GENRE: YA Romance
BLURB:
Falling in love with a senior was risky … especially when he was your best friend’s brother.
Allie Duncan started sophomore year with two aspirations, make her school’s volleyball team and keep her crush on Hunter Baylor, her best friend’s brother, a secret. If Mia found out, she would feel betrayed. The crush was useless anyway. Hunter was a star basketball player and she was a nobody. Or so she thought until his attention was piqued after Allie went on the Baylors’ summer vacation. When Hunter goes to homecoming with Allie’s sophomore rival, she’s devastated and her confidence is destroyed, especially after his date tells her the Baylors pity her. Hunter tries to make it up to Allie, which leads to a kiss, leaving Allie confused.
Can she push this crush out of her heart to save her friendship? Or is Hunter worth the risk?
Book Excerpt
“You came out to the shore without Mia? That’s dangerous in the dark.”
“So did you.”
“And?”
“And what? I’m some defenseless girl who needs a chaperone?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
I retreated to my flip flops and plopped into the sand. I kept my gaze on Hunter’s back as he stared into the water. Of all the places on the beach, he had to stand at this one? This was my escape from my feelings, and I hated that the other part of me was secretly excited that we were here … alone. What did I expect to happen? I was his sister’s best friend. Some useless sophomore. This was just a convenient spot, directly in front of the house.
I stood and slipped my feet back into my flip flops. “I’m heading back. Have a goodnight.”
“Duncan, wait. I didn’t mean to crash your walk and then insult you.”
“No harm done, Hunter. I should head back anyway.”
“I can walk with you.”
I waved the flashlight, sending it haphazardly across his chest. “I’ll be fine. Enjoy the view.” I turned to walk back.
I would be lucky if I could sleep picturing what could have happened on that beach. What I wished would happen. If only we were different people, and it wasn’t forbidden.
Author’s Favourite Scene from Fate of a Crush
My absolute favorite scene in The Fate of a Crush is during homecoming.
Novels to me are mostly made up of small little moments, that when put together make it magical, but for this novel, I could reread the chapters surrounding homecoming so many times.
The main character, Allie Duncan is plagued with feelings for her best friend’s brother. She has had a crush for a few years, but it never mattered, because she could mask those feelings and no one had any ideas. But this year, everything has shifted.
Her feelings are stronger than ever and it feels impossible to ignore. Allie starts her sophomore year of high school and her frenemy starts to date Hunter, the focus of her crush. Not only can I still feel that sinking feeling realizing the person you like is into someone you can’t stand, but that girl calls Allie out. After saying some pretty rude things, Allie has hit rock bottom.
She flees the dance and finds herself walking back to her best friend’s house, when Hunter picks her up instead. This scene flowed out of me and was truly guided in the moment.
I usually plan scenes only to a point. For instance, I know the general details, but the characters take the scenes the rest of the way and for this scene, they surely lead the way. Not only is this a pivotal moment for them, but it feels magical to me no matter how many times I’ve read it. So I hope readers enjoy it as much as I do.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Marie McGrath lives in a small rural town in Maryland. She hopes to inspire others with her stories. Her favorite genres to read are YA Romance and Contemporary Fiction. She loves the color turquoise, tigers, and listening to music.
Website: https://mariemcgrathauthor.wixsite.com/books
Find her on social media:
@Marie_McGrath
Instagram.com/marie_mcgrath_
facebook.com/MarieMcGrathAut
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Fate-Crush-Marie-McGrath-ebook/dp/B0BBD42D73/
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Marie McGrath will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
