Who remembers their first crush? I know I do.
I’m talking your first HUGE crush, the kind that inspired diary entries and giddy daydreams, the kind that had you doodling your name linked with theirs. If the object of your affection happened to be in your same class in school, you could pretty much forget about learning anything. Well, learning anything other than the various shades of chestnut in his hair, that is, or the way he bit his lip in concentration as he took notes.
It’s possible I had a little experience with this.
Confession time: I was what you would call boy-crazy as a child…and a teen…and a young woman. Really, it came as no shock to anyone that I became a romance author. But even with all those crushes and heartbreaks (and really, really awful fan fiction), I’ll always remember my first: Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block. Am I showing my age by admitting that?
Yes, memories of my besotted self still make me chuckle—the sheer amount of stuff I collected just because his face was on it was truly impressive—so I thought it’d be fun to relive those embarrassing memories in story form. Only, for my newest release, I turned up the heat.
Take a girl crushing on a celebrity, an attractive guy in a band of course, and make him be within the girl’s inner circle. Off-limits, still, but in a personal way. Add in a bad case of acne, a padded training bra, and a glaring six-year age difference and you have young Arabella Stone, my heroine in YOU’RE STILL THE ONE. Daughter to a country label CEO, starry-eyed preteen, and all-around crush-victim. The real fun starts when I fast forward a few years for a truly hilarious meet-cute involving the two meeting again, only this time in the john. Yep, I giggled my way through writing this story, and I lived vicariously through Charlie and Arabella’s daring exploits…but I digress.
I want to know about YOU.
You now know my first huge crush. An unobtainable boy band singer with an unfortunate rat tail (I still own my Jordan Knight doll to prove this sad fact). Jordan may’ve been the first of many crushes, both celebrity and non-celebrity alike, but he will always be my first.
Who was yours???
Would you have wanted to meet them, like my heroine did, or was it better to admire from afar? Let me know in the comments. I can’t wait to read your responses!
About You’re Still the One
Arabella Stone, Nashville’s darling, is eager to shuck her prim-and-proper rep, and a few wild months spent checking items off her “summer bucket list” is the way to do it. First up: kiss the man she’s crushed on since she wore a training bra, the bad boy of country himself, Blue bassist Charlie Tucker.
For Charlie, a beautiful woman flirting with him isn’t out of the norm—but a beautiful woman bolting after the hottest kiss of his life sure is. And when he finds out his kiss-and-run Cinderella is none other than Arabella Stone, daughter of his label’s CEO, he knows he’s in trouble. Because not only is she a Stone, she’s also his employee for the next few months at the recording studio he just bought.
Over the course of one thrilling summer, Arabella and Charlie chip away at her bucket list and fight the simmering attraction between them…knowing that once it’s all over, so is their time together.
Purchase You’re Still the One
About Rachel Harris
Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls next door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.
An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, and LOVES talking with readers.
Connect with Rachel Harris
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
February 23, 2016 at 3:29 amDonnie Wahlberg. He’s still gorgeous and when I met him last year I almost mauled the guy! LOL. He’s hot 🙂
Melinda says
February 23, 2016 at 3:48 amI think everyone had a crush on NKOTB, LOL. I’m trying to think back and no one really comes to mind for me but I am sure I had a crush on at least one of not 3 or 4 people, LOL.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
February 23, 2016 at 3:55 amWasn’t Jordan Knight every girl’s first crush in the 90s? I thought he was dreamy.
Michele says
February 23, 2016 at 5:47 amI must be losing it–I can’t remember the first guy I had a major crush on–oh wait a minute–yes I do!! I just don’t remember his name. He was one of my Dad’s friends (but a lot younger then my Dad) and I remember staring at him while my Dad and he played pool in I think it was his basement. He was kind of embarrassed-my Dad thought it was cute-hey he (my Dad) was there so nothing could come of it! I dreamed about that guy for ages!!
Carmen Perez (listen2mama) says
February 23, 2016 at 8:09 amI think it was a boy in my grammar school, who of course didn’t really know that I existed (that’s usually the case!). To be honest, until right now, I had not thought about him in years!
monica says
February 23, 2016 at 8:31 amWhat a fun walk down memory lane. I have to read this book!
Pam says
February 23, 2016 at 9:37 amI remember my first crush in elementary school! You definitely never forget that first crush.
Amy Desrosiers says
February 23, 2016 at 11:45 amI still think about my first boy crush as bad as that sounds. In fact, I even looked him up on Facebook…time flies!
Marielle Altenor says
February 23, 2016 at 1:11 pmI was boy crazy too when I was younger. I wrote letters and kept diaries but most time I just love to day dream about it. I think my first huge crush was this boy in the second grade. He had the bluest of blue eyes! lol I still remember his name hahahah
coolchillmom says
February 23, 2016 at 3:06 pmI guess that boy crazy spirit pays off to becoming an author 🙂
Yes, I do remember mine too
Ora Lee Gurr says
February 23, 2016 at 3:49 pmMy first crush was a boy named George when I was in second grade. He gave me a beautiful snowball flower from his dad’s bush and an adorable doll with a Hawaiian dress and lovely long black hair that I could actually brush! “You’re Still the One” sounds like a great book to read from beginning to end while sitting in a comfy chair with a tall glass of iced tea. Thanks for sharing some of the best parts with us.
Miles L. says
February 23, 2016 at 4:52 pmI don’t know but I just can’t remember my first crush anymore. I enjoyed reading your blog post. Thank you!
Shell says
February 23, 2016 at 5:18 pmThis books sounds like such a fun read! It’s funny to look back on first crushes.
Ann Bacciaglia says
February 23, 2016 at 7:10 pmThis sounds like a great book. I would have loved to meet my first real crush. It was for the lead singer of Duran Duran.
Paula Schuck says
February 23, 2016 at 7:40 pmI have heard so many people say they were disappointed when they got to meet their celebrity crush. This sounds like a great book. I am looking for a new book to read.
Amanda Love says
February 23, 2016 at 9:14 pmI am actually looking for books for my trip on my very long flight that I’ll be taking soon. This is one book I think I’ll be adding to my list for my Kindle. I actually do remember my first crush to this day. Oh how fun those days were.
Brandy says
February 24, 2016 at 5:12 amThis is so true about your first crush, you don’t really ever forget. Also your first real love. I will have to check this out!
Joyce Brewer (@MommyTalkShow) says
February 24, 2016 at 5:50 amMy first celebrity crush was Yankee player Dave Winfield. I used to fantasize/re-enact about being his wife and washing his baseball uniforms in the laundry room.
That was a million years ago!
Sharné says
February 24, 2016 at 9:13 amIvo Alexandre Gommes-Alves. Wow, haven’t thought of him for a hot minute!?
Alicia Taylor says
February 24, 2016 at 9:57 amMy first crush was Duran Duran – pick a member. John Taylor, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Simon LeBon… Yummy. I can still remember their birthdays – and always thought it was cute that none of the Taylors were related.
Heather Johnson says
February 24, 2016 at 1:53 pmMy best friend and I fought over a boy and his best friend in Kindergarten. He was my first crush.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
February 24, 2016 at 1:59 pmMy first celebrity crust was Kirk Cameron when he was adorable Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. I watch that show every week. This sounds like a great book to read.
Christie says
February 24, 2016 at 3:46 pmMy first was probably one of the New Kids on the Block. After that, definitely Brad Pitt 🙂
Seattle Travel Blogger says
February 24, 2016 at 4:01 pmThis is a cute story.
1st times for anything are memorable for sure!
Crystal says
February 24, 2016 at 8:17 pmDavid Bowie was my first crush. I remember running down the hallway frantically when my sister would tell me “Rebel Yell” was on MTV.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
February 25, 2016 at 4:47 amI had a big crush on the kid from The Sandlot and the kid in SeaQuest. I sadly am drawing a blank on names right now 🙂 I was just a few years young for NKOTB, but Back Street Boys were also my jam. Sounds like a great book.
Vera Sweeney says
February 25, 2016 at 11:14 amWhat a trip down memory lane!! I had not thought of some of these bands or even my first crush in years! It’s fun to see my daughter going through these crushes now.
Raijean says
February 25, 2016 at 12:08 pmLove this! So was I… You’re right you never forget, oh the memories
Kristina says
February 25, 2016 at 4:24 pmMy celebrity crush was and still is Will Smith. You really never forget and it never really goes away.
Brianna says
February 25, 2016 at 6:50 pmTim Deery. He was my first BIG CRUSH from about 2nd grade all the way through high school. HAHA.
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
February 25, 2016 at 6:58 pmWhat a sweet story! You really don’t ever forget, do you? I’m not spilling who mine was!
Tracey says
February 26, 2016 at 11:10 amLOL Jordan Knight was my crush in the 90s too! I have loved reading everyone’s responses…seems like Jordan was a popular guy.
Melissa says
February 27, 2016 at 12:07 pmWow, I totally agree, I’m never forget my first crush, it was a handsome boy 2 years older than me, but he never see me 🙁
Sara Zielinski says
February 29, 2016 at 11:10 amIt is very true that you never forget your first crush, brings back great memories.
Terri Irvin says
March 1, 2016 at 8:47 pmI had my first crush in elementry school and I can still see his face. I really loved him. I gave him candy to show my affection.
Criss Dimla says
April 18, 2016 at 5:42 pmI remember my first crush was a boy from elementary 2nd grade. I think it was better to meet him, but I’m a coward when it comes to things like that so it’s best if I’ll just admire him from afar.
Catherine Tellier says
April 25, 2016 at 8:15 amMy first crush was named Tommy. He was so cute and he was someone I eventually dated. I never had a crush on a celebrity but admired the great players that played basketball . In college I had Michael Jordan plastered on my walls. He had such skill and something I admired. I have tried looking up my crush from the past on facebook also but he doesn’t have a page that I can find. He also years later paid me a visit at my Mom’s house. It was a thrilling moment just to know he still thought of me.
ROSEANN ARCHER says
April 26, 2016 at 5:12 pmi know i never forgot mine i still love him over 30 years later