Collide – Megan Hart

A childhood accident left Emmaline vulnerable to disturbing fugue states that last only minutes, but feel like an eternity. The blackouts are unsettling but manageable…until she meets Johnny Dellasandro. 

The reclusive painter gained notoriety in the ’70s for his debauched lifestyle and raunchy art films. His naked body has achieved cult status, especially in Emm’s mind– she’s obsessed with the man, who’s grown even sexier with age. Today Johnny shuns the spotlight and Emm in particular…until she falls into a fugue on his doorstep. 

In that moment she’s transported back thirty years, crashing a party at Johnny’s place in his wild-man heyday — the night is a blur of flesh and heat that lingers on her skin long after she’s woken to the present. 

It happens again and again, each time-slip another mind-blowing orgy, and soon Emm can’t stop, though every episode leaves her weaker and weaker. She’s frightened by what’s happening to her, but she’s even more terrified of losing this portal to the Johnny she wants so badly. The one who wants her, too, and takes her — every chance he gets

I liked this one, but not as much as I’ve liked some of Megan Hart’s other books (I think Deeper is still my favorite).  Her books, although erotic, are always so much more than the sex.  

Emm suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was small and now suffers from fugue (add definition here).  Doctor’s can’t explain them.  So for 30 years, she lived with her parents and tried to live as normal a life as possible.  Finally, after fighting very hard for it, she’s able to gain her independence and move into her own place.      Little does she know that her new neighborhood comes with a very famous (or infamous, depending on how you look at it) resident…artist Johnny Dellasandro.  She develops a major crush (and I mean major) after seeing Johnny and then things change.

I’m not sure how I feel about Emm and Johnny.  I thought Emm was strong and brave for fighting for her independence and trying to keep it.  But then when she was really starting to worry about what was happening to her, she doesn’t want to go to the doctor because she’s afraid of losing her license.  Hello!  

Then there’s Johnny.  He’s a jerk to her.  He’s nice to her for a second, then back to being a jerk again.  The whole time, I’m wondering does he know what’s going on or is she truly losing it.

If you like Megan Hart, you’ll pick this one up and enjoy it.  It’s worth the read.  Besides, you’ll learn a little something new in this one too.  In training, I always teach that a session is good if you learn one new thing.  Well, I didn’t know what “fugue” was until this book.  Yeah me!