Book Review: Murphy

Title: Murphy (ARC )

Author: Mary Warren

Genre:  Romance

Trope: Reverse Age Gap, Hockey Player/PR 

Rating: Enjoyed

Spice: Flamin Hot Cheeto

Synopsis: Hillary Lawson has built her life around work. She never expected to fall for a player. Especially not the charming rookie who delivers her coffee every morning with a smile that could melt the ice.

But Murphy O’Rourke isn’t just another player. He’s sunshine in skates, and he’s set on proving that love doesn’t care about age, rules, or reputations.

After a magical one night stand together, Hillary thinks she can move on easily. They are all wrong for each other, he’s too young and golden. There are a million reasons to stay away from him. She just can’t seem to make herself.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed the latest installment in the Glendale Hockey series by Mary Warren. I love me a reverse age gap, add in that she is a plus size boss babe and Hillary is pure ICON  status! A+ that she isn’t a single mom as well. Most reverse age gaps I come across are single moms and although I love those as well, being a single childless woman over thirty, it was cool to see that reflected back. 

Murphy was just as yummy and heart melty as they come. Straight from the pet store, golden retriever vibes full stop. I just wanted to hold him to my chest for a good chunk of this book. Hillary was kinda doing a number on this pobrecito. 

I really enjoyed Murphy’s family situation. From the outside it looks like he has the perfect family and yes in ways he does, but the pressure to get and stay in the NHL, support his family and be the good guy weighs heavy on his heart. Murphy’s brother is differently abled and I really appreciate the way this subject was handled. Not a huge part of the story but enough to show how it has affected Murphy and shaped him as a person. The fact that his brother is living a full and rich life with hobbies, friends, and even holding down a job, that is the type of representation I am looking for in ALL forms of media. So thank you Mary Warren. It doesn’t seem like a big deal but even those small moments matter. It’s real and it’s everyday life. 

Overall this book was great, the spice was hitting and Murphy got me contemplating the younger guys in my DM’s a lil differently. Murphy is a great addition to the Glendale Hockey series and full of the same found family and tight knit bounds with their friend group, that you’ve come to expect from Mary Warren books and especially this series. 

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                                        @booksteantravel

Rating:

LOVED= 5 Stars. A new fav. I will be talking about every chance I get. 

ENJOYED= 4-3 Stars.  It wasn’t a life changer but I would recommend it. 

0-2 Stars/ DNF= I will not post a review about a book I didn’t enjoy or did not finish. Good vibes only. I support anyone who’s brave enough to create their own work and put it out into the world for others. 

Spice: 

Puffy Cheeto- No Spice. 

Crunchy Cheeto- Closed Door/Fade to Black

Flamin Hot Cheeto- Spicy. A few detailed scenes. 

Takis- Erotica. Many explicit sexual scenes.