Book Review: The Crush Collision by Danielle Ellison (Southern Charmed #2)

Summary: Haley Howell has had a hopeless crush on her brother’s best friend, Jake Lexington, for as long as she can remember. Too bad to him, she’ll forever be off-limits. But with senior year and acceptance to a college outside their tiny southern town of Culler, South Carolina, comes new confidence. Haley’s ready to get Jake to notice her—whatever it takes.

No one in Culler notices the real Jake anymore—to them, he’s nothing more than the star football player or the kid with the family tragedy. When one mistake lands him in community service, he’s shocked to find his best friend’s little sister there, too, looking cute as hell and threatening all his no-friends-with-benefits rules. But Jake isn’t ready to take a chance, no matter how crafty Haley’s willing to get to prove him otherwise…

Release Date: February 2019
Age Group: YA, Contemporary (clean), Sports Romance
Source: Review Copy from Publisher (Entangled Teen Crush)
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:
First off, I live in Southeast Texas where football is king. I have 8 football season passes for my family of 5 and no high school-er on the team. As a matter of fact, we are the last family that should be at a high school football game considering my kids are action sports athletes... but alas, we love it! #itsagreatdaytobeapirate

The Crush Collision was everything I hoped it would be (minus the cover). I am SO happy I did not see the cover of this book until now... STOP looking! I imagined Jake Lexington much different. Basically, Jake Lexington was loosely based off of the character Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) from the hit TV series Friday Night Lights. And it was awesome. #fistpump

image source: google.com

I think teens will be drawn to this story because of the coming-of-age theme and relatability. Ellison nailed the feel of first love mixed with a nice dose of teen jealousy and tragedy. The characters are well developed and flawed. You'll both love and hate Jake, he's a real wreck... "put the beer down, son".

I also enjoyed the alternating POV's between Haley and Jake. The journey each one had to go through to discover who they wanted to become was very different and needed to be explored through their own voice. And of course one of my favorite plot points, neither one gave up a dream for love! 🎉🎉🎉 Points for both love & life goals!

The real gem in this story was the coach! He embodied everything you hope and pray for in a coach-- a role with so much power and influence, he was a real winner.

This is definitely a touchdown for fans of YA Contemporary and Sports Romances! It's an easy and engaging read with swoon worthy appeal.

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I read The Crush Collision as a standalone but it the second in the Southern Charmed series. I plan to snag book one, The Sweetheart Sham because I was introduced to Georgia Ann and I think I'm going to love her story!