Review: Saving It by Monica Murphy

Saving It

Author: Monica Murphy
Publisher: Entangled: Crush
Pages: ebook, 241 pages)
Genre: YA
Release Date: November 6th 2017

Summary:

Eden: Josh Evans and I have been best friends forever. He knows all my secrets, and I know all of his. So when he randomly asks me to help him lose his virginity, I sort of flip out. That’s a question that sends your mind to places you’ve seriously never considered before. Like, you know. Having sex. With your best friend. Except Josh doesn’t want to have sex with me—he wants me to help him find a girl. A nice girl who’s funny and smart and cute. Except he already knows a girl just like that…

Josh: Eden Sumner is my best friend. So of course she’d be the person to help me find my perfect match, so I can drop my V card before I head off to college. Except the more we search, the more I realize that maybe the right girl has been by my side all along. I don’t need Eden’s help in finding me a girl to love. I’m pretty sure I’m already in love with Eden. But now she thinks I’m only after one thing…with anyone but her.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book is what happens when American Pie meets Friends with Benefits. It contains two best friends, plenty of angst, and lots and lots of sex talk. Reading this might have you looking at your best friend in a different light!

Review:


A super cute story about best friends discovering they might feel more for each other.

The story line is classic cute & fluffy. It has all the ups & downs required for a YA romance, the usual usual dramas but also the usual cutness.
The reason I liked this however: the character building. Especially Josh and his POV! He is super cute, funny and yummy BBF if you ask me. I enjoyed also getting to see his vulnerable side, his insecurities and also his internal battles. I really enjoyed the banter between Eden and Josh. Also their history and strong connection.
Eden is a strong female lead, who is really likable. I got her insecurities but also loved her quirkiness.
Also a factor I like about Eden, she is clear as what she wants but doesn't judge other about their actions. It's actually refreshing, because while most people don't slut shame openly, they somehow do. And on the flipside, if someone wants to "save it" it is considered rather old fashioned. Murphy takes a do what is right for stand and I love the way she did it. No judgement. Just stating different opinions.
The support cast is fun and does a good job at giving insight to Josh and Eden. I liked the way the friends supported each other, how they all want the best for each other. The love and care they have for each other, even beyond arguments and disagreements felt real and solid.

My only negative thing is the plot was too much the usual. I mean did we really need a big disagreement at 75%? The big swoony moment, though I did find the idea cute, made me cringe because it was done in public. Why? Couldn't he just do it in private? Same thing but just the two of them?
Also the issues that were built up during the whole book, felt a bit to conviniently solved. Again, I didn't mind the solution, but after all this stuff happens, everything just fell into place in a few pages. It made it feel rushed. Especially the issues between Josh and his dad.
I wish Murphy would have explored all the issues a bit more, given this a wee bit more depth..
The end super cute. I loved it. Honestly super cute & fluffy HEA, but I was swoony happy.

Cute & very enjoyable read.

Rating: 

Release Day Blitz: Forever by Monica Murphy

Forever by Monica Murphy

Release Date: April 4th, 2017

Series: Friends

Genre: Young Adult

Forever, an all new Friends story from Monica Murphy, is now live!!

She’s all I could ever want…

I have a reputation around school. Cold. Untouchable. Unfeeling. Only one girl could ever make me want to change and that’s Amanda Winters. Too bad I broke her heart and drove her away.

So to get through the rest of my days in high school, I tell myself I need to focus on more important things. Like taking our football team to championships. Get accepted to the college of my choice. And finish my senior year without wanting to run away from my problems.

But your problems chase after you no matter where you go. And it’s a lot harder when you fight them alone. The longer I go without Amanda, the more I miss her. Her smile. Her laughter. The things she said. How she looked at me like I was the only person who mattered. The way she made me feel…

Why can’t I have everything, including the girl? I’m determined to make things right. And make Amanda mine…

Forever.

Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2nAEZ3a

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/QERv5Z

iBooks: https://goo.gl/UAZVXQ

Nook: https://goo.gl/dD6RqO

Kobo: https://goo.gl/3jz6Cc

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About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5934418.Monica_Murphy

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/IW5U0y

Blog Tour: More Than Friends by Monica Murphy

More than Friends

Author: Monica Murphy

Series: Friends #2

Pages:Paperback, 320 pages

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Release Date: November 14^th, 2016

Summary:

He's not perfect, but he's all I want...

I’m your average girl at your average high school, trying to figure out my place in life. After catching my now ex-boyfriend messing around with my now ex-best friend, I’ve made some big changes. No more band, no more backstabbing friends and no more boring old life. Now I have new friends, a new job and new interests.

But there’s a certain someone who’s interested in me, and I don’t get it. Jordan Tuttle could have anyone he wants. He’s the most popular boy in school. Rich, gorgeous, smart and the star quarterback, he’s perfect. Yet he acts like he wants no one else but…me.

So despite my fears and doubt, I let him get close. Probably too close. I discover that he’s not so perfect after all, but it doesn’t matter. I’m falling for him, even though he runs so hot and cold. I know someday he’s going to break my heart.

And I’m going to let him.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2f4jdwJ
iBooks link: http://apple.co/2elBtCx

Nook: http://bit.ly/2e4sAPn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fwwj9U

Amazon US (print): http://amzn.to/2e4tjAa

About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2c9ViiI

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bRP5bR

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Review:

I am not quite sure how or why, but I totally loved the second installment of th Friends series.
Let me warn you. It's another rollercoaster of emotions and confusions and huge bitch fest. The absolute killer however? It ends on a cliffhanger!
Yep. And there is no indication when the next book will be published... I was totally going to rave about that. BUT Murphy did apologize for it first thing in the acknowledgments. Acknowledgments that made me love this book even more.

I am left pondering why on earth I enjoy the never ending drama so much. I usually can't stand bitchy characters. And yet I love this series...
Honestly I think this is all awed to Murphy's brilliant writing. It's uncanny how I wasn't sure if I am going to like this book after chapter one.. and then I got sucked in, and suddenly boom. It was finished. It's largely due to the fact that this is well written. Murphy manages to amp things up but doesn't become ridiculous. And while at first glance there is a lot of cliche, somehow there is more to each and every situation and character. I find myself interested in side stories and support cast. Murphy is always just on point. Masterfully done!

The storyline is a lot of back and forth, some swoony moments, a ton of drama, way too much high school politics and all kinds of relationships- you know teenage life all amped up to the max. But just like in the first book, not that much happens. It's a lot of back and forth and dramas... I totally have to admit, I gleefully gobble it all up, totally a guilty pleasure!

More Than Friends just like the previous novel Just Friends is totally character driven. This time however the story is told mostly from Amanda and sometimes from Jordan's POV. Amanda still is my favorite character in the series. She seems the only "normal"girl in a sea of ugly characters. I was initially a bit worried she might be too goodie for my taste. But as the story went on, different sides unfolded and the sweet girl became a kind, loyal, at times insecure, sometimes silly girl, that I can totally relate to, but more than that, I totally root for her. I want her to have her happy ending!! I love her inner dialogue btw. I like the fact that she is genuinely making new friends and more than that, I love how she put Livvy in her place at times
Tuttle, while totally a hot, tortured, brooding hero- I wanna just smack! I kept going between swooning over him to wanting to hit him. Hard. And I wasn't sure I would fall for the hype around him, but alas I did. As we get to hear his side of things, I can't help but feel for him. And while I think he needs to be hit. And very hard, while we at it. (He seems to bring out a violent streak in me just like in Amanda) I also totally hope he will be able to stand up for himself and make his own choices.
The support cast is just as dramatic and bitchy as in the first book. But somehow seeing them through Amanda's eyes showed different sides to them. Everything is less black and white, more grey. And somehow all the characters are getting more and more interesting, more complex and more likable.
Amazingly enough, I grew to really like Livvy this time around. It's amazing to see her from Amanda's POV. Mostly I was surprised by her loyalty and sweetness towards her new friend. I even quite like Ryan. And Em! A masterstroke by Murphy.

An eye opener when it comes to cast. Frustrating, infuriating, swoony and captivating sequel that makes me wanna beg for more!
When is the next book coming out?! (I really don't mind begging...)

Rating: 

Release Day Blitz: More Than Friends By Monica Murphy

More than Friends by Monica Murphy

Release Date: November 14^th, 2016

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Synopsis:

He's not perfect, but he's all I want...

I’m your average girl at your average high school, trying to figure out my place in life. After catching my now ex-boyfriend messing around with my now ex-best friend, I’ve made some big changes. No more band, no more backstabbing friends and no more boring old life. Now I have new friends, a new job and new interests.

But there’s a certain someone who’s interested in me, and I don’t get it. Jordan Tuttle could have anyone he wants. He’s the most popular boy in school. Rich, gorgeous, smart and the star quarterback, he’s perfect. Yet he acts like he wants no one else but…me.

So despite my fears and doubt, I let him get close. Probably too close. I discover that he’s not so perfect after all, but it doesn’t matter. I’m falling for him, even though he runs so hot and cold. I know someday he’s going to break my heart.

And I’m going to let him.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2dFqLse

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2f4jdwJ

iBooks link: http://apple.co/2elBtCx

Nook: http://bit.ly/2e4sAPn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2fwwj9U

Amazon US (print): http://amzn.to/2e4tjAa

About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2c9ViiI

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bRP5bR

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Chapter Reveal: More than Friends by Monica Murphy

Find out why everyone is falling in love with Jordan Tuttle from Monica Murphy's More than Friends!! Releasing Nov. 14th.
Wednesday

Chapter One

Amanda

I’m cruising on my bike, contemplating everything Livvy just told me. How her mom was so mad when she discovered Livvy had spent the night at Ryan’s house, she grounded her and took away her phone. Livvy is seriously going to lose her mind being grounded for so long, unable to see Ryan unless we’re at school. That won’t be enough for her. When it comes to Ryan, it feels like nothing is ever enough for her.

At least I’m not in trouble like she is.

Liv’s going to stress out over Ryan, though. Over those hours when she’s not with him and he could possibly be up to no good. She worries about him all the time. I get it—sort of. He seems to play games, and that must get exhausting.

Truthfully, I wouldn’t put up with that crap. But I’m not Livvy.

Thank goodness.

The wind blows through my hair as I make a right into my neighborhood, turning the wild strands into a tangled mess. Not that I care. There’s no one I’m hoping to impress. It’ll just be Sunday night dinner with the family, as usual. I’m not even sure if they’re home yet. Dad mentioned something about going to Home Depot to pick out fall flowers for the yard, and Mom said something about shower curtains and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Bleh. I’m glad I made my escape when I did.

My house slowly comes into view and I smile to myself. I might not live in a giant mansion in a fancy neighborhood like my new so-called friends, but our house is nice. Small and on the older side, but it’s cute, with a pretty front yard and a big porch with a white swing…

Oh. Crap. There’s someone sitting on the swing. His arms are spread out along the back of the wooden frame, his gaze locked directly on me, like he knew I was going to appear at any second.

It’s Jordan Tuttle.

My heart is racing as I press gently on the brakes, taking him in, my gaze roving over every single tiny feature that makes him Jordan. I want to slow down the moment, revel in the anticipation of finding him waiting for me. He rises to his feet, runs a hand over his thick, perfect hair almost nervously, and a shuddery breath leaves me.

The memory hits me, socks me in the stomach and leaves me aching. I remember what it felt like, having those hands on me just last night. His mouth on mine, the words he whispered in my ear. It wasn’t a dream. It wasn’t something I made up inside my head, because seriously, I was starting to wonder if I really was losing my mind when it came to Jordan Tuttle.

But no. Jordan is real. He’s in my life because he wants to be here for some crazy reason. And now he’s waiting for me, his hands on his hips, the faintest smile on his face as he continues to watch me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I make my approach, hopping off my bike so I can roll it up the front walkway.

We meet in the middle, Jordan stopping just in front of me. “Nice way to greet me.”

I frown, worried I was doing everything wrong. He had a way of making me feel like that. “How should I greet you?”

“Like this.” His hand is suddenly curled around my nape when he pulls me in for a too-quick yet somehow lingering kiss. My lips tingle when he pulls away, and by the smug expression on his face, I know he knows the effect he has on me.

“Jordan,” I chastise, stepping away from him and nearly tripping over my stupid bike. Luckily enough, he catches me by the elbow, steadying me before I fall over like an idiot. “What if my parents are inside?”

“They’re not.” He grabs the bike from me, nudges the kickstand down and sets it in place on the sidewalk a few feet away from us. “Where’ve you been?”

His confidence makes me crazy. He’s so sure of himself, and I wish I had even an ounce of his self-assuredness.

I don’t. Not even close. He lives in another realm. I’m just a lowly peon compared to His Majesty, Lord Jordan Tuttle.

“I went over to Livvy’s,” I tell him when I realize he’s waiting for my answer. As usual, my mind wanders when I’m in his presence. “I wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

Jordan frowns. “She is, right?”

“Oh yeah, her mom just grounded her for life.” When he sends me a come on face, I readjust. “Fine, she’s grounded for a couple weeks. No phone. No Ryan.”

“It might do her some good, the no Ryan thing,” he mutters.

I say nothing. I don’t understand the relationship he has with Ryan. They’re friends. Then they’re not. They’re teammates always, and that’s something Jordan has to deal with no matter what.

“What are you up to right now?” I ask, hoping to change the subject.

He smiles. Reaches out to tuck a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. I feel that innocent touch all the way down to my toes, which are currently curling in my battered white Converse. “I want to take you out.”

My mouth drops open. “In public?”

The frown is back. It’s not fair, how attractive he still is despite the scowl he’s currently wearing. “Of course in public. What the hell, Mandy.”

I shrug, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. “We haven’t actually been seen together.”

He grabs my hand and pulls me in close. My body immediately goes hot and I wonder if he has some sort of powerful force field I can’t resist. “I want to change that.”

My gaze meets his and I can’t look away. He’s so sincere. So serious. “What happened between us last night was…”

“Real.” He kisses me again. Another brief brush of lips on lips, yet I’m decimated. Shaky all over when he pulls away. When my ex Thad kissed me, I never felt like this. Ever.

Never.

Ever.

Never.

“Maybe we were just caught up in a moment?” I ask tentatively. It’s like I’m always waiting for the bomb to drop. For the joke to be on me. No one in a million years would ever match me with Jordan Tuttle. Not even me. So what’s his deal? Why is he so persistent? I don’t get it.

I like it, but he also scares me. I don’t want to get hurt.

I don’t want my heart to be broken.

“Every time I’m near you, I get caught up in a moment.” One side of his perfect mouth tips up in this semi-smile that is absolutely adorable. I wish I had my phone out so I could snap a pic of him. “Maybe we need to give this a try and see if all we ever experience together is one giant moment.”

“That’s impossible.” The words are out before I can stop them and I slap my hand over my mouth, my eyes wide as I stare up at him.

Jordan actually laughs, shaking his head. It’s a rare sound, but wow, is it amazing. “Nothing’s impossible if you want it bad enough.”

I drop my hand, gaping up at him. “So are you saying that you want—me?”

“Yes.” He dips his head, his mouth hovering above mine. “I do.”





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#TeaserTuesday : More Than Friends by Monica Murphy

Find out if Amanda & Tuttle can be More than Friends on November 14th!! Don't miss Monica Murphy's Friends series that people can't seem to put down!

Blog Tour: Just Friends by Monica Murphy

Just Friends 

Author: Monica Murphy
Publisher: Everafter Romance
Series: Friends #1
Pages: Paperback, 330 pages
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: September 13th 2016

Summary:


It’s the end of summer. Just before I start senior year with my two best friends in the whole world. Dustin and Emily are everything to me. We’ve been inseparable since middle school, and when we’re together, nothing can go wrong.
But things aren’t always what they seem. Em’s turned into a drunken mess who parties too much. Dustin and I have hooked up a few times―and now he’s ready to take our relationship to the next level. Yet I’m not sure I want things to change. I’m scared if I take it any further with Dustin, our friendship will be ruined forever. Then there’s Ryan. The new guy. He’s hot. He flirts way too much. And Em has totally set her sights on him.

So when my best friend betrays me in the worst possible way, guess who’s there to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart? Ryan. But he’s so confusing. Annoying. Sweet. Sexy. I want to trust him, yet he makes it so hard. What I really want is for everything to go back to the way it was before.

Before I found out that best friends make the worst kind of enemies.

Amazon US ⎢ iBooks ⎢ B&N ⎢ Kobo ⎢ Amazon UK ⎢ Amazon CA  ⎢ Amazon AU 

About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Facebook  ⎢  Twitter ⎢  Goodreads ⎢  Amazon  ⎢  Website  ⎢  Newsletter

Review:

My first reaction when I finished this:
What does soon mean??? I want more of this.

Let me warn you: This is high on angst, high on drama and full of teenagers going at it, whom you might wanna smack BUT it is so so so enjoyable!! You might not be able to stop until you done with the book.

Murphy's writing is just right. She pushes the drama high, but not too much. The chemistry is off the chart, we get just the right of smut... everything is balanced just right, that I kept reading, even if I was exasperated. I devoured the book actually. I thoroughly enjoyed this cleverly crafted novel.

The storyline is good. Lot's of romance and mostly friendship dramas. I could see quite a few things coming of a mile. I have an idea what possibly will happen next... But actually for me this is not so much about what happens, but totally character driven.

Meet Olivia also known as Livvy or Liv. The book is told from her POV. Olivia is senior in High School has two best friends and is trying to figure out how she feels about one of them...She is actually pretty likeable but quite a hypocrite if you ask me. She is also, well, annoying and stupid and yet I get her. I understand her confusion, her doubt and her actions. I actually can't believe I do, because frankly, she does act rather like a out of control teen half the time and the other half totally stupid. Okay that's a bit unfair, just a quarter of the time stupid. Still she isn't going to win an award for her choices. With all the dramas and the games they play with each other, especially the supposed best friends, Liv changes. And she does do some growing, most importantly she does examine herself and her actions.
I found her relationship with other girls really interesting. Again, Murphy does an amazing job at getting it right. Because who hasn't had a toxic friend? Who wasn't a hypocritical teen? Yep I think most of us. Liv is not mean, not purposely so, and her choices while at times annoying are not surprising. Which makes this so enjoyable.
Each and every character in the book, is like that. There is no black or white just loads of grey. And at the end of it, we don't exactly know where they going to end up. Which is why I can't wait for the next book!

Most girls in this book are very tricky, the totally dishonest. They will say and do what they need to, to please a guy. The boys are basically homonal mensluts-who all use the girls, and make no secret of it. Halfway through the book, I thought, gosh not all teenagers are like that, I know they are not. Then things kinda shift in the book and we get to see what's behind the way the girls behave. And frankly I know plenty of women who would feel like that. Somehow Murphy took a super dramatic highschool romance and threw in some pretty interesting things, in a very sly manner I might add. Quite frankly, that's pure brilliance.

So high drama, a nice amount of smexy, hot guys, super entertaining, well written novel, that leaves you pining for more. Need I say anything else?
Now can someone tell me what soon means, please?

Rating: 

Release Day Blitz: Just Friends by Monica Murphy

Just Friends by Monica Murphy

Release Date: September 13^th, 2016
Genre: New Adult Romance

Synopsis:

It’s the end of summer. Just before I start senior year with my two best friends in the whole world. Dustin and Emily are everything to me. We’ve been inseparable since middle school, and when we’re together, nothing can go wrong.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Em’s turned into a drunken mess who parties too much. Dustin and I have hooked up a few times―and now he’s ready to take our relationship to the next level. Yet I’m not sure I want things to change. I’m scared if I take it any further with Dustin, our friendship will be ruined forever. Then there’s Ryan. The new guy. He’s hot. He flirts way too much. And Em has totally set her sights on him.

So when my best friend betrays me in the worst possible way, guess who’s there to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart? Ryan. But he’s so confusing. Annoying. Sweet. Sexy. I want to trust him, yet he makes it so hard. What I really want is for everything to go back to the way it was before.

Before I found out that best friends make the worst kind of enemies.

Add to Goodreads

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bHAn2k
iBooks: http://apple.co/2aeSduM
B&N: http://bit.ly/2bIDYNr
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2bNGXUX
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2bIEISO
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2bhsEbM
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2byYFg7

About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaMurphyauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MsMonicaMurphy

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2c9ViiI

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2bRP5bR

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/IW5U0y

Excerpt Reveal: Just Friends by Monica Murphy

Just Friends by Monica Murphy

Release Date: September 13^th, 2016

Genre: New Adult Romance

Synopsis:

It’s the end of summer. Just before I start senior year with my two best friends in the whole world. Dustin and Emily are everything to me. We’ve been inseparable since middle school, and when we’re together, nothing can go wrong.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Em’s turned into a drunken mess who parties too much. Dustin and I have hooked up a few times―and now he’s ready to take our relationship to the next level. Yet I’m not sure I want things to change. I’m scared if I take it any further with Dustin, our friendship will be ruined forever. Then there’s Ryan. The new guy. He’s hot. He flirts way too much. And Em has totally set her sights on him.

So when my best friend betrays me in the worst possible way, guess who’s there to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart? Ryan. But he’s so confusing. Annoying. Sweet. Sexy. I want to trust him, yet he makes it so hard. What I really want is for everything to go back to the way it was before.

Before I found out that best friends make the worst kind of enemies.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt:

“Liv! Finally you’re here.” She curls her arm around my shoulders and forces me to face Ryan, who’s still sitting on the edge of the bed with his legs spread in that way boys sit, wearing only swim trunks again. Does the guy ever wear actual clothes? “We’ve been waiting for you. Tell Ryan hello.”

“Hello,” I say in a monotone voice, incredibly uncomfortable from interrupting what was surely a private hookup moment. He smiles and rises to his feet, smoothing a hand over his rumpled hair, his biceps bulging with the movement. Hair Em was probably responsible for rumpling. “Hey, Livvy.”

Tingles race over my skin and I force myself to ignore the signs that I might be attracted to this boy who just had his tongue in my best friend’s mouth. I don’t even know him. It’s purely a physical thing, as in every single thing that makes him up physically, I find attractive.

And I shouldn’t. He doesn’t belong to me. He belongs to Em. I should be thinking about Dustin.

Not Ryan.

“I’m so glad you’re finally here.” Em turns toward me, and envelopes me in a warm hug, her mouth on my neck as she starts to speak again. “I’ve missed you.”

I hug her back, my gaze meeting Ryan’s as I say, “I’ve missed you too.”

He sends me a playful, rolling eyes look that I ignore.

Em kisses my neck and pulls away, her blue eyes bright, her cheeks flushed. She’s wearing a white lacy cover up over a black string bikini and her chin-length, gold-streaked bob is tucked behind her ears. She’s effortlessly gorgeous, all rosy from kissing a cute boy for who knows how long. “Now that you’re here the party can start.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Looks like it’s already been going for the last few days.”

Em rolls her eyes and lets go of me, heading for her dresser. “I was just biding my time until you showed up.”

“So I bring the party?” I tease, meeting Ryan’s gaze once more.

“You definitely bring something,” he tells me before pulling me into a tight hug. My chest presses against his, my arms going around his waist for the briefest moment before I release him and back far away.

He makes me nervous.

“Aw, I love that you guys are already hugging!” Em cries as she watches us.

Guilt swamps me but Ryan just smiles. “I’ll leave you girls alone.” He looks at me. “See you at the pool.”

And then he’s gone.

The air seems to cool the moment he’s le the room and

I go to stand next to Em, watching as she digs through the top drawer of her dresser. It’s an elaborate piece of furniture, cream-colored with an endless number of drawers, every one of them stuffed full of clothes. The one she’s digging through now is over flowing with lacy scraps of fabric. There are panties in every style and color, boy shorts and thongs and bikinis, some of it standard, most of it sexy.

Her underwear drawer is like Em in a nutshell.

“So how’s your summer been? Besides the partying and hanging out with the popular crowd? Have you done anything else?” I’m trying to make conversation but she’s hardly paying attention to me.

“It’s been so boring without you here,” she says, her head practically buried in that drawer.

I think she’s saying that to make me feel better. Not that she needs to. I’m a big girl. She’s allowed to have fun when I’m not around.

“What are you looking for?” I ask.
“A black lacy thong I bought last week.” She lifts her head and smiles at me. “I want to wear it tonight.”
“But aren’t we going swimming?”
Em blows out a frustrated breath. “Yeah, but I don’t want to forget. I want to wear it for...” Her voice drifts and she purses her lips.

“Ryan?”

She sighs and slams the drawer shut, turning to look at me. “Well, yeah. But it’s no big deal. We’re just friends.”

I raise a brow. “Is that what you call it? Because I hate to break it to you, but you were kissing him just a few minutes ago, and he had his hand on your boob.”

“So crude.” She nudges my shoulder with hers. “Voyeur.”

“Just stating facts. Facts I saw with my own eyes.” I pause, but she doesn’t say anything. “I don’t get why you can’t say that you like him and he likes you. What’s the big deal?”

“Because he refuses to make this a big deal so I can’t, okay? He told me straight up that we’re going to be just friends and that’s it.”

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About the Author:

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she's not writing, she's reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She's a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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Teaser Tuesday: Just Friends by Monica Murphy

1 week until Just Friends by Monica Murphy releases! #PreOrderToday #JustFriends #ComingSoon #TeaserTuesday

Just Friends

Author: xxx
Publisher: xyz
Series: xxx #x
Pages: Pages (Hardcover)
Genre: thisorthat
Release Date: month 1, 2013

Summary:

It’s the end of summer. Just before I start senior year with my two best friends in the whole world. Dustin and Emily are everything to me. We’ve been inseparable since middle school, and when we’re together, nothing can go wrong.

But things aren’t always what they seem. Em’s turned into a drunken mess who parties too much. Dustin and I have hooked up a few times—and now he’s ready to take our relationship to the next level. Yet I’m not sure I want things to change. I’m scared if I take it any further with Dustin, our friendship will be ruined forever. Then there’s Ryan. The new guy. He’s hot. He flirts way too much. And Em has totally set her sights on him.

So when my best friend betrays me in the worst possible way, guess who’s there to help me pick up the pieces of my broken heart? Ryan. But he’s so confusing. Annoying. Sweet. Sexy. I want to trust him, yet he makes it so hard. What I really want is for everything to go back to the way it was before.

Before I found out that best friends make the worst kind of enemies.

Pre-Order Links

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Review: Daring the Bad Boy by Monica Murphy

Daring the Bad Boy

Author: Monica Murphy
Publisher: Entangled Crush
Series: Endless Summer
Pages: Paperback, 230 pages
Genre: YA
Release Date: August 22nd 2016

Summary:

Annie McFarland is sick of being a shy nobody. A session at summer camp seems like the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself-gain some confidence, kiss a boy, be whoever she wants to be. A few days in, she's already set her sights on uber-hottie Kyle. Too bad her fear of water keeps her away from the lake, where Kyle is always hanging out.

Jacob Fazio is at Camp Pine Ridge after one too many screw-ups. Junior counseling seems like punishment enough, but the rigid no-fraternizing-with-campers rules harsh his chill. When a night of Truth or Dare gets him roped into teaching Annie how to swim, she begs him to also teach her how to snag Kyle.

Late-night swim sessions turn into late-night kissing sessions...but there's more on the line than just their hearts. If they get caught, Jake's headed straight to juvie, but Annie's more than ready to dare him to reveal the truth.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains references to drinking, sexual situations, adult language, and an intense bad boy hero who will melt your heart.

Review:

The perfect summer read

This in fact made me think about summer camp. You see I actually never went to summer camp. I don't think it exists in Switzerland. Well, maybe it does NOW, but I don't live there now (nor am I in school for that matter but anyway). There wasn't summer camp when I was growing up, let's just leave it at that. The whole summer camp reminds me of several films I liked as a teen. I kept wondering if I would have liked it in the first half of the book. To be honest I am not sure.
It does sound fun, but .. I don't know. Maybe I am too old for that now.
But what I am not too old for is reading about it. I think Murphy did an amazing job at setting the ambiance. At least how I imagine summer camp could be. And that's where my little off the track musings come in: What do people who went to summer camp think?
After finishing it though, I frankly don't care that much. Because if I know one thing, Murphy go the summer love crazy thing just right. The odd teenage dance around each other, the boys and the girls.
I love her descriptions of the summer time activities, and it did remind me of many summer holiday. Being reminded of countless hours around bonfires and daring jumps, hikes in the woods ..the feeling of endless summers. Elegantly done.

When it comes to character building, I gotta say the same thing. Murphy made me change my mind on several of the sidecast. My opinions being totally swayed by the narrator's opinion. This being told from both Jake's and Annie's POV with well chosen times for the switches. Both of them have a distinct voice, both have their own battles and insecurities. Jake being older also has a slightly more mature voice. In fact, I adore his POV.
The parents, who actually feature really little, are interesting. Because I feel like I know them, where they are coming from- a good example of Murphy's skill at character building and storytelling.

The plot is super cute. The romance is slow and super sweet. I was loving the build up and dying for a kiss to happen. It's a great story.
My only little dislike would be the hug blow up- well not the blow up it self, but rather how quickly it all blew over. And then it was the end. I didn't want it to end! I also wanted them to have to fight more, it's this big huge drama and then it's sorted and the book is done. Did I say I didn't want it to end? Well, I didn't, so I am beyond grateful for the epilogue.
And now I am hoping there will be more book set at the camp?
Also I am planning on reading the companion novel Keeping Her Secret, because I want more summer camp fun but also I wanna see what happens to Kelsey.

A must read for lovers of cute&fluffies. Guaranteed summer romance fix.


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