Four Years Later: A Novel (One Week Girlfriend, #4)

by Monica Murphy

Bestselling author Monica Murphy winds up her sensational series with this sexy story of two college kids with nothing in common but a bunch of baggage and a burning attraction.
 
Over. That about sums up everything in my life. Suspended from my college football team and forced to cut back my hours at The District bar because of my crappy grades, I can’t keep turning to my sister, Fable, and her pro-football playing husband, Drew, to bail me out. I just can’t seem to find my own way. Weed and sex are irresistible temptations—and it’s messed up that I secretly hand over money to our junkie mom. A tutor is the last thing I want right now—until I get a look at her.
 
Chelsea is not my type at all. She’s smart and totally shy. I’m pretty sure she’s even a virgin. But when she gives me the once over with those piercing blue eyes, I’m really over. But in a different way. I won’t deny her ass is killer, but it’s her brain and the way she seems to crave love—like no one’s ever given her any—that make me want her more than any girl I’ve ever met. But what would someone as seemingly together as her ever see in a screwed up guy like me?

Praise for Four Years Later
 
“Another great entry into the series and a perfect way to close out what started with One Week Girlfriend. As always, Monica Murphy gives us such great characters, giving them such depth and emotions that it’s hard not to love them from the minute you meet them on the page.”—Cocktails and Books
 
“An engaging, heavily character-driven new adult [novel] that brings us the story of a much beloved character. Seamless writing flows effortlessly as Murphy sets up the plot elements and begins her story of love, loss, redemption, and forgiveness. . . . Four Years Later was a delight to read.”—Smexy Books
 
“Monica Murphy has created an unforgettable series. Her writing is honest, gritty, romantic and entertaining. Her characters are very real people that readers can relate to. We embrace them in our hearts. Their lives and stories will stay with [us] long after the book is finished. It is no wonder that this series is an all-time favorite. . . . The One Week Girlfriend series has been an amazing reading journey that has touched my heart.”—Hesperia Loves Books
 
“Emotional and gratifying . . . This romance was full of tension and longing! . . . Monica Murphy has another win with Four Years Later. Owen and Chelsea’s story was touching and passionate, and is sure to make you sigh in contentment by the end.”—Waves of Fiction
 
“What a fantastic ending to an amazing series! . . . It took my emotions on a roller coaster ride but hey, all the good books do! . . . Four books and I still want more! I’m not quite sure I could ever get enough of these characters. They’re all complex, and beautifully broken in their own ways. Combine that with Monica Murphy’s fantastic writing skills and you always have a winner.”—Down the Rabbit Hole
 
“It’s official! When it comes to NA romances and inner monologues, Monica Murphy is a queen! . . . I highly recommend Four Years Later! If you read the earlier books then you just have to get this one too. It was wonderful to see how the earlier couples are faring . . . but Monica Murphy had truly made this Owen’s book. I love it!”—In My Room Reading

• ISBN10: 0804176825
• ISBN13: 9780804176828
• Publish Date: 4 March 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Random House USA Inc
• Imprint: Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Div of Random House, Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780804176828

Reviews

[Cocktails and Books]

If you've followed the One Week Girlfriend series, than you know Fable's little brother Owen is a handful. He was a pawn in their mother's sick and twisted game to one up Fable, forcing the kid to become knowledgable in things now little kid should have to know about. We started to see things turn around for Owen once Fable and Drew's relationship solidified, but in FOUR YEARS LATER, we find out how much of a pawn he still is to his mother and her demands.

I could understand how Owen was stuck. He wanted the life that Drew and Fable were helping him carve out. He was working hard to have it. But he was also still a little boy who loved his mother, no matter what she said and did and no matter how much he wished she'd leave him alone. He took on a lot of responsibility when it came to his mom, especially hiding from his sister that she was back in contact with him. The guilt killed him and he started spiraling down a path that was not where he wanted to be, but couldn't seem to stop. But that all changed when he met his English tutor, Chelsea.

Chelsea had her own issues. She was the one who took on picking up the pieces of her mother after her father would tear her down and leave. It was a vicious cycle and one that was repeated. Chelsea didn't trust man people, but she really didn't trust men. Figuring they were all liars just like her father. Owen was doing a pretty good job of breaking down Chelsea's walls, until his mother proved to Chelsea that Owen wasn't different from her father.

Owen and Chelsea were broken, luckily not as broken as Drew and Fable, but they had a lot of obstacles to overcome to make their way to their HEA. If you thought Owen and Fable's mom was a bitch, we see a whole lot more form her that shoots her into the Wicked Bitch of the West stratosphere. Chelsea has her issues, but we find she's the stronger of the two and it's because of her that Owen is finally able to pull himself together. Very reminiscent of Drew and Fables story...without the World's Worst Stepmonster. It took an army to try and help Owen undo the years of "abuse" he suffered at the hands of his mother. You wanted him to be stronger and do it on his own, but he needed what Chelsea brought to their relationship. She helped him believe in himself, but to also realize it's ok to ask for help when you can't do it on your own.

Another great entry into the series and a perfect way to close out what started with One Week Girlfriend. As always, Monica Murphy gives us such great characters, giving them such depth and emotions that it's hard not to love them from the minute you meet them on the page.