Title: Combative
Author: Jay McLean
First published February 5, 2015
206 pages, Paperback
Rating: 3.95
Overview
In Jay Crownover’s gripping novel Leveled, Orlando Frederick has devoted his life to helping others overcome their pain. From sports stars to war veterans, he’s made it his mission to mend broken bodies and souls.
But when he meets the rugged and damaged cop Dominic Voss, Lando knows he’s facing his toughest challenge yet. After surviving the fallout of a past relationship, Lando is hesitant to let anyone get close to him again.
However, as he works with Dom to mend his physical injuries, the simmering attraction between them becomes impossible to ignore. As Dom begins to see that Lando is in need of his own healing, he becomes determined to help the man he’s falling for.
Can Lando learn to trust again and let Dom close enough to mend what’s broken? Find out in this heartwarming Avon Romance.
About the Author
Meet Jay McLean, a successful author known for her New Adult and Young Adult romance novels. When she’s not writing or reading, you can find her chasing after her three energetic boys or indulging in her love for True Crime Documentaries and reality TV.
Jay’s writing is driven by her passion for books that evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to heartache. She finds inspiration in the things she loves to read, and her readers can feel that in her work.
Currently residing in her dream home in the Melbourne suburbs, Jay loves to fill her house with music and laughter.
Editoral Review
Combative by Jay McLean is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the mind and life of a troubled young man struggling to deal with personal loss and trauma. Published on February 5, 2015, the book has garnered a fan base for its depiction of human emotions and challenges.
McLean is known for her young adult and new adult romance novels, and Combative fits that genre best. The plot of the book revolves around Kyler Tate, a former fighter and a high school student who struggles to come to terms with the loss of his mother.
Despite his efforts to bury his grief by indulging in fights, Kyler finds himself drawn to a girl at his school named Madison. The plot takes the reader through their relationship, which is troubled by Kyler’s traumatic past, family problems, and anger issues.
One of the strong points of Combative is the authors masterful building of characters. The protagonist, Kyler Tate, is a complex character with intriguing traits, and the author does a fantastic job in portraying his contradictions, traumas, fears, and hopes.
Madison, on the other hand, presents a robust and endearing female lead who balances Kyler’s emotional distress with her love and support. Besides character development, McLean’s prose is engaging and at times poetic.
The dialogue is witty, and the narrative pacing is swift, keeping the reader engaged throughout. The way she handles the theme of trauma and grief is commendable, considering it is an issue that is hard to tackle.
However, the book also has some weak points. The author tends to dwell on the characters’ emotions, making the book feel slow-moving in some parts.
Furthermore, the tale may not be everyone’s cup of tea as McLean uses various vulgar references, making the book inappropriate for those younger than eighteen. The book highlights the importance of mental health, self-care, family, and relationships when dealing with trauma and grief.
The author successfully manages to portray the social maladies of our era, connecting the reader to the characters and their issues. In conclusion, Combative is a fantastic read, full of emotional depth and well-crafted characters.
The book is appropriate for anyone dealing with loss, trauma, and loves new adult romance novels. This book receives a solid four-star rating for its engaging storytelling, strong character development, and thought-provoking themes.