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suzyq436's review against another edition
4.0
Such a cute story! Alfie is so freaking adorable. The only reason I knocked off a star is because the storyline with Tristan became quite juvenile. That just didn't sit right with a bunch of young thirty year olds.
hannah_reads_2020's review against another edition
4.0
A fun contemporary romance.
Sierra is a co-owner of a fledgling game development company that needs their next big pitch at a gaming convention in Germany. One problem, a mortifying incident in collage has left her unable to speak in public - coherently at least.
Her best mate, room mate and fellow co-owner convinces her to sign up for a open mic type evening in which contestants tell their most embarrassing stories. Bouncing off the idea that the class that created the embarrassing moment back in collage also involved journaling she decides to pull her material from there, starting with the anecdote of her collage crush Tristan Spencer. All goes well until the contestant after her turn out to be said crush. Hilarity ensues as she navigates past feeling and new feelings towards the bars owner Alfie, who was also in this class. We follow Sierras turmoil as she doubts herself and figures herself out and find love.
Fun, funny, heartwarming and heart braking. This was an easy read and I can't wait to see what the author delivers next.
Sierra is a co-owner of a fledgling game development company that needs their next big pitch at a gaming convention in Germany. One problem, a mortifying incident in collage has left her unable to speak in public - coherently at least.
Her best mate, room mate and fellow co-owner convinces her to sign up for a open mic type evening in which contestants tell their most embarrassing stories. Bouncing off the idea that the class that created the embarrassing moment back in collage also involved journaling she decides to pull her material from there, starting with the anecdote of her collage crush Tristan Spencer. All goes well until the contestant after her turn out to be said crush. Hilarity ensues as she navigates past feeling and new feelings towards the bars owner Alfie, who was also in this class. We follow Sierras turmoil as she doubts herself and figures herself out and find love.
Fun, funny, heartwarming and heart braking. This was an easy read and I can't wait to see what the author delivers next.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
ARC courtesy of Netgalley
In this first person single POV narrative, Sierra Reid, a twenty-something white Atlanta-based video game programmer/designer/company owner, wants to be the one to present her new game at an upcoming trade conference. But after once being "the victim of a sabotage" in college, she's been left with "crippling fear of public speaking," and the venture capitalist who has invested in her firm is reluctant to trust the important launch to her. To help her try to battle her anxiety, Sierra's friend and company co-owner Aida suggests she go the "trial by fire" route to help her overcome her fear: participate in a local taphouse's "first annual Chagrin Challenge"—"bring your embarrassing anecdotes, diary entries, poetry, or other past shames for a chance to win prizes." After some resistance, Sierra finally succumbs to Aida's urging, choosing to tell the story of her unrequited college crush on gorgeous Tristan—only to discover that Tristan is the next contestant in the Challenge...
A high-concept start, to be sure. Parker's narrative voice is funny and engaging, and her depiction of both the self-involved Tristan and a third member of the college class, the taphouse owner, Alfie, are sympathetic and wel-rounded. The one downside—Sierra's wishy-washy personality. Early on, she confesses that "confrontation made my heart race in a bad way. Forced to take a side, I'd usually find some mealy-mouthed middle ground and then hide until the arguments blew over." It seemed highly unlikely that a woman with such a personality could be effective as the head of a company in the highly misogynistic tech field, and we rarely see Sierra interacting on the job in a boss-like way with any of her colleagues. And while I initially sympathized with Sierra's continuing fascination with Tristan, by mid-book her naiveté about what makes for a good romantic partner became tiresome. She's supposed to be in her late twenties, not a teenager! To her credit, Parker doesn't make any of Sierra's potential love interests one-dimensionally good or evil. Yet it will be clear to the reader way, way earlier than it is to Sierra just who is the better guy for her.
In this first person single POV narrative, Sierra Reid, a twenty-something white Atlanta-based video game programmer/designer/company owner, wants to be the one to present her new game at an upcoming trade conference. But after once being "the victim of a sabotage" in college, she's been left with "crippling fear of public speaking," and the venture capitalist who has invested in her firm is reluctant to trust the important launch to her. To help her try to battle her anxiety, Sierra's friend and company co-owner Aida suggests she go the "trial by fire" route to help her overcome her fear: participate in a local taphouse's "first annual Chagrin Challenge"—"bring your embarrassing anecdotes, diary entries, poetry, or other past shames for a chance to win prizes." After some resistance, Sierra finally succumbs to Aida's urging, choosing to tell the story of her unrequited college crush on gorgeous Tristan—only to discover that Tristan is the next contestant in the Challenge...
A high-concept start, to be sure. Parker's narrative voice is funny and engaging, and her depiction of both the self-involved Tristan and a third member of the college class, the taphouse owner, Alfie, are sympathetic and wel-rounded. The one downside—Sierra's wishy-washy personality. Early on, she confesses that "confrontation made my heart race in a bad way. Forced to take a side, I'd usually find some mealy-mouthed middle ground and then hide until the arguments blew over." It seemed highly unlikely that a woman with such a personality could be effective as the head of a company in the highly misogynistic tech field, and we rarely see Sierra interacting on the job in a boss-like way with any of her colleagues. And while I initially sympathized with Sierra's continuing fascination with Tristan, by mid-book her naiveté about what makes for a good romantic partner became tiresome. She's supposed to be in her late twenties, not a teenager! To her credit, Parker doesn't make any of Sierra's potential love interests one-dimensionally good or evil. Yet it will be clear to the reader way, way earlier than it is to Sierra just who is the better guy for her.
lamom77's review against another edition
5.0
I ended up loving this story! A very classic chick-lit book with great character development, a few twists and great, steamy romance. Very quick read. A+
cassiesnextchapter's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to the world of gaming! Crushing It is the witty, tender, down-to earth rom-com that I really needed right now. It was the perfect blend of nerdy gaming jargon, cringe-y relationship angst, and laugh out loud moments.
Crushing It was definitely different than what I expected, with a fresh and smart plotline. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about characters embarrassing themselves on purpose in a bar contest. It was great and so entertaining! (I do think we could have trimmed down one round of the cringe-worthy bar contest as Sierra and Tristan take things a little too far.)
I absolutely loved the well-developed, sweet, superbly quirky, unique yet relatable characters! I was bothered that Sierra could turn back to Tristan so easily, but that’s her character flaw, and it was great to see her growth in that relationship (among others). Alfie gave me rugged nerdy/cool vibes that I’m ALL about. And Sierra’s bff Aida is hilarious – I totally pictured Michelle Buteau hamming it up with sass like she did in Always Be My Maybe.
Lorelei Parker definitely brings her A-Game in this nerdy, redeeming, relatable story full of awkward moments and bumbling relationship blunders. It’s certainly a reminder that in this game of life, we can always ask for a reset and another chance at love and growth.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Lorelei Parker for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Crushing It was definitely different than what I expected, with a fresh and smart plotline. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about characters embarrassing themselves on purpose in a bar contest. It was great and so entertaining! (I do think we could have trimmed down one round of the cringe-worthy bar contest as Sierra and Tristan take things a little too far.)
I absolutely loved the well-developed, sweet, superbly quirky, unique yet relatable characters! I was bothered that Sierra could turn back to Tristan so easily, but that’s her character flaw, and it was great to see her growth in that relationship (among others). Alfie gave me rugged nerdy/cool vibes that I’m ALL about. And Sierra’s bff Aida is hilarious – I totally pictured Michelle Buteau hamming it up with sass like she did in Always Be My Maybe.
Lorelei Parker definitely brings her A-Game in this nerdy, redeeming, relatable story full of awkward moments and bumbling relationship blunders. It’s certainly a reminder that in this game of life, we can always ask for a reset and another chance at love and growth.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Lorelei Parker for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
lillyofthenally's review against another edition
3.0
“He called after. “You’re a four, Sierra. You should take what you can get.”
Wyatt is the worst kind of guy for real. And there’s so many people like him out there.
“5:00 PM-2:00 AM MONDAY-SATURDAY
What I wouldn’t give to work those hours instead of fighting my natural sleep cycle”
I’ve been reading ‘why we sleep’ and Sierra is right !! We should have flexible work schedule depending on people’s sleep schedule because some people may be morning persons and others may be night persons and that doesn’t make them lazy! That’s just the way they are !!
“You’re a saint Howard.”
He really is a great ex boyfriend! Though Aida had stated a few pages before that Sierra always chooses the worst guys to go out with.
First of all it started out great a steady 3 star review but till almost halfway through the book we still don’t see Sierra wanting Alfie more than as a friend or looking at him as more than a friend ?
I hated Tristan so much !!!!!! But I’m kind of glad he had a great ending. He did go through a rough patch but he chose wrong means to get out of it.
I liked Sierra. I usually find some flaws in main characters but I think that she’s great I liked her - expect for her fashion sense maybe lol. Maybe I liked her this much because usually the woman mc usually are clueless when it comes to characters like Tristan. And I’m glad she wasn’t. Saw through his bs from the start.
Alfie’s great but he should’ve come clean first. I was angry with him and I wouldn’t have minded if she didn’t end up with him in the end. But she did and that’s great too.
The incident wasn’t thaaat deep and honestly they just talked about it as though it’s some big event and they have ptsd because of it. But really it wasn’t that bad.
Maybe I should put 2 stars just because of that.
But I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
Wyatt is the worst kind of guy for real. And there’s so many people like him out there.
“5:00 PM-2:00 AM MONDAY-SATURDAY
What I wouldn’t give to work those hours instead of fighting my natural sleep cycle”
I’ve been reading ‘why we sleep’ and Sierra is right !! We should have flexible work schedule depending on people’s sleep schedule because some people may be morning persons and others may be night persons and that doesn’t make them lazy! That’s just the way they are !!
“You’re a saint Howard.”
He really is a great ex boyfriend! Though Aida had stated a few pages before that Sierra always chooses the worst guys to go out with.
First of all it started out great a steady 3 star review but till almost halfway through the book we still don’t see Sierra wanting Alfie more than as a friend or looking at him as more than a friend ?
I hated Tristan so much !!!!!! But I’m kind of glad he had a great ending. He did go through a rough patch but he chose wrong means to get out of it.
I liked Sierra. I usually find some flaws in main characters but I think that she’s great I liked her - expect for her fashion sense maybe lol. Maybe I liked her this much because usually the woman mc usually are clueless when it comes to characters like Tristan. And I’m glad she wasn’t. Saw through his bs from the start.
Alfie’s great but he should’ve come clean first. I was angry with him and I wouldn’t have minded if she didn’t end up with him in the end. But she did and that’s great too.
The incident wasn’t thaaat deep and honestly they just talked about it as though it’s some big event and they have ptsd because of it. But really it wasn’t that bad.
Maybe I should put 2 stars just because of that.
But I enjoyed the book nonetheless.
kristensreading's review against another edition
5.0
(Netgalley free copy. Opinions are my own)
Do. Not. Judge. A. Book. By. Its. Cover.
⠀
From the cover, I imagined this to be one of those fluffy romance books with a high maintenance socialite as the main character. Nope.
⠀
Our main character is Sierra, a video game developer with a serious fear of public speaking after a catastrophic presentation in college. The cause of catastrophe - Tristan, her college crush. Sierra is vying for the chance to present the company’s newest game at a big conference in Germany. To get over her fears of public speaking, her best friend and the other co-founder of their video game company, encourages her to join a local bar’s contest of essentially “Who can embarrass themselves the most?” She ends up in a “love triangle” between Tristan, who shows up at the contest, and with Alfie, the bar owner who also went to college with her and Tristan.
⠀
Alfie Jordan might be my favorite book boyfriend of all time. He and Sierra together are absolutely dreamy. I devoured this book in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down even when my tired eyes were begging me too. Even though I knew Alfie would end up being her Mario kart rival, it was still one of my favorite pieces in the book.
Do. Not. Judge. A. Book. By. Its. Cover.
⠀
From the cover, I imagined this to be one of those fluffy romance books with a high maintenance socialite as the main character. Nope.
⠀
Our main character is Sierra, a video game developer with a serious fear of public speaking after a catastrophic presentation in college. The cause of catastrophe - Tristan, her college crush. Sierra is vying for the chance to present the company’s newest game at a big conference in Germany. To get over her fears of public speaking, her best friend and the other co-founder of their video game company, encourages her to join a local bar’s contest of essentially “Who can embarrass themselves the most?” She ends up in a “love triangle” between Tristan, who shows up at the contest, and with Alfie, the bar owner who also went to college with her and Tristan.
⠀
Alfie Jordan might be my favorite book boyfriend of all time. He and Sierra together are absolutely dreamy. I devoured this book in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down even when my tired eyes were begging me too. Even though I knew Alfie would end up being her Mario kart rival, it was still one of my favorite pieces in the book.
aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition
3.0
It was a bit uneven, but the parts that I liked, I REALLY liked. It took me a bit to get into it, and one of the end "reveals" made no sense based on the rest of the book (and I really wish the occasional morality paragraph would have been pulled). But overall, I really enjoyed the storyline and I really liked how everyone saw "10-years-ago" differently.
_camk_'s review against another edition
2.0
I have thoughts about books like this. I love video games, I'm passionate about them and I have a basic knowledge on how coding, etc works. That being said, I will never understand why authors make every girl who likes games, just over the top. They never just like games, they have to wear and collect the merch, they have to make game references regularly and nearly always have a quirky style and hair...
I found Crushing It to be boring. The romance was boring, the characters were boring and even the 'cringe' stories were a bit boring.
I found Crushing It to be boring. The romance was boring, the characters were boring and even the 'cringe' stories were a bit boring.
kthornette's review against another edition
2.0
To put it quick, this book had two usual A plot and B plot, but I felt as if they weren't that well-meshed together.