Blue Crush (Blue #2)
Jules Barnard
Genre: New Adult
Publication Date: June 1, 2014
Genevieve Tierney moves to Lake Tahoe after college, determined to go it alone after being betrayed by her boyfriend. Working at a casino and avoiding cheating jerks seems like a good plan, until she meets the one guy tempting enough to drag her back down.
Lewis Sallee is six and a half feet of perfectly sculpted mountain man who threatens her play-it-safe approach and awakens a sex drive she never knew she had. Although Lewis is in a complicated relationship with one of the most beautiful women Gen has ever seen, she can’t seem to control her attraction to him.
To boost her confidence, Gen steps out of her comfort zone and signs up for the Alpine Mudder, a gritty endurance race. But as she prepares for the biggest physical challenge of her life, her emotional strength is pushed to its limits after she accepts Lewis’s help in training. He tests her willpower and has her fighting her body’s response to him—with her mind and heart not far behind.
Jules Barnard brings us yet another great New Adult story in her Blue Series. The second installment of this series features Gen, Cali’s best friend and roommate from the first book, Deep Blue. This story overlaps with the first in an attempt to show the reader what has been happening with Gen during her stint in Lake Tahoe. Gen is working in the casino with Cali. She is recovering from a heartbreak that left her doubting herself. When she meets Lewis, she is worried that she is about to repeat past mistakes. As they get to know each other and become closer, their chemistry and attraction is undeniable. They start to fall in love as they train for the Alpine Mudder together. Their life drama always seems to get in the way and then Gen’s life seems to explode with everything she wants to avoid.
When I first started to read this story I was a little nervous. In Deep Blue, it seems like Gen and Lewis are having a little affair and it appears like Lewis has a girlfriend. I don’t like cheating stories. It is a topic I usually try to avoid. But when we begin to read Gen’s story, you see that things are complicated but for a completely different reason. Gen and Lewis are bombarded by their instant consuming connection. It makes no sense yet they cannot be in the same room without wanting to implode. As they get to know each other, their connection deepens and truth comes out. Lewis wants to pursue Gen and so the love story begins. It is not an easy story. There are many ups and downs, as you would see in any passionate relationship. Gen has other things brewing in her life outside of Lewis. She is dealing with a terrible boss who will not stop harassing her. Her mother is being flighty and overbearing. Gen is trying to figure out what she wants for her future and then someone she never saw coming enters her life, causing it to upheave and explode.
I loved watching the transformation of Gen’s character. She is a beautiful woman who is reserved. In all honesty, she is a bit of a doormat. She does not want any extra attention in her life from those around her, yet she cannot help but attract that attention. She learns that there is strength in who she is and continues on a path of self discovery to bring that strength to the forefront. She decides to tangibly do this by joining in the Alpine Mudder competition, testing her strength, both physically and mentally. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out. When her true self begins to shine through, she is a stronger and more powerful woman than she ever thought she could be.
The relationship between Lewis and Gen is hot and sweet. It combines everything I loved to see in a new and lovely relationship. Their ups and downs make them a stronger and a more beautiful couple. I loved watching them interact and grow together. They are such a great complement couple. Through their relationship, Gen learns more about herself and who she wants to be, and Lewis learns what it means to relinquish control.
If you are looking for a New Adult series to read, then make sure to check The Blue Series out! I am excited about the next book and cannot wait to see what Jules has in store for us next!
Jules Barnard writes New Adult fiction. In her debut Blue Series, a summer in Lake Tahoe is anything but carefree when a group of recent college grads discovers that to find real love, sometimes you have to look beneath the surface.
Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.