To survive where I live, you have two options.You can be a Normal—a cheerleader, jock, member of the debate team, or on the yearbook committee. You pretend everything is normal.Or you can be crew.You insult us? We hurt you.You hurt us? We really hurt you.And if you f*ck with us, we will end you.My name is Bren.I’m the only female in the Wolf Crew—the best, fiercest, and most dangerous crew there … Crew—the best, fiercest, and most dangerous crew there is—and we have a rule: There’s no falling in love.
Well… too late.
**Full-length novel. First book in a series.**
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A new series from Tijan? Need I say more … cannot wait for this one!
This is Tijan in her complete and total element : edgy characters, edgy and dramatic storyline, a wonderfully real heroine, a sexy-as-sin hero, everything is just completely AMAZING. Tijan knocks it out of the park with CREW and I just cannot wait for more of this world and series!
I loved this one. This one is set up in a high school setting where crews run the show. The Wolf Crew is Bren, Cross, Jordon and Z. Bren is a strong character. She’s the only girl in the Wolf crew but she holds her own. She’s had a rough childhood and longs for family. The Wolf crew is like a family. They protect each other and have each others back. I really liked all of the Wolf crew members. I don’t want to give to much away and accidentally spill a spoiler but I will say this if you like YA books this one is a definite must read.
I received a free copy of this book from the author.
I don’t really know how to describe this book to you w/o having some type of spoiler in it. When you open and start reading the book some things are going to be very familiar to you if you’re a Tijan reader. If you’re a first time reader of her’s none of it make a difference, keep reading.
I enjoyed these characters. It made me think of my own high school days. I didn’t have a CREW per se nor do I now but I do have close friends that we will drop everything for each other when something happens.
As an alternative to the gang system the CREW one seems to work in this town. It will be interesting to see what’s going to happen with the other novels in this new series.
I love Tijan books. So much drama and heartache!
“When you become one of us, you have to agree to three oaths.”
“Three?”
“Three. The first, will you treat us as family?”
“Yes.” Without hesitation, without regret, without a doubt—yes.
“Will you fight for us as you’d have us fight for you?”
Another yes—no question, thought, or fear.
“And the last, will you forgive as if we’re one person?”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam:
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
The heroine: Bren Monroe – she is one of only two girls in the Crew system. She has had a hard life. Her older brother left, her mother died of Cancer, her father became an alcoholic and ended up in prison. Her brother came back and is trying to be her parental figure but she resents him because he left and the role doesn’t fit him at all.
The Hero(es): Cross Shaw – he has always been Bren’s best friend. He is a player and is the bad boy all the girls want. He has no fear and wolf crew is his life though he is smart and could do anything he wants.
Supporting Characters:
Wolf Crew – Cross Shaw, Bren Monroe, Jordan Pitts, Zellman Greenly;
Ryerson Crew Leader – Alex Ryerson
Former Ryerson Crew Leader – Drake Ryerson (Bren’s Ex)
Cross’s sister & Bren’s Friend – Tasmin (Taz) Shaw
Bren’s Brother & Crew royalty – Channing Monroe (he started the Crew system); he now owns a bar in Roussou.
Heather – Channing’s long time girlfriend. She owns a bar in Fallen Crest (the wealthy town on the other side of the tracks.
The new guy Race Ryerson
The Story: It’s a new school year and things are a bit different than last year. Last year Bren was with Drake until he left. He left her, his crew and everything in Roussou. He turned his back on them and went away to college leaving his younger brother Alex in charge. The principle of the school has tightened up regulations in school to keep the crews in line and Bren is at a loose ends feeling like things are changing.
To top that off, there is a new guy in school who may or may not know something about her that she has never told her crew. Race Ryerson is Alex & Drake’s cousin and Drake spent the summer with his family before Race moved to Roussou. Race seems very focused on Bren and her crew.
This book was so good. It was different, with the whole “Crew” idea. It is hard to pin down exactly what a Crew is, but what I got is that they are a mix between a gang and a clique. They say they aren’t gang’s that they are just like a small family where the members have each other’s backs. However, they are the toughest kids in the school, they are quick to start fights when threatened and they have no problem exacting retribution when necessary.
This is told completely from Bren’s point of view and she is a tough one, though at times she thinks and acts like she is much tougher than she actually is. Sometimes it does seem like a bunch of kids playing gang members. Though they don’t deal drugs or run guns or any of those types of things. Crew basically just hang out together and protect their own against perceived or real threats.
Aside from that, the storylines are great. Bren has issues with her brother, who is kind of the King of Crew. He started the whole crew system and his crew is still together though they are now adults. Yet he is trying to be a good guardian to her and she resents him for it.
There is also the story of the rival crew who is led by Alex there is some tension between the two Crews. Bren is just trying to get through, day by day and she really has no expectations on what she will do after graduation. She is having problems at school and is labeled a bad kid, as are all crew, though it is known that Cross could go places. I liked this because usually the heroine is the good girl who falls for the bad boy, and this is a bit of a reverse, even though technically Cross is a bad boy.
Such a great heroine! Always love Tijan books.
New YA series, this one is about Bren, she is the only girl from a Crew, she and the other 3 guys stick together through everything. But things gets complicated when love comes into the equation and so the struggles start to play a major part. I loved reading about some Fallen Crest characters that I love so much. I can’t wait for the next one, it seems like it’s going to skyrocket through my favorites lists.
OH MY GOD, This book gives you everything you expect from Tijan, plus so MUCH MORE!! I can’t even begin to say how much i fell for all these characters, Bren, Cross (yep i’ve already claimed that hottie Mctottie!!) Jordon and “Z” the notorious Wolf Crew!! And what a crew they are, we get all the drama, angst and issues (some pretty serious ones) that many young people deal with daily. But this group, this Crew is something that just calls so much to my inner self. They are a family, they will and do have each others backs, no matter what !! They will always stand side by side. These young people have strength independently and together. Tijan gives us characters, we wish we were, people we want to be and the kind of people we wish for in our lives. They have their own rules and standards and i just devoured every single second of this book, this fictional life is so perfectly written it practically became my real life, one i did not want to end. I adored Bren, she’s the kind of girl we all want to be… strong, yet she is vulnerable and has issues she emotionally pushes past every day. And the guys? well what can i say, these characters will definitely ruin you
because they set a standard that is impossible for mere mortals to reach !! There is everything to love in this book, side characters you will love and those you will hugely dislike but they all make for a colourful, engaging, addictive read that will blow you away !!!!!
5 Stars
This is the Tijan I love! I fell in love with the Fallen Crest series because the characters and there stories were unique, raw, complex and captivating.
Crew has the same underlying drama, angst and intrigue, that draws you in as Tijan’s older titles. As the little snippets of information are slowly revealed, you find yourself completely enthralled.
Crew is a young adult title told from the sole point of view of the heroine Bren. She’s a bold, enigmatic characters. She hides her true vulnerability behind a strong, tough and formidable persona that she exudes to the world. For such a young person she’s an old soul, having endured a life of heartache and loss.
Bren lives for her crew, they share an incredible bond of loyalty, friendship and camaraderie. They have each other’s backs, and are loyal to the end. At times the crew can be intense, and violent, but there are also moments of levity and humour.
Crew is a slow burn romance full of twists and turns, and surprises and I will be eagerly awaiting more of this series.
Love Crew. Can’t wait for book two. Cross is just amazing. Mason has always been my favorite but he might have to step aside. Bren does remind me a little of Sam. I am really excited to get Zellman’s book. He seems to be like Logan Kade. Great start to a new addicting series.
Tijan did what she does best, and that’s to write incredibly flawed characters that you can’t help but become emotionally attached to. You’re drawn in by the first page and can’t stop reading as she provides drama and action at every turn.
Bren worked her way into my soul, and I wanted to hug her and make her reveal all her secrets. Cross is perfection. At one point, he said one sentence, and I thought – now I love you.
As with all her books, each one is a roller coaster of drama, angst, amazing banter, and characters that stay with you. I can’t recommend this book enough
I have been a Tijan fan since I first learned where Fallen Crest was. I continually fall in love with her characters and am biased in my love for some. I was afraid that Crew was going to be the Kades 2.0. I am so glad that I silenced that evil twit yapping in my ear and grabbed a copy. Crew is everything I never imagined. Its a passport to the other side of the “tracks” you always wanted to visit but never when the wrong brother was in power…
I know you are intrigued. If you are a Fallen Crest fan, you will love the behind the scenes in Roussou. You will love the look into the lives of friends we haven’t seen in awhile. If you are a newbie, it will be an eye opener to see what kids today get into…at least in Roussou. It was eye opeing to see what life has done to some of my favorite people but it was even better to learn the motivation behind their “issues”. I have always had a huge “boner” for Jax and Channing, I have always needed their story to be better. I understand it will never be that easy but I still hope that one day Jax will get her happily ever after with her very own Prince Channing, I mean Charming. I know you are questioning me now. I see the raised eye brow and the head tilt. You don’t know who I’m talking about but you will. They aren’t who this story is about but I need to get my feelings out. I am waiting still. (I know you hear me Tijan!)
Crew is about family. It is not a gang. It is not perfect but it is a system that protects and keeps a balance. Crew is about respect. To disrespect a crew would lead to something you don’t want to experience. It about having each others backs and though it sounds gang like…this crew is blood. They are family. They are one. Like any family there is tension and fighting but they always have each other…or do they.
This book is complicated. The story line and characters get under your skin. You aren’t sure which way you want it to go but at the same time beg for it to go the way your heart cries. (I know that only made sense to the hopeless romantics.) The emotions, the pressure, and the hurt are intense. You feel the fog, the numbness. You feel the pain trying to take over. You almost crave the nothingness. Most of all you crave the connections. The lost little girl inside begs to be loved and not forgotten.
A lot happens in these pages. Somethings happen at a rapid pace while others are a slow burning fire. In the end, fears are faced, questions are answered, and lives are changed. Best of all, new members. Because whether they accept me or not, I have their backs. I think I can even make room for you too.
Oh and keep your eyes open, I just saw this is only the beginning!!!
reviewed for Sweet Spot sisterhood
Yes! Yes! Yes!
No one can write a YA book like Tijan…. no one. This book is everything you would hope and more than you are expecting. The characters are some of the best out there and you will definitely fall in love.
There are struggles, excitement and a wonderful story wrapped up with a pretty bow. It’s about friendship and family. Being there for one another and someone always having your back. I am totally in love with this and can not freaking wait for everyone to read this. It’s going to blow your mind!
The Queen is back and has struck gold with gold with Crew
If you LOVE her Fallen Crest like me then you will love this new spin off and added bonus you get to see a couple of people from FC.
Tijan writes high school drama like no-one else she draws you in and makes you become addicted from the very first page! The drama she writes is simply brilliant. You become so invested in the characters straight away.
This book centre’s around The Crew, 4 friends, Bren, Cross, Jordan and Zillerman, who are badass and have each others backs no matter what. What I liked about the Crew is that for once the female, Bren, was as badass as the boys, an anti-heroine. She’s fierce, loyal to her Crew and can be unpredictable. Cross manages to ground her sometimes, he’s her home, her best friend.
I can’t wait to see what happens next with this series as this was a simply brilliant start to it. Crew could quite easily become my new addiction from Tijan but although I love Cross I will always be Team Mason <3
I love Tijan’s books! She writes these amazing books and gives you the most amazing characters. CREW is one of them and my new favorite book and hers.
Once again, Tijan takes us on an emotional and intriguing ride. After reading the first page, you won’t want to stop because the intrigue is immediately there. You want to know more…more about the CREW, what’s a crew? What do they do? Who are they?
Bren Monroe is one of the Crew, her along with Jordan Pitts, Zellman Greenly and Cross Shaw are the “Wolf Crew”. It has always been just the four of them, it was formed since they were kids. Some events lead them to meet and in turn, they developed this bond and protected each other. Ever since, what happens to one of them, happens to ALL of them. They are each others family, they were Crew.
This book is told from Bren’s POV. She was fearless and bad*ss, but she was broken too, and we can see her struggle to do the right thing, to be there for her crew and also for her family. If you’re a fan of Tijan’s books, you’ll love this one. It’s a “friends to lovers” romance, with a slow burn, forbidden romance because there’s a “no falling in love” rule. Very emotional and with lots of intrigue. The male character (I won’t spoil who he was) is to die for! He loves her so much and he’ll die for her too. I’m her biggest fan!!! And you’ll love all the members on this crew. There is a lot of loyalty between them. They really are a FAMILY.
I’m sure there is a lot more to know about them, even though it didn’t finish on a cliffy, it still makes us crave more of Crew. Can’t wait for more of my favorite Crew so far!!!
WOW! I had no idea what I was getting into when I read the blurb for Crew. All I cared about was that it was written by Tijan and that I just had to read it! And let me tell you, it was one hell of a read! It’s dark, it’s edgy, it was beautifully raw. The storyline, the characters, the emotions… all of it!
Most of the time it is the hero that the reader fusses about. For me, this story, was all about the heroine. Her character is broken yet fierce, afraid yet courageous, lost yet undeniably loyal. From beginning to end, she captivated me with her strength and her vulnerability. Her story, I felt on every level. She was unbreakable.
What I loved about the hero was that it wasn’t about him. He wasn’t the white knight that saved the princess. He was her friend, her ally, her confidant. He was perfect!
Crew is unlike anything I’ve read. It was unique and incredibly addicting. It was intense! I loved every minute of it, and I can’t wait to read book 2!
Review by Lys
It’s always a good sign when you’re still thinking about a book 24 hours later and haven’t been able to move past it. Crew is phenomenal! Tijan starts this new series with new characters by taking us back to a place many of her long time readers will be familiar with.
Speaking of it’s characters, Bren is one heck of a heroine. She’s something else, and I might be a tiny bit in love with her. I mean she’s only 17, but she’s fierce, loyal to those she loves, and hurting so badly. There were moments when I wanted to cheer her on, and others when I wanted to hug her and offer her words of comfort. I really related to her and I admired her so much. Finding out what made Bren wasn’t easy, especially since she guarded herself fiercely. Watching her lower her guards was as nerve-wracking as it was enlightening.
Her crew, the Wolf Crew, is something else. If I’m a little in love with Bren, I’m straight over the moon for Cross. This guy maybe Bren’s best friend, but he has her back unconditionally. I was in love with him almost from the beginning. I mean he’s there for Bren, and there’s something really sexy about that. He was intense, intelligent, focused, and just everything I’ve come to expect from a Tijan hero. Jordan and Zellman aren’t far behind. Each has their moments, but no one is truer to Bren than Cross.
The story itself is a masterpiece. It’s full of unexpected twists and reveals, and always kept me on my toes. After all a story by Tijan is not just addictive, but it’s enthralling and exciting too! I can’t even explain how deep a hold this story got of me. Not only was it unpredictable, but it was well written and ensnared me mind, soul, and body too. I cried while reading the book at times, but I don’t see that as a bad thing. I just see it as me being completely invested in the characters and their story.
One of the amazing things about any book Tijan writes, is her excellent development of secondary characters. There is so much potential for more books beyond CREW #2. I must say I both love Tijan and am a tiny bit unhappy with her for how the book ended. I didn’t want the book to end and I wasn’t expecting that ending at all! I will say that CREW #2 is now one of my most anticipated reads for 2019! I don’t doubt it’ll be one of yours either, especially after you finish Crew!
Loved every second of this book. It’s just this side of dark, and I ate up every word. This book is my jam, and I cannot wait to peddle this book to anyone who will listen to me. Not hashing out the plot. I mean where is the fun in that? The characters are amazing, there is a mix of good and I want to slam your head into the wall. There is lots of angst, there is terror, there is hope, there is hate, there is love, there is laughter, there is lust. So good, and such a good mix of all of those. The story flows perfectly, there are no holes in this story, you just sit back and read page after page until it’s friggin 5am, so yeah thanks for that! I cannot recommend this more if I tried. I don’t know that there is anyone that has read a Tijan book that wouldn’t love this book. Told in first person view.
Ohhhhhh Tijan has me all book buzzed with this one.
Tijan literally calls to my high school drama with a side of debauchery loving soul.
This is a bit of a slow burn romance and I will say it takes a minute to get into some action but Tijan sets the stage so nicely at the beginning. She takes her time setting up this storyline and my curiosity is peaked early on. I think one of the main reasons for that is because we have a female who is a bit of an anti hero. It’s clear that Bren, the female heroine in this story has led a bit of a rough life, she is part of what’s known as a crew. They are not quite a gang but they aren’t your typical high school clique either. They don’t necessarily cause mayhem but they don’t follow rules either.
Bren’s character is a bit badass, she doesn’t take crap from anyone, she’s fierce and at times unpredictable. At times I was like dayummm girl !!!! Now she’s part of a crew with three others, all who happen to be guys, Jordan, Zellman and Cross. They are a very tight knit crew, loyal AF and they back each other up no matter what. Cross and Bren are best friends as well, and as this storyline continues, the feelings between these two start to heat. There’s just one rule, no couples in the crew.
I couldn’t stop reading this, it focused on everything happening to the four of them, high school life, crew life as well as the relationship between Cross and Bren. Cross was one of those characters that was silent, quiet not too outspoken but he just has this aura about him that oozes bad boy brings you to your knees kind of personality.
I’m a fan and I can’t wait for more from this new series from Tijan. Crew sort of straddles the line between YA and NA but does it so well. It’s got action, suspense, slow burn romance and a kick ass heroine. I absolutely loved it.
Young Adult or Coming of Age books are not generally my thing. I make an exception when Tijan’s name is on the cover. I mean, Lord, the drama and angst this woman is able to inject into one novel is damn-near astounding! It doesn’t matter if it’s high school drama or college drama or even drama in the 30s. Tijan weaves a tale of heartbreak and secret longing. The slow burn love story built around these troubled and complex high schoolers is just plain captivating. My heart was pulled into this story and this new world made my heart and head ache for the characters.
Is it odd that I really wanted to bring the main female character back to my home where I could mom her up like a modern-day June Cleaver? I’m pretty sure every reader is going to have the same instinctual reaction. The love and friendship in this novel is adorable and, really inspiring. I studied psychology and have my Bachelors degree in it and this book really tugs at my intellectual mind, not just the creativity, but the layers and complexity these characters have was just fascinating to me. Anyway, I’m trying to keep this review vague. Get your fingers ready to one-click this book. Ms. Tijan gives us a really layered and compulsive read from the very first page to the very last.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.