Clash by Nicole Williams

I loved Crash by Nicole Williams.  It was the perfect mix of YA, sweet romance, and lots of angst.  So you can imagine how tickled I was to learn that she was writing a sequel! What?! More Jude Ryder?! And soon!  It wasn’t long after she announced the sequel and it was here!  I was pumped!

Clash was everything I hoped for in a sequel, although at times it had me nervous.  I’m definitely a fan of a HEA (happily ever after), and after reading The Opportunist as well this weekend, I needed some “love conquers all” after so much angst.  Don’t get me wrong, there was lots of angst in Clash.  LOTS.  And from every which way.  Internal, self doubts, outside sources, etc.  It was there.  But Lucy and Jude continue to power through against all odds.

In the first book I felt like more of the issues were on Jude’s shoulders.  He took the blame; pushed her away and kept secrets.  This time around, while I thought he was going to be the cause of the drama, but oh no, it was Lucy.  I felt like yelling at her for a large chunk of page turning there.  She was really frustrating me and stressing me out.

Jude was so sweet and she just wanted to keep pushing and pushing.  I’m not sure why she was suddenly so scared of loving him, but she was.  And her running was making me nervous for their future.  I did love, though, that he was persistent to her strength.  He wasn’t backing down.

Seems a lot more lately that I read titles where the main girl can’t make a decision to save her life – pushing away the smoking hot guy that is in love with her.  Makes me have an ulcer.  But I loved that aspect of this story, and of all the other stories I read like it.  It’s real.  And it gives the guys a break.  There are Jude Ryders out there – loving, protecting and oh so sexy! :)

I give this book 4 stars and recommend to readers looking for a New Adult / Mature YA read with lots of sweet moments, but still chock full of angst.  Oh, and another thing I loved about this one – definitely a bit more steam.  I loved the sexual tension in this one.  Much more amped up than in Crash.  So that always wins big in my book.  I’m not sure if this is the end for Jude & Lucy’s story, and I don’t want to give away anything about what may or may not have happened in Clash but I will say that I would not be opposed to reading more about them and what their future might hold :).  Or maybe even something from Jude’s POV.  I’d love to see any of this through his eyes.