The first kiss wrecked their friendship. Could a second chance lead to love?
English teacher Bella isn’t having much luck with her love life. No matter who she dates, no one seems to measure up to Mike: the ex-bestie she shared a drunken kiss with ten years ago, which led to the end of their friendship…
When Bella comes face-to-face with Mike at their university reunion, sparks fly. He’s smart, funny and even hotter than before, and despite trying to fight her feelings, Bella still can’t get him out of her head.
But after what happened the last time she stepped out of the friend zone, Bella isn’t in a hurry to be rejected all over again.
Should Bella risk more heartache by telling Mike how she really feels? Could the attraction be mutual? Or is it finally time to put her past behind her and say goodbye to a second chance at love, forever?
| Title: | My Ten-Year Crush |
| Author: | Olivia Spring |
| Series: | tbc |
| Pages: | 348 |
| Category / Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Second Chance Romance Unrequited Love |
| Point of View: | First Person, Past Tense, Single Viewpoint (Heroine) |
| Location: | London, UK |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 30th September, 2021 |
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A delightfully satisfying romance
This is my first Olivia Spring novel but I know it will definitely not be my last as I enjoyed this tale immensely and fair devoured it from beginning to end.
Our story is centred around Bella and is written completely from her perspective. That’s not normally my first choice in a book, but it worked in this case as we as readers were as in the dark about Mike and his feelings as Bella herself.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever read a character that was more ‘me’ than Bella. She’s organised to the point of madness and likes to think things through to infinity before making a decision. She often finds herself in uncomfortable situations because she can’t bring herself to potentially upset someone else. She was unbelievably likeable and while she was a touch self-deprecating, it never came across as whiny and I never felt she was overly down on herself. I just loved her.
Mike through Bella’s eyes was pretty much the perfect man. He’s tall, sexy and ripped – but he’s also sweet, kind, caring and genuinely wants the best for Bella. I also loved the fact that he had a special nickname for Bella and how he was also ridiculously clueless (and perhaps cowardly) in how he handled things with Bella. It made him all the more real.
“…[Bella & Mike] are just perfect together – both as friends and then as something more.”
But it’s when Bella and Mike are together that things really shone for me. Their bond is so evident and they are just perfect together – both as friends and then as something more. They had chemistry in spades and their sex scenes were nicely hot. The desk in the empty classroom? Ooh boy! What I especially loved was that neither of them changed for the other. They liked each other for exactly who they were – quirks and all – and, well, it made my heart happy.
Obviously this is the story of Mike and Bella and their romance but in all honesty it’s so much more, too. Bella is somewhat stuck in her life and her personality and preferences tend to keep her stuck, despite her best efforts. As much as I loved the romance aspect of this story – the way that Bella grows and gains confidence was equally wonderful and frankly inspiring.
On finishing this story I felt the joy and happiness of a satisfying romance… but I also felt incredibly uplifted and positive. I noticed myself thinking of the story throughout the day and almost wishing that I hadn’t finished it so I could go back and live in that world some more. I’m delighted to hear Cassie – Bella’s cousin who had a minor side role in this story – is getting her own book next so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some Bella and Mike cameos.
This book was a sheer delight for me. I loved the characters, loved their story and loved the positive feelings that I got from reading. A book I would happily recommend and 5 stars from me.
*I received this book in exchange for my honest review*
Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women’s fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel The Middle-Aged Virgin, which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.
In addition to The Middle-Aged Virgin, Olivia has published five novels: The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy, Love Offline, Losing My Inhibitions, Only When It’s Love and the sequel When’s The Wedding?
Olivia’s seventh novel, My Ten-Year Crush, will be published in September 2021.When she’s not writing, Olivia can be found enjoying cupcakes and cocktails and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!
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You are invited to Queen’s University, Hertfordshire, Class of 2000: Ten-Year Reunion
Drinks, buffet and DJ included in the ticket price.
Some quick reminders for attendees before the event
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- Bring a wingman.
Not helpful when your wingman all through university was the one man that you don’t want to see at said reunion.
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- People will be rude
Some people grow up – others do not.
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- Don’t drink too much
Or at the very least try not to let your best friend make terrible drunken decisions.
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- Everyone’s in the same headspace
Everybody’s nervous about who they are and what they’ve done since uni. Just own your shit.
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- Be open to new opportunities
And if that hottie that you’ve had a crush on for 10 years turns up and wants to hang out again. SAY YES!
All quoted content © Olivia Spring
Series:
2 Comments
Blog Tour: My Paris Romance by Olivia Spring - Jo Reads Romance
9 July 2022 at 5:17 pm[…] that I think this story might be the best of hers I’ve read so far. Cassie first appeared in the My Ten Year Crush, the first book in this series, where she was the cousin of the heroine of that story. Then she and […]
Blog Tour: My Lucky Night by Olivia Spring - Jo Reads Romance
13 November 2021 at 10:07 am[…] a short and Christmassy book featuring one of the minor characters from the (equally delightful) My Ten-Year Crush. Cassie from this book is that book’s heroine, Bella’s, cousin. Fear not, though, this book […]