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God’s cruelest joke has to be the Kelly brothers…two sexy identical twin brothers…both bad boys in their own way...
Chase and Brendan Kelly were my best friends growing up, back when things were easy—before our families fell apart, before we were either geeks or jocks, popular or unpopular...before I grew boobs.
Things got awkward, the lines between friendship and sexual attraction started to blur and I couldn’t deny my feelings for both of them…
Chase Kelly was the star athlete, captain of the football and lacrosse teams, womanizer and heartbreaker with a body that isn’t fair.
Brendan Kelly was the brooding musician, a tattooed rebel with longer hair and eyes as deep as the ocean.
When I went away to college I left the Kelly brothers behind and swore to move on with my life. But after experiencing heart-rending sexual violence while at school I had no choice but to move back home to San Diego to try to rebuild my life.
I never thought seeing them again would be so hard…we’d all moved on…we're supposed to be adults now…but spending time with the Kelly brothers has made two things painfully clear...
First: I never got over them.
Second: Someone’s heart is going to get crushed. Probably mine.
CRUSH is full-length Contemporary Romance / New Adult Romance Novel. Stand-Alone, No Cliffhanger. Contains adult content, strong language, violence, and themes that may be offensive to some readers.
Chase and Brendan Kelly were my best friends growing up, back when things were easy—before our families fell apart, before we were either geeks or jocks, popular or unpopular...before I grew boobs.
Things got awkward, the lines between friendship and sexual attraction started to blur and I couldn’t deny my feelings for both of them…
Chase Kelly was the star athlete, captain of the football and lacrosse teams, womanizer and heartbreaker with a body that isn’t fair.
Brendan Kelly was the brooding musician, a tattooed rebel with longer hair and eyes as deep as the ocean.
When I went away to college I left the Kelly brothers behind and swore to move on with my life. But after experiencing heart-rending sexual violence while at school I had no choice but to move back home to San Diego to try to rebuild my life.
I never thought seeing them again would be so hard…we’d all moved on…we're supposed to be adults now…but spending time with the Kelly brothers has made two things painfully clear...
First: I never got over them.
Second: Someone’s heart is going to get crushed. Probably mine.
CRUSH is full-length Contemporary Romance / New Adult Romance Novel. Stand-Alone, No Cliffhanger. Contains adult content, strong language, violence, and themes that may be offensive to some readers.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2015
20 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Celia Loren
23 books413 followersCelia Loren is an author of gritty Contemporary Romance. She’s always been an avid reader and growing up she devoured books by the truckload. Now she spends her time working toward finishing her MFA and penning the romance stories she always wanted to read. Excited to be a member of the Hearts Collective Publishing team, she brings her incredible imagination, unparalleled work ethic, and sassy personality into the mix!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 17, 2015
Kindly provided with an ARC for an honest review.......
Yup, the whole story worked for me ! HOT twins (Chase and Brendan) and our girl in the mix becomes "best friends" with both. Role our story on a few years and we then have a supa hot story line of feelings evolving childhood crushes into very real "adult" emotions. But who will Avery choose ? Our moody Brendan or star athlete Chase.
Well fellow reader you'll have to buy the book to find out !
4 Crush on you Stars from me !
Well done Celia.
Later peeps.
Yup, the whole story worked for me ! HOT twins (Chase and Brendan) and our girl in the mix becomes "best friends" with both. Role our story on a few years and we then have a supa hot story line of feelings evolving childhood crushes into very real "adult" emotions. But who will Avery choose ? Our moody Brendan or star athlete Chase.
Well fellow reader you'll have to buy the book to find out !
4 Crush on you Stars from me !
Well done Celia.
Later peeps.
May 11, 2015
2.5
*sigh* I like Celia Loren's books. But this one just didn't work for me. It started out really good. Girl had issues in college with a guy, transfers schools and moves home...hooks up with her childhood friends/crushes...let the drama ensue!
But unfortunately, I didn't really like the characters.
Let's start with the "Golden Boy" Chase. He was a jerk of the highest order. And I'm not talking about the fun kind of jerk that is into the heroine but has reasons for staying away and they slowly fall in love and he's protective and awesome and stuff like that...no, Chase was the type of jerk that pretends to love her, pretends to care, acts like the perfect boyfriend when he's really cheating on her the whole time and he sees her as nothing but a trophy that he's taken from his brother. Avery said it best when she called him a "possessive, lying, violent sack of shit." That's exactly what he was. I'd go so far as to also say vindictive. He's not a guy I could like and while as kids, he was a cutie pie and I liked his relationship with Avery, I wanted him to take a long walk off a short cliff.
Speaking of his brother...Brendan...I didn't like the him of the past. The guy form high school. I'm not into drugs, never have been, so I really have no desire to read about characters that use them. But ok, he's older, he's changed. But he wasn't around enough for me to really get to know him. And when he was around, he was so vague and never actually said anything. He played games and just expected Avery to KNOW what he wanted. Well...hello, she can't read your mind! So needless to say, I didn't care if he got the girl.
And that brings me to said girl...Avery...*sigh*...I just didn't connect with her. There was obviously something traumatic in her past, but I never felt like I actually learned what that event was. I had a few guesses but it would have been nice to know what actually happened. I also didn't like how she was basically a follower that did what other people wanted her to do. Going back to the drugs, there was a scene where Avery's roommate was smoking pot and held the joint out to Avery. She took it just because it was offered. Same thing with smoking cigarettes. It was like she didn't have a mind of her own and because her roommate was doing something, she did it too.
The book sounded amazing but for me, it was just a so-so time suck.
*sigh* I like Celia Loren's books. But this one just didn't work for me. It started out really good. Girl had issues in college with a guy, transfers schools and moves home...hooks up with her childhood friends/crushes...let the drama ensue!
But unfortunately, I didn't really like the characters.
Let's start with the "Golden Boy" Chase. He was a jerk of the highest order. And I'm not talking about the fun kind of jerk that is into the heroine but has reasons for staying away and they slowly fall in love and he's protective and awesome and stuff like that...no, Chase was the type of jerk that pretends to love her, pretends to care, acts like the perfect boyfriend when he's really cheating on her the whole time and he sees her as nothing but a trophy that he's taken from his brother. Avery said it best when she called him a "possessive, lying, violent sack of shit." That's exactly what he was. I'd go so far as to also say vindictive. He's not a guy I could like and while as kids, he was a cutie pie and I liked his relationship with Avery, I wanted him to take a long walk off a short cliff.
Speaking of his brother...Brendan...I didn't like the him of the past. The guy form high school. I'm not into drugs, never have been, so I really have no desire to read about characters that use them. But ok, he's older, he's changed. But he wasn't around enough for me to really get to know him. And when he was around, he was so vague and never actually said anything. He played games and just expected Avery to KNOW what he wanted. Well...hello, she can't read your mind! So needless to say, I didn't care if he got the girl.
And that brings me to said girl...Avery...*sigh*...I just didn't connect with her. There was obviously something traumatic in her past, but I never felt like I actually learned what that event was. I had a few guesses but it would have been nice to know what actually happened. I also didn't like how she was basically a follower that did what other people wanted her to do. Going back to the drugs, there was a scene where Avery's roommate was smoking pot and held the joint out to Avery. She took it just because it was offered. Same thing with smoking cigarettes. It was like she didn't have a mind of her own and because her roommate was doing something, she did it too.
The book sounded amazing but for me, it was just a so-so time suck.
October 6, 2015
Crush or Love? "You recognize love when you've never seen it before."
One a jock, the other a rocker; identical twin brothers are best friends with Avery growing up till high school began and all the hormones change things. Brendan and Avery were close, hanging out. Brendan shares with Avery that old brother Chase likes her. The attraction is mutual, until she finds Chase with his hands up the shirt of Melora, one of the Ponytails.
Avery runs, she runs cross coast from her home in San Diego to a arts college in Savannah, Georgia. She breaks hearts when she leaves.
After a horrifying experience her first year of college, Avery finds she must leave her best friend and roommate Zooey and head back home. She enrolls in San Diego University (SDU) and quickly runs into the twins. They are bigger, hotter and sexier than ever and both want her. What's a girl to do?
While "Naked Choke," Loren's Stepbrother MMA romance has some storyline similarities, I suppose a love triangle is just that and bound to have similarities. "Naked Choke" went more indepth into MMA, which I loved, but Crush was more about their relationship and their pasts. So I loved them both and found enough things unique about each that I didn't really mind the minor similarities. One thing is for sure though, I really like Celia Loren's writing and she sure does bring it to the steamy scenes. And . . . I see she writes MC romance. YES!!
One a jock, the other a rocker; identical twin brothers are best friends with Avery growing up till high school began and all the hormones change things. Brendan and Avery were close, hanging out. Brendan shares with Avery that old brother Chase likes her. The attraction is mutual, until she finds Chase with his hands up the shirt of Melora, one of the Ponytails.
Avery runs, she runs cross coast from her home in San Diego to a arts college in Savannah, Georgia. She breaks hearts when she leaves.
After a horrifying experience her first year of college, Avery finds she must leave her best friend and roommate Zooey and head back home. She enrolls in San Diego University (SDU) and quickly runs into the twins. They are bigger, hotter and sexier than ever and both want her. What's a girl to do?
While "Naked Choke," Loren's Stepbrother MMA romance has some storyline similarities, I suppose a love triangle is just that and bound to have similarities. "Naked Choke" went more indepth into MMA, which I loved, but Crush was more about their relationship and their pasts. So I loved them both and found enough things unique about each that I didn't really mind the minor similarities. One thing is for sure though, I really like Celia Loren's writing and she sure does bring it to the steamy scenes. And . . . I see she writes MC romance. YES!!
May 12, 2015
*Copy provided for honest review*
It is rare that I find a book where I really swoon over a guy and then loathe him so deeply. Meet Chase Kelly...
Avery has been best friends with twins Chase and Brendan Kelly since they were kids, growing up and certain feelings slowly pulled them apart. She has always hidden that crush for Chase Kelly and when she moves back home for school, all that comes flooding back.
She is on cloud 9; she is finally with Chase after all these years. This is the perfect example of really not knowing someone and truly finding where you should be and whom you should be with. Brendan and Chase have both been her best friends but only one truly was FOR Avery.
Brendan has always wanted Avery; Chase had her. Sibling rivalry; sibling jealousy... There are a lot of cards at play in these relationships.
If you are not for a mess of emotions or heartache, don't open this book. I had many moments of cursing at my kindle. Some annoying moments but overall a good read...
3.5 Stars
It is rare that I find a book where I really swoon over a guy and then loathe him so deeply. Meet Chase Kelly...
Avery has been best friends with twins Chase and Brendan Kelly since they were kids, growing up and certain feelings slowly pulled them apart. She has always hidden that crush for Chase Kelly and when she moves back home for school, all that comes flooding back.
She is on cloud 9; she is finally with Chase after all these years. This is the perfect example of really not knowing someone and truly finding where you should be and whom you should be with. Brendan and Chase have both been her best friends but only one truly was FOR Avery.
Brendan has always wanted Avery; Chase had her. Sibling rivalry; sibling jealousy... There are a lot of cards at play in these relationships.
If you are not for a mess of emotions or heartache, don't open this book. I had many moments of cursing at my kindle. Some annoying moments but overall a good read...
3.5 Stars
May 11, 2015
Received an ARC for an honest review. This was a really good book but after awhile it was a bit predictable. You saw where the story was going. With that said, it was still worth reading.
Avery is leaving one school to head to her state school after something bad happened. You don't really know what happened but you can figure it out. Heading home she wonders if she will see the Kelley twins. Chase the one she has loved for a long time and Brenden her old BFF.
She runs in both. She finally gets her time with Chase but she doesn't feel right about it. In comes Brenden, his rock star status and friendship. Brenden has always had feeling for Avery but he knew that she was in love with Chase.
With a few twists, Avery finally realises her true feelings. She gets hurt during a fight between the brothers.
A few things come out about Chase in the end, kinda of an expected twist. But they both burned each other.
Avery is leaving one school to head to her state school after something bad happened. You don't really know what happened but you can figure it out. Heading home she wonders if she will see the Kelley twins. Chase the one she has loved for a long time and Brenden her old BFF.
She runs in both. She finally gets her time with Chase but she doesn't feel right about it. In comes Brenden, his rock star status and friendship. Brenden has always had feeling for Avery but he knew that she was in love with Chase.
With a few twists, Avery finally realises her true feelings. She gets hurt during a fight between the brothers.
A few things come out about Chase in the end, kinda of an expected twist. But they both burned each other.
May 11, 2015
This book was just ok for me. It was well edited and I liked the storyline. I liked the characters themselves and how the author did with their development. However I was confused with the date/time of when the book was taking place. There were a lot of references to the 90's when they were present day college sophomores. The characters were born in the middle to late 90's and would not have experienced a lot of what was talked about. This made it hard for me to really connect to the characters. The other thing that left me confused was there was a lot of the story that was left unanswered. Like what really happened to Avery to leave school? Where did all of Chase's anger come from? I feel like this author has a lot of potential so I will be looking for more from them.
May 16, 2015
COPY PROVIDED FOR HONEST REVIEW..
Avery has been close to the Kelly twins Chase and Brendan since she was little, and has always had a major crush of Chase even though she was much closer to Brendan. She goes off to school in a diffrent state and looses contact with them, but then something happens at school that has her transferring back home, back to the boys. She comes home and Chase finally notices her like she has always noticed him but now her feeling for Brendan are changing as well. Who will she pick? has it been right in front of her all along? well you will have to read to find out.
Ive read a few of Celia Loren's books and have enjoyed all of them. Cant wait to see what she writes next.
Avery has been close to the Kelly twins Chase and Brendan since she was little, and has always had a major crush of Chase even though she was much closer to Brendan. She goes off to school in a diffrent state and looses contact with them, but then something happens at school that has her transferring back home, back to the boys. She comes home and Chase finally notices her like she has always noticed him but now her feeling for Brendan are changing as well. Who will she pick? has it been right in front of her all along? well you will have to read to find out.
Ive read a few of Celia Loren's books and have enjoyed all of them. Cant wait to see what she writes next.
July 30, 2015
Not terrible, but lacking some depth. I didn't connect to the characters and I felt their stories weren't well rounded. Some scenes felt like there was almost no effort to evolve the story with some well detailed scenes.
I did like the characters, and of course the concept of falling for twin brothers is always a fun rollercoaster ride.
Not sure if I will read Cash's story when it comes out, but I will give it a chance and read the sample.
I did like the characters, and of course the concept of falling for twin brothers is always a fun rollercoaster ride.
Not sure if I will read Cash's story when it comes out, but I will give it a chance and read the sample.
May 13, 2015
I picked this up know it was going to be about a three. so, I'm not disappointed. it's a typical Kindle read. the smut detail lacking but verbally to far over the top for so little detail.
October 9, 2015
Not bad but Avery's pov got so (too) much in her head that it got tedious to read and I got mad at Avery....I know, it's a book.
November 22, 2019
San Diego, 2005
Avery and the identical Kelly twins, Chase and Brendan in secondary school. Chase the extroverted jock, Brendan the broody introverted rocker.
Brendan confesses that Chase has feelings for her, as she is about to admit her feelings to Chase, she sees him with his hands up the skirt of Melora and she flees.
Resumes in Savannah, GA 2014, she’s twenty at art college and switching colleges after an assault her first year of school.
She shares a unique relationship with her father, Frank...theirs is a silent alliance of respect.
Returning to San Diego and the twins. The ‘American Spirits’ references were funny. The twins are interchangeable, I was lost...I was so confused by their identities I began skimming to end this book and my confusion.
Chase beyond a shadow of a doubt is not a likeable character, he didn’t want her but didn’t want Brendan with her.
Avery needed to mature playing the brothers against each other.
Avery:::
“I bow my head, briefly ashamed. A distinct part that's been thriving on the drama of being caught between brothers? Haven't I been a little evil, too, jerking these two boys around?
“I'm really sorry,” I say, directing my words to his chest for fear of what his eyes will tell me. “I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Brendan.”
Chase+Melora
“He never liked me. I was an elaborate beard, all along. On some level, this news should be shocking—but the complexities of my own conscience prevent me from being truly angry with Chase.
“You were always such a good friend. I'm so sorry to have treated you poorly”
Brendan+Jen:::
“Who was she?”
“My ex-girlfriend.”
“Ex?”
“Yes. It wasn't as clean a break as I would have liked. When you started dating my brother, I entertained the possibility of a reconciliation.”
“That's an elaborate way to say you were horny.”
Drama. Juvenile. Older high schoolers.
Avery and the identical Kelly twins, Chase and Brendan in secondary school. Chase the extroverted jock, Brendan the broody introverted rocker.
Brendan confesses that Chase has feelings for her, as she is about to admit her feelings to Chase, she sees him with his hands up the skirt of Melora and she flees.
Resumes in Savannah, GA 2014, she’s twenty at art college and switching colleges after an assault her first year of school.
She shares a unique relationship with her father, Frank...theirs is a silent alliance of respect.
Returning to San Diego and the twins. The ‘American Spirits’ references were funny. The twins are interchangeable, I was lost...I was so confused by their identities I began skimming to end this book and my confusion.
Chase beyond a shadow of a doubt is not a likeable character, he didn’t want her but didn’t want Brendan with her.
Avery needed to mature playing the brothers against each other.
Avery:::
“I bow my head, briefly ashamed. A distinct part that's been thriving on the drama of being caught between brothers? Haven't I been a little evil, too, jerking these two boys around?
“I'm really sorry,” I say, directing my words to his chest for fear of what his eyes will tell me. “I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Brendan.”
Chase+Melora
“He never liked me. I was an elaborate beard, all along. On some level, this news should be shocking—but the complexities of my own conscience prevent me from being truly angry with Chase.
“You were always such a good friend. I'm so sorry to have treated you poorly”
Brendan+Jen:::
“Who was she?”
“My ex-girlfriend.”
“Ex?”
“Yes. It wasn't as clean a break as I would have liked. When you started dating my brother, I entertained the possibility of a reconciliation.”
“That's an elaborate way to say you were horny.”
Drama. Juvenile. Older high schoolers.
May 11, 2015
This was a fairly quick and entertaining read. I enjoyed the development and evolution of the twin brothers, Chase/Brendan, and their childhood friend, Avery. All of them grew up, but one not so much in the maturity department. Although it's been a long time since I was a college student, I felt like Avery was your average young adult. They may be twins, but each are very different and provide something unique to their friendship with Avery - good/bad. Prior to the current time in the book, I was sad to see how they grew up and away from each other, but again this is fairly realistic of their age.
One brother I loved. He was intense with a hint of mystery even though you knew his intentions. The other I was surprised how his anger and immaturity escalated to the point where it was unforgivable. His double standard, pride and ego... well, it was reprehensible. All that to say, both hurt her at one point and my stomach dropped and heart hurt for her during a particular scene.
I've enjoyed several of Celia Loren's books and this was a nice change of pace from the MC genre by her.
I received a copy of this story through Colleen Masters for an honest review - thank you for your generosity and the opportunity!
One brother I loved. He was intense with a hint of mystery even though you knew his intentions. The other I was surprised how his anger and immaturity escalated to the point where it was unforgivable. His double standard, pride and ego... well, it was reprehensible. All that to say, both hurt her at one point and my stomach dropped and heart hurt for her during a particular scene.
I've enjoyed several of Celia Loren's books and this was a nice change of pace from the MC genre by her.
I received a copy of this story through Colleen Masters for an honest review - thank you for your generosity and the opportunity!
June 26, 2015
Recibí el libro de parte del autor a cambio de una reseña honesta.
Le doy 3.5 estrellitas
Protagonistas: Avery Lynne /Chase and Brendan Kelly
Es un libro dentro de todo interesante, la temática es muy buena ya que se trata de una chica teniendo que elegir entre dos hermanos gemelos, uno es su mejor amigo y otro es de quien esta enamorada.
Obviamente los gemelos no se parecen mucho al principio ya que uno es el tipico atleta y el otro el fan de la música todo desgarbado con un aro en los labios y siempre una gorra en la cabeza. Son amigos inseparables que van juntos a todos lados, hasta que llega un punto en la adolescencia en que ella se separa de ellos, por la popularidad porque Chase se pone de novio, va por distintos motivos.
Cuando terminan la Secundaria toman rumbos diferentes, ella esta decidida a ser alguien en el mundo del arte e ingresa en la Universidad de Savannah. Ahi es cuando me molesto un poco el libro, porque dice que algo le pasa que la lleva a cambiarse de Universidad pero no especifica que, entonces siempre te queda una duda.
Luego se trasfiere a San Diego donde reconecta con los gemelos, y ahí es donde el libro se pone interesante porque comienza un juego de el gato casa el ratón entre Avery y los hermanos Kelly, al final el que gana es el Kelly menos pensado.
Un libro para pasar el rato pero que no te va a dejar queriendo as y mas como pasa con otras lecturas. Pero sería interesante como va la situación en el libro numero dos como para no juzgarlo mal.
Le doy 3.5 estrellitas
Protagonistas: Avery Lynne /Chase and Brendan Kelly
Es un libro dentro de todo interesante, la temática es muy buena ya que se trata de una chica teniendo que elegir entre dos hermanos gemelos, uno es su mejor amigo y otro es de quien esta enamorada.
Obviamente los gemelos no se parecen mucho al principio ya que uno es el tipico atleta y el otro el fan de la música todo desgarbado con un aro en los labios y siempre una gorra en la cabeza. Son amigos inseparables que van juntos a todos lados, hasta que llega un punto en la adolescencia en que ella se separa de ellos, por la popularidad porque Chase se pone de novio, va por distintos motivos.
Cuando terminan la Secundaria toman rumbos diferentes, ella esta decidida a ser alguien en el mundo del arte e ingresa en la Universidad de Savannah. Ahi es cuando me molesto un poco el libro, porque dice que algo le pasa que la lleva a cambiarse de Universidad pero no especifica que, entonces siempre te queda una duda.
Luego se trasfiere a San Diego donde reconecta con los gemelos, y ahí es donde el libro se pone interesante porque comienza un juego de el gato casa el ratón entre Avery y los hermanos Kelly, al final el que gana es el Kelly menos pensado.
Un libro para pasar el rato pero que no te va a dejar queriendo as y mas como pasa con otras lecturas. Pero sería interesante como va la situación en el libro numero dos como para no juzgarlo mal.
May 11, 2015
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
**2.5 Stars**
The book description for Crush immediately caught my attention and I was excited to read the story! Growing up, Avery had been best friends with twins, Chase and Brendan Kelly. After leaving for almost a year to attend college out of state, Avery transfers schools, returns to her hometown and is reunited with her childhood crushes/friends. Both boys are now sexy as sin...Brendan is the tattooed, lead singer of a band and Chase is a star football player.
Unfortunately, as much as I liked the idea of the story, I never really felt any connection with the characters. I think that with some editing and better character development, this could be an awesome book! From the blurb, I understood that Avery would have to choose between two boys/brothers who really liked her. The problem is that in my opinion, Chase wasn't really interested and appeared to just be using her while Brendan, instead of communicating just seemed to drop a lot of hints and expected her to know how he felt. Also, were both of them involved with other women the entire time?? I do feel like she ended up with the right man as they had great chemistry but I definitely needed more from the story. Good HFN ending!
**2.5 Stars**
The book description for Crush immediately caught my attention and I was excited to read the story! Growing up, Avery had been best friends with twins, Chase and Brendan Kelly. After leaving for almost a year to attend college out of state, Avery transfers schools, returns to her hometown and is reunited with her childhood crushes/friends. Both boys are now sexy as sin...Brendan is the tattooed, lead singer of a band and Chase is a star football player.
Unfortunately, as much as I liked the idea of the story, I never really felt any connection with the characters. I think that with some editing and better character development, this could be an awesome book! From the blurb, I understood that Avery would have to choose between two boys/brothers who really liked her. The problem is that in my opinion, Chase wasn't really interested and appeared to just be using her while Brendan, instead of communicating just seemed to drop a lot of hints and expected her to know how he felt. Also, were both of them involved with other women the entire time?? I do feel like she ended up with the right man as they had great chemistry but I definitely needed more from the story. Good HFN ending!
June 2, 2015
I read Crush for an honest review. Avery leaves home to attend college only to return after something bad happens. You never really know what happened but it is not hard to put the pieces together. I would have preferred a little more information it might have made more sense in some of the scenes. Avery grew up with the Kelly brothers and going back home she wonders if she might run into the twin boys she never could seem to get her mind off of.
Avery was in love with Chase the jock brother but had a deeper connection with Brendan the rock brother growing up. I feel like this story had a lot of potential but yet there were just not enough details for me. Brendan was vague with answers to Avery's questions like she should already know the answer but tells her they have both changed. (what) Chase the golden boy it seems is not so golden after all and it felt like she never really knew him especially the angry side. Avery tends to be a follower and just does her friends tell her, Hmm why is this? I did like the story but I felt confused on some time lines of the story, and I didn't like how both brothers were with other women and she was ok with it. I did enjoy but felt a little confused with the lack of detail.
Avery was in love with Chase the jock brother but had a deeper connection with Brendan the rock brother growing up. I feel like this story had a lot of potential but yet there were just not enough details for me. Brendan was vague with answers to Avery's questions like she should already know the answer but tells her they have both changed. (what) Chase the golden boy it seems is not so golden after all and it felt like she never really knew him especially the angry side. Avery tends to be a follower and just does her friends tell her, Hmm why is this? I did like the story but I felt confused on some time lines of the story, and I didn't like how both brothers were with other women and she was ok with it. I did enjoy but felt a little confused with the lack of detail.
May 15, 2015
I am usually a big fan of this authors's books because so far they have all been gritty, biker romances and I was sure by the blurb that I would love this one just as much. Although it was a tad on the tame side (more NA/college romance and less on the wild side) I enjoyed it for the most part.
Three kids who meet and form a bond as elementary students (the delicious twins Chase and Brendan and the naive Avery) and meet again in college...all grown up and ready to explore their "adult" feelings. Chase is the athlete who Avery loves to run against and Brendan is the moody musician who harbors feelings for Avery (knowing she has a thing for his brother).
What happens when they party together, hang out as "more than friends" and both brothers make their play for her? You'll have to read and find out but in the end all goes as I wanted it to and each brother ended up with their perfect match...as well as Avery.
Recommend for readers who like softer, younger romances and don't expect this to be anything like her biker series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**** 4 **** "double the pleasure, double the fun" stars
Three kids who meet and form a bond as elementary students (the delicious twins Chase and Brendan and the naive Avery) and meet again in college...all grown up and ready to explore their "adult" feelings. Chase is the athlete who Avery loves to run against and Brendan is the moody musician who harbors feelings for Avery (knowing she has a thing for his brother).
What happens when they party together, hang out as "more than friends" and both brothers make their play for her? You'll have to read and find out but in the end all goes as I wanted it to and each brother ended up with their perfect match...as well as Avery.
Recommend for readers who like softer, younger romances and don't expect this to be anything like her biker series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
**** 4 **** "double the pleasure, double the fun" stars
June 22, 2015
DONNA
5 STARS
I liked the story. I thought it was a sweet story between young adults that have known each other for a life time. A love triangle that includes two men that are similar as they are different. Avery is the third element in the mix. All I can say is drama, drama, drama.
ERIN'S REVIEW
3.5 STARS
This story seemed to go very quickly. Avery has had something awful happen to her and is moving back home. She has been friends with Chase and Brendan Kelly since childhood, but she doesn’t look them up when she returns home. She does however run in to them on campus. She has had a crush on Chase forever. But she is closer to Brendan.
Avery stays confused for a little while on what is happening between her and the brothers. She thinks she wants to be with Chase but she is drawn to Brendan. She is having a hard time making up her mind, but she is keeping secrets from both of them. She comes across as a person who doesn’t want to be alone. She has to learn more about herself and what she wants for her life. That is the only way she is going to be able to choose between the brothers.
5 STARS
I liked the story. I thought it was a sweet story between young adults that have known each other for a life time. A love triangle that includes two men that are similar as they are different. Avery is the third element in the mix. All I can say is drama, drama, drama.
ERIN'S REVIEW
3.5 STARS
This story seemed to go very quickly. Avery has had something awful happen to her and is moving back home. She has been friends with Chase and Brendan Kelly since childhood, but she doesn’t look them up when she returns home. She does however run in to them on campus. She has had a crush on Chase forever. But she is closer to Brendan.
Avery stays confused for a little while on what is happening between her and the brothers. She thinks she wants to be with Chase but she is drawn to Brendan. She is having a hard time making up her mind, but she is keeping secrets from both of them. She comes across as a person who doesn’t want to be alone. She has to learn more about herself and what she wants for her life. That is the only way she is going to be able to choose between the brothers.
May 12, 2015
Avery is in school in Georgia when an incident with another student pushes her to transfer back to California where she grew up. There she immediately makes new friends and runs into a lot of old friends including twin brothers Chase and Brendan Kelly. She spent a lot of time with them growing up but in high school they went in different directions. Chase was her first crush and Brendan was the best friend. She is not sure what the status is of her relationship with Brendan but Chase is clear that he wants to date. Avery is conflicted about her feelings for most of the book and you are not really sure how much either of the brothers really cares about her. It swings back and forth for awhile. I feel like I least understood Chase and his motivation. The lack of understanding may just be due to the nature of a twenty-something male and just be written true to character. It is a good read for those interested in characters at that point in their life where they are growing up and learning more about themselves. I received an ARC from the author in return for a honest review.
May 26, 2015
Avery meets Chase and Brendan Kelly in fifth grade and develops a crush on Chase immediately but grows to be closer and better friends with Brendan. As they grew her crush on Chase never changed, in eighth grade she caught him with one of the cliques she hated and their friendship faded, she remained good friends with Brendan till junior year of high school but, once again other interests caused them to drift. It's now been a couple of years, she's been attending an out of state art school but freshman year college has not been kind and she finds she needs to run home to escape. Apprehensive as hell she starts at the local state college SDU, same college 2/3 of her high school class attends including the Kelly brothers (whom she can't seem to stop thinking about). She reconnects with both brothers, and starts to date Chase but nothing is how she imagined it would be and she finds herself very confused as to which brother she wants to be more than friends with! I really enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it, great storyline and wonderful characters!
June 24, 2015
Yikes... I had hopes for this one but where to even begin.
The dialogue is just really cheezy. Avery seems like a total push over & a complete dork. She thinks she's being cute & unique when in actuality she's just really annoying. They never really touched much on why she left Georgia, just briefly. For someone that experienced something so traumatic, she sure gave it up fast. Her roommate Tara had me rolling my eyes every time she spoke.
Now on to the twins... I'm torn. They're both sexy & hot but one's a cocky, manipulative, lying, cheating, violent, immature dipshit who has no personality at all. And the other is a kind of a hot dork which doesn't fit with being a rockstar. Chase's reasoning for trying to hook up with her is absolutely ridiculous & when she ends up in the hospital because of him was just over the top.
I was hoping that at least the sex would be hot enough where it may have made up for all the other bad stuff but that was lacking too. This one was just a big miss for me.
The dialogue is just really cheezy. Avery seems like a total push over & a complete dork. She thinks she's being cute & unique when in actuality she's just really annoying. They never really touched much on why she left Georgia, just briefly. For someone that experienced something so traumatic, she sure gave it up fast. Her roommate Tara had me rolling my eyes every time she spoke.
Now on to the twins... I'm torn. They're both sexy & hot but one's a cocky, manipulative, lying, cheating, violent, immature dipshit who has no personality at all. And the other is a kind of a hot dork which doesn't fit with being a rockstar. Chase's reasoning for trying to hook up with her is absolutely ridiculous & when she ends up in the hospital because of him was just over the top.
I was hoping that at least the sex would be hot enough where it may have made up for all the other bad stuff but that was lacking too. This one was just a big miss for me.
May 13, 2015
This was my First Celia Loren book and I loved it! It will definitely not be be my last it was a lighthearted, fun, Sexy read! I read it in one sitting it was Great! The Kelly brothers (swoon) Chase and Brendan I immediately fell in love with! They may be twins but complete opposites. Both have managed to steal Averys heart. I enjoyed how all 3 characters grew up together I am a huge fan of childhood romances! Soo really enjoyed the story line. Emotions were everywhere, because ultimately it comes down to Avery needing to decide which brother she loves more, and love triangles are messy! I think what I enjoyed so much was its not often that I read a book and I change who I root for that was drastic for me because Avery was completely oblivious to the "elephant in the room" between her and Brendan. This is a Great read I didn't give it a five because I would have liked a little more here and there in the story.
* copy provided for an honest review
* copy provided for an honest review
June 9, 2015
3.5 stars
This story seemed to go very quickly. Avery has had something awful happen to her and is moving back home. She has been friends with Chase and Brendan Kelly since childhood, but she doesn’t look them up when she returns home. She does however run in to them on campus. She has had a crush on Chase forever. But she is closer to Brendan.
Avery stays confused for a little while on what is happening between her and the brothers. She thinks she wants to be with Chase but she is drawn to Brendan. She is having a hard time making up her mind, but she is keeping secrets from both of them. She comes across as a person who doesn’t want to be alone. She has to learn more about herself and what she wants for her life. That is the only way she is going to be able to choose between the brothers.
Reviewed for FMR Book Grind
This story seemed to go very quickly. Avery has had something awful happen to her and is moving back home. She has been friends with Chase and Brendan Kelly since childhood, but she doesn’t look them up when she returns home. She does however run in to them on campus. She has had a crush on Chase forever. But she is closer to Brendan.
Avery stays confused for a little while on what is happening between her and the brothers. She thinks she wants to be with Chase but she is drawn to Brendan. She is having a hard time making up her mind, but she is keeping secrets from both of them. She comes across as a person who doesn’t want to be alone. She has to learn more about herself and what she wants for her life. That is the only way she is going to be able to choose between the brothers.
Reviewed for FMR Book Grind
May 12, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Avery is a college student who is switching schools as a result of a sexual assault. She reconnects with Brendan and Chase Kelly, once her closest friends. She begins dating Chase, her childhood crush, but is discovering she has deep feelings for Brendan as well.
I liked this book a lot but I felt some subjects could have been discussed in a little bit more depth, such as the sexual assault and aftermath and the rivalry between the Kelly brothers. There also could have been a little more background on Avery's relationship with her parents, who are barely mentioned, especially her mother. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
I liked this book a lot but I felt some subjects could have been discussed in a little bit more depth, such as the sexual assault and aftermath and the rivalry between the Kelly brothers. There also could have been a little more background on Avery's relationship with her parents, who are barely mentioned, especially her mother. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
May 15, 2015
**** I received an arc for an honest review****
I have read other books by Celia Loren and have always liked them. This book started out really good with Avery having to transfer to a new college in her home town because of a situation with a guy at her old school. In her hometown she was friends with twin brothers Chase and Brendan Kelly and her hope is to reconnect with them. She has had a crush on Chase for many years but never tried to follow through and when they reconnect and he starts to show interest in her she is overjoyed but then here comes Brendan who starts to make Avery think maybe she has been crushing on the wrong brother.
Sibling rivalry and jealousy.............
Overall a good read ......
I have read other books by Celia Loren and have always liked them. This book started out really good with Avery having to transfer to a new college in her home town because of a situation with a guy at her old school. In her hometown she was friends with twin brothers Chase and Brendan Kelly and her hope is to reconnect with them. She has had a crush on Chase for many years but never tried to follow through and when they reconnect and he starts to show interest in her she is overjoyed but then here comes Brendan who starts to make Avery think maybe she has been crushing on the wrong brother.
Sibling rivalry and jealousy.............
Overall a good read ......
June 5, 2015
Arc provided for honest review.
Wow this one was steamy and set in my old town and alma mater. I love that this one forced the main characters to love each other based on similarities and relationship qualities that work more than sex and physical attraction. Two very similar men, twins, and a girl who things she is in love with one based on looks. Then she realizes the outside packaging isn't enough when all her favorite happy moments are with the twin who can finish her sentences and interpret her mood based on her music.
I really enjoyed this one and really hope we get to see more of these characters. I feel like we got left hanging a little and need to watch this world unfold a little more.
Wow this one was steamy and set in my old town and alma mater. I love that this one forced the main characters to love each other based on similarities and relationship qualities that work more than sex and physical attraction. Two very similar men, twins, and a girl who things she is in love with one based on looks. Then she realizes the outside packaging isn't enough when all her favorite happy moments are with the twin who can finish her sentences and interpret her mood based on her music.
I really enjoyed this one and really hope we get to see more of these characters. I feel like we got left hanging a little and need to watch this world unfold a little more.
July 30, 2015
***PROVIDED WITH AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***
Steamy fast read with some deliciously sexy twins Chase and Brennan I loved the plot something different definitely needed a bit more details in certain places to help the reader understand the whole issue with Avery the girl who is undeniably in love with one of the twins Chase the athletic one or maybe it's Brennan the musician... Drama lurks behind every love triangle and it's inevitable. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the two twin brothers and ultimately the challenging decisions Avery would have to face when it came to following her heart, she had to stop living in the past and focus on the present and future.
Steamy fast read with some deliciously sexy twins Chase and Brennan I loved the plot something different definitely needed a bit more details in certain places to help the reader understand the whole issue with Avery the girl who is undeniably in love with one of the twins Chase the athletic one or maybe it's Brennan the musician... Drama lurks behind every love triangle and it's inevitable. I really enjoyed the dynamics between the two twin brothers and ultimately the challenging decisions Avery would have to face when it came to following her heart, she had to stop living in the past and focus on the present and future.
June 14, 2015
Given an ARC for my honest review!
Who doesn't love a good old love triangle!?! How about when it involves to boys that happen to be twin brothers and a girl who were all best friends as kids.
After something bad happened while Avery was away at college in Savannah, GA she comes home to attend the local university where she runs in to her 2 childhood friends. They are both interested in her and she is torn between the 2. The jock who she has had a crush on since forever and the brooding rock star who she can talk to abut anything and have so much in common with each other. We follow the back and forth with her trying to decide which brother is the right one for her.
Who doesn't love a good old love triangle!?! How about when it involves to boys that happen to be twin brothers and a girl who were all best friends as kids.
After something bad happened while Avery was away at college in Savannah, GA she comes home to attend the local university where she runs in to her 2 childhood friends. They are both interested in her and she is torn between the 2. The jock who she has had a crush on since forever and the brooding rock star who she can talk to abut anything and have so much in common with each other. We follow the back and forth with her trying to decide which brother is the right one for her.
May 7, 2015
Here is the thing with this book. It has a lot of potential and I did enjoy reading it, but it needs a TON of editing and rewrite. Some parts just don't make sense or feel rushed. Plus someone please tell me why sometime his name is "J", "Jacky" and sometimes it's Brendan? There's just too many things that made me stop and wonder if I had missed something because it just didn't make any sense. I do think that with some good editing and rewrite it could be a really great story. I still would suggest that you give it a read. You might enjoy it.
May 15, 2015
Avery transfers from her college in Georgia to the state college in her hometown. She soon meets Chase Kelly, one of the twins she was best friends with while growing up and they start dating. Before long she meets Brendan Kelly, her feelings for him confuse her. Avery has to choose between the brother she thinks she has loved for years and the one she considered her best friend. Fascinating glimpse into the emotions of a young woman. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for afair review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for afair review.
May 18, 2015
received with thanks, an ARC in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed the read and the idea behind the story and I really loved the ending (def best man won).
I think that a younger reader would enjoy this book more. For me it was more a jealousy thing with the boys and I felt that Avery just didn't want to open her eyes and see the real world so she came off a bit juvenile for my taste.
I really liked the secondary characters particularly Professor Chen though Tara, Trev, RA Jeff & Zooey were all great roles.
I enjoyed the read and the idea behind the story and I really loved the ending (def best man won).
I think that a younger reader would enjoy this book more. For me it was more a jealousy thing with the boys and I felt that Avery just didn't want to open her eyes and see the real world so she came off a bit juvenile for my taste.
I really liked the secondary characters particularly Professor Chen though Tara, Trev, RA Jeff & Zooey were all great roles.
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