Pulse: Book Two in the Collide Series

Like Gavin, I wish I could stop time and just read this book over and over; I loved it that much. It was completely consuming. I'd rate it 10 stars if GoodReads would allow it. This is my favorite new release so far this year and by far my favorite sequel. Gail McHugh has outdone herself. The writing is phenomenal. McHugh has an uncanny ability to draw into suspense to where you literally cannot stop turning the pages just to lift you right back up again. It was so much fun to read. Pulse is a heart stopping, gut wrenching, heart felt, panty dropping, funny, and perfect end to Gavin and Emily's story. Gavin Blake - good lord where do you even begin. All men should read this book and take notes, lots and lots of notes. His actions, his words, his alpha male personality, his passion and intensity, all combine into a totally swoonworhty hero. And a true hero he is; he saves Emily in so many ways. His need for her is breath taking and he never ever hesitates to let her know that. If she even slightly begins to show weakness he reminds her over and over why she isn't weak. Gavin pulls her out of her own head, with bottlecaps and twenty questions and sincertity and love. He never gives up on Emily and is so accepting. Gavin's love for her will make you cry and laugh. He's just truly perfect. Ms. McHugh has created the ULTIMATE book boyfriend with Gavin. Emily Cooper - she really came into her own in this book. She lets down her guard for Gavin, albeit somewhat slowly in the beginning, but it happens none the less. Her transition into a strong female character who believes in love and believes in her man was awesome. She needs Gavin and slowly she realizes that that need isn't an unhealthy one once she finally accepts his need for her. When she expresses herself to him, even when she's frightened, he accepts everything she gives ten fold. She's a kinky, wiseass and it's hilarious to read. Emily in the Christmas chapter is one of my favorites. It represents the change she made within herself to completely give herself and her heart to Gavin not knowing whether or not he'll accept it. The secondary cast - great again as well. From Dillon, the villain, to Olivia, Trevor, Lisa and the rest of the Blakes. I enjoyed the parts they played in Gavin and Emily's life. This book is awesome and totally worth letting it consume your day. I'm so happy with how the author played their story out, even though I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall after the dreaded Chapter 18. I laughed out loud, I shed tears, and my heart felt every single word. I cannot wait to read it again, I seriously want to start it again right now.

I'm not sure really where to begin with this review. It's been days since I finished the book, and I'm still processing it. To call "Pulse" a romance novel is selling it short. This is a book about fear and about finding the courage and strength it takes to face that fear, no matter the cost. It's a book about understanding and acceptance; about trusting your instincts. It's about loving so hard and so deeply that NOTHING can break you apart. It's about wanting, "the good, the bad, and the in-between," and being willing to fight for it with everything that's in you. That's "Pulse." Let me start by saying if you haven't read "Collide," it's a must before reading "Pulse." When I said in my "Collide" review that at first I liked Dillon, I really meant it. Author Gail McHugh very cleverly gives her reader the Emily character's perspective of Dillon. We experience him as the loving and caring man who has supported her through the loss of her mother to cancer and who's remained by her side through her grieving process. He's brought her to New York, and wants to care for her. He talks of love, commitment, and forever. He wants her to move in with him, and seems understanding when Emily says she just needs time to heal before such a huge leap. Emily is grateful for his patience, and I felt it too. She's a clever one, that Ms. McHugh. It was intentional on her part, giving her more leverage to screw with my head for the majority of "Collide," and well into "Pulse." "Pulse" picks up right where "Collide" leaves off - with me holding my breath wondering whether Emily is really going through with her wedding despite what has transpired in the last 10 hours. Fortunately, Emily seems to have had some extreme moments of clarity. Decisions seem so much easier, though, when they're not ours to make, and some decisions have consequences that only our worst nightmares could foresee. I'm never a proponent for violence, but there were honestly moments in "Pulse," - more than one - where I thought that may be the best and only answer. This book had more angst, more ups and downs, more highs and lows, than anything I've read in the recent past. It had me in a perpetual state of unrest. Actually, this book even sparked a conversation between the ladies in my reading group about the difference between drama and angst. I didn't want a book with angst - just a little drama and a nice, steamy romance. That's all I was looking for. Well, let me at least admit that it certainly, undeniably delivered in the steamy romance department! Gavin Blake is everything you could want in a book boyfriend. He's rich, smart, sexy, and most of all, he's thoroughly and completely in love with Emily. He's the kind of guy that'll slay her dragons during the day, and lay her bare at night. I mean, who doesn't want that? I also loved that the author told this story in such a way that it not only gave the reader Emily's perspective of what Gavin's love means to her, but it also shows us how much loving Emily means to Gavin. "What I can promise is you'll always mean more to me than my next breath, and it'll always be you in my life. No one else." Did you hear that thud? That was me swooning into a faint. "Pulse" is a love story, without a doubt. While the characters travel a road fraught with hurt and pain, the destination is forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love at the end of the journey. "Pulse" is also a story of strength and courage. Gail McHugh explores the difficult and very real topic of domestic violence. Through her characters, she offers us insight into both the emotional as well as the physical impact of this complex and disturbing situation, and the far-reaching effects it has not only on the obvious victims, but on those around them as well. She challenges us to ask what makes a woman stay, while daring to confront the responsibility of those around her who look the other way or remain silent. If you, or someone you know, has been (or is) a victim of domestic violence, I encourage you to get this book into your/their hands. I close with the Dedication from "Pulse:" "Dedicated to women out there who have yet to find their voice, strength and courage Never let them strip you of what you were born with. Take it back."

I loved the 1st book (collide) and the sequel to it completely blew my expectations out of the water! I can't say enough about this book it had everything, great love scenes, amazing chemistry, humour, suspense etc... It was an awesome read and if anyone is hesitating about reading either of these two books DON'T! .... BUY IT! So worth it, I devoured the 1st book and the 2nd even faster! I Loved Gavin and Emily and I am so happy with the way this book ended and they didn't drag it out onto a third book! It was perfect and cudos to Gail for writing these awesome characters and story line! This is a series you can read over and over!

Amo, en serio amo este libro. No había leído algo igual antes y creo de manera sincera que ha puesto todo lo que una buena historia debe contener. Sus personajes y sus vivencias son tan reales que puedes verlos reflejados en la vida diaria.

I read Collide and at the end was impatient to read Pulse! It was well worth the wait, it was perfect in every way!! The writing was magical, made you feel as if you were there, that you were experiencing it! I could read it again and again, so many emotions, so much love and a few tears shed... Actually a lot of tears shed due to happiness and sadness. If you haven't read it DO! Thank you Gail !!

This series was amazing! I laughed and Cried and couldn’t put it down and was sad to see the story come to an end! Seriously a fantastic read!

I've read both these books in the last 3 days. I was up to late lol, gripped, emotionally drained and enthralled. I planned on reviewing from 60% through collide. I have to say the story, although very well written, was also just as infuriating. In the first book the female character p***ed me off. Although I totally understand the psychology behind being in such a destructive relationship, I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her, be the friend that continously challenged her until she saw what poor/self destructive relationship decisions she continued to make. Her best friend did try at intervals and I appreciated that. Dillon was a total d**k. And it just got worse and worse. Absolutely loved Gavin, to be honest he stole the show and saved it from being something I quit on from total fear that I could no longer handle the anxiety of the sad sections. I have become incredibly addicted to HEA, years of reading true stories and crime books I have come into a phase of wrapping my mind and soul in stories that only have HEA. So what I wish I'd known before I started is that the HEA dosent exist in Book 1. So prep yourself. Taking into account my overview above and my heart ache below, the writing was thought provoking and turbulent. I would recommend this duo for anyone wanting to feel a range of emotions but I feel the reader truly needs to prepare themselves. Its heavy, raw, exciting and down right frustrating. WARNING ⚠️ below comments may spoil some parts. ***Spoiler alerts 📢 DONT READ ON unless you have read them as they are totally worth the Rollercoaster of emotion**** Tbh Fallon was a bit of a bit** in book 2 and I was quite taken back as it seemed out of the previously described character. The chapter at around 80% absolutely floored me - It probably didn't help that it was 1am and I was most likely tired and emotionally spent from reading for 5 hours. But I want to be totally honest, I was enraged, upset and nearly cried at the writer for letting me ride the turbulent 2 book ride to be met with such tragedy. Thankfully Gail redeemed herself. I nearly threw my kindle 😆 🤣 I can only assume that if it was that exhausting to read it would have been that for the creation.