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University Square #1
On the Square
Dropped from her television show after a very public split with her cheating ex, celebrity chef Mai Li wants nothing more than to reopen her parents’ shuttered restaurant and make a fresh start in her former hometown. So what if twenty years of neglect has left the building in need of a major renovation?
Seduced by Mai’s charm and determination, hard-edged contractor Dale Miller agrees to take on her renovation project.
After a spring storm causes significant damage to the building and renovation costs exceed Mai’s budget, Dale offers her a deal, but is it a price Mai is willing to pay?
Seduced by Mai’s charm and determination, hard-edged contractor Dale Miller agrees to take on her renovation project.
After a spring storm causes significant damage to the building and renovation costs exceed Mai’s budget, Dale offers her a deal, but is it a price Mai is willing to pay?
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Published August 17, 2020
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About the author
Brenda Murphy
25 books90 followersBrenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not swilling gallons of hot tea and writing, she wrangles two kids, two dogs, and one unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 14, 2020
3.75 Stars. This was a good, steamy-romance. I have had a little trouble clicking with some of Murphy’s previous books. It’s like they would be close but just didn’t come all together for me. I’m very happy to say that this book was what I’ve been hoping for and I really enjoyed it. In fact, this looks to be the start of a series that will take place in the same town and I’m excited to read more in this series.
For those of you newer to reading my reviews, when I call a book a steamy-romance, I’m saying that the heat level is above a normal romance yet not quite at the level of being erotica. This is very close to being an erotic-romance but the heat level is a bit below some of Murphy’s other books. This book has some kink, but it wasn’t centered on BDSM like her Rowan House series is.
What I really liked about this book is that it was very readable. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to stop reading. It had a really nice even pace so it never dragged. In fact, I was surprised I got to the end as quickly as I did and was happy to see the hints about this becoming a series and then later Murphy actually confirming it. She gives you a hint at who the next book might be about and I’m really looking forward to that read.
For me the star of this book was the cast of characters. I liked the two mains quite a bit. This is a butch/femme relationship but it was nice seeing a softer butch character with a strong mom type character. You don’t see either of those characters as much as we should in WLW fiction. And it wasn’t just the mains but the whole cast of characters I enjoyed. One of the mains is a single mom with three older boys and the youngest one, 16-ish, was the star of the secondary characters.
When it came to the romance I enjoyed it. The chemistry was there and I liked the pace of the romance. I would not call this slow burn, but it was a nice length to make you believe that these characters were developing feelings. The steamy sex scenes are an important part of the book. I felt like I learned more about the character through them which is also good in a romance. They are not vanilla, they are a bit kinky, but they are well done with a good variety so that they don’t feel repetitive.
My only minor complaint is I found some of the angst to be a little eye-rolling. There was some worst case scenario thinking inner dialogue that drove me nuts and a lot of the angst issues where just based on poor communication, which I am never a fan of. But, I was happy that Murphy didn’t drag things out for a long period of time. The angst wasn’t that kind of angst so I’m glad she kept the length of time right to fit the severity of their issues. So really even when I was little annoyed, Murphy did something to make things better.
This was a good steamy-romance. If you are new to Murphy, I think this would be a good book to start out on. If you are already a fan of Murphy, I’m sure you will enjoy this one too. I still have a good amount of her back library to read, but this is easily my favorite book by her so far. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
For those of you newer to reading my reviews, when I call a book a steamy-romance, I’m saying that the heat level is above a normal romance yet not quite at the level of being erotica. This is very close to being an erotic-romance but the heat level is a bit below some of Murphy’s other books. This book has some kink, but it wasn’t centered on BDSM like her Rowan House series is.
What I really liked about this book is that it was very readable. Once I picked it up, I didn’t want to stop reading. It had a really nice even pace so it never dragged. In fact, I was surprised I got to the end as quickly as I did and was happy to see the hints about this becoming a series and then later Murphy actually confirming it. She gives you a hint at who the next book might be about and I’m really looking forward to that read.
For me the star of this book was the cast of characters. I liked the two mains quite a bit. This is a butch/femme relationship but it was nice seeing a softer butch character with a strong mom type character. You don’t see either of those characters as much as we should in WLW fiction. And it wasn’t just the mains but the whole cast of characters I enjoyed. One of the mains is a single mom with three older boys and the youngest one, 16-ish, was the star of the secondary characters.
When it came to the romance I enjoyed it. The chemistry was there and I liked the pace of the romance. I would not call this slow burn, but it was a nice length to make you believe that these characters were developing feelings. The steamy sex scenes are an important part of the book. I felt like I learned more about the character through them which is also good in a romance. They are not vanilla, they are a bit kinky, but they are well done with a good variety so that they don’t feel repetitive.
My only minor complaint is I found some of the angst to be a little eye-rolling. There was some worst case scenario thinking inner dialogue that drove me nuts and a lot of the angst issues where just based on poor communication, which I am never a fan of. But, I was happy that Murphy didn’t drag things out for a long period of time. The angst wasn’t that kind of angst so I’m glad she kept the length of time right to fit the severity of their issues. So really even when I was little annoyed, Murphy did something to make things better.
This was a good steamy-romance. If you are new to Murphy, I think this would be a good book to start out on. If you are already a fan of Murphy, I’m sure you will enjoy this one too. I still have a good amount of her back library to read, but this is easily my favorite book by her so far. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
August 17, 2020
3.5* – I like when authors take risks and that’s what Brenda Murphy did with this book, the first in a new series. To me, Brenda Murphy’s name means extremely well-written BDSM erotic romance. While there’s some mild kink in On the Square, it’s much heavier on the romance (and sex).
Dale Miller is a contractor and a single mother trying to give her three sons the best life possible. A previous girlfriend almost ruined her so when a huge job comes her way, she really doesn’t want it to pass her by. Which almost happens when the client, celebrity chef Mai Li, annoys her before she even got her morning coffee. That first meet between the two women sets the tone for their relationship –both professional and on a more personal level – and they’ll have to learn to go beyond appearances and bruised egos to find love.
I enjoyed On the Square, especially the relationship between Mai and Noah, Dale’s youngest son who wants to go to culinary school, but I missed the tension Murphy managed to inject in her more intense stories. The instalust that makes sense when characters meet in a sex-dominated setting doesn’t work as well here. What does work, though, is the chemistry between the characters.
And Murphy is excellent at writing sex. Which is good news because there is a lot of sex in this book. A lot.
A little more communication would have been nice but I’m not complaining too much. Physical intimacy is a form of communication too, and with Dale’s track record, her behaviour is understandable. I still wanted to shake her and/or Mai at times for jumping to conclusions without asking questions, but I could understand.
I also wish Mai’s backstory was more developed, especially when it comes to her sister. We get to know Dale’s family pretty well, which makes it feel even more unbalanced. However, the way the author introduced Yvonne’s character, I’m hoping she’ll get her own novel…
ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review
Dale Miller is a contractor and a single mother trying to give her three sons the best life possible. A previous girlfriend almost ruined her so when a huge job comes her way, she really doesn’t want it to pass her by. Which almost happens when the client, celebrity chef Mai Li, annoys her before she even got her morning coffee. That first meet between the two women sets the tone for their relationship –both professional and on a more personal level – and they’ll have to learn to go beyond appearances and bruised egos to find love.
I enjoyed On the Square, especially the relationship between Mai and Noah, Dale’s youngest son who wants to go to culinary school, but I missed the tension Murphy managed to inject in her more intense stories. The instalust that makes sense when characters meet in a sex-dominated setting doesn’t work as well here. What does work, though, is the chemistry between the characters.
And Murphy is excellent at writing sex. Which is good news because there is a lot of sex in this book. A lot.
A little more communication would have been nice but I’m not complaining too much. Physical intimacy is a form of communication too, and with Dale’s track record, her behaviour is understandable. I still wanted to shake her and/or Mai at times for jumping to conclusions without asking questions, but I could understand.
I also wish Mai’s backstory was more developed, especially when it comes to her sister. We get to know Dale’s family pretty well, which makes it feel even more unbalanced. However, the way the author introduced Yvonne’s character, I’m hoping she’ll get her own novel…
ARC provided by the author to www.lezreviewbooks.com in exchange for an honest review
April 7, 2021
“On the Square” was an okay read for me. Mai Li returns to her hometown to open her family’s restaurant that has been vacant for years. Dale Miller is the single mom contractor she hires to do the remodel.
I liked both Dale and Mai but I wasn’t always 100% sure about them together. They each seemed to have too many insecurities and seemed to have a hard time getting past them. I also disliked how they both assumed a lot and would lose their tempers over something without talking about it first. I hated that most of the angst/problems could’ve been solved with a conversation or two.
It was steamier than I really enjoy but apparently milder than what Murphy is known for. There was one point I was worried for their health because the scene went on for so long without them hydrating. Talk about stamina, man.
I did like the relationship between Dale and her sons and especially Mai and her relationship with Dale’s youngest, Noah. It was nice to see family’s being represented. I also liked that although this is butch/femme, they’re not the typical butch/femme roles, which was refreshing.
I liked both Dale and Mai but I wasn’t always 100% sure about them together. They each seemed to have too many insecurities and seemed to have a hard time getting past them. I also disliked how they both assumed a lot and would lose their tempers over something without talking about it first. I hated that most of the angst/problems could’ve been solved with a conversation or two.
It was steamier than I really enjoy but apparently milder than what Murphy is known for. There was one point I was worried for their health because the scene went on for so long without them hydrating. Talk about stamina, man.
I did like the relationship between Dale and her sons and especially Mai and her relationship with Dale’s youngest, Noah. It was nice to see family’s being represented. I also liked that although this is butch/femme, they’re not the typical butch/femme roles, which was refreshing.
February 26, 2021
3,5 stars.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, the characters, the description of their interactions, Dale’s family and the interactions between all characters, main and supporting. Though Dale’s family paid an important part in the story I would say Mai’s sister Yvonne was important for the story too, but very little was said about her. We still don’t know anything about her disease. Another thing that I want to mention is that the non communication between the mains made me itchy at some times. Still this was a nice read, so 3,5 stars which rounds up to 4 in the goodreads system.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, the characters, the description of their interactions, Dale’s family and the interactions between all characters, main and supporting. Though Dale’s family paid an important part in the story I would say Mai’s sister Yvonne was important for the story too, but very little was said about her. We still don’t know anything about her disease. Another thing that I want to mention is that the non communication between the mains made me itchy at some times. Still this was a nice read, so 3,5 stars which rounds up to 4 in the goodreads system.
October 5, 2020
General contractor Dale Miller's (42, lesbian) ex-girlfriend took all her savings. Tight on money, Dale knows that she needs this business deal when celebrity chef Mai Li (~39, mixed race, lesbian) contacts her to renovate her old family house. Then Dale learns that Mai has nowhere to stay for the time being, so she offers her own basement as temporary lodging. With the both of them being burned in past relationships, Dale and Mai have to figure out if being together is something they both want.
Content warnings: racism, homophobia, hate violence, ableist language from main characters and friends, light BDSM (consensual)
The primary reason of me picking up On the Square was its Asian main character Mai Li. Though never explicitly stated, Mai is of Chinese descent. She refers to her paternal grandfather as Yeye (爺爺) and her younger sister calls her Jiějie (姊姊). Mai's mother was mixed race, and I inferred from context that Mai is also Black. I have never read any f/f contemporary romance featuring an East Asian lead until now, and I am very happy with the representation Murphy provided.
Too often, authors shove a POC into the story for the sake of diversifying the cast without acknowledging that their life experiences are different from white people. But Murphy did not do that. She clearly knows what she is writing about, and I love how she didn't try to pretend Mai's life is easy. With a more masculine presentation, Mai doesn't just suffer from homophobia and racism growing up, but still has to deal with them at the age of almost forty. I also love how Mai is clearly not tolerant toward people who discriminate.
The range of representations in this book is beautiful. In addition to our two lesbian leads, we have queer teens and sapphic adults as side characters. Mai's younger sister is disabled, and the remodeling of their childhood home includes considering accessibility as well.
As a romance, the ultimate downside of the story was that the idea of Dale and Mai being together did not really click with me. They have too many issues to work on before they are ready for a happy ending. But the story is cute, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics involving the Millers and Mai.
For stories with a single mother as a main character, I often wonder if the mother falls for someone because she genuinely feels something for them or they are good with her kids. There is such a fine line between these two. I kind of feel like Mai is perfect as a mom for the boys but am not sure that she is the one for Dale.
The pacing is a bit chunky with conversations unintentionally left hanging. I had to reread some of the passages to make sure I didn't miss anything. A lot of the angst, while very low, stems from Dale and Mai not communicating, so I admit it is a little annoying at times. But both characters are very likeable and I enjoyed seeing them figure out what's best for them. And honestly, with all the amazingly wonderful side characters, especially Dale's youngest son Noah, On the Square is a fun and mostly light-hearted romance that does not gloss over the non-idealities in life.
Judging from the preview of book two Lockset at the end of this book, we are going to have a Korean lesbian main Eun (은) soon. It is also possible that a few other side characters from On the Square will have their own books in the University Square series as well. I am very excited to see what Murphy has in-store for us in the future.
I received an e-ARC from NineStar Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings: racism, homophobia, hate violence, ableist language from main characters and friends, light BDSM (consensual)
The primary reason of me picking up On the Square was its Asian main character Mai Li. Though never explicitly stated, Mai is of Chinese descent. She refers to her paternal grandfather as Yeye (爺爺) and her younger sister calls her Jiějie (姊姊). Mai's mother was mixed race, and I inferred from context that Mai is also Black. I have never read any f/f contemporary romance featuring an East Asian lead until now, and I am very happy with the representation Murphy provided.
Too often, authors shove a POC into the story for the sake of diversifying the cast without acknowledging that their life experiences are different from white people. But Murphy did not do that. She clearly knows what she is writing about, and I love how she didn't try to pretend Mai's life is easy. With a more masculine presentation, Mai doesn't just suffer from homophobia and racism growing up, but still has to deal with them at the age of almost forty. I also love how Mai is clearly not tolerant toward people who discriminate.
The range of representations in this book is beautiful. In addition to our two lesbian leads, we have queer teens and sapphic adults as side characters. Mai's younger sister is disabled, and the remodeling of their childhood home includes considering accessibility as well.
As a romance, the ultimate downside of the story was that the idea of Dale and Mai being together did not really click with me. They have too many issues to work on before they are ready for a happy ending. But the story is cute, and I really enjoyed the family dynamics involving the Millers and Mai.
For stories with a single mother as a main character, I often wonder if the mother falls for someone because she genuinely feels something for them or they are good with her kids. There is such a fine line between these two. I kind of feel like Mai is perfect as a mom for the boys but am not sure that she is the one for Dale.
The pacing is a bit chunky with conversations unintentionally left hanging. I had to reread some of the passages to make sure I didn't miss anything. A lot of the angst, while very low, stems from Dale and Mai not communicating, so I admit it is a little annoying at times. But both characters are very likeable and I enjoyed seeing them figure out what's best for them. And honestly, with all the amazingly wonderful side characters, especially Dale's youngest son Noah, On the Square is a fun and mostly light-hearted romance that does not gloss over the non-idealities in life.
Judging from the preview of book two Lockset at the end of this book, we are going to have a Korean lesbian main Eun (은) soon. It is also possible that a few other side characters from On the Square will have their own books in the University Square series as well. I am very excited to see what Murphy has in-store for us in the future.
I received an e-ARC from NineStar Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2020
Reading books from certain authors feels like coming home. This is one of those books: I loved reading it. As a slow reader, I devoured this book, it is easy to read.
Other books by Murphy I read were very steamy BDSM novels, this book is also very steamy, but then in romance instead of BDSM spectrum. I wouldn't dare to call it an erotic novel. It's an in-between.
Like in (I believe) every book by Murphy, this book has a woman of colour in the lead. I can really appreciate that! Also, Murphy is original in her characters. In this case, the contractor is the feminine of the couple. The secondary characters are also likeable, I can only hope our son grows up like the boys of Dale.
Besides the blooming romance and struggles that come with that, also racism and gay bullying are addressed in this book. Add to that Mai's sister who is in a wheelchair and you've got yourself an inclusive book about real people with real lives and problems.
Let's talk sexy scenes: because Murphy is talented in that department. The dynamics between characters is good and hot, they match perfectly as where Mai loves it when Dale goes into dominant-mode in the bedroom. Me thinks there could easily be more kink in their future together. Maybe we'll see them back in the other books as this is a first in a series.
About the series: this is the first in the University Square series. It can easily be read as a stand-alone. This story is finished and knowing Murphy's other series the next books will feature other people.
You should pick this one up when you're not into BDSM in books but want to give Murphy's books a try.
Other books by Murphy I read were very steamy BDSM novels, this book is also very steamy, but then in romance instead of BDSM spectrum. I wouldn't dare to call it an erotic novel. It's an in-between.
Like in (I believe) every book by Murphy, this book has a woman of colour in the lead. I can really appreciate that! Also, Murphy is original in her characters. In this case, the contractor is the feminine of the couple. The secondary characters are also likeable, I can only hope our son grows up like the boys of Dale.
Besides the blooming romance and struggles that come with that, also racism and gay bullying are addressed in this book. Add to that Mai's sister who is in a wheelchair and you've got yourself an inclusive book about real people with real lives and problems.
Let's talk sexy scenes: because Murphy is talented in that department. The dynamics between characters is good and hot, they match perfectly as where Mai loves it when Dale goes into dominant-mode in the bedroom. Me thinks there could easily be more kink in their future together. Maybe we'll see them back in the other books as this is a first in a series.
About the series: this is the first in the University Square series. It can easily be read as a stand-alone. This story is finished and knowing Murphy's other series the next books will feature other people.
You should pick this one up when you're not into BDSM in books but want to give Murphy's books a try.
August 27, 2024
5 ★ This. Was. So. Wholesome. I’m compelled to buy the paperback. I simply must have a physical copy! Single mom trope will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. When the love interest bonds with the kids? Utterly adorable and pulls on my heartstrings.
There are so many subplots in this story which make for a riveting and angsty read which is right up my alley. Give me all the drama! Definitely recommend this one. I feel as if the blurb doesn’t do it justice!
TW: racism, xenophobia, homophobia, physical assault
There are so many subplots in this story which make for a riveting and angsty read which is right up my alley. Give me all the drama! Definitely recommend this one. I feel as if the blurb doesn’t do it justice!
TW: racism, xenophobia, homophobia, physical assault
August 14, 2020
I'd never read Murphy before this book but I found myself unable to put this down - reading the whole thing in one sitting. Mai, a TV chef, moves back to small town life after losing her show and hires Dale as a contractor to renovate her restaurant. They try to deny their feelings for each other for the sake of their business arrangement, so the majority of the book is about the MCs getting to know each other.
I really appreciated the different ways Murphy explored all of the contrasting elements of both MCs characteristics, through their jobs, their gender presentations, their families and in bed. The sex scenes are steamy and include some light BDSM in places. I really liked both characters and rarely for me I couldn't choose a favourite between the two.
I especially enjoyed the family dynamics in this story, with both characters being in their 40s and the sons being older, it gave a new dimension to things I've been reading recently. As a step-parent of older children Mai's interactions with the boys felt familiar from the getting to know each other stage - adding an authenticity to the story I really welcomed. There is also a secondary story in the book regarding one of Dale's sons that comes across as enjoyably authentic.
Overall this is a good romance with enough compelling aspects to keep things interesting and make it a worthwhile read.
It should be noted the book does include some incidences of racism and homophobia.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really appreciated the different ways Murphy explored all of the contrasting elements of both MCs characteristics, through their jobs, their gender presentations, their families and in bed. The sex scenes are steamy and include some light BDSM in places. I really liked both characters and rarely for me I couldn't choose a favourite between the two.
I especially enjoyed the family dynamics in this story, with both characters being in their 40s and the sons being older, it gave a new dimension to things I've been reading recently. As a step-parent of older children Mai's interactions with the boys felt familiar from the getting to know each other stage - adding an authenticity to the story I really welcomed. There is also a secondary story in the book regarding one of Dale's sons that comes across as enjoyably authentic.
Overall this is a good romance with enough compelling aspects to keep things interesting and make it a worthwhile read.
It should be noted the book does include some incidences of racism and homophobia.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2020
Sometimes I loved Dale and Mai, because they had such a tremendous capacity for love, both for each other and for Dale’s three sons. Sometimes I wanted to shake them because they’re both hotheaded and fly off the handle easily. That said, even when their actions, words, or thoughts raised my eyebrows, I still understood why they were behaving badly, because they’re both SO damaged by their previous relationships. That makes them slow to trust, quick to anger, and even quicker to second guess each other’s motivations. I fully believed that they love each other and will live happily ever after, but I also hope they go for some therapy so their years ahead will be a little less tumultuous.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/on-t...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/on-t...
September 20, 2020
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I haven’t read anything else by Murphy, but thought this was ok. There was a lot I liked, but it fell short in other areas.
The MCs are Dale, a contractor living in her home town and Mai, a who is returning home to renovate what used to be the family restaurant and apartment above. Mai hires Dale to oversee the renovations and ends up living with her through a series of circumstances. Dale has three sons, Noah, who is in high school, Seth who ends up living back home again and her oldest Thomas, but Noah is the only one who really gets any decent story time, and he was one of my favourite characters. There’s a few other side characters in Dale’s dad and Mai’s sister and some people from the town, but most aren’t fleshed out that much. For all that Mai’s sister is mentioned as the driving plot for the renovation she doesn’t feature much and little is explained about her condition.
I liked both MCs and really liked that Mai was both a POC and butch, I also liked the issues raised around this and how she stood up for herself. Dale was also interesting, and I liked how she was portrayed as a strong woman who had raised three lovely sons.
The relationship between the MCs was a sticking point for me though. They are each attracted to the other but the first half of the book is just filled with mutual pining but no forward movement. There’s also a time jump in the middle of the book and I found it hard to believe their relationship didn’t progress at all during that time. Once they do get together there’s a series of miscommunications that I just found annoying, you would hope that grown women would be more mature in how the dealt with each other, but not so here. The annoying thing was that this felt like it was just done to insert some drama. There’s also a side plot with a homophobic jerk that I felt could have been more strongly plotted.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, and Mai’s relationship with Noah was also a highlight, but the main romance didn’t do enough for me, I would have liked to see the restaurant open and how that worked out for them all. This is the start of the series, so maybe that will be in the next book. Anyway, as the start of a series it was fine, and I’m interested to see what book 2 brings. 3.5 stars.
I haven’t read anything else by Murphy, but thought this was ok. There was a lot I liked, but it fell short in other areas.
The MCs are Dale, a contractor living in her home town and Mai, a who is returning home to renovate what used to be the family restaurant and apartment above. Mai hires Dale to oversee the renovations and ends up living with her through a series of circumstances. Dale has three sons, Noah, who is in high school, Seth who ends up living back home again and her oldest Thomas, but Noah is the only one who really gets any decent story time, and he was one of my favourite characters. There’s a few other side characters in Dale’s dad and Mai’s sister and some people from the town, but most aren’t fleshed out that much. For all that Mai’s sister is mentioned as the driving plot for the renovation she doesn’t feature much and little is explained about her condition.
I liked both MCs and really liked that Mai was both a POC and butch, I also liked the issues raised around this and how she stood up for herself. Dale was also interesting, and I liked how she was portrayed as a strong woman who had raised three lovely sons.
The relationship between the MCs was a sticking point for me though. They are each attracted to the other but the first half of the book is just filled with mutual pining but no forward movement. There’s also a time jump in the middle of the book and I found it hard to believe their relationship didn’t progress at all during that time. Once they do get together there’s a series of miscommunications that I just found annoying, you would hope that grown women would be more mature in how the dealt with each other, but not so here. The annoying thing was that this felt like it was just done to insert some drama. There’s also a side plot with a homophobic jerk that I felt could have been more strongly plotted.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, and Mai’s relationship with Noah was also a highlight, but the main romance didn’t do enough for me, I would have liked to see the restaurant open and how that worked out for them all. This is the start of the series, so maybe that will be in the next book. Anyway, as the start of a series it was fine, and I’m interested to see what book 2 brings. 3.5 stars.
August 10, 2022
On the Square
(University Square #1)
by Brenda Murphy
Dale is a mother of 3 boys and she has her own business. Her family is very important to her.
When Mai and Dale meet for the first time it’s a rough start.
I have to say I enjoyed how Mai and Dale would talk and share things about life . The Author also showed that there is a level of racism in the small town. I felt like Dale wanted to understand Mai’s plight regarding the racism she has experienced. Mai endured racism and feeling like she doesn’t belong her whole life in the small town she grew up in.The way Dale’s boys took to Mai was so beautiful, they included her and were happy for their mom. Dale’s father was a treat also, a very kind man who loved his daughter.
Dale struggled the most with letting Mai into her life. Dale’s last relationship left her raw and feeling like she could not make good decisions about relationships.
I loved how the Author had a MC that was a different race, she showed you the challenges you have to deal with when you encounter racism and homophobia.
This was my first book by the author and I was pleasantly surprised. It was an amazing story that was spicy and steamy oh yes!!! I’ll read the series for sure. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(University Square #1)
by Brenda Murphy
Dale is a mother of 3 boys and she has her own business. Her family is very important to her.
When Mai and Dale meet for the first time it’s a rough start.
I have to say I enjoyed how Mai and Dale would talk and share things about life . The Author also showed that there is a level of racism in the small town. I felt like Dale wanted to understand Mai’s plight regarding the racism she has experienced. Mai endured racism and feeling like she doesn’t belong her whole life in the small town she grew up in.The way Dale’s boys took to Mai was so beautiful, they included her and were happy for their mom. Dale’s father was a treat also, a very kind man who loved his daughter.
Dale struggled the most with letting Mai into her life. Dale’s last relationship left her raw and feeling like she could not make good decisions about relationships.
I loved how the Author had a MC that was a different race, she showed you the challenges you have to deal with when you encounter racism and homophobia.
This was my first book by the author and I was pleasantly surprised. It was an amazing story that was spicy and steamy oh yes!!! I’ll read the series for sure. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 18, 2021
3.5 ⭐
August 15, 2020
I'm a big fan of the Rowan House series, so I was anxious to get my hands on this one. And it did not disappoint. It's a classic butch/femme pairing, but I loved the twist that the butch is the chef and the femme is a contractor. I couldn't picture either of them in my head, but if you read the acknowledgements at the end you'll learn that Dale is inspired by Cate Blanchett.
Brenda Murphy's writing style is smooth and very readable, and I found that I was sucked in immediately and didn't want to put it down. The plot flows along nicely and dialogue is natural. There were a couple of unanswered questions for me, so I'm hoping they're answered in the next installment. I enjoyed the whole huge family dynamic and can't wait to know more about Mai's sister and how the restaurant is eventually opened.
Brenda Murphy's writing style is smooth and very readable, and I found that I was sucked in immediately and didn't want to put it down. The plot flows along nicely and dialogue is natural. There were a couple of unanswered questions for me, so I'm hoping they're answered in the next installment. I enjoyed the whole huge family dynamic and can't wait to know more about Mai's sister and how the restaurant is eventually opened.
August 27, 2020
A great start to this new series.
Dale and Mai have a relationship with a lot of ups and downs. They have both issues to work out. Just when you think everything goes in the right direction, the author throws another curve ball. Both characters are strong personalities but they are not strong in communication. On The Square is a great story that tackles some important topics, such as bullying, racism and homophobia. It has insta-lust, amazing chemistry, sizzling sex (mild kink) scenes, strong family bond, a lot of assumptions and a well build storyline. Now let's hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book in this series.
Dale and Mai have a relationship with a lot of ups and downs. They have both issues to work out. Just when you think everything goes in the right direction, the author throws another curve ball. Both characters are strong personalities but they are not strong in communication. On The Square is a great story that tackles some important topics, such as bullying, racism and homophobia. It has insta-lust, amazing chemistry, sizzling sex (mild kink) scenes, strong family bond, a lot of assumptions and a well build storyline. Now let's hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book in this series.
October 23, 2020
This was a good book, but not a great book. I love it when I can imagine the lead ladies more(butch, femme, in between, long hair, short hair etc) and I had difficulty placing/seeing Dale and Mai. Some parts I had a feeling that the story switched a bit. Like with the money part. I just didn’t feel this book as much as I like to. 3,5 stars.
September 8, 2020
I had a lot of expectations for this book after reading the description, but sadly they weren’t met. I guess I was just expecting something different. I like all the characters a lot, except for Ethan. And I enjoyed the overall story, but it just felt like something was missing. I loved the smut but I just couldn’t feel that intensity and chemistry between the main characters. But I still enjoyed it nonetheless. And I really liked the sons, especially Noah. Hope he got to go to culinary school somehow.
Overall, it was an okay read.
Overall, it was an okay read.
April 25, 2023
3 stars
Not bad, but after the third iteration of the MCs messing up due to their own preconceptions it became repetitive.
But I liked the food stuff.
Bonus: this is a really good cover. I approve
Not bad, but after the third iteration of the MCs messing up due to their own preconceptions it became repetitive.
But I liked the food stuff.
Bonus: this is a really good cover. I approve
August 23, 2020
This is a first Brenda Murphy novel for me and I found it really enjoyable. It was an easy read and it was one of those I just didn't want to put down.
Dale is a contractor, hired by Mai to complete some renovation works on her restaurant. Both single and actively dating, they try to hide their feelings for each other - for the sake of their business agreement.
I loved the family dynamics of Dale's family - her sons and father. It's nice to see a close knit family accepting of everyone. In contrast, we hear very little about Mai's family - I hope we hear more in book 2!
Importantly, Brenda Murphy has themes of racism and homophobia in the story. Mai is faced by racism and inequality in the book. Which I think is a really important element to highlight.
The book is full of steamy moments - lots of sex scenes. Brenda Murphy really does know how to write a good sex scene!
The only negatives for me in this book were that I thought there were too many occasions where one of the main characters would become angry/storm off because of miscommunication, which I find a little confusing for two people who are at the start of their journey getting to know each other.
Also, the cover for this book completely threw me. I know we don't judge a book by its cover, but for me, the cover just doesn't do this book justice!
Overall, a great read, it's the first in a series and I'm excited to see what book two holds.
I received this book as an Arc in return for an honest review.
Dale is a contractor, hired by Mai to complete some renovation works on her restaurant. Both single and actively dating, they try to hide their feelings for each other - for the sake of their business agreement.
I loved the family dynamics of Dale's family - her sons and father. It's nice to see a close knit family accepting of everyone. In contrast, we hear very little about Mai's family - I hope we hear more in book 2!
Importantly, Brenda Murphy has themes of racism and homophobia in the story. Mai is faced by racism and inequality in the book. Which I think is a really important element to highlight.
The book is full of steamy moments - lots of sex scenes. Brenda Murphy really does know how to write a good sex scene!
The only negatives for me in this book were that I thought there were too many occasions where one of the main characters would become angry/storm off because of miscommunication, which I find a little confusing for two people who are at the start of their journey getting to know each other.
Also, the cover for this book completely threw me. I know we don't judge a book by its cover, but for me, the cover just doesn't do this book justice!
Overall, a great read, it's the first in a series and I'm excited to see what book two holds.
I received this book as an Arc in return for an honest review.
October 2, 2023
Rounding down because when I looked back, the amount of miscommunication mishaps was a little silly.
I liked the characters and felt like they were a refreshing change from most sapphic fiction leads. I also appreciated that they were in their 40s. The steamy parts had some kink involved, but nothing too intense that needs some getting used to.
The miscommunication, though. At some point, maybe after the first or second big oopsie, you'd think you'd sit down and clear the air. One was literally a misunderstanding that went on for months. Dale's children all figured it out by asking before that point. The fact that Dale was oblivious for so long was painful. Anyways, both characters don't ask enough about one another and make assumptions.
Overall, it's a decent read, but if you're not a fan of miscommunication, you might want to skip this one. Great if you're looking for 40+ leads with previously established lives.
I liked the characters and felt like they were a refreshing change from most sapphic fiction leads. I also appreciated that they were in their 40s. The steamy parts had some kink involved, but nothing too intense that needs some getting used to.
The miscommunication, though. At some point, maybe after the first or second big oopsie, you'd think you'd sit down and clear the air. One was literally a misunderstanding that went on for months. Dale's children all figured it out by asking before that point. The fact that Dale was oblivious for so long was painful. Anyways, both characters don't ask enough about one another and make assumptions.
Overall, it's a decent read, but if you're not a fan of miscommunication, you might want to skip this one. Great if you're looking for 40+ leads with previously established lives.
August 17, 2020
A Delicious Delight
Dale is a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet. She’s strong, loving and loyal. Celebrity Chef Mai is back in town after leaving years ago. She wants to re-open the family restaurant and renovate the apartment above but massive restoration has to happen first. That’s where Dale comes in, Mai wants her construction company to do the work. Money is tight for Mai so she is sleeping in the apartment until the roof caves in. When Dale invites Mai to move in until the work is done, will they be able to ignore the growing attraction between them or will they end up mixing business with pleasure…
This beautifully written tale is just another example of Ms Murphy’s incredible talent. The story is engaging and believable. I could see this drama actually happening. I loved the characters. Mai and Dale are sweet, sexy and dealing their serious problems while trying to ignore the growing feelings for the other. The secondary characters were also good and added so much to the story. I loved the mild kink and the hot sex that is a Brenda Murphy staple. This is fast read, perfect for a lazy day. I adored it and I know you will too.
Dale is a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet. She’s strong, loving and loyal. Celebrity Chef Mai is back in town after leaving years ago. She wants to re-open the family restaurant and renovate the apartment above but massive restoration has to happen first. That’s where Dale comes in, Mai wants her construction company to do the work. Money is tight for Mai so she is sleeping in the apartment until the roof caves in. When Dale invites Mai to move in until the work is done, will they be able to ignore the growing attraction between them or will they end up mixing business with pleasure…
This beautifully written tale is just another example of Ms Murphy’s incredible talent. The story is engaging and believable. I could see this drama actually happening. I loved the characters. Mai and Dale are sweet, sexy and dealing their serious problems while trying to ignore the growing feelings for the other. The secondary characters were also good and added so much to the story. I loved the mild kink and the hot sex that is a Brenda Murphy staple. This is fast read, perfect for a lazy day. I adored it and I know you will too.
August 18, 2020
This book touches on some very heavy subjects, but I think it doesn't do enough with them, makes too light of it.
Dale married her high school sweetheart and has 3 kids with him when he split a decade ago Dale was finally able to admit to her true feelings. Dale is a lesbian and a contractor who presents more on the feminine side. When her eldest son books her a new job she has to be up earlier than usual and she arrives late. Arriving late to a disgruntled former tv chef, someone who used to live in town. Mai is set on reopening her parent's restaurant and living upstairs with her sister. While struggling financially to make it fit she sleeps in her car, when Dale discovers this she invites her to stay at her house. They fight their attraction for a while until they see each other in a nearby town. A relationship starts with some major struggles. I won't go into too much detail but there is a lot of hatred going on in their small town. How the subjects of homophobia and racism are handled are quite good, but I believe it could bring a little more substance to the story. Once the women get together it's more about their somewhat kinky endeavors in the bedroom than anything else.
As mentioned the book could have had a bit more depth, the beginning is there, it just doesn't follow through. I also would have liked to see the renovations finished sooner in this book, maybe Mai opening the restaurant already and dealing with restaurant life. The book is pretty decent as it is, but to me, it seems like it could have been so much and easily could have been one of my favourites if it were just a tad "more".
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Dale married her high school sweetheart and has 3 kids with him when he split a decade ago Dale was finally able to admit to her true feelings. Dale is a lesbian and a contractor who presents more on the feminine side. When her eldest son books her a new job she has to be up earlier than usual and she arrives late. Arriving late to a disgruntled former tv chef, someone who used to live in town. Mai is set on reopening her parent's restaurant and living upstairs with her sister. While struggling financially to make it fit she sleeps in her car, when Dale discovers this she invites her to stay at her house. They fight their attraction for a while until they see each other in a nearby town. A relationship starts with some major struggles. I won't go into too much detail but there is a lot of hatred going on in their small town. How the subjects of homophobia and racism are handled are quite good, but I believe it could bring a little more substance to the story. Once the women get together it's more about their somewhat kinky endeavors in the bedroom than anything else.
As mentioned the book could have had a bit more depth, the beginning is there, it just doesn't follow through. I also would have liked to see the renovations finished sooner in this book, maybe Mai opening the restaurant already and dealing with restaurant life. The book is pretty decent as it is, but to me, it seems like it could have been so much and easily could have been one of my favourites if it were just a tad "more".
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
August 25, 2020
I finally got a chance to read this and it was very enjoyable. Mai Li, a chef, returned to her home town to rebuild her mother’s diner. Dale is the contractor who she hires to do the work. They get off to a rough start, although there is some attraction. Both have been burned by previous lovers so they’re a bit reluctant to start anything. Nevertheless, the attraction is irresistible, of course, despite their misgivings. Murphy writes short, disjointed inner thoughts for her characters, and does the same here. There are sex scenes and they involve kink (for those who are concerned about that).
There are also some instances of racism and homophobia directed toward Mai and to Dale’s youngest son, Noah. It was refreshing to see how Mai handled the incidents and how Dale sought to learn more about Mai’s experience of both. They could have communicated better, but they did the best they could. The secondary characters, especially those in Dale’s family were portrayed well enough to see them as real and understandable.
I'm yet to be disappointed by Murphy. I've enjoyed all that I've read by her.
There are also some instances of racism and homophobia directed toward Mai and to Dale’s youngest son, Noah. It was refreshing to see how Mai handled the incidents and how Dale sought to learn more about Mai’s experience of both. They could have communicated better, but they did the best they could. The secondary characters, especially those in Dale’s family were portrayed well enough to see them as real and understandable.
I'm yet to be disappointed by Murphy. I've enjoyed all that I've read by her.
December 30, 2020
A good rough book (and I mean that in the best sense) that doesn't pull any punches (sometimes literally) and is a good read. I loved the reality and longed to hear more about Mai's sister. (Perhaps she'll be around in Book 2? I'll buy it just for that!)
September 10, 2021
I found this rather bland… It wasn’t badly written at all, I just didn’t feel any connection to the characters and I really wanted to. I wouldn’t deter anyone from reading it, though, as many other readers thoroughly enjoyed the book.
October 13, 2020
Whenever I read butch/femme romance, I know I need to read it. I feel like there’s a real lack of butch lesbians in popular, mainstream sapphic books, and it’s why I love reading books from indie publishers so much (but also, bigger publishers, do better)! I also really love romance books set in small towns where everyone knows each other and everyone seems to run their own family-run shops or restaurants, so I really was sold on this book straight away. And I had so much fun reading it! This first book follows celebrity chef Mai, who after getting dropped from her TV cooking show, returns home to reopen her parents’ old restaurant. However, when she arrives back in her small hometown, the restaurant is in need of a pretty big overhaul. So, in steps Dale, a very femme contractor, who offers to help Mai with her renovation project when sparks begin to fly.
First and foremost, let’s get into the plot. As I mentioned, I love small town settings in romance books, and I also enjoy plots where a main character returns to said small town in order to set up their own business. Although there are a plethora of sapphic romance books like this out there, I really liked that the other main character, and love interest, played a crucial role in setting up the business. Because Mai and Dale are both pretty strapped for cash, Dale offers to take on Mai’s project, and temporarily house her, if Mai helps teach her youngest son some culinary skills. Of course, Mai, having no other choice after a storm causes the restaurant’s roof to cave in, takes the offer. I’m not going to lie, I did feel a little let down by the plot. I felt that, yes although this is a romance novel, the romance overshadowed the plot just a little too much. We saw quite a bit of Mai teaching Dale’s son, Noah, but we never really got to see much of the renovation and Mai opening her restaurant. It felt like they signed the contract, then lots of romance and a little of Mai teaching Noah ensued, then oh looks like the renovation has finished and the book has ended. Because of this, I also felt that the small town aspect was a little underdeveloped, too. However, although this was a problem for me, I know it won’t be a problem for everybody, especially if you’re just looking for a good sapphic romance!
As for the characters, I did also really enjoy them. Of course, I loved the butch/femme dynamic and our two main characters had a lot of chemistry (and the sex scenes were really great). Aside from them, I loved Dale’s dad, Eli, who was absolutely hilarious, and Dale’s family dynamic as a whole. I really loved Noah a lot and I thought it was really great to see how much Dale’s three sons cared for her. I do wish there was time to develop the characters a bit more, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get to see more of them in the other books in the series. Speaking of underdevelopment, I did find it a little hard at times differentiating between Mai and Dale’s points of view. Brenda Murphy jumps between POV between paragraphs with no warning, and the change in voice wasn’t strong enough for me to figure out who was narrating, so at times I was a bit lost.
This book does deal with some important themes, and I enjoyed the commentary on them. In one scene Mai deals with some very outward racism from a minor side character and there’s a good discussion on confronting the racism she faces. Said minor character is also a homophobic bully and gets into a fight with two of the characters, but thankfully there is some justice in the end. All of the racist and homophobic views are explicitly challenged throughout.
Overall, I did enjoy this first book in the series and, despite the little niggles I had with it, it left me eager to move onto the sequel, which I also received an eARC of!
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!
First and foremost, let’s get into the plot. As I mentioned, I love small town settings in romance books, and I also enjoy plots where a main character returns to said small town in order to set up their own business. Although there are a plethora of sapphic romance books like this out there, I really liked that the other main character, and love interest, played a crucial role in setting up the business. Because Mai and Dale are both pretty strapped for cash, Dale offers to take on Mai’s project, and temporarily house her, if Mai helps teach her youngest son some culinary skills. Of course, Mai, having no other choice after a storm causes the restaurant’s roof to cave in, takes the offer. I’m not going to lie, I did feel a little let down by the plot. I felt that, yes although this is a romance novel, the romance overshadowed the plot just a little too much. We saw quite a bit of Mai teaching Dale’s son, Noah, but we never really got to see much of the renovation and Mai opening her restaurant. It felt like they signed the contract, then lots of romance and a little of Mai teaching Noah ensued, then oh looks like the renovation has finished and the book has ended. Because of this, I also felt that the small town aspect was a little underdeveloped, too. However, although this was a problem for me, I know it won’t be a problem for everybody, especially if you’re just looking for a good sapphic romance!
As for the characters, I did also really enjoy them. Of course, I loved the butch/femme dynamic and our two main characters had a lot of chemistry (and the sex scenes were really great). Aside from them, I loved Dale’s dad, Eli, who was absolutely hilarious, and Dale’s family dynamic as a whole. I really loved Noah a lot and I thought it was really great to see how much Dale’s three sons cared for her. I do wish there was time to develop the characters a bit more, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get to see more of them in the other books in the series. Speaking of underdevelopment, I did find it a little hard at times differentiating between Mai and Dale’s points of view. Brenda Murphy jumps between POV between paragraphs with no warning, and the change in voice wasn’t strong enough for me to figure out who was narrating, so at times I was a bit lost.
This book does deal with some important themes, and I enjoyed the commentary on them. In one scene Mai deals with some very outward racism from a minor side character and there’s a good discussion on confronting the racism she faces. Said minor character is also a homophobic bully and gets into a fight with two of the characters, but thankfully there is some justice in the end. All of the racist and homophobic views are explicitly challenged throughout.
Overall, I did enjoy this first book in the series and, despite the little niggles I had with it, it left me eager to move onto the sequel, which I also received an eARC of!
Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!
August 17, 2020
I’m a big fan of Brenda Murphy’s writing, the Rowan House series in particular, so I was glad to read that she was starting a new series. For those of you who have also read and loved the Rowan House books, “On the Square” is quite different, even though it does still have some of the hallmarks of Murphy’s writing (very engaging characters and smoking sex scenes to name a few!)
The blurb describes Dale as a “hard-edged contractor” so I was pleasantly surprised to find that she was a stunning femme character, yes she wears jeans and boots when she’s on-site but we also see her in dresses and the combination of these different sides to her character is not only realistic but sexy. Dale’s life is complicated by a cruel ex who left her with serious debt that nearly cost her her home and business, as well as crippling emotional pain and trust issues. Two of Dale’s three sons still live with her and looking after them and their future is another source of stress for her. Mai is trying to rebuild her life after losing her partner in life and business; she’s changing from being a celebrity tv chef alongside her (cheating) ex to running her mother’s old small town diner. As luck would have it, the diner is in dire need of refurbishment and the contractor with the best quote just so happens to be Dale!
The chemistry between Mai and Dale is sizzling from the off, despite the fact that they clash early and often and they seem perfectly matched. However, both of them are very guarded and their inability to communicate properly over even the slightest thing nearly drove me up the walls! Some of this contributed to well plotted dramatic tension as part of the narrative arc of the novel, but some felt forced and unrealistic (such as Mai telling Dale’s son a major piece of news but not Dale). Both women also do the seemingly traditional lesfic thing of half listening to something, hearing the worst possible part, and jumping to a catastrophic conclusion before running away/running their mouth before the other person can give the perfectly innocent explanation. Personally I find this tendency of fictional characters highly irritating, but I think that’s just me so I don’t hold it against writers.
Anyway, short version, I definitely recommend this book – not just for the kinky sex but that really is a top notch selling point!
The blurb describes Dale as a “hard-edged contractor” so I was pleasantly surprised to find that she was a stunning femme character, yes she wears jeans and boots when she’s on-site but we also see her in dresses and the combination of these different sides to her character is not only realistic but sexy. Dale’s life is complicated by a cruel ex who left her with serious debt that nearly cost her her home and business, as well as crippling emotional pain and trust issues. Two of Dale’s three sons still live with her and looking after them and their future is another source of stress for her. Mai is trying to rebuild her life after losing her partner in life and business; she’s changing from being a celebrity tv chef alongside her (cheating) ex to running her mother’s old small town diner. As luck would have it, the diner is in dire need of refurbishment and the contractor with the best quote just so happens to be Dale!
The chemistry between Mai and Dale is sizzling from the off, despite the fact that they clash early and often and they seem perfectly matched. However, both of them are very guarded and their inability to communicate properly over even the slightest thing nearly drove me up the walls! Some of this contributed to well plotted dramatic tension as part of the narrative arc of the novel, but some felt forced and unrealistic (such as Mai telling Dale’s son a major piece of news but not Dale). Both women also do the seemingly traditional lesfic thing of half listening to something, hearing the worst possible part, and jumping to a catastrophic conclusion before running away/running their mouth before the other person can give the perfectly innocent explanation. Personally I find this tendency of fictional characters highly irritating, but I think that’s just me so I don’t hold it against writers.
Anyway, short version, I definitely recommend this book – not just for the kinky sex but that really is a top notch selling point!
August 14, 2020
Mai Li returns to her the place she grew after being dropped from her cooking show. She is determined to renovated her parents shuttered restaurant so she hires contractor Dale Miller. Dale really needs this job to help support 3 boys but she might not get the chance because of the rocky start. And so the story flows.
I have read a few of Murphy's romances and they are similar in the writing style. I think initially it took me a min to get use to it, but now I like it. I was a little tripped up about how the dynamics would play out between these two mains. First, I liked both of them. I found that I liked Dale even more once I figured she was a domme femme. With that being said, On the Square is not as focused on the BDSM aspect that Murphy usually has in her books. This for some has some elements but they are very light and the first portion of the book comes with the mains getting to know each other. Sure there is attraction but they decide not to move on that because of the business aspect of their relationship. Of course this books is going to have some sex scenes but they are well done and I found them hot. I also enjoyed the secondary characters. They play an important part in this romance. I am not sure if this my favorite Murphy book, but I still enjoyed it. 3.75 stars
As a warning this books has some racism based on sexual preference and race.
This arc was provided by publisher for an honest review.
I have read a few of Murphy's romances and they are similar in the writing style. I think initially it took me a min to get use to it, but now I like it. I was a little tripped up about how the dynamics would play out between these two mains. First, I liked both of them. I found that I liked Dale even more once I figured she was a domme femme. With that being said, On the Square is not as focused on the BDSM aspect that Murphy usually has in her books. This for some has some elements but they are very light and the first portion of the book comes with the mains getting to know each other. Sure there is attraction but they decide not to move on that because of the business aspect of their relationship. Of course this books is going to have some sex scenes but they are well done and I found them hot. I also enjoyed the secondary characters. They play an important part in this romance. I am not sure if this my favorite Murphy book, but I still enjoyed it. 3.75 stars
As a warning this books has some racism based on sexual preference and race.
This arc was provided by publisher for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
A Delicious Delight
Dale is a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet. She’s strong, loving and loyal. Celebrity Chef Mai is back in town after leaving years ago. She wants to re-open the family restaurant and renovate the apartment above but massive restoration has to happen first. That’s where Dale comes in, Mai wants her construction company to do the work. Money is tight for Mai so she is sleeping in the apartment until the roof caves in. When Dale invites Mai to move in until the work is done, will they be able to ignore the growing attraction between them or will they end up mixing business with pleasure…
This beautifully written tale is just another example of Ms Murphy’s incredible talent. The story is engaging and believable. I could see this drama actually happening. I loved the characters. Mai and Dale are sweet, sexy and dealing their serious problems while trying to ignore the growing feelings for the other. The secondary characters were also good and added so much to the story. I loved the mild kink and the hot sex that is a Brenda Murphy staple. This is fast read, perfect for a lazy day. I adored it and I know you will too.
Dale is a single mom who is struggling to make ends meet. She’s strong, loving and loyal. Celebrity Chef Mai is back in town after leaving years ago. She wants to re-open the family restaurant and renovate the apartment above but massive restoration has to happen first. That’s where Dale comes in, Mai wants her construction company to do the work. Money is tight for Mai so she is sleeping in the apartment until the roof caves in. When Dale invites Mai to move in until the work is done, will they be able to ignore the growing attraction between them or will they end up mixing business with pleasure…
This beautifully written tale is just another example of Ms Murphy’s incredible talent. The story is engaging and believable. I could see this drama actually happening. I loved the characters. Mai and Dale are sweet, sexy and dealing their serious problems while trying to ignore the growing feelings for the other. The secondary characters were also good and added so much to the story. I loved the mild kink and the hot sex that is a Brenda Murphy staple. This is fast read, perfect for a lazy day. I adored it and I know you will too.
August 15, 2020
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Stung by an ex and the cancellation of her cooking show, Mai Li has come back to her hometown to restore her family's restaurant. She enlists the services of Dale Miller, a contractor who is adamant about never mixing business with pleasure. But the heat simmering between them is about to boil over.
I'll admit I expected something a little different based on the cover. Maybe a greater focus on the cooking and renovation aspects? But I got over my initial disappointment because this F/F romance has drama, miscommunications and delightfully steamy scenes (heat level 100000!). Dale's sons are strong secondary characters. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but while the physical aspects of the relationship were really good, the emotional side was more "tell" than "show".
Stung by an ex and the cancellation of her cooking show, Mai Li has come back to her hometown to restore her family's restaurant. She enlists the services of Dale Miller, a contractor who is adamant about never mixing business with pleasure. But the heat simmering between them is about to boil over.
I'll admit I expected something a little different based on the cover. Maybe a greater focus on the cooking and renovation aspects? But I got over my initial disappointment because this F/F romance has drama, miscommunications and delightfully steamy scenes (heat level 100000!). Dale's sons are strong secondary characters. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but while the physical aspects of the relationship were really good, the emotional side was more "tell" than "show".
August 16, 2020
Dale Miller, mom of three, is a contractor. After her ex wiped out Dale’s finances, she’s been struggling to make ends meet. One big project in the offing could set her well on the path of financial recovery. Except that when she meets the potential client, Mai Li, they start off on the wrong footing and Dale walks away from the job.
Read the full review @ https://www.bestlesficreviews.com/202...
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