julie murphy – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★
Audience: New Adult Romance
Length: 294 pages
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: May 5th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a sexy rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101…The first in a trilogy of romance novels that follows a group of girls as they navigate love, friendship, and new adulthood, this is perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.

CLOVER ROWAN WALSH knows The Plan™.
1. Get a full ride to her dream school, Wexley University.
2. Conquer the school of business.
3. Say goodbye to the paycheck-to-paycheck life she and her mom have known for years.

There’s just one hiccup. With the first semester rapidly approaching, Clover learns her housing grant has fallen through. But a loophole presents Married couples can live in the dorms for the price of one student. Clover is willing to sacrifice the sanctity of marriage . . . even if it means proposing to the one person she swore she’d never speak to again.

Bennett Andrew Graves is the only heir to the Graves Coffee empire. After spending his first year at Wexley, squeaking by in classes and becoming personally acquainted with the female student body, he is looking forward to living off campus. Until the girl he grew up with (and whom he completely devastated years ago) walks back into his life with the most absurd Will you marry me?

Bennett can’t refuse Clover. He owes her this, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two can barely carry on a conversation without getting at each other’s throats. Forget about sharing a dorm—much less one bed.

But as Clover and Bennett hide the true nature of their marriage, they find that playing house isn’t all that bad—especially with certain marital benefits in the mix. In fact, Clover and Bennett are soon forgetting the most important part of their fake marriage of convenience . . . that it’s supposed to be fake.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted ARC and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook.

NOT QUITE FOR ME.

Y’all know I basically jump at any book that has marriage of convenience as one of the leading tropes because I love that stuff. And I’m aware that MOC is usually a suspension of belief but this one felt even more of a stretch than usual. With everything happening so fast in the first chapter I had no moment to catch up and get on board.

I didn’t mind the romance between Clover and Bennett. There were many good moments (not the make-out when only she was drunk). I liked that Bennett took care of her and was genuinely trying to make amends for a mistake in high school. I do love a protective scene and this one had a few.

The college atmosphere was a bit over the top in the lust and d*ck joke department. While I get it, it also didn’t serve the book well and I don’t think needed to be added as heavily as it was. I mean, the second half felt like mostly spice and the book is less than 300 pages?? The slow burn had been so good too!!

I’m not sure I’ll read the next couple in the series. I’ll think about it, but if it follows a lot of these same lines I might not be charmed.

Overall audience notes:

NA Contemporary Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 4ish open door; high innuendo
Violence: moderate
Content warnings: attempted assault, catfishing (recounted), bullying

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Contemporary Romance + Retelling
Length: 304 pages
Author: Julie Murphy
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Release Date: August 3rd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After having just graduated with a degree in shoe design, and trying to get her feet on the ground, Cindy is working for her stepmother, who happens to be the executive producer of America’s favorite reality show, Before Midnight. When a spot on the show needs filling ASAP, Cindy volunteers, hoping it might help jump-start her fashion career, or at least give her something to do while her peers land jobs in the world of high fashion.

Turns out being the only plus size woman on a reality dating competition makes a splash, and soon Cindy becomes a body positivity icon for women everywhere. What she doesn’t expect? That she may just find inspiration-and love-in the process. Ultimately, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, maybe it’s time to design your own.

SUFFICIENTLY CHARMED.

I love a good and quick audio book. This was exactly what I was looking for when it was available and I enjoyed it!

Cindy was a great main character. Charming, positive, and I loved her passion for fashion (even if I don’t understand anything about fashion). There was definitely an immediate connection between her and Henry and it made for some solid swoony moments. I really liked them as a couple and how well they complimented each other.

This is the first bachelor/ette based book I’ve read in a few years and it did reiterate the fact that I just don’t love this trope/setting. I feel like it takes away from the main couple getting a chance to further a deeper connection and that’s how it read here. I wanted a few more layers and depth for everyone, but especially Cindy and Henry.

I loved all of the twists of the Cinderella retelling. Having a kind step-mom and step-sisters was exactly what this book needed. I love that kind of support in any read. Besides the superficiality of a few aspects, this was a good read and a strong standalone retelling.

Overall audience notes: