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.Heartache and Hope is mature young-adult Sports Romance, 80k full-length novel and is the … Romance, 80k full-length novel and is the first book in the Heartache Duet
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“And if magic didn’t exist within Connor, then it exists all around him. Because moments ago, I was dirty, dazed, and damaged, and now…Now I was falling asleep under a starlit sky, surrounded by tiny glimmers of hope.”
A gorgeous gem of YA perfection!!! Riddled with angst, upheaval, heart-achingly brutal backstory that held me captive and didn’t let me go. I dove in two nights in a row, and next thing I knew it was 4am and I couldn’t see straight. I was mesmerized by Ava and Connor and their missteps, their bumbling mistakes, but the sheer beauty of their relationship left my heart full, massively swooning, and dazed by the gorgeousness of a young love hit by every obstacle imaginable. Their banter was flawless, and I hit every emotion possible while reading. This my friends is why I read, can’t get any better than this!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
I should not have loved this, but I did. When I neared the end, I thought, Here we go. This is why I can’t do YA. But nope, I was pleasantly surprised.
If you’re like me and hate YA for the high school drama, you can rest assured, this book doesn’t have any. McLean somehow manages to write believable teenagers that don’t make you want to roll your eyes.
And I loved the basketball references, even though I hate basketball. Mind blown.
Jay McLean is back and boy did I miss her! Such a heartbreaker of a story that I loved every minute of. Ava and Conner both have some serious issues going on and they managed to find the one person that quiets the noise. I’m glad I waited until the second book came out because I would have been in such a fog until I could finish!!
All the noise around me fades. I don’t hear any sounds. No chatter. It is just me, my emotions, and the characters. That’s the power an author like Jay McLean has. The power to make everything disappear so that it’s just me and the words. That is exactly what she created with Heartache and Hope.
Unexpected and commanding are two words that come to mind when thinking about Heartache and Hope. I didn’t know what to expect but I always know Jay McLean packs her books with sadness, joy, heartbreak, pain, and amusement. It’s unpredictable when these things will happen because she randomly makes you feel pain but then comes intense laughter and joy. It is what makes her books so profound.
Heartache and Hope is a marvelous wonder. I am in love with every character written. Ava is passion and strength. Connor is love and amazement. Both of them together creates the perfect blend. I can’t tell you how much I love them both. It is not just their souls that make them unique but it is their actions too. The secondary characters are also beyond amazing. They are meaningful and I love every second of their appearances. I felt such strong connections to them.
All in all, this books was too perfect in every sense. The emotions and the romance build up was everything that I wanted and more. Jay McLean knows how to write. The words and the quotes in these books makes you feel and brings in real world connections. Things you see happening around you and issues you can connect to. Heartache and Hope is a must read book. Not something you add to your TBR and say I will get to it, but a book you get and you read right away. The good news is that this was the beginning. The duet, First and Forever, I’m sure will pack the same punch.
What I like about Jay McLean is her ability to write mature teenagers without making it too adult. Ava and Connor are two amazing characters who each have their struggles in life. It’s relatable and at times hauntingly real. Their friendship and blooming love is beautiful written and explored through these two seventeen year olds.
Heartache and Hope was fast read but only because I couldn’t stop reading. I was so invested in Connor and Ava’s journey. Connor is such a great and sweet guy who likes to form his own opinions and not based on hearsay and rumors. Despite only being seventeen Ava has had to grow up and take responsibility before it was her time due.
Through and with each other they find peace and a break from real life but sadly it can’t last. I’m just grateful I can dive into book 2! What a story.
4 Magic Stars
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
I started this book at 11PM and forced myself to stop at 3AM, but still tossed and turned thinking about it until almost 4AM. Every part of me was consumed by the story and characters and I happily allowed my children to watch a movie this morning just so that I could finish. LOL
Heartache and Hope both broke and healed me. It packed such an emotional punch and there were times that I wasn’t sure my heart could take it. I felt all the warm fuzzies that come with the joys and excitement of first love and then the next my heart was beating almost out of my chest with all the anguish and pain our characters were experiencing. There are some brutally honest and raw moments for sure, but that’s what makes the story so compelling. Jay McLean holds nothing back and allows readers to experience all those incredible highs and heartbreaking lows. I cannot wait to continue Connor and Ava’s story in First and Forever!
“I’m kind of attached to you, Ava.” He sniffs at whatever food the cafeteria has supplied him. “You gotta work harder if you want to get rid of me”
This story definitely gave me more than I was expecting. I’m new to Jay McLean, so even though I’d heard some things, I wasn’t quite ready for what was in store for me.
Ava and Connor started this friendship/relationship began a little reluctantly. Ava had her own struggles to face, which means she walled herself off from almost everyone around her. Connor was focused on basketball and achieving his goals in a new school. When put together, they find that they perhaps can’t ignore each other quite as much as they had hoped.
The beginning of their relationship was quintessential young adult, teen emotions. They’re both a little over the top in their emotions and reactions, which I actually found endearing to realism. Did they annoy me? Oh heck yes. But, since I teach young adults in real life, I’m totally used to this and the story took on a much more real element. As they progress into their relationship/friendship/attraction, life doesn’t stop, and it sure as heck doesn’t cut them any slack. For a good portion of their story, it seems like all life has in store for them are obstacles.
I can’t believe the feelings that were brought to life within this half of the duet. It’s not just for Ava and Connor, but for so many of those around them as well. I’m not sure how the complexity of events and emotions could be combined, but it happened. I’m itching to see what happens next, as Ava seems to have resolved to put her walls back up and Connor seems frustrated with continuing to break through her fortress. There is so much to process in this story and I’m certain my review does nothing to adequately cover my thoughts. But definitely one of the best actual teenage stories to date.
Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.
An achingly poignant story of loss, love, dreams, and hopes.
Connor had his path set out for him. Ava is living day by day. Their love is bone deep and magical, but there are so many obstacles in the way that whether they make it as a couple is constantly in question. You can’t help feeling each of the highs and lows as they happen. To be so young and to carry such burdens makes my heart ache. I am cheering for this couple so hard!
“It’s not stupid to hope, Ava. Sometimes hope is the only thing that gets us through to the next day.” ~ Connor
I don’t read YA novels very often, but having now read Heartache and Hope by Jay McLean, a new author for me, I have a feeling that’s going to change. This story is incredible and not at all what I was expecting.
I wasn’t prepared for the emotional depth I found here and I’m a bit lost for words. It’s so much more gritty and raw than I anticipated and I was blown away. Heartache and hope is an excellent title and these are exactly the extreme feelings this book gave me. Beautifully written, I felt every desire, every wish for change Ava and Connor longed for and their despair when the stark reality of life would rear its head, threatening to derail their plans and ambitions and take with it all their optimism for the future.
Ava and Connor are amazing characters, somewhat hurt and broken, she by her present and he by his past, but both fighting for a different future. Their thoughts and actions are the perfect balance of teenager, together with emerging young adult. Ava especially carries the weight of the world on her shoulders and both her and Connor have other priorities in their lives which makes maintaining a relationship a real struggle. I loved Ava’s strength and her courage. I admired her loyalty, the fight in her and the way she didn’t give up when it came to her responsibilities, even when the going got really tough. I have to give a shout out to her step-brother Trevor, who deserves huge credit for stepping up when needed instead of walking away. Connor has his own goals in life, a path to a better future in his sights. When at times his actions disappointed me, I reminded myself that he was after all a teenager at the end of the day, and therefore still slightly immature. This author’s wonderful writing ensured that these characters were anything but one dimensional.
Wowee, this book gave me all the feels. Yes it’s intense, but I absolutely loved it. I feel there is still so much to Ava and Connor’s story that we have yet to uncover and I can’t wait to see where their journey takes us in First and Forever.
Sweet love between two high school seniors. Connor is a basketball star wanting to play pro ball some day. Ava is a beautiful soul that is trying hard to be a care giver to her mother. It turns out they have both been affected by mothers who are not there for them. It’s about: Teen angst, sweet love, broken moms, families that struggle, and community support. It ends in a cliff hanger. I need to know, what is the end game? Part 2 – First and Forever coming up.
So happy to see McLean back again and she definitely brought the A game! You can’t help but fall in love with Connor and Ava at the most vulnerable points in their life’s. It gives such a real authenticity of being lost and finding something when you least expect it. You learn about falling and how sometimes it’s the most painful thing at a time when you’re lost! You must pick up this book and read putting it into words simply doesn’t do it justice. Grab the tissues
Jay McLean has given us the first part to what appears to be a hugely emotional, angst filled story with a lot of promise.
Connor and Ava’s journey is emotional, real and raw. With Connor struggling with his past & issues with his mum, or lack-of. Mix this with his huge desire and passion for basketball and to excel in his sport. However moving to a new school and a new team may cause issues and take some time to get used to the change.
Ava on the other hand is having to deal with some huge issues surrounding her own mother. Commitments to her Mum means she goes to school and comes home again, leaving no room for a social life, friends, and certainly no boys or Connor! And although Connor and Ava manage to form a friendship within school, it’s unlikely to go any further.
A story filled with heartbreak and emotion. 2 characters who’s lives don’t seem to align. The story is touching and emotional, with some scenes that are particularly hard-hitting.
I am hoping that in book 2 everything will come together although I have a horrible feeling Jay may well break us a little bit more first!!
“Love is not a noun. Love is something you do. Something you prove. Something you work hard to create. Love is not something that simply exists because you say it. Love is not a noun. Love is a verb.”
Heartache and Hope is the type of mature Young Adult book that I absolutely can’t resist reading. This was such a perfect book from start ’til finish. I haven’t read a romance book that takes place in high school for a while, but now I remember again what I loved so much about this genre. Jay McLean is such an amazing author. Her characters always feel so real and nothing seems fabricated or fake. Every emotion, behavior and action makes sense for better or worse. Ava and Connor are such beautiful kids and they were perfect for each other.
“There’d be no happy ending to our story. There’d be an intense beginning, a shaky middle, and then heartache. And we’ve both been through enough heartache to last a lifetime.”
However, will their love survive with all the hardships they both are facing. They both have other priorities and it broke my heart to see both of them struggle to make their relationship work. Connor is supportive and an amazing guy. He isn’t perfect, and that is what I loved most about him. Ava is going through so much and I am happy she found Connor, who made her experience love and feel like a teenager again. The plot, writing, pace of the story was perfect. All the side-characters were great, especially Trevor and Rhys. I am dying to get my hands on First and Forever. It is going to be so epic!
So, this old bird rarely reads YA these days (I am soooo far away from their ages that it is often hard for me to connect with the characters), however the minute that Jay McLean announces she is releasing a new book, I am counting down the seconds until it arrives on my Kindle.
This book has it all in the title – it is full of heartache and hope. You can’t help but fall in love with Ava and Connor and all the complexities of their lives
Gah, there is so much I want to tell you about this book, however I can’t as you need to devour this one and all it’s emotions, going in blind to get the full effect.
I have had a run of meh and good books lately, and it was great to get into a story that just just had that extra “wow” factor.
I mean, being a duet, we know there is gonna be a cliffy of some sort, and as soon as I finished reading, I was looking at my Kindle for the second part of the duet.
I know it is only a couple of weeks away, but if Ms McLean could see fit to release it earlier, I won’t complain. ThxnOK
It’s been way too long since I read some new words from Jay McLean, I was so excited to be reading this part 1 Heartache and Hope in her new duet, you know your heart is going to end up shredded and all the feels will come at you thick and fast. This was an awesome read, I devoured it from start to finish and can’t wait for part 2!!
Ava is a teenager with anything but a normal life. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders but never complains. She has missed days of school, lost friends, doesn’t socialise – all to look after her mum. Then Connor moves in next door, and everything changes. She can’t help but fall for him, which messes her whole world up, and makes things even more complicated than ever.
Connor and his dad just moved to start a new school where Connor’s end game is to make it in pro basketball. That’s his only goal in life, to make it big someday and make his dad proud for everything he has done for him. He hasn’t had the best start in his young life and is heavily mentally scarred from his mother leaving him, he doesn’t make friends easily. Until he meets Ava, when everything with her is easy. He knows she is special. They are perfect together and end up spending lots of time together whenever they can. But life is complicated for them both, and things end up not quite going to plan.
This was an emotionally roller coaster of a ride, heartbreakingly painful at times, so many feels!!!! I truly felt for Ava and all she had been and was going through, she had such a strong connection with her mum and had so much responsibility on her young shoulders, but she is such a strong and resilient character, my heart ached for her.
This slow burn YA read comes highly recommended, not a story you want to miss if this is your thing!!
“When the world is at its darkest, that’s when the magic appears.”
5 stars!
Jay McLean is back, and she has just rocked my world with this brilliant, beautiful YA romance. Funny, sweet, heartbreaking, emotional and gorgeously romantic, Connor and Ava’s story is beautifully written and so, so special, and I loved every moment of it.
Ava’s life completely changed following a family tragedy when she was only 15 years old. Now a senior in high school, her life is almost unrecognisable from when she was a popular, perky, confident cheerleader. Now she’s quiet, reserved, and struggling with the weight of responsibility on her young shoulders which she bears without complaint.
Connor has recently moved to town and started at Ava’s school. A basketball star, he is hoping to gain the attention of college scouts, with his eyes firmly set on a future in the NBA. He has high expectations for himself, as does his father, and he is prepared to put in the hard work to reach his goals.
Neither Ava or Connor have time in their lives for distractions, but from the moment they meet, they share a connection. It’s one that they fight briefly before falling into an easy, yet significant, friendship – there for each other, sharing their burdens and bringing much needed happiness and laughter into each other’s lives. Though they are falling hard for each other, they are both weighed down with the realities of their lives, making a relationship impossible. And OMG, the feels! The angst, the want, the longing between these two is just beautiful, and the chemistry is fantastic!
“You’re something else, Connor.”
“You’re something MORE, Ava.”
I love this relationship! Connor and Ava are both smart, witty and sarcastic, and the teasing and banter is so entertaining! They have so much fun together, they laugh a lot, and I was laughing along with them at their playful antics. I could feel them falling for each other, and my heart ached for them that they couldn’t just follow their hearts. They have real, understandable barriers to contend with, but their need for each other proves too overwhelming for them to fight, and watching them begin to embrace that absolutely melted me.
“What do you want?”
He looks up now, his eyes locked on mine. “You, Ava. I want you. On your good days and your bad days – especially your bad days. I want you to let me in. I want you to come to me and look at me the way you’re looking at me now, and know that I’m all in. I just want you.” His voice cracks. “God, Ava. I want you so fucking bad, it’s killing me.”
Jay McLean writes fantastic YA romance, capturing all of the glory of first love – the happy, giddy, excitement, the absolute abandon of throwing yourself into everything you’re feeling, and yes, the hormones. It’s all here in beautiful, heartfelt detail, and I fell right alongside Connor and Ava. They become so special to each other, and they find something beautiful in the midst of their turmoil, and it’s truly magical.
“We find peace in each other’s arms, find solace in each other’s touch, and find a home in each other’s hearts…even if the space is limited.”
*dreamy sigh*
But real life for these two is complicated, and balancing school, planning for the future, their relationship and their complex home lives is hard. Their story is far from over and I can’t wait to get my hands on their second part of this duet to see how it’s all going to work out.
Jay has created two wonderful characters in Connor and Ava. Though their situations are unique, they feel so real! And seriously… can I have a Connor in my life? The boy is amazing, and I am totally cougar over him. They are supported throughout the story by their family and friends, and OMG, what a sensational bunch they are! Again, very realistic, the dynamics are fantastic, you can feel the connection between them, and the jokes thrown in along the way are absolute gold! All with an important part to play, they each bring so much to this very character-driven story.
This is a wonderful read. It made me laugh and it made me cry, and it made me re-experience the mad wonder of falling in love for the first time. I felt it all, and I am eagerly anticipating the release of First & Forever, out soon!
5 magical stars!
I loved Heartache and Hope. Both characters are a little broken. Ava is dealing with her Mom coming home from the military not whole and Connor also has family issues These two are still teenagers and have to deal with way more than he should. They pulled on my heart strings and I just wanted to jump through the pages and give them a hug, heck when I was done reading I just wanted a hug. The ending was heart wrenching and I hope all the broken pieces get put back together in book 2.
I CAN’T EVEN DEAL WITH THIS BOOK. Heartache and Hope. Sums this up perfectly. I never have the words to do Jay’s stories justice. This book killed me, absolutely destroyed me. IN THE BEST WAY. Every single character was brilliantly developed, every bit of hope was magically crafted, every piece of heartache was perfectly devastating, every last word was breathtakingly glorious. I couldn’t get enough. This book had it all, family, friendship, love, hope, happiness, angst, tragedy, hopelessness… it was worth every single moment we waited for it.
What an emotionally heart-felt story. Heartache and Hope is the first book in the latest YA duet by Jay McLean. This story will evoke a range of emotions and give you all the feels as the story progresses. Its well-crafted and layered with flawed well-developed characters who you will love right from the start. Your heart will go out to both Ava and Connor but for different reasons as both these characters are carrying heavy burdens on their young shoulders.
The story is told in dual POV and we get a look into the minds to both these characters into their hopes and belief in magic. You will fall in love with the secondary characters most especially Rhys and Trevor. These two provided great balance and support to the main characters and I loved them.
Heartache and Hope was a riveting page-turner worthy of a five star status. I can’t wait for the next book in the duet. I would highly recommend it to all lovers of YA romance.
5 Stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Talk about a title of a book that is the book!! Heartache and Hope by Jay McLean is all about heartache, hope and then some!! It is the first book in the Heartache duet. Thank God the next book is coming out soon because I need more. There is something about this story that captures the heartstrings and gives you hope and that “magic” over and over again.
Sometimes you read a story and move right on. This story is not one of those. It will leave you a little heartbroken and hopeful. It is emotional, romantic, funny and sweet with a dash of high school drama mixed in. You will be left with a book hangover.
Ava is just trying to get by after a tragedy that sets her teenage years in motion.
Connor is on his A-game, to make it to the NBA.
What happens when these two lives cross paths?
Jay McLean has outdone herself with this story. Amazingly written. Captivating till the last page. Character chemistry is off the charts. Even the secondary character are all above and beyond important in this story. The connections between each and every one of them is strong.