Hate Crush

The book had 3589 locations on my kindle. The book was about Sebastian and Stella. Sebastian was a 27 year old teacher, who taught AP Research. Stella was an 18 year old student, virgin and want to be photographer. The book contained some rough rushed, heated sex and oral sex more than half way thru. The book also contained a bit of choking and crawling. My issues. The insta lust between the characters, made me roll my eyes. I did not like the characters. Sebastian blew hot and cold and he pushed/ pulled Stella, until the e of the book. Stella was a lonely, needy, eager to please door mat, who instantly forgave Mr. Carter at every turn. Overall this was a no for me.

Zavarelli has been one of my favorite authors since I first read her Boston Underworld series. Her writing is fantastic, her characters believable, and the twists and turns always leave me hanging by the edge of my seat.

When I learned Hate Crush was a taboo, student teacher romance, I was ready to dive in. When I heard it was a bully romance? I was intrigued, but a bit worried as thats not my normal read. But you know what? I ended up devouring this book. I finished it in under a day, couldnt put it down, and spent days thinking about the characters and living in this world.

I really felt for Stella. Her world was falling down around her and she was doing everything she could just to keep her head up. Thrown into a new, prestigious school where money was as important as grades, Stella was looked down upon by some of her classmates just because they could. And to her, her jerk of a teacher wasnt much better, despite his good looks.

Sebastian was definitely a bit broken. His upbringing taught him to act a certain way, and the circumstances that made him change his course and start teaching were devastating. He was jaded from the beginning, looking for a project that could calm his conscience and make up for his past. His intentions were good, his execution not so much.

There was definitely chemistry between these characters, and the story that swirled around them kept me zipping through the pages. Still, some of the romance I wanted seemed missing. I wanted to feel the characters falling in love, but they seemed to be stuck in lust/dependence until something happened to make them step up and change.

I really enjoyed this read and was sad when it ended because I wasnt ready to let Stella and Sebastian go. Definitely 4.5 stars.

Stars: 5
Length: Full Length
POV: Dual
Series: Stand Alone
Ending: HEA
Re-read? Yes

I want to eat her alive, and right now, she can sense that. But Ill never admit it. Ill never admit that she gets to me. I just need her to know that shes mine to toy with for as long as I want, and thats all there is to be said about it.

This book is amazingly hot but I have a very love/hate relationship with it, which I guess is appropriate as its titled Hate Crush. Sebastian bullies Stella pretty severely. I actually hate him for most of the book. He is so messed up that I just cant understand how on earth he thinks what he is doing to Stella is in any way helping her and setting her on the right path. There are so many better ways to do something like that. He is twisted and unfortunately its really really hot.

When Im inside her, or toying with her, or even stalking her like a fiend, it makes me feel alive again.

The scene with the belt? Scorching! The cruel control he exerts over her in detention, making her sit there until she pees herself? Yeah that kind of control shouldnt be as hot as the other makes it.

Eventually Stella gets through to his shattered soul. Sure, he relapses a few times but she heals him and in a way he heals her as well.

Once she is satisfied, I rise to my feet and kiss her again, softer this time. A kiss I hope conveys the words I can never bring myself to say. Im sorry. Im so f*****g sorry that everyone has let you down.

Besides the absolute scorching hotness of this book, its full of twists and turns that keeps everything interesting and there really arent any slow parts. This is my second re-read and I dont doubt that Ill be reading it again someday

A. Zavarelli has done it again. Hate Crush grabs you and doesnt let go. She has a skill for creating broken characters that are so relatable. They could be any of us.

The most powerful message of this book is that the world turns on a dime, and life can change in an instant. You can have a plan for your life, with the expectation of how it will go, and it can be swiftly derailed by anothers poor choice within your realm, whether the choice is made by a family member, a stranger, or simply an unexpected turn of events. While not random, it is devastating just the same. Conversely, your path can be chosen for you by others, with no regard for what you want, until you break away and choose for yourself. The dichotomy is superbly expressed within the pages of this book.

This is a tale of the unfairness of life, of angst, desperation, abandonment, and loneliness. It is a story of perseverance, devotion, true friendship, hope, and love.

As always, Ms. Zavarelli doesnt disappoint. She may elicit a whirlwind of emotions, and she still gives the reader a guaranteed happily ever after as a reward. It keeps me coming back every time!

I am not normally a fan of the student/teacher taboo genre, but A. Zavarelli sure pulled me in with this one. I am a hard sell, and need to see that the relationships are more then just a hot student, and to cool to catch teacher.

Sebastion challenged Stella, and pulled her out of the safe and expected. He pushed her to give her best along with being her best. They bring the best out of each other and manage to keep each other’s demons at by. A. Zacarelli kept the focus on their relationship and what they could bring to better each other. The fact that they were teacher and student was more of a secondary problem then the focus.

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