Monica Murphy continues her College Years series with this fun and sexy story about commitment-phobes Caleb and Gracie.
Now that Gracie has finished college and getting ready to student teach in a few months, she realizes she needs to grow up and save money. Having roommates will help, but she’s also found a summer job alongside Caleb Burke. The irresistibly charming player she’s been attracted too since they met.
Even though neither is looking for a serious relationship, much less love Caleb is nothing if not persistent in his pursuit of Gracie. As they spend time together and get to know each other, they realize that attraction is not the only thing that connects them. They make each other happy and feel safe and tethered. But can they truly take each other seriously?
Both Caleb and Gracie embody the new adult stereotype. Caleb in his junior year of college, uncertain of what he wants to do with the rest of his life and trying to make the most out of his college years. While Gracie, two years his senior, fresh out of college diving deep into the real world.
Their banter and arguing was seemed more like foreplay, although I did find Gracie to be a bit too uptight at times. I especially liked Caleb’s growth. Once he realizes that being with Gracie is better than giving into his fear, he does everything in his power to show her how much she means to him.
The Junior is book #3 of the College Years series by Monica Murphy. This book can be read as a standalone but there are mentions of characters from previous books and other series like The Callahans that I image if previously read would make this story more enjoyable. It is a lighthearted, charming college romance told from both points of view with a happy ending. Genres: NA romance. Tropes: older woman, frienemies to lovers
By the numbers quick review:
World building: 💌💌💌
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
Plot: 📚📚📚📚
Romance: 💕💕💕
Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall rating: 3.6
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Valentine PR. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★
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English Oh Caleb. I've been waiting for your book. I certainly WAS NOT disappointed with this one. The biggest player out of the bunch who I've fallen head over heels for. One thing that was constant was my smile. Caleb never failed to keep one on my face. This guy is hilarious, and an absolute sweetheart. Who knew this guy had such hidden depths? Gracie scored with this one although she is pretty amazing herself. I adored the banter between these two and their story was epic!
Caleb and Gracie’s romance was even better than I had hoped it would be. Their dynamic together is perfect. Their relationship is laugh out loud funny, swoon worthy and the perfect amount of sexiness. The way these two just fit together was everything I never knew I wanted but needed. They’re amazing characters and the way they just understand each other really stole my heart away. This story was the perfect blend of heartwarming romance and amusing, engaging dialogues, woven through a well-balanced plotline that entertains and touches the heart in equal measure. I loved these characters, and I loved how multi-layered they got as their story unfolded.
Without a doubt, Monica Murphy is a force to be reckoned with. The woman can write the hell out of a book. Caleb and Gracie’s story was funny, sexy, swoony, emotional and wildly entertaining. I can't wait to see what the final book brings, because after that little peek we got? It's about to get real.... Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! English Really hoping is with Gracie! English The Junior is the third installment of the college years series. In it, you will watch Caleb and Gracie fall in love. Sort of a second chance at romance. It's also sort of an enemies to friends/lovers' relationship too. It's a lot to take it but they were cute.
I'll admit that I wasn't Caleb's biggest fan in the beginning. Whether it was in the previous books or in this one. He just seemed like a little douche canoe and a player. Then there's Gracie who seemed to downplay things in the wrong way at the wrong time. Ugh. It was completely frustrating, and I wanted to slap them both when they were being dumb.
Luckily, they finally admitted their true feelings with one another. I mean, the sexual tension was there but I was too annoyed to enjoy it all. Eventually things got better but now I'm worried about Eli. Ugh. Please don't be dumb in the next book buddy. English Edited Manuscript
Caleb is finally front and center and boy does he use it to his advantage. Loved the growth of his character and how everything played out. English
Caleb Burke.
Charming. Funny. Sexy.
Major player - both on the field and with the ladies.
I hate him.
Well, not really. I resist his so-called charms because I recognize them. We’re a lot alike, Caleb and I. He’s afraid of commitment? Me too. A giant flirt? Same here. He knows how to party? I am the absolute queen of the party.
Until I realize it’s time for me to grow up and become a responsible adult. I’ll be student teaching next year, so to save money, I move in with my two new roommates -- Eli Bennett and Caleb. Then I find a summer job -- where Caleb works. Soon, I'm spending almost every single day with the guy.
He’s growing on me too. We’ve always had this unspoken chemistry brewing between us. When we finally give in to it, it’s just as spectacular as I secretly predicted. The sex, and everything else, keeps getting better and better between us too.
But can I really take this guy seriously? Or am I only setting myself up to fail? The Junior (College Years, #3)
This is the third book in the 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 series and I am soooo excited for y'all to read Caleb's story! Coming September 9th!
✨ Preorder here: https://geni.us/JuniorAmz
Add to your TBR: https://geni.us/JuniorGR
The blurb is below, and just by reading it, you'll know who Caleb's leading lady is. I know some of you will be disappointed, but just know that everyone involved ends up happy, which makes me happy. I hope you'll like it too. 💗 My early readers fell hard for this story!
Caleb Burke.
Charming. Funny. Sexy.
Major player - both on the field and with the ladies.
I hate him.
Well, not really. I resist his so-called charms because I recognize them. We’re a lot alike, Caleb and I. He’s afraid of commitment? Me too. A giant flirt? Same here. He knows how to party? I am the absolute queen of the party.
Until I realize it’s time for me to grow up and become a responsible adult. I’ll be student teaching next year, so to save money, I move in with my two new roommates -- Eli Bennett and Caleb. Then I find a summer job -- where Caleb works. Soon, I'm spending almost every single day with the guy.
He’s growing on me too. We’ve always had this unspoken chemistry brewing between us. When we finally give in to it, it’s just as spectacular as I secretly predicted. The sex, and everything else, keeps getting better and better between us too.
But can I really take this guy seriously? Or am I only setting myself up to fail?
✨ Preorder here: https://geni.us/JuniorAmz
Add to your TBR: https://geni.us/JuniorGR
𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳.
English He makes me want something I shouldn’t. He makes me feel a lot of emotions I don’t understand, and can’t explain.
Is it possible for one to be too obsessed with “two players with commitment phobia falling in love” trope? I think the heck not.
Gracie and Caleb have been giving us sexual tension vibes since Monica released The Freshman. Yes, these two were side characters, but I think anyone who reads this series would say they cause sparks whenever they are on the page, in both of the first two books. So it’s no surprise that they give us all the tension and sparks in their book, but they also give us… slow burn? I’d be a liar if I said that their slow burning tension and the anticipation I felt for them to just BANG IT OUT, didn’t nearly kill me. Dramatic, maybe, but I swear I was on the edge of my seat waiting for it. That said, I think that the wait truly truly paid off. I also think that it was absolutely necessary for these two to build what they build prior to them igniting.
Did I think when I read about Caleb in Falling for Her that he’d end up being one of the sweetest most squishiest gummy bears when he fell in love, heck to the no, but here we are, and he’s the squishiest green gummy bear with a jalapeño kick in the bedroom. 😅 yes, I embarrass myself, but it’s the facts.
Anyway. If you’re looking for reluctant not quite enemies to lovers, then The Junior provides. Check it out 9/9!
AVAILABLE NOW!
*ARC English 4.5 stars!
(ARC provided by Valentine PR)
Gracie Hughes is a 22 yr. old single woman living in California where she recently graduated college. She's about to begin student teaching, but is first taking the summer to get her life sorted. She needs a summer job and a new place to live. She lucks out when she finds a room to rent with mutual friends Eli and Caleb. The only complication is her ongoing fued with Caleb. They've always clashed and argued. He's extremely extra all the time, and his ridiculous over the top behavior is annoying. He's rude, inappropriate, and tests her patience on the regular. He's also unbelievably gorgeous, charming, sexy, fun, endearing, and irresistible, but then he opens his mouth. Nobody affects her the way he does, and deep down he's a decent guy. As they spend more time together he drives her crazy and knows just how to get under her skin, but she's also drawn to him. She's good at keeping guys at arms length, but Caleb is a temptation too hard to resist. Will she enjoy a no strings friends with benefits arrangement or will she be the one to finally tame the bad boy?
Caleb Burke plays football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and has a reputation as a player with the ladies. He's known for his endless hookups and larger than life personality. He's young, carefree, and enjoying the whole college experience. Then he meets Gracie who challenges him and makes him question his ways. They are both huge flirts who love to party. They have similar dating styles, and neither do committment, but he's been chasing her since they met. He enjoys getting a reaction out of her, and making her laugh. She's feisty, snarky and stunningly beaautiful. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but he was quickly friend zoned. He wants to explore the chemistry between them, but is scared by real feelings developing. Will he realize she could be the perfect girl for him, or will he be in denial about what's been right in front of him all along?
-There's something about you that I can't give up on, G. No matter how hard I try.
-I can't quit you.
-Drives me crazy how she tries to pretend there's nothing between us, when it feels like everything is between us. All of it. Every single thing.
-Gracie is everything I never knew I wanted.
The Junior (College Years #3) by Monica Murphy is a fabulous slow burn, frenemies to lovers, roommates, college sports romance full of hilarious banter, friendship, and unexpected connections. I love this series, and have been looking forward to Caleb's story and seeing him fall hard. I really enjoyed getting a peek at his vulnerable side and beautiful heart! This book is packed with magnetic attraction, all the steamy love/hate moments, and a delicious tension that leaves you craving more of this couple! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3yZC04G English Ah yes, finally the book about the biggest misogynist in this universe (well actually Eli is even worse)
First and foremost this is Caleb's book. I did not like him in any book because he talked about women like they were objects and were only good for sex.
Obviously the author still wants to give him a happily ever after so here we are...
it was not happy nor was there any chemistry.
He acts like a 5 year old child and keeps annoying Gracie the love interest because he just loves seeing her mad. Caleb also has an overall weird relationship with all of the guys in the group and just keeps talking badly about their girlfriends even though they are his friends??? I do not get the appeal and guess what? He does not change. at all. Yes his views on relationships improve but wow of course only for his gf that he still treats like property. English LOVED THIS STORY SO MUCH! OMG CALEB IS SO FUCKING DIRTY! The things that would come out of that boy's mouth! I was rooting for this couple throughout the entire book, even though at times I wanted to throw my kindle!
I ADORE CALEB!!!!
FULL REVIEW TO COME! English