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Where the Road Takes Me
Chloe has one plan for the future, and one plan only: the road. She’s made a promise to herself: don’t let anyone in, and don’t let anyone love her. She’s learned the hard way what happens if she breaks her rules. So she’s focused on being invisible and waiting until she can set out on the road—her dream of freedom, at least for a little while.
Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.
One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.
Blake Hunter is a basketball star who has it all—everything about him looks perfect to those on the other side of his protective walls. He can’t let anyone see the shattered pieces behind the flawless facade or else all his hopes and dreams will disappear.
One dark night throws Chloe and Blake together, changing everything for Blake. For Chloe, nothing changes: she has the road, and she’s focused on it. But when the so-called perfect boy starts to notice the invisible girl, they discover that sometimes with love, no one knows where the road may lead.
315 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2015
570 people are currently reading
11269 people want to read
About the author
Jay McLean
42 books8,165 followersJay McLean is an international best-selling author and full-time reader, writer of New Adult and Young Adult romance, and skilled procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her three little boys, investing way too much time on True Crime Documentaries and binge-watching reality TV.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.
Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her hurt and make her feel.
Jay lives in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, in her dream home where music is loud and laughter is louder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,057 reviews
February 5, 2015
Honestly, I just can't do it. I cannot finish this book novel story great big cliche.
I tried so hard. I'm the kind of person that's prone to bouts of wanderlust so the blurb made me think myself and the female MC might have a lot in common. Mix in a bit of summer romance and sexy times and I expected to feel like July had come early. It didn't take more than a page for the disappointments to start rolling in.
I'm not joking when I say this book is one irritating cliche after another. On the very first page of chapter one, the male narrator - Blake - literally runs into Chloe. This is the kind of lazy storytelling I'd expect from Jennifer L. Armentrout; I know that every romance author has to work out that magical moment when our girl and guy will meet, but I'm a strong believer that this moment should not a) be on the first page, or b) occur as a result of them physically colliding.
It's like the author sat down and thought "I can't be bothered to come up with an interesting way for these people to meet so... BAM!"
Secondly, Chloe is running from a potential rapist when they meet (haven't seen that one before *eyeroll*) and Blake puffs out his chest and saves her. Of course. I'm amazed that I managed to stick with this book so long after being treated to Chloe's mindless stupidity in the first chapter. They've known each other for about two minutes when this exchange takes place:
“Yet, here you are - walking with me in pitch-black darkness, at two in the morning, to a more-than-likely abandoned parking lot, under the impression I’m going to get you back to your necessities. You’re not even slightly afraid of what might happen to you?”
“No, Blake. I know I’m safe with you.”
HOW do you possibly know that? What an absolute idiot. The message this book sends out to young women is fucking dangerous! That's before we even get to the offensive parts.
This first meeting quickly dissolves into a Romeo and Juliet like moment. Maybe not quite instalove, but by the time they've finished wandering around in the dark with one another, they're saying things like this:
“Dude, you’re like superman.”
“Does that make you my kryptonite?”
Ugh. You've known each other for about five bloody minutes! What's wrong with you?
All of this stuff is just in the first chapter so I went against my better judgement, took a deep breath, and kept reading to see if it got better. Believe me, it got worse. Are we really not over the whole popular jock guy with "slutty" cheerleader girlfriend cliche? No? What about the cliche where that popular jock guy meets a strange, beautiful and damaged unpopular girl and falls in lurve? Nope, not that one either, apparently.
These are our characters:
Blake - popular jock guy
Chloe - weird (but cute) loner girl with issues
Hannah - Blake's cheerleader girlfriend who is characterized by her overt sexuality and revealing clothing. We're supposed to believe it's fine that he ditches her for Chloe because sluts don't have no feelings.
Clothing is used to say a lot about our female characters in this book. We don't get a breakdown of what the guys are wearing because this apparently does not matter. However, Hannah always wears revealing clothing and rarely does anything but pout and rub herself up against Blake. Chloe makes a point of showing her disdain for her new work uniform:
“I rushed to change into the uniform that Josh, the guy who was training me, had handed me. They came in only one size: whore.”
When Josh suggests she will make 4x the tips by wearing that size uniform she seriously says: “And compromise my soul?”
COMPROMISE MY SOUL. Yeah. That's really what she says.
I suppose this is all to prove she is sweet and innocent because it would be really bad if us readers mistook her for a slut. Bleh. Also, Chloe's secret "issue" is built up with so much melodrama that it was really hard to feel sympathy for her.
I didn't even make it to the halfway point so I'm sorry if awesomeness reared it's head after that, but I doubt it. I feel like I've read this story a thousand times and I didn't even enjoy it the first time.
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I tried so hard. I'm the kind of person that's prone to bouts of wanderlust so the blurb made me think myself and the female MC might have a lot in common. Mix in a bit of summer romance and sexy times and I expected to feel like July had come early. It didn't take more than a page for the disappointments to start rolling in.
I'm not joking when I say this book is one irritating cliche after another. On the very first page of chapter one, the male narrator - Blake - literally runs into Chloe. This is the kind of lazy storytelling I'd expect from Jennifer L. Armentrout; I know that every romance author has to work out that magical moment when our girl and guy will meet, but I'm a strong believer that this moment should not a) be on the first page, or b) occur as a result of them physically colliding.
It's like the author sat down and thought "I can't be bothered to come up with an interesting way for these people to meet so... BAM!"
Secondly, Chloe is running from a potential rapist when they meet (haven't seen that one before *eyeroll*) and Blake puffs out his chest and saves her. Of course. I'm amazed that I managed to stick with this book so long after being treated to Chloe's mindless stupidity in the first chapter. They've known each other for about two minutes when this exchange takes place:
“Yet, here you are - walking with me in pitch-black darkness, at two in the morning, to a more-than-likely abandoned parking lot, under the impression I’m going to get you back to your necessities. You’re not even slightly afraid of what might happen to you?”
“No, Blake. I know I’m safe with you.”
HOW do you possibly know that? What an absolute idiot. The message this book sends out to young women is fucking dangerous! That's before we even get to the offensive parts.
This first meeting quickly dissolves into a Romeo and Juliet like moment. Maybe not quite instalove, but by the time they've finished wandering around in the dark with one another, they're saying things like this:
“Dude, you’re like superman.”
“Does that make you my kryptonite?”
Ugh. You've known each other for about five bloody minutes! What's wrong with you?
All of this stuff is just in the first chapter so I went against my better judgement, took a deep breath, and kept reading to see if it got better. Believe me, it got worse. Are we really not over the whole popular jock guy with "slutty" cheerleader girlfriend cliche? No? What about the cliche where that popular jock guy meets a strange, beautiful and damaged unpopular girl and falls in lurve? Nope, not that one either, apparently.
These are our characters:
Blake - popular jock guy
Chloe - weird (but cute) loner girl with issues
Hannah - Blake's cheerleader girlfriend who is characterized by her overt sexuality and revealing clothing. We're supposed to believe it's fine that he ditches her for Chloe because sluts don't have no feelings.
Clothing is used to say a lot about our female characters in this book. We don't get a breakdown of what the guys are wearing because this apparently does not matter. However, Hannah always wears revealing clothing and rarely does anything but pout and rub herself up against Blake. Chloe makes a point of showing her disdain for her new work uniform:
“I rushed to change into the uniform that Josh, the guy who was training me, had handed me. They came in only one size: whore.”
When Josh suggests she will make 4x the tips by wearing that size uniform she seriously says: “And compromise my soul?”
COMPROMISE MY SOUL. Yeah. That's really what she says.
I suppose this is all to prove she is sweet and innocent because it would be really bad if us readers mistook her for a slut. Bleh. Also, Chloe's secret "issue" is built up with so much melodrama that it was really hard to feel sympathy for her.
I didn't even make it to the halfway point so I'm sorry if awesomeness reared it's head after that, but I doubt it. I feel like I've read this story a thousand times and I didn't even enjoy it the first time.
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January 31, 2015
4 stars!
Where the Road Takes Me is a story about two teenagers named Blake and Chloe. One night, they ‘meet’. Blake is jogging and sees a distressed Chloe. He’s the type of guy that needs to help her and make sure she’s okay. Blake is taken with Chloe from the very start. You can tell Chloe has some sort of feeling for Blake, but she won’t let herself feel. Won’t let her self get too close to anyone.
Chloe and Blake end up working together, getting thrown into a lot of situations together. Chloe tries to fight the feelings she’s developing for Blake, but there are moments she knows. Blake Hunter is her change.
Blake and Chloe’s journey isn’t easy or simple. Both have big things going on in there life. Chloe is about to go on a trip she’s been planning for the longest time. After she graduates high school, it’s just her and the road. And Blake has a huge choice to make. Does he play basketball, something he’s great at and he loves, or does he follow his fathers footsteps and go into the service?
No matter what Blake decides to do with his future, he knows he wants Chloe to be a part of it. But Chloe knows her future and she doesn’t want anyone to be involved with it. She knows what it’s leading to, and she isn’t willing to risk it with Blake. Blake knows this, but he is a tenacious man.
So lets talk about the characters. This is one of those books where there was a character that wasn’t the leading man or woman but really stuck out to me. This guy’s name was Josh. Every scene with Josh in it I looked forward to. I loved his dynamic with Blake, with Chloe, I just loved him period. I know this is a stand alone, but I would be very happy if a Josh book would come out. Some of my favorite scenes were with Josh and a few with Blake’s mom really stood out. And the family Chloe lived with- her family. They were fabulous too. I loved the secondary characters in this book!
On to Chloe and Blake- Although I could understand why the heroine did some of the things she did, it didn’t make me any less frustrated with her. Chloe would make some headway with me then do something to infuriate me all over again. Blake on the other hand was pretty great. He saw something in Chloe that made him want to be different. Make different choices and not be the guy he’s been. I did have an issues with the fact
Jay McLean is an amazing writer. She has such a way with words and there were many beautiful quotes and moments that stuck with me. I loved the road trip aspect (I’m a sucker for those types of stories) and although there were parts in the middle that lagged for me, the last 20% or so really picked up the pace. This wasn’t anything like Jay’s ‘More’ series, but I can appreciate that she wanted to write something different. Although it didn’t hit all my love buttons like the More books, and I personally had a few issues with the heroine and aspects of the story, it was still overall an enjoyable and entertaining book for me.
*arc kindly provided by author in an exchange for an honest review*
Where the Road Takes Me is a story about two teenagers named Blake and Chloe. One night, they ‘meet’. Blake is jogging and sees a distressed Chloe. He’s the type of guy that needs to help her and make sure she’s okay. Blake is taken with Chloe from the very start. You can tell Chloe has some sort of feeling for Blake, but she won’t let herself feel. Won’t let her self get too close to anyone.
I knew my future. I knew my fate. And I knew that I had absolutely no control of any of it.
Chloe and Blake end up working together, getting thrown into a lot of situations together. Chloe tries to fight the feelings she’s developing for Blake, but there are moments she knows. Blake Hunter is her change.
Blake and Chloe’s journey isn’t easy or simple. Both have big things going on in there life. Chloe is about to go on a trip she’s been planning for the longest time. After she graduates high school, it’s just her and the road. And Blake has a huge choice to make. Does he play basketball, something he’s great at and he loves, or does he follow his fathers footsteps and go into the service?
No matter what Blake decides to do with his future, he knows he wants Chloe to be a part of it. But Chloe knows her future and she doesn’t want anyone to be involved with it. She knows what it’s leading to, and she isn’t willing to risk it with Blake. Blake knows this, but he is a tenacious man.
So lets talk about the characters. This is one of those books where there was a character that wasn’t the leading man or woman but really stuck out to me. This guy’s name was Josh. Every scene with Josh in it I looked forward to. I loved his dynamic with Blake, with Chloe, I just loved him period. I know this is a stand alone, but I would be very happy if a Josh book would come out. Some of my favorite scenes were with Josh and a few with Blake’s mom really stood out. And the family Chloe lived with- her family. They were fabulous too. I loved the secondary characters in this book!
On to Chloe and Blake- Although I could understand why the heroine did some of the things she did, it didn’t make me any less frustrated with her. Chloe would make some headway with me then do something to infuriate me all over again. Blake on the other hand was pretty great. He saw something in Chloe that made him want to be different. Make different choices and not be the guy he’s been. I did have an issues with the fact
Jay McLean is an amazing writer. She has such a way with words and there were many beautiful quotes and moments that stuck with me. I loved the road trip aspect (I’m a sucker for those types of stories) and although there were parts in the middle that lagged for me, the last 20% or so really picked up the pace. This wasn’t anything like Jay’s ‘More’ series, but I can appreciate that she wanted to write something different. Although it didn’t hit all my love buttons like the More books, and I personally had a few issues with the heroine and aspects of the story, it was still overall an enjoyable and entertaining book for me.
*arc kindly provided by author in an exchange for an honest review*
February 7, 2015
This book is rated ‘W’ for Well Done
5 STARS out of 5
Genre: New Adult Romance
She was invisible, unknown and waiting on her chance to be on the road…
He is visible, well known and he must make a choice… a life changing choice.
One night the visible collides with the unknown removing her cloak of invisibility. So whether she likes it or not… she just became visible, because knowing her changes everything.
She wanted to know about school; I told her about sports. She asked me about home; I told her more about sports. And then it struck me; why we were both so comfortable. Here; in this one night, as complete strangers.’
There is beauty in a story such as this one; it’s held within its characters when the author puts her heart in to her work. Told in dual points of view Where The Road Takes Me brings these two unlikely people together.
Chloe- closed off reluctant to form any bonds or connections
Blake- the very well known-rich-jock who put's on a facade in public.
After a chance meeting in the middle of the night puts her on Blake’s radar. A radar I should add she had managed to go undetected on for quite some time. As he naturally reaches out Chloe just as naturally closes herself off to him. You see, Chloe knows that once she graduates she’ll be gone…on the road.
When they are once again thrown together he runs with it. Knowing the road is ahead for Chloe does NOT deter Blake at all. Matter of fact he has a big decision to make regarding his own future.
Still, the more time he spends with Chloe the more he sees her in his future.
Always conscious of how much of herself she gives to people Chloe does continue to shut Blake down. He finds a way in. She tries to keep him at a distance but uh that’s not happening. Let’s just saaay he is not going for it.
In the first 20% to 30% an intimacy and acceptance level is built between these two characters that only seemed to strengthen throughout the book. I think at one point Blake even threatens to leave her but in his mind he's like 'I'm lying I could never leave her' or something to that effect and it sent a flutter in my stomach it was so swoon worthy.
Their love is SWOON WORTHY!
The Characters
Chloe is a tough nut to crack. Most readers will most likely spend some time trying to figure her out, connecting with Blake before they do with her. But I’m telling you stick with her she’ll win your heart of this I am sure.
Blake will easily steal your heart. He is sweet, charming and in love with a girl named Chloe.
' Chloe—she was worth it. She was worth everything. '
That line is EVERYTHING!!!! Oh help me my heart just sped up!!
And then there is Josh, the best way to describe him is…is…you know as a kid when you get your favorite box of cereal and you’re already hype cause your mom remembered to get it for you right, and then you dig in and find the prize. Josh plus1 is the PRIZE! His character will easily get in to your heart. You can’t help but to love him, feel for him and want to know more about him.
My Thoughts
This book definitely has a different tone and flow than McLean’s More Series. Whereas the more series has a high impact 1,2 punch. Where The Road Takes Me moves to the beat of it's own drum. It delves deeper in to the characters and what they are facing at various points offering us more of who they are each time. Helping us the reader gain a better understanding of what has made them the way we now see them.
There are beautiful themes strewn throughout the book that appear at just the right moments. What I loved was how the themes took on a role all their own. GAH, you really have to read it to understand it sorry no spoilers here.
It's simple.. She writes. I read.
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable, Sweet and Witty
Writing Style- Strong, pulled at my heart in more ways than one
Plot/Storyline- Two teens meet one night and afterwards their lives change in ways they could not imagine
Steam Factor- Lo-Med-Hi I say Medium on a scale of 1-0 I say 7
Entertainment Level- High, the book held me captive from start to finish
Overall- I loved it! I recommend it to all NA lovers!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to: www.realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot...
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/realitybitesletsgetlost
5 STARS out of 5
Genre: New Adult Romance
She was invisible, unknown and waiting on her chance to be on the road…
He is visible, well known and he must make a choice… a life changing choice.
One night the visible collides with the unknown removing her cloak of invisibility. So whether she likes it or not… she just became visible, because knowing her changes everything.
She wanted to know about school; I told her about sports. She asked me about home; I told her more about sports. And then it struck me; why we were both so comfortable. Here; in this one night, as complete strangers.’
There is beauty in a story such as this one; it’s held within its characters when the author puts her heart in to her work. Told in dual points of view Where The Road Takes Me brings these two unlikely people together.
Chloe- closed off reluctant to form any bonds or connections
Blake- the very well known-rich-jock who put's on a facade in public.
After a chance meeting in the middle of the night puts her on Blake’s radar. A radar I should add she had managed to go undetected on for quite some time. As he naturally reaches out Chloe just as naturally closes herself off to him. You see, Chloe knows that once she graduates she’ll be gone…on the road.
When they are once again thrown together he runs with it. Knowing the road is ahead for Chloe does NOT deter Blake at all. Matter of fact he has a big decision to make regarding his own future.
Still, the more time he spends with Chloe the more he sees her in his future.
Always conscious of how much of herself she gives to people Chloe does continue to shut Blake down. He finds a way in. She tries to keep him at a distance but uh that’s not happening. Let’s just saaay he is not going for it.
In the first 20% to 30% an intimacy and acceptance level is built between these two characters that only seemed to strengthen throughout the book. I think at one point Blake even threatens to leave her but in his mind he's like 'I'm lying I could never leave her' or something to that effect and it sent a flutter in my stomach it was so swoon worthy.
Their love is SWOON WORTHY!
The Characters
Chloe is a tough nut to crack. Most readers will most likely spend some time trying to figure her out, connecting with Blake before they do with her. But I’m telling you stick with her she’ll win your heart of this I am sure.
Blake will easily steal your heart. He is sweet, charming and in love with a girl named Chloe.
' Chloe—she was worth it. She was worth everything. '
That line is EVERYTHING!!!! Oh help me my heart just sped up!!
And then there is Josh, the best way to describe him is…is…you know as a kid when you get your favorite box of cereal and you’re already hype cause your mom remembered to get it for you right, and then you dig in and find the prize. Josh plus1 is the PRIZE! His character will easily get in to your heart. You can’t help but to love him, feel for him and want to know more about him.
My Thoughts
This book definitely has a different tone and flow than McLean’s More Series. Whereas the more series has a high impact 1,2 punch. Where The Road Takes Me moves to the beat of it's own drum. It delves deeper in to the characters and what they are facing at various points offering us more of who they are each time. Helping us the reader gain a better understanding of what has made them the way we now see them.
There are beautiful themes strewn throughout the book that appear at just the right moments. What I loved was how the themes took on a role all their own. GAH, you really have to read it to understand it sorry no spoilers here.
It's simple.. She writes. I read.
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable, Sweet and Witty
Writing Style- Strong, pulled at my heart in more ways than one
Plot/Storyline- Two teens meet one night and afterwards their lives change in ways they could not imagine
Steam Factor- Lo-Med-Hi I say Medium on a scale of 1-0 I say 7
Entertainment Level- High, the book held me captive from start to finish
Overall- I loved it! I recommend it to all NA lovers!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to: www.realitybites-letsgetlost.blogspot...
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/realitybitesletsgetlost
March 6, 2015
3.5 stars
I don't even know who I am anymore. Most of my friends didn't care for this book. Umm.... I liked it.
I'm supposed to be that hateful bitch that one stars everything. Dammit. I might have gotten slipped some of the kool-aid when I wasn't looking.
This book is chock full of some cliches. You got some insta-love, terminal illness and all kinds of stuff going on. What did I do? I picked the sucker up and couldn't put it down.
I liked these characters. I LOVED the supporting characters. It's a cute little romance so back off me.
Most of the reviews say this book is not the author's best work. Dang, I gotta read some more of her books if this is the worst.
Fire truck it. I'm calling this book a red-letter book.
I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
I don't even know who I am anymore. Most of my friends didn't care for this book. Umm.... I liked it.
I'm supposed to be that hateful bitch that one stars everything. Dammit. I might have gotten slipped some of the kool-aid when I wasn't looking.
This book is chock full of some cliches. You got some insta-love, terminal illness and all kinds of stuff going on. What did I do? I picked the sucker up and couldn't put it down.
I liked these characters. I LOVED the supporting characters. It's a cute little romance so back off me.
Most of the reviews say this book is not the author's best work. Dang, I gotta read some more of her books if this is the worst.
Fire truck it. I'm calling this book a red-letter book.
I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.
January 29, 2015
So NOT Unexpectedly Phenomenal.
I swear I took this story on its own merit. I kept an open mind this whole read and I never compared this story to any of the author’s previous works. Sadly this story had a lot that simply just didn’t’ work. It was like a countdown of stars the further I read 5, 4, 3, 2.
It felt like tiny chunks of information were removed here and there that would have helped me form any connection to the two main characters and this story. I kept thinking am I missing something? Their love wasn’t believable and some things felt thrown in for effect. Chloe had so many scenes where I was left scratching my head and then randomly she would give sage advice but her actions were the opposite.
The hero, Blake Hunter falls immediately for Chloe from their first meeting. He is devastated that their time together will be cut short because he’s already in love. He is debating between following a military career like his father or a full scholarship to Duke University to play basketball.
As for the part that I was so excited for the road trip itself, it was cheesy and lame.
The story was somewhat unoriginal and 'red letter days' and 'unexpectedly phenomenal' was used way too much. There were a few really good scenes: basketball with three of the characters and all the Josh scenes.
Overall, the story was a red pen on a white piece of paper FAIL for me. Honestly, the only character I liked and felt like I knew was Josh, the hero’s best friend.
Arc provided via NetGalley for an honest review
I swear I took this story on its own merit. I kept an open mind this whole read and I never compared this story to any of the author’s previous works. Sadly this story had a lot that simply just didn’t’ work. It was like a countdown of stars the further I read 5, 4, 3, 2.
It felt like tiny chunks of information were removed here and there that would have helped me form any connection to the two main characters and this story. I kept thinking am I missing something? Their love wasn’t believable and some things felt thrown in for effect. Chloe had so many scenes where I was left scratching my head and then randomly she would give sage advice but her actions were the opposite.
The hero, Blake Hunter falls immediately for Chloe from their first meeting. He is devastated that their time together will be cut short because he’s already in love. He is debating between following a military career like his father or a full scholarship to Duke University to play basketball.
As for the part that I was so excited for the road trip itself, it was cheesy and lame.
The story was somewhat unoriginal and 'red letter days' and 'unexpectedly phenomenal' was used way too much. There were a few really good scenes: basketball with three of the characters and all the Josh scenes.
Overall, the story was a red pen on a white piece of paper FAIL for me. Honestly, the only character I liked and felt like I knew was Josh, the hero’s best friend.
Arc provided via NetGalley for an honest review
February 10, 2015
3-3,5 STARS
I was excited to read this book!!!The synopsis is very alluring and made me want to read this book upon it's arrival.Also if you are a fan of Jay McLean I'm sure you will dying to read it! For me it's the first book from this author and I was very happy when I got my arc.Blake was definitely the highlight of this book for me.He kept my interest till the end.I liked how the book start with Chloe and Blake bump into each other when they didn't expected and start a friendship..Blake is amazing!!I loved him so much!!!He is cute,sweet and patient!!He wants Chloe a lot!!
" "You look nice."
"You already said that."
"I did?" "Maybe you deserve to be told more than once."
Chloe...ugh I really tried to like her but I couldn't.She irritates me so much!!I couldn't understand her..I feel like she was miserable all the time..Ok she has a difficult life but there wre so many people who care for her and she had to understand it...This is the reason why I rated 3-3,5 stars..If the heroine was stronger and captivate,I think it could be a 5 stars for me. Josh was an interesting character too!!I liked him a lot and I would like to see in the future a book for him!!!
As I said before this is my first book from Jay McLean and I loved her writing style so I will definitely check her other books!!This story is sweet,funny and sad.
ARC KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
I was excited to read this book!!!The synopsis is very alluring and made me want to read this book upon it's arrival.Also if you are a fan of Jay McLean I'm sure you will dying to read it! For me it's the first book from this author and I was very happy when I got my arc.Blake was definitely the highlight of this book for me.He kept my interest till the end.I liked how the book start with Chloe and Blake bump into each other when they didn't expected and start a friendship..Blake is amazing!!I loved him so much!!!He is cute,sweet and patient!!He wants Chloe a lot!!
" "You look nice."
"You already said that."
"I did?" "Maybe you deserve to be told more than once."
Chloe...ugh I really tried to like her but I couldn't.She irritates me so much!!I couldn't understand her..I feel like she was miserable all the time..Ok she has a difficult life but there wre so many people who care for her and she had to understand it...This is the reason why I rated 3-3,5 stars..If the heroine was stronger and captivate,I think it could be a 5 stars for me. Josh was an interesting character too!!I liked him a lot and I would like to see in the future a book for him!!!
As I said before this is my first book from Jay McLean and I loved her writing style so I will definitely check her other books!!This story is sweet,funny and sad.
ARC KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
January 30, 2015
I've been a fan of JayMac's More Than series with More Than Forever being my favorite. Going into this, I wasn't expecting another More Than This/Her/Forever, but I was expecting fluid story telling, flawed yet relatable characters and engaging writing. Sadly, WtRTM failed to meet all of those things.
The Story
The plot has great potential. Chloe is a young girl who has felt invisible all her life. One night, she meets Blake, a popular jock at her school and they have this instantaneous connection. But Chloe is dealing with so many issues stemming from her mother's and then her aunt's death so she pushes Blake away for most of the book.
Blake, despite his privilege, isn't as confident about his future as he projected. His home life is less than perfect with recovering alcoholic of a mother and a father who's pressuring him to follow in his footsteps.
My thoughts
Right off the bat, my issues with this book started the moment Blake and Chloe met. I'm sorry but I just didn't see their connection. Sure, the book keeps telling me that they have a connection but I just didn't see it. And I find quite unbelievable that Blake is suddenly so fascinated with this girl after meeting her for like 2 seconds. I have no problem with insta-love or insta-lust but this time I wasn't convinced. What exactly did Blake see in her? What exactly did Chloe do to make Blake think she's it for him? What is this connection exactly?
Chloe is the most annoying female character I've come across in a long while. She embodies TSTL to a tee. I hate to label a female character TSTL but that's truly what Chloe is to me. The way she acted, her decisions throughout the book made her a TSTL heroine.
I get that she's young and immature. She's allowed to make stupid mistakes. No problem. But then she goes around giving advice, giving encouragement, talking about life, yada, yada, yada, all the while ignoring other people's advice. I find that to be very HYPOCRITICAL and INCONSISTENT. Had she been consistent, I wouldn't have a problem with her immaturity. She goes from whiny brat to wise sage at a drop of a hat. It gave me whiplash.
Blake was just weak. He allowed his girlfriend to control him and then he allowed Chloe to walk all over him. I didn't see anything different with the way, Blake's ex treated him and Chloe's treatment. The only difference was Chloe was the heroine in this story, which means, she should be excused for being a bitch to him while his ex was the other woman, therefore worthy of our hate. That's it.
Another issue was the plot. It had potential but the execution was all over the place. Chloe is dealing with some serious fears about But instead of doing something about it, she wants to "get away" from all of it.
I was so looking forward to reading about Chloe growing and finally facing her fears and DEALING with that particular issue. What I got instead was Chloe pushing everybody away -- her family, Blake, her friends -- getting drunk, and basically putting herself in harms way, etc.
Which leads me to my biggest issue with this book. And I apologize in advance if this rant might reveal some spoilers. I'm tagging it just in case.
I just find that part hard to swallow. I wanted to quit reading there and then. There's another event that happened that should have pushed Chloe to make a change. Instead she went and did something idiotic. I'm sorry but after that, I couldn't find it in me to care anymore.
1.5 stars!
ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Story
The plot has great potential. Chloe is a young girl who has felt invisible all her life. One night, she meets Blake, a popular jock at her school and they have this instantaneous connection. But Chloe is dealing with so many issues stemming from her mother's and then her aunt's death so she pushes Blake away for most of the book.
Blake, despite his privilege, isn't as confident about his future as he projected. His home life is less than perfect with recovering alcoholic of a mother and a father who's pressuring him to follow in his footsteps.
My thoughts
Right off the bat, my issues with this book started the moment Blake and Chloe met. I'm sorry but I just didn't see their connection. Sure, the book keeps telling me that they have a connection but I just didn't see it. And I find quite unbelievable that Blake is suddenly so fascinated with this girl after meeting her for like 2 seconds. I have no problem with insta-love or insta-lust but this time I wasn't convinced. What exactly did Blake see in her? What exactly did Chloe do to make Blake think she's it for him? What is this connection exactly?
Chloe is the most annoying female character I've come across in a long while. She embodies TSTL to a tee. I hate to label a female character TSTL but that's truly what Chloe is to me. The way she acted, her decisions throughout the book made her a TSTL heroine.
I get that she's young and immature. She's allowed to make stupid mistakes. No problem. But then she goes around giving advice, giving encouragement, talking about life, yada, yada, yada, all the while ignoring other people's advice. I find that to be very HYPOCRITICAL and INCONSISTENT. Had she been consistent, I wouldn't have a problem with her immaturity. She goes from whiny brat to wise sage at a drop of a hat. It gave me whiplash.
Blake was just weak. He allowed his girlfriend to control him and then he allowed Chloe to walk all over him. I didn't see anything different with the way, Blake's ex treated him and Chloe's treatment. The only difference was Chloe was the heroine in this story, which means, she should be excused for being a bitch to him while his ex was the other woman, therefore worthy of our hate. That's it.
Another issue was the plot. It had potential but the execution was all over the place. Chloe is dealing with some serious fears about But instead of doing something about it, she wants to "get away" from all of it.
I was so looking forward to reading about Chloe growing and finally facing her fears and DEALING with that particular issue. What I got instead was Chloe pushing everybody away -- her family, Blake, her friends -- getting drunk, and basically putting herself in harms way, etc.
Which leads me to my biggest issue with this book. And I apologize in advance if this rant might reveal some spoilers. I'm tagging it just in case.
I just find that part hard to swallow. I wanted to quit reading there and then. There's another event that happened that should have pushed Chloe to make a change. Instead she went and did something idiotic. I'm sorry but after that, I couldn't find it in me to care anymore.
1.5 stars!
ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2015
I love Jay but didn't love this one.....Don't get me wrong it wasn't awful, but definitely not my favorite of hers....Review to come.
March 4, 2015
**2 Black Letter Stars**
First of all, I don't know why they changed the previous cover because it was so beautiful!
Blake is a high school -basketball star, who seems like he has the perfect life, but he knows that this isn't true. Chloe is an invisible girl, who wants to stay this way for her own personal reasons. What happens when she meets Blake and suddenly she's not invisible to him anymore? What happens when her only plan in her life is to leave after graduation on an eternal road trip, leaving everything and everyone behind?
I'm just gonna get in my car and drive. No destination. No map. Nothing. Just drive.
I don't want to be mean, but I may sound harsh when I say that this book made me feel frustrated. It made me mad and it also made me roll my eyes several times. I strictly believe that the author's solemn purpose was to make her readers cry. There was so much drama in this book, so much suffering and depressing things that actually I found them completely melodramatic.
I wish I would have liked this, but the plot had several loopholes, the story was simply unplausible and it only made me wonder if I would have liked it if I would have been younger. Maybe I would have liked it more, but to me it had so much unnecessarily drama, that I just wanted to blow my brain or something.
The rest of my review will be in a spoiler section, because I feel like I need to express myself and I don't want to ruin it for someone. Proceed on your own risk.
There were a couple of scenes that I did enjoyed and even made me smile, but still, the book was overflowing with so much bullshit that I just couldn't. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this book more than I did!
Thank you Alice for the BR! I hope our next one will be better! <3
Arc kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I don't know why they changed the previous cover because it was so beautiful!
Blake is a high school -basketball star, who seems like he has the perfect life, but he knows that this isn't true. Chloe is an invisible girl, who wants to stay this way for her own personal reasons. What happens when she meets Blake and suddenly she's not invisible to him anymore? What happens when her only plan in her life is to leave after graduation on an eternal road trip, leaving everything and everyone behind?
I'm just gonna get in my car and drive. No destination. No map. Nothing. Just drive.
I don't want to be mean, but I may sound harsh when I say that this book made me feel frustrated. It made me mad and it also made me roll my eyes several times. I strictly believe that the author's solemn purpose was to make her readers cry. There was so much drama in this book, so much suffering and depressing things that actually I found them completely melodramatic.
I wish I would have liked this, but the plot had several loopholes, the story was simply unplausible and it only made me wonder if I would have liked it if I would have been younger. Maybe I would have liked it more, but to me it had so much unnecessarily drama, that I just wanted to blow my brain or something.
The rest of my review will be in a spoiler section, because I feel like I need to express myself and I don't want to ruin it for someone. Proceed on your own risk.
There were a couple of scenes that I did enjoyed and even made me smile, but still, the book was overflowing with so much bullshit that I just couldn't. Anyway, I hope you'll enjoy this book more than I did!
Thank you Alice for the BR! I hope our next one will be better! <3
Arc kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2015
LIVE on AMAZON
"Sometimes the wrong path can lead us to the right road."
Chloe is a senior in high school and she has a plan, like most people her age, only her plan is a little different. For the last four years she has spent her time being invisible, she doesn’t want to form relationships or include people in her life. Everything is going according to her plan until one night she meets a guy.
“You know how sometimes you can tell that something is about to happen, even though there are no physical signs?”
Blake Hunter is the opposite of Chloe, he is the star basketball player, dating the head cheerleader, and has tons of friends. Blake's life appears to be picture perfect from the outside, but things are never as perfect as they seem.
When Blake and Chloe meet, they are strangers and they share a perfect night. They spend hours talking and getting to know each other, and even have a hot little make-out session. At the end of the night they go their separate ways not knowing if they will ever see each other again. While Blake can’t stop thinking of the mystery girl, Chloe continues to attend their high school and tries to maintain her status of being invisible. Things don’t always work out as planned.
Blake and Chloe on the outside appear to be polar opposites, but the more we get to know them we begin to see they are more alike. Do they share the same problems or insecurities, no. However, they are able to bond over their struggles and the more time they spend together the stronger their connection. Regardless of their connection, friendship, or relationship things cannot continue past the school year since Chloe is planning on leaving after graduation to pursue the Road.
I absolutely LOVED the secondary characters in this story. I felt like they added a lot of value to the story, and as the story progressed I genuinely cared about them. Side note: Please write a book for Josh! I absolutely loved him! The family scenes were some of my favorite, but also caused some of my frustration since Chloe constantly shut them out.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the story. However, the story took a turn and I became very frustrated. I think what frustrated me the most was the latter part of the story felt eerily similar to another book I love. I tried to overlook this and focus on the differences, but a scene at the end cemented it all for me.
I tried to keep an open mind regarding Chloe and her struggles, but it was difficult to see her constantly shoot herself in the foot. There were scenes I wanted to scream at her. Additionally, the ending felt very rushed, it was like there was a list of things that had to be completed and they were all thrown in in the last 10%.
I feel very conflicted in reviewing this one. Mainly because Jay McLean is a fantastic writer and this book has so many great quotes and memorable moments. In the end I think some may enjoy this story, while others will be very frustrated. I can see the beauty in this story, but I can also remember my level of frustration at times.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
"Sometimes the wrong path can lead us to the right road."
Chloe is a senior in high school and she has a plan, like most people her age, only her plan is a little different. For the last four years she has spent her time being invisible, she doesn’t want to form relationships or include people in her life. Everything is going according to her plan until one night she meets a guy.
“You know how sometimes you can tell that something is about to happen, even though there are no physical signs?”
Blake Hunter is the opposite of Chloe, he is the star basketball player, dating the head cheerleader, and has tons of friends. Blake's life appears to be picture perfect from the outside, but things are never as perfect as they seem.
When Blake and Chloe meet, they are strangers and they share a perfect night. They spend hours talking and getting to know each other, and even have a hot little make-out session. At the end of the night they go their separate ways not knowing if they will ever see each other again. While Blake can’t stop thinking of the mystery girl, Chloe continues to attend their high school and tries to maintain her status of being invisible. Things don’t always work out as planned.
Blake and Chloe on the outside appear to be polar opposites, but the more we get to know them we begin to see they are more alike. Do they share the same problems or insecurities, no. However, they are able to bond over their struggles and the more time they spend together the stronger their connection. Regardless of their connection, friendship, or relationship things cannot continue past the school year since Chloe is planning on leaving after graduation to pursue the Road.
I absolutely LOVED the secondary characters in this story. I felt like they added a lot of value to the story, and as the story progressed I genuinely cared about them. Side note: Please write a book for Josh! I absolutely loved him! The family scenes were some of my favorite, but also caused some of my frustration since Chloe constantly shut them out.
I really enjoyed the beginning of the story. However, the story took a turn and I became very frustrated. I think what frustrated me the most was the latter part of the story felt eerily similar to another book I love. I tried to overlook this and focus on the differences, but a scene at the end cemented it all for me.
I tried to keep an open mind regarding Chloe and her struggles, but it was difficult to see her constantly shoot herself in the foot. There were scenes I wanted to scream at her. Additionally, the ending felt very rushed, it was like there was a list of things that had to be completed and they were all thrown in in the last 10%.
I feel very conflicted in reviewing this one. Mainly because Jay McLean is a fantastic writer and this book has so many great quotes and memorable moments. In the end I think some may enjoy this story, while others will be very frustrated. I can see the beauty in this story, but I can also remember my level of frustration at times.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2015
Coming January 2014.
February 8, 2015
2.75 - 3 stars
February 9, 2015
3 Unexpected Stars.
Chloe knows for sure how her life is going to end, so instead of being sad for that she has everything planned out: finish high school, do a road trip with no time limit and just enjoy life with no strings. What she hadn’t planned was Blake, but when one event throws hem together, life has a funny way of throwing them together constantly after that.
They both have feelings for each other, but not only they come from different realities but Chloe is decided not to let anyone attached to her. And not to attach herself to anyone.
But when feelings can’t be contained anymore and the road is the only thing around them, it’s hard to remember that you may be living with an expiration date.
This was an unexpected reading. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Jay McLean fan and I loved all her books so far, so maybe I was unfairly expecting something along the lines of the “More…” series. So if you’re starting this book with that in mind. It isn’t.
Despite being brilliantly written, with great details and a good plot, what didn’t work for me in this book is it being to young adult. I didn’t started it expecting high-school drama and for the first, more or less, 65% that was exactly what I got. When the road trip (finally) begun it picked and it turned out pretty damn good, but it was already too late. I was pretty bored by that point. If the whole book had been like the last 30% it would for sure a 5 star reading.
However, if you’re in the mood for a sweet and slightly heart-breaking YA bordering on NA book, this a good choice.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Characters Development: Blake was great, sweet, funny, loving. My only problem with him what the time he took to break up with Hanna, when it was clear that he had feelings for Chloe, and he had said several times that his relationship wasn’t meaningful. Chloe was sweet and strong in her own way, and although I didn’t like some of her decisions, they were at least understandable. I loved Josh… can we please have a book about him? *bambie eyes*
Steam: Some heated moments.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
*ARC kindly provided in exchange of honest review.*
Chloe knows for sure how her life is going to end, so instead of being sad for that she has everything planned out: finish high school, do a road trip with no time limit and just enjoy life with no strings. What she hadn’t planned was Blake, but when one event throws hem together, life has a funny way of throwing them together constantly after that.
They both have feelings for each other, but not only they come from different realities but Chloe is decided not to let anyone attached to her. And not to attach herself to anyone.
But when feelings can’t be contained anymore and the road is the only thing around them, it’s hard to remember that you may be living with an expiration date.
This was an unexpected reading. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Jay McLean fan and I loved all her books so far, so maybe I was unfairly expecting something along the lines of the “More…” series. So if you’re starting this book with that in mind. It isn’t.
Despite being brilliantly written, with great details and a good plot, what didn’t work for me in this book is it being to young adult. I didn’t started it expecting high-school drama and for the first, more or less, 65% that was exactly what I got. When the road trip (finally) begun it picked and it turned out pretty damn good, but it was already too late. I was pretty bored by that point. If the whole book had been like the last 30% it would for sure a 5 star reading.
However, if you’re in the mood for a sweet and slightly heart-breaking YA bordering on NA book, this a good choice.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Characters Development: Blake was great, sweet, funny, loving. My only problem with him what the time he took to break up with Hanna, when it was clear that he had feelings for Chloe, and he had said several times that his relationship wasn’t meaningful. Chloe was sweet and strong in her own way, and although I didn’t like some of her decisions, they were at least understandable. I loved Josh… can we please have a book about him? *bambie eyes*
Steam: Some heated moments.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
*ARC kindly provided in exchange of honest review.*
February 18, 2015
Where the Road Takes me was my first book by Jay McLean. I know that she has a great following and is admired by her fans so it gives me no pleasure to say that this book just didn't work for me in any way.
Why? Well, I don't wish to write chapter and verse or spend hours critiquing a book that wasn't for me so I'll keep it brief... The hero's actions, with regard to his girlfriend made him seem week, juvenile and lacking in integrity. The transitions felt disjointed, the execution of the book didn't engage me and I found myself wanting to skim. The heroine's secret was an eye roll for me, a serious subject but it failed to make me feel because of my lack of connection with the story.
As we're all aware, the enjoyment of books is highly subjective and I've friends who've really enjoyed this story so maybe check out other higher rating reviews. This book wasn't for my cup of tea, but perhaps it could be yours?
ARC received via TRSoR Promotions for an honest review.
January 28, 2015
Title:Where the Road Takes Me
Series:Standalone
Author:Jay McLean
Release date: March 3 , 2015
Rating:3 stars
Cliffhanger:No
HEA
When I saw the synopsis for this, I was thoroughly intrigued by the idea of a girl who's plan to escape on the road eclipses everything and everyone around her. My first impression of what the basis of the book was going to be wasn't quite what I had thought-there's a lot more to it than a free-spirited girl who wants to escape and explore on the road. This is really a YA coming of age story at it's heart, but it deals with some very adult topics-it wasn't about a couple of silly teens bumbling through first kisses and crushes. Although there was a serious tone to a good portion of it, there was also some very sweet, adorable moments between the MCs that I enjoyed. It also wasn't heavy on the sexual content as it was YA, but what was there was enough to get the blood pumping.
I did, however, have two main issues with the book: one, the hero's immediate emotional connection to the heroine which I completely wasn't understanding or feeling. And two, the heroine never really won me over-she just simply wasn't one of my favorites. I'll get to that in a bit.
Chloe is a high school senior who has lost her family and now lives in foster care. She's spent all of her high school years determined to be the girl who blends into the background. She doesn't want to form emotional attachments to anyone because her only goal after graduation is to hit the road and experience and appreciate life to it's fullest. Blake is one of the popular crowd and the school basketball star but no one knows how unhappy he truly is. His father is ex-military and cold, and his mother is a neglectful alcoholic.
Numbness.
A constant state of numbness was my euphoria.
You couldn't tell. No one could.
The book starts out with Chloe and Blake's first meeting. Here lies issue number one. I could very easily be in the minority here, but my personal feelings were that as soon as he sets eyes on her, he starts to grow this weird emotional attachment to her. Yeah, they had a couple of laughs and an intense moment, but he's frantic to spend more time with her, he's stumbling over his words, and unable to stop thinking about her. And I'm sorry, but I couldn't dig out a reason why from their encounter. He comes up with things like:
Every goddamn time she said my name, it was like a freight train running through my mind.
It felt like someone had taken away the gray dullness behind my eyes and splashed color into them. Like I was seeing things in a different light, from a different life.
This is all within the first couple of hours that he knew her. It wasn't insta-love, it was more insta-intensity, and I couldn't find anything to back that up. This set the book off kilter, and it wasn't until they spent a lot more time getting to know one another that I was able to acknowledge their feelings.
Chloe unknowingly gets a job where Blake works and he makes it his mission to get to know as much as she will allow him. She tries to stay emotionally removed from him, but he forces through her barriers like a bulldozer. They have just a short few months to spend together until graduation. He knows she plans to take off after school, but he's willing to take whatever he can get from her. Chloe's determination to seek the road is actually a symbol of her running from an uncertain future. It was her way of sticking her head in the sand and not dealing with her fears. The problem was, she wasn't seeing that she was giving up the most important things in life by doing that-the people who loved her.
I kept reminding myself that this is Young Adult and not to expect mature, rational decisions the majority of the time. It's about the heroine's growth and learning to have the courage to face her future. Yet her behavior and decision making process was frustrating me to no end. There were a couple times where she treated Blake very badly and her tragic past and uncertain future wasn't enough to gain my sympathy or acceptance. Blake, however was almost too perfect to be true. He was the epitome of patient and understanding and attentive. I really ended up adoring him and how he put her needs above his own.
"You look nice."
"You already said that."
"I did?"
She nodded. "Maybe you deserve to be told more than once.
The last 25% of the book was fast paced, and left me biting my nails until the resolution. It was a touching tale about loss, courage, and love during the most unexpected time. Jay McLean undoubtedly has the writing chops to back up a book that will pull at your heartstrings. Her books take you on lots of highs and lows and feeling a wide array of emotions. I wasn't sold on every aspect of this story, but overall, I enjoyed the message and the touching moments between this young couple. It's not your everyday, average story either so anyone looking for a fresh spin on young love that beats the odds may want to check this one out.
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February 11, 2015
♥♥♥ 3 STARS ♥♥♥
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“You’re my unexpectedly phenomenal, Chloe. You’re my red-letter day.”
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As soon as I read the blurb of this, I was intrigued by the road trip story line. Chloe is an eighteen year old girl whose life has been anything but perfect. She has promised herself to never let anyone close, because of a fear she has that involves her family history. As a result, she decides that she will go on a road trip on her own when she graduates. Blake can understand about having an imperfect life. He feels like he is being pulled in two different directions when it comes to his future. He has to choose between doing what he loves, which is basketball, or listening to his father and continuing the family tradition of enlisting into the army.
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“If I could dream the same dream a million times over, it would be you—you would be my last kiss, my last breath.”
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The book begins with Chloe and Blake meeting. Blake is drawn to her, but I will admit it was hard for me to feel any connection between them. It was hard for me to see how Blake could like Chloe. She kept pushing him away, yet he continued to pursue her. I also didn't like how indecisive he was and that he came across as a pushover. The story didn't go as I thought it would go. The actual road trip was rather short, and it happens closer to the end of the book, which I was a bit disappointed about. Both characters, being as young as they were, did make some mistakes and I can totally understand that. But, they really frustrated me during many times throughout the book. I did manage to like to like Blake as the book went on, he was such a sweet hero who melted me with the things he said and did. Plus, he finally stood up for himself. Chloe, however, I just couldn't connect to because of her inconsistency. I didn't really like her 'I-give-up-to-fate-attitude' that she had going on. I didn't get why she couldn't have tried more to prevent what she feared so much. I also didn't like how she treated Blake at times.
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.”
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The story itself was alright, and definitely had some potential. There were many times that it felt kind of slow and just felt like it was dragging one. There were also parts where it didn't flow very well. Some parts of the story and things that the characters did that didn't make too much sense to me. I just could not fully understand Chloe and how her behaviour would change so quickly. The book did pick up a bit near the end. I did like the supportive secondary characters in this book. I am happy they both had that loving support system in their lives. Overall, the book had a few flaws. It wasn't my favourite Jay McLean book, especially after reading and loving her More Than Series, but I still managed to enjoy it somewhat. And Blake made things better, too.
~ARC gifted to Kris & Vik Book Therapy Cafe in exchange for an honest review.~
January 30, 2015
5 Stars Pave This Road
*ARC provided per NetGalley*
Chloe and Blake/Hunter…One girl who would want it all...One boy that seemingly had it.
Strangers to one another yet so vital to each other’s lives for the future.
One night, Fate puts the two on a path to physical collision. Everything they thought they knew they wanted, well, it isn’t quite so clear now.
This a book with young adults. This is a coming of age story of two characters based on the bravery to take a chance, the acceptance of life and its curveballs, and the trust to believe in someone or something. This is a true love story developed through “Red Letter Days, and “Unexpected Phenomenals.”
I myself fell in love. I read about Chloe and Blake who were so openly fresh and naïve to the future. They developed a friendship and found solid ground while enveloped in a cast of friends and family with constant support and strength.
But at the heart of this tale, the basic question is clear. How much is enough? Can a boy love a girl enough to want her to stay? To live? Can a girl find enough strength in a boy to want a future? Well, the answers to the questions are found on the road that Jay McLean paved.
As a reader I was blown away and fully invested. As a reviewer I admit that I could gripe quite a bit especially at the lightning quick connection of two high schoolers. OR maybe the closed off downer consistency of Chloe. I could even say the ending came too fast and too pretty.
However, I WILL NOT GRIPE. This book worked for me. I saw the pure beauty in the story from start to finish and I LOVED it. I suppose I am a sucker for a good boy who loves big. I looked past the eighteen year old love story and opened my heart to everything this tale offered. Perhaps I respect the message that if you had just 1 day or 1000 more, live life to the fullest. Do not back down. Do not waist a moment. Fight for Love. Fight for Life…
With profound quotes and age appropriate intimacy I found Blake Hunter was also my unexpected phenomenal, so thank you Jay McLean for another story to hang my heart on!
“Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I need it the most.”
*ARC provided per NetGalley*
Chloe and Blake/Hunter…One girl who would want it all...One boy that seemingly had it.
Strangers to one another yet so vital to each other’s lives for the future.
One night, Fate puts the two on a path to physical collision. Everything they thought they knew they wanted, well, it isn’t quite so clear now.
This a book with young adults. This is a coming of age story of two characters based on the bravery to take a chance, the acceptance of life and its curveballs, and the trust to believe in someone or something. This is a true love story developed through “Red Letter Days, and “Unexpected Phenomenals.”
I myself fell in love. I read about Chloe and Blake who were so openly fresh and naïve to the future. They developed a friendship and found solid ground while enveloped in a cast of friends and family with constant support and strength.
But at the heart of this tale, the basic question is clear. How much is enough? Can a boy love a girl enough to want her to stay? To live? Can a girl find enough strength in a boy to want a future? Well, the answers to the questions are found on the road that Jay McLean paved.
As a reader I was blown away and fully invested. As a reviewer I admit that I could gripe quite a bit especially at the lightning quick connection of two high schoolers. OR maybe the closed off downer consistency of Chloe. I could even say the ending came too fast and too pretty.
However, I WILL NOT GRIPE. This book worked for me. I saw the pure beauty in the story from start to finish and I LOVED it. I suppose I am a sucker for a good boy who loves big. I looked past the eighteen year old love story and opened my heart to everything this tale offered. Perhaps I respect the message that if you had just 1 day or 1000 more, live life to the fullest. Do not back down. Do not waist a moment. Fight for Love. Fight for Life…
With profound quotes and age appropriate intimacy I found Blake Hunter was also my unexpected phenomenal, so thank you Jay McLean for another story to hang my heart on!
“Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I need it the most.”
February 5, 2015
3.5 stars
My first book by Jay McLean.
Expectations?
Sweet love story. Roadtrip. (I love roadtrips.) Probably predictable.
Reality?
I got scared after I saw few not so positive reviews, but I still read it. I was right - it was predictable and full of cliches. I liked it despite that. Yes, it is melodramatic. Yes, some things were over the top. But if you liked, for example, Slammed by Colleen Hoover, I am sure that you will like this book as well.
What I liked?
Where The Road Takes Me is an emotional read. At least for me. I could relate to Chloe and her fear because of family medical history, ignoring something that everyone thinks is the most logical thing to do and choosing to live in blissful ignorance as long as you can. It is easy to "be smart" when you are not in that situation yourself. There is nothing more scarier than seeing "positive" at the bottom of The Paper - one word that has power to turn upside down your whole life. Chloe might seem like someone who tells that she wants to do one thing, but at times acts completely differently - that is one more thing I understand. You want to make yourself believe in something so hard because you know that it would be so much easier, and you are still not able to give up on small things that are taken for granted, so you tell yourself: "Maybe just this time. Just once. And then I'll move on."
As I already said, roadtrip. Going from one place to another, diving in the car, stopping whenever you see something interesting, meeting new people that you probably won't see again, but still making an effort, sleeping in motels along the road, eating junk food, making out in the backseat of the car... So many things that I recognized as my own experience. It is probably cliche and predictable, but for me it was real because I have done all of those things.
Things that bothered me... a little.
Instant love, a lot of usual tropes you will find in any book full of teen angst and drama - I won't tell much more to avoid spoilers, but you will know what I am talking about as soon as you read the book. Also, I have a feeling like there are three overlapping stories and that some parts could have been more detailed. Some secondary characters (mainly Clayton) deserved more space, and because of lack of character development instead of using archetype descriptions, I wasn't able to relate to their role in the story.
Who should read this book?
Fans of so called "emotional roller coaster" stories, hipster love songs and Slammed by Collen Hoover (if you compare this two books, there's nothing similar when it comes to the storyline, but they same atmosphere).
xoxo,
*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.*
My first book by Jay McLean.
Expectations?
Sweet love story. Roadtrip. (I love roadtrips.) Probably predictable.
Reality?
I got scared after I saw few not so positive reviews, but I still read it. I was right - it was predictable and full of cliches. I liked it despite that. Yes, it is melodramatic. Yes, some things were over the top. But if you liked, for example, Slammed by Colleen Hoover, I am sure that you will like this book as well.
What I liked?
Where The Road Takes Me is an emotional read. At least for me. I could relate to Chloe and her fear because of family medical history, ignoring something that everyone thinks is the most logical thing to do and choosing to live in blissful ignorance as long as you can. It is easy to "be smart" when you are not in that situation yourself. There is nothing more scarier than seeing "positive" at the bottom of The Paper - one word that has power to turn upside down your whole life. Chloe might seem like someone who tells that she wants to do one thing, but at times acts completely differently - that is one more thing I understand. You want to make yourself believe in something so hard because you know that it would be so much easier, and you are still not able to give up on small things that are taken for granted, so you tell yourself: "Maybe just this time. Just once. And then I'll move on."
As I already said, roadtrip. Going from one place to another, diving in the car, stopping whenever you see something interesting, meeting new people that you probably won't see again, but still making an effort, sleeping in motels along the road, eating junk food, making out in the backseat of the car... So many things that I recognized as my own experience. It is probably cliche and predictable, but for me it was real because I have done all of those things.
Things that bothered me... a little.
Instant love, a lot of usual tropes you will find in any book full of teen angst and drama - I won't tell much more to avoid spoilers, but you will know what I am talking about as soon as you read the book. Also, I have a feeling like there are three overlapping stories and that some parts could have been more detailed. Some secondary characters (mainly Clayton) deserved more space, and because of lack of character development instead of using archetype descriptions, I wasn't able to relate to their role in the story.
Who should read this book?
Fans of so called "emotional roller coaster" stories, hipster love songs and Slammed by Collen Hoover (if you compare this two books, there's nothing similar when it comes to the storyline, but they same atmosphere).
xoxo,
*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review.*
April 21, 2021
"Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I need it the most."
"You can run, you can hide, you can choose not to see, but where the road takes you will always lead to me."
What a beautiful story!!!
I fought so hard to not to rate this book 5 stars. But I lost! I just couldn’t bring myself to rate this book less than 5
There are so many things that is unfair in this book, I found things that I didn't think was logical.
Then again Jay McLean writes books which are closest to Reality
and Real life ain't fair.
We will lose, We will Grief
But the show must go on
Blake Hunter is straight out of fairytale 🥺 and he reminded of Jake Andrews from More Than This
And I can't wait to read Joshua's story 😍 I am already swooning. Can't wait to read his book🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
And with that
MEN OF JAY MACLEAN'S BOOKS ARE THE BEST
P.S- Celia Hunter we love you so much ❤️
Read
February 8, 2015DNF @52
Unfortunately I am not enjoying this one at all. The writing feels choppy going from one scene to the next without good transition.
The heroine's attitude is not endearing me to her all, and I feel like she is being completely selfish - I understand she has a 50% chance of getting a genetic illness but I just don't understand her way of dealing with it. It doesn't make a good story to me.
I'm sorry to say that I can't carry on.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Unfortunately I am not enjoying this one at all. The writing feels choppy going from one scene to the next without good transition.
The heroine's attitude is not endearing me to her all, and I feel like she is being completely selfish - I understand she has a 50% chance of getting a genetic illness but I just don't understand her way of dealing with it. It doesn't make a good story to me.
I'm sorry to say that I can't carry on.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
January 4, 2020
*****4.5 STARS*****
{Netgalley ARC}
You can run, you can hide, you can choose not to see, but where the road takes you will always lead to me>
I’ve been meaning to get to this one for so long and am happy I finally got the chance to read it. ”WHERE THE ROAD TAKES ME” is filled with Jay McLean’s signature angst and so much more. It’s utterly heartbreaking but inspiring as well. The characters are endearing and unforgettable. Just another book to add to the long list of Jay McLean’s works that have a special place in my heart.
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 5
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5
{Netgalley ARC}
You can run, you can hide, you can choose not to see, but where the road takes you will always lead to me>
I’ve been meaning to get to this one for so long and am happy I finally got the chance to read it. ”WHERE THE ROAD TAKES ME” is filled with Jay McLean’s signature angst and so much more. It’s utterly heartbreaking but inspiring as well. The characters are endearing and unforgettable. Just another book to add to the long list of Jay McLean’s works that have a special place in my heart.
Here are my overall ratings:
Hero: 5
Heroine: 4
Plot: 4.5
Angst: 5
Steam: 4.5
Chemistry Between Hero & Heroine: 5
February 11, 2015
I love road trips and I love books about them, so I was really looking forward to reading this one.
I've only read More Than This by this author and it was an okay read for me.
Chloe and Blake are both senior in high school, but they have two different lives. Blake is the star basketball player, he's handsome, has a lot of friends and a beautiful girlfriend. Chloe, instead, wants to be invisible and tries to keep everyone at her arm's length.
Chloe has a plan: after graduation, she'll leave on a roadtrip, alone.
If you want to read this book, don't read my spoiler tags.
Why did I give it only a star?
-The book begins this way..
You know how sometimes you can tell that something is about to happen, even though there are no physical signs? Like when the hair on the back of your neck stands up, or your palms begin to sweat, or butterflies form in your stomach? Like, the beating of your heart thumps faster, harder- and even though you're staring down at the floors of the familiar hallways of high school- you know that when you lift your gaze, something's going to change?
I love when a book is off to a great start, but the beginning of this one just made me roll my eyes. They seem pretty physical signs to me and it just felt too forced, like she absolutely wanted to write something extraordinary.
- The way the MCs meet
- The Insta-
- TOO MUCH DRAMA. It was just unbearable and unbelievable.
I liked two of the secondary characters and the scenes with Blake's mother
As you can see, I did not enjoy this book. It was picking up at some point, but then the ending ruined everything for me.
I'm sorry it was such a miss, but I guess we can't love them all.
My thoughts when I finished the book:
That was exactly the expression I had on my face while I was reading it.
I'm just glad I'm done with this one. It was just so bad. I added this book on my TBR months ago and I was really looking forward to reading it. Bummer, but it happens :/
BR with ღSophieღ . I'm sorry that our first BR was such a bust :/
Full review to come. I just need to calm down now.
Arc kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 19, 2015
Write the words.
Erase the words.
Bang your head against the keyboard because there are no words to describe the way you feel at this very moment.
Re-read the book because a book like this can't be read just once.
Try to type more words for a review that will just be gibberish.
Receive life altering news that rocks you to your core. Read the book again because the tears are already flowing, why not add more.
I can't stop the tears from streaming down my face. I can't stop the emotions inside my body. I can't stop the feels. I WANT THE FEELS TO STOP.
Don't be such a WHORE, Chelcie. Get your act together and write this fucking review. YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS REVIEW. (slaps face)
Where the Road takes me is a story that will forever be embedded in my soul. I have been rendered speechless. I never thought a book could touch me the way this book did. Sometimes a book is written and you read it and you love it. But then life takes a turn and you feel so lost and you think that life won't ever be the same. You are in a dark world and you see no way out of it. You then read this book again and it gives you hope. It makes you have faith. This book did that for me.
THIS BOOK TURNED MY WORLD RED at the exact moment I needed it too.
I have never doubted Jay McLean's ability to write Magic. I have never doubted her brilliance. But after this book, I am left in AWWWWW of her ability to bring me to my knees. I am not worthy to live in a world with her books.
The way the words flow together, it's like they wrap around each other like they were always meant to be next to each other. They become one and you wish they would last forever.
She takes you on this journey that you never want to see the end of. It's beautiful, it's pain, it's sorrow, it's pure MAGIC.
I love that she can write a book so full of the feels, but at the same time, she gives you so many laugh out loud moments. It's witty and fresh. THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING.
This will be a book that I save and have my girls read when they are old enough. The way she wrote Chloe, makes me want to go back in time and start over. Change the way I see the world and do it all differently.
I want a Blake Hunter in my life. Jay McLean writes THE MOST SWOONWORTHY leading men ever. I want all boys to look at all the girls in the world the way Blake looked at Chloe. He saw her worth. He saw her just as she needed to be seen.
The words Jay McLean writes are not just words. They are pieces of her soul that she allows us to take and absorb into us. I will never get over this book.
Erase the words.
Bang your head against the keyboard because there are no words to describe the way you feel at this very moment.
Re-read the book because a book like this can't be read just once.
Try to type more words for a review that will just be gibberish.
Receive life altering news that rocks you to your core. Read the book again because the tears are already flowing, why not add more.
I can't stop the tears from streaming down my face. I can't stop the emotions inside my body. I can't stop the feels. I WANT THE FEELS TO STOP.
Don't be such a WHORE, Chelcie. Get your act together and write this fucking review. YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THIS REVIEW. (slaps face)
Where the Road takes me is a story that will forever be embedded in my soul. I have been rendered speechless. I never thought a book could touch me the way this book did. Sometimes a book is written and you read it and you love it. But then life takes a turn and you feel so lost and you think that life won't ever be the same. You are in a dark world and you see no way out of it. You then read this book again and it gives you hope. It makes you have faith. This book did that for me.
THIS BOOK TURNED MY WORLD RED at the exact moment I needed it too.
I have never doubted Jay McLean's ability to write Magic. I have never doubted her brilliance. But after this book, I am left in AWWWWW of her ability to bring me to my knees. I am not worthy to live in a world with her books.
The way the words flow together, it's like they wrap around each other like they were always meant to be next to each other. They become one and you wish they would last forever.
She takes you on this journey that you never want to see the end of. It's beautiful, it's pain, it's sorrow, it's pure MAGIC.
I love that she can write a book so full of the feels, but at the same time, she gives you so many laugh out loud moments. It's witty and fresh. THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING.
This will be a book that I save and have my girls read when they are old enough. The way she wrote Chloe, makes me want to go back in time and start over. Change the way I see the world and do it all differently.
I want a Blake Hunter in my life. Jay McLean writes THE MOST SWOONWORTHY leading men ever. I want all boys to look at all the girls in the world the way Blake looked at Chloe. He saw her worth. He saw her just as she needed to be seen.
The words Jay McLean writes are not just words. They are pieces of her soul that she allows us to take and absorb into us. I will never get over this book.
August 7, 2015
“Sometimes the wrong path can lead us to the right road. And toward the greatest thing that will ever happen to us.”
2.5 sadly underwhelming stars.
I’m a big fan of Jay McLean’s More Than series, and was so excited to dive into this book. Sadly, as much as I wanted to connect, I just didn’t feel it! I’m probably going to be in the minority with this one but the choppy writing, questionable character behaviour and overly intense teen romance just didn’t work for me. And yes, it hurts to say that.
The book tells the story of two teenagers – Chloe and Blake. Chloe lives her life trying to be invisible. She doesn’t want to be seen, doesn’t want to form attachments, and dreams of escaping her life and hitting the open road the moment she graduates. On the surface, Blake is living the perfect life – popular, hot girlfriend, rich parents, big house, good friends, and a star basketball player. But it’s all a lie, and his reality is a very different story as he battles his way through every day, searching to find numbness so that he doesn’t have to think about it all.
When these two unexpectedly meet they share a connection that neither of them can deny (although sadly, I could). But they respond very differently to it – while Blake decides that he can’t live his life without Chloe and starts actively pursuing her, all Chloe wants to do is push him away and forget they ever met so that she can continue to live behind the walls she has erected around herself, not letting anybody in. But Blake isn’t going to allow that to happen.
It’s an uphill battle for a bit, but as they spend more time together things develop quickly. They hang out as friends, and I loved the inclusion of Blake’s best friend, Josh. He is such an amazing character, and I loved the dynamic between the three of them, and the banter and teasing that the two guys shared.
As Chloe and Blake’s romance progresses, in only a few short weeks they have a profound impact on each other’s lives. But there is plenty of angst to be had with Blake struggling to decide between his father’s demands for him to pursue a military career, and his own dreams of a future playing basketball while Chloe has to deal with her own family dramas as well as face up to the reality of leaving. And while dealing with their own personal battles, there is the added burden of Blake striving to keep Chloe from leaving while she is determined to do just that.
Oh Blake. This boy is pretty amazing. Caring, supportive, loving and understanding, he is sweet, funny and incredibly strong. He is everything that Chloe needs, and I’m so glad that this book was in dual POV because I think he saved it for me – even though he was a little overly sappy and love-sick at times.
Which leads me to the issues that I had with this book…
Firstly - the romance was too intense, too fast,
That there ^^^, that happens at 6% in the book, mere hours after they have met. And that first meeting doesn’t contain a whole lot of interaction. Blake’s almost insta-love for Chloe and his absolute surety about their future together is a bit OTT for an 18 year old. And even though they had some sweet moments together, other parts of it were overly cheesy and eye rolling .
Then, there was Chloe, who annoyed me for the majority of the book. She’s up and down with what she wants, and contradicts herself constantly. She makes these grand statements, and then acts in a completely different way – not wanting to be attached to anybody, but making efforts to spend time with her family and getting to know Blake and Josh, and then all of these comments about making her life worthwhile, yet avoiding the very thing that could stop her from running in the first place . I get that she’s only 18, and she is probably pretty clueless about what it is that she’s doing, but I just couldn’t warm to her! She did redeem herself towards the end but by that point I was so disconnected from her that her big ‘come to Jesus’ moment barely impacted me at all.
The thing that surprised me the most about this book though, was that the writing felt disjointed – it didn’t flow. I hate to compare, because I know it’s not fair to do that, but in other books I have read by this author, I have been completely sucked in from the very beginning and swept away by her writing. That wasn’t the case here. It felt like getting glimpses of what was going on rather than a continuous, flowing story, and as much as I was curious about how it was all going to play out, I never felt really connected to the story.
Honestly, I almost DNFd this book, but my love for the author encouraged me to keep going. As things progressed I eventually found myself getting a bit more interested in the story, but as emotional as I am sure it is meant to be, it never really hit me.
So yeah, not a winner for me. I can see that a lot of people are going to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars - it was just ok.
An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 sadly underwhelming stars.
I’m a big fan of Jay McLean’s More Than series, and was so excited to dive into this book. Sadly, as much as I wanted to connect, I just didn’t feel it! I’m probably going to be in the minority with this one but the choppy writing, questionable character behaviour and overly intense teen romance just didn’t work for me. And yes, it hurts to say that.
The book tells the story of two teenagers – Chloe and Blake. Chloe lives her life trying to be invisible. She doesn’t want to be seen, doesn’t want to form attachments, and dreams of escaping her life and hitting the open road the moment she graduates. On the surface, Blake is living the perfect life – popular, hot girlfriend, rich parents, big house, good friends, and a star basketball player. But it’s all a lie, and his reality is a very different story as he battles his way through every day, searching to find numbness so that he doesn’t have to think about it all.
When these two unexpectedly meet they share a connection that neither of them can deny (although sadly, I could). But they respond very differently to it – while Blake decides that he can’t live his life without Chloe and starts actively pursuing her, all Chloe wants to do is push him away and forget they ever met so that she can continue to live behind the walls she has erected around herself, not letting anybody in. But Blake isn’t going to allow that to happen.
Maybe we both had something to hide. Maybe we both enjoyed the company of someone who didn’t know us well enough to judge us. Maybe we were both so sick of faking it – our breathing had somehow because natural around each other, the way it should be and not a struggle like it usually was.
It’s an uphill battle for a bit, but as they spend more time together things develop quickly. They hang out as friends, and I loved the inclusion of Blake’s best friend, Josh. He is such an amazing character, and I loved the dynamic between the three of them, and the banter and teasing that the two guys shared.
“You staring at her like that doesn’t make her yours”
… “Shut up, asshole.”
As Chloe and Blake’s romance progresses, in only a few short weeks they have a profound impact on each other’s lives. But there is plenty of angst to be had with Blake struggling to decide between his father’s demands for him to pursue a military career, and his own dreams of a future playing basketball while Chloe has to deal with her own family dramas as well as face up to the reality of leaving. And while dealing with their own personal battles, there is the added burden of Blake striving to keep Chloe from leaving while she is determined to do just that.
He leaned his forehead against mine. “I wish I was enough,” he said quietly.
“Enough?”
“I wish that I could ask you to stay, and that it would be enough. That I was enough.”
Oh Blake. This boy is pretty amazing. Caring, supportive, loving and understanding, he is sweet, funny and incredibly strong. He is everything that Chloe needs, and I’m so glad that this book was in dual POV because I think he saved it for me – even though he was a little overly sappy and love-sick at times.
Which leads me to the issues that I had with this book…
Firstly - the romance was too intense, too fast,
Something changed.
A switch.
It felt like someone had taken away the gray dullness behind my eyes and splashed color into them.
Like I was seeing things in a different light, from a different life.
That there ^^^, that happens at 6% in the book, mere hours after they have met. And that first meeting doesn’t contain a whole lot of interaction. Blake’s almost insta-love for Chloe and his absolute surety about their future together is a bit OTT for an 18 year old. And even though they had some sweet moments together, other parts of it were overly cheesy and eye rolling .
Then, there was Chloe, who annoyed me for the majority of the book. She’s up and down with what she wants, and contradicts herself constantly. She makes these grand statements, and then acts in a completely different way – not wanting to be attached to anybody, but making efforts to spend time with her family and getting to know Blake and Josh, and then all of these comments about making her life worthwhile, yet avoiding the very thing that could stop her from running in the first place . I get that she’s only 18, and she is probably pretty clueless about what it is that she’s doing, but I just couldn’t warm to her! She did redeem herself towards the end but by that point I was so disconnected from her that her big ‘come to Jesus’ moment barely impacted me at all.
The thing that surprised me the most about this book though, was that the writing felt disjointed – it didn’t flow. I hate to compare, because I know it’s not fair to do that, but in other books I have read by this author, I have been completely sucked in from the very beginning and swept away by her writing. That wasn’t the case here. It felt like getting glimpses of what was going on rather than a continuous, flowing story, and as much as I was curious about how it was all going to play out, I never felt really connected to the story.
Honestly, I almost DNFd this book, but my love for the author encouraged me to keep going. As things progressed I eventually found myself getting a bit more interested in the story, but as emotional as I am sure it is meant to be, it never really hit me.
So yeah, not a winner for me. I can see that a lot of people are going to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars - it was just ok.
An Advanced Reader Copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2015
********ARC received by NetGalley********
Genre: YA/NA sweet & angst Romance
Cover: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Humour: 5/10
Hotness: 3/10
Romance: 10/10
Extra book Details: Heroine & Hero POV; 1st person. Stand alone.
Chloe just wants to be invisible.
Blake just wants to feel numb.
They both want to escape.
A chance encounter leads to a tale full of angst, sorrow, happiness and love.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Where The Road Takes Me is a sweet teen romance with lots of angst. It's written to pull on your heartstrings and warm your heart at the same time.
The characters are genuine good souls. Our heroine is ballsy and brave and our hero is sweet and incredibly kind. There was a cast of wonderful side characters, lots of running jokes, a little bit of hotness and what turned out to be a overly romantic ending.
I didn't fall in love with the H&h, but I did like them a lot. There were a ton of scenes I enjoyed but the chapters were short, the scenes very brief, skipping from one scene or day to the next. The fun at the end was great, but I felt like it could have taken down the romance a little.
It was an easy, lovely romance. I wouldn't read it again, but I did enjoy it.
4 STARS
Genre: YA/NA sweet & angst Romance
Cover: 9/10
Writing: 8/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 8/10
Humour: 5/10
Hotness: 3/10
Romance: 10/10
Extra book Details: Heroine & Hero POV; 1st person. Stand alone.
Chloe just wants to be invisible.
Blake just wants to feel numb.
They both want to escape.
A chance encounter leads to a tale full of angst, sorrow, happiness and love.
And that was when it happened. Something changed. A switch. It felt like someone had taken away the gray dullness behind my eyes and splashed color into them. Like I was seeing things in a different light, from a different life. I swallowed, too nervous to speak. Maybe she was my kryptonite. ~ Blake
I'd never questioned the way I thought about my life. But Blake – he made me question it. He made me want to change it. To change my outlook. And to change myself. But I couldn't. And I wouldn't. Because one day, sooner rather than later, I'd be gone. And I'd have to leave them all behind. ~ Chloe
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Where The Road Takes Me is a sweet teen romance with lots of angst. It's written to pull on your heartstrings and warm your heart at the same time.
The characters are genuine good souls. Our heroine is ballsy and brave and our hero is sweet and incredibly kind. There was a cast of wonderful side characters, lots of running jokes, a little bit of hotness and what turned out to be a overly romantic ending.
I didn't fall in love with the H&h, but I did like them a lot. There were a ton of scenes I enjoyed but the chapters were short, the scenes very brief, skipping from one scene or day to the next. The fun at the end was great, but I felt like it could have taken down the romance a little.
It was an easy, lovely romance. I wouldn't read it again, but I did enjoy it.
You can run, you can hide, you can choose not to see, but where the road takes you will always lead to me.
February 5, 2015
This was my first Jay McLean read and I have no idea what to expect. I was disappointed, though. I found myself wanting to DNFed this book most of the time because the main characters are seriously annoying.
Chloe. Her mom and aunt died of of a certain illness so she was afraid she would, too. So, she spent her life pushing everyone away and fading in the background. Well, maybe I was freaking selfish but I think relationships are the strength you need to go on. Why on Earth would she push people away like that? It's because she'd given up. Many people are trying so hard to fight and her giving up like that is stupid and she still haven't even know if she was sick, too.
Okay. People are different but that's my take on it so I guess that's one of the reasons why this doesn't work out for me. And as story progresses and she continuously pushed Blake away from her, I was pretty pissed. She should've done it in the beginning considering he had a girlfriend.
Blake. I didn't like him either. He pursued Chloe even though he had a girlfriend at the moment but he seems to find it okay because Hannah, his girlfiend, was a "slut". And you know, they don't have feelings. THAT isn't good at all. I do not appreciate him spouting pick-up lines at the most random times, too. I was like:
So, if I didn't like the main characters, what's left to like?
Well.The plot was okay. I didn't hate nor love it, though which was sad because I saw how people raved about this author. Everything was so cliche. Also I couldn't feel anything, cannot feel sympathy for Chloe. There's just too much drama. If I didn't love any of the characters, I cannot love the story. I wished I just really DNFed (I didn't because I wanted to see how it ends) this one because the ending couldn't compensate how I disliked everything.
But I won't judge an author based only on one book so I guess I'll just have to read another book by her someday.
**ARC provided by author and publisher via NetGalley in exchanged of an honest review.**
Chloe. Her mom and aunt died of of a certain illness so she was afraid she would, too. So, she spent her life pushing everyone away and fading in the background. Well, maybe I was freaking selfish but I think relationships are the strength you need to go on. Why on Earth would she push people away like that? It's because she'd given up. Many people are trying so hard to fight and her giving up like that is stupid and she still haven't even know if she was sick, too.
Okay. People are different but that's my take on it so I guess that's one of the reasons why this doesn't work out for me. And as story progresses and she continuously pushed Blake away from her, I was pretty pissed. She should've done it in the beginning considering he had a girlfriend.
Blake. I didn't like him either. He pursued Chloe even though he had a girlfriend at the moment but he seems to find it okay because Hannah, his girlfiend, was a "slut". And you know, they don't have feelings. THAT isn't good at all. I do not appreciate him spouting pick-up lines at the most random times, too. I was like:
So, if I didn't like the main characters, what's left to like?
Well.The plot was okay. I didn't hate nor love it, though which was sad because I saw how people raved about this author. Everything was so cliche. Also I couldn't feel anything, cannot feel sympathy for Chloe. There's just too much drama. If I didn't love any of the characters, I cannot love the story. I wished I just really DNFed (I didn't because I wanted to see how it ends) this one because the ending couldn't compensate how I disliked everything.
But I won't judge an author based only on one book so I guess I'll just have to read another book by her someday.
**ARC provided by author and publisher via NetGalley in exchanged of an honest review.**
June 4, 2016
1 - "I just wanted one night..." Star.
DNF @23%
I put this book on the back burner a while ago after seeing many, many less than positive reviews for it from my Goodreads peers around its release. Teen angst and drama are things I get pissed off with really quickly if they are overplayed, or added for erroneous reasons, without any reasonable explanations to them.
But after finishing Kick, Push (it’s successor) in a day earlier this week, I thought I’d put on my big girl panties and give it a go as Chloe and Blake Hunter actually came across as a well adjusted couple in it, despite their previous issues.
"You’re like Superman..."
"Does that make you my kryptonite?"
I started getting annoyed at around 8% and it didn't really abate after that, Jay is an author that deals in teen angst, I know this, but I have to say the other books I have read by her have dealt it out in a way that makes it relevant and not overplayed. Notsomuch this time, and it all stems from the insta-connection that they apparently had. I didn't see it, I still don’t see it up to the point I stopped reading. I will be honest and say I am also struggling to find (at this point) anything I like about either of the lead characters.
"I know I’m safe with you."
Add in a vapid, cheerleader girlfriend, and a whole host of familial drama, and I am going to part ways now before my review turns into a rant-fest. If you love this author (and I am on that path, despite this book) you will probably enjoy the story. It may get better, and I could have pulled myself through it, but I am trying to read for pleasure nowadays, and this book and the characters therein are just getting on my nerves, so I am going to put it down to a reader/character personality clash and move on.
ARC generously provided, sorry I cannot offer a more positive review on this occasion.
DNF @23%
I put this book on the back burner a while ago after seeing many, many less than positive reviews for it from my Goodreads peers around its release. Teen angst and drama are things I get pissed off with really quickly if they are overplayed, or added for erroneous reasons, without any reasonable explanations to them.
But after finishing Kick, Push (it’s successor) in a day earlier this week, I thought I’d put on my big girl panties and give it a go as Chloe and Blake Hunter actually came across as a well adjusted couple in it, despite their previous issues.
"You’re like Superman..."
"Does that make you my kryptonite?"
I started getting annoyed at around 8% and it didn't really abate after that, Jay is an author that deals in teen angst, I know this, but I have to say the other books I have read by her have dealt it out in a way that makes it relevant and not overplayed. Notsomuch this time, and it all stems from the insta-connection that they apparently had. I didn't see it, I still don’t see it up to the point I stopped reading. I will be honest and say I am also struggling to find (at this point) anything I like about either of the lead characters.
"I know I’m safe with you."
Add in a vapid, cheerleader girlfriend, and a whole host of familial drama, and I am going to part ways now before my review turns into a rant-fest. If you love this author (and I am on that path, despite this book) you will probably enjoy the story. It may get better, and I could have pulled myself through it, but I am trying to read for pleasure nowadays, and this book and the characters therein are just getting on my nerves, so I am going to put it down to a reader/character personality clash and move on.
ARC generously provided, sorry I cannot offer a more positive review on this occasion.
February 5, 2015
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exhange of an honest review.
*Tiny spoilers ahead*
First of all, I was under the impression this was New Adult.
I don't even know how I made that mistake. I distinctly remember reading this under the NA section in NetGalley. So you tricked me NG! So why am I whining about this, you ask? Cause I hate abstract sex scenes. It's not like I'm into reading erotica or anything but you gotta give me some kind of detail. It's all in the details!
Second...This story is about a girl who's decided to be invisible all her life. She didn't want to hurt those around her when she would undoubtedly leave. But fate has other plans and one night she meets Blake. A boy, a star, who at first glance has the perfect life, the perfect friends. He has it all. Or so we think. What happens when two worlds clash, a girl pulled down sickness and a boy dragged down by life...Am I the only reminded of...
That was the only thing popping into my head every time I read this.
Have your ever read a book that you disliked and based on that previous judgement every little thing that might be annoying but doesn't necessarily bother you in other books just seems to grate on your last nerve here? (that's a long question lol)
I basically disliked everything.
The writing was choppy as hell. The entire story felt like glued together paragraphs. It made it so hard to get into the story and was never able to run smoothly.
The characters...
OMG you cannot create characters like her and expect any kind of sympathy from your readers. She's selfish, idiotic and has the mindset of a moron. She's hypocritical and her inconsistencies where giving me whiplash.
Also her behavior was intolerable. One second she's a whiny brat and the next she's spouting wisdom like Solomen. She had a two second rebound and then she was back to driving me insane.
I think what bothered me most was her lack of knowledge toward cancer. She supposedly investigated this meticulously and the fact that she was still as clueless as an idiot bothered me to no end. Maybe it's my personal taste but I dislike reading about any kind of sickness in books unless the homework has been done and done correctly. I had recently read this book called Tangled and one of the characters had bipolar disorder. It was done flawlessly. We had his point of view and after just reading like a page I deduced it. The fact that that author was able to drive it home made me love that love all the more. This is my area, so inaccuracies tend to drive me insane.
Then there was Blake. I never had the opportunity to read about a male doormat but here I got my chance. I think he basically went from one manipulative relationship to another. He was treated like garbage time and time again and he just kept coming back for more. Not an ounce of self respect.
Also the insta love
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Oh and finally...That road trip...FAIL!
BEFORE READING.
I'm like freaking desperate to read this. I honestly stalk it, like, weekly. No shame in admitting the truth :)
*Tiny spoilers ahead*
First of all, I was under the impression this was New Adult.
I don't even know how I made that mistake. I distinctly remember reading this under the NA section in NetGalley. So you tricked me NG! So why am I whining about this, you ask? Cause I hate abstract sex scenes. It's not like I'm into reading erotica or anything but you gotta give me some kind of detail. It's all in the details!
Second...This story is about a girl who's decided to be invisible all her life. She didn't want to hurt those around her when she would undoubtedly leave. But fate has other plans and one night she meets Blake. A boy, a star, who at first glance has the perfect life, the perfect friends. He has it all. Or so we think. What happens when two worlds clash, a girl pulled down sickness and a boy dragged down by life...Am I the only reminded of...
That was the only thing popping into my head every time I read this.
Have your ever read a book that you disliked and based on that previous judgement every little thing that might be annoying but doesn't necessarily bother you in other books just seems to grate on your last nerve here? (that's a long question lol)
I basically disliked everything.
The writing was choppy as hell. The entire story felt like glued together paragraphs. It made it so hard to get into the story and was never able to run smoothly.
The characters...
OMG you cannot create characters like her and expect any kind of sympathy from your readers. She's selfish, idiotic and has the mindset of a moron. She's hypocritical and her inconsistencies where giving me whiplash.
Also her behavior was intolerable. One second she's a whiny brat and the next she's spouting wisdom like Solomen. She had a two second rebound and then she was back to driving me insane.
I think what bothered me most was her lack of knowledge toward cancer. She supposedly investigated this meticulously and the fact that she was still as clueless as an idiot bothered me to no end. Maybe it's my personal taste but I dislike reading about any kind of sickness in books unless the homework has been done and done correctly. I had recently read this book called Tangled and one of the characters had bipolar disorder. It was done flawlessly. We had his point of view and after just reading like a page I deduced it. The fact that that author was able to drive it home made me love that love all the more. This is my area, so inaccuracies tend to drive me insane.
Then there was Blake. I never had the opportunity to read about a male doormat but here I got my chance. I think he basically went from one manipulative relationship to another. He was treated like garbage time and time again and he just kept coming back for more. Not an ounce of self respect.
Also the insta love
Oh and finally...That road trip...FAIL!
BEFORE READING.
I'm like freaking desperate to read this. I honestly stalk it, like, weekly. No shame in admitting the truth :)
February 19, 2015
2 Stars
So I know that a lot of my GR buds follow Jay McLean faithfully. And that's awesome! BUT - with this being my first book by McLean, I'm not sold. This isn't going to keep me from reading any other books by McLean, however. She must have a good following for a reason right? This onejust wasn't the one for me.
Chloe has a 50% chance at having cancer. Oh, she also has a 50% chance at NOT having cancer. She lives her life like she has cancer. But what that means for her is to keep everybody at a few arm's length.
The potential was infinite with this one. The plot definitely intrigued me. Chloe is the recluse who only has one plan: make it until graduation then take her life on the road where she won't have to burden anybody with her cancer. Blake is the high school jock with a less than stable home life with an alcoholic mother and a military colonel father.
Blake and Chloe run into each other (literally) one day while Blake is on his morning run. They instantly connected. Now this is where I have an issue. You've gone to the same school for 4 years and not once have you met? Ok. On top of that, he's the all-star athlete and you haven't heard anything about him? Not even the mention of his name? Ok. As the story develops, I never really found that defining factor that made me say - ah ha. That's why they connect so well. Everything was quite choppy. I didn't find Chloe to be a strong heroine. She gave up before she even had to fight.
A lot of factors fall into play for my rating of this book. But I digress. Too many books out there!
Happy reading readers!
So I know that a lot of my GR buds follow Jay McLean faithfully. And that's awesome! BUT - with this being my first book by McLean, I'm not sold. This isn't going to keep me from reading any other books by McLean, however. She must have a good following for a reason right? This onejust wasn't the one for me.
Chloe has a 50% chance at having cancer. Oh, she also has a 50% chance at NOT having cancer. She lives her life like she has cancer. But what that means for her is to keep everybody at a few arm's length.
The potential was infinite with this one. The plot definitely intrigued me. Chloe is the recluse who only has one plan: make it until graduation then take her life on the road where she won't have to burden anybody with her cancer. Blake is the high school jock with a less than stable home life with an alcoholic mother and a military colonel father.
Blake and Chloe run into each other (literally) one day while Blake is on his morning run. They instantly connected. Now this is where I have an issue. You've gone to the same school for 4 years and not once have you met? Ok. On top of that, he's the all-star athlete and you haven't heard anything about him? Not even the mention of his name? Ok. As the story develops, I never really found that defining factor that made me say - ah ha. That's why they connect so well. Everything was quite choppy. I didn't find Chloe to be a strong heroine. She gave up before she even had to fight.
A lot of factors fall into play for my rating of this book. But I digress. Too many books out there!
Happy reading readers!
Want to read
September 12, 2016New Jay McLean book!
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