The Sophomore

A Rockstar Romance (The College Years Series, Book 2)

By: Monica Murphy

Narrated by: C. J. Bloom, Mason Lloyd

Jackson Rivers.

My not-so-secret crush.

He’s popular. Gorgeous. Talented.

Also my biggest weakness.

I’ve stood by him for years. Been a friend every time he needed one, but he doesn’t see me. Not like I want him to.

Move on, my friends said. Find someone new. Someone who sees your worth. Someone who gets you. I know they’re right. I’m only a friend to him. He’s never going to see me like I see him. So I take their advice, and try to move on.

But Jackson is always right there. In my face. Running to my rescue. And when I meet someone else, Jackson isn’t having it. For some reason, he’s suddenly determined to stay in my life. Right by my side.

Now he says he wants me, but does he want an actual relationship? Or can he not stand the thought of losing me to another guy?

It’s time to find out what Jackson truly wants…and I’m going to make him work for it.

For me.

This edgy bully romance contains dark scenes some listeners may find uncomfortable to hear. Listener discretion is advised.

©2021 Monica Murphy (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Absolutely charmed by Jackson and Ellie's story.

4.5/5 Stars

Jackson freaking Rivers.

I really loved Jackson and Ellie's story. These two characters have been cooking up something for a while and I was finally glad to see them have a story of their own. Jackson and Ellie are both very relatable characters. Jackson is a vulnerable character. I was able to easily connect with him. Ellie is kind of a pushover so it was finally good to see her come out of her shell a bit in this book. Both characters experience some excellent character growth. And then there are all of our favorite secondary characters from their friend group that we have all gotten to know and love so far. I just adore this group of friends. They are squad goals for real and I am so here for it.

The romance in this book was so tantalizing because Jackson and Ellie are into each other but Jackson is leaving Ellie in the friend zone. There was a lot of push and pull from both of them so there was so much tension! I liked the mix of crazy sexual tension and tenderness because of genuine feelings that go deep because of their close friendship.

One thing about Monica Murphy that I love is her unparalleled ability to drag me into a story arms and legs flailing. In the blink of an eye, I am hooked. Her writing style is so smooth and relatable. I also love the way that she plots out her stories. She can take a common trope and warp it into something truly special.

Overall, I was absolutely charmed by Jackson and Ellie's story! If you want a truly outstanding friends-to-lovers and opposites-attract story with memorable characters, an engaging plot, and flawless storytelling then look no further. Monica Murphy has you covered. And if you haven't picked up her Callahans series yet, I'd start with those books first.

Sqweeee! Such a satisfying 3.5 stars!!!

Poor poor Ellie has been chasing Jackson since Junior year in high school throughout this previous series and we finally got her story. I don’t think Jackson had to grovel nearly enough. I think he STILL got the girl when HE decided it was time. I’m not mad at it, I’m super happy Ellie finally got her HEA.
It was a hard cook for me to feel the passion with for some reason. They just didn’t fit I don’t think. The smëxy times almost made me wince due to the fact I didn’t see the fire between them…at first! THEN, as they grew as a couple, my belief in them grew as well. I could see them together forever as they were best of friends 1st, then made a bit of an awkward transition into being a couple. Once they made the leap, they were pretty much set since they’d already been apart of each others lives for YEARS.
I’m glad Jackson ended up with more substance (I know, I should know better as Monica Murphy wrote it!) than he’s shown in previous books but still, I was wondering how she was going to turn him around. I shouldn’t have worried. Then CJ Bloom brought it as always. She is a master narrator on Audible, and I’ve never not loved a character she has voiced. I’m still working on liking Mason Lloyds voice for THIS character group (young men) he sounds like a late 30s early 40s man but his voice is amazing.
All in all, another great installment to this continuation series! I’m glad Ellie got her story and her man! 🤭 she gave up years to be devoted to Jackson so he’d better treat her right! 😆

Loved

I freaking love this book I couldn’t wait to read it so I had to skip for the some of the other ones to get to them. I’m so glad I did. It’s so heartwarming and sweet. Good job Monica Murphy.

Slow

I feel like Ellie was the most relatable out of the female characters in the series, which I really liked. Their relationship was also the most relatable, I think we’ve all been in a push and pull relationship like this, being dragged along. I liked the story overall. But good god was it slow, all the back and forth, like come on just go for it. I know it was all part of the story, even one time Ellie said “Make a move, or leave me alone forever.” Because she was tired of it all too. Not very spicy. I give it like a 3.8/5. Caleb was hilarious in the first two books, so I can’t wait to read the next one!

friends to lovers

I am not sure who I liked least in this story. Jackson while he kept turning down Ellie but then pulled her closer when another man showed interest, or Ellie who despite being rejected and friend zoned kept hoping for Jackson to claim her. I wish they had a little bit more of a connection between the two for me to make this believable. But overall the story was enjoyable and the audio made it for an easy listen.

Hated the characters but still liked the book.

Somehow I still enjoyed this book, but it gave me almost like high school flashback anxiety. Ellie is weak and stupid over Jackson and he is a selfish jerk. It felt unrealistic that they would actually fall in love in a real lifetime way, since Jackson was motivated by jealousy and selfishness. I felt like Ellie had no self-respect. But despite all of my complaining, I still liked the book and finished it in one day.

Goes nowhere slowly

one of the two issues that will result in a 1 star review is unlikable characters. The female repeats the same mistakes over and over... was it just to up the word count? she's so annoying she deserves what she gets.

DNF

I couldn’t finish this book. I’m not a fan of either the h or the H still sleeping around with others while being in love with each other. I didn’t get past the 2nd chapter. Sorry just not my jam. Not a fan of the male narrator either

Infuriating

The h was so annoying. You let this asshole walk all over you over and over and some how all of a sudden he’s into you but still being a dick? Nope! I know I have to think about them being 19 but I don’t remember being this much of a dumbass at 19. You have to have some self worth.