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Blood Bayou #0.5
Crushed
Crushed is 1 of 6 books in the Blood Bayou Saga. With each book that follows you may encounter cliffhangers, which aren't a bad thing, just lets ya know there's more to come. A glimpse into the Blood Bayou Romance Saga This story takes place in a small town in Louisiana. Ever had a high school crush? Remember what that felt like? Piper did. Then her crush broke her heart. Piper at age sixteen had enough to deal with and to make matters worse, there's a killer going around dumping bodies in the local bayou resembling her that can't be caught.Emeric- the arrogant eighteen year old jock. Piper’s crush, was destined to leave for college and to leave the town of Kinley behind. Nothing was stopping him--not even the pretty Piper Temple who he thought of constantly.The problem? She was too young for him.He wouldn't give her the time of day. Or would he.Happy reading!This book contains strong language. Must be 16 years and up to read.*The rest of this series contains adult material. Readers must be over 18+ for books 2 to 6.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2018
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Jordan Leger
58 books125 followersJordan started with a pen and paper and discovered her dream of writing. This southern Louisiana born lady, enjoys a good romance as much as she does writing them in her spare time. That is if she’s not hanging out with family and furry kids.
She’s never forgotten where she came from, though. Her past is her encouragement.
She’s never forgotten where she came from, though. Her past is her encouragement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 25, 2021
Teenage romance/angst with plenty of exciting action
Sixteen year old Piper has a huge crush on Emeric. But Emeric is older than her and despite his own attraction to her, he does not encourage it any further. That leaves Piper with a broken heart, because she just does not understand why Emeric would not encourage anything with her. At around this time, three of Piper's classmates all with brown hair and brown eyes, just like Piper begin to go missing and their bodies are dumped around the city.
The story ends in a cliffhanger about the murders probably as a continuation in the next book, but the POV switching from Piper to Emeric brings out the love story and both their thoughts very well. In between the POV of the 'admirer' is creepily well brought out.
Enjoyed reading it.
Sixteen year old Piper has a huge crush on Emeric. But Emeric is older than her and despite his own attraction to her, he does not encourage it any further. That leaves Piper with a broken heart, because she just does not understand why Emeric would not encourage anything with her. At around this time, three of Piper's classmates all with brown hair and brown eyes, just like Piper begin to go missing and their bodies are dumped around the city.
The story ends in a cliffhanger about the murders probably as a continuation in the next book, but the POV switching from Piper to Emeric brings out the love story and both their thoughts very well. In between the POV of the 'admirer' is creepily well brought out.
Enjoyed reading it.
September 19, 2018
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review. That being said, I don't believe I'm the intended audience for this sort of story, and that while I found it somewhat juvenile, there's probably a large audience who would love it.
The story revolves around Piper and Emeric (whose names I love). It's set as a high school drama, the biggest conflict revolving around the main characters' mutual attraction, and Emeric's refusal to act because of their age difference. (Piper's a sophomore; Emeric's a senior.) As a driving force for the plot it works okay, though it gets repetitive as the years pass. (That's right--this novella covers over two years.)
There's a secondary story about a murderous criminal, into whose mind the readers glimpses a couple of times. It adds a much-needed other level to the story, but isn't given much chance to really be fleshed out in this book. I imagine it becomes more central in the sequel.
The writing is efficient--those who like lots of dialogue will plow right through this. Piper and Emeric are more developed than the rest of the cast, who are left to be cardboard cutouts of cliches. Despite the flaws, I found myself rooting for Piper and Emeric to get together, but apparently one will have to pick up the sequel to find out if that happens.
The story revolves around Piper and Emeric (whose names I love). It's set as a high school drama, the biggest conflict revolving around the main characters' mutual attraction, and Emeric's refusal to act because of their age difference. (Piper's a sophomore; Emeric's a senior.) As a driving force for the plot it works okay, though it gets repetitive as the years pass. (That's right--this novella covers over two years.)
There's a secondary story about a murderous criminal, into whose mind the readers glimpses a couple of times. It adds a much-needed other level to the story, but isn't given much chance to really be fleshed out in this book. I imagine it becomes more central in the sequel.
The writing is efficient--those who like lots of dialogue will plow right through this. Piper and Emeric are more developed than the rest of the cast, who are left to be cardboard cutouts of cliches. Despite the flaws, I found myself rooting for Piper and Emeric to get together, but apparently one will have to pick up the sequel to find out if that happens.
March 3, 2019
Piper is a typical sixteen year old girl, busy with high school life and crushing big time on a boy older than her named Emeric. Emeric is really a jerk, but Piper sees something in him beyond the football star and heart-crusher. He crushes hers though over and over again by pulling her close then thrusting her away. He thinks she's too young for him. He doesn't see she's pretty mature for her age. But she is jailbait for him so his reluctance is warranted.
This is supposed to be a prequel to another book and I think I will read on because the author did a good job with the characterization and world building. Plus there is a murderer on the loose and I want to find out what that's all about. An all around good YA story.
This is supposed to be a prequel to another book and I think I will read on because the author did a good job with the characterization and world building. Plus there is a murderer on the loose and I want to find out what that's all about. An all around good YA story.
July 2, 2022
A great YA crime thriller
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story revolves around Piper Temple, a young girl who has a huge crush on football star Emeric Colton. Tension brews as he learns about her crush on him, which complicates things for him since they grew up as neighbors and played together. He saw her as a child, being two years younger than him, but it doesn't deter his lust for Piper. There's plenty of drama between them and then news breaks out of a serial killer killing young girls with brown hair and brown eyes, like Piper. Someone from the shadows is plotting a move on her but who is it? This is a great start to wonderful novella series that will be difficult to put down. I highly recommend this one!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story revolves around Piper Temple, a young girl who has a huge crush on football star Emeric Colton. Tension brews as he learns about her crush on him, which complicates things for him since they grew up as neighbors and played together. He saw her as a child, being two years younger than him, but it doesn't deter his lust for Piper. There's plenty of drama between them and then news breaks out of a serial killer killing young girls with brown hair and brown eyes, like Piper. Someone from the shadows is plotting a move on her but who is it? This is a great start to wonderful novella series that will be difficult to put down. I highly recommend this one!
September 20, 2018
Crushed: Blood Bayou Saga is a story about a first love. Piper is an eleventh grader when she notices Emeric, the handsome boy living down the road from her. Her story is about the tumultuous time between the meeting and her graduation from high school. Many young people will identify with the nature of high school romances depicted in this story. Wondering about the future, watching other relationships form, and trying to fit in are all a part of those years for everyone.
I give this four stars. It is entertaining reading.
I give this four stars. It is entertaining reading.
May 20, 2022
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. :)
This was a really nice introduction to the characters of Emeric and Piper. I'm really into age gap series as well and the trope "too young for him" even if it is just two years. Low spice but just enough to get a reader interested in what happens next! Also, the mystery element of the serial killer is fascinating and new to me. I am super into stuff like that so seeing it in a romance novella and a contemporary romance series like this... I love it!
Also, the doggy. My dogs have all been rescues and it warmed my heart to see Piper interact with her. I get it. It's beautiful.
Consider myself invested in the series now. I can't wait to start Forgiven!
This was a really nice introduction to the characters of Emeric and Piper. I'm really into age gap series as well and the trope "too young for him" even if it is just two years. Low spice but just enough to get a reader interested in what happens next! Also, the mystery element of the serial killer is fascinating and new to me. I am super into stuff like that so seeing it in a romance novella and a contemporary romance series like this... I love it!
Also, the doggy. My dogs have all been rescues and it warmed my heart to see Piper interact with her. I get it. It's beautiful.
Consider myself invested in the series now. I can't wait to start Forgiven!
November 29, 2025
Piper and Em are typical teenagers falling for each other. But something is keeping them apart. I enjoyed the character development in this story. But the mystery of the killings in Blood Bayou fell very flat for me. Although I need to know who the stranger is.
June 21, 2019
Great story and this is only the beginning
An excellent read if you wish to be taken back to the time you were sixteen. It grabbed me from the very start and didn’t let stop until I read the last page. The Author draws the main characters so well I felt their feelings, especially Piper’s. Despite the danger of a killer lurking around and the adult language, I found the tale of this fresh young love deliciously written. Jordan Leger has the talent of involving the reader so deeply into the life of the main characters that I don’t want to leave them where the first book ends and look forward to learning about what would happen to them in the sequel. Loved the story. Highly recommended.
An excellent read if you wish to be taken back to the time you were sixteen. It grabbed me from the very start and didn’t let stop until I read the last page. The Author draws the main characters so well I felt their feelings, especially Piper’s. Despite the danger of a killer lurking around and the adult language, I found the tale of this fresh young love deliciously written. Jordan Leger has the talent of involving the reader so deeply into the life of the main characters that I don’t want to leave them where the first book ends and look forward to learning about what would happen to them in the sequel. Loved the story. Highly recommended.
August 25, 2018
Crushed is a book about a girl and guy who are extremely attracted to each other, but for some reason - even though he's only a couple of years older than her - the guy thinks of her as a "little girl" and is adamant about not wanting to have a relationship with her. Except that he keeps on kissing her and then pushing her away so every time she convinces herself to get over him one of these episodes reminds her that she has a huge crush on him.
There's also a series of murders happening in their little town, but they don't have time to be worried, or traumatized, or scared, or to grieve for their dead schoolmates because they're too busy angsting about their non-relationship.
And in true romance story fashion there's paragraph upon paragraph of useless descriptions of things like her doing her homework and her mother cooking and how they got a woman Lola to be their house servant and other things that don't contribute to the plot at all. Meanwhile there are murders happening in the background, guys!
It started to get somewhat interesting at the very end when there was one chapter from the POV of a spy character who is somewhat involved in the murders. But that, of course, came to nothing leaving me with only questions. A big one is why was his accent when speaking/thinking so different from everyone else in the story? This chapter did show that there could have been a good story in there somewhere, hence the single star. Sadly, this story did not materialize.
I don't have enough information from this to figure out where this "saga" is going. It could be a crazy werewolf or vampire doing the killing. It could be one of the characters we already know. This could turn into a horror story or a murder mystery or, really, any type of story. Or it could be that the saga continues to rehash their pointless teen angst without ever doing anything interesting at all. All I know is that even this short first book in the saga is too long. It could have worked much better and kept my interest if it was more focused on the big events that happened, and on important characters like the dog who clearly knows more than the main characters suspect, and less on the angst.
Of course, I'm not the intended audience for this. I rarely enjoy romance stories and usually get annoyed when people inject romance into the genres I love the most, so if you are into romance and have ALOT more patience than I do for teen angst then maybe you'll enjoy it, or at least get through this to the more interesting parts later. Personally, though, I can't recommend it at all.
Also, a word of warning, there's a lot of swearing and very explicit descriptions. These are very much teenagers or today's generation, there's no pretty/romantic aspect to their relationships, either. It's all about lust and physical acts.
There's also a series of murders happening in their little town, but they don't have time to be worried, or traumatized, or scared, or to grieve for their dead schoolmates because they're too busy angsting about their non-relationship.
And in true romance story fashion there's paragraph upon paragraph of useless descriptions of things like her doing her homework and her mother cooking and how they got a woman Lola to be their house servant and other things that don't contribute to the plot at all. Meanwhile there are murders happening in the background, guys!
It started to get somewhat interesting at the very end when there was one chapter from the POV of a spy character who is somewhat involved in the murders. But that, of course, came to nothing leaving me with only questions. A big one is why was his accent when speaking/thinking so different from everyone else in the story? This chapter did show that there could have been a good story in there somewhere, hence the single star. Sadly, this story did not materialize.
I don't have enough information from this to figure out where this "saga" is going. It could be a crazy werewolf or vampire doing the killing. It could be one of the characters we already know. This could turn into a horror story or a murder mystery or, really, any type of story. Or it could be that the saga continues to rehash their pointless teen angst without ever doing anything interesting at all. All I know is that even this short first book in the saga is too long. It could have worked much better and kept my interest if it was more focused on the big events that happened, and on important characters like the dog who clearly knows more than the main characters suspect, and less on the angst.
Of course, I'm not the intended audience for this. I rarely enjoy romance stories and usually get annoyed when people inject romance into the genres I love the most, so if you are into romance and have ALOT more patience than I do for teen angst then maybe you'll enjoy it, or at least get through this to the more interesting parts later. Personally, though, I can't recommend it at all.
Also, a word of warning, there's a lot of swearing and very explicit descriptions. These are very much teenagers or today's generation, there's no pretty/romantic aspect to their relationships, either. It's all about lust and physical acts.
February 25, 2019
Jordan Leger leads us into another EPIC thrilling series! This one will catch your attention so well I did not even know I reached the end of the book until all of a sudden the author’s note appeared! Piper starts out a sophomore in high school who has a massive crush on senior and neighbor Emeric. They grew up together and their families go way back. They live in Louisiana in a small town. Emeric loves the girls and what they offer, but he notices Piper in a different way. He believes she is too young for him. As they dance around one another trying to figure their lives out girls are killed and left in the Bayou. These girls are the same age as Piper and look like her too. The book takes us through Piper’s early graduation and the start of college. Who is the killer? Will she and Emeric get together? Is the killer after Piper? The book ends in a cliffhanger and I am on to book two! I received this book for free and am leaving a voluntary review.
October 10, 2023
This is certainly a mystery romance story. Two main characters in the story simply can not sort themselves out. I felt badly for Piper who could not sort out her feelings for Em. He, in turn, was tempted by her love for him even though he knew he could not be with her. Then comes the danger of three girls being murdered and the fact that they all looked like Piper. That creates fear. Luckily for Piper, her kindness provided a saviour as she adopted a dog who was there to protect her when needed most.
Despite having supportive parents and close caring friends , Piper was driven by a desire to get away once she finished high school. Her determination gets her through all of these challenges and away to the big city...except the book ends with her still being a target for the murderers. Must read the next book to see how this comes off. Highly recommended, buy this book for a great short read.
Despite having supportive parents and close caring friends , Piper was driven by a desire to get away once she finished high school. Her determination gets her through all of these challenges and away to the big city...except the book ends with her still being a target for the murderers. Must read the next book to see how this comes off. Highly recommended, buy this book for a great short read.
June 6, 2023
Terrible FMC
This book was really difficult to get through. Piper was a terrible character. She yelled, spat, and screeched at Emeric throughout the book. She told him to get away from her multiple times. He told her how he felt, and she lost her mind. He was being honest, so she treats him like crap throughout the story. It felt like everyone was in middle school rather than high school. The dialogue was incredibly awkward and immature. The transitions from scene to scene always made me feel like I accidentally skipped a page. The book just didn't flow very well. Throw in the odd side plot of a girl killer obssessed with Piper, and it's even more strange. I started to root for that guy given how awful Piper was most of the time. With the unlikable characters and lackluster plot, there is no way I will be reading the rest of the books in this series.
This book was really difficult to get through. Piper was a terrible character. She yelled, spat, and screeched at Emeric throughout the book. She told him to get away from her multiple times. He told her how he felt, and she lost her mind. He was being honest, so she treats him like crap throughout the story. It felt like everyone was in middle school rather than high school. The dialogue was incredibly awkward and immature. The transitions from scene to scene always made me feel like I accidentally skipped a page. The book just didn't flow very well. Throw in the odd side plot of a girl killer obssessed with Piper, and it's even more strange. I started to root for that guy given how awful Piper was most of the time. With the unlikable characters and lackluster plot, there is no way I will be reading the rest of the books in this series.
January 6, 2021
A Brilliant start to the Blood Bayou series by this talented author, she has this knack of pulling you into her storylines. A teenage romance with a murder mystery on the side. Piper is crushed when her feelings for Emeric are not reciprocated and she is continually knocked back, graduating and escaping Bayou is her only salvation especially with a serial killer at large. Then Emeric up and leaves could this be the end of Piper and Emeric??? Surely the answers are in book two which I can’t wait to read. I was given this as an ARC by the author in exchange for a voluntary honest review which I was totally happy to provide.
June 23, 2021
This story for young adults has a curious mix of themes: small town life; the boy next door; teenage angst during high school and at summer parties with friends: Does he love me? Should I wait?
And there’s a murderer on the loose, creating a cliff-hanger and a reason to read no two in the series titled ‘Forgiven’.
I was not surprised to read in the ‘Notes from the Author’, that inspiration for ‘Crushed’ had come from the author and her girlfriends’ experiences of being stuck on a guy at school and there being barriers, real or imagined, to them getting together.
A book that will appeal to teens living in a small town in North America.
And there’s a murderer on the loose, creating a cliff-hanger and a reason to read no two in the series titled ‘Forgiven’.
I was not surprised to read in the ‘Notes from the Author’, that inspiration for ‘Crushed’ had come from the author and her girlfriends’ experiences of being stuck on a guy at school and there being barriers, real or imagined, to them getting together.
A book that will appeal to teens living in a small town in North America.
August 12, 2021
Great read!
Piper Temple was a teenager who was graduating early with a plan to leave her small town for pastures new. She found herself falling for an older guy who's reputation of playing the field caused her to have a love /hate relationship. An admirer watched from afar, but what sort of fun did he have down by the Bayou!
A great short story, full of teenage antics, fun and frolics. Grabbing you from the start this book keeps your attention with plenty happening as the story builds with each chapter. Easy to read, well written, really enjoyed. Job well done! Look forward to reading more.
Piper Temple was a teenager who was graduating early with a plan to leave her small town for pastures new. She found herself falling for an older guy who's reputation of playing the field caused her to have a love /hate relationship. An admirer watched from afar, but what sort of fun did he have down by the Bayou!
A great short story, full of teenage antics, fun and frolics. Grabbing you from the start this book keeps your attention with plenty happening as the story builds with each chapter. Easy to read, well written, really enjoyed. Job well done! Look forward to reading more.
May 10, 2019
Crushed is a sweet romance about two teenagers coming into their own. Their attraction runs deep and their hormones start kicking in. But, being that Piper is only sixteen, Emeric feels the need to end it long before it ever begins. As if that isn't difficult enough, the tension and suspense escalate even more, when the bodies of murdered girls are suddenly discovered. Will they find the killer who is responsible for the murders in this small Louisiana town? Well, I guess we need to read the rest of the series to find out...
June 12, 2019
Hard crushing
Alex is a sweet teen girl crushing hard on Em, her tall dark and handsome neighbor, friend, and the boy next door.
in the back ground of the story is another story. It is looking like this little City as a serial killer on the loose.
The story is not full of excitement or thrills, but the authors writing leave me wanting start her next book to find out what is going to happen between the two of them, and to find out what's happing with the killers behind the scenes.
Alex is a sweet teen girl crushing hard on Em, her tall dark and handsome neighbor, friend, and the boy next door.
in the back ground of the story is another story. It is looking like this little City as a serial killer on the loose.
The story is not full of excitement or thrills, but the authors writing leave me wanting start her next book to find out what is going to happen between the two of them, and to find out what's happing with the killers behind the scenes.
May 24, 2022
The story is about Piper and Emric. Piper has a crush on Emric, but he's 18 and won't touch a 16 yr old. She's upset because its not like her crush on him will just vanish.
Girls that look like Piper are being killed and left around. You get a glimpse into whoever is sort of responsible, which added a nice touch of creepiness and mystery to it. You have to find out who it is later in the sequels.
Smudge was a great touch too, because who doesn't love a trusty dog? Piper graduates and takes her buddy, so we'll have to see if her and Emric get together later on.
Girls that look like Piper are being killed and left around. You get a glimpse into whoever is sort of responsible, which added a nice touch of creepiness and mystery to it. You have to find out who it is later in the sequels.
Smudge was a great touch too, because who doesn't love a trusty dog? Piper graduates and takes her buddy, so we'll have to see if her and Emric get together later on.
December 10, 2018
Quick, entertaining YA story
An unrequited high school romance is the primary story line of Crushed, the first book in the Blood Bayou Romance Saga. Underlying the teenage love drama is a murder mystery. Girls are being killed, and all are similar in age and appearance to Piper, the female protagonist. While this is an entertaining read, there are many unanswered questions. Too much of a cliffhanger for me.
An unrequited high school romance is the primary story line of Crushed, the first book in the Blood Bayou Romance Saga. Underlying the teenage love drama is a murder mystery. Girls are being killed, and all are similar in age and appearance to Piper, the female protagonist. While this is an entertaining read, there are many unanswered questions. Too much of a cliffhanger for me.
September 16, 2019
A great teenage YA with an intriguing mystery (murder) to keep you guessing. This story is about sixteen-year-old Piper who is crushing on the (older) sexy Emeric. They grew up together, but he thinks she’s too young for him, until their attraction becomes irresistible. Then young girls start to disappear, ending up dead. Will Piper and Emeric get together? And who will disappear next? You’ll need to keep reading to find out what happens, as this is the first book in a romantic thriller series.
January 2, 2021
A quick read with a mix of romance, murder, mystery and a little high school drama thrown in. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery “admirer” and still have many questions so I’ll have to read the next one! I feel like there is definitely a backstory to Em that isn’t revealed in this story so he’s kind of a mystery to me. Definitely more to be revealed!
August 10, 2021
Oh No!!!
I enjoyed this romantic read. However, I'm crushed that it ended. What would have become of Piper and Emeric? Would the killer of Kinley be found out? I will definitely be reading book two of this series. The author has created a crafty tale that has me anticipating more of the story.
I enjoyed this romantic read. However, I'm crushed that it ended. What would have become of Piper and Emeric? Would the killer of Kinley be found out? I will definitely be reading book two of this series. The author has created a crafty tale that has me anticipating more of the story.
April 28, 2022
It's all about her crush - she's sixteen, he's eighteen, and soon he's gone. We get an inside look at what it's like. There are murders in the background, and you wonder how close they'll get to her, but in the end, her romantic crush is gone, and that's it. It's well written; if you want more, you have to keep reading.
May 16, 2022
Goodread
This was a good story, I really enjoyed the storyline revolving around Piper and her crush.
However the story for me didn't have a romantic happy ending.
And the ending was not informative about who is the secret admirer and who is he working for, and why is his boss obsessed with Piper.
Or why he's killing.
This was a good story, I really enjoyed the storyline revolving around Piper and her crush.
However the story for me didn't have a romantic happy ending.
And the ending was not informative about who is the secret admirer and who is he working for, and why is his boss obsessed with Piper.
Or why he's killing.
August 25, 2022
Leger is the one author that has never made me disappointed. Piper is a character who got me hooked on the story, as I got interested til the end. Also on who this admirer is...dammit, I want to know! Now time to read more! If people want a book that has a story that has a cliffhanger then this book is the right thing for you.
July 11, 2018
Loving someone who doesn't love you is a special kind of hell no matter what the age. While that mess consumes her thoughts others are into nastier things. Something is going on in Arcadia Parish, something a lot worse than a teenage girl's crush.
August 15, 2018
Crushed is a book about unrequited love...or is it? This story is a wonderful mix of teenage drama and steamy romance intertwined with an intriguing mystery. A fun quick read that leaves you wanting more.
August 20, 2018
wow what a amazing book! it hit close to home for me. she has had a crush on him for years. hes says she is to young for him. he is a player too. he broke her heart. now hes off to college and theres a killer on the loose. a must read!
August 31, 2018
This is a short read, which is about Piper and Em and teenage love. When bodies start appearing in the Bayou; this turns into a mystery. There is witty banter, and is an entertaining read. I look forward to reading the 2nd part of the Sage.
August 31, 2018
This is a short read, which is about Piper and Em and teenage love. When bodies start appearing in the Bayou; this turns into a mystery. There is witty banter, and is an entertaining read. I look forward to reading the 2nd part of the Sage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews