All of Jude's Dreams are Coming True, What will Happen to Lucy's?

Crush by Nicole Williams

Will Jude and Lucy get their happily ever after?  Gosh I sure hope so, because who wants to read a romance novel that doesn’t have a happy ending?  Actually I’m super pumped about how this book ended.  I could not stop smiling during the Epilogue and even the last chapter.  I cried like a baby when Lucy was filling out her paperwork at the doctor’s office and it asked questions that Lucy didn’t know the answer to.  When Jude walked in and said, “Am I too late?”  Be still my heart!!!  I was an emotional wreck!

This book along with Clash (#2) sent me on a roller coaster of emotions.  I was super pissed at Anton for how he behaved and the stupid comments he would make to Lucy to undermine her relationship with Jude.  I would have so kicked him in the balls a long time ago.  I was so happy at the end I had tears in my eyes.  I went along for the ride right along with Lucy.

So, I loved this book and this series.  I loved Jude and hated that he was so far away during this book.  Jude and Lucy had a long distance relationship their entire relationship.  I am actually really into the whole female being the main point of view character, but I would love to read Jude’s point of view.  Lucy was so indecisive throughout the entire series, that I wonder how hurt Jude was that she couldn’t figure out if they were supposed to be together.  Jude was the all-american bad boy who grew up into a man of unquestionable character, oh and he’s a professional football player, what’s to decide?  Lucy, you are an idiot for not marrying him up as soon as he asked.  Lucy was an idiot most of the series and I literally wanted to punch her in the face most of the time.    

I never understood the titles of the books.  I always look for some deep meaning, but I never found it, so maybe it’s something very obvious that I’m missing, but I literally have no idea why the books are called Crash, Clash and Crush.  If anyone has any insight, I would greatly appreciate it!  I would highly recommend this series to all readers over the age of 18, because let’s be honest, New Adult genre is just not for kids.  Sorry y’all!

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I have NO idea why this book is called Crash... Anyone?

Crash by Nicole Williams

Lucy doesn’t know that her day at the beach would change her life forever.  With a dog from the animal shelter and her flirting with the hot guy playing football, she has no idea what’s coming. 

Crash was a great book.  I loved the characters.  At first I did not like Lucy, but ended up feeling a little more attached to her by the end.  I think the reason I had to warm up to her is that when the author wanted the audience to know something about Lucy she just told us in her inner monologue instead of making it part of a conversation or in action.  In my opinion there were some missed creative outlets on how we could have gotten to know Lucy a little better, made bigger surprises and not changed the story, plot or outline of the book. 

I loved Jude Ryder.  He was the quintessential bad boy and he fell hard for Lucy.  At first we don’t know why he fell so hard and so fast, but it is revealed a little later (I won’t spoil it because it’s a great part of the story).  I also liked that he stood up for her and defended her and that he had such a reputation that everyone listens to him and does what he says.  I did not love his beanie, but I was glad that we got see what the deal is with that.  I had a greater appreciation for the beanie after this book was over.

I don’t know why, but it felt like the dancing idea was an afterthought.  It felt a little forced like Lucy had to have something that she was passionate about, but Williams didn’t know what.  I could (and I probably am) way off base.  It wasn’t a distraction, but a thought. 

I enjoyed Lucy and Ryder together.  Of course all good love triangles have to have a miscommunication of epic proportions and Crash didn’t disappoint.  Lucy misunderstood a situation and broke the only good thing going for her (ok, so she has dance going for her, but let’s be honest, Jude is the reason we read this book).  I was surprised how quickly she switched gears from Jude to Diamond.  If you are that enthralled with a boy then I think you are going to wait more than one day.  That’s just me though. 

There was a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming, I also loved the last chapter, it was excellent.  I knew what was coming, but I got excited about it anyway.  I hope my blog didn’t chase you off from reading Crash or it’s following books, great book, just a weak blog about a good book!  Keep Reading my Friends!

Jude is worthy of a MCM!

Clash by Nicole Williams

What emotions should a reader expect to experience while reading a good book?  Well it depends on what type of book it is, but for a good young adult/new adult book, I expect to laugh, maybe not out loud, but a small chuckle when a character says or does something in character that is funny, or you think “Oh, that Jude, he’s always finding himself in trouble.”

I also expect to be upset at one point.  One of the characters is going to do something that is upsetting, like find them in a hard to explain situation, for Jude that seems to always include another girl.  And the characters usually need a good sit down conversation where both parties are open and honest and trust what the other person is saying.  This does not always happen and that is usually where I get upset.  I’m thinking, please just sit down and explain yourself a little more openly and this mess wouldn’t be happening.  With Clash, I was upset with Lucy because she just kept getting in the way of the best relationship in her life.  I was upset.

I don’t always expect to cry, but if a book brings tears, it goes way up on the list of books that I enjoy.  I think when characters are so ingrained in you that you cry over the situation that is not really happening, but you feel it so deep within yourself to shed tears, that equals a good book to me.  I cried in Clash.  While Williams was explaining the looks on Jude’s face and the emotion that Lucy could see or hear in his voice.  I felt it.  I wanted to slap Lucy and hug Jude pretty much this whole book. 

I immediately started reading Clash after I finished Crash.  Both books were fast paced and easy to read.  I enjoy the characters and even the secondary characters like India (Lucy’s roommate) and Tony (the receiver that plays football with Jude).  I love the intimate moments between Jude and Lucy where we get to see their conversations and struggles within their relationship.  I also love that Lucy’s family is coming around.  It sounds like her dad is getting better and her mom is less “Ice Queen-ish” than in Crash.

Even though dancing is a huge aspect in Lucy’s life, I feel like we know more about Jude’s football than Lucy’s dancing.  She talks about it and says she went and practiced, but I just wonder if there should be more about what it means to Lucy, I just feel like it’s an afterthought and I felt like that in Crash as well.  My best friend was a dancer and everything about her screamed dance from the way she carried herself to how she walked, to how she talked about dance, every example from life could be brought back to dance.  All that to say, I think I figured out what I was missing in between Crash and Clash with the dancing theme feeling lost.  I wonder if we heard a chapter from Jude’s perspective if we would see more of who Lucy is as a dancer since Lucy obviously wouldn’t tell us how she walks, etc.

So, I liked it.  I can’t wait to jump right into Crush and see how this whirlwind ends up.  I’ll keep you posted!

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