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Not Just a Crush
Dahlia Forest was supposed to have a fun weekend getaway with her girlfriends before heading back to college. What she didn’t expect was to end up trapped in a small cabin on the side of a mountain in the middle of a snowstorm. She also didn’t expect a moose to rummage through her food supply or a bear to hang out on the front porch. And she certainly did not anticipate being rescued by her high school crush turned burly mountain man. But that’s exactly what happened.
*Previously published in the Smartasses Anthology. This is a standalone novella with brand new characters and a hefty dose of spicy hotness.
*Previously published in the Smartasses Anthology. This is a standalone novella with brand new characters and a hefty dose of spicy hotness.
66 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
505 people want to read
About the author
Helena Hunting
73 books26.5k followersHelena Hunting is a USA Today and NYT bestselling author. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and angsty emo cat who can never get enough pets. She writes everything from romantic sports to new adult angst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 8, 2023
Cute novella, stuck in a cabin during a snowstorm with the person you crushed on in high school. When the power goes out and roads are closed, sitting out the storm in front of an open fire... what is there to do?
January 13, 2024
4⭐/ 1.5🌶️
Well, I read this because it was a short novella, stranded in a cabin in the middle of a snow storm and for the spice, and for that purpose, it was great.
Cute, quick and spicy, just what I needed.
Well, I read this because it was a short novella, stranded in a cabin in the middle of a snow storm and for the spice, and for that purpose, it was great.
Cute, quick and spicy, just what I needed.
February 19, 2024
3.5 stars
Not Just a Crush is a quick story following Dahlia as she gets snowed in at a cottage she rented with her friends. Unfortunately for her, the storm prevented her friends from arriving. It might not be so unfortunate when her high school crush shows up the save the day.
What I enjoyed more about this story and the reason I rated it 3.5 stars instead of a lower rating was Hunting’s choice to make Dahlia’s love interest her high school crush instead of a random guy. This gives their coupling some credibility and does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of the chemistry between the characters.
The catalyst to their coupling was a little awkward and on the nose, but given the short length of the story it kicks off the spice efficiently.
Overall, Not Just a Crush is a quick story for those looking for some spice to warm up their cold winter night.
Not Just a Crush is a quick story following Dahlia as she gets snowed in at a cottage she rented with her friends. Unfortunately for her, the storm prevented her friends from arriving. It might not be so unfortunate when her high school crush shows up the save the day.
What I enjoyed more about this story and the reason I rated it 3.5 stars instead of a lower rating was Hunting’s choice to make Dahlia’s love interest her high school crush instead of a random guy. This gives their coupling some credibility and does a lot of heavy lifting in terms of the chemistry between the characters.
The catalyst to their coupling was a little awkward and on the nose, but given the short length of the story it kicks off the spice efficiently.
Overall, Not Just a Crush is a quick story for those looking for some spice to warm up their cold winter night.
January 18, 2024
If Helena Hunting is writing it... I am reading it!!!
I received this little freebie Novella Not Just a Crush on Helena Hunting's Facebook page - or Facebook group - not too sure which one - and of course promptly thanked her from the bitty bottom of my heart and then downloaded it.
Helena Hunting's writing will always be what I will read. It's always fun, quirky and full of spicy steam.
This short novella is about a grumpy mountain man and a quirky nerdy little city girl that get snowed in on a mountain.... the thing is - they both had a crush on each other while in high school.
Go read it - it's fun - and sweet with a little bit of spice.
I received this little freebie Novella Not Just a Crush on Helena Hunting's Facebook page - or Facebook group - not too sure which one - and of course promptly thanked her from the bitty bottom of my heart and then downloaded it.
Helena Hunting's writing will always be what I will read. It's always fun, quirky and full of spicy steam.
This short novella is about a grumpy mountain man and a quirky nerdy little city girl that get snowed in on a mountain.... the thing is - they both had a crush on each other while in high school.
Go read it - it's fun - and sweet with a little bit of spice.
January 16, 2024
Dhalia Frost was supposed to have a fun weekend getaway with her girlfriends before heading back to college. What she did not expect was to end up trapped in a small cabin off a side of a mountain in the middle of a snowstorm. She also certainly did not expect her high school crush, turned mountain burly man to save her. But that is exactly what happened.
💗This book is perfect for those looking for;
*snowed in spice
*novella, quick read
*high school crush
*only one bed
As a short novella, I really could not complain. I loved the writing style and both characters. The spice hit the spot but was not anything crazy. As with any novella, it went fast and I wish it had been longer. However, considering I was after a short read at the time, it was ideal. I hope to pick up more of Helena Hunting's novella's now. A great palette cleanser 🥰
I rated this book 3🌟s!
💗This book is perfect for those looking for;
*snowed in spice
*novella, quick read
*high school crush
*only one bed
As a short novella, I really could not complain. I loved the writing style and both characters. The spice hit the spot but was not anything crazy. As with any novella, it went fast and I wish it had been longer. However, considering I was after a short read at the time, it was ideal. I hope to pick up more of Helena Hunting's novella's now. A great palette cleanser 🥰
I rated this book 3🌟s!
June 15, 2023
Apesar de ser uma história curta, é impossível negar a beleza da escrita da autora. Foi a minha estreia com a mesma r já sei que quero ler mais.
Adorei o modo como a autora construiu a ação, assim como as vozes fortes dos protagonistas. Claro que existe um pouco de insta love/lust mas tendo em conta o modo como a história é contada e o background dos protagonistas, faz sentido e só poderia ser deste modo. Uma leitura que se passa num ápice e que deixa um gostinho de mais...o final foi muito fofo pois leva a crer que o futuro de ambos é belíssimo ❤️
Adorei o modo como a autora construiu a ação, assim como as vozes fortes dos protagonistas. Claro que existe um pouco de insta love/lust mas tendo em conta o modo como a história é contada e o background dos protagonistas, faz sentido e só poderia ser deste modo. Uma leitura que se passa num ápice e que deixa um gostinho de mais...o final foi muito fofo pois leva a crer que o futuro de ambos é belíssimo ❤️
September 3, 2023
This was super cute and funny!
June 10, 2023
This was a little slice of heaven to read!
What started as a weekend away with the girls became something else when Dahlia gets stranded in a blizzard. Her rescuer is Conrad, the footballer she had a crush on through high school. What she didn’t know was that Conrad also had a crush on her. The chemistry is off the charts and their weekend of fun becomes so much more!
This was a true Helena Hunting read with great characters and hot times!
What started as a weekend away with the girls became something else when Dahlia gets stranded in a blizzard. Her rescuer is Conrad, the footballer she had a crush on through high school. What she didn’t know was that Conrad also had a crush on her. The chemistry is off the charts and their weekend of fun becomes so much more!
This was a true Helena Hunting read with great characters and hot times!
February 12, 2023
Petite novella sympa avec des personnages attachants, une pointe de déjà vu et une dose de situation comique. Parfait pour se détendre entre 2 lectures.
November 30, 2023
REVIEW
When Dahlia Forest finds herself stranded in a remote cabin during a snowstorm, she's reunited with her high-school crush. Conrad Blackthorn can't believe his luck when he turns up to rescue a woman from his rental property and discovers it's the cute mathlete he was obsessed with at school.
This was the perfect short, sweet, and steamy forced proximity novella. I absolutely ADORED Conrad. He was so shy and sweet at first, and i loved ow careful he was with Dahlia. Dahlia was hilarious, and I loved her reaction to the wildlife. I also loved how the story subverted the usual jock/nerd personality stereotypes, with Dahlia seeming to have become more confident. As with all of Helena Hunting's writing, there was plenty of heat and humour, and I loved their chemistry. I'd love to see them again in future books.
Who needs sleigh rides when beard rides are on offer!
Overall Rating: ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
When Dahlia Forest finds herself stranded in a remote cabin during a snowstorm, she's reunited with her high-school crush. Conrad Blackthorn can't believe his luck when he turns up to rescue a woman from his rental property and discovers it's the cute mathlete he was obsessed with at school.
This was the perfect short, sweet, and steamy forced proximity novella. I absolutely ADORED Conrad. He was so shy and sweet at first, and i loved ow careful he was with Dahlia. Dahlia was hilarious, and I loved her reaction to the wildlife. I also loved how the story subverted the usual jock/nerd personality stereotypes, with Dahlia seeming to have become more confident. As with all of Helena Hunting's writing, there was plenty of heat and humour, and I loved their chemistry. I'd love to see them again in future books.
Who needs sleigh rides when beard rides are on offer!
Overall Rating: ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
January 16, 2024
5 Star Review Not Just A Crush by Helena Hunting
Although not a long read, Helena Hunting drew me in and quickly had me invested in the story that she wove.
This is Dahlia Forest and Conrad Blackthorn’s story and it was a passionate, fun read that ticked all the boxes for me.
In school they both crushed on one another but did nothing about it. Imagine their shock when he as to come to her rescue. I just loved these two as their relationship when from nothing to full on all because of being stranded in a cabin thanks to a snowstorm.
As I have come to expect from Ms. Hunting the characters were engaging, easy to relate to and the story had plenty of passion and humour.
Although not a long read, Helena Hunting drew me in and quickly had me invested in the story that she wove.
This is Dahlia Forest and Conrad Blackthorn’s story and it was a passionate, fun read that ticked all the boxes for me.
In school they both crushed on one another but did nothing about it. Imagine their shock when he as to come to her rescue. I just loved these two as their relationship when from nothing to full on all because of being stranded in a cabin thanks to a snowstorm.
As I have come to expect from Ms. Hunting the characters were engaging, easy to relate to and the story had plenty of passion and humour.
December 11, 2025
Love that this was a quick spicy novella about Delilah being snowed in a cabin for a girls weekend but her friends don’t make it because of the snowstorm but Conrad comes and help Delilah with her being stranded at the cabin and a moose and bear attack her things and love that Conrad used to have a crush on Delilah from high school and love that Conrad was on the football team and hand out with the popular people and Delilah was a math-lete and loves reading smutty romances and love the spicy scenes between Conrad and Delilah and Conrad’s friends used to make fun of her in high school and I do love reading Helena hunting writing
Spicy
Dual PoV
Stranded in a snowstorm
60 pages
Spicy
Dual PoV
Stranded in a snowstorm
60 pages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
Overall: 3.5/5
Characters: 3.5/5
Plotline: 3/5
World-Building: NA
Romance: 3.5/5
Spice Factor: 2
Themes: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment Factor: 3/5
Review: This was so cute! A fun short romance novel from one of my favorite romance authors. It had everything I love in her writing and of course, it was fast-paced. However, I wish we got to see the actual romance develop instead of just the physical intimacy. This felt like a great preamble to a longer story and I wish we would get a full-length version of this in the future because it has so much potential!
Characters: 3.5/5
Plotline: 3/5
World-Building: NA
Romance: 3.5/5
Spice Factor: 2
Themes: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Enjoyment Factor: 3/5
Review: This was so cute! A fun short romance novel from one of my favorite romance authors. It had everything I love in her writing and of course, it was fast-paced. However, I wish we got to see the actual romance develop instead of just the physical intimacy. This felt like a great preamble to a longer story and I wish we would get a full-length version of this in the future because it has so much potential!
January 19, 2024
Not Just A Crush is a quick read but that doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining, witty and enjoyable because once again Helena Hunting has given us a fun read that left me smiling.
Dahlia Frost was meant to be spending the weekend with her girlfriends but it seems mother nature has other ideas when she gets caught in a snowstorm and ends up in a ditch…..
What follows is an fun, entertaining read as her high school crush comes to her rescue and they end up holed up in a mountain cabin trying to sit out the snowstorm.
A w itty, steamy read that ticked all my boxes.
Dahlia Frost was meant to be spending the weekend with her girlfriends but it seems mother nature has other ideas when she gets caught in a snowstorm and ends up in a ditch…..
What follows is an fun, entertaining read as her high school crush comes to her rescue and they end up holed up in a mountain cabin trying to sit out the snowstorm.
A w itty, steamy read that ticked all my boxes.
February 1, 2024
Pack your snowshoes we are headed to the mountains with Dahlia and Conrad. This couple gave me all the warm and fuzzies in their snowbound cabin. Dahlia Forest just wants a getaway with her college gal pals what does she end up with....a few days with her high school crush. Conrad was just stopping to check on the cabin but what he found more than surprised him. Dahlia Forest the secret he never acted on. Now they are forced to spend time, talk, reminisce, truths, secrets, wants it is all on the cabin table with this sweet, spicy short story with this cute couple!
~~Michele McMullen~~
~~Michele McMullen~~
February 27, 2024
Originally part of "Smartasses: a Rom-Com Anthology", in this novella we get to see what happens when Dahlia gets stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains after reading one too many "Why Choose Mountain Man books". Who is the "Mountain Man" who comes to her rescue? Her unrequited (or was it?) crush from high school! It's a cute quickie of a read, without much depth or substance, but I would recommend it as a fun palate cleanser if someone is stuck in a book hangover. It's sweet and Spicy and just right!
June 17, 2024
"Not Just a Crush" by Helena Hunting is a heartwarming novella set against the backdrop of a blizzard. It tells the story of two high school crushes reuniting and rediscovering love. The characters are relatable and the blend of humor, emotion, and romance creates a natural and engaging storyline. The snowed-in setting adds intimacy, and Helena Hunting's storytelling keeps the readers invested from start to finish. This feel-good romance is a must-read for fans of charming love stories with a touch of nostalgia.
February 1, 2023
3.5 Stars
This was a cute, and steamy, novella.
It was forced proximity, opposites attract, and while they appeared as strangers they actually knew each other.
I will say I didn't attach to either character. Personally I needed a bit more. But for it being a novella it was good. It was fine.
This was a cute, and steamy, novella.
It was forced proximity, opposites attract, and while they appeared as strangers they actually knew each other.
I will say I didn't attach to either character. Personally I needed a bit more. But for it being a novella it was good. It was fine.
November 16, 2023
3.5 ⭐
This was a fun, short and spicy snowed in romance that ticked all the boxes.
It had funny moments to balance the seriousness of the situation (being snowed in); while also being very steamy when the characters decided to act on their attraction.
A great winter time palate cleanser!
This was a fun, short and spicy snowed in romance that ticked all the boxes.
It had funny moments to balance the seriousness of the situation (being snowed in); while also being very steamy when the characters decided to act on their attraction.
A great winter time palate cleanser!
January 14, 2024
I wanted a quick read between novels and since I adore Helena Hunting, I choose this one. Loved the first chapters but it felt a little disappointing at the end... we didn't need one rushed paragraph to tell us Conrad was her happily ever after. I would be perfectly satisfied with a "...and then fucked like rabbits till the condoms were gone".🤷🏽♀️
January 3, 2023
It ended far to quickly for me. I could see this becoming a full length stand alone book. And yes I knew going in that this was a short story, but did it have to be so tempting as to leave wanting more?
January 15, 2023
Oh my gosh I wish this book was longer! I loved this story about Dahlia and Conrad stuck in a cabin in the woods after a massive snowstorm, which then leads to their happily ever after. It was such a sweet story and one that’ll keep with me for a bit!
February 2, 2024
Dahlia books a mountain cabin for a reunion with her three best friends, but it's the beginning of a snowstorm and she is the only one to arrive. When she needs to calls for help, Conrad comes to assist her. But he also was a high school acquaintance and he had a major crush on her.
March 4, 2024
Short and sweet with just a little spice add in a 🐻 a 🫎 and plus trapped in a cabin in the woods for the setting. Two unknown high school crushes find themselves reacquainted when Dahlia ends up renting Conrad’s B&B for a girls trip.
January 1, 2023
Short but sweet and sexy, easy to read novella
January 1, 2023
So cute! Wish it was full length!
Currently reading
January 1, 2023I receive this novella ebook as a gift.
January 1, 2023
got this from her email listing and it should have been a full book, so cute!!
January 4, 2023
Super cute and spicy. Would love if it was a full length book!
January 12, 2023
This holiday novella was fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews