Book Review – Crash by Nicole Williams

Crash
Another great (and recent) bad boy read that had me finishing it one straight sitting. When the author sent me a review copy, I knew it was right up our alley! The synopsis said it all…

Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble.

… and the actual story, pretty much, lived up to it’s potential. While it is YA and stays within a “tamer” realm, the author does explore some serious bad boy behavior, and a few steamier circumstances.

I loved how they met (the first longing stares on the beach and then pretending one didn’t notice the other – yes!! That totally does happen!!),

… I took a quick survey of the area, every male within five beach towels was staring. Except for him.

… but I did *squinch* my nose a bit with the initial verbal sparring between the two main characters. His cockiness and arrogant assumptions, and direct approach and her feigned “disinterest”… while expected, was somewhat exaggerated.

“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.”

So that serendipitous moment I’d been angsting over the better part of the glorious summer afternoon? What a waste. There had been nothing on the other side of that loaded look…

A little too much protesting and backtalk, and soon after all that, they easily give in. But overall, I liked her. I get her (and her thought process), and I giggled at her internal struggle over his apparent nonchalance towards her. So… I was all… okay. That was easy, but I’m still “in” ’cause I probably would have had that same “Ugh! As if!” reaction.

And then there was a super-scary nightmarish scene that I’m glad didn’t dictate the tone of the book. *phew* Right from that start I was a bit concerned that this might be a “darker then usual” read, and considering the dark circumstances, I’m surprised at how easily they overcame it all, but *shrug*. I went with it. And luckily, high school drama and angsty romance (friends? or more?) steal the “show”.

After that, we’re golden!

New girl in school (family is sort of falling apart, you’ll find out why later), gets right in with the “mean girls” and everyone is absolutely SHOCKED that Jude (the untamable hottie “player”) is paying her so much real attention. Shocked I tell you! And isn’t that always fun? When the heroine aka —> *you* (tee hee) gets the guy that NOBODY can get? Remind you of anyone? Yep. You guessed it! This one, too has a “Travis” from Beautiful Disaster feel.

And as much as everyone warns her (even he does) away from him, and as many mistakes as he makes…

“Damn it, Luce, I’m sorry. I did something really, really stupid,” he said, grabbing my arms.

I made a vow to myself I wouldn’t cry.

… these two just can’t get enough of each other. And even though I eyerolled a bit and thought to myself, “NO WAY!! He DID NOT *spoiler*! ACK!!! OMG How am I gonna tell everyone how great he is when he’s acting all criminal-y like that??”

But still. You know me. I like the whole “it’s fiction, it’s fun, and I’m going with it” reasoning and I totally went along for his crazy ride and hoped he’d “drive” even faster.

And then right when it was gettin’ good… my husband called out to me. He just got back from the grocery store. Time to eat. Huh? What? Oh right. I’ve been on a reading frenzy and I totally forgot to do that. So I thought.. what’s quickest? Toasted sandwiches!!

Right. I knew I had lost it when I paced around the kitchen island a few times and stomped over to the toaster, bent down and stared it right into the “holes” and gave it a “what for”.

“Cooooommmme onnnnnn!!! Hurry uupppppp!!! I want to get back to my boooooook!”

(add in a soundbite of an angsty discouraged teenager-y sounding “Uggghhhhhh!!!!” and you’ve got ME!)

Husband raised an eyebrow, and said “It must be good, then.”

Whoops!! Oh right. I wasn’t alone. Caught me in my book-frenzied impatience. Sometimes when I’m into something, I let my crazy out. Frantically waving my arms around, pointing in the air, I said, “But he JUST *spoiler* and I was SO ready to like him!! How can I now, without seeming all… you know!??”

And lemme tell you. There are plenty of reasons for his bad-boy ways. But is he really just all that? One thing I am able to confirm is he’s in it soul-deep, when he wants to be. And OMG he will make your heart flutter for sure. Especially that dance studio scene. *sigh*

There is so much to his story, and to hers… and even a twist I totally didn’t see coming. Was it believable? Well…  hrmmm… you know. 😉 Still though, it was a little excitement (and an oh nooooo!!… moment) in an already invigorating ride. Like I always say. Just go with it. 😉

So there it is. A fun, exciting and angsty read, sure sure. YA, of course so you know… there are “scenic” limitations, but overall. There was plenty of fun drama to entertain for a quite a few hours.

4 stars!