A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Books4Betty
Fireworks & Stillburrow Crushin’
Not very often is a book hard for me to put down, but I found one, and I absolutely adore it. The Stillburrow Crush, written by Linda Kage is a rare gem to book lovers. Although it is intended for teens and young adults, The Stillburrow Crush touched me at my twenty-something age. The basic premise of this story has been written numerous times, but it takes the talent of a gifted author to make it modern, and to make it beautiful. Kage took the story line, “rich, popular jock, falls for poor, un-popular girl” and made it something worthy of reading. She writes in such a way that is believable, and yet tasteful for younger readers to indulge in. Usually in my reviews, I try to name drop as many characters as possible and I do this to give the readers a full overview of the stories; however, I want to talk about the two main characters. Carrie Paxton and Lucas Carter are the heroine and hero respectively, and I find them absolutely adorable!
Carrie, the editor of the school paper, interviews Luke, the beyond good-looking and popular jock, and quickly finds herself majorly crushing on him. With his black hair and sparkling blue eyes, there is no guessing why a sixteen-year-old girl would fall quick and hard. I love how Kage slowly developed Carrie and Luke’s relationship. Sometimes authors rush through the ‘getting-to-know-one-another-stage’ and jump right into the relationship chapters, but I find it more satisfying (and more believable) when the characters have time to develop.
Kage beautifully intertwines multiple plots into The Stillburrow Crush and they weave one lovely work of art. She handles issues of social class, death, and teen pregnancy in such a tasteful and classy way. Because this book is intended for younger readers, Kage touched the above issues with a gentleness I greatly appreciated. Not every author can blend the topic of death into a story of first love, yet Kage did, and it works.
Carrie and Luke come from opposite’s sides of town, and this story follows them as they discover the true meaning of friendships and love. Each of these characters discover what it means to love and lose, and then to love and gain. The Stillburrow Crush teaches a valuable lesson to those who may view popularity as everything, and in turn, teaches a lesson to those who may view the rich kids as snobs. Although Luke, at first, hides away his feelings for Carrie, he falls for her heart and not her social status. Although Carrie, at first, judges Luke because of his family, she falls for his heart and not his social status.
The Stillburrow Crush has already made it into my book discussions, and I have already recommended this book be read. Linda Kage is an author I will whole heartedly follow, and in fact, I have already purchased another one of her stories. She took a clichéd book topic and made it new, and she most certainly made it exciting.
To conclude, The Stillburrow Crush Is a MUST read and I hope girls and women of all ages read this. The Stillburrow Crush more than exceeded my expectations.
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
Aug 04, 2010 | 1601546513
5 = Rare - Top Pick | 4.5 = I Loved It - Top Pick | 4 = Good Solid Read
3.5 = Enjoyable | 3 Stars = OK - Needs a few changes | 2 Stars = It just didn't click / DNF
Book Blurb for The Stillburrow Crush
Sixteen year old, Carrie Paxton, isn't the most popular girl in her small town of Stillburrow. But that's never concerned her before. Her life revolves around her writing, and she loves her job as the student editor of the school paper. But when she gets assigned to interview the football team's beloved quarterback, she takes one look into Luke Carter's blue eyes and is a goner. Suddenly, she doesn't like her lowly rank so much. Then her dreamy, popular crush surprises her when he starts to act as if he likes her in return. But there's no way Luke Carter could possibly ever like a nobody like Carrie Paxton. Is there?
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