First and Forever is the second book in the Heartache Duet, and must be read after Heartache and Hope.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 … glimmers of hope.
Because with hope, comes magic.
And magic is forever.
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REVIEW: 4 STARS
“He’s the peace to my chaos.”
Did I really think I would walk away from this second book unscathed? HAHA! Jokes on me, because I did NOT. There are books that I wait anxiously for….but also dread. This was one of them. Sounds like a terrible thing to say, but I wanted so desperately to get more of Connor and Ava’s story, but I knew that once I read it, it was going to be over and I was going to be super sad about that. Well, Jay McLean…..you done did it again. I haven’t read a book of yours that I haven’t loved and heartily recommended, and now I have a new addition to my Favorites List for 2019.
She nailed the teen angst and the stubborn anger.
She nailed the pressure and teenaged stress.
She nailed the love and the heartbreak.
Honestly, I just think she NAILED it.
“I want to get lost in your magic.”
Not sure I want to readily admit that Connor is book boyfriend material…..because “Bee as a #Cougar” comes to mind right now. HA! But he was being raised right and he had a heart of compassion and a head filled with determination. He was growing up into an amazing young man and he just made me smile. He did everything right and he was so worthy of all the frustration and the drama. I definitely would have been head over heels in love with him had I been in high school with him. He would have easily been the dream back then. That kind of love is perfect. Painful as it may have been, the magnetism he and Ava had was perfection. I honestly think I can sum it up to say that Jay McLean can write the most amazing young men. Seriously, I’m in love with Connor and who he is at the core.
The craziness of this reading journey was not lost on me. I knew I needed to be worried because I was like, yes!! We are cool. Life is good. They are in love. But then I looked down and it said I wasn’t even halfway through it, so I knew some stuff was coming my way. I told myself, “Self: brace yourself. Jay’s coming for your heart.”
And she did.
Without apologies.
There is something about the way she tells a story. She just wraps me up in a bear hug while she tells of a journey worth your time and patience. Trust. 5 letters. Powerful ones. After loving every story of hers I’ve read, I whole heartedly TRUST her to take me down a path….one with fears and pain, one with love and emotion, but one with truth and consequences. I loved this duet. I got all the emotions I wanted to get in a YA, angsty young love romance. She’s also only one of two that I wholeheartedly trust without question.
Connor was all boy.
Ava was all girl.
Connor was trying to always do the right thing with one goal in mind. His end goal.
Ava was stubborn beyond control, but had a heart of fear she lived with. Her reality.
Connor was everything I would have wanted in a boyfriend. He proved it daily with Ava.
Ava was scared of the pain that love would inevitably deliver. Connor wanted to prove she was safe with him.
I can compare and chat about this series all day long, and there will always be a special place in my heart for these two. Always.
I think the only things I ran into with this one were that it read a bit slower than the first one, so I was wondering what was going to happen, and the extra drama that just added salt to the already seeping wounds. It worked, and it was a trajectory for some of the results to play out as they did, but there was quite a bit in this book. I’m thankful it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment factor, and for someone who hates extra drama – it still worked, so I can’t truly complain. The issues that came up between Connor and Ava were true to life, real teenage issues….but also magnified by teenaged rationale, or lack thereof. Their love defied all logic and these are the kinds of love stories that I love to settle deep into. I’m completely drawn to them, but also to Jay McLean’s writing and her mind. I loved this duet so so much and will happily and heartily recommend it to any and every one that will listen.
“I don’t think we can choose the direction in which our heart beats.”
~BEE
Highly recommend conclusion to Duet
I give this book 5 stars. What a fantastic story!!! Jay McLean is one hell of a great writer!!
Connor and Ava along with Miss D will take your breath away and will grab at your heartstrings. I absolutely loved everything about this series, it was emotional, captivating, witty, even a little steam was thrown in for good measure, author also gave us a couple of surprise that I didn’t see coming. You go on a rollercoaster ride along with these beautiful imperfect characters, it will leave you drained, gutted, crying, but in the end it will be worthwhile. They all find their end game, it’s a happy ending for all!
I was so investment in this couple Ava and Connor, that the one thing I missed was an extended epilogue I needed that to completely wrap up their story with a HEA like a couple years down the line how they doing in their personal life? Trevor and Amy did they get married?
But that’s just me, this Duet is an amazing YA Romance emotional love story, full of all the feels you can imagine storyline! They are a must read highly recommend them!!!
While the very end of First and Forever gave me what I was looking for with this duet, getting there wasn’t in any way easy on my heart. Connor and Ava were destined to be together, no doubt about it, but they needed to get out of their own way first. Connor needed to stop trying to protect Ava by keeping things from her. And Ava needed to stop playing Connor for a fool. While the author did an incredible job of conveying the love between these two, I felt that Ava spent too much time leading Connor around. So while many elements of this story made it worthy of all the stars, I felt that the constant push and push and pull and repeat was a bit too much for me.
I loved Miss D and I loved what happened with Connor’s dad. I loved the friendships and family dynamics and the push for more. There was just so much to love about this story! Connor was an amazing hero, definite book boyfriend material, and Ava was no slouch in the heroine department. I wonder if Karen and Rhys well get their own books?? I highly recommend this to readers who are looking for a story full of feels.
“We fell in love at a lake surrounded by reckless ideals, and our lives at the time didn’t give us enough grace to allow us to live that love. She left, and I stayed, and every day that you and I have been best friends, I work toward getting her back. She was my first everything, and I want her— no, I need her— to be my last everything. I need her to be beside me when all of this is over and everything ends, because she is my end game, Austin. My forever.
Heartache and Hope ended on such a note that it left me anxious to get my hands on this book and lo and behold when it landed on my Kindle I threw everything aside and dedicated an entire day to my favourite pair.
I know I’ve already said this for Book 1 but even with First and Forever, it was more than I could have hoped for Ava and Connor. It was literal perfection. It was just as amazing as the first book if not better.
I love how McLean focused on Ava and Connor as individuals, their problems and took the time to highlight subtly why it was important for the two of them to break up, not just for them to grow as individuals but also fave their problems on their own rather than wishing them away and seek the help that they needed to heal themselves of their past ghosts.
It was truly heartbreaking reading and visualizing these two battelling with their demons and insecurities.
And just when I thought my heart couldn’t break further — BAM! Yeah… I know… *sad sigh*
“You’re my girl, Ava. My first and forever.”
This duet is the perfect fusion of angst, humour, heartbreak and love. I especially love how everything just settles and comes full circle in the end.
This duet is legit money!
It’s heartbreak.
It’s hope.
It’s first.
It’s forever.
It’s pure magic!
PS. I just need an extended epilogue with Connor and Ava waaay into the future. Jay?! Pretty please!!!
Love, first and only love stories
4/5 stars
This duet was everything I needed without knowing it.
In the heartache duet we follow Connor and Ava, Ava has been through a lot the last years of her life. She needs saving without knowing or wanting to admit it herself.
This has been I think my sixth book by Jay Mclean, and it won’t be my last. Jay Mclean’s writing can always make my heart skip a beat. She writes so beautifully that I just can’t put the book down.
The way Connor does everything to make his endgame was beautiful, the way he didn’t give up on Ava no matter what, showed what kind of heart he truly has.
Ava has been a broken soul for a long time. We see her blossom into the beautiful person she can be.
What made me loves this book so much more, is the fact that it isn’t like most Y/A-N/A books were there is a mean girl or that people are trying to make the main characters life harder. That made the book more realistic. Ava has been through a lot, nobody would want to make her life more upsetting on purpose. I can see myself re-reading a lot of Jay Mclean’s Books. Books to be honest can be so heartwarming.
This was the second book in the Heartache Duet. It was great. It was a very emotional duet. I loved the storyline. This duet was my first read by this author, and I am definitely a new fan!
In all honesty, no matter how I write this review, it will never tell you what to expect in this duet, what you are to feel emotionally, and the impact this couple will make on you. You need to go into this Duet with little information possible to be able to experience what I have. This needs to be put on everyone’s TBR list and I highly recommend it to everyone, no matter who you are!
The second book, First and Forever, starts when the first one ended, so the story continues. Ava and Connor try to make it work between them, but again they face some problems and their relationship stops.
The heartache and the story is on the next level in this book, and I cried for almost all of it, like full cry mode on.
I loved Connor so much in this second one, his encounters with Ava’s mom, with Trevor, he is the perfect guy. I want a Connor in my life.
The ending was the best, magic. And for all their hard times in their life, Ava and Connor deserved their happy ending.
This duet is all about the first love, dealing with life problems and finding yourself, making your life the best.
I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.
Do you know those books…the ones that wreck your soul that it takes a few days of recovery. Where you can’t read another book afterwards? Have you ever had one that wrecked your soul so much that you had to take breaks while reading? That’s First and Forever by @jaymcleanauthor . I was so shattered that even though I wanted to read straight through F&F I couldn’t. I had to put it down over and over just to breathe for a few hours.
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This is more than Connor and Ava’s story. This is Connor, Ava, Trevor, Miss D, and Corey’s story. The sacrifices that they all make for the ones they love. However most of those sacrifices are done in private and the other does not know just what they are doing for each other. Ava’s strength masks her brokenness that it almost destroys her. Connor’s love and selflessness is so strong that he doesn’t want Ava to know what he is doing for her. He doesn’t want there to be false hope, that Ava only sees it as secrets and it plays to her insecurities. Trevor, God he could have his own book, he probably sacrifices the most but we only get to see the surface of the glacier of sacrifices he makes for his family.
.
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I want to say more but I always feel it would give too much away and you need to experience this duet. That’s the only way to put it. They are not just books to read, they are an experience. Thank you for this experience Jay!
Ava and Connor’s lives are still a mess. I did miss the relationship spark that was in book 1. There was a lot of drama in this one. Seemed like something new happened each chapter. I did feel the Peter drama wasn’t really needed. It was always in the background and never really brought to the front except when it was needed for the story to progress. Jo always put me in mind of Criminal Minds Jane Lynch’s character, Diana Reid. Her story was heartbreaking in both books. Trevor and Amy’s story was well done although not a main one. Overall a great end to the duet.
First and Forever begins where Heartache and Hope finished so you need to start from the first book to get the awesomeness of this duet.
I was so emotionally involved in Ava and Connor’s story that I’ve read this novel in one sitting and I’ve kept my fingers crossed for them to get their happily ever after.
I’m so glad to have witnessed the growth of these characters page after page, I appreciated their strength to overcome every hurdle life put on their ways.
I suggest to read these books to people that want to feel all the angst of a young and troubled love and they aren’t scared to cry for some fictional characters.
• •
: First and Forever
: Jay McLean
: 5/5
And here I thought all of the surprises were out of the way. HELL NO. What a ride this was. AND THAT ENDING. Ladies and gentleman have your tissues and drinks ready (preferably spiced up). The first book really set the bar high… and this second book just went wayyy over any expectations I could’ve had. But hey, it is a Jay McLean book, somewhere I should not have been surprised. Like I mentioned in my review of Heartache and Hope.. It is just MAGIC. The title insinuates that there might be a HEA, a forever, but after everything they been through and are going through in this book… And here I will stop this sentence, because no spoilers… so treat yourself to these beauties and go on this journey with Connor and Ava. It is an amazing duet and both these characters have so much to offer you as a reader. They give you depth, an emotional connection, mistakes, love, humor and more. What I also really loved was the family aspect in this book. There were so many interesting things happening familywise (again no spoilers) and the relationship between Connor and Ava’s mother was really special. I especially recommend this duet for readers who love angst, there is so much of it!
My reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Every time I read a book by Jay McLean, I think this is the best book boy/man hero (most of her heroes straddle the line between teen to man) ever. My evidence? Those Preston boys. Sigh. Leo Preston still has a grasp of my heart. Anyway, now we are talking, Connor Ledger. At the end of Heartache and Hope, my heart was breaking for Connor and Ava. So much pressure (some self-inflicted), but still you understood why there was pressure. I was happy to see them coming back together for, however, long at the beginning of this book.
Connor has decided that Ava is his end game. All he’s doing he’s doing for her and her mom. The relationship that grows between Connor and Ava’s mom is beautiful. You need to read it for yourself. There are many moments in this book when you simply take a deep breath because of the beautiful way it reads. There is still a long road for Ava and Connor, and the road is bumpy. And once again, Connor is Connor, and he loves as fiercely as he pursues his basketball dream.
The conclusion of this book could not be more satisfying. I firmly remain one of Jay’s biggest fans; she writes these coming of age novels with heart and soul. They can be draining to get through because you bleed with the characters; when they reach their conclusion, you are sad to say good-bye because you love them all so much. Keep writing, Jay!
Wow. Wow. WOW
Soooo… picking up where the last book finished, this book takes you on another roller coaster ride.
There is happiness, there is sadness.
There is tenderness, there is pain.
There are broken hearts and happy tears.
There is hope but, (most importantly) there is magic.
This duet has absolutely blown me away – and now I’m questioning how my so called “book friends” have managed to keep the genius that is Jay McLean off my radar.
I will be devouring her back catalogue.
This duet is undoubtedly one of my top 5 EVER – it’s absolutely phenomenal.
“You’ll always be my first love, Ava. Everything else is insignificant.”
Flawless!
Unbelievably amazing and compelling storytelling. I love how relatable MCs are. First and Forever was emotional and moving, it has stirred feelings inside me. I was always anxious to see what happens next. And I loved those Connor and momma Jo moments.
It’s the little things.
Inspirational!
I think I cried for most of this book, Miss Mclean killed it with this duet, it was everything!
Arc Review
First and Forever is the second book in the Heartache Duet Series by Jay McLean.
Within seconds I was drawn back into Ava’s and Connor’s lives, picking up where the first book left off.
Had such a hard time putting this book down because “just one more chapter” never seemed to be enough!
True to Jay McLean’s style of writing, you take an emotional ride through all the feels. And, what a beautiful ride it is!
Another five star read for me.
Happy reading, y’all!
I knew that this duet would destroy my ability to adult. Honestly, I struggled to put it down and ended up reading it in a day. Because after the end of Heartache and Hope I NEEDED them to get to their happily ever after.
But I had this idea in my head of how it would all play out and I was so wrong. Not that I’m disappointed with what I got from this story but damn did it just keep making my heart hurt more and more. The twists and turns on this were so perfectly executed I couldn’t even be mad at Jay for making me cry.
I had moments where I was like “seriously Ava how are you always crying?” Then realising I was crying and mentally apologising to a fictional character. Luckily my family is used to my brand of crazy.
Everything about this story was perfection. Ava and Connor were the best kind of magic together and I am so glad I finally found my lady balls and read this because it was beautiful. Now I just need to recover enough to pick up my kindle again without crying.
Sooooooooo good! I’m talking about stay up till 3AM, force myself to go to sleep because I work early but can’t fall asleep because I’m mad at myself for cutting myself off good. It has so many touching moments. Even when Ava and Connor are young and make mistakes, they can’t be call kids. They had to grow up by force and hurt very fast. It makes Ava extremely selfless and Connor is thoughtful beyond comprehendsion.
It’s heartbreaking to see the cruel and manipulative behavior of the people around them. But not everyone is a bad apple. It turns out that these 2 are loved. And because of the strong family union that they find together, you also fall in love with Miss D, Trevor, Corey… with everyone in their close nit circle really. You get invested in their happiness. Author Jay McLean did a fantastic job at enhancing the readers experience with all this characters. As a reader you’ll be able to put yourself in everyone’s shoes. Feel every emotion from different POVs. And that’s how you throughly enjoy a book.