mandyireadindie

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely, wholeheartedly, 100% love me some Mason. But what about Merrick you ask? Oh if you didn't know already, Merrick (from Crane's COLLIDE series) is my all-time favorite book boyfriend. Many have come close to stealing his thunder, but alas, he is still my main man. But wait! Mason seems to be coming in close, sneaking his way to the front on my heart. Ah, you are quite the catch Mason, but Merrick will probably always be in that top spot. Sorry,but you are a close runner up.

Now let me tell you about a girl named Emma. I just adored this girl for who she was…after the coma. Because apparently she wasn’t the greatest person before. But that is ok. While working through the therapy with Mason and her deleted memories we see her becoming such a strong person physically and emotionally. Every now and then we see her vulnerable side show, and that is ok too. I don’t know about you, but I like seeing someone that isn’t always strong…doesn't always got it together for sake of show. It makes them more human and easier to relate too. Crane has always given us those types of female leads. And to me it is refreshing for once. Females that are too strong or too hard headed can be exhausting at times.

There is a feeling I get before I start one of Crane's books. It’s an intense feeling of anticipation. I know her book is going to contain something beautiful...something that will make my heart ache in a 100 different ways. And I look forward to that feeling, because every time I read one of her books I am never disappointed. Ever. It is such a special thing knowing that a person can write a book and make you feel that way. Crane writes about romance...the kind that makes your breath shudder in a wonderful way…the kind that makes your eyes flutter when that absolute perfect line is read...the kind that makes you remember exactly what you felt the first time your realized you were in love. Yeah, she is that good.

WIDE AWAKE was written perfectly and had me in such an emotional state. Even though I kinda, sorta figured out a part in the storyline, the ramifications I did not. That blew my mind. I was reeling from that moment on until the very end. And I know Crane says this is a one-time deal, but she really should think about giving us a little more. I mean, just a little. Ah! Listen to me, I sound as if I am addicted and Crane is my supplier. Well, she kind of is, right? And I will gladly accept all she dishes out.

This is an awesome story that had my heart from the moment I cracked this book open. I think anybody who loves weak-in-the-knees romance will love this one. WIDE AWAKE is definitely in my TOP 3 books of 2013! Yeah, it is that swoony.

FAV LINES...
“He stole my first kiss. I mean,” I twists my fingers in the air in frustration, “I know it wasn’t my first kiss, technically, but I don’t remember any of the other ones. He just swooped in and stole it. And I let him.” (Emma)
****
“You know…every room in this place is just dark and tainted, and yours is the only light and life here. This job is going to suck without waiting to see you every day.” (Mason)
“Then you’ll just have to come see me,” I said coyly. (Emma)
****
A little later, he took me home. The make-out session in the front seat was another level of amazing that I had yet to experience until then. I felt like my lungs couldn’t keep up with my want to keep going. I was dying, drowning, and was perfectly fine with it. (Emma)