Release Date: 07/19/12
Paperback/e-book
312 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now.
Jude's everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of.
For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.
Jude's everything she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of.
For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.
***Copy received for review purposes***
I think there is only one proper way to start off this review: Jude Ryder! Jude is the perfect example of a bad boy. He lives in a house for delinquent boys, he gets in to a lot of trouble, he's been arrested, done drugs, maybe even sold a little, he has no problem getting into fights and he has one hell of temper. But instead of being this arrogant macho jerk asshole, he is really a sweet guy who is scared out of his mind to let himself care about someone. And let them care about him in return. When Lucy Larson is trying he best to get him to notice her, he decides the best approach is to scare her off. But Lucy isn't scared of Jude, even though she knows she should probably be. She tells him off which of course only makes Jude want Lucy. It's not long after that they start to get hot and heavy, despite Jude's attempts to try and swoon her one minute and try to push her away the next. This is how their relationship is: intense, raw and passionate and with more ups and downs than a roller-coaster. No matter how many times they clashed, Lucy and Jude were really perfect for each, but they must overcome many obstacles in order to figure it out. Lucy and Jude both are people with a painful past, full of secrets that could tear them apart for good.
This is another one of those books that is hard for me to write a review about. I have so many things I loved about it but it's hard to explain without giving away any spoilers. I expected a bad boy (which we got!) but beyond that, everything else was unexpected. Just when I was comfortable in the story line and thought i knew what would happen next, something happens that takes it in a complete different direction. The pacing of this story was perfect! I loved that Lucy and Jude started off hot then cooled off, warmed up again as friends. And no matter how much everyone thought that Jude was a jerk, he was never afraid to let Lucy know his feelings for her. Even when he believed he didn't deserve her.
Crash was a beautiful and intense story of two very lost and broken people who must find a way to heal each other. A page turner that will grip your heart and have you turning the pages late at night. Full of humor and some HOT swoon-worthy scenes. I can't wait to read the sequel to this book, Clash. One thing I am sure of: #INeedMoreJudeDude!
5 out of 5 sparkly stars!
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Crash:
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Crash:
-"The name;s Jude Ryder, since I know you're all but salivating like a rabid dog to know, and I don't do girlfriends, relationships, flowers or regular phone calls. If that works for you, I think we could work out something special."
So that serendipitous moment I'd been angsting over the better part of a glorious afternoon? What a waste.
-"You're a pig," I said, shoving him again. Harder so my hands slapped his chest, but it was nothing more than a gust of wind had come at him.
"Never claimed to be anything but," he answered, raising his hands in surrender when I came at him again with my palms. "I also knew you wouldn't stop your staring until you learned the cold, hard truth. So consider yourself warned."
-My hands slipped beneath his shirt, scrolling ip his stomach until there was nowhere left to go but down.
"Luce," he breathed, when my fingers settled on his belt. "Stop." His hands gripped my hips firmly, but his mouth kept pace with mine again.
"I'll stop when you stop," I whispered against his mouth.
"Dammit," he sighed, pushing against me with his hands, but continuing to welcome me with his lips.
-The only way to know if Jude Ryder was going to ultimately break my heart was to open it to him.
-I wasn't thinking about our past wen his hand slid underneath my bra, and I wasn't thinking about our future when his mouth took its place. I wasn't even thinking in the present - I was living in the present.
-"That was a first," he said, puling me into his lap.
"At least I've got one of them," I teased, tying my arms over his.
Lifting his hand to my chin, he tilted it up. He didn't speak until I met his eyes. "You've got all my firsts," he said. "All the ones that matter."
(Cue heart melting...)
***GUEST POST WITH JUDE RYDER***
Jude stopped by to talk a little bit more about Lucy Because he's awesome like that. Here are some of Jude's favorite and not-so-favorite things about Lucy:
Jude’s favorite things about Lucy:
- She puts on a tough act but is warm and soft deep down.
- She doesn’t have a problem being her own person.
- She looks sexy as hell in my Syracuse sweatshirt.
- She knows my deepest, darkest secrets and still loves me.
- She’s the only habit I never want to break.
Jude’s least favorite things about Lucy:
- Sometimes, the woman can’t make up her damn mind.
- She’s as stubborn, if not more, than I am.
- She makes me work for it—hard (this is also one of my favorites, though, too).
- She attracts too much male attention which makes me want to snap necks.
- She can be all moody and grumpy for no obvious reason other than she woke up.
I'm a wife, a mom, a writer. I started writing because I loved it and I'm still writing because I love it. I write young adult because I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart *raises champagne glass* ...anyone care to join me?
***GIVEAWAY***
Enter below to win a copy of Crash and Clash. Print for US, e-books for International.
Rules:
-One entry per household.
-Must be 13 years or older to enter.
-Winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.
-Open to ALL
-Giveaway ends Friday 10/19/12
-Good luck!
i really enjoy your blog and your reviews. I've been seeing this book around and i've been wanting to read it! keep on going with your blog (:
ReplyDeleteGreat review,your reviews definitely make me want to drop what I'm currently reading and head over to amazon or bn to pick up your latest find!! Crash looks like a great read and those quotes just whet my appetite for more. Can't wait for your next one. :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an amazing book, and what a great cover! Best of luck to Nicole with it. I'll be checking it out!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, great book. Does everythimg hhave to be great?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an interesting book - I love the cover, too!
ReplyDelete