Book review: YOU WERE NEVER NOT MINE, by Monica Murphy

Lancaster Prep Next Generation #4

August & Sinclair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Young adult as only Monica Murphy can write them!  She gets their personalities, insecurities, catches that they’re beginning to mature but are not there yet, feeling the promises of the future but not sure yet where they’re going.  I love reading these YA books because I love the possibilities and the fumbling they do as they figure out their lives.  And this author shows it so brilliantly!

This story is told in two times, when Sinclair arrived at Lancaster Prep for freshman year and August was a senior.  He bullied her all that year, and she hated him and stood up to his insults but they did hurt and upset her.

Then four years later, August is a senior again, this time in Thornhill University and Sinclair arrives, again as a freshman.  He’s captivated from the beginning, but he has a role to play in this university, and that is of the arrogant and selfish wealthy guy who doesn’t mingle with the riff-raff.  He doesn’t recognize her which is wonderful because she hates him and treats him like he’s a monster, which baffles him.  I thought it was wonderful and just the right touch to tumble him from that pedestal he lived on.

I loved the story, loved how they moved on from enemies to friends to lovers, loved how much August changes.  He swore that the Lancaster curse was not true, nevertheless he kept his feelings tied up tight and didn’t get involved with any girl, just a hookup and done, so the curse will not activate.  And it did, regardless of his precautions.  I loved how caught he was! And he asked his father and his sister and they all ruled that, yep, he got it.  

The juxtaposition of falling in love for your bully was a wonderful plot and I loved the whole story.  August was sweet once he got over his uppity ways, he was so considerate and loving.  Sinclair was the perfect heroine, she didn’t kiss his butt, she sassed him, challenged him; in a way, she made him grow and develop all those good person feelings which were inside of him, lying dormant.

This was the perfect page-turner, YA story and a great finale for the Lancaster Prep series.  I only wish there was a Thornhill series because I would love to read Cyrus Thornhill’s story!

Purchase links

FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/40aejGg

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3WaQNb5

About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyGR

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1YUl0Vm

Facebook: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyFB

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/monicamurphyreadergroup/

Instagram: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyIG

Twitter: http://bit.ly/MonicaMurphyTW

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2ZAthV1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/msmonicamurphy/

THE BROKEN VOWS, by Catharina Maura

The Windsors #4

Zane & Celeste

Trust this author to write a book with so many twists and turns as to give us whiplash!  Zane’s and Celeste’s story is full of back and forth hate and love episodes, starting from when they were school kids and Zane used to bully her.  Under all that hate was love, of course, but the scars were hard to get rid of.  During the course of this book, they did a lot of harm to each other, and underneath all that war of revenge, was a very strong and passionate love.  Trust and jealousy work hand in hand to make this a very angsty and riveting story.

I was mostly angry at Celeste, she trusted in the words of others and didn’t listen to her instincts, thus causing a lot of harm and then suffering with the consequences. I felt for Zane who repented from his bullying years but didn’t get the redemption he needed. I loved all the family around them, with their banter, poker days, high fashion dressing, family dinners. There were lost friendships, reconciliations, bad grandparenting, and financial high stakes warfare. As with all books by this author, it was very satisfyingly angsty!

Purchase links

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3SgkMNi

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3RQl8Zm

About the author

Catharina Maura is a USA Today and Amazon #1 bestselling author. She writes angsty, fast-paced contemporary romance novels that break your heart before they lead you to a hard-won happily ever after.

Cat lives in Hong Kong with her husband and a dozen houseplants that all have names. When she isn't daydreaming about future characters, she's exploring the world and seeking out new adventures. 

You can find Cat's socials and latest updates here: https://hi.catharinamaura.com/bio

SWEET SIXTEEN, by Brenda Rothert

Brenda Rothert went a little dark with this fascinating story of small town, football, and high school hijinks.  It was such a riveting story!

Roper, Missouri, is a small town, where nothing happens, so it’s understandable that high school football reigns supreme.  The football players are seen almost like gods, so not surprising that they are conceited and entitled.  

Chase is the team quarterback, he’s not that bad, he comes from a crappy home life with an abusive father who is pushing his dreams upon his son, he’s under a lot of strain as his father is trying to make his decisions for him.  All he wants is to get drafted and take his mother and sisters away from that horrible man.

Gin is a fantastic character, I loved her so much.  Her mother is a famous author, so they live in a gorgeous mansion. Gin is an awesome girl, raised by a mother who taught her to respect her body and her dignity. Still, she dresses sloppily, dyes her red hair black, and tries her best to be invisible.  She only has two friends, Raj and Lauren, and pretty much ignores the rest of the students. She’s looking forward to graduation and escaping this hick town!

When Chase decides to choose her as a recipient of the rose on game day, she not only refuses, she insults the tradition and calls it for what it is, an action whose only purpose is to degrade the girls who receive the rose.  You need to read the book to learn what the Sweet Sixteen tradition is about.  It’s sickening and horrible. 

I loved the ruckus that starts as a product of Gin’s actions.  I loved the road to redemption and growth that Chase goes on.  Gin’s relation with her mom is stellar and has brilliant moments during this story.  And through it all, Gin shines as she stands by her principles and forces a sort of revolution.  It was very intriguing and exciting, with many dramatic moments.  It kept me riveted to the very end, very happy and proud of Gin, hopeful for Chase as he grapples with the concepts, and disgusted at this small town school, with its lack of tolerance for diversity. Very recommended!

Purchase links

https://amzn.to/3uVUXsx

About the author

 

A former print journalist, Brenda Rothert has written more than fifty romance novels. From hot hockey romance to steamy romantic suspense, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. Her print and e-books have been translated into German, Italian and Portuguese, and her audiobooks have been translated into German.