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Crush
True love takes a dangerous turn for a high school “it couple.”
The perfect couple.
Good looks, popularity, football star, sweet cheerleader - they had it all... until a single moment changed everything -- forever.
Trade Winds High football star Gage Anders fell in love with Rainbow Hawkins the first time he saw her. Rainbow was the new girl at school, eager to make friends and fit in. Rainbow thought Gage was the boy of her dreams. Tall, blonde smart and funny. Her days are full with cheerleading practices, play rehearsals and of course spending time by Gage’s side. Trade Winds high schools called Gage and Rainbow the perfect couple. Until both their worlds came crashing down. In one swift blow.
The perfect couple.
Good looks, popularity, football star, sweet cheerleader - they had it all... until a single moment changed everything -- forever.
Trade Winds High football star Gage Anders fell in love with Rainbow Hawkins the first time he saw her. Rainbow was the new girl at school, eager to make friends and fit in. Rainbow thought Gage was the boy of her dreams. Tall, blonde smart and funny. Her days are full with cheerleading practices, play rehearsals and of course spending time by Gage’s side. Trade Winds high schools called Gage and Rainbow the perfect couple. Until both their worlds came crashing down. In one swift blow.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2012
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 2, 2013
Disgusting. This was more of a mockery to abused women than anything else. It was designed to pull on your emotions but it failed. Oh, well not entirely, I was pissed. But not for the reasons LaBue wanted. I was pissed because not one part in this story was actually believable. It was like reading 1/4 of a book. You got two sides to the story--well kind of. Because, both sides were conflicting. I'm not sure how any of this would have occurred. Rainbow wouldn't have been right up in the action when Gage was injured. She wouldn't have gone to the hospital to comfort a stranger. They wouldn't have fallen in love in a few days. She wouldn't have kissed him after two times of hanging out with him, especially when she had no experience with boys. She wouldn't have been okay with being beaten after dating the guy for less than a month. She was a healthy girl who had a healthy relationship with her parents and a great deal of self esteem. It didn't fit. Most women who have a hard time getting out of abusive relationships have low self esteem. They feel like they deserve it, they didn't try hard enough, or that they will never find anything better. Rainbow had none of these reasons to just be okay with it. Her own recounting of events were conflicting.
There were a ton of errors that could have been corrected had LaBue actually read her book. There was no excuse for them because the book was extremely short.
There was not enough characterization. There was not enough buildup for anything. This book was merely highlights of what went wrong in the supposed relationship, but there was nothing to show what actually started all of this. There was nothing behind any of it. I've never read such a hollow story. Considering the content in this book, that made it so much worse. I don't recommend it to anyone. I would avoid it like the plague, unless you're in the mood to be pissed off.
There were a ton of errors that could have been corrected had LaBue actually read her book. There was no excuse for them because the book was extremely short.
There was not enough characterization. There was not enough buildup for anything. This book was merely highlights of what went wrong in the supposed relationship, but there was nothing to show what actually started all of this. There was nothing behind any of it. I've never read such a hollow story. Considering the content in this book, that made it so much worse. I don't recommend it to anyone. I would avoid it like the plague, unless you're in the mood to be pissed off.
May 14, 2012
This was a Kindle Freebie / Short Story that took all of 15 minutes to read.
Although addressing a touchy subject matter (physical abuse) the writing made the story very stagnant and left me feeling....well....nothing for either character.
Add the tons of typos, erroneous chapter titles (alternating POV from both main characters), and wishy-washy character types....I say save the time reading this, even though it was free.
Although addressing a touchy subject matter (physical abuse) the writing made the story very stagnant and left me feeling....well....nothing for either character.
Add the tons of typos, erroneous chapter titles (alternating POV from both main characters), and wishy-washy character types....I say save the time reading this, even though it was free.
January 24, 2013
I liked the concept and format of this story. It was told from both of the main character's perspectives, so you got both sides of the story. The ending could've been more powerful, but I liked how it wrapped up with a news article, although I wished the article had been longer and more detailed. As far as the editing goes, it was full of typos and felt like it was never edited. If I could give it 2.5 stars, I would, but since I can't do halves it gets 3.
May 30, 2012
I had a hard time reading this book....It is a very short read, but the problem I had was about the content of the book. The story is about physical abuse between high school sweethearts. I don't want to give to much away but it definitely is a hard book to read. I would recommend this book for anyone who has a teenage daughter.
October 9, 2016
The story itself was not horrible but it has a very sad ending that is for sure.
There are so many spelling, grammer, & even character errors that I am surprised that the author would even put at the end that she has been writing her whole life because if that is the case then she needs to either hire someone to proof her work or get a different job.
There are so many spelling, grammer, & even character errors that I am surprised that the author would even put at the end that she has been writing her whole life because if that is the case then she needs to either hire someone to proof her work or get a different job.
May 18, 2012
This is a story all teenagers should read. Abuse in any form is not acceptable. I had a difficult time reading this at times. I am thankful for the situations I have been in to make me a strong person who would never tolerate this behavior
August 12, 2014
Probably one of the most disturbing book I've read... I did not like this book at all. I never saw the end of the book ending that way, but didn't like how the main character put up with abuse verbally and physically.
May 13, 2012
I snagged this as a freebie on Amazon! It was a really good look at physical abuse between teenagers. I felt bad for Gage and sad for Rainbow. Lots of typos in the book but still a good read.
July 11, 2012
-Okay seriously?! This short story thing was rediculous!
July 16, 2012
What an awful book in every way. It was poorly written, many inappropriate swear words and very little plot.
August 24, 2012
Very disturbing on so many levels. The subject matter, the typos, and the characters were not likeable even when they were happy.
September 1, 2012
Kindle freebie...
I would have my pre-teen daughter read this as an exercise in grammar, as well as a decent enough story to get this point across on this subject matter.
November 3, 2012
A good twist to this book. Short read.
October 8, 2014
I give Crush 2.5 stars....rounded up to 3. This (very) short story has the potential to be so much more. I like how it is told from both sides, but I do wish there was more to the story.
December 3, 2014
Wow, what a story
Gage and Rainbow. Gage, an all american football player, stud, etc. Rainbow, a daughter, sister, wonderful person fell in love with the wrong guy. #mustread
Gage and Rainbow. Gage, an all american football player, stud, etc. Rainbow, a daughter, sister, wonderful person fell in love with the wrong guy. #mustread
June 20, 2012
it had the makings of a great story but it missed!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews