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Crushed: A Rouge Contemporary Romance
Crushed: A Rouge Contemporary Romance
Jun 23, 2025 6:27 PM

Author:Lauren Layne

Crushed: A Rouge Contemporary Romance

A crush gone wickedly wrong

What you want isn’t always what you need...

Growing up in New York, Michael St. Claire never expected to spend his twenties wearing cowboy boots. But that was before he learned about his real father, a total stranger with a family in Cedar Grove, Texas. Once in the Lone Star State, Michael meets Kristin Bellamy, who is exquisitely refined and everything Michael always thought he wanted in a woman. The only problem is that Kristin is dating Michael’s new half brother, Devon.

Kristin’s mouthy, curvy sister Chloe has always been in love with Devon Patterson. So when Michael offers to help Chloe break up Devon and Kristin, Chloe agrees to a deal that seems too good to be true. Before long, Chloe finally gets her man, only to make a startling discovery: She no longer wants the guy she had to fight for—she wants the one who stood by her side.

After all he and Chloe have been through, Michael swears he’s damaged goods. Can Chloe convince him that love is worth the risk?

Reviews

Delightful and delicious: a must read

—— Nina George, bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop

Mouth-watering and mysterious . . . a compelling read

—— Leah Fleming, bestselling author of The Postcard

Sizzling forbidden love story set in 1900s Paris . . . four stars

—— Heat

A heady mix of passion and betrayal set against the stunning backdrops of 1909 Paris and 1980s Cambridge.

—— The Lady

This series is more addictive than chocolate

—— Huntress Reviews

Nonstop action that will keep you guessing

—— Night Owl Reviews

A thoroughly enjoyable magical mystery

—— Locus Magazine

Combines the perfect blend of wit, warmth and mystery that will keep you hooked until the last page and leave you bereft once it's turned

—— Rowan Coleman

Clear a space in your life for this awe-inspiring gem of a book. Seriously, you'll need a place for all the bits of shattered earth to land. Enthralling from the get-go and packed with an irresistible blend of brilliant characters, intriguing drama and a plot twist that will slam-dunk your brain into the middle of next week, this is a novel you'll be talking about for a very long time. It's an overwhelming accomplishment that cements Lucy Robinson's place amongst the very best in the business. Please, please read it

—— Isabelle Broom

Top-notch, unforgettable women's fiction. The Day We Disappeared is a rare gem, a novel that haunts, inspires and captivates. The story took me completely by surprise. Its compulsive, funny, sad and shocking, and is the finest example of a romantic mystery you'll read all year

—— Victoria Fox

We love a book with a twist and this doesn't disappoint

—— Now Magazine

A real page-turner, with an unexpected twist

—— Bella

This gem packs a proper thriller punch

—— The Debrief

The Truth According to Us will spirit you away to a town from a bygone age, where customs and habits may be different, but where the hearts of its inhabitants, both dark and loving, remain recognisable.

—— View Magazine

A spellbinding tale of family secrets, love, redemption and hope.

—— Woman & Home Magazine

Evocative

—— Daily Mail

A joy from start to end

—— Bookclub Pick HEAT MAGAZINE

Annie Barrows creates a worthy successor to Lee’s beloved Scout Finch….The Truth According to Us has all the characteristics of a great summer read

—— Miami Herald

It takes a brave author to make the heroine of a new novel an observant and feisty girl...Like Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird...Barrows...has created a believable and touching character in Willa.

—— USA Today

Sparkles with folksy depictions of a tight-knit family and life in a small town...Add The Truth According to Us to the stack of repeat-worthy literary pleasures.

—— Seattle Times

A big, juicy family saga with warm humor and tragic twists...lively and engaging.

—— St. Louis Post-Dispatch

There is much to recommend this book...a pleasant summer read.

—— Roanoke Times

Good old-fashioned story-telling with a charming cast of characters

—— San Francisco Chronicle

The perfect read. Read it!

—— Elle Magazine
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