A Review for Crash (Crash #1) by Nicole Williams

Posted by Donna
Release Date: June 6th, 2013
Finished Date: May 28th, 2013

Publishers: Simon & Schuster UK
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback 
Pages: 365

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

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.

The Review: “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.” 

Crash was just the type of book I needed to get me out of my reading rut. I wasn't actually planning on reading this series yet, because I wanted to wait until the third and final book was released so I could read them all together, but, curiosity got the best of me and, honestly, I'm glad I did.

Crash was exactly the type of story I was hoping for, one full of misunderstandings, swoon-worthy scenes and characters that were easy to fall in love with. I haven't enjoyed a book like this in what feels like FOREVER, and with Nicole Williams writing style really reminding me of  Simone Elkeles work, well then, that was always going to be a win in my book.

The story starts off immediately within the first few chapters and I loved that Nicole didn't drag the start out. I needed something to drag me in straight away and she did that so well. Lucy and Jude have such an entertaining 'meeting' that you can't help fall in love with them straight away - especially Jude. ;) The story also really managed to set so many emotions off for me because each scene is written so beautifully and packed with a punch. The connection between the characters literally leaves you breathless! 

Jude is the town's bad boy, always getting in trouble, being arrested and has the worst reputation around, were as, Lucy is the new girl and is immediately labelled the school slut because of her connection with Jude. What I loved was how protective Jude was over Lucy. Petty much from day one, he protected her - even though Lucy didn't need it because she's such a strong character that stands up for herself, but Jude wants to protect her because she's the most important thing in his life. I loved that. Even despite all their misunderstanding, you can see what a good thing they have. Lucy helps Jude believe in himself and gives him the love that no-one has ever done before. He literally doesn't have any faith in himself as you can see from the quote below;

“If I ever mess things up again, whether it’s a misunderstanding, or shit luck, or I just do what I was created to do and screw everything up,” he paused, exhaling, “I want you to promise me you’ll leave. Drop me like a bad habit and don’t look back because god knows, it can’t be me that walks away since I’m incapable of it.” 

What I also enjoyed about the story was that Nicole threw in a few curve balls into the story, that I honestly didn't see coming. The story is just full of excitement and spine-tingly moments that it's hard not to love. However my only teeny tiny complaint is,  I did feel this story was more YA rather than NA but still, it's a fantastic read nonetheless.

So in all, Nicole Williams has won me over with Crash and I'm so excited to read more of Lucy and Jude's story in Clash.