[Review] More Than This – Jay McLean

Title: More Than This
Author: Jay McLean
Publisher: Amazon Publishing
Series: More Than #1

Amazon | Goodreads 

When Mikayla imagined her prom night, she envisioned a fairy-tale evening full of romance. So when betrayal and tragedy come in quick succession, Mikayla is completely destroyed. Suddenly, everything she loved and everyone she relied on are tragically, irrevocably gone.

Jake, a handsome boy she just met, happens to witness her loss. With no one to turn to, Mikayla is forced to depend on this near stranger and his family, and he in turn is determined to take care of her. But Mikayla—thrust into adulthood with no one to guide her—is desperate to contain her grief and hide what she considers to be her weakness. Mikayla and Jake both want more, but despite their growing closeness and intense chemistry, she tries to keep her distance and protect her heart. As he does everything in his power to win her trust, Mikayla must choose between remaining alone and safe or letting love in. [Goodreads]

I'm not quite sure what I should write about More Than This. It's nothing really memorable, even though it's not boring, too. You just can't say much about it.

Already after the first few pages you feel “at home” in More Than This. The author creates this feeling, in which you seemingly now everyone and their background stories. The first few pages are also quite funny, even though the following story gets really sad. 

The first problem I had were the protagonists. Mikayla and Jake don't know each other. Nonetheless they tell each other things I would never tell a stranger. Furthermore they're quite close – what I also don't get, because they've seen each other at this point of the book for the first time. Beyond that I often had this strange feeling when you know that this is just a character in a book and no real person.

In addition to it they're conversations are sometimes a bit weird, too. Too many swearwords at the wrong places (I don't mind swearwords in general, though) and topics, I'd never say out loud – never! Thus not only makes me feel uncomfortable but it's also quite embarrassing. 

Jealousy is also a big topic in More Than This. Mikayla and Jake are in no real relationship throughout the whole book, but their jealousy is really extreme, nonetheless. It's enough that another guy looks at Mikayla (in a normal and ordinary way) to transform Jake in the angriest and most jealous person of the world!

Nearly frequently I've asked myself if that, what's happening right now, is even realistic. People are too nice, too helpful and too open but also too angry and too aggressive. Maybe I'm living in a different world, but that's definitely not what's happening everyday where I live. 

Nevertheless I enjoyed  reading More Than This. Even though their behaviour is a bit extreme I like Mikayla, Jake, Jake's family and their friends a lot. They often made me smile and besides those embarrassing moments I feel quite comfortable around them (especially Jake's family, they're just too cute). 

The story also has got a few mean plot twists I didn't expect coming. You get to know something from the summary, but that's just a little part of it!

By the way More Than This was my first New Adult novel, so you might see some things differently when you've already read more New Adult novels.

All in all I have to admit that I'm not such a big fan of More Than This. I mean it's enjoyable and the characters are really sweet, but everything is a bit too exaggerated. So it's quite often too unrealistic and that can be really annoying while reading. I gave More Than This three out of five stars and I will continue reading this series, but probably not too soon, I just need a little break. 

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley!