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"It was a beautiful little one-bite story. The simmering tension of their years-long, seemingly unrequited crushes had me breathless. Their love shimmers off the pages!”—USA Today Bestselling Author, Christi Barth
This time around something is different. This time, one of them might walk away.
Day in and day out, Maggie Barnes has kept her straitlaced and proper shell in place, except for three precious nights every year. Crush, Santa Christa’s grape harvest, is the busiest time of year in her hometown, but it’s only then, when the oh-so-sexy Alejandro comes to her to spend his nights, that she can let down her shield and be her true self. This year she needs him more than ever.
Alejandro Garcia wants out of the shadows. It’s well past time to put an end to their long-running secret. If it were any other woman, he never would have let it get this far. But his crush on her from high school never quite went away. He’s never been one to hide, not even from the truth no matter how hard it might be to confront and staying stashed away behind closed doors is no longer an option.
What people are saying about the Lakeside Vines series:
"Witty, smart, and crackling with sexual tension, BREATHE will warm your heart...and a few other parts as well! A thoroughly satisfying romance.”—Karen Booth, author of the The Eden Empire series
This time around something is different. This time, one of them might walk away.
Day in and day out, Maggie Barnes has kept her straitlaced and proper shell in place, except for three precious nights every year. Crush, Santa Christa’s grape harvest, is the busiest time of year in her hometown, but it’s only then, when the oh-so-sexy Alejandro comes to her to spend his nights, that she can let down her shield and be her true self. This year she needs him more than ever.
Alejandro Garcia wants out of the shadows. It’s well past time to put an end to their long-running secret. If it were any other woman, he never would have let it get this far. But his crush on her from high school never quite went away. He’s never been one to hide, not even from the truth no matter how hard it might be to confront and staying stashed away behind closed doors is no longer an option.
What people are saying about the Lakeside Vines series:
"Witty, smart, and crackling with sexual tension, BREATHE will warm your heart...and a few other parts as well! A thoroughly satisfying romance.”—Karen Booth, author of the The Eden Empire series
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2016
4 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jen Doyle
11 books434 followersA big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England Chapter, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency.
She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the "some").
Her first book, CALLING IT, was published by Carina Press in April 2016. It was the winner of The Beacon, the Finish the Damn Book, and the Melody of Love 2014 contests in the Contemporary Romance category, and was also the Contemporary Romance winner as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Gateway to the Best contest. Book #2, CALLED UP, will be published on August 29, 2016.
She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the "some").
Her first book, CALLING IT, was published by Carina Press in April 2016. It was the winner of The Beacon, the Finish the Damn Book, and the Melody of Love 2014 contests in the Contemporary Romance category, and was also the Contemporary Romance winner as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Gateway to the Best contest. Book #2, CALLED UP, will be published on August 29, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 8, 2019
Wow, I loved this short novella from Jen Doyle and my only complaint I wanted to spend more time with this couple and in this world. Two people from different worlds have carried on a secret affair for over a decade, but circumstances have changed and they both know it’s either make their relationship known or to move on, in this sexy story from Jen Doyle.
Maggie Barnes had a crush on Alejandro Garcia since her sophomore year in high school and it only intensified when she tutored him their senior year. He was her first something she ask him for before she left for college and for the last 13 years for three days during Crush – the Santa Christa grape harvest celebration – they’ve spent the long weekend behind closed doors doing wicked things to one another.
What I adored about this book is both Maggie and Alejandro were very accomplished in their chosen fields, but both assumed the other didn’t want to be seen with them outside of their room. Maggie was always the bookish, awkward, strange girl and felt that Alejandro was embarrassed to be seen with her. Alejandro assumed that since Maggie’s family was a pillar of the community and owned a winery this relatives worked for in the fields and that he was a “scholarship kid” and Hispanic that she didn’t want her family or friends to know about him.
Despite not spending a lot of time talking or outside of the bedroom on their yearly weekend, they both knew a great deal about the other and seemed so proud of one another. There was clearly a lack of communication but I guess when the chemistry is so hot and they only have one weekend, talking is the last thing on their minds.
While I would have loved more time with this couple as they figured out how to be in each other’s life on a more permanent basis, I wasn’t disappointed in this book at all. Emotional and sexy with characters that grabbed my heart, I loved Crush!
Maggie Barnes had a crush on Alejandro Garcia since her sophomore year in high school and it only intensified when she tutored him their senior year. He was her first something she ask him for before she left for college and for the last 13 years for three days during Crush – the Santa Christa grape harvest celebration – they’ve spent the long weekend behind closed doors doing wicked things to one another.
What I adored about this book is both Maggie and Alejandro were very accomplished in their chosen fields, but both assumed the other didn’t want to be seen with them outside of their room. Maggie was always the bookish, awkward, strange girl and felt that Alejandro was embarrassed to be seen with her. Alejandro assumed that since Maggie’s family was a pillar of the community and owned a winery this relatives worked for in the fields and that he was a “scholarship kid” and Hispanic that she didn’t want her family or friends to know about him.
Despite not spending a lot of time talking or outside of the bedroom on their yearly weekend, they both knew a great deal about the other and seemed so proud of one another. There was clearly a lack of communication but I guess when the chemistry is so hot and they only have one weekend, talking is the last thing on their minds.
While I would have loved more time with this couple as they figured out how to be in each other’s life on a more permanent basis, I wasn’t disappointed in this book at all. Emotional and sexy with characters that grabbed my heart, I loved Crush!
October 16, 2017
Maggie left St. Helena years ago, but comes back every year for Crush, the grape harvest. Secretly she's been meeting Alejandro during those days for years. They're together at this time every year, but something suddenly has changed between them. Maggie is a successful business woman, but when Alejandro is around she's shy. Alejandro doesn't want to stay hidden in the shadows any longer and is looking for more. Will he find his happily ever after with the woman he's been secretly seeing for just a few days each year?
Maggie and Alejandro have liked each other since high school. However, they never managed to become a couple. They're both intelligent and great at what they do, but something is missing in their lives, someone to share their ups and downs with. I loved how they slowly realize they belong together and I was so curious to see if they'd become a couple that I read their story in one sitting. Maggie and Alejandro are amazing together and there's plenty of chemistry, which is why I liked their story a lot.
I loved reading about the St. Helena vineyards. It's a wonderful place for a romantic story. Jen Doyle makes it come to life very well with vivid descriptions of the town itself and its rituals. I immediately fell in love with the setting and the main characters are fabulous. It's a fantastic combination and the result is a lovely sweet romantic story.
Maggie and Alejandro have liked each other since high school. However, they never managed to become a couple. They're both intelligent and great at what they do, but something is missing in their lives, someone to share their ups and downs with. I loved how they slowly realize they belong together and I was so curious to see if they'd become a couple that I read their story in one sitting. Maggie and Alejandro are amazing together and there's plenty of chemistry, which is why I liked their story a lot.
I loved reading about the St. Helena vineyards. It's a wonderful place for a romantic story. Jen Doyle makes it come to life very well with vivid descriptions of the town itself and its rituals. I immediately fell in love with the setting and the main characters are fabulous. It's a fantastic combination and the result is a lovely sweet romantic story.
December 30, 2017
In Love For a Long Time!
Crush: It was a fantastic romance! Love the whole concept of the story. Characters were wonderful and caring. Maggie and Alejandro were amazing through our the story. I was in WOW with every page. Jen Doyle did another fantastic job of writing. Loved it!
Crush: It was a fantastic romance! Love the whole concept of the story. Characters were wonderful and caring. Maggie and Alejandro were amazing through our the story. I was in WOW with every page. Jen Doyle did another fantastic job of writing. Loved it!
May 6, 2022
Short and sweet
February 16, 2017
Beautifully written
This is a great addition to the St. Helena world! I loved Maggie and Alejandro and their complicated relationship. Highly recommended!
This is a great addition to the St. Helena world! I loved Maggie and Alejandro and their complicated relationship. Highly recommended!
October 13, 2016
Jen is a new author for me. I loved that this book took place over short period of time. Alejandro and Maggie's love story was very moving. The chemistry between Maggie and Alejandro was perfect. This was poignant and affecting romance .
January 24, 2020
A Lifelong Crush
Alejandro and Maggie hook up once a year....no talk just time together.. Alejandro starts to question Maggie who finds he has been playing her too. These two find that they have a connection that they can't deny!
Alejandro and Maggie hook up once a year....no talk just time together.. Alejandro starts to question Maggie who finds he has been playing her too. These two find that they have a connection that they can't deny!
April 27, 2017
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book because I'm new to Jen Doyle's writing, but I'm happy to say that this was fantastic.
Alejandro was the epitome of a swoon-worthy St. Helena man – a solid good guy who is also smart and sexy. Maggie was sweet and fragile and the kind of character that I find myself really identifying with. From the very start, I was rooting for these two to figure it out. Of course, a St. Helena world book wouldn't be complete without a cameo from our beloved little old ladies and this book delivered on that in a really funny way.
This story was paced and fleshed out absolutely perfectly which is extremely difficult for a novella that has so many things happening in it, but Ms. Doyle nailed it. I was really sad to see the end coming because I could happily have read a full length book about these two.
If you enjoy a sweet, sensual, thought-provoking story with a happy ending, you should definitely read this one!
Alejandro was the epitome of a swoon-worthy St. Helena man – a solid good guy who is also smart and sexy. Maggie was sweet and fragile and the kind of character that I find myself really identifying with. From the very start, I was rooting for these two to figure it out. Of course, a St. Helena world book wouldn't be complete without a cameo from our beloved little old ladies and this book delivered on that in a really funny way.
This story was paced and fleshed out absolutely perfectly which is extremely difficult for a novella that has so many things happening in it, but Ms. Doyle nailed it. I was really sad to see the end coming because I could happily have read a full length book about these two.
If you enjoy a sweet, sensual, thought-provoking story with a happy ending, you should definitely read this one!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews