Dickens & Rumi

book

Crushed

Sara Shepard · 2013

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Crushed by Sara Shepard. This book is content notes include Romance, Death of a character, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 13 · Pretty Little LiarsSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsRomance 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 3/5 · Creativity & curiosity 2/5
Series positionBook 13 · Pretty Little Liars
Recommendation2.3/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Romance 4/5
Recommendation 2.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
17Scored categories
17Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth17 scored categories17 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience3/5
  • Creativity & curiosity2/5
  • Diverse representation2/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 14 · DeadlyStrongest cautions: Death of a character 3/5 · Romance 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · PRETTY LITTLE LIARSAges 14+
    Frightening scenes4/5Romance4/5Death of a character3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Flawless
    Frightening scenes4/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 4 · Unbelievable
    Frightening scenes4/5Romance4/5Death of a character3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets more intense
  4. Book 5 · Wicked
    Frightening scenes4/5Romance4/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Products & advertising2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 10 · Ruthless
    Romance4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  6. Book 11 · Stunning
    Frightening scenes4/5Romance4/5Death of a character3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Products & advertising2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5
    Gets more intense
  7. Book 13 · Crushed
    Romance4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Products & advertising2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Religious themes1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 14 · Deadly
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler
  9. Book 15 · Toxic
    Frightening scenes4/5Romance4/5Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Violence3/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets more intense
  10. Book 16 · Vicious
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising2/5
Why this rating?

References to fashion and brand culture are common in this series.

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The mystery revolves around past and present deaths; themes of grief are present.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional descriptions of injuries or suspenseful events, but not graphic.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild to moderate profanity suitable for teen fiction.

LGBTQIA characters3/5
Why this rating?

A lesbian main character and her relationships are meaningfully present in the story, but LGBTQIA themes share focus with the other characters' plots.

Religious themes1/5
Why this rating?

Religion is occasionally mentioned or used as a background element.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

Romantic relationships and crushes are central to character development and plot.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

High suspense, stalking, and threats from an anonymous source create consistent tension.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Some sexual themes and situations, though typically limited to YA standards.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Underage drinking occurs in social settings.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes threats, bullying, and tense confrontations typical of the genre.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront threats and frightening uncertainty, showing persistence and bravery alongside occasional reckless decisions.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in mystery-solving and deductive thinking.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Includes a diverse cast of friends, though focus remains on the core group.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Friendship and loyalty are highlighted despite the characters' flaws.

Positive messages2/5
Why this rating?

Themes of friendship, consequences of secrets, and accountability.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

Characters often make poor choices due to youth and pressure, serving as cautionary examples.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in Crushed would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Crushed, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

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