Reviews

The Crush by Penelope Ward

Only show reviews with written explanations

We've all been there. Having that childhood crush. But what happens when he's crushing too? This is a forbidden romance, a brother's best friend romance, a second chance romance and a small age gap all rolled into one. There are some darker emotional elements at play, and some of the subject matter may be a trigger for sensitive readers (involving murder.) There are lots of happy, funny moments throughout, but there is some angst, both from the younger versions of themselves and their current adult selves. The story takes place over the period of several years, (there are a couple of jumps in the timeline,) but they bring up events that had happened many years prior... which is really where their story begins. The Heroine is struggling with the fact that her longtime crush is now living with her and her brother. No matter what she does to try to get his attention, he only ever see's her as a 'little sister.' Until something clicks and he sees her as a lot more... but being the noble guy he is, tries with all his might to fight those growing feelings. She ain't making it easy though, now that she knows he's attracted to her too. The Hero has a lot on his plate that he is dealing with and it seems like more things keep getting tossed on top of it all, which doesn't help his situation with her. He is also a little bit broken. This is a interesting story that is well written. It was hard to put down. It alternates between POVs. There is sexual content that might be suitable for mature readers.

cherryredsreads's review

Go to review page

4.0

Author Penelope Ward delivers a page turning forbidden love story that had me from the first page to the last.

This story is full of love, it is sexy, sweet and makes you feel all giddy inside.

Farrah & Jace were a delight to read about.
Their romance and emotional journey had a surprising twist that was well written.
I enjoyed the slow burn of seeing where their story would go.
I crushed hard on finding out if they would be able to have a happily ever after with one another.

Go get this book and get crushing on Jae & Farrah!

4

hannahepp's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mil_0's review

Go to review page

4.0

WOW. im captivated. farrah and jace are soulmate i dont make rule. i love the way they taking care of each other, and i love how protective jace to farrah. i love nathan’s development towards farrah and jace’s relationship, i love jace’s parents they’re reaaaally supportive. ugh i love them.

robpatsgf's review

Go to review page

3.5

you know I have to give her credit because there was actual plot and not just scenes of them having sex every 5 pages

kindleandlatte's review

Go to review page

3.0

3.75 Stars

raqraq31's review

Go to review page

4.0

It’s a cute feel good book, I’ve read better by Penelope but this still was a solid good book. The message it portrayed was beautiful as well!

athenaevarinya's review

Go to review page

5.0

While I did enjoy this (because I'm a sucker for tropes like brother's best friend), I really wish there was more drama when the story moved from the past to current timeline that started in the prologue. There really needed to be more tension and drama before the two should have been able to make up and get back together. Also a plot thread was left hanging with the information that Jace remembers that Farrah and Nathan's dad refusing to pay the robber that wound up killing him and his wife. Yes, I know Jace never told them (at least he didn't when the story ended), but it seems like throwing that in there would have led to something more plotwise, but maybe that's just me.