One Week Girlfriend by Monica Murphy

To Add One Week Girlfriend to Goodreads Click HERE

One Week Girlfriend
By:  Monica Murphy
Nook, 429 pages
Pub: January 10, 2013
Source:  Purchased
Mature Content:  17+
Disturbing Content

GR's Summary:

Temporary. That one single word best describes my life these last few years. I’m working at a temporary job until I can finally break free. I’m my little brother’s temporary mother since our mom doesn’t give a crap about either of us. And I’m that temporary girl all the guys want to get with because I give it up so easily. According to the rumors, at least.

But now I’m the temporary girlfriend of Drew Callahan, college football legend and all around golden guy. He’s beautiful, sweet—and he’s hiding way more secrets than I am. He’s brought me into this fake life where everyone seems to hate me. And everyone seems to want something from him. The only thing he seems to want though is…

Me.
 I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is, I think Drew needs me. And I want to be there for him.

Forever

One Week Girlfriend was an amazing read!  At first glance, I was expecting a sexy, fun, flirty, romantic read about a couple, and what I got was so much more than meets the eye!  There is a whole lot of depth, and harsh reality, included within this story.  I loved One Week Girlfriend with a passion, and it has earned a spot on my favorite's shelf.  Lately, I have been reading a lot of New Adult Contemporary Romances, but what set aside, One Week Girlfriend, from the masses, was that this story was about so much more then sex.  It touched on alcoholism, an absentee parent, the death of another parent, abuse, and having an emotionally withdrawn family.  These topics were difficult to read, and yet there was something in the story that I'm sure everyone can relate to.  Monica Murphy, did a great job of showing that we all have our inner demons, secrets, and challenges to overcome.  Each of us is unique, and we deal with our inner turmoil in different ways.

The two main characters were Drew and Fable.  Drew went through his life in a state of numbness.  He always kept himself extremely busy, and didn't have time for a social life.  To all outward appearances, Drew had the perfect life.  He came from wealth, was a full-time college student, a football star at his school, popular, and had natural good looks, and a spectacular physique.  However, Drew was full of turmoil, anger, guilt, and unhappiness.  His biological mother died when he was young.  His step-mother was a horrible, possessive, and manipulative woman.  His father was cold, and his younger sister had just died a few years ago.  He avoided leaving college and visiting his family.  However, he was expected to spend a week with his family in the very house his sister had died in.  

Fable, grew up with an alcoholic mother, who went from boyfriend to boyfriend, and was never there for her children.  Fable was more of a substitute mother, than a sister, to her 13- year old brother.  She supported her family by working full-time at a bar.  (Her mother only worked part time, couldn't hold a job down, and spent all of her money on beer.)  Therefore,  Fable wasn't able to attend college, and learned the skills that it took to feed a family, and pay bills on a limited amount of money.  She had a reputation around the local college campus for being promiscuous.  However, all she was looking for was stolen moments of feeling like someone actually cared about her, and a way to deal with the loneliness that her life had become.  

Drew propositions Fable, with $3,000, to make a deal.  He needs her to go with him to Carmel for Thanksgiving week, and pretend to be his girlfriend, and save him from his horrible family.  While Fable is hesitant, at first, she eventually agrees because her family is in desperate need of money.  The week Drew and Fable ended up spending together felt like a lifetime.  They bonded, forged a friendship, fell in love, saved each other, and learned each other's darkest secrets....

One Week Girlfriend was well-written.  Drew and Fable were three-dimensional characters, that had distinct personalities, flaws, challenges in their lives, and were so real that they could have easily been based off of real people.  I saw their lives, and heard their voices as I flipped each page.  I connected with Fable,  and how she felt over-protective of Drew, and just wanted to save him.  I kept rooting for her to slap Adele, Drew's stepmother, and put her in her place!  I needed her to stand up for herself when Drew's snobby parents treated her like she was beneath them, and I fell in love with Drew, when he stood up for her!  The intense chemistry, and attraction that Drew and Fable had for one another, held me utterly captivated!  There were many swoon-worthy scenes, and it looks like I'm adding Drew to my coveted Book-Boyfriend list!  Ms. Murphy is a master at capturing the anticipation, and desire between Drew and Fable, and weaves each scene like a delicious dessert to be savored!  The descriptive writing gave me a graphically detailed picture in my mind.  This story was character-driven, with such dynamic, and well-written character's, that I found myself reading a little slower than usual, because I didn't want the story to end.


Another aspect that I enjoyed in this story was the beautiful setting in Carmel.  Ms. Murphy did a fabulous job describing the gorgeous ocean view, the little shops, and the wealthy little city's beauty.  The plot kept me hooked to this book!  I would get exasperated every time I got interrupted while reading.  There were so many ups and downs in this story, and my emotions were all over the place, as I read what happened.  Even though I figured out one of the major revelations early on, there were still a few surprises that I didn't see coming.


One Week Girlfriend, by Monica Murphy, would be a welcome addition, to readers that enjoy New Adult Contemporary Romances that deal with real, and gritty topics.  This is not a light fluffy story, as it may appear based off of the book cover and title.  It is fast-paced, has a lot of depth, and will make you a ball of emotion.  I would put it in a category with books such as, The Sea of Tranquility, by Katja Millay, Hopeless, by Colleen Hoover, and The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, by Jessica Sorenson.  Some scenes in this story will be difficult to read, and contain some disturbing content.  However, this book deals with the realities of life, the healing process, and the beauty that comes from setting yourself free from your past, finding love, friendship, meaning, and joy in your life.  Also, finding the strength, and support, with someone who loves you unconditionally, with every fiber of their being.  I am highly anticipating the sequel, Second Chance Boyfriend, and can't wait to continue the emotional journey of Drew and Fable.

I give One Week Girlfriend, by Monica Murphy, 5 Dynamic, Delicious, Gritty, Marshmellowy Stars!  It's on my favorite's list, and I know if you read it, you will have discovered a new favorite also!

 

"I don't want to become dependent on Drew, yet it's too late.  I am.  Slowly but surely I am and if I don't stop it soon, my heart will become so entwined with his, I know I will literally bleed if we're ever separated.  (Nook, 272)

"As our mouths find each other, I'm overwhelmed with emotion for this girl.  I've craved this connection with her for days.  Hell, I've craved this sort of connection with someone for years, always too afraid to believe in it.  But I'm a believer now.  Thanks to my one week girlfriend.  Thanks to Fable.  (Nook, 335)

"I want you to be mine, Fable.  Loosening his hold on my wrists, he dips his head, nuzzling my check, my nose.  It's the sweetest, sexiest gesture and I moan as I circle my arms around his neck and cradle him close.  I want to be yours, I answer in a breath whisper.  I want to belong to you Drew.  Only you."  (Nook, 346-347)

   

*I got this from Ms. Murphy's Website (and the marshmellow's have a special meaning in the story.)

I'm a wife and a mom. I drink too much coffee and spend too much time in front of my computer. I like to read, I like to write, I like to watch bad reality TV and I like to think I act younger than I really am. Though sometimes I'm sure my kids think I'm a complete buzz kill.



I'm not going to lie - it's been a while since I was in college. But do you ever forget those troubling, indecisive, exhilarating years? Where you're not exactly sure what you're supposed to be doing, how you're going to pay the rent, how much you hate your boss and oh my God, how much did I drink last night anyway?



Whoops. I think I just revealed I went to a major party college (major as in what a good time I had!). And really, I didn't hate my boss, she was amazing. I worked with some pretty amazing girls, too. We all became great friends and I had this guy who was the worst. guy. EVER. Yet I still stuck with him for years because I was in love (insert sing-songy voice).



Yeah, see? Those years, my early twenties...I can't forget them. And I hope I convey those turbulent, messy emotions in my books. ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND is the first in a series (like I'd leave Drew + Fable hanging like that! I'm not that mean) and the second (still untitled) book should be released in early April. So stay tuned...

Psst - I love to hear from readers. Email me at missmonicamurphy @ gmail.com (minus spaces) and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!



Monica Murphy's:  Website/Goodreads/Facebook

Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Smashwords