Some villains are made. Some villains are born. And some villains aren’t villains at all.
Nate DeLuca was born into a life he didn’t want.Forced to walk a path that was already chosen for him. Grandson to a mob boss, he’s forever torn between his duty, his honor, his legacy, and the truth. But the truth is never simple, and it’s not at all what it seems.
In a world full of secrets, heartache, …
In a world full of secrets, heartache, and betrayals, Nate only has one thing on his mind: redemption.
But with redemption comes destruction.
And that destruction might cost him his heart.
***
Three Lives.
Two Loves.
One ticking time bomb…
Tick tock.
more
As I sit here, dumbfounded at the end of a long, painful, mysterious, and profound trilogy, all I can utter is “WOAH” like an idiot. I didn’t know what to expect going into Destructive as the first two books were so different, to begin with, and only giving a few clever clues here and there.
The plot was already twisted, and McLean turned it up to 11 in this final book. I felt like each page I read unfolded a new layer or turn in the plot, and with each of those, I grew more impressed. This isn’t a simple “who done it,” and it isn’t just a love triangle romance. This book, well trilogy, is a work of art honestly. The intricacies, the devastation, and the awe-inspiring message of: “every day, we rise” will forever be on display in my mind. The quote a reminder of how to live.
What a fantastic run. No other mystery will compare.
Solved Mysteries, Broken Hearts & a Gut-wrenching Love
*arc generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
“In a land of gods and monsters, I was an angel
Living in the garden of evil
Screwed up, scared, doing anything that I needed […]
You got that medicine I need
Dope, shoot it up straight to the heart please
I don’t really wanna know what’s good for me
God’s dead, I said ‘baby that’s alright with me’
” Gods & Monsters – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
This is the culmination of Combative and Redemptive. How can I describe what it’s about without giving away too many spoilers? I AM STRUGGLING HERE. Nate DeLuca returns as the protagonist. He’s been fulfilling his duties like a good soldier, even though I’m not sure you could call him a soldier in this scenario, and now the time has come for him to make a choice.
Last night, when I finished Destructive, my heart was BROKEN. As usual, all the feels were served in a hot dish of mystery, drama and love. I’m struggling to find the words to describe how I feel. In each book so far, there was something completely different being presented. Book 3 follows the recipe. Foolishly, I went in and I thought to myself OKAY, I KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON… I had no idea. The author took the story to places that were unimaginable to me. The connection to the first book ENDED ME. I sat there and I was just mind-blown. Especially the bridge from book 1 to book 3 had me at the edge of my seat. Everything made sense. Everything clicked. Seeing all of what was happening from Nate’s perspective and how he reacted to everything made me appreciate him a little bit more. Bailey & Nate’s love story is just heart-breaking; I honestly don’t know how else to describe it. I’m still processing. I was fortunate enough to read all three of the books back to back; I can’t imagine how the OG fans felt. I will be re-reading this series sometime soon, just to pay more attention to the details that I might have missed during the first read (which, with me, tends to be a little SENSATIONAL). This emotional trilogy ends in a stunning way, resolving all of the mysteries and slicing your heart into tiny little pieces with everything that the characters endure.
I always feel extremely cliche saying that Jay McLean has done it again, but seriously you guys, JAY MCLEAN HAS DONE IT AGAIN. Most of us have been waiting an admittedly long time for this book. We were so invested in this series that we have been pestering this woman non-stop demanding some answers. Well, I will say that the wait was worth it. Waiting for her characters to speak to her was WELL FREAKING WORTH IT.
I promised that I wouldn’t spoil anything, so I can’t go into too much detail, but I can say that this book is going to wreck you before it mends you. You’re going to feel the full spectrum of emotions with this one. You will be angry, but honestly the emotional pain is worth it, because this story is just so dang good.
Destructive is part three in the Combative series. If you plan to read this book you MUST read Combative and Redemptive prior to starting it. Also, grab some tissues, a fan, some snacks, and a friend for emotional support, because you’re going to need it.
*I was generously provided an ARC for my honest review*
And now, my heart has stopped beating. As usual, I am left utterly and completely SPEECHLESS by my favorite author. You know when you wait forever for a book to come out & hype it up so much in your mind that you just know it couldn’t POSSIBLY live up to your expectations? Sure that happens for some books, but not this one. NEVER THIS ONE! I mean, are you kidding? Are you JOKING? Did I read what I just read????
Y’all remember my Redemptive review? Take that, multiply it by infinity & it still won’t be accurate for how much I frickin LIVE for this book. I was legitimately hooked from the dedication. I’m not ashamed to say I cried from it. And I would be an absolute LIAR if I tried to tell you my tears stopped there. It’s unbelievable how much I cried. I have video proof of me having numerous breakdowns. Honestly, the pure, raw emotion in this book is just incredible. It feels like these books were written consecutive order. Like no time off, keep the story growing and building. THAT is how well the story flowed. It was so GORGEOUS to see the story progress through the three books and then connect back to one another. Not to mention the twists and turns. I cannot TELL you how many times I sat with my mouth wide open, screaming, crying, BEGGING, for explanations and answers (I got em DON’T WORRY! Well, maybe a little. My mental state is a little iffy at the moment ) That being said: this book keeps you guessing, questioning everything you think you know. It’s unbelievable how perfect everything is though. The story is just absolutely INCREDIBLE okay???!
Don’t even get me started on Nathaniel DeLuca, okay???! The way he loves Bailey is really the best thing ever. His heart and soul are just so pure. He feels so much and has the world on his shoulders I just want to take care of him forever ever. He is perfect personified. He is everything to me and he is now the proud owner of my heart. No you may NOT have him. My beautiful broken boy
Bailey. Man, this girl has gone THROUGH IT! She is such a strong, brave, admirable character. I felt for & with her I’m so many parts. I can’t even explain our connection. It’s like I felt like she was my best friend because I wanted everything good for her but at the same time, I saw myself within her. She is just truly incredible and I hope I can be even half the woman she is.
EVERY OTHER SIDE CHARACTER IS LITERALLY AMAZING OKAY I LOVE EM WITH MY HEART SO, SO MUCH (except the bad guys because, ew, frick youuuu dudes. You SUCK!)
#TeamTiny the ONLY one who understands the importance of tacos. I love you big man, you’re a big teddy bear who deserves the world he wants
To Jay,
Thank you. Truly. For again delivering. And every single other time. You give so much of your time, effort, heart, and soul into your stories and it shows. Especially here. We’ve waited years and mostly impatiently but you never disappoint. You kept this story with you until the right time. And it’s finally here! You should be as proud as possible of this and everything you’ve accomplished because every single bit of success is deserved immensely. I don’t know why I’m even surprised I get so connected to your books, characters, their stories. You just GET IT! I don’t know what it is, but if I ever figure that out, I’ll be sure to let you know
So anyway, thank you, I love you forever!!! Congratulations beautiful
Going into destructive I didn’t know what to expect. I shouldn’t have worried as Jay wove her magic for the finish of this epic trilogy. If you haven’t read this series yet. Do yourself a favor and do it. Bravo McLean
Holy amazing. That’s all I can say about this book. From the second I started reading, I knew I was going to love it. All of our favorite characters are back. When I started this trilogy, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. But, oh man. I am SO glad I finished it. It more than worth the wait. Destructive is everything.
Three hours.
Three hours I was reading „Destructive”.
And this book destroyed me too. Like the title says.
As I wrote in review of „Redemptive” I was a lucky person, because I have the third instalment of this series on my Kindle. When I ended „Redemptive” I just openend next book and read.
And now I understood everything.
In the third book of „Combative” series Jay McLean gives us answers on each one of our question.
We met Nathaniel and Bailey again, but also we’re coming back to Kyler story.
I love Nate more than in the second book. What he do this time is so refreshing! He makes sacrifice to safe the womens of his life. Why womens? You will see, when You will read this.
Bailey in this story grown up. She is different woman than in „Redemptive”. I like her, but I dislike her behavior to Kyler. Kyler Parker is a guy who is least innocend and most aggrieved in this book. I think that Jay McLean treated him a little sideways.
I really like how these three books are connected. The events interwave and Jay McLean done this in the perfect way! As I wrote in the beginning of this review all questions have answers and „Destructive”, which is the final book in series is fantastic. This is the way, how authors need to end their series!
I have been waiting for this book for so long and it was definitely worth the wait. Nate and Bailey’s story left off in the second book and had me NEEDING to know how it all ended. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this trilogy.
Nate and Bailey fell in love, but couldn’t fully live a free and fulfilling life in Nate’s basement….so he let her go. Their meeting later in life wasn’t an easy meeting and not one full of hearts and flowers either. It was more like a shock! But there’s a funny thing about true love, you cannot just shut it off or deny it even when you try your darnedest.
Jay did an amazing job paving the way for these characters to be exactly where they needed to be in the end. I wish that I could say more, but I’m too excited right now not to spill a bunch of spoilers. Just go read this trilogy, it’s one of the best ones I’ve read in awhile.
They say good things come who those wait…. Well we waited and OHMYGOSH IT’S SO GOOD!
This is the book all you Jay fans have been waiting for, the final book of the Combative Trilogy.
I can honestly say I was scared I was going to be completely lost going into this book. I did review/skim the last two and it refreshed my memory. I wanted to reread them completely, but didn’t have time. I’m kind of glad I didn’t because it was like getting to know the characters again.
NATE (bleeepin’) DELUCA guys. AND TINY. AND BAILEY AND AND AND. I could go on and on with these characters. They were really all written with great love.
This book is a tangled web of crazy twists and turns. Your gut will be churning, you heart will be aching and you’ll be craving MORE MORE MORE.
TICK TOCK.
I devoured this story. It’s everything.
How does Jay do this? How does her brain work like this? Well it needed a break and we are okay with that because we got this masterpiece. She could have rushed and put it out sooner, but she made it perfect for us and for these characters. She gave them the perfect ending they ALL deserve.
I honestly can’t review this story without giving a ton away, but I will say, some things are not as they seem. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy to protect the ones you love.
I love it when a story hits you so hard you have to reread pages again and again. Not because you didn’t understand it, but because you understood it all too well and it hits you right in the best feels!
“I walk away, fighting against my craving to be near her. Because my mind knows it as much as my heart does… that I’d rather die a thousand deaths beside her than live a single day without her.”
“There’s no time limit when it comes to grief. No clock.”
“Lies may have led me to you, but what you saw in me- that was the truth.”
I am so sad this story is over. BUT the ending was epic perfection.
Bravo Jay. I’d wait another 4 years for this.
Every day we rise
Woah woah woah!
5 + stars!!!
I’m speechless. This book had me in literal heavy tears after throwing me into a pit of emotion churning it round and spitting me out again.
There is not a lot I can say without giving anything away.
This book is the epic 3rd installment to the combative series . And boy was it incredibly hard and beautiful to read.
Book one we meet Madison (bailey) and kyler and although it was a story of heartbreak and healing it left us with a lot of questions . We do also meet Nate but he is also a bit of a mystery .
Book two we go back in time and learn who bailey/Madison is and learn a lot more about Nate.
Reading these two books first is a must to understand this third book.
This third book brings everything together and all of the characters face some major choices, go through incredible growth and healing but also take huge blows and suffer a lot of heart ache .
I hope you can forgive me for being so vague. Unless you want spoilers you really do HAVE to read this for yourself! If your thinking about it DO IT you won’t regret it!!!
If there was a Golden buzzer, 10 star, automatically win the contest button, Destructive would have gotten it. Book of the mother frickin decade! Seriously. When Jay said it’s not what you think it is…is totally not what you think. ITS SO MUCH BETTER ! The wait was totally worth it. I honestly do not know how anyone can come close to this book. Jay out did herself. Destructive is just that, completely destructive to your heart. You will read this book on the edge of your seat. You will either want to consume it all at once but at the same time you will need emotional breaks to get through it. God I don’t think there has ever been a character like Nate DeLuca. This book has been the most anticipated book for years so I won’t say anything more about it so that I am not ruining it. But You Have To read this book!!!
***6 “To love freely!!!” stars***
…EVERY DAY WE RISE…
This story destroyed me for good!!!!
My heart was shattering in million pieces through out the entire book, but thank God that Jay pieced me back together and she left a huge smile on my face!!!
Honestly, guys!!! This story will be one that I’m gonna savor for the rest of my life!!!
Yes, i cried a lot in here and i cried very ugly, but it was worth it!!!!
Every second worth it!!!!
“I’d never had to wonder what it felt like to have a broken heart.
I was born with one.
Live with one.”
After the second book, i have to confess that i was torn really bad…
Nate, Bailey… Madison, Kyler didn’t deserve any of what they went through…
And the possibilities of how this story could ended were endless… And of course, i had a preference and even though, the feeling was strong, i was feeling bad for the other part…
But Jay took a big turn of events in the third book and i couldn’t believe what was happening after all!!!
“We’re all pawns… Every single one of us.”
“Maybe it started with Bailey. Maybe Bailey’s the beginning and Bailey’s the end.”
“I needed to keep my distance.
It was best for everyone.
Or maybe not everyone.
Just her.”
I don’t know how much i can say for the story without betraying serious informations, so i’ll prefer not to say much!!!
Nate, Bailey and Kyler’s lives are interwined together in a cruel game, and how are they going to survive when their hearts are bleeding for many reasons???
How they will find their way out of darkness???
Who will win and who will lose??? And what will be the ultimate sacrifice???
“I walk away, fighting against my craving to be near her. Because my mind knows it as much as my heart does…that I’d rather die a thousand deaths beside her than live a single day without.”
“I feel like I need to find a way to forgive him.
Because I feel like he won’t be around long enough to forgive himself.”
Even though i loved many characters in here, my most favorite of them all is Nate…
Nate is a misunderstood man… A good man who fate made him bad… He is a man that is commited deeply to the ones that he loves and his pain through this book felt like my own…
I just love him. Period. With all the good and the bad….
“Twenty-seven years of life and the only living I ever really did was with her.
“I knew it then -in those minuscule moments we shared- my heart, my soul, my everything belonged to her.
Per sempre. Forever.”
Bailey’s fate was the worst of them all…
She got through so many shitty things in her life… He was a captive over and over again…
But once upon a time, she fell in love with a boy, but that love was hidden under the sun and she just wants to forget all the ugliness in her life and to live and love freely…
She deserves it after all…
“It wasn’t supposed to hurt like this… I want to hate you so much… But you’re so deep in my fucking head, and I can’t shake it. I can’t shake you.”
“You want to love freely… And you deserve that, Bailey. You deserve it all.”
Kyler was a good, but very angry man… He had also his reasons…
And he needed a distraction of his lonely life and a girl made him want to live again… fully!!!
He was an innocent, but he had to play his part too… But with what cost???
“Parker and I, we’re more alike than I want to admit.”
“I don’t want to be here.
I don’t want to be sitting opposite a man who continually cracks my heart open… while sitting next to a man who could potentially heal it.”
I really loved how the author played out this story, even though it was soooo complicated…
But i think that was its charm!!!!
I loved the characters unconditionaly and i hurt for them…
I loved how she finally turned out the story so right… It was needed for the things to become like that!!!
After the destruction to come redemption!!!!
“We can go anywhere… Anywhere in the world, Nate. Where do you want to go?”
“You.”
“But… I’m not a place.”
“You are to me.”
“Ti amo, mio bellissimo ragazzo spezzato.” I love you, my beautiful broken boy.
Oh!!! Before i close my review, i would love to reffer some other character that i loved fiercely!!!
God, Tiny!!! You were sent from heaven!!!
You were the most loyal friend that ever existed and i loved how fiercely protective you were for Nate and his significants….
You were a good friend, a brother and your connection with Nathaniel was sooo beautiful and unique!!!!
“You ever wonder what your life would be if you hadn’t met me?”
“Nah… I wouldn’t have lived a life worthy of anything if you didn’t come along.”
******************************************
“You know what the most beautiful thing is?…
It’s that regardless of how destroyed we all are, how damaged our actions have left us… our world fell apart right in front of our eyes, crumbled to ashes, and yet we stand. As survivors, we stand hand in hand, and we rise. We rise from the ashes because we have a purpose. And that purpose might be something so simple as making someone smile or showing someone color or hugging someone because you know they need it. Or that purpose could be bigger than ourselves, bigger than we ever expected.”
******************************************
***ARC was provided for the exchange of an honest review. Thank you.***
“This is loving freely.”
I can’t tell if I’m mad at Jay McLean or myself. I picked the losing horse in this race and yet I still had the biggest mother loving smile on my face!
As a wise priest once said…actually, if I quoted him there would be more asterisks than actual letters. Can I say that my favorite secondary character in this book was and is the coolest priest ever!?! Well, he is.
Destructive is the end of their story. It’s a head shaking tale. Its filled with reveals, twisted histories, and a whole lot of trouble. What you may not realize is it is also filled with hope. Hidden in the cracks, heartache, and tears is a ray of hope. One single solitary ray that would barely illuminate a toy flashlight and yet…its power causes blinding smiles. Like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes, Destructive will give you more than it takes. You just have to fight your way through the heartache. One day at a time!
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Forget every single thing you thought you knew going into this book. This story, this conclusion to the trilogy, it blows everything to smithereens. It annihilates your heart, feelings and common sense. It calls into question your sanity as a reader, because we chose to love these beautifully broken characters who were so sure to destroy us from the very beginning.
I went into this book truly believing there was no good way to end things, it’s not that I don’t have complete faith in Jay McLean and her writing talent. I’d blindly follow her off insane cliffs. It’s just that there were two completely separate and unique love stories to tie up and they both revolved around the same girl. It would be impossible to please everyone, not when intense soul-shattering love was on the line. So yes, I was nervous. I shouldn’t have been.
This story is different, it had to be. The author is merging multiple timelines, stories, and personalities into one book. One epic conclusion. We watch it all unravel, the love and destruction and passion and heat. It comes to a head and nothing is even close to what you think it could be. It’s dark, gritty and fascinating. There’s a thousand wheels turning at once, so many sub-plots and mysteries to keep you guessing and in the end… things ended perfectly. This trilogy ended with closure and complete confidence and this reader was nothing but tear streaked smiles as I wrapped up one of my favorite series to date.
Finish this series. You owe it to Madison and Ky, to their ability to love openly. You owe it to Bailey and Nate, to their all-consuming love that changed everything. You owe it to yourself, for falling for two anti-hero’s who both adore and would die for the same heartbroken heroine. This series isn’t just different, unique, and all-encompassing… it’s everything.
Ho-lee crap! First of all, if you are new to Jay after reading this series, welcome to vortex that is J-Mac. She sucks you in, in the best possible way, with her writing and way with words. Destructive and the previous books of this trilogy aren’t any different.
The Combative Trilogy is a little different from Jay’s other books but is so worth the read. Combative was the first book by Jay that I read that made me an instant fan. I waited (mostly) patiently for almost four years for Destructive to release and I can honestly say that it was well worth the wait.
Destructive blew so many of my questions and theories out of the water as I turned each page. New questions hit one after another and I found myself giving up trying to figure it all out as this third book beautifully wove, not only the three main characters, but the three books together. This was a masterpiece of epic proportions and a fantastic way to tie it all up in a neat little bow in the end.
My only negative was that I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more! So much more from this story and these characters because I love them so, so much! But, even with that, I found closure as this ended.
Thank you Jay, once again, for pure perfection. Thank you for giving us all the best ending we could have never dreamed of. LOVED IT!!
Destructive is Jay McLean at her most brilliant. This book is layers upon layers of suspense and intrigue, being lost and being found, digging deep for innermost strength and giving everything for the one you love. This book has it ALL, and McLean executes it with pure perfection. Her strongest book to date!
Tick Tock……… Time’s Up!!
Without a doubt the best Trilogy i have read this year !!!!!
Bailie, Nate, Tiny, Ty, Jackson are characters that have both seen and survived the worst of life, and also experienced the best in life, but what happens now when the stakes are so high and almost impossible to beat the odds and win.
I’ll tell you what happens, Jay McLean happens and takes your heart, soul and mind on a roller coaster of epic proportions. Heart stopping, soul crushing, Unconditional Love at its best, grief and sadness and more and more surprises!! Bailie made up tenfold for the doubts i had of her, Ty left me in awe of the man he became or should i say the man he already was found himself again!! And Nate, oh my giddy heart !!!!! He absolutely owns your heart, words don’t cover this book. You have to read it to feel it and OMG YOU SURE DO FEEL IT !!!!! Yet again Jay McLean takes no prisoners and no one is safe, from her Wrecking Balls blasting your heart !!! I WAS NOT PREPARED !!! But i live to survive another day because that ending couldn’t have been more perfect !!!!!!
I’m not quite sure how to write this review without giving anything away. Jay McLean stole my heart so long ago and she’s held a part of it since then. With every word and every book, I’m more than in love with every word she writes.
I never know where the road will take me and even though her words should be more than enough, I’m always left wanting more—the heartache and hope she delivers kicks you in the gut, yet you’re always reminded of that first and forever love. So you push through, then you coast and you fall. Hard.
The Combative trilogy had me glued to my kindle. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t function—I’ve been living in a world with these characters for days and my heart is bursting.
These books were a bit different then what I’m used to from Jay. A bit more darkness, more intrigue, more suspense. Twists and turns you didn’t see coming and a whole lot of heart palpitations (get that paper bag ready)—but there is a message with every book she writes.
Love. Hope. Healing. It fills you till you’re heart is ready to burst and aches from the pain the characters endure.
The writing is flawless—the characters, the angst, the intricacy of the trilogy and how it flows. Just pure brilliance.
This is by far one of the best trilogies I’ve ever read and Jay McLean has proved to me—again—why she’s on my list of top authors of all time. Phenomenal from start to finish.
Eleventy-three million stars
TICK…TOCK…It’s GO time
Some romances are imminent, you open the book and you know how it will play out, this is not that love story. These souls are battered, they have seen the worst of people and done the worst of things, but they rise. They fall. They love. Hard. I can’t properly articulate my absolute adoration for this one. Destructive is a hardened glance at not giving up, of not surrendering to the bad, and to always deserving the more. Although not an easy story to read at times it shook me to my core, it was more than worth it. SO WORTH IT.
This is a romance that is worked for, not handed to you lightly. The players are damaged, their hearts demolished but at the end of the day they love, fight, and win. Family. Love. Loyalty, Protection. All layers of armor in the world Nate has created. All that matters at the end is her. And he will do whatever it takes for her to live a full life outside the walls he once held her in. Whatever the cost. The heart stops, the stomach drops, and life moves on. Beautifully. One of my very favorite stories from Jay. The writing you have come to love with a darkened twist that she easily navigated. Playing my heart like an instrument, leaving me breathless, destroyed, and yet satisfied. How? The magic of Jay McLean. And so worth the wait….
Destructive, the 3rd book and final in the Combative series was so much more than I expected, it was the perfect conclusion to this trilogy. This story brought the first two books together and ties it all up perfectly. The revelation, the heartbreak, the love, the friendship, the twists and turns all had me glued to the pages unable to put it down.
This was an epic love story but it was not an easy one. The author wrote these characters in a way that made them likable especially with all they had to face. They were well-developed and you will be consumed with them.
The story itself will take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, it will leave you speechless and break your heart and you will feel it all, but trust the author to make it all as it should be.
This nail biting page-turner was a phenomenal story and without a doubt one of my top reads for 2019. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of NA romance.