Crash Into Me

by Taylor Romagnoli

It’s only been two weeks since Natalie graduated from college, yet she feels adrift—listless and wayward in the beach town she now calls home. Trapped in a cycle of job rejections, writer’s block, and being the new girl in town, Natalie’s social life revolves around supporting her sister’s recovery as she enters rehab for an eating disorder. 

Enter another patient at the same facility where her sister is being treated. He’s undeniably magnetic, and their attraction to one another is obvious. But this summer was supposed to be a turning point for Natalie—a new start—but when her friendship with Brooklyn turns to romance, his history threatens her future.  

Brooklyn’s past isn’t just complicated, it’s dangerous, and when his history of drug addiction resurfaces, it drags them both into turbulent waters. It’s just like Natalie to want to save him, but she soon realizes that sometimes, people can only save themselves.

Genres: Romance

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

part-time knitter, part-time metalhead, part-time poké princess, part time writer of things / Charleston, SC <3

insta: @tayromagsauthor / I have no other social media

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC!

I thought this was a good book! 3.5🌟s!!
Things I enjoyed: The ending was very powerful (I in fact cried). Nat and Nikki’s sister relationship was really sweet and I thought that the author did a great job portraying what it looks like to love someone with a disorder/addiction.
Things I didn’t enjoy as much: The pop culture references were a bit much for me (just a personal taste thing) and the journal entries made it feel like there was a lot more telling than showing. I think the plot lends itself to some very deep and meaningful messages that I wish weren’t so spelled out in the MC’s journaling.
Overall, I recommend(:

[Kelly Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author for an advanced copy of Crash Into Me by Taylor Romagnoli.
I could not put this book down. Kat was such a trusting, nurturing person. Trying to fix everyone in her life. On top of a relationship with someone in recovery her younger sister is struggling with an eating disorder. She dealt with both of them with love but in a co-dependent way. Brooklyn was a lovable goof and I adored him from the start.This book is heart breakingly realistic. I was rooting for both characters and really wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed. At the very least I needed an epilogue, especially regarding Brooklyn.
I also loved the nostalgia of the 80’s and 90’s movies and music.
The Kindle edition of this book had formatting issues that will hopefully be fixed before publication.
4.25⭐️ (this would have been higher if the ending hadn’t fell flat for me).

[M D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very well done! In this story, Nat finds herself moving back home to a small beach town to support her sister, Nikki, who has been placed in a residential treatment facility for an eating disorder. Nat is in the process of figuring out herself and her future, having just finished college and aspiring to develop a career in writing. Then, she collides (literally) with Brooklyn - a dreamy, outgoing patient at her sister's facility. What follows is a heartfelt, drama-packed journey of self-discovery, growth, and romance.

All of the characters were well developed. This can be difficult, from a single POV narrative, but I felt here that it was easy to get to know Nikki and Brooklyn through Nat's eyes, and fall in love with them throughout the story. There were emotional twists and turns that kept me captivated and made it hard to put down. I liked the writing style - there were little tidbits of literary facts dropped throughout that I thought added an artsy twist and were very in character with Nat's background in creative writing.

I thought the topics of EDs and drug addiction were approached sensitively and accurately here - but please do read the trigger warnings, as these topics may be very sensitive for some.

All in all, this was an inspiring read with good romance that tackled some hard topics.

Thank you to NetGalley, Taylor Romagnoli and Frayed Pages x Wattpad Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crash Into Me takes place in a small town where Nat's mother grew up and Brooklyn has lived his whole life.

Nat is dealing with her sister's eating disorder and Brooklyn struggles with a drug problem. I can see where the title comes from as that is how Nat and Brooklyn meet for the first time.

Nat hesitantly starts a friendship with Brooklyn and they both agree that is all either of them are looking for. They spend some time together and feelings get involved and the story progresses from there.

It's a short romance novel so I would say the pace is pretty fast, it's closed door so there is no graphic scenes. The characters are pretty likeable and believable. Having dealt with a family member with an eating disorder, I think Taylor did a really good job portraying those feelings.

I would recommend this book to others, I would just be cautious with who as this isn't some fluffy book about eating disorders and drug addiction. These topics are discussed in a serious way but there are appropriate trigger warnings before starting the book.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you netgalley for this ARC

this one was emotional in a way that really sneaks up on you.
my absolute favorite part was the dynamic between the sisters. their bond felt authentic, layered, and beautifully written. those moments carried so much heart and honestly grounded the entire story for me.
the writing itself felt very raw and vulnerable. almost every chapter ended in a way that made me want to immediately keep going, which I always appreciate.
for me, the journal entries were a bit overused. I don’t mind that device here and there, but it started to feel repetitive and pulled me out of the flow of the story at times.
and the ending… I have QUESTIONS. it felt very open-ended, almost like the story just stopped. I need to know what actually happens next. do they find their way back to each other? does she move on? I’m really hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters because there’s definitely room for more — especially with nikki and alec.
overall, an emotional read with strong character relationships, I just wish I had a little more closure. 🤍

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crash Into Me is a deeply engaging read that pulled me in from the very first pages and refused to let go. Taylor Romagnoli’s writing is strong and fluid, making it easy to become fully immersed in the story and the emotions of the characters.

The pacing is excellent, each chapter left me hanging, eager to find out what would happen next. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story shifted in unexpected ways that kept the tension high and the pages turning.

What truly stood out was the ending. It was powerful, emotional, and incredibly satisfying, leaving a lasting impression long after I finished the book. Crash Into Me is the kind of story that stays with you, not just for its plot, but for the feelings it evokes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written, emotionally charged read that keeps you invested from beginning to end.

[Emerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Frayed Pages x Wattpad and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this arc 🫶

TW:
Addiction
OD
ED


Crash Into Me is a quick-paced, read-in-one sitting book focusing on heavy themes and topics, such as ED and addiction. I give it a 3.5, because as I said, it is very quick paced, so there wasn’t much time to process details being relayed through the plot.

However, I found that it could also be emotional and devastating at times, particularly towards the end. The journal entries from Nat to her dad is definitely my favorite part of the book, it allows more insight to Nat and her life, giving more depth to her character.

I enjoyed her relationship with her sister. There was many up and downs for them both, with both only wanting the best for the other.

As for Brooklyn, I found their relationship to be fast paced, devastating, and emotional. The ending was the most redeeming part.

Overall, 3.5, and I suggest sitting aside 4-6 hours to read in one sitting.

[Anna Richins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars!! maybe even 4.5

A caring writer, who has always wanted to fix those around her mixed with a recently rehabbed ex-college athlete…like c’mon. The two main characters had excellent chemistry throughout the book. The FMC, with a sister fresh out of rehab with an eating disorder, is full of regrets for not picking up signs sooner and struggling with her own identity as a newly graduated writer. Told from her perspective we get to see how she wants to help not only her sister adjust but also help the new man in her life stay on the road to recovery. I flew through this book and quite thoroughly enjoyed the steps of addiction. It was real and finished in a way that made me yearn for more.

[Serina0331 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC read from Netgalley

I wanted to cry during this entire book. Throughout this book Nat navigates emotionally taxing relationships with her dad, sister, and boyfriend and the author does such an amazing job with each situation. Nat is one of the most self-aware main characters I've read about it in such a long time and its so refreshing. Even though we are meant to root for her, the author does such a great job developing all the other characters that I am also rooting for them. The ending of the story was slightly unexpected, but it was so nice to see a book about addiction end without the continuous loop. I want a book from Brooklyns and Nikkis perspective, but mostly I just want more books by this author.

[Ashley Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was character centric with a FMC and MMC that I was rooting for from the start. Brooklyn and Nat were so relatable and likeable even with their flaws and trauma, that I was immediately invested. I ate this book like a bag of potato chips (could not put it down). I was so worried about how things would eventually wrap up but the author a great job of making it feel both real and satisfying despite navigating tough topics and hurdles for this couple. I felt like the depiction of relationships and addiction was done so well and didn't feel glorified or have an easy fix, just like in the real world. I finished this book a few days ago and can't stop thinking about it.

[Carrington Hodges · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book started out fantastic. I loved the sister dynamic and was really rooting for Nikki to be okay after her eating disorder. What I didn't expect was the whole story to revolve around the problematic relationship between the FMC and the boy for rehab who was throwing up red flags and still doing drugs but lying to her. He then ODs, goes to rehab, and comes back telling her he's changed and it's going to be different. I just wasn't impressed.

I loved the premise of the story but it just didn't really deliver for me.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man.. this book hit extremely close to home. The author really pulls you into the characters relationship. The only negative to the book was the ending. There wasn’t one. I need to know what happened! Did they end up together? Did she move on and let him go? I really hope we see a second book! Perhaps one about Nikki and Alec that will give some closure for Brooklyne and Nat!

[Kendall P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this read! Finished in 2 sittings. Romagnoli's writing style is addictive without being try-hard/pretentious. I would have liked this to simmer or cook a little longer before really revealing the beef of the story, but enjoyed nonetheless. It reminded me of Caroline Kepnes' writing - without the serial killer plot lines.

Gifted via NetGalley.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a very true representation of disorders and addiction.

this was a good view for someone but can also help someone who is going through something like this.

the romance was raw. full of these emotions of half truths. lies.

natalie is adrift and has this weight she has put on herself to fix and make sure everyone’s happy. but it can’t always work that way because others need to have the strength to be better. she’s struggling to find herself.

brooklyn is like a breath of fresh air for natalie. but with addiction everything’s always in the grey area. she sees the surface level and as she experiences how much addiction effects life and those around. and how much it consumes that person.

they have trials and battles.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It hit really close to home as my cousin OD on a drug laced with fentanyl but he wasn’t so lucky to survive. This story shows that it’s good to show up for loved ones but it’s also okay to hold your boundaries.
Thank you Netgally!

[Thelovelywitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply AMAZING. I'd give up anything to read it again for the first time!

[C.L.S. Willman · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part was the relationship with the sisters! It was written beautifully. The story felt raw and emotional and left me hanging at the end of each chapter. The only downside for me was the use of journal entries. I don't mind it once in a while. But it felt a little much and pulled me out of the story.