The Crush Collision - Danielle Ellison - Blog Tour

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

Publication Date: February 18, 2019

Publisher: Entangled Teen: Crush

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…

Goodreads

Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Jake Lexington is asleep on my couch again. The sight of him there—one leg sprawled over the back and the other over the side, arms tucked across his eyes—takes me by surprise. Not him, I reckon. He’s here so much, it might as well be his couch. It’s the look of him, the way he has this power to make me blush without even being conscious. I can still feel his breath on my neck at the party. Stop it, Haley.

I avert my eyes as I rush past him toward the kitchen.

It’s better for everyone if I don’t look at him too long. Even when he’s asleep. Maybe especially when he’s asleep, because then there’s no risk of him noticing that I’m staring and I can look as long as I want. Looking too long makes me want him. Jake Lexington is off-limits.

I stop in the doorway and glance back. He shifts on the couch, a move that makes his long hair dangle in front of his face. He even sleep-sighs, and it makes me smile. He’s so cute laying there. I’d take a picture of him right now if it wouldn’t be considered ten kinds of creepy.

Lord, I’m hopeless.

The Crush Collision is a sweet, angsty, young adult romance.  If you love a brother's best friend read, this is the title for you.  I quite enjoyed Hayley and Jake's story, which is told in a dual point of view.  As you'd expect from a story based on high schoolers there is some teen drama, but overall I found this pair to be quite relatable, and what I enjoyed most was the friendship and camaraderie they share. 

Overall this pair of characters are very likeable, and I enjoyed seeing them grow and develop over the course of this title.  Hayley lives in her twin brother's shadow.  He's Mr. Popular and the star quarterback, and everything he touches turns to gold, whereas she's sweet, and kind and has a tendency to steer clear of the limelight.  Being a twin myself I could totally relate to her character, thoughts and feelings. 

Jake is a star footballer, who's family has gone through their fair share of tragedy and he's struggling to cope with misplaced guilt and the new normal. 

I haven't read the first title in the Southern Charmed series, and believe this title can easily be read as a standalone.  It's an enjoyable read and although it was my first time reading Danielle Ellison's work it won't be my last. 

Danielle Ellison is a nomad, always on the lookout for an adventure and the next story. In addition to writing, she’s the founder and coordinator of the NoVa TEEN Book Festival. When she’s not busy with books, she’s probably watching her favorite shows, drinking coffee, or fighting her nomadic urges. She is newly settled in Oklahoma (for now) with her cat, Simon, but you can always find her on twitter @DanielleEWrites.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Goodreads