Just a Little Crush

by Hannah Murray

Haven Lang is newly divorced, newly self-employed, newly dating again, and everything is great—except the dating. To say it’s been a disappointment is an understatement. After only a few weeks of looking, she’s ready to give up, and not even the prospect of having nothing to do on New Year’s Eve can convince her to give those dating apps another try.

Until a blast from the past turns her holiday around.

Jake Peltier was the pesky little brother of one of her high school friends, but he’s all grown up now. Tall and built, sexy and sweet, one look at Jake has Haven reevaluating her decision to give up on dating. Even the age difference doesn’t bother her—what’s ten years when the chemistry is this sizzling? A night—or two—with Jake seems like the perfect way to launch her post-divorce sex life.

But Jake’s not looking for a weekend fling. The boyish crush he had on her all those years ago has developed a decidedly grown-up edge, and if he has his way, he’ll be around long after the clock strikes midnight.

Just A Little Crush is a novella-length romance (approximately 35,000 words) with high heat, plenty of laughs, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 14, 2021

About the author

Hannah has been reading romance novels since she was young enough to have to hide them from her mother, and decided to try her hand at writing one when she realized the book she really wanted to read lived in her head. That was a dozen years and as many manuscripts ago, and there are still more stories to be told.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.

Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Sexy Security⭐️

Featuring ~ dual 3rd person POV, age gap, steamage

What a hot, wet and dirty one sitting read this was! Excuse me while I go take a cold shower.
Haven and Jake are hot, hot, hot together! I did not get an age gap vibe at all. Their chemistry was on point and their honesty with each other was a breath of fresh air.

I will for sure read more from this author in the future.

*Thanks to Hannah Murray and Booksprout for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

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[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore the older woman/younger man trope and this was the perfect steamy, sexy, delightful novella I was looking for. Loved Haven and Jake, their back and forth was great, their chemistry was excellent, and I love a younger hero who knows how to give.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Just A Little Crush' by Hannah Murray is a well developed story with interesting characters and an engaging plot which tells the story of Haven Lang and Jake Peltier. Haven has just been divorced and started her own business. The only thing not going well is her foray into dating again. When she runs into Jake, who is no longer the annoying little brother of Carly, her friend from high school, she is very attracted. Jake is too. Haven is envisioning a few dates, some sleepovers but nothing serious because Jake is ten years younger. But Jake has other ideas.

Ms. Murray has written a delightful book with wonderful characters and a compelling storyline. This story is filled with humor, drama, sizzling chemistry, and some surprises. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys a fab story with heart.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Silke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short novella featuring two very likeable main characters. Jake is 10 years younger than Haven and has had a crush on her as a child when she was friends with his sister. Meeting up again as adults, the attraction is instantaneous. What ensues is a very intense, somewhat kinky, weekend, leading to a relationship and to their HEA. The age gap trope is not really my favourite but I loved this story, probably because both come across as very mature and confident in themselves and Jake certainly knows how to treat her right ... Great intense read as I've come to expect from this author!
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book, but the review is honest and left voluntarily.

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great twist on the siblings best friend love story and it starts off with a bang! When Jake and his friends overhear the conversation between Haven and her sister-in-law it's supposed to be private girl talk. Unbeknownst to them Jake and his friends can hear everything they're saying which isn't good since they're talking about Jake. When she runs into Jake he's not the same kid from years ago Jake has always had a crush on Haven. Can he get her to give them a chance? You really need to read this book to see what happens. I would definitely recommend reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last time Haven saw Jake was when she graduated from high school. He was 8. Fast forward 21 years... They're both so mature about the age difference that it becomes a non-issue. What they have, though, is incredible chemistry and tons of hilarious banter between them, making them perfect together. The book is sexy and steamy, but with a couple not into games. Caroline (her sister-in-law) is a real hoot, egging her on about Jake. This is my first read from the author, and I'll be looking for her books again. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't say enough good things about this story! Can I give it 10 stars? Jake is tall and handsome and wears henley shirts, and he's charming and patient and very . . . thorough. He gets top marks as an excellent book boyfriend! Loved how he and Haven were up front with one another about what they wanted and were able to laugh together during the awkward naked moments.

* rescue meet-cute with instalust
* she's 10 years older
* consent is super sexy!
* aural exhibitionism

This is a story I will return to over and over. Absolutely recommend it!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this twists on the sibling's best friend romance with Just A Little Crush by Hannah Murray. In this story Jake is younger than Haven, who was friends with his sister. Haven is divorced and trying to get back into dating but not having much luck. Then she runs into Jake and he is definitely not the same kid from years ago. Jake and Haven have smoking hot chemistry but Jake wants more. He has had a crush on Haven for as long as he can remember. Can he convince her to give them a chance? If you are looking for a steamy, well written romance, you will love their story.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a Little Crush is a fun rom-com that is short, sweet and well worth the read. It starts out with a bang when Jake and his security buddies hear a conversation between Haven and her sister-in-law. It is meant to be private girl talk about Jake, except the guys can hear every word. When she realizes Jake is the baby brother of an old high school friend, the age gap was more humor than angst and another fun moment. Great story, wonderful characters and a fantastic way to spend a few hours reading.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

★ An opportune meet-cute ★

—>>> An opportune meet-cute allows Haven to explore options with a best friend’s then little brother, and since a decade has passed, she would not be robbing the cradle. And, more importantly, it is the way he has grown up which makes her instantly sit up and take notice. Will Jake be able to work the crush out of his system or will he even want to after they give in to their mutual attraction? The ball is in Haven’s court!

Loved this sweet and smoothly told story - looking forward to more from this author!

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is cute with a bit of kink. Haven imo deserves to find happiness and satisfaction. Who know she would find it through kids being kids and jumping on her car.

Jake is a guy you wouldn't mind rolling down the hill with. He isn't all player and he's not love at first sight. He felt a spark for a woman who he used to tease when he was younger.

I like that just because she's older, she didn't harp on it. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say, I have never enjoyed a sexy and hot romance as much as I enjoyed this one. Not only was there super chemistry between this older woman and younger man (who was actually her friend in high school’s little brother) but the 10 yr age difference wasn’t a big deal for either of them. It had humor, chemistry and a feel good ending for these two lovable characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !!! love Jake... swoon !!! love Haven... sweet... this is their story... a fast paced drama... Haven is living the life of a divorced woman... she has her own business.. she's dating again... well.. maybe not... then she meets Jake... the younger brother of an old high school friend... and he's hot.. hotter than hot !!! he's always crushed on her... now , it's more... will she give him a chance ?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I volunteered to read this ARC for an honest review. I enjoyed this quick story about Jake and Haven. She's at her nephew's football game when a familiar looking security guard helps her deal with an unruly boy. Jake recognizes Haven from the past. She was his older sisters friend.. Now she's a divorced beautiful woman who drives him crazy. She convinces him to spend the evening with her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right kind of sizzle when newly divorced Haven runs into her best friends much younger brother Jake. She is not looking for anything serious but Jake can not believe his good luck running into the older friend of his sister who he had a big crush on when he was younger and now he is determined to get what he always wanted, Haven. Loved the story and the characters were so perfect together with their intense heat.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet and steamy book. I loved that it was an older woman and a younger man story. Its refreshing that it was or i thought so. I havent read many books with older woman. Haven (FMC) and Jake have this flirtatious but also playful instant attraction (even though they have known each other for years) which was endearing. They were both really likable characters and it was great read that i enjoyed reading

[Kimberly (Kimmy Loves to Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! Haven is trying to get back into the dating world and a series of funny events reunites her with an old friend's younger brother, Jake. They may have a ten year age gap, but Haven and Jake definitely did not let that get in their way of having a good time. Their chemistry was off the charts and there is even a little kink thrown in, which I was not expecting, but it just made the story even better.

I've never read any of Hannah's books, but then I saw someone on Twitter talk about how her new book was an older woman/younger man and I immediately requested a copy. Haven and Jake were a wonderful couple and I could easily read another book about them. I'll definitely be checking out some of the author's back list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jen B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. I loved it. Jake and Haven's story contains a lot of sweet which pairs wonderfully with all the steamy heat. There are no numbers in true love. I enjoyed meeting these two characters and look forward to reading more. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story with a good hook and an entertaining read. I loved the well written scenes, especially the eye opening moment of realization that was so fun to read. It was a short story and I would love to revisit these characters in a longer tale, they were so engaging. I requested a copy of this book and am voluntarily writing a review.

[Justin Dauel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Nothing too kinky. A 10yr gap between the main characters. The older woman who knows what she wants/younger man who knows what he's worth. Just straight up HOT scenes.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super spicy novella! I would have loved Jake and Haven's story fleshed out even more. There was a lot of potential for a deeper look into their developing feelings.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake & Haven had an intriguing, fun read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable quick read with a lot packed into the pages. A little bit of an age gap with mature characters. A touch of kink. Excellent dialogue.

[blannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my cup of tea but I did finish it

[Clare Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and yummy.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, sexy, short, with a minimum amount of angst.

Bought from kindle

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jake and Haven get 4.5 shooting stars. I love the connection. I love the meet cute. I love their prior, though slight history. I love the way they are with each other. I love their heat and their sweet. I ilove that Caroline is a hoot as a bestie and a sister in law. Their relationship is realistic and fun. The setting is fun and realistic for a local.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.