NEW ADULT MONDAYS: Pulse (Collide #2)

The New Adult genre - their bad boys and big problems and epic loves make them engrossing tales that are so easy to lose yourself in. What's not to love about that? And, now, thanks to the cool chicks at Bewitched Bookworms, we can show these books the love they deserve in a weekly feature - New Adult Mondays.

Pulse (Collide #2), by Gail McHugh  
Published September 17, 2013
Publisher: Atria Publishing
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) “Do you know how scary it is to want something so bad you’re willing to change your whole life for it?”

Emily Cooper is ready to risk everything to be with the man who has consumed her thoughts and dreams since the fateful day they met. Unraveling fast, she can only cling to the hope that Gavin Blake still wants her.

Nursing his wounded heart, Gavin has cut himself off from society and retreated into a self-destructive, mind-numbing world. Emily isn’t used to being the strong one, but she’ll have to find the daring and confidence within to fight for their love and bring Gavin back from the edge—even if it means losing herself to their all-consuming, pulse-pounding passion. A New York Times bestseller, Pulse is the unforgettable conclusion to the story of Emily and Gavin that began with Collide.
 
I loved so much about Pulse. The angsty beginning, the drama-filled middle, the swoony ending. Bottle caps and baseball. Hot sex and a book boyfriend for life. It was pretty darn epic.

We pick up in Pulse immediately where we left off in Collide (which I personally am very thankful for - I hate huge time lags between series installments!) with Emily finally making her choice between Gavin and Dillon and setting off to make things right. And, for once things finally seem to be going her way. Until yet another bomb is dropped in the middle of her life, and now Emily and her new relationship have to deal with a new challenge.

Emily, who was ridiculously frustrating in Collide, finally gets her crap together in Pulse. It made her much more palatable and even likable. I was so happy about that, because I really wanted to love her. Better than that, I really respected her for the decisions she made in Pulse. 

Gavin... well, what can I say about Mr. Tall, Dark and F*ckable? He is the epitome of bookish awesomesauce. He's gorgeous, rich, attentive, always says the most swoony things, and is amazing in bed. Seriously, I don't think he could get any more perfect.

Which brings me to point of contention #1. He was TOO perfect. Doesn't he ever get mad at Emily? Have a bad day at work and take it out on her? He had no flaws, which makes him a flawed character for me.

As much as I love romance and need it in my books, even I was getting a little tired of the constant declarations of love and devotion between those two. It was a bit too much - a bit too sugary sweet and sappy.

And, the biggest star-knocker-offer is "that chapter." (Those who've read it know what I'm talking about.) About 75% through the book, there is a chapter that had me gasping, crying and completely freaking out. The thing is, there was absolutely no point to it whatsoever. None. It was like shoving drama in with a crowbar. And when everything was resolved, I was left kinda pissed off. Why put me through all that? What was the purpose?

All that being said, I absolutely, without a doubt recommend this entire series. The love story is definitely one for the ages, and despite how it might sound, I really, really loved it.

NEW ADULT MONDAYS: Collide (Collide #1)

The New Adult genre - their bad boys and big problems and epic loves make them engrossing tales that are so easy to lose yourself in. What's not to love about that? And, now, thanks to the cool chicks at Bewitched Bookworms, we can show these books the love they deserve in a weekly feature - New Adult Mondays.

Collide (Collide #1), by Gail McHugh

Published September 17, 2013
Publisher: Atria Publishing
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre:  new adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4.5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Attracting, compelling, colliding, their chemistry—to say the least—was explosive. He felt it the first time he laid eyes on her. . .

On the heels of college graduation and the unexpected death of her mother, Emily Cooper moves to New York City to join her boyfriend for a fresh start. Dillon Parker has been sweet, thoughtful, and generous through Emily’s loss, and she can’t imagine her life without him—even as her inner voice tells her to go slow.

Then she meets Gavin Blake. A rich and notorious playboy, Gavin is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Their first encounter is brief, but it’s enough to inflame Emily’s senses. When their paths cross again through an unexpected mutual acquaintance, she tries to deny the connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome won’t let go so easily.

As she discovers Gavin’s pain-filled past and Dillon’s true nature begins to surface, Emily knows she must take action or risk destroying everyone—including herself. But how can she choose when she can’t trust her own heart?

Never have I ever read a book with more emotional angsty goodness than Collide. From the very beginning, I bought every single word Gail McHugh was selling and then some. And, you know what's weird? I'm usually not a fan of love triangles. Or cheating. Collide has the love triangle to beat all love triangles, as well as some cheating. And, I just could not get enough. So, bravo to Ms. McHugh for doing what few authors have been able to do. 

Emily moves to New York to be near her boyfriend Dillon and her BFF Olivia after her mother passes away in her home state of Colorado. After only a few days in the city, Emily meets Gavin completely by chance. And, it's sorta love at first sight. Except Emily's already in love with someone else. As time moves on and Dillon and Gavin both show their true colors, Emily has to decide what is more important - the past or the future. 

I'd heard nothing but amazing things about Collide from many other new adult fans. I bought it for my Kindle over the summer. And it sat there. For months. I'm not sure why. I just didn't get to it. Then, I bought the audio version from Audible. And, I was like, WHOA. I am such an idiot for not reading this sooner!

Initially, I wasn't a big fan of Emily's. It was glaringly obvious who the right guy was, and yet she spent the entire span of the book denying it, even in the face of some pretty convincing evidence. This was one of those books for which a padded Kindle cover is a good thing - you know - for the times you want to throw it across the room because you're so damn frustrated. On one hand I wanted Emily to realize what was doing from the beginning. On the other hand, her self-denial made for some pretty amazing sexual tension between she and Gavin. 

OMG - it was beyond delicious. Gail McHugh knows how to write the heat. I'd classify Collide as a mature NA book. And the heated tension between Emily and Gavin is the best part of the book. It was palpable on every single page. It doesn't hurt that McHugh made Gavin this amazingly perfect specimen of a man. I think any encounter between him and a woman would overheat my senses. But with Emily - the woman he loves more than his next breath - swoon city, baby. 

Dillon is the biggest asshat - I kept waiting for the moment when Emily realized what the reader had known for awhile. It was a very long wait. Gail McHugh was able to weave a powerful message into her epic love story - a message about finding your inner strength and beauty when someone all but rips it away from you. By the end of Collide, Emily has finally started reclaiming her voice and her life, and although you don't get to see Dillon's comeuppance, you know it's coming. 

Collide ends on one of those good kinds of cliffhangers. Most of the loose ends are tied up and the story comes to a close, but there's one big thing left undone that absolutely compels you to read the next book in the series. By the time the end rolled around, I was very glad that I had had the foresight to purchase the audio version of Pulse (Collide #2) and had it waiting for me. Because, although the ending was good, I was left wanting to know what came next. 

The banter between Emily and Gavin is many times lighthearted and sweet. Olivia's and Emily's restaurant is funny and real and amazing. Those moments were the lightest of the book. For the most part, Collide is angsty with a capital A. It's perfect for when you want one of those super emo romantic books. Just, trust me when I say, have Pulse ready to go before you finish. You'll thank me for that bit of advice.