That one single word best describes my life at this very moment. I lost the last games of the season and both my team and my coach blame me. I lost the last two months because I drowned in my own despair like a complete loser. And I lost the only girl who ever mattered because I was afraid being with me would destroy her.
But now I realize how truly lost I am without her. She has become my story…and even though she acts like she’s moved on, I know she still thinks about me just as much as I think about her. She’s beautiful, sweet—and so damn vulnerable, all I want to do is help her. Be there for her.
Love her…
If only I could convince Fable to give me a second chance. Then I wouldn’t feel so lost anymore, and neither would she. We could be found together.
Forever.
**Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual content and language, mature subject matter**
New Adult Contemporary
Published 4/6/13
Shelley: ***4 1/2 Stars***
I was eagerly
anticipating Second Chance Boyfriend
and prior to its release I had created all sorts of storylines in my head…I
definitely did not predict the story going the way that it did and I’m
strangely happy that I didn’t.
1) Drew: He is the most
perfect, yet damaged, male character I’ve read in a long time. He’s soooo good
even as he faces the challenges that Adele forced upon him, the pressing
questions of his therapist, the Colin incident and, of course, navigating the role
of being a boyfriend. He doesn’t want to be a bad boy, a bad son, or an
antagonistic boyfriend. He wants to figure out his life and try to heal the
damaged parts of himself. I think I like him because Monica Murphy wrote him as
vulnerable without being wimpy. (Oh, and
the poems. The poems. A strong male lead that writes poetry? SWOON!)
2) Fable: This girl is tough. She’s so used to having to fight
the world on her own that she has a hard time allowing (and trusting) herself to
lean on anyone else. She misses Drew terribly but fights really hard to suck it
up and, in the meantime, move on to better money making opportunities. The 21st
birthday party scene…ugh…she was so self-controlled. I don’t think I could’ve walked
into a room filled with guys that were going to be so vile and just do my
job—but she did. I also admire how she is fiercely protective of Owen and Drew.
Finally, I love how Fable allows herself to trust that Drew isn’t out to hurt
her and she finally has someone to lean on and share her burdens.
3) Adele: I know some people felt sorry for her but I HATED
her. What a freak. I’m happy that we are rid of her but in some ways I think
her ending was too easy. I wanted her to FEEL the consequences of her actions.
I wanted her to understand the suffering she inflicted on Drew. She was a sick
and twisted monster. Good bye and good riddance, Adele.
4) The love story: I kept waiting and waiting for Monica Murphy
to give us a major angst filled incident that would force Drew and Fable to
reconsider their decision to reconcile. She didn’t. I’m so glad. This book was
truly about healing and learning how to be in a relationship. I loved that Drew
and Fable were so consumed and wrapped up in their love. I loved that they worked through
their problems and didn’t allow petty jealousies or potential problems get in
the way of how they felt about each other. I loved that there was a therapist to
help them with working on the tough stuff (because that is not seen enough in
love stories—and relationships can be hard work). I loved the steam that caused my Kindle to
almost melt. I especially loved the surprise Drew gave Fable at the end. Sigh.
Swoon.
5) Owen/Jenn/Colin/Drew’s dad/Fable’s mom: I want their
stories. I want to know more. These characters are not finished. Please, Monica
Murphy…tell me they aren’t finished. What happens to them? Where do THEY end
up? So. Many. Questions.
If you read One Week
Girlfriend, you will love, love, love Second
Chance Boyfriend. Go buy it and enjoy every second of it.
Courtney: ***5 stars***
I can't count how many times we talked about how we couldn't wait until SCB comes out, and counted down the days. Then, I think I about fell over dead when it came out a few days early! (Thanks, Monica Murphy so much for that!) There always is a little hesitation for a hyped sequel, that it might not quite live up to the first one, or be repetitive, but Second Chance Boyfriend for me was 5 star great! So I align myself with every single thing Shelley said, and I will try to not be repetitive for you wonderful people!
1) Drew. Yep, swoon, swoon, swoon! I am so glad he wasn't THAT guy, who because he's not with the girl he wants he drowns out his sorrows in going too far with a lot of other women. That gets so annoying! He is damaged but I am glad his experiences in One Week Girlfriend got him to a place where he could talk about his demons and sought out a therapist without Fable's help. Could he have done that in book 1? Abso-freaking-lutely not! Character growth. That impressed me x 100! And the poems...an intellectual 21 year old that can write sweet poems and not be a douchebag every five seconds like Drew's football friends...swooning again!!
2) Fable. I cried for her a few times because it is heartbreaking to read the family issues that she is dealt this go around. Her journey of lifting Drew up to be strong enough to catch her when she needs to let go and not be the strong one for a change was amazing. I loved being able to clearly see both of their transformations, albeit with hesitation, and the writing of this and the entire book was amazing as well! P.S-Damn their parents for being so selfish! Side note for Owen here. I cried for him too. No child should have to grow up so fast like he has to, and his standing up for Fable was so cool.
3) Adele. Yuck. I mean, really, just yuck. She is definitely the worst of the worst. I agree that she got off easy, and potentially could have set Drew back big time. That girl still just as cray-cray as the first experience I had with her!
4) The love story! Whoa. I remember telling you "I think my iPad just caught on fire!" This is a huge, huge change from One Week Girlfriend, but I think definitely a necessary direction because Fable is helping Drew get to a place where intimacy with another person is something he can look forward to. And yes, I was waiting for the shoe to drop at the pre-requisite 70-80% (Authors, please tell us, is this a formula? We really have been discussing this!) between the two of them, too!
5) To sort of answer your questions about more books, I've seen online, but not confirmed that Monica is considering a Jenn/Colin book (Yay! That felt waaayyyyy unresolved!!) and Owen or Drew/Fable. Hopefully if we all keep talking about it enough, their stories won't leave her alone until she has to put them on the writing calendar!
I also loved this book! My husband came in to go to bed after x-boxing it up for hours and saw me still awake. He was actually shocked (I mean, really? This isn't the first time this has happened!) and said "Courtney, it's one o'clock in the morning!" So I had to answer, "But I only have 9% left...no point in stopping now!" It is one of those stories that you "Just ONE more chapter" and before you know it you've consumed it! Happy reading everyone!
Sounds good! You have been excited for it : )
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