In a sprint, every millisecond counts.
When you’re waiting for love, those milliseconds can feel like eons.
High school senior Lucas Preston has it all: star of the track team, a scholarship waiting for him, an apartment to himself and a revolving door of girlfriends. He also has an older sister, five younger brothers and a father who relies on him to make sure those brothers don’t kill each … kill each other.
His saving grace? Lois “Laney” Sanders, a girl he started to fall in like with when he was just eleven.
A girl who became his best friend, his confidant, his courage.
It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds for Lucas to realize that his like for Laney had turned into love.
Eight life-changing seconds.
It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.
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I knew I was going to love this book I could never have imagined just how much, if I could I would give it 10 stars.
Lois is 11 when she meets Luke and from the first time they meet the become best friends. The book follows them through the years as they grow into themselves. Their journey together is true to life, the obstacles they face have been felt by every teenage boy and girl. Lucas is a bit of an idiot and I was screaming at him a lot but like I said he’s a stupid teenage boy full of hormones he has no idea how to deal with them. Lois made my emotions seesaw, I loved her for most of the book but at a certain point I wanted to give her a good slap after screaming ‘ what are you doing?
Through it all the love this family has for each other shines brightly. It’s emotional, it’s heartbreaking but it was so damn good.
I loved reading more from this world. This book was a page turner and I loved it.
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed her writing style. It was exactly what I needed right now. It was a light easy read, a little quirky and packed some major feels.
This book features the best friends to lovers trope with a touch of second chance. I loved Lucas (Luke) and Lois (Laney)! Their friendship was so sweet and their journey from best friends to lovers was adorable but painful at times. Told in Dual POVs, you get both sides of the story and although Laney’s character was a bit on the insecure side, it worked well with the storyline and how things unravel.
This one isn’t high on the steam scale. There are a few sex scenes that don’t go into much detail but make it clear what’s going down.
Oh! Also, I really loved the whole Preston family and seeing how they all worked together to make their daily life work was heart warming. They’re all a little crazy and Lucas had his hands full but still managed to keep the household together. I definitely plan on reading the rest of the books in this series.
A 4.5 stars “Coconuts, Lime, and Laney” Stars!
I do not think Jay McLean can write a book that someone will fall head over heels over. She writes issues that can be hard to deal with and she always knocks it out of the park with each story being written uniquely on its own at that. She has this magical power that draws you in and once in her characters’ world you do not want to leave. Her words are always compelling and beautifully written.
We get to know a little bit of Lucas Preston in More Than Forever (More Than #4) who is the 2nd oldest (and oldest boy) in the Preston Family. Since the passing of his beloved mother and then his sister, Lucy, who is married and off to college; he is the one who holds their family together in more ways than one is expected to as a senior in high school. He is a fiercely loyal and a dependable person who puts his family first above all others. To add to the mix he as a school life of being popular with the girls and one of the top scoring track runners in his town.
And then we have Lois “Laney” Sanders a girl with a heart of gold. Her background story is complex and had me shedding some tears. Since she first met the Preston family at age eleven they have been her life. Especially having an instant connection with Lucas which in turn making lead them to best friends at first glance and a companion in good and bad times.
Sixteen clicks. Eight seconds. That’s how long it took me to realized I’d been in love with her for four years. Eight, life-changing seconds. It is also the exact length of time it took me to lose her.
Ooooo the feels! The intensity did not fall short during the read. The author never disappoints and she always has a way in reeling you in with her characters. Lucas and Lois’s story will have you hoping and believing in fate.
Although this book can be read as a stand-alone I highly recommend reading the More Than Series. Being a part of that world will forever change you when it come to friendship and romance. The excitement for this spin-off series will increase to a whole new level.
Whoa. Speechless. The author did it again!
This is my second series that I’ve read from Ms. McLean and why I thought that this would be a normal walk in the park for me, I don’t know why. But what the hell! I’m a blubbering mess from all of the feels that this book has wrought from me. Gawd!!!
From their meet cute and all their firsts- crush, love and heartache, it was everything! This book will take you through a roller coaster of emotions and I’m here for the ride. To say that I’ve cried a river is an understatement. I fucking loved this book so much and couldn’t wait to read the rest of the Preston brothers’ stories!
3.5 Stars (read 28/11/2017)
Wow. How intense can one book be?! I kinda wish I had read the series that this is a spin off of first, I might circle back and do that, but WOW.
Trigger warnings for assault, sexual assault, blood, drug use.
5 stars!
WOW. Lucas was another INTENSE, emotional, ALL consuming read by Jay McLean! After binge reading the More Than Series recently and how much I loved Cam & Lucy’s story I was so incredibly excited to hear about this spin off series for the Preston Brothers. Even though I know immediately I am in for an emotional roller coaster I am still never truly prepared enough. This is a coming of age story. There is YA angst, there is heavy FEELS and a love story so beautiful it will stay with you for a long time to come.
The book begins when Lucas is 11 years old and he meets Lois Sanders aka “Laney” for the first time. A beautiful friendship evolves and I was addicted to every word, every emotion, every interaction, dialogue and connection.
The angst in this one is heavy. It is more than I anticipated but I was deeply invested beginning to end and there was no chance I was putting this one down until I finished. Lucas and Laney are young so of course mistakes are made but what the truly beautiful message this book portrays is how you learn from those mistakes and never take a single moment for granted. Together they grow, and learn and through it all a love so deep and fierce develops.
“Sixteen clicks. Eight seconds. That’s how long it took me to realize I’d been in love with her for four years. Eight, life-changing seconds. It’s also the exact length of time it took to lose her.”
5 stars is never enough to rate a Jay McLean novel. Her writing is PHENOMENAL and after all that is revealed about Logan Preston I am desperate and dying to jump into his book and story right away.
This was my first Jay McLean book and I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series and checking out her More Than This series. I really did like Laney’s and Luke’s characters. They have been best friends since they were 11 and are now seniors in high school. I was a little annoyed at the fact that they both wanted to take things to the next level but both thought the other didn’t want too. I thought that a little overplayed. This book definitely does give you all the feels which I loved. I was laughing, tearing up, jumping for joy, mad enough to spit nails and every other emotion possible. I thought the writing regarding the domestic abuse was real and honest and showed a lot of depth in what goes on in the mind of the victim. I loved how very much Luke loves Laney.
What a wonderful way to start the Preston Brothers series! From the very first page to the last I was utterly charmed by two friends who slowly become more in a tale that warmed my heart while pulling at my heartstrings. Readers are introduced to the main couple when they meet as youngsters and watch their relationship evolve over the years as issues of love and friendship, along with angst-fueled moments, drive this story that kept me glued to the pages. With each turn of the page readers will become captivated, waiting to read about the next Preston brother to find his HEA.
Lucas Preston’s the oldest of his brothers and he takes his role as big brother very seriously. Since the death of his mother he’s really stepped up in a protective role that sees him as the glue holding the siblings together. He’s dependable with a good heart that shines through. When it comes to matters of the heart though, he’s a bit less self-assured in his relationship with Laney (the young woman who comes into his life when he’s a youngster). There’s an immediate connection between Lucas and Laney, a connection that confuses him throughout the years as his feelings evolve. He knows from the very start that Laney’s his everything, but her friendship means a lot to him which often has his heart warring with his mind. As he grows older, his decisions and his blindness to what Laney wants out of their relationship frustrated me a time or two, but through it all he meant well and it all led him where he needed to go. When Laney needed him most he was there for her in a hard-fought romance that saw him becoming the quintessential book boyfriend. I adored Lucas from the very beginning, was charmed by the burgeoning feelings he had for Laney, and enjoyed the tight-knit connection he had with his mother. Her subtle pushes where Laney was concerned put a smile on my face and even after her death I could feel her presence as Lucas and Laney continued to grow closer.
Lois “Laney” Sanders had a tough childhood due to the divorce of her parents. Moving to a new town and living with her father meant that she was lacking those moments of motherly love, but luckily the family next door brings her into their lives and it changes her life irrevocably. Not only does the Preston matriarch become a mother to her, oldest son Lucas takes a special place in her heart that grows more intense over the years. As the years pass she recognizes that she wants more than just friendship with him, wants to be more than just a support to him, but his clueless demeanor has her keeping her true feelings to herself until he finally makes his move with words and deeds that had me cheering. Laney’s a wonderful heroine, supportive of the family next door who became like a family of her own. She’s particularly close to Kathy Preston and their interactions warmed my heart as Kathy was a guiding force for Laney and helped her work through some very serious issues. In turn, Laney was there for Lucas and his family when Kathy died, sharing each tear and taking care of them when their grief was weighing on them. She was mature from a young age, fit in beautifully with the Preston family, and her actions had me rooting for her every step of the way in a relationship teeming with sexual tension and unexpected twists and turns.
As children, Lucas and Laney had a cute friendship, one that started out playfully and competitively. As the years passed though the two of them grew comfortable in their time together, placing greater importance on their being together in a shift that turned more loving. It’s a turn that pulled at my heartstrings, saw them becoming more mature in a connection that became infinitely more satisfying as these two were meant to be together. It was a rocky and angst-fueled journey for the two of them, involving issues that were realistically depicted with emotions that weren’t always easy to express, and with each turn of the page I became more and more invested in their HEA. Alongside this likable main couple was an equally appealing cast of secondary characters, the rest of the Preston family, who clearly have hurts of their own to deal with. Each brother is larger than life, presenting a united front in protecting their lone sister, and I enjoyed how easily they included Laney in their protective demeanors. She was practically family from the start which made this an even stronger romance as everyone had a hand in seeing their HEA come to fruition. Fans of friends to lovers romances will be clamoring to add this book to your shelves, long to be charmed by this loving and likable couple, and will be greatly anticipating each new installment as an excuse to fall a bit more in love with the Preston family.
Love hard, love fierce, but love right.
Oh my heart !
This book was everything .
How could anyone not love the Preston family !!!!
I can’t believe I’ve waited so long to read this book ! Lucas and laney are 2 young hearts destined for each other but have a journey before they get it right.
They meet as kids and fast become best friends . But typical of teenage angst lost their way because of misunderstandings and assumptions .
I won’t say a lot because
It’s so worth the read and the journey mclean takes you on but I laughed and cried big ugly tears and I fell in love with this family all over again !
I’ve read the more then series before , and while you don’t need to have read it to read this book I definitely rev Coleen you do because it’s just as good as this one and adds a new depth to this family and what they go through !
After I’ve read Logan and Leo I’m going to go back and do a reRead 😉
This book was awesome and totally worth your time
I received this book for an honest review from the author. Thank you!
Lucas is the first book in the series Preston Brothers, a More Than This spin-off series by Jay McLean. But you can read Lucas as standalone. Lucas is one of my favorite series and I loved everything about this book. I love the couple Lane and Lucas and their beautiful story.
“They love each other. You said loved. Love doesn’t die just because one heart stops beating. When you love someone, you have the same heartbeat and it’s still there, just not as strong. So no. There’s no loved. Dad still loves her.”
Lucas is in high school and he is the oldest of his five brothers and he takes care of his brothers. He is a hero for his little brother Lachlan and he enjoys to care of him. He meets Laney when he was eleven years old and they become best friends. They have a special bond that has been maintained throughout the years.
“Because if it’s only your looks they’re attracted to, then they’re not the one for you, Lo. You can do better. You will do better.”
For Laney, Lucas is everything, her best friend and her love. Lane always loved Lucas as more than a friend but she wasn’t sure of the feelings of Lucas for her so she kept her feelings for herself. Laney was always there for Lucas and her brothers.
Lucas… He loves me, wants me, emotional and physical scars, and all.
Both of them make mistakes in this book but they always found their way to each other and they don’t lose the special bond between them. They through heartbreaking moments in this book but their love for each other help them to heal and move forward.
I’ve loved you forever, Laney.
The story of Laney and Lucas are complex and beautiful. I loved Lucas because he was patient and loving with Laney. Lucas is not just a love story, it’s more, it’s about mistakes, family, friendship, and forgiveness. Lucas by Jay Mclean is one of my favorite books and I recommend everyone to read this book.
We love hard, love fierce, and love right. And we’re learning Luke. Always learning.
My feelings about this book are all over the place. For me, it dragged for the first half of the book. I wasn’t loving Lucas at the beginning. Initially, he comes off as being entitled to Laney’s love. I also wasn’t a big fan of Laney not communicating her feelings and always forgiving Lucas. But then it got interesting, and I was hooked. The book that I kept putting down suddenly became the book that I couldn’t put down. To keep from revealing any spoilers, I’ll just say that some heartache makes Lucas grow into the person that Laney has always thought he was. My opinion of him completely changed.
Lucas and Laney’s story is an emotional ride. It is definitely not your typical high school romance. Going in, I didn’t realize that this book covered some difficult topics. But the heavier moments are what drew me into this book and had me so invested in Lucas and Laney.
I loved the Preston family! They are a wild and funny bunch who is always there for each other. I loved how Laney and her dad are welcomed into the family like they were always a part of it. It was so special to see how Laney had a unique relationship with every member of the Preston family.
Overall, I enjoyed it so much that I’m starting on the rest of the other books in the series. I’m especially looking forward to Leo’s story in the third book due to the special connection that Leo and Laney had.
I volunteered to provide an honest review of a complimentary copy of this book.
5 LUCAS STARS!! OH MY…..this book was perfection!!! I finished this book in one sitting. Lucas and Laney what a journey they took us on, with all the feels….my emotion buttons were pushed all the way through. This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait for more.
The first time I read this book I loved it and it did not change the second time. This is an emotional book that will keep you reading until the end! I felt a variety of emotions while reading this book. I love it when an author is capable of doing that and Jay Mclean did not disappoint me.
I have read this book twice and I will reread it in the future. I love the Preston brothers.
I am still trying to process my words for this book. I can’t believe it took me this long to read it, I mean this book was EVERYTHING all in one package.
The whole Preston family was just like out of this world. I can’t believe how close-knit they were and they were a very loving and caring family. I would kill to have a family like this. They all vouch for each other and they’re always there for each other. They take care of their own and even those who aren’t part of their family, they welcome them with open arms like if they were.
The moment Lois and her dad moved in the neighborhood, her and Lucas became inseparable. This was true friendship since they were 11 years old until now that they were in high school.
These two hard heads have always had feelings for each other but neither one was strong enough to actually let the other know how they felt. Lois endured a lot of heartbreaks from listening to Lucas tell her about his many adventures with girlfriends. She on the other hand, never talked about the boys she went on dates with.
But now that they’re seniors they both actually open up to each other and actually express their feelings for one another, they have their one magical night together. It was perfect, it was magical….until it wasn’t.
When things didn’t turn out the way Lois expected or wanted, she moved on real quick. She met another guy who as in college and things moved rapidly. Her relationship with Lucas wasn’t the same but he was always there for her no matter what, even if he lost her love, he was still there as her friend.
Things happened and the book took a turn I wasn’t expecting and from start to beginning it made me sigh, it made me angry, it made me cry. I had all my emotions mixed up with this book and I loved that about it.
The family dynamic was wonderful and I fell in love with all the characters in this book. I couldn’t decide which Preston brother I loved the most. Of course it would have to be Lucas in this one because he had all the qualities that a woman or girl would LOVE. He was loving, caring, trustworthy and every other great thing you can think of.
This is definitely a book that is going on my top reads shelf because I loved it so much!!
I’m not a crier, but this book just did me in!!! I felt like I knew where the story was going since the beginning, was I mad at Laney? very! I wanted to shake them both! the roller coaster was so worth it! I couldn’t put it down!
Love this story so much !! I was up all night reading and devouring this book. It won me all over. Jay McLean’s storytelling ability is beyond measure. She’s one of the Author that you won’t think twice before grabbing her books because you know that it would be great as always. And Lucas is no difference. This book was amazing ! I was enthralled , the story line was perfect, the characters are captivating, it has all the feels and every written words are so powerful.. it breaks my heart and put back together repeatedly. The love between each characters was so inspiring. And of course the story of Lucas and Lane are so heart warming. It makes my heart burst with so much love and joy for them. I really really love this book ! I highly recommend it
Lucas and Laney’s story was one of the most frustratingly sweet novels I have read in some time. From the moment they meet, you know it is going to be a momentous journey. What happens is a surprisingly painful period of years for two so young.
Lucas and Laney’s love story is an honest tale of soul-mates who meet young. Then spend several years not taking their chance with each other. When they finally get to each other, the roadblocks of misunderstanding, fear, pain, anger, and jealousy break their baby romance, and it takes bravery and persistence to get it right again.
The outcome is clearly setting the stage for the rest of the Preston brothers’ tales, and I cannot wait to read their stories. I am so glad to see someone is going to NC State and not UNC. 🙂
This is the 1st in a new series and what a perfect beginning this is. This is Lucas and Laney’s story. These two have been the best of friends since childhood, and I loved how their friendship developed and grew over the years. This is one of those stories which sucks in the readers from the prologue to the end. No spoilers: this is a definite must read, you will not be disappointed. This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster, and is filled with angst, drama, family dynamics, heartbreak, and love. I cannot wait to read more in this series and I highly recommend for all readers.
This is my first time reading anything form this author, and I was not disappointed. This was an entertaining read, the characters are well developed, and their story captivated me. This was emotional, raw, intense, and dramatic.