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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I think the thing I liked most about this book was the basketball. My favourite time of the year is March Madness, I live & breathe college basketball for a month. There’s nothing better in my opinion.
Anyways back to the book haha. There was so much emotion. A book full of teenage angst with real life issues.
I felt so bad for Ava & Trevor. They had so much weighing on them at such a young age. I loved Jo though, she was an amazing woman. They all deserved their happily ever after.
I loved Connor, probably had to do more with him being a basketball player haha even though his character was great. His family situation was pretty surprising, & a nice twist.
I received an arc of this book in return for an honest review.
As I said in the my review of book one, I had read this duet awhile ago but wanted to reread it because I’ve since become a big fan of the author.
Get ready for more heartbreak because the world has it in for Connor and Ava in part 2 of this incredible duet. I cannot imagine the struggles they both face, yet the continue to push through and achieve their goals and eventually, FINALLY!!!!, brings them back together. They are still very much in love and very much perfect for one another.
Where part one ends with heartbreak, part 2 ends with a happily ever after, And not just for Connor and Ava.
You will absolutely become invested in all the characters in this book. They are all so well developed and amazing.
„When the world is at its darkest…
…that’s when the magic appears.”
Unputdownable story. Raw, emotional and simply amazing. Jay McLean outdid herself with Heartache Duet. She poured her heart on the paper with magical words, strong heroes and stunning storyline. She completely stole my heart with Connor and Ava story. I have no words to describe what I am feeling right now. I am so sad and happy. Sad, because Ava and Connor’s story is over. Happy, because I read one of the best story, ever!
First and Forever starts exactly where Heartache and Hope ended. The story goes with the flow without any flashback. Prepare to have your heart broken.
I don’t want to write about the plot. You just have to experience Ava and Connor every moment together and alone. How they matured and their love blossomed into something unbreakable and beautiful. How they fought for their dreams and supported each other. Their beautiful interactions with family members. Their intimacy, every laugh, every tear, and every secret.
The road to their happiness wasn’t easy. It was filled with hopeless moments, family secrets, lies, hurtful people, supportive friends and their own courage, determination, and hope. Jay McLean proved us that amazing and first love exists. First and Forever is a perfect combination of emotion, angst, humor, and romance.
I need my own Connor so bad it hurts!
First, Forever, and Always
The second book in the Heartache Duet was pure magic!! I sat down to read the conclusion of Connor and Ava’s story and the next thing I knew, the book was finished and the day was gone. I didn’t move a muscle from the second I read the first word to the second I read the last.
My heart was broken at the end of Heartache and Hope but by the time I finished First and Forever, I found the Happiness. I fell completely in love with Connor. After being so wrecked by Heartache and Hope, I can say that I feel lighter, my heart is healed, and when I think of Connor and Ava, I do nothing but smile. The ending of their story is so beautiful.
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.”
The Heartache Duet is absolutely phenomenal. From the characters to the amazing writing, it is just so perfect. This duet has made rediscover my love for the (mature) Young Adult genre. First and Forever takes up where we left off in Heartache and Hope, I was really happy that there was no time jump into the future because I wanted their story to continue in present time. My heart broke so much for Ava and Connor, they are both broken and trying to make the best out of their situation. There love was tested intensely in this book, and it really had me on the edge of my seat at times. Connor is one of the most amazing main male characters I have ever read, he was just such a good guy. Nice guys don’t always finish last. Ava had so much burden on her shoulders, and I just can’t imagine the amount of stress she was under. Also when Connor is confronted with his past, it created some tension between Ava and him.
One of my favorite things in this duet was the relationship between Connor and Ava’s mom. It was so beautiful, and heartbreaking at times. But they really had a special bond with each other. Connor brought hope and magic into their lives. It really made me emotional at times and I couldn’t contain my tears. Ava’s brother Trevor was great and had made so many sacrifices. This whole duet was just perfect in my opinion. There isn’t a thing I would change. I was getting sadder when I was getting to the end, because it was getting time to say goodbye to the characters I connected so well with. Their love was raw and real, and it wasn’t perfect but it was perfect for them. I love Jay for writing their story, and I wish that this duet was a trilogy because I didn’t want it to end. This duet is one of my favorites this year and I highly recommend everyone to read it.
*5 Stars*
What a book! What a series! I devoured this book, the same way I did with the first one in this duet. I was desperate for Ava and Connor to get their HEA, and I really had no idea what was going to happen with these two.
I found that whilst this book still had so many serious parts to it, there were more laugh out loud moments. I really liked the parts with Ava’s Mum, she had me laughing, with their whole family really. It was great. Connor still had his basketball stuff going on, but then another big thing comes in as well, and with the lack of communication between these two, it was an interesting time.
I enjoyed these two trying to find themselves and each other, and was hanging on for them to find their way back to “The Happiness”.
A whole bunch of things get revealed throughout the story, and I think Jay McLean wrapped it up really nicely at the end, and gave these characters the ending they deserved.
I am truly kicking myself for waiting so long to read any books by this author, and she is now a favourite of mine, and definitely a go to and one click author. Highly recommend!
First believe and forever love. This book and this duet gave me all the feels.
What a wonderful ending to this duology! Every book by her I read makes me even more of a fan, if that’s possible!
Ava and Connor are just a story for the ages. Both having to go through so much at such tender times and wanting more than what they feel they deserve or can take.
There is a lot of sadness and surprises in this book. I found myself loving Ava’s mom even more. It became easier to understand Connor’s dad. And I hated Peter Parker SO much!
This story really shows how sometimes things have to fall apart before they can come together. If you enjoy that kind of a story, are a fan of McLean, or enjoy works by authors such as Colleen Hoover, Siobhan Davis or Sarah Dessen, I think you will really love this series.
Connor + Ava = magic.
This story profoundly moved me. I don’t have words for the level of emotions Ms. McLean put me through with this multilayered duet. I laughed, my heart soared, and the guttural sobs I experienced many times in both books was profound. I even stayed up until 6 a.m. reading because I couldn’t stop. That’s how much Connor and Ava’s story gripped me.
If you like angst and extremely emotional stories, read the Heartache duet. Your heart will shatter for these two teenagers, and then it’s repaired, and then shattered again. The pattern repeats A LOT, and at the end of it all, there’s “The Happiness,” and it’s magic.
First and forever
Omg this duet is EVERYTHING. I have no words . I loved it and reeeeeeally want an encore to the encore how can it finish !? Noooooo
Ava and Conner are just …. they deserve happiness . This duet has all the feels ! I mean all of them .!! An epic love story of loss grief trauma love and healing and “the happiness”
Definately one I’ll read again !! Just … wow
What a powerful punch to the heart! Connor and Ava are two of the most heartbreaking and sometimes infuriating characters I’ve read. LOL! But their heartache, pain and angst is written in a very realistic way. They both yearn for each other, and they both make mistakes trying to keep each other. The Heartache Duet is an incredibly beautiful, painful story with characters that have very real problems, struggling to stay afloat and hold on to a life they deserve. I loved the conclusion to Connor and Ava’s story. Both books are MUST READS! 5 heartfelt stars for First and Forever!
I couldn’t wait to read this book and WOW it is amazing.
I was rooting for Ava and Connor from the start of this duet and zooming through the pages, they have an incredible connection. A love that never wavers even though they go through many battles.
Trever and mama jo are huge secondary character’s and they captured me.
Ava, Connor, Trevor and mama jo all came together in this book and it was absolute magical.
An emotional journey that is inspiring.
Im missing these character’s already, please read this duet you won’t be dissapointed.
I find it hard for the second book in a duet to be able to be as good as the first. It’s very rarely that happens and I shouldn’t be surprised that Jay McLean is one of those authors that can pull it off.
I was so eager to read this book, Heartache and Hope ended in a not so good place for Ava and Connor but I had everything crossed that Jay McLean would fill my heart with happiness again and she did.
First and Forever is the perfect conclusion to Ava and Connors story. It was everything I could of hoped for and so much more. It’s full of magic, fun, sad times, funny moments just all of the emotions you could ask for.
This duet is my all time favourite!
I can’t wait to see what else Jay McLean has for us in the future.
Connor is the man! Ava is his end game. He will do what it takes to make her and her mom happy. Get ready for more heartache and plot twists you will not see coming! Loved this story! One of the best stories of 2019! 5 amazing stars”
I adored these characters, this duet was totally money!!!!! I literally was reading every free second I had and didn’t want to walk away from Connor and Ava. This author can write one seriously touching, feelings packed romance!
Highly recommend
The emotion in these books is second to none. I was blown away by both books. The fact that Connor wasn’t the typical leading guy, he was insecure and not a playboy and I thought that really set him apart from other leading guys. His heart was just so pure and he was amazing through the entire series. Ava had her issues just like Connor did and I loved her transformation and the way she opened up. I can’t say enough good things about these books!
Loved, loved, loved!
Another fantastic story from Jay McLean. It was full of all the angst, drama and most importantly. FEELS that I had hoped for.
I enjoyed book 1, but book 2 was turned up a notch for me. I felt everything a lot more and with some very emotional charged scenes I found myself in tears a couple of times. It was intense, real and very raw.
Ava and Connors connection is unlike any other. Connor has a steadfast loyalty and determination to succeed for Ava. Everything he does is for her. And everything Ava does is for him. Yet sometimes those directions are not the same and in this story we witness heartbreak and tears between these two characters.
A wonderful conclusion to a brilliant duet.
This right here is why I love reading YA.
Jay McLean IS the Queen of Teen Angst!
She pulls you in so effortlessly and just attaches herself and her writing to your very soul.
After reading Heartache and Hope I was so glad I only had to wait 2 weeks for First and Forever.
I needed more Connor and Ava and Jay definitely brought her A game.
This book had me up all night refusing to sleep until I finished.
I had a smile on my face while reading some parts, actually laughing out loud at others and don’t even start me on the tears that wouldn’t stop coming.
“She was my first everything, and I want her – no, I need her – to be my last everything.”
This is why I love reading! I love getting lost in a story with characters that are strong, caring and funny. When is seems like all hope is lost but then you are taken on such a magical ride. You become invested and can’t help but root for a happy ending.
Everyone needs to read this duet, it is just pure perfection!
What a wonderful ending to this series!
My heart was both broken and full of love by the end of this one!
There isn’t much I can say without giving it all away, which is something I don’t wanna do.
But you will be mad, sad, happy and mad again but in the end you will be so full of love and HAPPINESS!!
Jay did an amazing job with these books. She got me hooked and pulled into this books right away and I don’t want to stop reading and do adult things around the house lol.
I give this book 5⃣ and recommend it if you want a sweet with a hint of tragic love story.