Published September 1st, 2012
Self-Published
216 pages (ePub)
The only easy thing about Jude and Lucy’s relationship is their love for one another. Everything else is hard.
Especially when it comes to reigning in Jude’s trigger touch temper and Lucy’s increasing jealousy of Jude’s Spirit Sister on the cheer squad who’s attached herself to him in just about every way a girl could. Feeling the stress of trying to hang on to her quintessential bad boy while becoming the foremost dancer in her class, Lucy knows something’s going to break. She wants both. She needs both. But if she doesn’t make a choice, she risks losing everything.For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love might be the thing that just isn’t enough. (From Goodreads)
I'm sorry, but the best way to describe Clash is by calling it a "sophomore slump". Here's an example of when one book is enough (my review of Crash, although I am now questioning what I was thinking when I wrote that...)
This book is 200 pages of fighting and trust issues, none of which was all that entertaining. The other 16 pages was Jude being his crazy self (I don't recommend running through an airport in a hospital gown). It felt like I was reading the same argument over and over again, in varying settings.
But here's the kicker... I still flew through it. This was likely a combination of procrastination and expecting something to happen, but all that ended up happening was the procrastination.
I will give the cover some credit. The ballerina in me loves it. If only I felt the same about the book itself. (Note: since writing this review, I was introduced to the new covers. There goes that point...)
Much love, Samantha
Published July 19th, 2012
Self-Published
215 pages (eBook)
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. (From Goodreads)
I've said it before, but I did ballet for 11 years, and still love dance. Hence, this cover instantly drew me in. It's hard to find a good book around dance. Unfortunately, there isn't a ton of dance in Crash. Good thing this book is great without!
The characters in Crash are great. Lucy and I have very little in common, but her love for dance created an instant connection for me. There is a scene where she rushes to the studio and just dances to let her emotions go. This is something I have done on several occasions, so I was able to relate with her passion.
Then there is Jude. Oh, Jude... The way he sees himself broke my heart several times. It's so painful to see him beat himself down constantly, when you know he is destined for better things. I loved the way Nicole Williams developed his character. You can't help but root for him.
The story was actually more complex than I expected. Nicole Williams managed to weave in many events and plot twists that I did not see coming. I'm not going to give anything away, but you won't want to put Crash down. That being said, there are a couple of slow chunks that I had to push through, but was always rewarded with something good!
Overall, I really loved Crash. With an enticing romance and strong story line, this book didn't need large amounts of dance to keep me happy. I fully recommend it, and can assure you that I purchased Clash as soon as I finished it!
Much love, Samantha
Published September 1st, 2012
