Mini-Reviews: THE TOURIST ATTRACTION, LEO, and BIG BAD COWBOY

 

THE TOURIST ATTRACTION by Sarah Morgenthaler

Publication Date: May 5, 2020

Pages: 352

Source: Netgalley | Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

THE TOURIST ATTRACTION is a book that'll take you places when you're staying home and can't travel. This story allows readers to travel to Moose Springs, Alaska and become a tourist in this town that is full of an unbelievable amount of charm. The people, the views, the wildlife - the storytelling makes you feel a part of it all. There's adventure, there's danger, and there are many, many moments of laughter. 

What I loved:

+The romance - Graham and Zoey are perfection 

+Zoey and Lana's friendship- from different backgrounds but they're fiercely protectitve of each other

+Jake the dog

+The town as a character and the locals in the town

THE TOURIST ATTRACTION gave me exactly what I wanted in a romantic comedy - all of the silliness and many heated kisses (and more). I loved it!

LEO by Jay McLean

Publication Date: August 11, 2020

Pages: 470

Source: Purchased

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

With each new Jay McLean book that I read, it makes it difficult to claim a favorite book and stick with that choice because the new book then becomes the favorite. That's exactly how I feel about LEO. This story of young love - first love and second chances, is incredibly special because their forever love never really went away.

Favorite Moment:

"But it's the sky that leaves me breathless ...

the darkness that enveloped us only minutes ago is replaced with all the hues of reds, pinks, and purples stretching beyond what the eye can see.

It's endless.

Infinite.

"It's as if the world's being split in two," I breathe out.

"I know." He pauses a beat. Then: "It reminds me of you."

Mia and Leo's love story is tender and delicate. It's about both of them finding their voice and really use it to protect themselves and the ones who they love.

One thing that I realize is that I need to read Lucy's story sooner rather than later. As Leo's older sister, she provides a voice of guidance and she adds humor when moments get intense.

LEO deserves all the stars and all of the love.

BIG BAD COWBOY by Carly Bloom

Publication Date: October 30, 2018

Pages: 368

Source: Netgalley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐. 5

Synopsis (link to Goodreads)

My Thoughts

BIG BAD COWBOY was a book that I read along with my book club. We love to mix up our selections and include books on the sexy side and this one definitely delivered. I loved the play on the story of The Big Bad Wolf and how the main characters "meet" at a costume party and how this allows for a secret identity element. This enemies to lovers romance is a fun read - I loved the back and forth, the hate to love between Maggie and Travis. And I loved how much my friends and I laughed as we talked about the book. BIG BAD COWBOY is a great book to escape into.

New Covers for these 5 STAR Reads by Jay McLean

💜 ℕ𝔼𝕎 ℂ𝕆𝕍𝔼ℝ𝕊 & 𝔽ℝ𝔼𝔼𝔹𝕀𝔼 𝔸𝕃𝔼ℝ𝕋 💜

𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙈𝘼𝙕𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝙐𝙀𝙏 𝙗𝙮 𝙅𝙖𝙮 𝙈𝙘𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙣! 𝙄𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙃𝙊𝙋𝙀 𝙞𝙨 #𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚!

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/HD_GR

I freaking love these books. Connor and Ava are adorable.

With the Heartache Duet, Jay McLean balances the heavy with the hopeful and the loss with the love and gives us characters who find their happily ever after. 

A new favorite.

My 5 Star Reviews

Heartache and Hope

First and Forever

𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚 (𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 1) 

FREE for a Limited Time

Kindle Unlimited >> https://amzn.to/2Gbq9KQ

Paperback >. https://amzn.to/306UqBU

BLURB

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.

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 (𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 2)

Kindle Unlimited >> https://amzn.to/2RSGmr6

Print >> https://amzn.to/3cuGHtA

BLURB

There are no more goodnight kisses. 

No knocks on windows.

No lengthy text messages.

No late-night phone calls. 

And no game day balloons. There’s just Connor.

And Ava.

Existing in a world filled with nothing but heartache.

While searching the darkness for glimmers of hope.

Because with hope, comes magic.

And magic is forever.

**𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙪𝙚𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙥𝙚.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate Heartache Duet's new covers, Jay McLean is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Stop by her Facebook page to enter!

https://www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor

Writer. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm.Jay McLean is a 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 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.

Credit:

Cover Designer: Books And Moods Services for Indie Authors

https://www.facebook.com/booksnmoods

Instagram: @booksnmoods

Another Preston Brothers Book is Here! LEO by Jay McLean

 

𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬. 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗗𝗢. 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗗.

LEO by Jay McLean is live!! Don’t miss the third book in the New Adult/Coming of Age Series, The Preston Brothers!!

BLURB

One single summer changed them forever, and one moment of devastating silence destroyed it all. 

 

Growing up with six siblings, Leo Preston has always struggled to find his voice.

While his brothers are loud, greedy, and somewhat obnoxious, Leo is forever the quiet one.

The thinker. 

The listener. 

He watches his life pass by as an outsider in his own world, absent and alone. 

Lost.

Until he finds her. 

 

For Leo, Mia Kovács is like a prize, a gift wrapped in passion and devotion.

And she’s his—his very own secret he doesn’t have to share. 

Together, they can overcome anything…

heartache and destruction, guilt and regret. 

 

Mia gives Leo everything he didn’t know he needed, including her fragile heart. The only thing she doesn’t give him... 

are secrets of her own. 

GIVEAWAY $50 Gift Card

click here >> https://bit.ly/3kvXq36

PURCHASE LINKS

Available on Kindle Unlimited⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Amazon US ➜ https://amzn.to/3fs4hXZ

Amazon Global ➜ mybook.to/LeoPB

Add to Goodreads ➜ https://bit.ly/3fs3CFZ

Available now on Kindle Unlimited.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

One-click Lucas (Book 1): mybook.to/lucas

One-click Logan (Book 2): mybook.to/logan

Writer. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm.

Jay McLean is a 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 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.

 

FB:/jaymcleanauthor Insta + Tw:@jaymcleanauthor E: jay@jaymcleanauthor www.jaymcleanauthor.com

Cover Reveal: LEO by Jay McLean

COVER REVEAL

                      BRAVERY. BRAVADO. BROTHERHOOD.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Coming AUGUST 11 from Jay McLean is LEO, the third book in the New Adult/Coming of Age Series, The Preston Brothers.⠀⠀⠀⠀

LEO is a story for the forgotten ones. The ignored. The lost. The ones trying to find who they are without the people around them. Spanning a decade, this is a tale of friendship, first loves, heartbreaks, destruction... and everything in between.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Available on Kindle Unlimited
Pre-Order Leo:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Amazon US >> https://amzn.to/3fs4hXZ
Amazon Global >> mybook.to/LeoPB

Add to Goodreads:

https://bit.ly/3fs3CFZ

Available now on Kindle Unlimited.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
One-click Lucas (Book 1): mybook.to/lucas
One-click Logan (Book 2): mybook.to/logan

BLURB:

One single summer changed them forever, and one moment of devastating silence destroyed it all. 

Growing up with six siblings, Leo Preston has always struggled to find his voice.

While his brothers are loud, greedy, and somewhat obnoxious, Leo is forever the quiet one.

The thinker. 

The listener. 

He watches his life pass by as an outsider in his own world, absent and alone. 

Lost.

Until he finds her. 

For Leo, Mia Kovács is like a prize, a gift wrapped in passion and devotion.

And she’s his—his very own secret he doesn’t have to share. 

Together, they can overcome anything…

heartache and destruction, guilt and regret. 

Mia gives Leo everything he didn’t know he needed, 

including her fragile heart. 

The only thing she doesn’t give him... 

are secrets of her own. 

ENTER THE $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY HERE

https://www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor

Writer. Reader. Mom. Wife. Master of awkward Sarcasm. 

Jay McLean is a 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 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.

Release Day Review: FIRST AND FOREVER by Jay McLean

FIRST AND FOREVER

by Jay McLean

Publication Date: July 12, 2019

Pages: 390

Source: Author | Purchased

Add to Goodreads

About the book:

First and Forever is the second book in the Heartache Duet, and must be read after 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.

My Thoughts

FIRST AND FOREVER, the second part of the Heartache Duet, is just as wonderful and moving as HEARTACHE AND HOPE.  The love between Connor and Ava is still there, and it is so intense and overwhelming and it's exciting to get to experience it all with them. What I love most is the friendship and the care that they have for one another that brought them together in the first place is what brings them together again (not a spoiler, I mean Forever is in the title).

There are more moments of laughter and lightness and just Connor and Ava just being teenagers - when they aren't feeling the pressures life has placed on them. I enjoy the many ways this book brought a smile to my face and made me laugh out loud. And Connor for sure tells one of the funniest jokes that I've ever read. It was easy to vision how this scene all went down and I crack up just thinking about.

Ways this book made me happy:

• The public declaration of Connor 4 Ava
• Ava's signature way of cheering on Connor
• They have this tender habit of kissing the inside of their love's wrist 
• Reconnected friendships 
• The acknowledgment that communication is necessary 

FIRST AND FOREVER has one of those memorable scenes that when you think about this book, you'll return to this scene and pick up the book, flip to that page and then find yourself rereading the book all over again. 

With the Heartache Duet, Jay McLean balances the heavy with the hopeful and the loss with the love and gives us characters who find their happily ever after. A new favorite.

New Release Review: HEARTACHE AND HOPE by Jay McLean

Heartache and Hope, the first book in Jay McLean’s Heartache Duet is available now!

HEARTACHE AND HOPE

by Jay McLean

Publication Date: June 28, 2019

Pages: 324

Source: Author | Purchased

Add to Goodreads

About the book:

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.

My Thoughts

In her new novel HEARTACHE AND HOPE, Jay McLean makes it incredibly easy to get caught up in Connor and Ava's love story. They are complicated characters, each with their own history and struggles, who you only want good things to happen for them. They had my heart right away.

Just as the title suggests, there's a lot of heartache that both Ava and Connor experience in their daily lives. It's so ingrained in them that they can't ever really escape from it. We see glimpses of a reprieve, but it's always there looming. And they both feel the demands of their responsibilities which keeps them from sharing their love for each other completely.

The characters in HEARTACHE AND HOPE really make this book an unputdownable read. I freaking love Ava! She has this unimaginable strength after everything that she's been through. There's a vulnerability to her too. And the moments when she starting to open up to Connor - you get her lightness and you feel happy that she gets to be happy. The supporting characters: Rhys, Trevor, Corey, and Karen are interesting and complicated that I want to know their stories too. I just love the moments with Rhys and Connor and their smack talk, but their real talk too.

One of my favorite lines:

"It would be nice if I could help turn someone’s bad day into just a bad moment." - Ava

And this touched my heart:
“If you need proof that magic exists, I’m right here.” - Connor

And this moment CRACKED me up:
“Trevor!” I screech. “Shut. Up!” Trevor laughs, his head thrown back as he opens the door of his truck. “Go easy on her,” he tells Connor. “She’s on her period. Apparently, it’s a heavy flow."

I die. Right there. On my driveway. Dead.

I died right along with Ava, LOL!

Since H&H is just the first part of a duet, I knew that I'd finish with many unanswered questions and the desire to know more. I don't mind stories that are unresolved or end with a cliff-hanger. I actually enjoy having the chance to speculate about what could be and imagine what's happening with the characters. Having said that, I'm extremely happy to know that we'll get more of Connor and Ava in part two of the duet, FIRST AND FOREVER. And soon too!

I loved this book for the characters, for their struggles, for their realities, and for all their hope. I definitely recommended HEARTACHE AND HOPE if you like contemporary romances and sports romances. An incredible read.

Download your copy today or Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2NhQ5Yr

$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
http://bit.ly/2Ypj25K

Read an Excerpt:

They look like fireflies. The way the water falls from the sky, illuminated only by the streetlamps. I stand in the middle of the road, barefoot and barely breathing, my arms out, face to the sky. 

I don’t know how I got here. 

When I climbed out of my window, the sun was just setting and now… now I’m surrounded by dark skies and false hope. 

[…]

I know I should go home. 

That I should face my fears and tackle them head-on. 

My mind travels the right roads at the right time to get me there, but my heart…

My heart takes me to Connor. 

Outside his bedroom window, mud seeps between my toes, and the frigid air creates goosebumps along my skin. I raise my fist and tap, tap, tap on the glass. 

A moment later, a light turns on. And then nothing. I tap again, my heart racing. The blind lifts and Connor appears, his eyes squinting. It’s clear he’d been asleep, or close to it. Hair a mess, he’s shirtless, the obvious beginnings of bruises mar parts of his torso, and I look down, shame filling every part of me. I bite down on my lip as he slides the window up. “Jesus Christ, Ava. What the hell are you doing?”

His warm palms meet my soaking wet elbows, and then his entire body is cocooning mine, lifting me off my feet and into his bedroom. My feet land on his soft carpet, and I look down at the mess I’ve made. “I’m dirty,” I tell him. 

Inside and out. 

Dirty, dazed and damaged. 

About 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.

For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film or television, please contact her agent Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group.

Connect with Jay:
Newsletter:  www.jaymcleanauthor.com

Email: Jay@jaymcleanauthor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaymcleanauthor

Facebook Reader Group: www.facebook.com/groups/moreserieslovers/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jaymcleanauthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaymcleanauthor