One Week Girlfriend
Release Date: 01/11/13
Summary from Goodreads:
**Mature situations and sexual content – recommended for ages 17+**New Adult Contemporary Romance
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.
***Copy received by author for review purposes***
Honestly, I don’t quite know how we got to this point. I hated him on sight. I did this only for the money. I thought he was a fucked up mess. I still think he’s a fucked up mess.
But so am I .
This is one of those cases where the book cover deceived me. When I was approach by the author to possibly review this book I was hesitant to accept because my TBR list is insanely huge. But there was something about it that seemed like such a “me” book that I couldn’t help but accept, to review for March or April. Every time I looked at my kindle library, this book seemed to scream at me ‘read me!’ and I kept seeing all these great reviews on Goodreads for it. I was in the mood for a sexy NA book and thought One Week Girlfriend would be the perfect pick. I also admit I was insanely curious to find out what this whole ‘marshmallow’ thing was about. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this wasn’t just an NA book about sex. One Week Girlfriend was a deep and thought provoking story about two very emotionally broken people who must learn to accept and overcome their past in order to find happiness.
Fable’s mother drinks and sleeps around and is too busy jumping from bar to bar and guy to guy to pay attention or take care of Fable and her little brother. In order to survive and provide for her and her brother, Fable has a job at a local bar. She also has a reputation with the college guys, which makes her the perfect candidate for Drew’s plan. Drew is a popular but emotionally wrecked guy. He doesn’t date, but when he is forced to go back home to visit his family for Thanksgiving he comes up with a plan. He thinks that bringing home a fake girlfriend will get his dad off his back. He’s heard of Fable’s reputation and he also knows she needs the money so he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Pretend to be his girlfriend for one week in exchange for $3,000. With money running dangerously low, Fable has no choice but to accept. Sounds like an easy plan. But soon fake touches and kisses start turning into something real. But no matter how much Fable wants this thing between them to be real, Drew refuses to let her in. And after spending just a few days with his family, she realized that she took on way more than she bargained for when she realizes just how screwed up his family is.
I’ve read about dysfunctional families before and Fable even has her own messed up family. But Drew had one of the most fucked up families I’ve read about. With a dad that looks at Fable like he wants to eat her up and a crazy and possessive stepmother, it’s clear to see why Drew is so closed off emotionally. But Fable knows that what is going on between them has turned into something real and she is determined to stay by Drew’s side and help him get through this week, no matter how many times he pushes her away. When family secrets are uncovered, will Fable still stick around? And when their week of pretending is over, will Drew go back to his old life?
You guys already know how much I love NA books. But with so many popping up every few seconds, I’ve become picky over which ones I want to read. I loved One Week Girlfriend and I’m very happy I read this one. Don’t be fooled by that sexy cover, this book has a really good and emotional story inside. Drew and Fable had such a great story with amazing chemistry and sizzling-hot scenes. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series: Second Chance Boyfriendwhich I’m hoping will be out soon. Be on the lookout for Monica Murphy because I’m sure you’ll be hearing more great things from her!
Marshmallow!
4.5 out of 5 sparkly stars!
Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from One Week Girlfriend:
-But just as quick as he lets me go, he has me again, his strong arm wrapped around my waist and his fingers resting at my hip. It’s a very possessive grip, one that I can’t help but find all sorts of hot, and I need to remind myself that this is fake.
-My reaction to him is so ridiculous and I really need to learn how to control it. Everything between us isn’t real and I have to remember that. No matter how good it feels.
-Our kissing isn’t for show. This isn’t to make an impression on others. We’re kissing each other because we want to. And we’re not stopping ourselves either. We’re only two days in to this fake relationship crap and this is where we’re at, wrapped around each other like pretzels and hoping like hell we don’t have to let go of each other any time soon.
-“I feel like an asshole.”
“Yesterday, you were one.” I’m about the say something, but she cuts me off. “Truthfully? I liked seeing all the anger. It means you actually feel, you know?”
***Author Interview***
1. Is this book a stand-alone or part of a series?
ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND is the first in a planned series. I’m going to be perfectly upfront–this book ends on a cliffhanger. Not a major one but it (hopefully!) leaves the reader wanting more. I plan on at least one more book for Drew and Fable, plus there’s a secondary character in the second book who’s asking for a story…
2. What are you working on next?
I’m working on the second book. Writing furiously because I know readers are already demanding it! It’s scheduled currently for an early April release. If I can write faster, maybe it’ll come out earlier!
3. What is your favorite non-spoiler scene or quote from One Week Girlfriend?
I really love the scene when they kiss the first time. Here’s a bit from that:
I end the kiss first, opening my eyes to find her staring up at me. She looks dazed, her lips are damp and her cheeks are flushed. She’s even prettier than when I first saw her in the bathroom and was completely blown away by the way she looked in that sexy dress.
She’s prettier because I’m the one who put that glow in her eyes and the color in her cheeks.
4. Can you share with us 5 of your favorite NA/YA books?
Oh, so many I love! Okay, here we go:
Hopeless by Colleen Hoover (powerful, heart wrenching!)
Charade by Nyrae Dawn (made me cry)
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (consumed it in a day)
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden by Jessica Sorensen (wonderful, sad, such a total cliffhanger!)
Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines (talk about a cliffhanger, GAH)
5. If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?
My children. I would do anything for them.
6. Can you tell us three things about yourself that you can’t find on the Internet?
Hmm, well since I’m pretty new on the scene there’s probably not much you can find out about me on the Internet. How about this: Monica Murphy is definitely not my real name and there really aren’t any pictures of me out there. I’m a mystery… 
7. Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
I didn’t listen to too many songs while writing this book because they became distracting. But one stuck and I’m almost embarrassed to admit the song! I’m not a huge Avril Lavigne fan but her old song ‘I’m With You’ – the lyrics are perfect for both Drew and Fable. Check out the lyrics here (hopefully those who’ve already read it will agree).
8. What is your dream cast for your book?
Ack, I never pictured anyone to play Drew and Fable. Though there were a few pictures that inspired me as I wrote their story. Here they are (oh look they’re both of couples in bed – freely admitting my dirty mind here LOL).
9. Describe One Week Girlfriend in 10 words or less…
Seven days playing pretend and they fall madly in love.
***EXCERPT***
“I’m assuming you’re bringing me home to your mom so she’ll lose her shit, right?” I need confirmation. It’s one thing to think it and be okay with it. I need to face the facts head on and deal with the repercussions later. Like how this might screw with my head despite how much I need that money.
“How’d we meet then?” Drew’s deep voice breaks through my thoughts. I wish he would take the initiative and come up with some of this story.
His jaw firms and his lips thin into a straight, grim line. “My mom is dead.”
Oh. “I’m sorry.” I feel like a jerk.
“You didn’t know. She died when I was two.” He shrugs. “I know my dad will love you.”
The way he says it kind of freaks me out. Like his dad is probably a creeper and that’s why he’ll love me.
“It’s just your dad and you then?”
“No. There’s Adele.” His lips virtually disappear when he says that name. And he has really nice full lips, so I’m wondering where exactly they went. “She’s my stepmom.”
“So you want to freak out your stepmom.”
“I could give two shits what she thinks.”
The tension radiates off him in visible waves. There’s something going on between him and his stepmom that’s definitely not good.
Ignoring his remark about the wicked witch named Adele, I forge on. “Have any brothers or sisters?”
He shakes his head. “Nope.”
“Oh.” His lack of communication skills could be a real problem since I’m wholly dependent on this guy for the next freaking week. “I have a brother.”
“How old?”
“Thirteen.” I sigh. “Owen’s in the eighth grade. He gets in trouble a lot.”
“Thirteen.” I sigh. “Owen’s in the eighth grade. He gets in trouble a lot.”
“It’s a tough age. Junior high sucks.”
“Did you get in trouble a lot when you were thirteen?” I couldn’t imagine it being so.
He laughs, reaffirming my suspicions in a heartbeat. “I wasn’t allowed.”
“What do you mean?” I frown. His answer makes no sense.
“My dad would kick my ass if I stepped out of line.” He shrugs again. He does that a lot, but I like it because it reminds me that he has those delicious broad shoulders. If I’m lucky enough, I’ll get to touch them during our fake relationship over the next seven days. I’ll lean my head on his shoulder too. Press my cheek against the soft fabric of his shirt and secretly breathe in his scent. He smells good, but I want to get up close and really inhale him.
Sappiness is ready to overtake me and for once in my cynical, no room for fairy tales life, I’m ready to let it happen. After all, I need to be the best actress on the planet, right?
“Isn’t that what all dads say they’re going to do when their kids step out of line?” I ask.
“Yeah, but mine meant it. Besides, it was easier to do what I’m supposed to and not get distracted. I lose myself in the mindless stuff, you know?”
“And what are you supposed to do?” I add air quotes like those annoying sorority girls who come into La Salle’s. I really hate those girls and how they flip their hair and laugh too loud and say the stupidest things. They literally bat their fake eyelashes at the guys and everything. It’s pathetic, what attention whores they are.
Jeez, I sound bitter even in my own head.
“Go to class, study and get good grades. Go to football practice, stay in shape, play to the best of my ability and hope like crazy I’m impressing the scouts out there who are watching me.” He rattles everything off like some sort of list, his voice a dull monotone.
“And what are the distractions you need to avoid?”
“Partying, drinking, girls.” He slides me another look, his features softer, the earlier anger gone. “I don’t like losing control.”
“Me either,” I whisper.
He smiles at me and I feel it like a dagger to my softening heart. “Sounds like we might make a good pair after all.”
About the Author
I write books with boys, kissing and angst in them. I also read books with boys, kissing and angst in them. I love my job.
Oh yeah, I’m a wife, a mom and I live in California.
***GIVEAWAY***
Monica Murphy is offering 2 e-books of One Week Girlfriend (Mobi or Nook). Open Internationally! Enter below:
Ellen
Great review. This is another NA book that is migrating towards the top of my TBR soon list.
Book Blogger Mom
Great review. Loved the interview. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Andrea @The Bookish Babes
I bought this one a few days ago, I can’t freaking wait up read it! I feel as if I’m in a NA slump, and I’m hoping this will break it. Awesome review, Nereyda!
Amy
This book sounds awesome!! I have seen it around, but never even read the synopsis because it looked so been there done that-ish. I’m glad that it was really good. Now I do want to read it.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I am so glad you decided to fit this one in, so you could tell me how it is. lol Already added to my TBR. Thank you for sharing another great new adult book! Again!
Tabitha
OH! Another NA book I’ve added to my kindle-buy-list because of your recommendations! (: Fantastic review. I”m really looking forward to this one, but I think I’ll wait until the second is released to read it…. cliffhangers tend to make me stress eat..
And I love the interview.. and the authors taste in books! (: