Crush: A Midlife Romantic Suspense Novel

by J.W. Swartz

Matilda Shriner spent years fading into the background of marriage and motherhood. She’s more than ready to shed her old identity—the one who suffocated under the crushing weight of tragic loss and then divorce—and rediscover the real Matilda. Especially when she shares a sizzling glance with a stranger the very first night her friends talk her into being social. When that same stranger rescues her from an attack hours later, her quest to find herself takes on new meaning. Because he knows way more about her than he should… Feather Conrad has been watching Matilda from afar for a long time. From the shadows, he saw her endure the worst a parent can face, her resilience in the aftermath of heartbreak, and her determination to follow her own dreams. Through it all, he fell a little bit in love. Now, thanks to some not-so-coincidental timing, his skills as a private investigator and security specialist might be the only thing standing between Matilda, her fractured family, and a dangerous man with a score to settle. But the same threat that gives Feather the chance to get to know Matilda in person—and prove he’s not an unhinged stalker—puts her in close proximity to her ex and all the history they share. The secrets he uncovers might just give Matilda everything she wants—and break Feather’s heart.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2021

About the author

J. W. Swartz is a native Montanan, born and raised in Whitefish, Montana. She attended the J.W. Swartz writes contemporary fiction with a little mystery, a little romance, and the kind of real characters who will have you rooting for them from the beginning. Her stories most often take place in Missoula valley of Montana, where the layers of history and culture have blended to form a vibrant, independent-minded, and arts-loving community. She raised her family in the shadow of the mountains around Missoula, and you can find her enjoying local activities with her friends and family.

Let's connect!
WEBSITE: https://www.jwswartz.com
NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/JWSwartzNewsletter
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jwswartzauthor
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/authorjwswartz/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/AuthorJWSwartz
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/29774...
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3hKIxdM
GOODREADS: https://bit.ly/3kjABlj

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don't often get a chance to read about people you can really relate to. This book, I could!

The story was totally relatable! The pandemic, people my age!

My favorite character was Feather! Don't you just love the name?

I'll definitely watch for other stories by this author.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved it!

I was instantly captured by the characters and drawn in by the story! It was very hard to put down. I truly enjoyed this book .

[Within The Pages Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story starts off immediately capturing your attention. It has the action and suspense that makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens. The concept makes for a terrific story and I was all in. Then about halfway through I began to struggle and connect further with the story and characters. It felt a bit rushed at times and it really wasn’t for me. It has the suspense, drama, and romance that many will love. Click and give this a read. It may be one of your favorites.

[Kathy Klinge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading. My only complaint is I want more!!!!

[Tiffany Readz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars-Lots of Story to Unpack With This One...

In Crush, J.W. Swartz gives her readers a lot to keep track of all the while looking for a little romance. We are hit with the action right off the bat and it doesn't seem to stop until the end.

Matilda is divorced with two adult children. She's been in her Covid bubble for months as is everybody else and it would figure on the night she chooses to finally go out, all hell breaks loose. In the midst of the all hell is Feather, yes the guys name is Feather. He winds up protecting her from some thugs and really doesn't leave her side for the rest of the book.

I wasn't a fan of Matilda's personality. She was annoying to me and really not that funny. She was written to be a bad ass I guess, however seemed over the top. Feather I liked. He was calm and sort of a deep guy if you will. Always talking sense into Matilda and others. He was in love with this woman, a woman that he knew well, but she didn't know him at all.

As our story unfolds, we learn more about Matilda and Feather and the things they have in common, kids, exes, that sort of thing and she quickly learns how much more Feather knows about her life than she would like. It was an odd dynamic and storyline really. Him watching her for years, thinking that he knows her and she knows nothing about him. I had a hard time wrapping my head around it.

The book is written in a narrative style, something that I'm not used to. It is chock full of action and a little bit of everything else. Along with our main characters, there are a rag tag bunch from both sides that we meet as well. While it was light on the angst, I did like the twists. Not sure if this is going to be a series, as it definitely has room to grow.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.