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.
more
I really loved Lucas and Laney together. This was an extremely angsty and emotional read. I loved the Preston family and this book was definitely an addictive read.
Lucas was so much more than a romance,I couldn’t put it down. From start to finish it was a rollercoaster of emotion.
I loved everything about the story. It was realistic and the characters were believable. This was a story of best friends, first loves, loss, coming of age and happy ever afters.
I can’t wait for more from the Preston Brothers.
I received this for an honest review! I really wanted to hate Lucas for the way he treated Laney. This book deals with heavy topics for me abuse and rape, so I don’t recommend it for younger audiences. It also deals with cheating which is a rough subject for me. But I really loved all the characters and the deep family vibe they have together. I really hated the issues with both mothers but I think it just made the characters stronger and deal with things in ways that only you can after going through all of it. So well written.
PSA: HEA!
So I didn’t read the original series that is where this spin off comes from (definitely going to get on that though). This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was given the opportunity and took it. It sounded like a good high school romance, it is so much more than just that. It is an absolutely spectacular best friends to lovers romance.
Lucas is such a fantastic character. The way he stepped up and took care of his family was enough to make you fall in love with him, but everything about him was beautiful. You could feel it from the minute Lois met him. He is definitely going on my list of most favorite hero’s.
And Laney (Lois), my heart just felt for her. To be a victim of domestic violence at such a young age is unimaginable to me.
The relationship between Laney and Luke was my favorite part of the book. Not just when the got together, but their whole relationship. They were best friends before they were more and that made their relationship so much stronger when they did become more. They each make each other better people and were quite perfectly matched.
I am very excited to continue to get books about members of this family. I love every one of them!
**I was generously provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review**
For years now Laney Sanders has watched her best friend Lucas go on dates, brag about those dates, and share intimate details of all his sorted escapades… which has been soul crushing. Just once she would love for him to look at her the way he looks at the other girls… but she is certain that it is never gonna happen. It’s time for her to move on, and meet someone who sees her and makes her heart skip a beat.
But just as she gives her heart to another, her best friend Lucas turns the tables on her, and tells her she wasn’t the only one feeling things… but it’s to late for them now, or is it?
This book brings us into the lives of the boisterous Preston family, and Laney the girl next door who quickly stole all their hearts the first day she moved in down the street. I loved watching all the interactions between Laney and the Preston boys, each one of them comes with a vibrant personality that comes to life on the pages. They had me laughing out loud quite a few times. There is never a dull moment between the pages of this one, between all the on-goings in the Preston household, and all drama unfolding between Laney and the two boys competing for her heart and attention. This wonderfully penned tale captured my attention instantly and it’s touching story line stirred up my emotions. There is no way you can read this one and not have it tug on your heartstrings… it’s pages have a powerful story to tell! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Lucas and Laney have Brennan best friends since they were eleven and are die hard friends till the end both a crush on the other but not willing to lose the friendship they have until one moment changes everything, and not in a good way. This book dealt with a lot more angst and heartbreaking issues then I originally thought it would. I really liked Laney but Lucas not so much lol until the end.
*5 Stars*
Copy kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
This is only my second book by Jay McLean, and I’m reading in preparation for Leo, the third book in this series, which comes out later this year. I am totally kicking myself for not reading any of her books sooner. she is definitely a favourite author of mine now.
Lucas was full of angst and emotion, and I really liked the characters. Lucas himself, well sometimes I wanted to knock some sense into him, and other times, he was the sweetest and most lovely guy there is.
Laney was wonderful too, and I felt for her at times. There were a few things with some situations surrounding her that I expected, and others I did not. And by the time the book came back around full circle to where we start with the prologue, I had totally forgotten what I had read in said prologue, and was promptly shocked and hanging on the edge of my seat for our lovelies.
I devoured this book, and I can’t wait to move onto Logan next. Highly recommend!
Be ready to experience ever single emotion possible. You will laugh, cry, get angry, heartbroken, shocked, and then want to just sit in silence wondering what just happened.
Lucas and Laney have been friends since they were kids. She is his Lois Lane, and he is her Clark Kent. Lucas is outgoing, plays track, and has a house full of siblings. Laney is a single child, quiet, and had rather stay at home.
Watching these two skirt the feelings that’s are increasingly growing as they get older will have you holding your breath for them to get together. Unfortunately, fate has other plans and Laney gets a boyfriend.
This is unknown territory for Lucas because Laney has never have a boyfriend. Now that the roles are reversed, watching Lucas be there and try to keep Laney as his best friend was wonderful but heartbreaking. Watching Laney go through some of the things she endured will absolutely rip your heart out. You know in your head what should happened, but then you realize they are teenagers and teenagers don’t always understand how to make the right decisions when they are are under pressure and keeping secrets from everyone. I loved how Jay kept their characters the same throughout the book. Their personalities stayed the same, and the way they responded to situations was age appropriate and in sync with their character traits.
Lucas also has a big family that you will fall in love with. Lucy has her own book, but these boys are some of the best. They all are completely different, and I can’t wait for them to get their own book!
– An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
A heartbreaking and beautiful romance between a boy and a girl who thought they could conquer the world by just existing. Agggghhh this book was so good; I loved every character and well the Preston brothers have a special place in my heart!!
They’ve known each other since they were eleven, Lois “Laney” and Lucas found in each other a best friend, a confident, an adventure partner. As years pass by friendship starts to grow but at such young age they both fear those feelings won´t be reciprocated so they keep quiet that love that at some point would separate them and there might not be a chance for them to make things right.
This book goes beyond friendship or love, it goes to a family existence, an unconditional love between brothers and loyalty among them.
Goodreads Rating: 4 stars
“It took only sixteen clicks and eight seconds..”
Jay is my absolute favorite one click author, hands down. If she has a new release coming out, there is no need to read the blurb, just one click it. Every word she writes hits me in the feels every time. She is amazing. Her ability to tell an absolute phenomenal story happens with every one of her stories. When you’re reading you get lost in that world she has created; you feel as if you’re apart of their world. Reading Lucas was no different and not only did you feel as if you were apart of their world, you were a part of the Preston family. Every word of this story is perfect. It grabs you from the prologue and keeps you going until the very last word u until you read “The End”.
My initial reaction after reading Lucas was I wanted to smack him, I wanted to ask him what he was thinking, and I wanted to hug him. I felt for him. I loved reading his story. After the glimpse of him on More Than Forever, I found him intriguing. Reading his story gives you the full picture of how amazing he is an individual. I loved him.
Laney sweet, sweet girl. Jay did an amazing job writing her character. Like my reaction with Lucas, I wanted to ask what she was thinking so many different times. I wanted to hug her and just tell her it’d be okay. My heart hurt for her multiple times but in the end, I just wanted to keep reading her story and watching her grow as an individual. Seeing where she was in the beginning and seeing where she is at the end hurts you and heals you.
You also learn more about the family Preston family. This family is amazing. You see different aspects of the family and learn about how they operate and function. You see a bit of Cam and Lucy, you see Little Logan as a teenager. You fall in love with Leo. You laugh with Lachlan. You see with Liam and Lincoln that twin bond is a real thing and love them even more. Tom Preston is an amazing man and he has raised an even more amazing family. You get lost in the Preston family.
I hope we get more of this amazing family and the rest of their stories.
I don’t really know how to start this review ‘cuz I really want to do it the justice it deserves. I absolutely loved this book; from beginning until end. The author got me sobbing like a baby! It was an emotional rollercoaster but I didn’t want to get off it. That’s how good this story was. The way the story grabbed you and never lets you go, that’s how an amazing book should be! Some things in the story I never saw coming and took me by surprise. This one is definitely worth the read and for me it’s more than 5 stars!
Lucas and Lois (Laney) have known each other since they were kids and they have loved one another ever since they stumbled in their lives. Even though they never told each other how they felt from the start, they became best friends and were always at each other’s side. One event changes their lives, not knowing how to get back what they lost. But each step of the way they learn how “to love” again. In the end, they will both have to decide if it’s worth the fight… or lose each other forever…
Family
This is a wonderful story about how 2 people who start as friends can find true love. But I think it’s great how a lot of issues we brought up and dealt with. Using a lot of love, intervention and family.
“I think, ultimately, that’s what true love is, you know? To want to be someone’s hero when they’re faced with villains. To want to be to be the one that saves them. To be their Wonderwall.”
If you love Jay McLean’s books you’ll most definitely love Lucas. If you haven’t read her books, you should. This one can be read as a standalone; there are some emotional cameos from the characters from the More Series, but you’ll be way too consumed with Lucas and Laney’s story.
I like that Lucas and Lane are still in high school and getting to know their relationship from an early age. I enjoyed that it was a more mature read with adult situations. It’s not just about the friendship and romance, there is a look at all of the relationships and fears and disappointments and complications that many people go through.
They have a beautiful relationship that goes beyond words. They understand and complete each other. But they’re both dealing with things bigger than them, and they’re just teenagers. They both make mistakes, and screw up a few times. But that’s the beauty of their 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.”
I loved the large family with 7 kids and all with the names beginning with the letter “L” – Lucy, Lucas, Logan, Leo, Liam, Linc, and Lachlan. I found it charming but I did have trouble keeping track Logan and Leo – and their roles within the family. And Lachlan – the youngest, was endearing and added the right amount of humor when the story would get heavy. “Are you sexing?”
It was easy to love Lane’s (Laney, Lois) independent and nurturing nature, and appreciate that she was her own person separate from Lucas. Although, they did compliment each other. They just needed to take the time to get it right.
I was entranced by how intertwined their lives were, their families. Their love was overflowing.
“You impress people with your mind. With your kind heart and humble attitude. And while you’re a beautiful girl, your looks or the way you dress shouldn’t be the reason people are impressed by you. And when you’re older and boys start to notice you, I want you to remember that. 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.”
Jay McLean deals with different issues in this books, and I absolutely loved it! I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil anything that happens. Just know that I adore both Lucas and Laney. This was a fantastic story of friendship, love and family. With the right balance of laughter and tears.
Wow just wow – “good is the enemy of great Luke I want to be great”
The one thing I love about Jay McLean is u think you know what your going to get and then she just something even more and you cannot respect an author more.
Jay’s books were one of the first books that got me into reading indie authors and I have not looked back and everyone of her books have moved me in so many ways. I couldn’t even begin to explain.
Lucas was no exception, this was such a heartfelt and beautiful book. The biggest part of this book was family values and having a close family and always being there for each other means so much and I love reading those type of books as I don’t really have that in my life so I love reading about it, really melts my heart.
I loved Lois and Lucas, I loved their chemistry and the best friends to lovers story and how it was a hard road to get there. The fact that this book was a spin-off series from the the more than series I loved hearing about the old characters, it just kept it all connected and it was super special.
This book made me, laugh, cry, and feel emotions from the first page. The writing is beautiful and has so many messages to take away from this book and cannot wait to read more of the #PrestonPunks
This book deserves so much more than 5 stars this book deserves 1000 stars
If you haven’t bought Lucas yet you must read you won’t be disappointed and if you are new to jay mclean you have to read all her books she is one of the best
Very enjoyable story that is easy to read with great characters.
One of the best books I’ve ever read. It’s a perfect beach read.
It’s taken me days to try find the words for this book! I still don’t feel I can do it justice. ‘Laney’ meets Lucas when her dad starts to work for his dad. They are both 11 and become fast friends. Their road to finding each other is filled with heartbreak. This book made me laugh, cry and at the end feel hopeful. Some emotional triggers that are well written and sensitively dealt with.
I loved this book! Lucas and Lois (Laney) have been best friends since the age of 11. Lucas is a wonderful guy that believes he can’t tell Laney how he feels until he can ‘love her the right way’. Laney is a young girl with mommy issues, low self confidence and a huge crush on her best friend. Some of the choices these two make due to misread signals and just being young and stupid broke my heart. There are some very heavy and very current issues explored in this book. This book is a really great read and has the bonus of giving you a little taste of old friends from earlier books in a companion series.
Even though it was short I loved it
Just loved it!