Review: Four Years Later by Monica Murphy

Four Years Later by Monica Murphy
(One Week Girlfriend #4)
March 4, 2014
Bantam publishing
301 pages
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance 18+
(Contains: mature language, explicit sex)
Source: Copy from publishing for Honest review

Book Synopsis:

Over. That about sums up everything in my life. Suspended from my college football team and forced to cut back my hours at The District bar because of my crappy grades, I can’t keep turning to my sister, Fable, and her pro-football playing husband, Drew, to bail me out. I just can’t seem to find my own way. Weed and sex are irresistible temptations—and it’s messed up that I secretly hand over money to our junkie mom. A tutor is the last thing I want right now—until I get a look at her.

Chelsea is not my type at all. She’s smart and totally shy. I’m pretty sure she’s even a virgin. But when she gives me the once over with those piercing blue eyes, I’m really over. But in a different way. I won’t deny her ass is killer, but it’s her brain and the way she seems to crave love—like no one’s ever given her any—that make me want her more than any girl I’ve ever met. But what would someone as seemingly together as her ever see in a screwed up guy like me?

My Review:

I loved Drew and Fable and their story in One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend (plus their novella). I completely fell in love with them. The bits and pieces we got about Owen, Fable's little brother, in their books drew me in to wanting to read his story. I'm so glad Owen got his own story! This can be read as a standalone. You get references to Owen's relationships with Fable and Drew from the previous books, but Drew and Fable's love story is not really spoiled, so newcomers to this series can still go back and read their books (which I loved).

Four Years Later is set when Owen is in college. Owen's life and upbringing have been far from easy or ideal. Fable did her best to help raise Owen, but their manipulative addict of a mother did a number on him, and despite new stability with Drew as a male role model in his life, his sister's unconditional love, and the opportunities of college and football, Owen is still drowning in the aftereffects of the mind games he's been dealt as well as the repercussions of his poor recent choices. He is lost and confused and losing hope quickly. But I loved Owen. There was something honest and innocent in his voice despite the lack of innocence in his life. He had to grow up too quickly, never being given the opportunity to ease into life. I hurt for the guy. I loved that we got to see him step back, taking on a new relationship and looking at his current life as well as his future differently, allowing him to mature and grow into himself. Yet he still remained Owen, just improved.

Then there's Chelsea, who has her own bucket of family drama to deal with. I could relate to Chelsea's shy side, her awkwardness, her insecurities. She was smart and felt out of place often. But I loved that she didn't force herself to be someone she wasn't, even if that lessened her social opportunities. She was a great contrast to Owen, but they also had a lot in common. Watching their relationship develop was very sweet, yet contained just enough drama to keep things interesting. These two had their work cut out for them in the trust and family department, but I appreciated the care that was taken to look at their circumstances in an honest fashion. Owen and Chelsea were really great; their chemistry, their conversations, their trepidations, their belief in the other, their patience and exploration of each other, and the way they were finally able to trust each other. I was rooting for these two hearts who had been dealt a lousy hand, that they would find the jackpot with each other.

Owen and Chelsea's story was just what I needed to finish off this series. I loved getting to know them and was taken on a beautiful journey once again. I'm also so happy to have gotten glimpses into Drew and Fable's life, and baby Autumn. I will miss these characters and their stories.

 

4 STARS

 

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