Just A Little Crush (Crush, #1) (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Just a Little Crush was a sweet, sexy read and perfect for a cold winter day! I read it in a few days and really enjoyed this New Adult story. Brinley Dawson doesn’t drink, she studies—and despite the accusations of her alcoholic mother, she’s still a virgin. But if Brinley’s life is so put together, why is she freaking out to be going to college with the gorgeous, green-eyed jerk she kissed on a stupid dare in high school? Ryder Briggs can have any girl he wants . . . and the rumors say that he does. So why, after publicly embarrassing Brinley four years ago, is he suddenly acting like he’s interested?Ryder never forgot Brinley. In fact, those perfect seven minutes permanently raised the bar for what a kiss could be. The truth is, Ryder doesn’t dare get too close to anyone. He knows how that worked out for his parents. But when his roommate takes a shot at Brinley, Ryder can’t contain his jealousy. Now he must do the hardest thing he’s ever done: forget about sex and convince Brinley his feelings are real.Brinley isn’t sure whether she believes Ryder, but for the first time, her body isn’t playing by the rules. Then she discovers that she’s an unwilling part of a cruel game, humiliating her all over again—and Ryder might be to blame. Has Brinley’s little crush turned into a huge mistake . . . or has she found the one guy worth trusting with her heart?I love how the story brought these from high school to college and watching their relationship change. It was a sweet, slow romance and didn't move too fast. Neither have a secret past but instead can relate to each others' issues at hand. Ryder was very protective and loyal and Brinley was innocent but not annoying. I'd recommend this book to those that enjoy a book with a college setting and sweet romance. I look forward to other books by this author. I'm a sucker for stories where the girl had a passionate crush on a boy and then gets a chance to be with him. I guess it stems from three years of unrequited love in high school. So when I read a book that tells this tale well, I like it. A lot.And so it is with Renita Pizzitola's story. Aside from her grandmother, Brinley has never felt particularly loved or cherished. It isn't so much that she's searching for it - she's a college freshman, still a virgin, and with very little romantic experience - as it is that she thinks it's too elusive to find. The problem is that she gave her heart away in high school during a (for her) lust-filled seven minutes in heaven with Ryder. He, however, embarrassed her afterwards, and ever since then, Brinley has assumed that love just will not work out for her. Fortunately, she has a best friend, Mason, who helps steer her through the vagaries of high school and, now, college; the two attend the same school as Ryder, in fact. Mason is loyal to Brinley, even if his morals are as different from her as can possibly be. The two have maintained a platonic relationship, which is exactly what Brinley (if not quite Mason) wants and needs.When she sees Ryder, those feelings she has that never went away hit her fiercely and ferociously. Ryder, though, is elusive. He's known as a ladies' man, and Brinley can't imagine that he would ever be interested in her. Yet, he appears to be, especially when his roommate makes a play for her. As Ryder begins to pursue her, Brinley finds herself wondering if her dream might just come true. What sets this apart from its stereotypical literary brethren is Brinley. She has crushed on Ryder for years, but when he reciprocates, she does not immediately fall sway to his charms. She puts up a barrier or two, not to test him, but to test herself. She will not compromise who she is for this boy, no matter how deeply she feels for him. Ryder has his share of secrets, and for all of the misery of Brinley's childhood with an alcoholic mother, Ryder can relate. His own family is a hot mess, and he sees in Brinley a soft, loving, supportive girl who gives him love and affection with no strings. He becomes as desperate to be with her as she is to be with him, and you will find yourself cheering on these kids. Of course there are obstacles. Some come in the form of family (Brinley has to get over the damage inflicted by her mother, although that subplot is dispensed with fairly economically), some in the form of friends and former lovers. Pizzitola brings you close to her characters and lets you in, helping you see that they aren't just another pair of teen lovers. They are fully rounded and developed - even Mason and Brinley's roommate. There is more to these people than what you see on the surface. There is some hot headboard rockin', and it is delicious. Sex is Ryder's way of connecting with someone, just as it has been something Brinley avoids, believing that it brings complications and heartache. That's one thing that I especially liked: Pizzitola doesn't just throw these two in bed together. There is a relationship to build first.The weaknesses are a couple of plot twists that you can see coming, so their build up is almost comical. Otherwise, this is a good, romantic read.Published on VoxLibris.net@VoxLibris
What do You think about Just A Little Crush (Crush, #1) (2014)?
A great emotional new adult novel. I look forward to reading Just a Little Flirt when it releases.
—bobbypina
Good story. Swoon worthy boy. And enough enticement that I'd consider reading more by this author.
—skydog14880
