Aestas Book Blog's Reviews > Crashed

^^ this reminds me of Colton & Rylee... :)

*** FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ***

A perfect ending to a fantastic series!!

Crashed was an intense, emotional, riveting ride from A to motherf*cking Z. It's a story that makes you believe in the resilience and healing power of love. Colton and Rylee's journey is sexy, romantic, heart breaking and uplifting. This is the kind of book you don't want to put down and you can't wait to read more of, and without a doubt, the Driven Trilogy will forever be one of my top favorites!!

This book started off right where the last one ended -- the moment after that heart stopping cliffhanger -- with an absolutely amazing prologue that brought tears to my eyes and sent chills through my body. It was easily one of the best prologues I've read and from the first line, I was transported right back into the story.

The emotions hit strong right from the start -- the desperation of the situation, the vivid imagery, the writing... it was so well put together. I have quotes highlighted everywhere throughout my book.

Devastation surrenders, desperation consumes, life splutters, and yet my soul clings.

Superman.

Gosh, even thinking of Colton's beloved superheroes makes me choked up!! "A childhood obsession now turned into an adult's grasp on hope." -- They were such a fantastic addition to the whole series. The way these 4 names -- Spiderman. Batman. Superman. Ironman. --  were woven into the story was so subtle but yet so powerful that each time I read one of their names, my heart squeezed.

I don't want to say much about the plot at all because this is the final book in the series and, as a direct continuation of the story, it should not be read on it's own... and if you have read the other books, then I don't want to give anything away so I'll just tell you how this book made me feel instead.

One of the many highlights of this book for me was that it took the time to highlight these incredibly emotionally meaningful 'bonding' scenes between the main characters -- Colton's Dad and Rylee ("The first time I saw him, he broke my heart and stole it all with one, single look."), Colton and his Dad, Colton and the kids at The House ("The damaged man helping the broken child"), Colton and Rylee's Dad ("The unspoken bond from father to the man his daughter loves passes between them. Man to man. Protector to protector."). And of course, the central relationship in this story: Colton and Rylee...

"I swear to God she's the only air my body can breathe. Fuck if she's not everything I need and nothing I deserve."

I loved the way Colton and Ryle were together. Yin and yang in so many ways despite their differences. Rylee was just so perceptive, and so understanding, and holy shit did she ever have a badass side too. Ok -- I love it when the guys get all growly and protective of their women but there was this scene where Rylee stood up for Colton that was just pure fucking awesome!! And then seeing Colton stand up for her in return.... ohhhh my heart was singing!! It was just one of the many epic moments in this series.

I absolutely adore tortured Alpha male heroes -- without a doubt, they are my favorite -- and Colton Donavan was the embodiment of the kind of hero I most easily fall for. I felt so heart broken for the things that happened to him in his past, and for the emotionally crippling scars they'd left on him. His struggle to face the nightmares his past felt so real because with the way it was written, and the glimpses at his POV too, you really felt how hard it was for him. I just loved watching the progression of his healing throughout the series. Knowing how strong and deeply rooted his pain was gave so much more meaning to each little victory step forward and to each little bit of healing.

"I want to be your motherfucking checkered flag, Rylee. Your pace car to lead you through tough times, your pit stop when you need a break, your start line, your finish line, your goddamn victory lane."

I've said this before and I'll say it again, Rylee was just a fantastic heroine. I absolutely loved how she could always see right through Colton and always knew where he was at, even when he couldn't find it in him to admit or say it, even when he was being a total ass, she just saw right through it. It might sound weird to say this but it was just genuinely refreshing to have a heroine who didn't make stupid decisions. One who was smart, capable, and independent while also being totally in love with her guy.

"I hold tight letting him know that no matter how far he falls, I'll catch him. I'll always catch him."

Now, part way through there was a development in the story that put my heart in my throat because I was so worried at the direction it would take the story in. It opened the doors for all kinds of frustrating drama but I just want to say how thrilled I was to see that once again, even though it was an intense, angst-ridden issue, and while Colton and Ryle may have stumbled a bit while dealing with it, instead of being broken down, they allowed it make them stronger than ever before. I was honestly just proud of them.

"We can do this… It's just this selfless girl and this healing boy and we can really make this work."

The way each issue in this book was dealt with, worked through and overcome was just so emotionally captivating and heart felt. And I especially loved how, throughout the course of the series, there was a whole list of words and phases that grew to have so  much meaning and memories behind them -- the superheroes, 'racing', 747, cotton candy, pit stops, text songs, the motherfucking checkered flag, the alphabet A--Z, sheets, the lifeline... and so many more little things like that.

"God, I fucking race you."

And lets not forget the scorching hot steam factor here. Seriously -- these books are HOT HOT HOTTTT!!! Colton and Rylee had an intense chemistry that left me fanning myself over and over again. Sex was an important part of their connection and healing, but I loved the way the love scenes never overshadowed the general plotline but rather complimented it. This is Adult romance done right with a wonderful balance between sex and emotional character growth.

"I want every inch of you trembling, fucking shaking, begging me to take you, Ry, because fuck if I won't be doing the same. I want to be your sigh, your moan, your cry out in pleasure and every fucking sound in between."

Ohhhh, and the ending was just perfect!! I'm not going to spoil it for you but I'll just say that I loved the way everything came together and definitely shed a few happy tears. Colton and Rylee had just come so far over the course of this series. They deserved every bit of happiness that they got.

And -- two words: Double. Epilogue. :D

Rating: 4.5+ stars

PS - I'm so excited that we're going to be getting a book about Becks and Haddie next!!! They were both witty, charming, fun and wise... just all-round fantastic characters who I can't wait to see in the spotlight!!!

MY REVIEW of BOOK #1: http://bit.ly/1dgJMql
MY REVIEW of BOOK #2: http://bit.ly/1hOO53F

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