Blog Tour & Review

Title: Kick, Push

Author: Jay McLean

Release Day: August 4, 2015

PURCHASE LINKS:

US: http://amzn.to/1M2Doal

UK: http://amzn.to/1L0SmwZ

BLURB

There’s a single defining moment within every skater. It lasts only a second. Two if you're good. Three if you’re really good. It’s the moment you’re in the air, your board somewhere beneath you, and nothing but wind surrounds you. It’s the feeling of being airborne.

The sixteen-year-old version of me would’ve said it was the greatest feeling in the world. Then at seventeen, I had my son. And every single second became a defining moment. Even the ones that consisted of heartbreak when his mother left us.

Seventeen. Single. Dad. That’s what my life became. Yet, every day, I managed to find that feeling of being airborne. Or at least I convinced myself I did. But I lied—to myself and to everyone around me. Until she showed up; Tanned skin, raven dark hair, and eyes the color of emeralds.

You know what sucks about being in the air? Coming down from the high. Sometimes you land on the board and nail the trick. Then kick, push, and coast away. Other times you fall. You fall hard. And those are the times when it’s not as easy to get back up, dust off your pads and try again. Especially when the girl with the emerald eyes becomes your drug... And you become her poison.

GOODREADS LINK: http://bit.ly/1FSYTTZ

Review by: Amy C

Just breathe, notice, and study the things around you. Embrace the life you have been given. Let it empower you, drive you to be better and do better for those in your care. This book as done that with every page I read. I felt humbled, humility and determination reading Josh's story. Jay's words become more than a story on paper, she breathes into them passion and heart and it shows.

"Because, Josh. You and Tommy..." She places my hand over her heart. "You own me here." This exact moment is where the book changed for me. It wasn't boy meets girl and more, it was heart meets heart and acceptance happened. Understanding of each others strengths and weaknesses happened. They began to accept challenges from each other and in turn trust was being born. This freak'n book evoked so much emotion I didn't know I had. I felt so many things reading it. "She's disintegrated my armor with her existence, and now she has all of me".... DIED a sobbing mess of fire truck yea!!!

This is by far the best of Jay. She has that knack for challenging herself, pushing herself to deliver more and she never disappoints. She brings perspective and depth to the most basic of characters on the surface. As you read however, you realize the complexity and diversity of her writing. It's all of the beauty and grace that she pour into her words that makes them AMAZING! She will forever be one of my favorites to read because she delivers books that mean everything to her first and for most. This book is beyond a recommended read and easily a 5+ star!!!

Review by: Heather

There are certain books that make you feel. There are certain books that hit your heart. Very rarely does a book come around that gets so imbedded into my soul that I am changed forever- Kick Push is one of those books.
Josh Warden is character that I related to on so many different levels that at times I felt like I was looking in a mirror. Being a single parent, his struggles, his need to be strong for everyone else - his story was so raw and so real. He touched me in ways I have never been touched by a character before.
Becca is one of the most complex characters I have ever read. She is broken and has so many layers that seeing them peeled back, the description of each layer made me feel like I was right there with her.
I refuse to give anything away regarding the plot of this story as I went into this completely blind and I wish everyone could do that.
There are so many facets to this story. So much heart and so much feeling that this is something everyone needs to experience.
Jay McLean is a genius. This is by far her best book to date. You can tell she put her heart and soul into this book because it is a whole bunch of heart and a lot of soul. I have been touched. I have been changed. I have questioned myself and my life and I am a different person because of these words.
Read this book. Feel this book. Experience the life changing world of Kick Push you will not be disappointed. If I could give this book 50 stars I would. This is the best book of 2015 hands down!

50 Stars

Review by: Amy E

Jay McLean has a talent not found in a lot of writers, she makes her characters so real and so relatable that you just connect with them on another level. They aren't fictional characters you're reading about in the pages of a book they are people that you care about. Your heart bleeds for them and you want to wrap them in my arms in their moments of darkness. You share in their moments of triumph and your heart sings with joys as they experience the ups and downs of life. You are emotionally invested in their stories and eager to see them get what they deserve out of life.

Josh Warden is a single father excelling at raising his young son alone. His selflessness is inspiring, his loneliness is palpable, and his longing for more out of life for himself and Tommy is heartbreaking beautiful.

Becca is a wounded soul looking for someone to see her, to love her. She is such a complex character and she's written so beautifully I find myself thinking about her long after I finished the book.

Kick Push is a story of two people struggling to find a foot hold in the world. It had my heart racing with anticipation one minute and trepidation the next. Gasping in surprise and sobbing with sadness. It brought a smile to my face and bursts of laughter from my lungs.

I am giving this one 5 of the biggest stars possible.

Review by: Leeann

You know you have read a great book when the author makes you laugh, makes you cry & everything in between.

This book did just that.

You will fall in love with Josh and Becca, you will fall in love with Tommy.. You will hate a lot of the characters too. Most of all you will feel. Be ready for it, the feelings and emotion in this story come hard and fast, it will probably require lots of tissues and wine.. Lots of wine!

Be prepared that when you open this book you won't want to put it down until the end and when you get to the end you still won't want to put it down so you will need to have a couple of hours clear before you start.

What I love about this book is that in typical Jay McLean fashion she has you conflicted about your feelings towards the characters and their stories but by the end the characters have evolved and grown leaving you in no doubt of the direction the story is going and you can see everything crystal clear.

The storyline and the emotion in this book is raw and real, spellbinding and captivating!

I absolutely adored this story and the series as a whole, I cannot wait for book 3!

There just aren't enough stars in the world for this book so I'm giving it 5 shiny sparkly stars!!

AUTHOR BIO

Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she's not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.

She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.

For publishing rights (Foreign & Domestic) Film, or television, please contact her agent, Erica Spellman-Silverman, at Trident Media Group.

AUTHOR LINKS