Jen

Jen Desmarais is the creator of the sex education game Blush and co-author of “Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers” and “Monsters! Incidental Wedding Guests.” “Crushing It” was her first solo novel.

You can also find a short story by Jen in “Nothing Without Us Too”, and a novella in “The Mystery of the Dancing Lights”.

Co-founder of JenEric Designs, she creates unique geeky crocheted items. Her blogs The Travelling TARDIS and How I Taught My Dragon have been nominated for the Prix Aurora Awards over 2018-2024.

She lives in Ottawa with her author husband, daughter, son, and their library of over 3000 books.

Find her pen name here! (Must be an adult)

Introducing Secondary Characters Part 2/2

June 9, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

These are a few of the secondary characters in Crushing It.

This is the Oldtown High School team

Elyse Garrido

Age: 14

Appearance: Wavy brown hair, blue eyes, short, tan skin

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Math

Siblings: Older sister Rachel (seen here)

Lauryn

Age: 15

Appearance: Black hair, brown eyes, medium height, Black

Grade: 10

Favourite class: Science

Alicia

Age: 16

Appearance: Long wavy black hair, brown eyes, medium height, brown skin

Grade: 11

Favourite class: Music

George

Age: 17

Appearance: Black hair (in corn rows in this book), brown eyes, tall, muscled, Black

Grade: 12

Favourite class: Computer Science

Adrien

Appearance inspired by Jack Dylan Grazer

Age: 18

Appearance: Light brown hair, blue eyes, tall, white, Jewish

Grade: 13

Favourite class: Chemistry

Siblings: Older sister Gabrielle (Jason’s sister-in-law)

Cover art by @pinkpiggy93 on Tumblr and Instagram

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Tropes of Crushing It

June 8, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

@jendesmaraisauthor
“Crushing It” is a queer YA cosy romance with low stakes. Do you like music, STEM, and queer YA romance? This book has a competitive edge. Pre-order now! YouTube: https://youtu.be/6meOWdt9Mi4 Physical: https://49thshelf.com/Books/C/Crushing-It3 Ebook: coming soon #CrushingIt #original #pinkpiggy93 #flowerraven93 #artist #book #YA 2SLGBTQ+ #LowStakes #queer #romance #STEM #music #JenDesmarais #author #PressesRenaissancePress #Canadian #booktok
♬ Get to Know You (From the Book “Crushing It: Lucky in Love, Book 1”) – Jen Desmarais

Every book utilizes tropes, even if it’s to subvert them, and Crushing It is no exception. This book covers: Queer, Young Adult, STEM & music, Cozy romance, Hidden magical world, Partial dual POV, No angst romance, and Detailed worldbuilding.

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Introducing Secondary Characters Part 1/2

June 5, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

These are a few of the secondary characters in Crushing It.

This is the Parry Sound High School team

Faith Roi

Appearance inspired by Lake Kahentawaks Delisle

Age: 14

Appearance: Long black hair, dark brown eyes, short, lightly tanned skin, Indigenous

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Science

Siblings: Older brother Basil (friend of Kennedy’s). They are both members of Wasauksing First Nation

Sabrina

Age: 15

Appearance: Long brown hair, short, white

Grade: 10

Favourite class: Computer Science

Naomi

Age: 16

Appearance: Black curly hair (ringlets), medium height, white

Grade: 11

Favourite class: Physics

Bryan

Age: 17

Appearance: Light brown hair, medium height, white

Grade: 12

Favourite class: Biology

Chris

Age: 18

Appearance: Blond shaggy hair, tall, white

Grade: 13

Favourite class: Physics

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Similar books and TV shows to Crushing It

June 1, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

@jendesmaraisauthor
If you liked any of these, check out the rest and pre-order “Crushing It” from your favourite book store! “Crushing It” is a queer YA cosy romance with low stakes. Do you like music, STEM, and queer YA romance? This book has a competitive edge. Pre-order now! YouTube: https://youtu.be/6meOWdt9Mi4 Physical: https://49thshelf.com/Books/C/Crushing-It3 Ebook: coming soon #CrushingIt #original #pinkpiggy93 #flowerraven93 #artist #book #YA 2SLGBTQ+ #LowStakes #queer #romance #STEM #music #JenDesmarais #author #PressesRenaissancePress #Canadian #booktok
♬ original sound – Jen Desmarais, author

@jendesmaraisauthor If you liked any of these, check out the rest and pre-order “Crushing It” from your favourite book store! “Crushing It” is a queer YA cosy romance with low stakes. Do you like music, STEM, and queer YA romance? This book has a competitive edge. Pre-order now! YouTube: https://youtu.be/6meOWdt9Mi4 Physical: https://49thshelf.com/Books/C/Crushing-It3 Ebook: coming soon #CrushingIt #original #pinkpiggy93 #flowerraven93 #artist #book #YA #2SLGBTQ+ #LowStakes #queer #romance #STEM #music #JenDesmarais #author #PressesRenaissancePress #Canadian #booktok ♬ original sound – Jen Desmarais, author

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

We were nominated for Auroras!

May 26, 2023 by Éric Desmarais

Hello friends, family, and fans!

The nominations are up!!!

Thanks to all who nominated. You really made a difference.

Now, it’s onto the voting! You should have received an email on how to download the voters package by now. If not, check the website when you’re logged in, and follow the instructions.

There is EXCELLENT news: Our Aunt Ann, writing as Ann Birdgenaw, will receive her Aurora nomination pin!! We’re so proud of her!

The four categories in which Jen, Éric, and family are nominated:

Category 2 – Best YA Novel
- Black Hole Radio – Ka’Azula by Ann Birdgenaw
Category 7 – Best Related Work
- Nothing Without Us Too by Cait Gordon and Talia C. Johnson (Jen has a short story Semper Ubi Sub Ubi in this one!)
Category 9 – Best Fan Writing/Publication (these will not be included in the voters package, as they are available online)
- The Travelling TARDIS by Jennifer Desmarais https://www.jeneric-designs.ca/Blog/travellingtardis/
- JenEric Movie Reviews by Éric Desmarais https://www.jeneric-designs.ca/Blog/movie-reviews/

Something to remember this time around, is that the order matters. In order to concentrate our voting power, Éric and I have agreed to focus on The Travelling TARDIS, as it is more well-known in the community. Therefore, please vote for it first, and the Movie Reviews second.

Voting is June 17 – July 29, 2023. We’ll write a reminder post before it ends. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Thank you all so much for your time, attention, and support. It means the world to us!

JenEric

Crushing It Book Mood Board

May 25, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

I had fun looking for pictures that made me think of the book Crushing It.

And I thought, why not share it with you?

Summary

After an epic grounding for some bad decisions with even worse friends, Tommy is lucky to even go to the Door Tech March Break camp. There, he crosses paths with Carter Batudev, and chemistry isn’t just for the classroom. With love and a renewed interest in STEM, Tommy returns home to Parry Sound, where, to the relief of his parents, he makes better friends, and joins the STEM club.

When the club goes to the province-wide competition in Toronto, he’s reunited with Carter, whose team is also competing. Thus ensues a wild long weekend full of romance, hijinks, STEM, and singing.

Includes a novelette from Carter’s POV at the dinner theatre show Knights of Everdome.

The first book in the Lucky in Love series.

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Signing – Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

Hello Readers,

After a very long several months due to the cyber attack on Indigo’s systems, our signing is FINALLY happening this weekend!!

Have you wanted to get a copy of Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers, but were waiting so you could get it signed? This is your chance.

Meet the Authors of *Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers* Sunday May 21st, 1pm to 3pm at Indigo Pinecrest (2735 Iris St. Ottawa)

We might have some extra goodies for those that show up.

Hope to see you there!

Éric and Jen

Carter Mood Board

May 18, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

I had fun looking for pictures that made me think of the secondary protagonist of Crushing It, Carter Batudev.

And I thought, why not share it with you?

Carter Batudev

Age: 15

Date of Birth: March 5, 1988

Appearance: Curly brown hair, grey eyes, tall, bronze skin

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Science

Parents: Sam and William Batudev own a bakery in Westmeath, Ontario

Siblings: None

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Introducing Protagonists

May 15, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

The two protagonists of Crushing It are Tommy Fairfield and Carter Batudev.

Tommy Fairfield

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Maxwell-Jenkins-as-Tommy-1-1024x819.jpg — Appearance inspired by Maxwell Jenkins

Age: 14

Date of Birth: May 11, 1988

Appearance: Short blond hair, green eyes, tall, white

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Math or Science or Music

Parents: Lilah and Gerard Fairfield live on a farm in Parry Sound, Ontario

Siblings: Older brother Phillip, married and has one son (15 months old). Twin older sisters Eliza and MacKenzie. Older sister Kennedy, engaged to Jason Johnson and lives in Westmeath (seen here).

Carter Batudev

Age: 15

Date of Birth: March 5, 1988

Appearance: Curly brown hair, grey eyes, tall, bronze skin

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Science

Parents: Sam and William Batudev own a bakery in Westmeath, Ontario

Siblings: None

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version

Tommy Mood Board

May 12, 2023 by Jen Desmarais

If you missed the cover reveal video post last Friday, due to the email mess up, you can go see it here!

I had fun looking for pictures that made me think of the main protagonist of Crushing It, Tommy Fairfield.

And I thought, why not share it with you?

Tommy Fairfield

Age: 14

Date of Birth: May 11, 1988

Appearance: Short blond hair, green eyes, tall, white

Grade: 9

Favourite class: Math or Science or Music

Parents: Lilah and Gerard Fairfield live on a farm in Parry Sound, Ontario

Siblings: Older brother Phillip (who lives in Parry Sound), married and has one son (15 months old). Twin older sisters Eliza (who lives in Toronto) and MacKenzie (who lives in Ottawa). Older sister Kennedy, engaged to Jason Johnson and lives in Westmeath (seen here).

Crushing It by Jen Desmarais is available now!

Physical from Canadian indie bookstores, physical from Indigo, electronic version