BOOK REVIEW: MORE THAN THIS BY JAY MCLEAN

Title: More than This

Author: Jay McLean

Genre: Romance, Young Adult

Published on: July 21, 2014 by Skyscape

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

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

Revised edition: This edition of More than This includes editorial revisions.

I’m a big fan of romance novels (young adult or New Adult) where the main couple are totally devoted to each other. That’s the case in More Than This. It’s the first novel in a romance series by Jay McLean. The protagonist is Mikayla “Micky” Jones, a high school senior. We meet her on the day of her prom. Micky is supposed to attend the event with her boyfriend, James, and her best friend, Megan. Before the three can enjoy their prom, though, something happens that destroys that plan…as well as something else. I’ll just say it’s a gross betrayal.

This is where the second main character is introduced. He’s Jake, another high school senior. He doesn’t go to the same school as Micky and her group, though. Jake’s there just when Micky needs someone to save her prom night. The two take off to meet his friends, whom I found really great. They’re the kind of friends anyone would love to have. Micky enjoys her time with them. But the night can still get worse. When Jake takes Micky home, a horrible tragedy awaits them. This part of More Than This is utterly sad. Micky has lost pretty much everything. Fortunately, Jake doesn’t think twice about taking care of her. Even though they just met, Jake is adamant about being there for Micky. She’s so lucky to have found him.

From that point on, Micky stays with Jake and his family. Her former house is unlivable, so there was nowhere else for her to go. The trauma Micky went through takes a hefty toll, though. She lost literally everyone. The only person Micky has left who can be considered family is Lisa. She was her mother’s best friend, so Micky thinks of her as an aunt. Lisa’s age isn’t specified, but Jake mentions she looks about the same age as his mother. That would place her around her forties or so. Lisa is someone who cares deeply about her loved ones, so she’s there for Micky almost as soon as she learns what happened. Lisa makes legal arrangements and everything. Micky had been eighteen for several months at the time tragedy struck, so at least she didn’t have to deal with being placed with a foster family or anything of the sort.

While Jake is a good person (perhaps too good to be true), he may be a controversial character. A few reviews that I read make it seem like Jake’s story requires too much suspense of disbelief. Here’s this eighteen-year-old guy who, by sheer chance, meets a girl his age on the worst night of her life. Mickie hit it off with Jake and his friends right away, but still. That Jake took Mickie to his place after what happened to her family, without a second thought, is remarkable. I’m not questioning Jake’s moral values, just that he had the presence of mind. Not many guys would have done what Jake did, especially in such a stressful situation. At most, they might have dropped Micky at the hospital, or the police station, or something.

Micky was a likable character. She’s also a strong girl, given the trauma she went through. Micky spent a while feeling grief and despair, which was realistic. Eventually, she’s able to function normally again…or as normally as she can. Jake’s presence seems to help. Part of his motivation to be in Micky’s corner is that he’s attracted to her. It’s not pervy or indecent, otherwise I would have DNF’d this book. Jake’s able to put Micky before himself, waiting until she’s okay again before making any moves. His younger sister also helps Micky cope with her loss. Jake’s friends, as I mentioned, are also amazing. My favorite is Lucy, who’s as much of a bookworm as I am. Micky happens to enjoy reading, too, and it leads them to become such good friends.

I haven't liked a romance novel so much since The Edge of Never. More than This was just as enjoyable and entertaining. The characters are lively and magnetic as well. Micky's endearing, and you grow to care for her quickly as the story progresses. Jake's a great guy too. It's kind of a blessing that Micky had him in her corner just when she needed him most. Their story may start with tragedy, but it grows into more. I wanted to see them prevail, which was one of my main motivations in reading this book. I'll say I definitely wasn't disappointed. I look forward to reading the next books in this series.

My rating: ★★★★

4 stars - Definitely enjoyed it!