. It pulled EVERY SINGLE EMOTION out of me as I read. It's so sweet and tender, you can't help but swoon. It's steamy and sexy but never raunchy... perfectly done considering the age of these characters. It all felt so right, so good. So sad. It's the perfect read if angsty high school romances are your jam but it's also nothing at all like anything else I've read in ages. I'm desperate for more, I'm overwhelmed with both heartache and hope and I'm silently fist pumping Jay McLean because THIS WAS EVERYTHING.
I loved everything about this book. I love a slow burning, angsty high school romance and this one knocked it out of the park. All of the complicated emotion and the teen angst and the sweet, tender flirtation that can only truly be captured in stories set against the difficult backdrop of high school all culminate here on these pages and it was absolutely ADDICTIVE. I could not get enough. With every turn of the page, this book got netter and better. With each word, these characters broke me a little bit more.
It's truly horrific what Connor and Ava have endured in their short lives. They each have been dealt a seriously crappy hand and they continue to battle those demons throughout this book. The light for Connor is basketball. The reprieve for Ava is Connor. What they come to mean to each other is SO BEAUTIFUL. But the impossibility of their circumstances is this palpable, devastating THING lurking on each page and it reaches into the reader and pummels the heartstrings until the very end.
I don't even know what to say, I'm just blown away. I seriously loved this storyline. It's powerful and tragic, this testament to our wounded warriors and how we continue to fail them everyday in this country. But it's also the most breathtakingly beautiful testament to love, to HOPE. It pulled EVERY SINGLE EMOTION out of me as I read. It's so sweet and tender, you can't help but swoon. It's steamy and sexy but never raunchy... perfectly done considering the age of these characters. It all felt so right, so good. So sad. It's the perfect read if angsty high school romances are your jam but it's also nothing at all like anything else I've read in ages. I'm desperate for more, I'm overwhelmed with both heartache and hope and I'm silently fist pumping Jay McLean because THIS WAS EVERYTHING.
July 13, 2023
✰ 4.25 stars ✰
“What are the odds? What are the chances that the people who saw me were the right people at the right place and the exact right time? They brought me back to life, Ava.”
I turn my body to hers and gently place my hand on the back of her head, bring her ear to my chest, right above my heart. “Do you hear it?” I ask. “My heartbeat?”
“Yes, ” she whispers, her tears soaking through my shirt.
I blink back my own and try to stay strong, for her. “If you need proof that magic exists, I’m right here.”
There are books about choosing friends over family. There are books about love winning over the work you do. And then, there are books about fighting for your feelings or staying with your family, that, somehow, hit the strongest in the heart. And in Heartache and Hope, Jay McLean created two characters that, no matter how drawn they are to each other, they simply cannot be with each other, due to the commitment they have to their own families.
“Vincit qui se vincit.”
“What does that mean? The last part?”
“It’s the school motto. It means He conquers who conquers himself.”
Wow, this was just an a whole other level of heart-break and beautiful writing that just encompasses your entire heart with the whirlwind of emotions that Jay McLean throws at you. 😮😮 This was such an emotional, yet heart-breaking and still hopeful read. The writing is so achingly raw with it's a torrid of feels, but it still gives you such a tender onslaught of gentle tender love that sweeps you away on this hopeful plane that after all the heartache, there is still hope for a better chance. 🥺🥺
After a rocky first meeting at the prestigious St. Luke academy, it soon becomes apparent to rising new basketball star, Connor Ledge and school and town pariah, Ava Diaz, that it's going to be impossible for either of them to deny the attraction they have for each other. 🩷🩷 Through study sessions, text messages, late night meetings as neighbors, and conversations where they open up their hearts about their secrets and traumatic pasts, their relationship that started as a friendship soon becomes a beautiful romance that they'll try to do whatever it takes to make each day count. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
“It’s okay to feel like that. You have every right to. The world hasn’t been good to you guys, and I get that. But I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think I could handle it. So, don’t worry, okay? I’ll see you soon.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and whisper,
“Please hurry.”
“I’ll travel through time to get to you.”
Connor doesn't come without baggage of his own; but the boy is trying. He is trying his damn best to appease his father, to create a bond with his new teammates, to assure Ava that he's there for her - through the good times and the bad. All he wants is to bring happiness to those around him - to not be a burden and even when the chips are down and he does act out and he does make questionable judgment calls, he still cares so much for Ava - that he wouldn't dare abandon her in her times of needs.
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.”
Ava - oh God, if you could give someone more pain than what she has to endure - she has so much on her plate, so much that she has no control over, when all she wants is to live a normal life, which she knows she can't have, that she has to make the sacrifices for the sake of her family. She puts on a brave face with so much that she has to endure at the narrow-mindedness of the people in her neighborhood, but when Connor came into her life, it finally felt like she didn't have to face it alone. 💞💞
“Then I move up his neck, run my fingers through his hair.
“Goddammit, Ava,” he grunts, his hands covering mine, stopping me. “You’re making it really fucking hard.”
“What, being just friends?”
“Yeah… that, too.”
I adored the writing style - it captured so many emotions with such compassion and passion that made your heart melt at their interactions, but can be still so adorably sweet and funny. 🫠🫠 So much warmth and affection and love and appreciation was shared between the two, they cared for each other so much - in such a short time, they developed such a fierce closeness and an aching desire to be together no matter what. And the romance - the heartache - the confessions - the palpable yearning - the fierce desire for claiming and still abstaining - the devotion to prove that it can work out - everything really was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
“I reach over and cover her mouth, gently push until she’s on her back, another new excuse to touch her. “You’re such a smart-ass.”
“You love it,” she mumbles beneath my palm.”
And the banter, uff, the banter was so sexy and fresh, but still so playful and lovable and full of feeling. 🥰🥰 I loved how hard Connor tried to be there for Ava in whatever way that he could - that he tried his best to understand the difficult circumstances she was in and make things easier for her. The writing is so beautiful in the way it shows such a lovely balance between school life and new friends, while also allowing their love to blossom in whatever way they can achieve. 😟😟
“And it doesn’t matter how much I want you or how hard I’ve fallen for you. Because I have, Connor. In all the possible ways that absolutely terrify me, I’ve fallen for you. But nothing good can come of this. There’d be no happy ending to our story. There’d be an intense beginning, a shaky middle, and then heartache.
And we’ve both been through enough heartache to last a lifetime.”
What makes this so tragic is that they are drawn to each other in such a genuine manner, but because of their own pasts and commitments to what matters more to them, it just can't work out for them. For all the love and light and happiness, there is such a heaviness of angst - so much trauma, neither of them can choose to ignore. 😢 That the odds are forever stacked against them, and no matter how hard they try to make it work, it just never can and the only way they can find happiness with each other is to be apart. And that just breaks my heart and I can't help but wonder what miracle will shine that will allow them find the happiness back to each other again. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
“What are the odds? What are the chances that the people who saw me were the right people at the right place and the exact right time? They brought me back to life, Ava.”
I turn my body to hers and gently place my hand on the back of her head, bring her ear to my chest, right above my heart. “Do you hear it?” I ask. “My heartbeat?”
“Yes, ” she whispers, her tears soaking through my shirt.
I blink back my own and try to stay strong, for her. “If you need proof that magic exists, I’m right here.”
There are books about choosing friends over family. There are books about love winning over the work you do. And then, there are books about fighting for your feelings or staying with your family, that, somehow, hit the strongest in the heart. And in Heartache and Hope, Jay McLean created two characters that, no matter how drawn they are to each other, they simply cannot be with each other, due to the commitment they have to their own families.
“Vincit qui se vincit.”
“What does that mean? The last part?”
“It’s the school motto. It means He conquers who conquers himself.”
Wow, this was just an a whole other level of heart-break and beautiful writing that just encompasses your entire heart with the whirlwind of emotions that Jay McLean throws at you. 😮😮 This was such an emotional, yet heart-breaking and still hopeful read. The writing is so achingly raw with it's a torrid of feels, but it still gives you such a tender onslaught of gentle tender love that sweeps you away on this hopeful plane that after all the heartache, there is still hope for a better chance. 🥺🥺
After a rocky first meeting at the prestigious St. Luke academy, it soon becomes apparent to rising new basketball star, Connor Ledge and school and town pariah, Ava Diaz, that it's going to be impossible for either of them to deny the attraction they have for each other. 🩷🩷 Through study sessions, text messages, late night meetings as neighbors, and conversations where they open up their hearts about their secrets and traumatic pasts, their relationship that started as a friendship soon becomes a beautiful romance that they'll try to do whatever it takes to make each day count. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
“It’s okay to feel like that. You have every right to. The world hasn’t been good to you guys, and I get that. But I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t think I could handle it. So, don’t worry, okay? I’ll see you soon.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and whisper,
“Please hurry.”
“I’ll travel through time to get to you.”
Connor doesn't come without baggage of his own; but the boy is trying. He is trying his damn best to appease his father, to create a bond with his new teammates, to assure Ava that he's there for her - through the good times and the bad. All he wants is to bring happiness to those around him - to not be a burden and even when the chips are down and he does act out and he does make questionable judgment calls, he still cares so much for Ava - that he wouldn't dare abandon her in her times of needs.
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.”
Ava - oh God, if you could give someone more pain than what she has to endure - she has so much on her plate, so much that she has no control over, when all she wants is to live a normal life, which she knows she can't have, that she has to make the sacrifices for the sake of her family. She puts on a brave face with so much that she has to endure at the narrow-mindedness of the people in her neighborhood, but when Connor came into her life, it finally felt like she didn't have to face it alone. 💞💞
“Then I move up his neck, run my fingers through his hair.
“Goddammit, Ava,” he grunts, his hands covering mine, stopping me. “You’re making it really fucking hard.”
“What, being just friends?”
“Yeah… that, too.”
I adored the writing style - it captured so many emotions with such compassion and passion that made your heart melt at their interactions, but can be still so adorably sweet and funny. 🫠🫠 So much warmth and affection and love and appreciation was shared between the two, they cared for each other so much - in such a short time, they developed such a fierce closeness and an aching desire to be together no matter what. And the romance - the heartache - the confessions - the palpable yearning - the fierce desire for claiming and still abstaining - the devotion to prove that it can work out - everything really was just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻
“I reach over and cover her mouth, gently push until she’s on her back, another new excuse to touch her. “You’re such a smart-ass.”
“You love it,” she mumbles beneath my palm.”
And the banter, uff, the banter was so sexy and fresh, but still so playful and lovable and full of feeling. 🥰🥰 I loved how hard Connor tried to be there for Ava in whatever way that he could - that he tried his best to understand the difficult circumstances she was in and make things easier for her. The writing is so beautiful in the way it shows such a lovely balance between school life and new friends, while also allowing their love to blossom in whatever way they can achieve. 😟😟
“And it doesn’t matter how much I want you or how hard I’ve fallen for you. Because I have, Connor. In all the possible ways that absolutely terrify me, I’ve fallen for you. But nothing good can come of this. There’d be no happy ending to our story. There’d be an intense beginning, a shaky middle, and then heartache.
And we’ve both been through enough heartache to last a lifetime.”
What makes this so tragic is that they are drawn to each other in such a genuine manner, but because of their own pasts and commitments to what matters more to them, it just can't work out for them. For all the love and light and happiness, there is such a heaviness of angst - so much trauma, neither of them can choose to ignore. 😢 That the odds are forever stacked against them, and no matter how hard they try to make it work, it just never can and the only way they can find happiness with each other is to be apart. And that just breaks my heart and I can't help but wonder what miracle will shine that will allow them find the happiness back to each other again. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
July 18, 2019
I just wanna hug Connor and Ava and protect them at all costs but I also just wanna lock these two up in a room so they can kiss and make up.
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September 24, 2020
✰ 6++ stars ✰
✨ beautiful, wonderful, amazing, heartbreaking, lovely, tearjerker, stunning, my whole world ✨
This book completely owns my heart and soul! ConnorAva were...something else. They made me smile, cry, swoon, yell, laugh and feel all the feels. Both were fighters in their own way, but together? They were the perfect match and I was rooting for them from beginning to end. thank god the second book is already out cause I need more of these two! 10/10 recommend. <33
- my favorite “goals” moment -
(tbf they had a lot of goals moments cause this is ConnorAva we’re talking about and they’re cute af but this made me swoon and laugh at the same time gfbkapxc)
Ava: Good morning, boyfriend. My alarm went off at 4:30 and I had to get home. I didn’t want to. I could’ve stayed in your arms forever.
Connor: New phone. Who dis?
Ava: Sorry. Wrong number. I meant to send that to my other boyfriend.
Connor: I’ll beat his ass.
Ava: Before or after you get done sucking your thumb, you giant baby.
Connor: Listen here, you little shit.
Ava: I miss you.
Connor: Me too. I’ll be around earlier to take you to school. I have a lot of apologizing to do today, remember?
Ava: Oh yeah. Sucks to be you.
Like I said, goals af and this is just a sneak peek of what's in store when it comes to these two hehe 😌
✨ beautiful, wonderful, amazing, heartbreaking, lovely, tearjerker, stunning, my whole world ✨
This book completely owns my heart and soul! ConnorAva were...something else. They made me smile, cry, swoon, yell, laugh and feel all the feels. Both were fighters in their own way, but together? They were the perfect match and I was rooting for them from beginning to end. thank god the second book is already out cause I need more of these two! 10/10 recommend. <33
- my favorite “goals” moment -
(tbf they had a lot of goals moments cause this is ConnorAva we’re talking about and they’re cute af but this made me swoon and laugh at the same time gfbkapxc)
Ava: Good morning, boyfriend. My alarm went off at 4:30 and I had to get home. I didn’t want to. I could’ve stayed in your arms forever.
Connor: New phone. Who dis?
Ava: Sorry. Wrong number. I meant to send that to my other boyfriend.
Connor: I’ll beat his ass.
Ava: Before or after you get done sucking your thumb, you giant baby.
Connor: Listen here, you little shit.
Ava: I miss you.
Connor: Me too. I’ll be around earlier to take you to school. I have a lot of apologizing to do today, remember?
Ava: Oh yeah. Sucks to be you.
Like I said, goals af and this is just a sneak peek of what's in store when it comes to these two hehe 😌
July 24, 2019
4.5 ⭐'s
“There is no magic in a broken heart.”
Oh-my-goodness...I knew this would be a heart breaker! I love Jay McLean's stories but this one pulls at all the heart strings.
Ava's Mom was in the military and she had a rough go to say the least. It's forever changed all their lives. Connor's present life has been better but he has also suffered in his past.
Right from when he first sees Ava, he's drawn to her and she does everything she can to push him away. He's determined and soon they are trying to make their relationship work.
There are plenty of roadblocks. Even though they are seniors in high school, they are both pretty astute and able to make the best of things. Unfortunately, that doesn't all save them from all the regular high school pit falls.
And I was a little disappointed in Connor towards the end. His life is coming together and he wants to have that "partner" and as understanding as it can be, it still doesn't take away the sting. I just hope he wasn't being dumb because that ending killed me. (You'll definitely want the next book ready to go!)
“There is no magic in a broken heart.”
Oh-my-goodness...I knew this would be a heart breaker! I love Jay McLean's stories but this one pulls at all the heart strings.
Ava's Mom was in the military and she had a rough go to say the least. It's forever changed all their lives. Connor's present life has been better but he has also suffered in his past.
Right from when he first sees Ava, he's drawn to her and she does everything she can to push him away. He's determined and soon they are trying to make their relationship work.
There are plenty of roadblocks. Even though they are seniors in high school, they are both pretty astute and able to make the best of things. Unfortunately, that doesn't all save them from all the regular high school pit falls.
And I was a little disappointed in Connor towards the end. His life is coming together and he wants to have that "partner" and as understanding as it can be, it still doesn't take away the sting. I just hope he wasn't being dumb because that ending killed me. (You'll definitely want the next book ready to go!)
February 23, 2024
It's been a hot minute since I've read a book about high schoolers. Heartache and Hope did not disappoint. It had all the great elements I love in my teen dramas from angst to the new guy in school.
Connor transfers into a private a high school on a scholarship. He's working towards playing basketball in college and then the ultimate goal of playing in the pros.
Ava is the girl whose mother returns home from the military with a lot of trauma. During her mother's time in the military, she was a POW and also suffered in a horrible accident which has left her unable to be left alone.
Connor & his dad move next door to Ava and he quickly becomes enamored with her. Since Ava's mom has mental issues and needs constant care Ava tries to keep her distance from him. She knows she can't offer him things like other girls can - like going to watch him play, etc. Connor convinces her that he doesn't care and he just wants whatever she can give him of her time.
That's all fine and dandy until it isn't. The story continues on in the next book: FIRST AND FOREMOST.
HEARTACHE AND HOPE
● high school sports romance
● friends to lovers
● war trauma
● basketball
● teen angst
● duet: cliffhanger
● dual pov
Connor transfers into a private a high school on a scholarship. He's working towards playing basketball in college and then the ultimate goal of playing in the pros.
Ava is the girl whose mother returns home from the military with a lot of trauma. During her mother's time in the military, she was a POW and also suffered in a horrible accident which has left her unable to be left alone.
Connor & his dad move next door to Ava and he quickly becomes enamored with her. Since Ava's mom has mental issues and needs constant care Ava tries to keep her distance from him. She knows she can't offer him things like other girls can - like going to watch him play, etc. Connor convinces her that he doesn't care and he just wants whatever she can give him of her time.
That's all fine and dandy until it isn't. The story continues on in the next book: FIRST AND FOREMOST.
HEARTACHE AND HOPE
● high school sports romance
● friends to lovers
● war trauma
● basketball
● teen angst
● duet: cliffhanger
● dual pov
Audiobook source: Hoopla
Narrator: Stephanie Rose & Brandon Utah
Length: 9H 03M
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