I have loved Channing Monroe all my life.In first grade, he asked for my Trapper Keeper.I hit him in the head with it.Third grade, we were best friends. We kissed in seventh grade.Eighth grade, he turned into a bad boy and the rest was a tumultuous storm.Growing up, the problem was never love for us.Bad times. Good times. There were times when I felt our love in every inch of my body, vibrating, … every inch of my body, vibrating, making me feel like it could bring me back to life.
The problem was us.
The problem is that we’re living in two different worlds now.
Fallen Crest and its millionaires for me. Roussou and their criminals for him. I was thriving in mine and he was running his.
But…
But there were nights I felt we couldn’t be further apart than we were, and there were nights I felt we shared the same heartbeat.
When was it time?
When was it time to either sacrifice, make a change, or walk away from the boy I grew up with?
** 103k standalone
There are two chapters at the end from additional books.
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This is a fantastic book.
Channing Monroe!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam:
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
The heroine: Heather Jax – Lives in Fallen Crest, owns a popular bar/diner called Manny’s. Heather is strong and stands up for herself and she loves Channing but won’t put up with crap so they are on again, off again.
The Hero(es): Channing Monroe – The Godfather of the Crew system in Roussou. He left home while in high school when his Mom was sick and Dad became abusive. Now his Mom is dead, his father in prison and he has custody of his teenage sister Bren, who has her own crew and is resentful of him. He owns a bar in Roussou called Tuesday Tits.
The Story: Channing and Heather met in grammar school, she lived in Roussou at the time and he stole her trapper keeper. Ever since then is has been those two. Though now she lives in the wealthier town of Fallen Crest and he remains in Roussou. He still has his crew and his bar and has guardianship of his teenage sister.
Channing doesn’t think he is good enough for Heather. In addition to that, his crew activities have put her in danger more than once. It isn’t as if crew does illegal activities like running drugs or anything but his crew protects their own and their town. His crew keeps the local motorcycle club from running drugs through Roussou. Though the president of the MC, Richter has been fighting this lately.
I liked the storyline of the MC and Channing’s crew, it tied in perfectly with Channing’s worries that his love for Heather will put her at risk. It also showed how he was a really great guy just trying to do the right things. Channing was an awesome Hero. He is sizzling hot and tough as nails. What more could you want. I certainly wouldn’t kick him out of bed when he sneaked in during the night. Heather doesn’t either despite their on again off again status.
The narration on this one was terrific. Unlike Crew, this one was told in dual POV and I loved it. The male voice was soft, yet deep and the female was perfect. Bravo!!!
“He’d been mine in some form or another almost my whole life. To say our trek together had been one with upheavals, peaks, climaxes, and downfalls-that’d just be an understatement.”
Since devouring Crew, I’ve been dying for Channing and Heather’s story! They are one of the most complicated couples I’ve had the pleasure of reading in quite a long time, and it was a dizzying journey along with them from childhood to present. They were fire, they were toxic, they were each other’s from the minute they met. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I swooned, and I had an absolute fabulous time reading it!!
“Hot and cold. Fire and ice. Oil and vinegar. We were all of that, but we were also the second half to the other.”
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
What an emotional journey it was! Many of us have been waiting with bated breath for this story. I liked Heather Jax in the Fallen Crest series, where we met her as a friend of Samantha. The girl is hard, loyal and devoted. Channing Monroe, in turn, immediately got mine attention. He appeared suddenly, solved problems and disappeared. The aura of mystery only fueled my curiosity. And Tijan finally took pity on me and I could satisfy this curiosity!
The author has interlaced the present with the past so that we can fully understand the relationship between Heather and Channing. And this relationship is unconditional, unique love.
Our heroes met each other as children. Page after page we observe how their acquaintance evolves. We experience ups and downs with them. We enjoy with them in cheerful moments and suffer with them in hopeless situations.
Heather still manages Manny’s and lives with her brother. Channing has his own bar and continues to be the leader of the first crew in Roussou. He also tries to raise his younger sister. This is somewhat a problem, because Heather is not his priority in this situation. Multiplied problems also don’t help. The position of the leader of the crew exposes his beloved ones to danger. He doesn’t want to drag Heather on this path, but he’s not able to cut himself off permanently. Channing lives in the awareness that he doesn’t deserve her, since he can’t give her 100% of himself and that she would be better off without him. Heather is the same with Channing. No matter what’s wrong – her heart always finds her way to him. They simply can’t live without each other.
The characters are like two magnets. When the situation takes an unfavorable turn – they are moving away from each other. However, when one takes a step, they’re pulling to each other and become one.
For Heather Channing is a boy she grew up with. Will they find a way to get old together? A compromise will be enough, or will one of them have to sacrifice something to get their happy ending?
My heart is full. All the emotions contained in this book soaked in me like in a sponge. I wasn’t even aware of how much I needed this story. As a great Fallen Crest fan, I can definitely say that this is a must-read for every fan of this series. And the epilogue and the extra scene were like icing on the cake! I just melted!
I always thought I knew Heather and Channing just from the little of them I read in the Fallen Crest Series, I knew almost nothing. These two love, fight, hate, and make up harder than most of the book couples I have ever read. Of Tijan’s characters these two hold a huge piece of my heart just because of that alone. They don’t know whether to make love or to lash out at each other. But when they love…they make the hottest fire!
Tijan made sure we knew their story and engraved it into the walls of our hearts. She starts way back when they two were little back in the first grade when Channing used to drive her nuts. She made sure keep their story going so we would know how their life played out, but would be sure to feed us their younger years the whole way so everything built up and we too could feel exactly why they loved each other and just how hard and how deep that love ran.
Once Chinning figured how to settle his crew life and get his family life in a comfortable routine, life was good. Heather just needed her man, and…you just need to read and feel it all for yourself. You really want to read this book and feel everything for yourself, the good and the bad.
Although this book was riveting, I wasn’t sure, at the end, whether I loved it or not.
Both characters were compelling, and I loved the flashbacks to when they were kids and how their friendship developed, and how it later turned to love. I knew how much they loved each other, and had an understanding of what kept them together and what tore them apart. What I didn’t like was the constant break ups and make ups between them. How can you love someone with so much devotion and yet, keep failing them at the core of what’s more important? Why should Heather forgive so many instances where Channing failed her? I’m not sure.
Heather and Channing grew up in Roussou, a suburb of Fallen Crest that is governed by crews. As I understood, crews were the equivalent of gangs, except they were not all criminals, just a gang that stuck together and didn’t let outsiders in. Channing saw that MC groups wanted to infiltrate Roussou to bring drugs in, so he made a crew with childhood friends and other unsavory characters, in order to protect his town and keep drugs out. In so doing, he was the equivalent to a Sheriff without the badge. Police were seen as the evil they made without when justice was needed. They made their own justice.
Heather’s and Channing’s story was very turbulent. As the author presents the flashbacks, you learn and understand why they broke up so much. The crew system had a lot to do with their stormy story. If you’re crew you had to give it your loyalty, and that loyalty took away from giving your woman the priority she deserves.
You can appreciate their devotion and fidelity through the years. Channing was usually the one who walked away, Heather the one who forgave him and took him back. It was great that the story is told in dual POV’s because it helps to understand their motivations so much more. It hurt to see how Channing couldn’t stay away for long because she was the air that he breathed, and Heather couldn’t push him away because he was part of her. They were sometimes toxic and sometimes essential.
Despite the turbulence, there is always the core their love as the basis for their being and it’s what drives them to their final conflict and resolution. I felt that Heather was much stronger than Channing, more resolute in her beliefs, and Channing was clear on that, but he was striving to be the man she deserved. Eventually, he manned up and did. I loved reading their story and how much they loved each other. I just don’t think I would have stuck around so much if it had been my story. Riveting and thought-provoking!
I started this book then read two other books before coming back to finish it. Not enough excitement and interest to keep me coming back for more. When I purchased it, I did not realize it was a crew book. I just can’t seem to get into the crew series.
I’ve had this book for a year, not to mention it had been released 2 years before, and only just now read it. That’s a shame I will have to carry for the rest of my life.
We all fell in love with Channing and Heather when we met them in Sam and Mason’s story, but we only thought we knew them, we didn’t, not even a little.
Their chemistry was so much deeper than palpable, it was more intense than soul searing, it was everything all at once, and even when they weren’t together, it was never not a living breathing thing they shared.
Learning the backstory of Channing and Heather’s story added a different view on everything I thought I knew about them. They weren’t just high school sweethearts, they were adorable kids who were each other’s beginning, middle, and end, before they even knew how to explain the feelings they had for one another.
It wasn’t easy, and at times it was so utterly heartbreaking it took my breath away. I think a big reason that their pain was enough to take your breath away was because while we’ve all heard the phrase “all you need is love,” as adults we know that that’s not true and that gave this story an extra layer of realness that we all try to hide from.
Love needs to be there, but there are many other intricate details that need to come together in order for people who love one another to be able to get their happily ever after.
Channing and Heather had so much going against them, and not for one second did their love waver. I felt like getting a peek into the past was a huge eye opener while also adding many more layers to their characters, and a broader view on the overall growth of them as individuals and as a couple.
Channing and Heather’s story was a story that I didn’t realize how badly I needed until I read a few words. By the end of chapter 1 I was fully immersed in the Fallen Crest World, and not even a fraction of reality registered until I read every word.
An exhilarating blend of soul searing chemistry, a swoony hero/possessive anti-hero (I don’t care what you say, Channing is both), a strong sassy heroine, witty banter, endless waves of feels, witty banter, and steam.
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AMAZING!!!!! Tijan never disappoints!!! I needed this book in my life after reading about Channing in the Fallen Crest Series and the Crew Series. I love him even more!!!
• •
: The Boy I Grew Up With
: Tijan
: 5/5
From the moment I met Heather Jax in the Fallen Crest series I already loved her so much and was hoping she would get her own story. And here it is… This book can be read as a standalone, however, I do recommend to read the Fallen Crest series first if that is something you think you will enjoy or already have on your to be read list. Now, Heather is such a strong character and I love that about her. That doesn’t mean she can’t be fragile or emotional. The chemistry between Channing and Heather is FIRE. The push and pull between them is special as well since they have gone through so much together and have been a part of each other’s life’s for years. This story has a good amount of action and the pace is perfect as well. Recommending, this book to all the Fallen Crest lovers and to those wanting to get an idea of what this world is about (oh, and everyone else).
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Hot damn ! Trailer trash at it’s finest
Heather and Channing are something else ! Childhood best friends who are obviously meant to be but take their time to get their act together and make it work . But not for reasons you would assume .
They both come from a rough area and need to be tough – but that area is also such a big part of who they are .
Channing is like the hod father of the crew system – a system created to protect themselves from gang like groups . Always having each others backs and always fighting for the good of their town !
Their story is epic , some violence some suspense but on the side a love story between two people who have a lot of baggage .
It can be read as a stand-alone but it’s also a big part of fallen crest series as well as the crew series ! To know the best reading order I found it on the authors website under the section understanding the fallen crest universe !
This was a reread for me. After reading the newly released “Nate” by Tijan, I had a huge craving to go back and revisit the world at Fallen Crest – And since I still am yet to read the third Crew book, I thought I would start my reread with one of my favourite books.
I adore Heather. I adore Channing. And together, they are like a moth to a flame. It is undeniable throughout the Fallen Crest series, they were soul mates.
Heather & Channing have known each other since primary school. They were best friends throughout primary till year 7 when they shared their first kiss. Since then, they haven’t been able to leave each other lives – Even when life keeps giving them hurtles to jump over and more than enough reason to separate.
Channing is the boss of the main Crew in Rossou, which brings along with it a lot of drama that can put Heather in danger more than not. This of course brings tension and heart ache to their relationship. But when Heather can’t give up Channing, and Channing can’t leave Heather alone, they will have to just deal with Crew life together. Face it all together. No matter what happens.
The ending in this book makes me cry. Every single time. I am so happy Tijan gave them a happy ending, and that epilogue aaahhh *cries even more tears*.
There may be a lot of heartache in their story, but Heather & Channing get their HEA, and its everything but MORE.
Love Love Love this book. Gah, I might have already read it again just to control the book hangover!
Heather and Channing !! There full story wow. What roller coaster of a book. Thank you Tijan !!!
I knew that Heather and Channing’s book would be amazing but I had no idea how amazing it would be. I loved them both in their appearances in the Fallen Crest series, Heather with her fierce love of Sam, and Channing just being Channing. He loved Heather so therefor helped Sam, and Mason without thinking twice.
Channing and Heather’s story is filled with so much history. They first met in the first grade and were friends ever since. I use the word friends because no matter how much one got on the other’s nerves they were there for the other. Their story is full of heartbreak, friendship, hate, love. Many times during this book I cried, and I just couldn’t help it. Heather Jax and Channing Monroe were made for each other, there is no other way to put it. From the first time they meet they are meant to love only each other.
I love the vulnerable side we get of both Heather and Channing in this book. We know Heather as the fierce, firey best friend to Sam who takes nothing from anyone. We see Channing as the leader of the crew who helps Mason when he needs it. In The Boy I Grew Up With we get both Channing and Heather as Channing and Heather. We see the side of them they don’t show the world.
This book is an emotional roller coaster of a read. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to puch them both, and yell at them. Tijan gave us something beyond words with this book. She left me feeling emotioning raw with this book, but happy at the same time. Tijan held nothing back with this book, all the good, the bad, and the wtf moments were included.
The Boy I Grew Up With is beyond words amazing! Tijan delivered something that we all wanted and made it better than we could have imagined. This book is the perfect example as to why I am a Tijan fan for life. I cannot wait to see what she gives us next!
This was my first book from Tijan and I can assure you it will not be my last. As soon as my credit card stops crying, I will begin purchasing the books in the Fallen Crest series and continue on until I have read the most current book. Thank you Mrs. Tijan, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was on pins and needles hoping that the protagonists would find their HEA. I won’t give it away here but I do recommend reading this book. The cover decided it for me…#winkwink #hot #lovedit =)
Wow, what a story! The narrators were wonderful. I definitely recommend this book and this author.
I Love Heather & Channing!! 3.5 Stars
The Boy I Grew Up With
As much as I enjoyed their story, and I did, I also found it quite repetitive, it had issues. Heather deserved to be more like ‘Bren’ in my opinion. This book made her seem weak willed, where Channing was concerned, I hated that, because Heather was always so strong during the Falling Crest books!! This couple are made for each other
I thought this story created blocks for their couple for the sake of it, to ramp up drama, rather than give us their depths & thruths. Ah ha, that’s it – it all felt a bit shallow, though it tried to be deep & angsty, it felt forced some how!! This didn’t feel like the couple I knew from previous books. And what happened to Max & when??? I’m sure he was supposed to be attending Bren’s graduation party in ‘Crew Princess #2’?? Which book is his story in? Can anyone tell me please?
Debbie, 1970, UK
I was really happy to read about Heather’s HEA and for things to finish work out for hey and Channing. Loved their story!
Okay, not gonna lie, this cover had a lot to do with me choosing this book as my first Tijan read … i mean …. you feel me, right?! But I’m also a sucker for the life-long friends/lovers story-life so a double win for me. And it delivered on both fronts. The guy I read in this story looks exactly like this cover to me and the story-line followed thru and going back and forth between past and present day perfectly. It delivered on all fronts for me.
I enjoyed this read tremendously, but something was off for me. I keep thinking it’s the style and voice of the author, which rings new to me, but it’s more than that. The whole time I was reading I felt like I was missing something….the whole crew thing felt off to me. Like I should already know what that meant. But I didn’t. I had zero idea, but yet it was important to the story. I’m pretty sure if I started to read Tijan’s work in chronological/publication order, I might not have been off. I want to emphasize that this feeling did not take me out of the story in any way. I was right there page after page. And it was a really great story. So great I’m diving into another book tonight …. but this time (LOL) I won’t be picking based on #HolyShitThatCover, I’ll try and be smarted about it … maybe 🙂