Review: Combative by Jay McLean

Combative
(Combative #1)
by Jay McLean
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: Feb. 5, 2015
Genre: Romance
Rating:

We all play victims to our pasts; to the choices we make and the lives we create. They define who we are. And sometimes if we’re lucky enough, the past stays where it belongs: in the past. I’m not one of the lucky ones. I never have been. Because now the past is knocking on my door, offering deals I have no choice but to take… deals that will help bring justice-not just for me, but for my brothers. The problem? The deal is a ticking time bomb. One I didn’t know existed. Tick. Tock.

 

 

I have to be honest, I’m having a hard time formulating my thoughts on this book. The story takes place in the present time, and it focuses on Kyler. He has a lot of anger inside of him, and we meet him shortly after he gets into a serious fight that lands him in jail. The detective that comes in to question him turns out to be his brother. Someone that he left many years ago without a single goodbye. So you could imagine that there’s quite a bit of history there. Thankfully, each chapter seems to be accompanied by a memory of the past. So we are brought up to speed on Kyler’s past and why he is the way that he is.

Kyler’s brother makes him a deal, he’ll release him from jail if he can infiltrate an illegal fighting ring and help take down the guy running it. As the story progresses though, you start to realize that Ky no longer has that fight in him and he’s starting to make peace with his past. It doesn’t help matter that he’s falling in love with his secretive neighbor from across the hall. You really don’t know much of anything about Madison, other than she’s hiding something. We get little snippets here and there, but nothing of substance to really hold onto.

I did enjoy this story, however, my big issue was that if felt like the beginning of a story. I don’t get closure, all we get are more questions and confusion before the book abruptly ends on a cliffhanger. It was a good way to hook readers, but I kind of wish we’d gotten more answers or something. I feel like just as I was starting to get a grasp on the story and the characters, the story ended. Like I said before, I did enjoy this story, I just felt like the author wrote one big story and then broke it up into three books instead of allowing each book to stand on it’s own.

 

 

 

4 Thoughts on “Review: Combative by Jay McLean

  1. Sorry this one didn’t work for you, but it does sound like it could be a good start to something that may work the next time around. Hope you’re doing well. Hugs, RO

  2. I remember reading this, and it hit me hard. I am not sure, if I would have been able to read the entire story at once. It’s pretty dark, gritty, and angsty.

  3. Thats always a struggle for us readers when we come across a story that doesn’t offer that closure. Good luck on your next read

    Great review

  4. It doesn’t seem like there would be enough for me to get invested in. At east with just book #1. maybe if I could binge read the series lol

    Karen @ For What It’s Worth

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