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Bank Street Stories #2
The Trouble with Crushes
The first time I met Daniel King, he had a busted nose. He was also a couple of years younger than me, which seemed like a lot back then. I had always thought of him as more of a little brother or friend. I was so preoccupied with other guys that I never realized he had deeper feelings for me.
By the time I saw the error of my ways, it was too late. Daniel had outgrown me and it seemed as if he had even outgrown Galveston. I had blown my shot with him.
Now it was time for me to decide how far I would go to earn a second chance.
By the time I saw the error of my ways, it was too late. Daniel had outgrown me and it seemed as if he had even outgrown Galveston. I had blown my shot with him.
Now it was time for me to decide how far I would go to earn a second chance.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
225 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Brooke St. James
115 books954 followersBrooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...
Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...
Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 18, 2020
Disappointed
I guess this book disappoints me. I’ve read almost alL of this authors works. She has walked in the Christian romance lane. This book feels like she’s trying to appeal to the secular market. I read both Christian and non-Christian fiction so I’m not offended by non-Christian books . I just was a little disheartened to see an author that had focuses on faith take her work in a direction away from it. As an example, she talks all about the main character’s love interest without a shirt on in the boxing ring and her feelings of lust. She doesn’t call it lust but that’s what it is. The main character flirts with the hero even though he is in a dating relationship. She has them both sleep together overnight at the same House with no one else there when they aren’t married. No, they didn’t have sex but it’s clearly not a good idea for a Christian woman to sleep all night in a man who isn’t her husbands arms. Later the author is talking about her sister-in-law not being afraid to say a cuss word. The couple never addresses that the main character lives with another man previously.
If a book isn’t a Christian fiction book I wouldn’t blink twice about most of these things. But when I see it in a Christian novel and the author seems slowly over time to be taking on more and more of a worldly perspective it’s disappointing. The 3 star rating isn’t based on just this faith element. I might have awarded a higher rating if I had enjoyed the writing or plot but this one was kind of boring to me with no real conflict.
I guess this book disappoints me. I’ve read almost alL of this authors works. She has walked in the Christian romance lane. This book feels like she’s trying to appeal to the secular market. I read both Christian and non-Christian fiction so I’m not offended by non-Christian books . I just was a little disheartened to see an author that had focuses on faith take her work in a direction away from it. As an example, she talks all about the main character’s love interest without a shirt on in the boxing ring and her feelings of lust. She doesn’t call it lust but that’s what it is. The main character flirts with the hero even though he is in a dating relationship. She has them both sleep together overnight at the same House with no one else there when they aren’t married. No, they didn’t have sex but it’s clearly not a good idea for a Christian woman to sleep all night in a man who isn’t her husbands arms. Later the author is talking about her sister-in-law not being afraid to say a cuss word. The couple never addresses that the main character lives with another man previously.
If a book isn’t a Christian fiction book I wouldn’t blink twice about most of these things. But when I see it in a Christian novel and the author seems slowly over time to be taking on more and more of a worldly perspective it’s disappointing. The 3 star rating isn’t based on just this faith element. I might have awarded a higher rating if I had enjoyed the writing or plot but this one was kind of boring to me with no real conflict.
October 3, 2020
Oh how I love Brooke's writing. Daniel wasn't even on Abigail's love radar until her crush hit her full force. I just love these characters, the time frame and the setting. I cannot wait to read more of the Bank Street series. Sweet, innocent and lovely happily ever after!
November 7, 2020
Not that interesting. If I start a book I typically stick with it thinking it will get better. This one I should have just put down. Flighty woman, man who waits no matter what, pretty boring.
October 4, 2020
Totally hooked
I am in love with this family! Knowing Brooke St James, we are going to see the love story of many more people in this family. I can’t wait to read more!!!!
I am in love with this family! Knowing Brooke St James, we are going to see the love story of many more people in this family. I can’t wait to read more!!!!
November 22, 2020
Fabulous Clean Romance
Daniel and Abby. Friends at first.Daniel goes off to war. Abby writes as a friend, then stops. Years later Abby decides she missed out and wants to renew her friendship. Daniel has tried to move on with a new girlfriend. Can these two ever get back together? Are they meant to be together? What about second chances? Find out in this story filled with fabulous characters and their sweet story. Happy Reading!
Daniel and Abby. Friends at first.Daniel goes off to war. Abby writes as a friend, then stops. Years later Abby decides she missed out and wants to renew her friendship. Daniel has tried to move on with a new girlfriend. Can these two ever get back together? Are they meant to be together? What about second chances? Find out in this story filled with fabulous characters and their sweet story. Happy Reading!
July 2, 2021
Not as Successful as Its Predecessor
First, a note about ratings: I start with five stars and deduct for egregious errors in grammar, historical accuracy, or decency. Many books get four stars that don't appear to deserve such a good rating.If I were an "up from zero" reviewer, it might get only three stars.
On to the book itself. Focusing. on Abigail, younger sister of Tess from the previous book, The Trouble with Crushes is 160 pages of "What does this fun and charming story have to do with crushes,plural? And what's the trouble with her crush?" I enjoyed my reading journey, but I couldn't figure out why the author titled the book the way she did. Maybe it was the publisher's idea, but the issue remains that it's apparently most titled, a serious crime against the reader, who may expect a completely different story.
Abigail has been in college since the end of the first book, and it's now 1972. Daniel King, son of the hardware store owner who employed Tess until her pregnancy (see, she and Billy did it after getting married!), has served his tour of duty in Afghanistan and is back at Fort Bragg, instructing new soldiers. It's cause for celebration for everyone else, but Abigail is consumed with guilt for corresponding with him but ignoring his content and writing back only about her own concerns. When she returns to Louisiana, where she's teaching, she retreads his letters---one of which she had never opened---and on closer reading realizes that he was in love with her the whole time he was in Vietnam. She had stopped writing to him when her then-boyfriend, Albert (awfully possessive for a self-proclaimed "free love" hippie) told her to stop. They didn't get closure then, and she's nervous that he will resent her rejection and abandonment, as she interprets it.
Daniel arrives in Galveston, much more filled out and muscled than he was when the sisters met him. He was 17 then, and 20-year-old Abigail saw him as a little brother or a pal. Now, however, he's a handsome man, and the age difference between 24 and 21 is,in Abigail's mind, not nearly so much of an obstacle. He doesn't hold it against her, and he doesn't mind her rambling apologies. Abigail is a ditzy, boys crazy college student in the first book but has also matured into a woman who has much to offer if she can control her emotions around Daniel.
The Trouble with Crushes has several flaws, from inconsistent verb tenses to anachronistic uses of "middle school" (which were all junior high schools in 1972) and "MS." (which was primarily used in major metropolitan areas in the early 1970s, not in a small Texas town in the early 1970s. Another concern: why would Daniel have joined the Army during the Summer of Love, why anti-war sentiment was at its highest? Maybe Galveston is the anti-Berkeley.
The sisters were introduced in the first book as different personalities, with Tess being more interested in painting and Abigail being more interested in shirtless beach bums. (That's the category Albert fell into.) But Abigail, despite being attracted to that lifestyle and Albert as her Jim Morrison, has had no more premarital sexual experience than her older sister. She shares some "opens mouthed kisses" with Daniel, and there's more discussion between them about being married and enjoying "getting to know each other in a special way" on their wedding night, but that's it. Somebody's elegant great-aunt would use those types of expressions. That didn't cost the book a star, but the puzzling title and anachronisms did.
Overall, it's a good read that only suffers in comparison with its finer predecessor. Recommended for those who haven't read the first book.
First, a note about ratings: I start with five stars and deduct for egregious errors in grammar, historical accuracy, or decency. Many books get four stars that don't appear to deserve such a good rating.If I were an "up from zero" reviewer, it might get only three stars.
On to the book itself. Focusing. on Abigail, younger sister of Tess from the previous book, The Trouble with Crushes is 160 pages of "What does this fun and charming story have to do with crushes,plural? And what's the trouble with her crush?" I enjoyed my reading journey, but I couldn't figure out why the author titled the book the way she did. Maybe it was the publisher's idea, but the issue remains that it's apparently most titled, a serious crime against the reader, who may expect a completely different story.
Abigail has been in college since the end of the first book, and it's now 1972. Daniel King, son of the hardware store owner who employed Tess until her pregnancy (see, she and Billy did it after getting married!), has served his tour of duty in Afghanistan and is back at Fort Bragg, instructing new soldiers. It's cause for celebration for everyone else, but Abigail is consumed with guilt for corresponding with him but ignoring his content and writing back only about her own concerns. When she returns to Louisiana, where she's teaching, she retreads his letters---one of which she had never opened---and on closer reading realizes that he was in love with her the whole time he was in Vietnam. She had stopped writing to him when her then-boyfriend, Albert (awfully possessive for a self-proclaimed "free love" hippie) told her to stop. They didn't get closure then, and she's nervous that he will resent her rejection and abandonment, as she interprets it.
Daniel arrives in Galveston, much more filled out and muscled than he was when the sisters met him. He was 17 then, and 20-year-old Abigail saw him as a little brother or a pal. Now, however, he's a handsome man, and the age difference between 24 and 21 is,in Abigail's mind, not nearly so much of an obstacle. He doesn't hold it against her, and he doesn't mind her rambling apologies. Abigail is a ditzy, boys crazy college student in the first book but has also matured into a woman who has much to offer if she can control her emotions around Daniel.
The Trouble with Crushes has several flaws, from inconsistent verb tenses to anachronistic uses of "middle school" (which were all junior high schools in 1972) and "MS." (which was primarily used in major metropolitan areas in the early 1970s, not in a small Texas town in the early 1970s. Another concern: why would Daniel have joined the Army during the Summer of Love, why anti-war sentiment was at its highest? Maybe Galveston is the anti-Berkeley.
The sisters were introduced in the first book as different personalities, with Tess being more interested in painting and Abigail being more interested in shirtless beach bums. (That's the category Albert fell into.) But Abigail, despite being attracted to that lifestyle and Albert as her Jim Morrison, has had no more premarital sexual experience than her older sister. She shares some "opens mouthed kisses" with Daniel, and there's more discussion between them about being married and enjoying "getting to know each other in a special way" on their wedding night, but that's it. Somebody's elegant great-aunt would use those types of expressions. That didn't cost the book a star, but the puzzling title and anachronisms did.
Overall, it's a good read that only suffers in comparison with its finer predecessor. Recommended for those who haven't read the first book.
September 13, 2021
Mostly telling instead of showing
I turn to Brooke St James because I want a clean, no angst, lovely story to escape the terrible events in our world today. She is the queen of no angst. However the last few I’ve read from her are tooo surface and I’m kind of sick of how little effort she puts into developing the story, characters and their relationships.
She has a propensity to use the same formula in every book and it basically is a boy and girl meet immediately fall in love and confess their feelings with little hesitation and prematurely, act very impulsively to see each other, elope on a whim often leaving out their entire families (but not always) and live HEA.
The problem I’m having after so many books following this template is the relationship and characters are VERY surface. She mostly just tells the reader what happens instead of showing. So it feels very unfulfilling when you’re finished.
Originality for this genre: 1
Pace: 5
Character development: 1
Relationship development: 1
HFN or HEA? Yes
Steam level: 1 (no kissing or kissing minimally described)
Cursing: none
Min. age recommended: 12
1. Are the character's developed in a way that makes me care about them? -Nope. You don’t get to know them you don’t get to experience their relationship as it develops you’re just told what happens and or it happens so quickly you kind of have whiplash.
2. Did the dialogue flow or was it choppy/unnatural? -
- what very little dialogue there was flowed OK. The problem is there isn’t enough dialogue just more of a telling you what happened story.
3. Was the writing level above average, average, awkward/stilted, or amateur?
- average
4. Were the events believable? Were you able to suspend disbelief?
- Yes. Insofar as you can believe and actually enjoy people acting so Impulsively with the biggest decisions of their lives.
5. Did any of the characters do anything that made you cringe in a "real people are not this dumb" way? - not dumb but extremely impulsive and shortsighted.
6. Is there anything you wish would have been different (without spoiling the story)?
- I wish the romance would have been developed more.
- I wish there was more complexity within the characters.
- I felt like the whole story was very surface, that it was more along the lines of a short story.
I turn to Brooke St James because I want a clean, no angst, lovely story to escape the terrible events in our world today. She is the queen of no angst. However the last few I’ve read from her are tooo surface and I’m kind of sick of how little effort she puts into developing the story, characters and their relationships.
She has a propensity to use the same formula in every book and it basically is a boy and girl meet immediately fall in love and confess their feelings with little hesitation and prematurely, act very impulsively to see each other, elope on a whim often leaving out their entire families (but not always) and live HEA.
The problem I’m having after so many books following this template is the relationship and characters are VERY surface. She mostly just tells the reader what happens instead of showing. So it feels very unfulfilling when you’re finished.
Originality for this genre: 1
Pace: 5
Character development: 1
Relationship development: 1
HFN or HEA? Yes
Steam level: 1 (no kissing or kissing minimally described)
Cursing: none
Min. age recommended: 12
1. Are the character's developed in a way that makes me care about them? -Nope. You don’t get to know them you don’t get to experience their relationship as it develops you’re just told what happens and or it happens so quickly you kind of have whiplash.
2. Did the dialogue flow or was it choppy/unnatural? -
- what very little dialogue there was flowed OK. The problem is there isn’t enough dialogue just more of a telling you what happened story.
3. Was the writing level above average, average, awkward/stilted, or amateur?
- average
4. Were the events believable? Were you able to suspend disbelief?
- Yes. Insofar as you can believe and actually enjoy people acting so Impulsively with the biggest decisions of their lives.
5. Did any of the characters do anything that made you cringe in a "real people are not this dumb" way? - not dumb but extremely impulsive and shortsighted.
6. Is there anything you wish would have been different (without spoiling the story)?
- I wish the romance would have been developed more.
- I wish there was more complexity within the characters.
- I felt like the whole story was very surface, that it was more along the lines of a short story.
October 4, 2020
AKA the pleasure-pain principle 😉
Abigail has broken up with her jealous & now ex-boyfriend. She's filled with remorse that she let her ex pressure her to stop writing to Daniel who she considered her good friend & was serving in Vietnam, but acknowledges to herself that he probably did want more - and that she missed out.
I was amused by the way Abigail was so true-to-life awkward on the phone & in conversation, as well as in her confusion about her feelings for Daniel. And I could totally empathize with her for wanting to avoid Thanksgiving dinner when Daniel unexpectedly showed up with his girlfriend.
She kind of goes a little groupie-level obsessive over grown up Daniel, which was a bit much - admiring, sure, but more than that was too juvenile for a college grad.
When they finally get together, they experience conflicts, but in a realistic, not overly dramatized way - which is one of the things I appreciate about Brooke's stories. And the happily-ever-after has a lovely, heartwarming epilogue
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
Abigail has broken up with her jealous & now ex-boyfriend. She's filled with remorse that she let her ex pressure her to stop writing to Daniel who she considered her good friend & was serving in Vietnam, but acknowledges to herself that he probably did want more - and that she missed out.
I was amused by the way Abigail was so true-to-life awkward on the phone & in conversation, as well as in her confusion about her feelings for Daniel. And I could totally empathize with her for wanting to avoid Thanksgiving dinner when Daniel unexpectedly showed up with his girlfriend.
She kind of goes a little groupie-level obsessive over grown up Daniel, which was a bit much - admiring, sure, but more than that was too juvenile for a college grad.
When they finally get together, they experience conflicts, but in a realistic, not overly dramatized way - which is one of the things I appreciate about Brooke's stories. And the happily-ever-after has a lovely, heartwarming epilogue
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
October 12, 2023
I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Abbie met Daniel King when she and her sister first went to Galveston Island. His family owned the hardware store. Daniel went into the army and received the Congressional Medal of Honor and now is stationed in Georgia. Abbie wrote to him until her then boyfriend forced her to stop. Now they are both single and ready to settle down. A heartwarming story about love and commitment.
December 7, 2023
Crushing hard
I thought I read most if not all of the Bank Street stories guess I was wrong. This one somehow got away from me. It was just the sweetest thing. It was just enough angst and sweetness from start to finish. Who wouldn’t crush hard on Devoted Daniel. I love these type of stories where it shows the way love should be once you have a made up mind. I will definitely be reading this one again.
I thought I read most if not all of the Bank Street stories guess I was wrong. This one somehow got away from me. It was just the sweetest thing. It was just enough angst and sweetness from start to finish. Who wouldn’t crush hard on Devoted Daniel. I love these type of stories where it shows the way love should be once you have a made up mind. I will definitely be reading this one again.
December 1, 2020
Daniel and Abby is a beautiful second chance romance
When they meet originally she was just there for the summer. She was in college and he was still in high school. They meet again a couple of years later but they were friends. He had gone to the military and she was a teacher. A lot of ups and downs and a lot of emotions. Love their ending.
When they meet originally she was just there for the summer. She was in college and he was still in high school. They meet again a couple of years later but they were friends. He had gone to the military and she was a teacher. A lot of ups and downs and a lot of emotions. Love their ending.
October 19, 2020
Really good story!
When I started reading this series I didn’t think I’d like the setting. But as I continued to read I found myself drawn into the characters lives. I loved these first two books and can’t wait for the next one!
When I started reading this series I didn’t think I’d like the setting. But as I continued to read I found myself drawn into the characters lives. I loved these first two books and can’t wait for the next one!
November 17, 2020
Trouble with Crushes
I appreciate that although they were super charged for each other they waited. Distance played a part in their opportunities. Sometimes you don't know what you have right in front of you. The light did come on.
I appreciate that although they were super charged for each other they waited. Distance played a part in their opportunities. Sometimes you don't know what you have right in front of you. The light did come on.
September 1, 2021
Such a wholesome, good romance
I love the way Brooke St James writes with such clean stories. I also love how she continues with the same members of the families. I always look forward to the next book as soon as I finish one. She’s one of my most favorite authors!!
I love the way Brooke St James writes with such clean stories. I also love how she continues with the same members of the families. I always look forward to the next book as soon as I finish one. She’s one of my most favorite authors!!
November 12, 2022
Review of The Trouble with Crushes
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were very likable. It's nice to read clean romance books. I love that they have good moral characters.
I enjoyed reading this book. The characters were very likable. It's nice to read clean romance books. I love that they have good moral characters.
October 3, 2020
Another winner
I love this author. The plot is good. Good characters that i became invested in with a sweet love story.
I love this author. The plot is good. Good characters that i became invested in with a sweet love story.
October 7, 2020
💗💗💗
A great feel good book! Brooke St James has a way of writing that leaves you feeling happy and uplifted. I can't wait for the rest of the series!!!
A great feel good book! Brooke St James has a way of writing that leaves you feeling happy and uplifted. I can't wait for the rest of the series!!!
November 7, 2020
Really enjoyed it.
As usual this author hit it out of the park again. I loved how great the chemistry was and that they were able to have a second chance. A sweet, clean romance.
As usual this author hit it out of the park again. I loved how great the chemistry was and that they were able to have a second chance. A sweet, clean romance.
November 16, 2020
Fantastic Book!
This is a very interesting and exciting story. Abigail and Daniel have a long history. This is a very inspiring story to read.
This is a very interesting and exciting story. Abigail and Daniel have a long history. This is a very inspiring story to read.
January 22, 2021
Another great book by Brooke St James. Would recommend if you want a clean romance with a happy ending.
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March 29, 2021The Trouble with Crushes
Oh, I enjoyed reading this Book very much. Always enjoy reading any book with the Military in it, since My Husband was Air Force!
Oh, I enjoyed reading this Book very much. Always enjoy reading any book with the Military in it, since My Husband was Air Force!
November 18, 2021
Cute Romance
This is a sweet cute little romance with very interesting characters that will draw you into the story and set you up for more.
This is a sweet cute little romance with very interesting characters that will draw you into the story and set you up for more.
October 16, 2023
I should have ran when they brought out the Bible.
September 18, 2024
This was a sweet, cute book.
December 26, 2023
4.5* This is great and touches on some deeper emotions relating to the time period.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews