The Crush

by Scott Monk

Will the rising young rugby star, Matt Cassidy, be able to handle the truth about the dad he has never known as well as deal with his crush's dangerous boyfriend? Fifteen–year–old Matthew Cassidy is an up–and–coming rugby star. The talent scouts are circling him, his school team has reached the finals for the first time ever, and he's determined to one day play professionally. Despite everything, Matt really only wants one thing in life—a Dad. However, when Matt receives an anonymous card on his 15th birthday, he tracks down the mysterious writer and discovers his Dad is alive and in jail. Meanwhile, Matt is facing another dilemma: a crush on blue–eyed Kelly Sinclair. The only problem is her boyfriend. Captain of an opposing team and Matt's mortal enemy, he regularly hurts Kelly. Matt tries to rescue her from a cycle of domestic abuse, but this is not as simple as it seems, as he tries to fight his own feelings for Kelly and the violent nature of her boyfriend.

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2005

About the author

Scott Monk (born 14 June 1974) is an Australian author. Monk was born in Macksville in New South Wales before moving to South Australia to join The Advertiser as a cadet journalist. In 1999 he won South Australia's Young Journalist of the Year Award.

Reviews

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matt's Mongrels are up against the prestigious Lions team from Princes Boys College. After a bloody on-field battle, they scrape home by a narrow margin.

So begins the intense rivalry between Matt Cassidy and Aaron Blackwell - the captain of the Lions.

Both teams are headed for the finals and it's shaping up to be a grudge match as they progress through the last heats. It becomes savage when Blackwell and his friends seriously beat up Matt for refusing to throw a game.

And then, as if things aren't bad enough, Matt falls for Blackwell's girl and begins to counsel her to leave the abusive relationship.

Matt nearly loses his captaincy when drugs are found in his school locker. He's been framed, he's sure it's Blackwell behind it. But he won't squeal. There are rules of engagement you just gotta keep.

To make a terrible situation even worse, Matt discovers his mum has been lying to him most of his life. His dad isn't dead: he's in prison. And his dad's mum - his grandmother - is so desperate to get access to him, she's threatening to sue.

Life's getting more and more complicated. Matt's not sure who to trust. Who to believe. Where to turn.

His dream of being spotted by a talent scout and being asked to play for a major Sydney club is turning to ashes. As is the rest of his life.

Should he play fair and lose the grand final against Princes? Or should he play as dirty as they are and lead the Mongrels to a storming victory?

This book is about taking risks, breaking away from easy options, believing in yourself. It's another winner. Monk scores again.

[Sofie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Scott Monk book I read and I will always cherish it. The cover interested me at first because I love rugby. It was the first novel I read from start to finish back in high school and I finished it in a few days and spent nights staying up late finding it too difficult to put down. I love Scott Monk and I love The Crush. It let's girls get inside boys heads and shows that they really do have feelings

[Erin Mascord · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for year 9 boys