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5 Stars-OUTSTANDING!!! Review & Giveaway of Collide by Gail McHugh

 

Synopsis

 

A missed first encounter…

 

Colliding with a second chance…

 

This unexpected encounter compels Emily to question her decisions, forcing her to make a choice that will destroy friendships, shatter hearts, and forever change her life.

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My Review

You know those books that stay with you for days after?  The ones where the emotions that you felt were just so intense that you were sad, angry, happy, but you couldn’t explain why a book could tear you up this much.  Yup, that was this book for me!!  There are very few books that I can name that have literally evoked such deep feelings for characters, or that I could see some of my own insecurities in them, Collide is one of them.

I REALLY tried to write a review spoiler free but I couldn’t stop some of it.. Please forgive me! xoxo


 

Emily Cooper moves to New York City to be close to her boyfriend Dillon.  Her mother has recently passed away and it has taken a huge emotional toll on her.  Dillon is supportive, nurturing, and just seems perfect.  Emily believes she is in love with him, but she decides to live with her best friend Olivia instead of Dillon.  Olivia is probably one of my favorite characters in the book, and she loathes Dillon (as do I).  Olivia is snarky, honest, and has Emily’s best interests at heart, their friendship reminds me of me and my best friend, which I loved.

 

Emily gets a job as a waitress, and she is asked to do a delivery.  Enter please: “Mr. Tall Dark, and Fuckable Handsome”… Gavin Blake.  Gavin sees Emily enter his building and is instantly captivated by her.  Emily is not unaffected by him either, and by this description I don’t know many females who wouldn’t be.

“Yes, he was that good looking. Take-your-breath-away good looking. Want-to-strip-your-body-naked-and-let-him-devour-you-alive good looking. Certified-eye-candy good looking.”

 

BREAK ME OFF A PIECE OF THAT PUH-LEASE!

However, Emily is with Dillon and she denies the pull she has to him.  Gavin refuses to accept Emily’s denial of their connection. I enjoyed the fact that he didn’t play games trying to get her to agree to see him.  There was no beat around the bush, it was very commanding and sexy.

  “I’m hoping you’ll break up with your boyfriend and go out on a date with me,”        from Gavin to Emily

 

Emily continued to have faith in Dillon and their relationship, even with Olivia persistently telling her what an asshat he is.  The best part is when she and Gavin see each other again as Emily went to meet Dillon at the bar! HAHA! I laughed out loud.. Literally! Yup, Gavin and Dillon are friends! How is that for freaking awkward? I hate Dillon with ever fiber of my being.  You will see why in the book.  I was really grateful that we weren’t lead to believe Dillion was a good guy, only to find out later that he was such a douche.

Ok… Back to Gavin & Emily. They fight their feelings and try to remain strictly friends, and they do a pretty good job of it.  He is a really sweet friend to her, he listens and is attentive. He pushes Emily to see that the relationship she has with Dillon is not what she thinks it is, and that she could do so much better.Gavin and Emily’s relationship takes a turn where they make many mistakes, let me rephrase Emily makes many mistakes.  She was the girl I loved to hate.  She strung Gavin along, out of guilt for Dillon helping her through the death of her mother.  Gavin falls so desperately in love with her, and it is literally hard to read because you want to physically choke Emily.

          “God, Emily, please…you have to give us a chance.  Let me take care of you.  Let me love you.”

The ending is a cliffhanger.. Like a big one!  One that left me with tears running down my face because I was so upset, and angry. Good news though is if you buy it now you only have to wait until August for “Pulse”.

A lot of readers complained that Emily was a doormat, or weak.  There were times I agreed, there is one scene in particular and after you read this I BEG you to contact me so we can talk!! The thing is, if we all take a very deep look inside of us, we are all a little bit of Emily.  We are naïve and want to often ignore the voice in our head telling us that things aren’t right. Emily is grieving and doesn’t trust herself, she feels indebted to a man who is a selfish twatwaffle.  If you really look at a relationship with another, is there not a time you can look back and say “why did I ever stay with him/her for that long” ?

Purchase on Amazon

 

About the Author

Gail McHughI’ve always been a lover of writing, but mostly dabbled in creating poetry while raising my three beautiful children. I am grateful my husband of fifteen years has supported me—albeit sometimes kicking and screaming—as I pursue this “hobby” of mine. Without his help, writing would be an impossible endeavor.

In late June 2012, I felt an urgent tug of my pen, and I began writing one of my first novels, Collide. Although I thought it might never see the light of day, it gave me the courage to plunge headfirst onto a path I had never considered before.

Authors Social Media Links
Amy

 

Comments

  1. I have Collide on ebook & absolutely loved it!!! I am trying to patiently wait for Pulse. I would be extremely excited to win a signed hardcopy of Collide!!!! I only have 1 other autographed book (The Final Piece by Maggie Meyer).

    • Good luck on the giveaway!! I hear you on the waiting for Pulse :) I have a countdown..Thanks for checking out our blog!

      Amy~Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  2. amazing book!
    great review!
    i just fell in love with gail’s writing!
    would so love a signed copy since she wont be attending the toronto book signing!!!
    thank you for this chance!

    • I am so glad you liked the review!! This book was definitely on my top books of the year. Good luck and remember some of the entries can be done daily :)

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

    • We love you!! The way we got out name is really hilarious and it will be revealed soon in one of our upcoming reviews.. Thank you so much for following us!! xoxo

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  6. I absolutely LOVE this book and can’t wait until Pulse is released! <3
    Great review, great book!
    Greetings from Germany! :)

    • Hi Betty!! Welcome to our blog we are so excited to have someone from Germany! :) I am DYING for Pulse and as soon as we get our hands on it we will let you know.

      <3

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  7. I just finished Collide and I have to agree that it will probably stay with me for days. I am worn out from the emotional rollercoaster. Great review! Thanks for the giveaway!

    • Hi Jennifer!!

      Right, totally messed with your head.. Especially the one part in the end right?!? I have been dying to talk to someone..lol Good luck on the giveaway!!

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

    • I KNOW!! I am DYING..lol I keep reading the teasers and trying to be patient but well that is not one of my best attributes..lol

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  11. Great review!! There were so many times I just wanted to dive into the book and talk some sense into Emily!! Dillon is a horrible boyfriend while Gavin was just the opposite. I can’t wait for Pulse!!

    • Thank you!! It was crazy how there were times I had to put the kindle down..lol I think the ending really was her breaking point. I am anxious too!!

  15. Eeps!!! I love Gail, Collide and Gavin! ♥ Pulse come can’t sooner but good things are worth waiting for! ;) Thanks so much for a chance to win this amazing book! I would treasure it on my bookshelf for a very long time to come!

    Tess xx

    Email: tess_halim (at) hotmail (dot) com

    • I am debating what else I can offer Gail to release Pulse early..lol I hope you enjoy our site and lots more fun stuff to come!!! <3

      Amy~Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  19. Your books sounds like something I would totally enjoy .. appreciate the review.. and hope I get a chance to read it soon.. Hello from NY.

    vals_hemi at yahoo dot com

    • I hope you are able to get the ebook, this book is amazing and is definitely one of my absolute favorites!!

      Amy ~ Schmexy Girl Book Blog

  25. LOVED Collide and I hope Pulse will be even better! I will admit there were times I wanted to smack Emily for being so naive! And Amy, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your pick for Gavin :)

    • Right!!! I swear if she were one of my friends I would have gone Jersey girl on her..LOL LOVE LOVE LOVE that you found the blog!!

  26. Just found this blog, totally LOVED Collide and love your reference with the blog title- it’s what brought me in :) I just re-read Collide so I could be totally in the world when I started because I have read about 20 books since I read Collide ha! I started Pulse now I am 20% through it. I just love Gavin!!! Thanks for the great blog :)

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