Review: Second Chance Boyfriend by Monica Murphy

Second Chance Boyfriend

Drew & Fable #2

Author: Monica Murphy

Publication Date: April 6, 2013

Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance

~Synopsis~

Lost. 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**

~Prelude~

Honestly, I had no idea there was a second book to Drew & Fable’s story until I hit the end of One Week Girlfriend. Obviously, the way it ended was a clear sign their story wasn’t over and the next page was a sneak peek for book 2. I loved One Week Girlfriend, so naturally, as someone with zero patience; I immediately bought and started Second Chance Boyfriend. I need my damn HEA.

~Review~

Second Chance Boyfriend picks up a few months after One Week Girlfriend ended. Both Drew and Fable are still shattered by the way things ended between them. Fable is trying hard to move on forget about Drew but she’s finding it impossible to forget the one man that has been able to make her really feel something. Drew is punishing himself. He doesn’t want to forget about Fable or move on but he doesn’t think she deserves him and he’s keeping his distance. However, fate has other plans and Drew and Fable can only avoid each other for so long.

Fable is strong, there’s no doubt about that. However, when it comes to Drew, I could see right through the tough exterior she put on. It’s obvious Fable is still really hurting from the way things ended and as much as she wants to move on and forget Drew she can’t. She’s still working her tail off to take care of her brother and pick up her mother’s never-ending slack. I think Fable has a lot more potential than she gives herself credit for and it definitely shows in this book. Fable is a character that continuously grows and I was glad she finally stood up to her mom and really gave her a piece of her mind. When she is betrayed by her mom, I felt so bad for her but I was proud of her for holding herself together for Owen and stepping up to a plate when the responsibility isn’t really hers. It was a true testament to the kind of person she really is despite the stigma and label she is given.

Drew still lives with a lot of guilt and shame and his MO when things get tough is to run, which is what he did with Fable. I really give him credit for seeking help on his own though and recognizing that he needs to get past his issues. He really has Fable to thank for that because she opened him up to feeling again and she showed him unconditional love and support. However, he still doesn’t think he’s good enough for her and thinks keeping his distance and allowing her to move on is what’s best for her. I really love Drew because he is so sweet and caring earnest. He’s always seen past the rumors and the façade that Fable puts on to the real person she is and he is in complete amazement of her. The way he worships Fable is beautiful and gave me all sorts of warm and fuzzies.

“Maybe we need each other too much. But I can’t worry about that now. Not when I have the woman I love in my arms, wrapped all around me.”

We get to meet a few new characters in this book including Fable’s new boss, Colin and her co-worker Jen. Colin seems like he might be some sort of player looking to hookup with Fable in the beginning but he turns out to be a really stand up guy who looks for girls down on their luck but actually have great potential. He sees this in Fable and he wants to help her reach the heights he believes she can accomplish. He is doing the same thing for Jen and it seems like there might be something more between those two. Jen turns out to be a good friend to Fable and they have a lot in common. I was glad that Fable had another girl she could connect with and lean on for support. We also get to know Fable’s brother, Owen, a little more. He seems like he may be a troubled teen but the truth is he is just a fragile kid who craves the attention of a mother that never cared. He gives Fable a hard time but it obvious how much he loves and cares for his sister and how grateful he is to have her in his life.

While they both try to deny their feelings as Drew continues to punish himself and Fable pretends she can move on, the minute they see each other again for the first time, it’s obvious staying away from one another isn’t an option. Seeing her again makes him realize that he wants Fable and for once in his life he deserves to be truly happy and he will do anything to make it up to her. Fable isn’t so easy and she is really going to make Drew work for it. She wants nothing more than to be with him but she needs to protect her heart and make sure he’s not going to run the first moment things get tough again. The reconnection and rebuilding of their relationship was really great and the passion and chemistry between them is written so well.

“Our relationship is not perfect. Drew Callahan isn’t perfect either. But I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Of course, we can’t have a book without a little drama as the revelations from Drew’s past that rocked his relationship with Fable come to the forefront and result in a dramatic ending. However, Drew is finally freed of his guilt and he is able to move forward with Fable and build a relationship. Fable deals with some serious shit with her mom but I never worried about her because she has always been really strong and capable of handling everything. However, always putting on the brave front takes a lot out of her and I really loved the way Drew supported her and held her as she let down her defenses and became vulnerable for once. She could do this with Drew because she was finally able to trust that he would always be there to pick up the pieces and help her put them back together. Drew fought furiously to prove himself to Fable and in the end he did.

“Now we own the happily ever after and we refuse to let that bitch go.”

Second Chance Boyfriend is exactly what is implied in the title; Drew’s second chance to prove himself to Fable and he does just that. This book was all about rebuilding of trust and love and companionship between the two characters. They both grew tremendously and they did it together as they learned to trust one another and believe that they deserved the happiness that they fought so hard for. While I’m sad to say goodbye to Drew and Fable, I’m excited for Jen and Colin’s story in Three Broken Promises and Owen’s story in Four Years Later and I’m sure the happy couple will make a few appearances.

~IPOD Picks~

“It’s Time” by Imagine Dragons

“Apologies” by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

“Whatever It Takes” by Lifehouse

PURCHASE LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE