ARC Review of Smash Into You by Shelly Crane

Jude has spent the whole twenty one years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being.

Never stop running…

Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more.

Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both.

My Take:

 5 Stars!

Would I recommend this to others:  Yes

Appropriate for 14 and under:  more like 16

Language and sexual content:  mild on both

First off, this book is nothing like what Shelly has written in the past.  Her other books have a touch of paranormal, or just romance, but no suspense like this one.  I loved that I could still tell it was her writing, but it was refreshing to enjoy something very different from her.  

The first character you meet is Jude and I have to say that I didn't really like him.  He reminded me a lot of how boys were in high school, egotistical...wanting popularity and moving from one girl to the next.  After I got more background information on him and he was introduced to Marley, my opinion on him changed.  I realized that he had a shell, much like most people get when they go through ordeals that change them.  And so, helpless to his brokenness, I fell in love with Jude.  My absolute favorite moment of him?  At the fire, right before he passes out and the decision he makes.  And I honestly loved how he finds out how it really ends later on.

Marley is also jaded, because of the life she's had to lead.  She's had a lot happen to her in her lifetime and I'm actually a little surprised that she was as resilient as she was.  I really liked her character as she was funny, sarcastic and one tough cookie!  I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Jude and Marley during this book.  Everything was real and believable that was going on in the plot.  And as always, with Shelly's books, this plot moves along quickly, with lots of turns.  And she adds just enough romance to keep my little heart content.  I'd definitely read this book again and recommend it to others.

**I was given a copy of this book, in return for an honest review.