Crash is by NY Times best selling young adult author Nicole Williams. It's the first book in the Crash Trilogy. On her website, Nicole Williams, she explains why she enjoys writing young adult fiction. Williams said, “I still believe in true love, kindred spirits, and happy endings. Here's to staying young at heart.”
Crash stays true to Williams' philosophy; the story is a modern day Romeo and Juliet love story. It introduces the reader to twisted teen Jude Ryder and good girl Lucy Larson. Lucy is an aspiring ballerina who has been forced to switch high schools for her senior year. She is dreading starting somewhere new, and is completely focused on achieving her goal of dancing. Lucy is ambitious and motivated to where a boy or a summer fling fit into her perfect world.
While sun bathing and enjoying the last bit of her summer vacation, Jude catches her eye. Jude has a bad reputation and the epitome of the bad boy façade. He has had a troubled life with no strong or caring paternal figure. Jude lives in a local boys home and is always in the center of some sort of fight, disruption or drama. He has a short temper and has the attitude of “me against the world.” Jude feels like he isn’t good enough for Lucy and tells her to stay clear from him. Reluctant to stay away from his bad boy charm, Jude and Lucy compliment one another through their adolescent angst relationship.
Jude makes Lucy realize that she is confident and capable of achieving her dreams. Lucy pushes Jude to unleash his anger issues out on the football team. The constructive and caring relationship that Lucy and Jude share is brilliantly written and captivates your attention. There is a shocking twist towards the end of the book that will have you rooting for a happy ending. The Crash Trilogy continues with the second book Clash and third book Crush. If you are a fan of young adult fiction the Crash Trilogy is highly recommended as it takes you on a journey of an innocent high school romance.