Just a Little Crush

by Holly June Smith

Bec Charlton knows three things for sure.

1. You can’t beat a good aged gouda.
2. Her Grandpa’s old Ford Cortina is her pride and joy.
3. The women of Thatch Cross are obsessed with Alistair Rendall (who is always just ‘Rennie’ to her).

Bec can't blame them. When he isn't fighting fires, Rennie runs Rhyme Time at the local library, teaches self-defence classes, and drives his elderly neighbours to their doctor’s appointments. The man is a saint in a body made for sin.

They’ve known each other since they were kids, so the last thing Bec needs is to have him pull her from a car wreck while her latest audiobook blasts out the spiciest sex scenes…

Bec is lucky to escape with minor injuries - and major embarrassment - but the narrow stairs to her flat are impossible on crutches. When Rennie insists she recuperates at his house, she doesn’t exactly have a choice.

All she needs to do is stay put, let him look after her, and keep her outrageous fantasies in check.

After all, it’s just a little crush… isn’t it?


Just a Little Crush is a standalone childhood friends-to-lovers romance novella packed with heart, humour, and heat.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Ebooks

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2022

About the author

Holly June Smith is a writer and romance addict who is constantly falling in love with fictional heroes and dreaming up new ones.

Originally from the North East of Scotland, she now lives in Hertfordshire, England.

You can also find her on Insta and TikTok @hollyjunesmith

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars, maybe (I feel kind of mean about this rating because I can see some maybe potential in the writing, but I can't think of anything actually positive to say about this book, so?)

This was just...not good. I wanted it to be? It sounded so cute? But alas, it was not. There was a lot of potential, it just simply wasn't executed well. Like why are they so horny? Why do they both think they're so dark and depraved when they have pretty vanilla fantasies/sex lives? Like the man literally refers to himself as a monster, thinks 'the things I crave are not the acts of a man in love', and then proceeds to ... some light spanking. Sir, please.

Fleshed out characters? Won't happen here. Character development? Never heard of it. Plot? No siree.

Also, as someone who has had many a sprained ankle, that is simply not how they work.

And most importantly - don't constantly talk about how you fantasize about being chased through the woods and railed against a tree and then have it happen OFF PAGE?! I have been bamboozled.

[Millie Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book dedication: For filthbags everywhere.

Me: Yup, sounds right up my street.

[Grackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A girl after my own heart. Nuff said.

[Esthi Labuschagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, fun, short and spicy read.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think about this particular incident often when I’m playing certain audiobooks in the car 😅 Loved this novella, the spice was delicious!!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A smutty, novella featuring friends to lovers and a cheese shop.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a little feel good smutty romance without angst, this one fits the bill. A (very) slightly different take on small town friends to lovers.

Alastair (Rennie) and Rebecca (Bec) have know each other since grade school and have secretly lustfully pined for the other. Lol. They are each convinced they either aren’t good enough or that their sexual preferences are too depraved (spoiler: they’re not).

The story takes off when a tree lands on Bec’s car when she’s driving home in a storm. Rennie comes to the rescue and then she stays with him while she recuperates. All kinds of fairly ridiculous conversations and shenanigans ensue.

- no third act breakup
- communication - sort of; its a bit all over the place. Sometimes they’re very open and then… not.
- no character growth or crazy plot; just two people finally realizing they’re perfect for each other
- spice - starts about 1/2 way. Open door. They each have high sex drives and realize how compatible they are
- forced proximity - she’s staying with him
- No OM/OW. Neither really dates, but each have had a serious partner in the past.
- She’s a cheese monger, all around good person who works hard; he is a fireman, helps little ladies kind of guy.
- some flashback moments to when they were kids/teens but nothing prolonged or too distracting.
- Dual POV; HEA. 8 month and then 8 yr later epilogue w two kids.

Overall, a very cute spicy story.

[Sara Madderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was utter PERFECTION from start to finish! Holly really did have me at hello. The banter, the tension, and Bec's utterly filthy inner musings (especially when the delicious Rennie was in close proximity) had me howling and squealing out loud with laughter - no mean feat.

I can't believe this is a debut novel. It's smart and witty and accomplished and pitch-perfect. The spice and dirty talk are smoking hot and utterly excellent - you will not be disappointed!

I'm going through a major thing currently for MMCs who are stoic and competent and put everyone else first, and then, when they are unleashed, they are UTTER FILTH. Rennie delivered a hundred times over on hitting that sweet spot for me! If you loved Noah in In a Jam or Brick in Forever Never you'll adore him.

The crash and rescue scene is such a perfect, hilarious little gem that I want to wrap it up in a soft blanket and keep it for ever more and pet it creepily.

Thank you Holly for the most delicious read! Now I'm off to buy some aged gouda...

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved IT. Haven’t read anything like this before and it’s safe to say it got me a little hot under the collar.

[Destiny Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Kelsey Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuinely humorous, cozy, STEAMY, delightful quick read that I inhaled in one sitting. All the feels for Bec & Rennie!!

[Daffy Kraizel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Cute, spicy and fun

[TaylorReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mortified at the lack of shame and propriety at the beginning. Thank goodness I made it through because I loved this. Rennie is my blueprint of a perfect man, now I just need to find one. Imma try Amazon first and get back to yall

[Kelly Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 is my real rating but I just love Holly so I’ll always round up 💖

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, short and hilarious rom-com that will give anyone who reads romance audio books a new nightmare. This author was new to me and discovered by accident. I adored this book, it was a perfect friend's to lovers story with mutual pining and great banter and romance.

[Frankie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best spicy spice book ever! Bec and Rennie are the most believable characters and I totally feel in love with them. I can’t wait for more by Holly June Smith. She is a smutty genius!

[MandyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another A++++++++ book boyfriend.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

just two cheeky buggars gnawing at the bars of their enclosures

[Annie Tasaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ Perfect wholesome to raunchiness ratio. Just a couple of horny best friends who’ve been pining for each other too long. 🥰

[ns2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filthbag is my favourite new word ♥️

[Charly Murg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok read, I felt the main characters needed to be fleshed out a lot more and even though they are supposed to have been into each other forever it all felt like the only thing they had was sexual attraction. I’d like to have seen more of the supposed lovely stuff he did other than helping old ladies across the road and maybe some more of the being at the library with the local kids. It just didn’t feel very believable. Even though there was objectification of men and women, it still felt like it was much more male gaze (of course she just LOVES blow jobs and was fine with not getting anything back except for his eternal thanks 🙄)

I still want to know exactly why Rennie thought he was this horrible man who didn’t deserve her? I just don’t buy that it was just cos he liked it a bit rough. Also, and I know this is personal but NOTHING rubs me up the wrong way like a man calling a woman baby, it just sounds so condescending (and I’m not into women calling men baby either) but I know that’s a me problem. Towards the end of the book I just felt like I wanted to get it finished with.

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 8 of 2025

After going down a crazy road the last few days with my book choices, I wanted a fun, light novella to cleanse my palate. I am easily influenced by the authors I follow on social media, and @HollyJuneSmith is highlighting her backlist of books and since I did three of her books last month, I decided she was the exact right type of book I needed right now. This was small town friends-to-lovers, though they have been secretly pining over each other for years. I mean, who doesn't want the town cinnamon roll who is also a firefighter who takes care of you after your car accident? Enough said. Thanks for this fun little nugget @HollyJuneSmith, and know that I am going to keep reading pretty much everything you put out.

Rating -- three stars
Format -- kindle unlimited

[Autumn Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love love loveeeeeeee this book! I was giggling so much and I highlighted so much in this book. Everything was just so cute and loveable! I literally loved everything abt it and I don’t understand why I soft DNF’ed it some weeks ago. I ate this up. I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want to. I love Flynn. He is diffintely a new book boyfriend. He was the definition of obsessed! He was utterly and unabashedly obsessed with Olivia. He loved her perfections and her flaws. He loved her daughter!!! That was like the cherry on top! He loved Greer like his own from the very beginning. There was no doubt about it and I love how it was so easy! He didn’t have to work for it. No, he was like i love her, I understand her, and I want to give her the dad she (basically) never had. Ughhhhhh swooooooon! And he was persistent! We love a persistent book man! He wanted that date and not just to get in her pants but to know her. Know all of her. He did so much for her! We all know his love language is acts of service. And physical touch tehehe. But how could he get any better?! Olivia was such an amazing heroine. So hardworking and loving towards her daughter and family. She is everything a mom should be. I love the way she deals with Greer and Flynn’s relationship. In suchhhhh a good manner. Not where she’s not letting them meet for forever, not where she immediately lets them meet and brings him in, but in a way where she was confident it was okay to introduce them. And then she introduced him as Archer’s brother and not as a prospective dad figure. And she didn’t keep him from her. She let them get comfortable around each other and even though she was still protective, as she should be, she was still open to it all. Also the girl owned a bookstore!!! Cmon now!!!! Owned. A. Book. Store! She takes pride in it and wants it to be amazing and grow and be a safe place and in the end it, it was. That’s growth! She is soooooo supportive of Flynn. Went to as many games as she could, cheered on like no one else and was happy for him during a tough time and decision. She was gonna be there for him no matter what he decided even though it was breaking her and Greer’s heart. She also fit right in with his family. They immediately took her in and she immediately fit in with them and they’re teasing and their love for Flynn. I loved that. And also, back to Flynn, when he went to Greer’s class and proved that little girl wrong!!!! Ahhhhhh cutest thing ever! He was mad selfish but I loved it. And when he took Olivia to see the flower. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! I actually finally loved an epilogue. Even the bonus epilogue. It was so cute. I wasn’t even mad at the proposal and more babies. Now my side characters. Greer: adorable, funny, such a kid, and honestly like the perfect child. The brothers: love each and every one of them; loving, loyal, sweet, protective, super super supportive. Sabrina: love her!; dependable, honest, best bestie and auntie ever. Gigi and Grandpa: cutest ever, the notes were sooooo cute, reliable, loveable, willing to do anything, grandpa is a little stubborn but we still love him and Gigi is just the seeetest grandma. The boys dad: gosh I knew I wasn’t gonna like him but he was just heavily flawed; I’m glad he had a comeback in the end. I think I got everyone. And as you can tell i loveeeeeeed this book! This series probably eats so I might be reading some of the others. Also the amount of times I said “love” in this review is crazy, I need a count lol.

[Isaaz_06 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

- Bec (Rebecca): protagonista femenina
- Rennie (Allister): protagonista masculino
- Amigos de infancia, padres que son amigos, relación de mas de 30 años. Hubo crushes adolescentes de ambos, pero por cosas de la vida nunca surgió nada, fue pasando el tiempo, Bec nunca dejó de gustarle, no paraba de tener todo tipo de fantasías de él (to guarra la tía) y Rennie más que lo mismo, nunca salió con alguien por mucho tiempo porque le iba tomar el control en la cama, los roles y cosas más intensas y nunca encontró a alguien parecido (creía que Bec era la chica buena, inteligente y Dulce y Bec pensaba que Rennie era un santo que no diría ni una palabrota)
- Todo cambió cuando Bec tuvo un accidente de coche y se esguinzó el tobillo y la muñeca, teniendo que mudarse con Rennie temporalmente. No pasó ni dos días y ya se liaron y Ronnie le comió to el toto, pero siguieron sin comunicarse y aclarar todos los sentimientos que llevan acumulándose ahí por décadas, siguió la mierda, Rennie tenía el control de un adolescente hormonado, así que no paraban de follar sin aclarar nada, se fue repitiendo lo mismo, hasta que hubo una “charla” en la que se dijeron que se amaban y terminao

Críticas:

- Que tardasen tanto en aclarar las cosas cuando era tan simple fue frustrante, pero lo peor es, que eso es lo único que hace que el libro exista, porque es una chorrada, pero si no se hubiese alargado, no habría libro, es literal todo el plot, porque esta cosa no puede ser más sosa y simplona
- Tanto decían de que se amaban y mierdas, que supongo que se entiende por la amistad eterna que tienen, pero es que el libro no ha explotado para nada la relación romántica entre ellos, solo la física y que son unos calenturientos, literal follaban como conejos, el tío literal dijo “si ser amigos con beneficios es lo máximo que voy a conseguir, me tendré que conformar” y de repente amor eterno y cambio total, terminó esa escena y 6 meses pasaron (que enseñaron una fantasía que la protagonista tuvo desde el inicio, que la persiguieran en el bosque y que la follasen ahí, lo cual fue una mierda, porque fue tan esperado, para que luego ni diesen detalles, casi que dijeron “hay un bosque, ahora usa tu imaginación sobre lo que habrá pasado, porque no te lo voy a dar yo, adiós”) y de repente 8 añacos en el futuro, con dos hijos y tan felices de la vida
- Los padres pues estaban los cuatro juntos haciendo un tour por Europa o algo así, mejores amigos ahí, así que eran monos y pues estaban shippeandoles desde hace año esperando a que saliesen de una vez los protagonistas, así que por esa parte, pues buena familia
- Y ya, libro corto, muy meh y me ha hecho perder horas de sueño solo porque me quedaba poco y quería terminármelo y no llevármelo para el día siguiente

Conclusión: MUY MEH 😑

[Beth Mallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this sweet and spicy romcom novella from Holly June Smith! I can't believe that this author has been publishing for <2 years because not only is her writing SUPERB, she taps into the mind and tickles the fancy of romance readers in brilliant and unique ways that I've never seen done before.

HJS makes delicious use of the romance genre's tried and true tropes, but elevates her stories with fully developed main characters who love reading, listening to, and watching romance in all its forms. From historical romance to contemporary romcom to erotic and dark romances, they are ALL represented with utmost respect and delight through the eyes of authentic and lovable characters. The fictional romances her characters reference are so well done that I found myself thinking 🤔 "Hmm, have I read that somewhere?" So she's not just written one romance but a romance inception! Romances within romances!

HJS injects her storylines with the perfect recipe of honesty, tension, humor, spice and fluff specifically written for the romance fan. The chef's kiss is that her characters USE what they've learned as romance lovers to unashamedly own and appreciate their sexuality, and to share that wisdom with friends, lovers and the broader community. Bec does exactly that with Rennie in "Just A Little Crush". Rennie's internal monologue was tough to read at times because his social dysmorphia was very real. As a reader his discomfort was visceral and I wanted it to end! But it proved an important point about how we are conditioned by society to feel a certain way about sexuality. Bec on the other hand was the breath of fresh air and acceptance that Rennie needed and we could all do well to learn from their story arc.

To sum up, Just A Little Crush is 'just' a little novella, but it gives all the feels of the best romances with whipped cream and a cherry on top.

[Blysse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @Holly June Smith for the free book in return for a fair review.
 4 stars - Recommended!

Dedicated to “filthbags everywhere.” Holly had me at the dedication! 

This is delightfully frothy, contemporary summer read, full of pining, friends-to-lovers and a simply wonderful small-town setting that is cozy and familiar, yet exciting at the same time.

This is the second of Holly’s books that I have read - I started with Can I Tell You Something? published last year, and that coloured my view of this book a little. I loved Can I tell you... and this one pales a little in comparison to that. 

This is not because it's not a good story. It is!!
It's a great premise and caters to all filthbag needs with a guaranteed 50% Blysse Hot:Plot Ratio™ and a wonderfully romantic HEA.

But I found myself wanting to know more about the main characters and their life in the village, with a little more internal exposition in addition to their constant horniness. 

Holly’s writing style has clearly developed really well over the years, because this is exactly what she delivers so well in Can I Tell you Something?

If you are a smut connoisseur, like dark romance or exist anywhere in the visual or audiop0rn spaces, you may find Bec and Ren's angst-ing about their individual sexual preferences a little gauche. I personally thought it was small-town sweet and perfectly in keeping with the vibe, setting and character development. 

So if this is your first introduction to contemporary smut, welcome! This is a perfect read for that. 

Read it- and then go read Can I Tell you Something?

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my list for soooo long after a friend recommended it (and when I say recommended, I mean banged on about it for over a year). I’m not sure why I waited so long really but I’m so glad I finally picked it up.

This was a really cute, but also really sexy friends to lovers story. I loved the secret pining and crushing throughout and really enjoyed the dynamic between Bec and Rennie. I loved the small town vibes too, it’s been a while since I read a small town romance and this was dead wholesome. The smut was top tier as always with Holly’s books and I’m absolutely going to be reading the bonus scene ASAP, but also Holly can you work your way through writing a bonus scene for each item on the list please? Asking for a friend 👀

I love love love everything I’ve read of Holly’s so far and I’m making it my mission to work my way through everything she’s written. She’s absolutely one of my fave authors and if you don’t know her, get to know. She is the queen of smut, no seriously though this woman knows how to write a smut scene. She also writes Quinn content and can confirm they are HOT.

[Linda Dominick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @hollyjunesmith for the free copy of Just A Little Crush.
Small town sweethearts are destined for love in this childhood friends to lovers romance. Bec and Rennie have been friends forever and they think they know everything about each other, but she has secrets and so does he.
When an accident has Bec needing to rest and recover, Rennie insists she stay with him. The accident was scary for her and eye opening for him. What would he do without her? It’s during this time they learn more about each other. They are fun and flirty and then things get romantic.
The characters are likeable and you want the HEA to happen ASAP. He is the handsome firefighter all the women swoon over, she’s the cheese monger everyone loves and counts on. He shows her how to accept help and she shows him she is more than sweet Bec.
This is the perfect read for a rom com lover who likes small town, dual POV, firefighter, foodie, who likes some sweet with spice.
QOTD: Do you listen to audiobooks while driving?

[whisperedsigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it last night after seeing a reel, i loved it! I am always up for best friends to lovers, what more in this case that he cared for her. I love that she has the dirty mind and even though he wasn't rally the stoic type, he also has that on his mind, it only fell a little on the spice as even though they insinuated they are on the different level of effed up in that category nothing really that big happened in spice, so that was a promise not fulfilled maybe because the book is short and there is not time, idk, it fell short on that. This reminds me of another book with the same theme of the guy helping her get off, but i can't recall the title. edit i found it but turned out i dnfed it at 70% cause it was boring me When Sparks Fly

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Someone is shouting at me. A man, no, a woman. She’s screaming, moaning, but wait... those aren’t screams of pain or terror. Oh god, oh no. It’s not a person, it’s my phone. Somewhere my audiobook is still playing."

Honestly, this was perfection. I just got introduced to Holly June Smith but I'm loving her stuff!

Rennie is such a golden retriever with a dark side (think Lights Out). Bec is the town cheese girl who seems super sweet but reads the darkest stuff. Rennie and Bec have been best friends since they were kids but both have been in love with each other for years...but lack of communication. After a car accident causes Bec to live with Rennie they discover a lot about each other. Like they have the same tastes when it comes to the bedroom.

“I need someone who’s not afraid to push things a little. To be pushed.” “In bed?” “Yeah. I’m not exactly a vanilla guy.” Oh my god. Alistair Rendall? Surely not. The gentleman of all gentlemen has a dark side.