Crushed

In This Moment #2

by A.D. McCammon

“It’s not the moment that defines you, it’s the choices you make in reaction to it.”

One smile. One bus ride. One conversation. The beginning of everything.

Julianna has never wanted anyone more than she’s wanted Eric, but sometimes, life doesn’t pan out quite how you expect. The past ten years have been defined by the worst night of her life. Blinded by the weight of her pain, she dropped out of college to marry the wrong guy and moved hundreds of miles away from her hometown. But her unsuccessful attempt to run away from her demons only lands her right back on the starting line.

Feeling lost and alone, Julianna must face the ghosts that haunt her and the people she left behind.

One crush. One wrong move. One bad decision. The end of the beginning.

For Eric, it’s always been Julianna, even though she’s never been his. She’s owned his heart and broken it all in the same breath. After a series of poor choices caused him to hit rock bottom, Eric’s life is finally on the right track—until Julianna walks back into town. He hasn’t spoken to her since she left, thinking he’d never see her again, and his resolve is crumbling.

He knows he should keep his distance—she could shatter his world—but he can’t walk away from her.

Will Julianna and Eric finally get their happily ever after, or will the secrets they keep and the shadows of their past leave them Crushed?

Genres: Second Chance, Contemporary, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 10, 2017

About the author

Daughter, sister, wife, mother, avid reader and writer.

Reviews

[❤️Melanie G.📖💛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written story of self healing and second chances. I feel in love with Julianna and Eric's story. From friendship to separation to coming home and finally finding love where your heart always felt home.

A.D. McCammon is becoming a favorite author to watch out for. Excited to see what she comes out with next.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book late at night one day, started reading in the afternoon the day after and finished it by the evening. So, you can say that it had a hold on me, didn't let me go and most definitely did not let me stop reading. At all.

I'm just not a huge fan of talking about the She Devil. She's like Voldemort - I don't dare utter her name.

Oh, and I just have to lovea book with any Harry Potter-reference in it. I just have to.

I love the way this book is  written . At first you keep switching between the present and flashbacks, but also between Jules' point of view and Eric's. Honestly, that's what made this story interesting to begin with, because you could grab their different views and emotions about the same situation.
Add to that the random addition of another character's point of view and you're sucked in so badly that you can't find your way out. I needed to finish this book. I wanted to know what happened, how everything was going to turn out.

Your life can only be defined by a single moment if you allow it to be. Every moment counts - the good and the bad. It's not the moment that defines you, it's the choices you make in reaction to it.

Crushed is the story of two people with a past together, who find each other again years later. An amazing and beautiful story of two people dancing their way through life by facing, battling and accepting secrets, desires and memories.

I'm easily giving this book 5/5.

For more of my reviews, check out my blog:
http://booksandmunches.wordpress.com/

Kathy

This book was provided to me by Foreword PR & Marketing in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are entirely my own.

[Amanda Lee Disheveled Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it, just love it when I find a new author and I easily fall in love with her story and her characters. I went into these two books blind, I just jumped right in and I came out with loving every moment and adding a new favorite author to my list!

Julianna and Eric's story was easy but still angsty. I mean the angst wasn't so so angsty, it was kinda easy, can you even call angst easy though? Lets just say I FELT the angst but it didn't make me anxious or give me ulcers. The story runs on a past present timeline and is told in both Eric and Julianna's POV's, this helps us see into both sides of the story and made me fall in love so much more with both of them and their stories.

I love second chance romance stories....who am I kidding a love a good romance story that can make me feel all emotional, connect to the characters, and fall in love all over again. This story did it twice I fell in love with Julianna and Eric as high school kids and then again as adults.

You'll love this super sweet and full of love second chance romance, grab a copy stat!

[Naroba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author already shows tremendous growth in her writing. She gives good story. I can’t wait to delve deeper into her world. Loved this book!

[Mary Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** Warning, contains small spoilers ****

This is the second book in the In This Moment series by this author. I loved the first book, In This Moment. I was so excited to read this book, the second book. In the first book we learned the story of Brenden and Lizzy. The second book is about the story of Lizzy's best friend Jules, who is introduced in the first book, and a new character, Eric.
This is a story about two friends whose friendship started in high school. They both secretly loved each other but were too afraid to admit it in fear of ruining their friendships. This is their journey from teenage years to early adulthood. They try to live without each other but true love doesn't just go away.
It was so much fun following their story. As the reader I saw both sides and so many times I wanted to shake both of them. The decisions they were making on what they thought was the truth was making them go farther from each other. They needed to learn to trust their hearts and each other to be happy. And to get those that were holding them back out of their lives.
This wasn't just a love story. This was also a story about in life there are things that happen that can alter our lives. Some are decisions we make. Some are things done to us we can't help. But we aren't the things that happen to us in life. It's our decision to try and move and heal to be happy or let the past drag us down.
I highly suggest this book to anyone who loves a good romance story. Also a good healing story. This will make any reader look at their own life and what their choices are. And hopefully everyone chooses happiness.
Hopefully everyone will love this book as much as I do. And I can't wait for more from this great author!

[Megan Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I received this arc in a giveaway. I am so in love with this book!! It is truly A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! It's about a woman trying to find herself, her courage and strength again... I needed to read a book like this right now! And I love how strong and independent Julianna (the main character) became throughout this book!!
*****SPOILERS MAY OCCUR........ CONTINUING READING AT YOUR OWN RISK........*******
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Julianna and Eric are no doubt high school sweethearts and they are the best high school sweethearts I have EVER read about! They went through a lot within the last several years.. They did things just to numb the pain of not having each other in their lives, it took years for them to confess that they even liked each other in high school. Then Julianna finally lets her guard down to Eric and that makes them even stronger. Everything tries to come between them and it never happens, it brings them closer and closer together each time. There was so many parts that I wanted to just jump through my kindle and smack characters across the face (especially Cara and Christopher) there was also some parts that I didn't even see coming. Which ended up being so good and making the book even better. Long story short, you NEED to READ this BOOK like NOW!!

[Rady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about past crashing into the present. About love between two friends which has never stopped, about hurt and finding themselves and also reconnections.

My thoughts to Crushed.

I have to admit this was my first read by AD. I loved the story and the flow but at some point few parts of the book was predictable.

I loved the descriptions, both characters and the author's writing style. I don't want to spoil it for you as it's not something I would like myself.
Anyway it's great read and I would like to read also other books by this author.

[E.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****ARC received from Foreword PR & Marketing, in exchange for an honest review*****

Hey guys!!! 👋 A.D. McCammon did it again with this book. I had really enjoyed the first book in this series and had given it a 5 star ⭐️ review that you can find here: In This Moment (http://wp.me/p8Gs3A-6X)

But Curshed was just amazing, if Goodreads would let me, I would totally give this book a 6 stars ✨ and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. Crushed got a hold of me from the very first page and wouldn't let go until the very last. I enjoyed reading it so much that I messaged the author 20% into the book and had to tell her what an amazing story this was.

Jules and Eric's story was a second chance love story. It was written in a lot of flash backs and current time to explain their previous relationship and where there were at today. The friendship they had when they were younger was so pure and beautiful, it broke my heart. The love-hate relationship they had now was full of longing for each other and angst. The way they worked through their differences and found a way back to each other was just beautifully portrayed. Every page in this book broke my heart and repaired it at the same time.

Seriously guys, this was just written to perfection. There was some heavy material that was discussed in the book and it was handled with all the grace that the situation desereved. That subject matter is something I hold dear to my heart, as I'm sure many others do as well, and I personally appreciated the way it was handled.

I finished this book in one sitting and loved every moment of it. I can't rave enough about how beautifully written it was. I recommend it to everyone who loves a good friends to lovers second chance romance and a heroine who can save herself from her own demons. 💖

For more reviews like this, please visit: http://www.ebsandherreads.com

[Sassy Southern Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star review for Crushed by A.D. McCammon!!! This book was phenomenal!! I could not put this book down for a minute. Jullianna and Eric's story is one that I will cherish and definitely read again!! They never thought in a million years they would run into each other again since they both married other people and then fate steps in. Could every bad thing from their past be erased? Julianna never wanted to come back to Tennessee but walking in on her husband of seven years with another woman pushed her to do just that. Running in to Eric again wasn't part of the plan. Eric, having put up his walls didn't want to be hurt by her again. Could he give her another chance and not be hurt? This book will break your heart one minute and leave you feeling like anything can happen the next. I can't praise this book enough. Please grab this book I highly recommend it!! - By Cheyenne

[Jennifer Bielarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this release and it did not disapoint. I could not put the book down and if it wasn't for taking care of young children I probably wouldn't have. Needless to say I finished reading Crushed in less than 24hrs, it was that good. Not only did I get pulled in by the story line, but the way the author shows flashbacks as well as different points of view were so well written they sucked me in. Also love how she tied her previous book (In This Moment) into the storyline linking everyone together even more so. I hope there's another book in the works because I can't wait to read it!

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to have received this ARC of Crushed for an honest review and how could I be anything but.

Crushed is beautifully written, it enraptured me from the get go, I didn't want to put it down. I found that the main characters resonated with me, it was scripted in a way that touched me & had my heart beating a little faster, I found myself rooting for them.

Both Julianna & Eric each have their own demons and are to trying to move on from the actions of their pasts, that is until their paths collide ten years later.
Each afraid to admit their past feelings have never really diminished, accepting that even distance & time has changed them, if anything this encounter brings them back to the surface.

It was nice to see this from more than one point of view, memories of how they saw their own pasts, yet were unable to see what was right there in front of them all along.
I specifically love certain references throughout, they were intricately woven into this book perfectly.

It touches on a sensitive topic, one that I think should be spoken about more as it does happen and it shouldn't be treated as taboo, but is also addressed appropriately for the target audience. It's a reminder that bad things do happen to good people, but to know that you are not alone and there is help out there.

"Your life can only be defined by a single moment if you allow it to be. Every moment counts-the good and the bad."

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crushed! That's exactly what I felt every few pages. The emotions that rolled off the pages of this book was written so beautifully and heart wrenching. I love that there was so much feeling coming off the characters and they knew exactly how they felt, no confusion, no impulse decisions. The flashbacks were also a nice surprise and twist. What else can I say without spoiling the story? I love it!!!! Can't wait to read another book by this amazing author!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly loved this book! I became curious about Julianna while reading In This Moment, and am so happy that her story got told!

Julianna and Eric became close friends in high school. Neigh of them divulged their unrequited love for each other, so they suffered silently. While in college, events occur and cause Julianna to marry and move away. But years later, her marriage is over and she's moving back to Tennessee. There, she runs into Eric.

A.D. McCammon has a wonderful way of writing characters that you care about. The plot kept me interested throughout. I definitely recommend reading this!

[Crissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start by saying the story itself was great. I enjoyed the characters a lot and the storyline was great. This story gives us Julianna, Christopher, Eric and Cara's story. Julianna and Eric were childhood friends and it was great reading glimpses of their childhood moments. I loved how the story switched from past to present. However, at one time it seemed to be a bit too much. I felt as if I was reading a ping pong match between the characters past, present, months, weeks and days before. I really thought the flow of the story could have been better. Their past together lets us see how the choices they made lead them to where they are now, and in this story that was a huge part of everything that happened between the characters. Well kept secrets are revealed and lies are told but the ending was so sweet and I enjoyed it a lot. I would read more books from this author because this was a great read and even though this is a standalone read, I would also recommend reading the first book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.D. McCammon has proven to be an amazing author! I can't wait to read the next story in this series! Is it strange to stay these characters have become real to me? I guess that just proves this author is talented!

Eric and Jules were perfect for each other. It just took them years to see it. The missed opportunities and miscommunication had me banging my head against my iPad. But Eric won my heart when he put his feelings on the line finally!!

"It's beating for you, waiting for you to claim it. If or whenever you're ready, it's yours."

I don't think anyone deserved to be loved by Eric more than Jules. She lived through hell and definitely deserved a happy ending. I loved how she overcame her demons and came out a stronger woman.

"Your life can only be defined by a single moment if you allow it to."

The books in this series of course are love stories, but they are more than that. These books are meaningful and will have you thinking about your own moments in life!

Definitely will recommend it as a must read!

[Clare Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be read as a standalone but I would highly recommend reading "in this moment first" so you get the whole picture and for a fuller richer read.

All my questions about Julianna and her outward appearance to the world presented in the first book were more than answered within this book and I'm so glad I read it.

Once again A.D Mccammon did a fantastic job of showing you the mind, and thought process of a person in healing.

I loved reading the different perspectives of Julianna and Eric as well as a few other characters. It shows you what one person thinks of another isn't necessarily what the other person was thinking or feeling.

Without posting any spoilers Julianna is an easy character to like, her whole attitude on starting over is commendable and I was left at the end of each chapter wanting more.

Eric as a character is loyal, fierce, protective and very easy to fall for. The two characters together are dynamite and I loved how they were with each other.

I really hope there are more books in this series to come and I can't recommend it enough!

[Eliza · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really what I read from this author in the past, so I was excited to check this out. Unfortunately this story didn't quite work for me. It had aspects that I liked, though. It was well written, and I thought the structure of it was really effective; it kept things intriguing while consistently feeding new information about their relationship and history. Some people can have a problem with flashbacks, I don't usually, but even if you did, I feel like this particular style and pacing of the parallel timelines wouldn't be bothersome.

One major thing that was missing for me was that I didn't get to really see the characters' connection in the way that I craved. The way it played out, the reader was shown the various watershed moments in the Eric+Julianna saga, but not a lot of what that friendship/relationship looked like. What interactions I did get to see between them felt pretty nondescript, both in their past and present. I didn't know what made them become friends in the first place, or what their conversations sounded like, or what they liked about each other, or anything like that. What about the other person was so special that no one else could match, even a decade after high school ended?

For that matter, I never even really got a feel for either of their personalities at all. There was almost no character development that I could see.

The other big problem was-and this is really where some spoilers come in, so watch out-if Eric had such intense and enduring feelings for Julianna, why did he never once pursue her romantically, and instead choose to date other girls constantly? We were never given much, if any, explanation for this. The only thing I could think of was that he was shy or scared to ruin a friendship. And yet, he was constantly acting like she had rejected him somehow, when the fact that he had a girlfriend that wasn't Julianna at any given point in time effectively shut down the possibility of anything romantic ever happening between them. I mean, he actively friend-zoned her(I hate that term but it feels appropriate here). And also, shyness/fear of rejection didn't really feel like an adequate explanation when he obviously had no problem pursuing girls or showing interest in them. In his mind, it was as though he was following her around like a puppy dog all through high school, but all while he maintained a friendship with her, he had a girlfriend, Rachel, who openly despised Julianna. A girlfriend that he admitted to not even liking. And when Rachel was caught saying terrible things about Julianna, he didn't end the relationship out of disgust or loyalty to Julianna, but instead suggested that the two get to know each other better and become friends?

Not long after that, Julianna sent very clear messages that she had had enough. She was feeling used, and the current dynamic made her feel like a back-up girl to hang out with whenever Rachel was busy. Eric didn’t do or say anything to change that or address her concerns, and Julianna was forced to end their friendship to spare herself further pain.

According to Eric, he was heartbroken because he was totally in love with Julianna, but nothing in his actions reflected that to me. Now, he did try to get Julianna's friendship back, and even finally broke up with Rachel to placate her(which I found interesting, because it meant that he clearly knew that it was what Julianna wanted, but was unwilling to give Rachel up as long as Julianna would tolerate the situation), but it was too little, too late, for Julianna and for me.

To recap so far, the guy decided he liked the heroine and wanted a romantic relationship with her. So, he:
-Got into a relationship with another girl, one that was openly hostile to the heroine.
-When the heroine made clear that she was uncomfortable playing second fiddle to the girl he was actually in a relationship with, he prioritized the relationship, to the demise of his friendship with the heroine.
-Then he spent the next several years being butthurt that they weren't together.

What the fuck did he think was going to happen?

Also, after Julianna ended their friendship, wouldn't that have been an ideal time to express his unspoken romantic interest that apparently plagued him? I mean, there wasn't a friendship to risk at that point, so what exactly held him back from taking any action whatsoever in the years that followed? Instead, he just internally drowned in self-pity, and externally drowned in other girls. He seemed to adopt this narrative in his head that Julianna had rejected him somehow, and he got all heartbroken whenever she would move on with another guy at all. He went so far as to marry a woman he barely knew, what he explained was some elaborate attempt to convince Julianna that her own hasty marriage was foolish(???) and yet, he never once tried making a move on her in all his years of pining.

At one point, when the two had finally aired out their respective feelings for each other, he lamented, "I never fought for you." I was tickled by what an understatement that was. Forget fighting, the guy wouldn't even get up off the couch for her, and then walked off in another direction in pursuit of other women instead.

When they finally laid everything out on the table and they shared their feelings, the drama shifted so their new relationship was facing emotional healing from trauma and external forces. Now that they didn't have the miscommunications and secrets to dominate their interactions with each other, the lack of character and connection development was really glaring. They were kind of just a bland, cheesy, vaguely in love couple. It was cloying and boring and the sex scenes were fade-to-black. I was pretty done by that point.

Everyone else seemed to love this, though, so I was probably missing something.

[Juli Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc of Crushed in exchange for my honest review.

Beautifully written friends to lovers story. This is the second book in the series, Jules and Eric met and became friends in high school. Many years later and each with broken marriages they reconnect. Jules is fighting demons from the past and finally overcomes them with the love of Eric and her friend Lizzy. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

[Rae Bousum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing I loved most about this book is that Julianna saves herself. Yes she has the love and support for her friends, family, and Eric but in the end she is the one who fights to takes her life back.

"Your life can only be defined by a single moment, if you allow it to be. Every moment counts, the good and the bad." - Crushed

[Sandie Book Boyfriend Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, be still my heart Juliana and Eric.

This second chance novel goes from the past to present to give me the reader a broader sense of these characters and the reasons they chose the path they did.
Heartbreak and love.
No matter how much one wants something sometimes life throws us curveballs and we must continue. I love the fact that the universe seems to want Juliana and Eric together and steps in to make it happen.
Another thing I loved about this book was the POV's we get to see many sides of the characters because of these and it worked well.

When I read A.D.'s first book In This Moment, I loved all her side characters. I wanted to know their stories and the author did not disappoint with this story. Written well and the flow was spot on. There was a part in this book that made me pause (not in a bad way, calm down yo) but the author did a great job of showing the human aspect of the character. I love when authors can pull so much emotion from me when I read. I loved Juliana's evolution through this book. As a reader being able to see how she pulls herself together is amazing.

[CK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another spectacular read! Full of emotion, passion and heartfelt sincerity, you will cherish the story of Jules and Eric. The story tears you apart and you keep cheering for a happy ending through the most difficult circumstances. Bravo AD!

[Mayra M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Patti Gunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I love the connection the characters have through out the whole book no matter where they were in life, they truly belong together.

[♡ Jeri's Book Attic ♡ Jeri the Romance Bibiliophile ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Sarah Speigle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. Was. Everything.

At the present moment in time, Julianna and Eric are my favorite. Now, mind you, I still have two more books in the series, but I really loved this couple. Julianna was just trying to heal after finding her husband in bed with another woman, but since she moves back to her hometown, she runs into Eric, who she has been in love with since she was in high school. Of course, there's tension. There's angst. There's everything that makes this story so amazing, so special, and so perfect. A.D. McCammon wrote this story so beautifully...I devoured it in one sitting, and it's been a while since I've been able to do that with a book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!!

[Brandie Breaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great read from AD McCammon. This is a companion novel to In This Moment about Lizzy's best friend Julianna. Julianna was Lizzy's rock throughout In This Moment, and it was nice to see a completely different side to her in Crushed. Her life experience was just devastating...especially when she kept everything all bottled up inside. I loved her history with Eric, and their love for each other. The angst level with this story is high, but it does come with a HEA. I'm a sucker for a second-chance romance, and this one definitely did not disappoint. I cannot wait for more from this author especially in this series!

[Paula D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julianna & Eric were best friends in high school turned into crushes then lovers. This book has lots of flash backs about there life then and now. Julianna has a secret and that's why she went away but now Julianna is back and seeing Eric again years later is stirring the pot! Eric has always loved Julianna but knows he can't trust her until both open up about everything. Lots of angst and heartache but in the end love powers all. 5/5 stars ****Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Read provided for a voluntarily Advanced Reader Copy of this book ****

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm unsure where to start, the book was written really well. As I don't know anyone who was sexually abused personally, I think this is a great book that makes you realize there's help out there and no matter what your closet friend's and family will love you regardless. You don't need to hide from it, tell your story and hopefully you can have a happy ending like Julianna. I loved this story. Will be reading the authors other books.

[Leeanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbounding

For sure a standalone, but you may want to go back and read book one just because she is such an amazing author. A second chance love story, dual point of view, gripping emotions and an HEA. I love getting lost in stories and was easily able to do that. It is an emotional ride (you might need a few tissues), but you will be very happy with the ending!

[Maria (Ri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Poignant story about rediscovering your first love. Jules and Eric lost out the first time by not communicating their feelings towards the other. This book shows that if love is meant to be it will happen.