Crush du Jour

by Micol Ostow

When a girl bites off more than she can chew...

Laine barely has enough time for herself, much less for romance. But she's always hungry for more projects -- so she signs up to teach a cooking class at her local community center. As it turns out, the guy co-teaching the class with her, Seth, is not just cute, but downright delicious! When Seth offers her a waitressing job at his family's restaurant, Hype, Laine can't resist.

Just as Seth finally warms up to Laine, she finds out that Callie, another waitress at Hype, is cooking up a plan to steal Seth for herself. But tensions really reach their boiling point when Laine's restaurant critic mother writes a scathing review of Hype! Will Laine have to put love on the back burner again?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Cooking, Young Adult Romance

203 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 9, 2007

About the author

Micol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol's graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.

She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.

Reviews

[Hannah Potantus · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was… disappointing. I liked the Simon Pulse teen romcoms when I was younger (a teen shockingly enough) but now (and at least for this one) not so much. I found the main character annoying, the plot flatter than pancakes, and the “rom” in romcom to be totally one sided and not squeek-worthy at all. I have one more I might try… at least they are super short.

[Kayla Plutzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you may know, I am a sucker for romantic comedy novels and this was no different. It was fun and cute, and filled with yummy food!

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like that sort of tension-filled, witty romance might be just what you're looking for.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crush Du Jour by Micol Ostow talks about high school junior, Laine, worrying about her college application and trying to do her best to make her college application as good as possible by doing tons of extracurricular activities. During her summer, she applies for a summer job at the community center as a cooking instructor, pairing up with another person to run a class. While she tries to handle the waitress job that Seth, her partner introduced her and the cooking instructor job, she cannot help be get distracted by Seth because she has a crush on him. While reading this book, I thought that some parts of this book, most teenagers can relate such as cramming their activities and preparing for college. IN addition, it reminded me of the SATs that some people were trying to “cram” for and the time when everyone was “worried” or “concerned” for the PSATs. Furthermore, a lot of teenagers try to handle their personal life with school/academic life and ended up not handling it so well. For example, they might be too involved in their school life that they do not have time for themselves or even sleep.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. It was the kind of book that you could put down and go get a drink or take a break for a little while before starting up again. It was good at keeping me wanting to know more about certain situations in Laines life. To find out how all of her problems work out in the end. No, it wasn't the kind of book I'd never want to put down, and be obsessed with, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And anyway, it was still interesting, and had bits of funny in it too, with 2 really hot guys, a gorgeous girl, that of course, just happens to hate Laine's guts, and wants to steal her guy. (At least...that's what Laine first thought.) It tells a kind of romance that make you want to melt. So yes. I suggest you read it, cause it's pretty damn awesome(:
P.S. It's a pretty small book too. I read it in less then a day, and I just so happened to take 2 or 3 breaks too. Only 203 pages.

[Natalie Juszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. It was the kind of book that you could put down and go get a drink or take a break for a little while before starting up again. It was good at keeping me wanting to know more about certain situations in Laine's life. To find out how all of her problems work out in the end. No, it wasn't the kind of book I'd never want to put down, and be obsessed with, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And anyway, it was still interesting, and had bits of funny in it too, with 2 really hot guys, a gorgeous girl, that of course, just happens to hate Laine's guts, and wants to steal her guy. (At least...that's what Laine first thought.) It tells a kind of romance that make you want to melt. So yes. I suggest you read it, cause it's pretty damn awesome(:
P.S. It's a pretty small book too. I read it in less then a day, and I just so happened to take 2 or 3 breaks too. Only 203 pages.

[Natalie Juszko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute. It was the kind of book that you could put down and go get a drink or take a break for a little while before starting up again. It was good at keeping me wanting to know more about certain situations in Laines life. To find out how all of her problems work out in the end. No, it wasn't the kind of book I'd never want to put down, and be obsessed with, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. And anyway, it was still interesting, and had bits of funny in it too, with 2 really hot guys, a gorgeous girl, that of course, just happens to hate Laine's guts, and wants to steal her guy. (At least...that's what Laine first thought.) It tells a kind of romance that make you want to melt. So yes. I suggest you read it, cause it's pretty damn awesome(:
P.S. It's a pretty small book too. I read it in less then a day, and I just so happened to take 2 or 3 breaks too. Only 203 pages.

[Yanmei · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about laine who gets a job teaching kids how to cook and meets a cute guy there. this book teaches people not to lie to others because it will come back to you. Laine did not tell Seth, her crush, that her mom writes restaraunt reviews and her mom is doing one for Seth's dad's place. When seth found out, he started skipping out on the classes and did not talk to Laine anymore.
This shows that there are consequences when you do not tell the truth from the beginning. Even when you have thought about the whole plan, there will be holes because no one knows hwta will happened in the future.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was on the cooking list of Popular Paperbacks for teens. Since I love "food fiction" and it was on the shelf at my library, I checked it out. My definition of food fiction means it must contain recipes featured in the story, so by that standard this is not food fiction, but food is important to the plot. If what you want is a ridiculous and fairly predictable teen romp, this will do. The writing isn't great and there aren't any great surprises, but sometimes that's okay. I found main character Lanie to be a bit hard to take, and she seemed to have an awful lot of freedom, though we do know that her single mom works 10+ hour days. A harmless light read. Some adults may be bored.

[Anna Schroeder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have I ever told you how much I love the Simon Romantic Comedy series? They're amazing when you're looking for a quick read that's still written excellent.

Micol Ostow writes so that you feel what the character's feeling. When Laine does something embarresing in front of Seth (which you know will happen eventually), you feel embarresed. I actually started blushing one of the times!

The writing was really good, and I could really connect with all the characters, not just Laine.

if you're looking for a light romance read, then Crush du Jour is the book for you.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong. I adore Simon Pulse's fluffy Rom Com series. I'm just not a huge fan of Micol Ostow's writing. Her plots are cute and interesting, but I feel Ostow drops the ball with her development. Her cast of characters was maybe a bit too large with the students in the cooking class because everyone was a bit flat and one-dimensional for my liking. Also, the plot developed at an odd pace. All in all a cute summer read, but I probably won't read any more of Ostow's work.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is not one of my favourite Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies it was sweet enough but was over seasoned with cooking puns and metaphors(god she has me doing it) and the main character was all over the place. i failed to connect with her partly because it seemed she had multiple personalities and i never quite knew what was happening with her. that being said at only 200 pages it makes for a nice enough quick read that you can knock over in a few hours.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with a cute story. I enjoyed the language of the story the most, there were some pretty good lines, such as "So Bartender Boy and Bitchy McSpray-Tan are off in la la land" and "Who cared if my bangs were flippy and shooting in two different directions? Lunatic bangs were the least of my problems right now."

A fun read

[Viawinterpurple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a very surprising plot line, Just when you think that things are going to get better they get worse and just when you think things are going to get worse the get better. Overall this is very unpredictable and has a very deep message in the end. Don't ever fall in love, but if it happens go along for the ride.

[Devin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good romantic book. I loved it so much. I could not put it down!!!

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn't greaat, but it was okay.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly book, but amusing when it feels hotter than 100* and you've got no a/c!

[Amy]

For all romance luvers!

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

The protoganist own thoughts were sometimes humorous but there was no zap to the story. It had some elements that were cute but was still lacking for me to really enjoy the novel.

[Winnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really nice.. Too much food related words

[Savannah]

Loved this one summer 2010

[Hpitcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

didn't really like it :(

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so adorable.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a sweet book to read when I was young. It made me happy and wonder when and how I would find my "romance"

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute, it wasn't amazing or ground breaking, but just a quick read to feed my guilty pleasure

[Ria Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! this was an amazing book. i hadnt been reading many great books so when i went to my library and got this book and finished i was so ecstatic.

[Annaelle Allez L'OL!!! · Rating 2 out of 5]

THEY didnt even kisS!!!

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 4.5 stars. The story line wasn't my favorite. But it was a good book. I would recommend it.

[Andi]

I loved this book! It was SOOOO good!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was really stupid and the cover is SUPER creepy