From New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy comes an angst-filled new adult romance featuring Drew + Fable’s (One Week Girlfriend) daughter, Autumn Callahan!Asher Davis. My first crush. My first kiss. The boy who ripped my heart out of my chest again and again. Over and over. I let him have it every single time. Willingly. We are that toxic high school couple you hear about, the one you … school couple you hear about, the one you witness in the hallway as they avoid each other. You laugh at them in class when they’re forced to work together, their gazes full of hatred. We are the couple you gossip about when they win homecoming prince and princess their sophomore year…
The back and forth is what kills me the most. I’m not his princess, I’m the girl he toys with when he’s bored. And he’s definitely not my prince, no matter how badly I want him to be.
Finally it’s our senior year and we’re months away from never having to see each other again when disaster strikes—and brings us closer together. All it takes is one touch, and I’m burning for Ash. Hotter than I ever have.
But will that burn turn into a devastating fire? Or can we actually make it work this time?
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Poppy love is so tormenting and sweet at the same time. Poor Ash is rough around the edges but with good reason. He will give you whiplash! And I still loved it!
I also loved how Drew and Fable have raised their kids and how they are willing to help without a second thought. But in this book Autum is Asher’s beacon of light. She is the one runing scared of her feelings until it really counts. Because Ash needs someone to believe in him. And that is the sweetest thing about this story. The chances given and the believe in the broken. I loved how the story kept me wanting to turn the page. And I wish I had more of them when they grow older.
OMG! Exhilarating! Monica Murphy perfectly captures contemporary YA romance with the push and pull, the non-stop drama, the yearning, a super dose of angst, a scorching attraction, and the all consuming rush of first love. I loved every moment, the first meeting, the first kiss, the heartache, and so much more. Be prepared to take a trip down memory lane, to those awkward, self-centered teenage years, where this author will make you burn for these two, and oh what an Exhilarating feeling that brings.
This was seriously an addicting read. Oh yeah! Asher and Autumn were great characters that I loved. There was so much tension and animosity between them but this crazy attraction and chemistry as well. They meet at the beginning of their freshman year of high school. Autumn has just moved to this school and is the good girl with a famous football father that was in the NFL and now is the new high school football coach. Autumn always worries that boys will use her to get close to her father. Ash is the hot, bad boy, quarterback, with a troubled family life, from the wrong side of the tracks.
From the moment they meet their chemistry is electric. As each year passes they are thrown together at different times and they continue to fight their feelings and connections even as those feelings grow stronger. I was rooting for them from the beginning. Everything about this storyline and the characters captivated me. Their personalities, their conversations, their chemistry…my my my! I was a goner, charmed beyond words. Filled with heartfelt goodness. And gosh did I ever fall in love.
This story had me smiling, laughing, melting and swooning as well as crying at the trials of young love. But I never stopped turning the pages. Oh no! So mesmerized with the story, main characters, and secondary characters and their journey. Loving the new friendships, first romances and serious issues as well as some family dynamics that made this fantastic. This also definitely took me back to my first book by Monica Murphy that I read and which started my love of her writing, which was ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND with Fable and Drew. CLOSE TO ME is about their daughter and I loved catching up with them once again. Loved it!
Close to Me is such a fabulous read. I loved the banter between Asher and Autumn. The heat those two give off the entire read is smoking. You can’t help but feel the chemistry from the start. You will love Drew and Fable in this one. I love how they help Asher when he is in need. Autumn has this huge heart and sees the good in everyone. I love that she never gives up on Asher. They burn so hot at such a young age. Asher, you just want to squeeze him tight and tell him he is more and he can have more. I’m so in love with this book and the fact that this the beginning of getting to know Drew and Fable’s kids. You need to read this and go through the ups and downs of high school life and fall in love with Asher and Autumn today.
Monica Murphy nous offre ici une romance Young Adult et Close to me sera le 1er tome de la saga Callahan. Le prochain tome sera sur le frère de notre héroïne, Jack. J’ai passé un bon moment de lecture avec cette romance qui ne se fera pas facilement mais c’est justement ce qui la rendra intéressante.
Autumn Callahan est une jeune femme que nous allons découvrir au fil des années lycée. A 17 ans, elle ne sait toujours pas si elle doit apprécier ou détester notre héros qui est assez brute de décoffrage. Elle est la fille parfaite, la princesse de son père qui a grandi dans un environnement familial sain . Leur rencontre sera des plus étonnantes mais on sent dès le début qu’un jeu va s’instaurer entre eux et qu’elle aura de plus en plus de mal à résister à la tentation. Elle est la fille de Drew, un ancien joueur professionnel de football américain qui deviendra le coach du lycée et qui sera d’une grande aide pour Asher. Comme je le disais la relation entre nos deux héros sera dès le début très tendue car ils ne vivent pas dans les mêmes sphères. Lui est plutôt le bad boy alors qu’elle finira par se mettre en couple avec Ben Murray, un gentil garçon mais qui pourrait devenir soporifique. Avec ce dernier , il n’y aura pas les étincelles qui crépitent dès qu’elle est proche d’Ash . Malheureusement, elle ne pourra pas toujours se confier sur ses états d’âme et les premières années seront assez troublées et troublantes. Elle se cherchera mais un événement décisif lui permettra de le voir sous un autre jour.
Quand elle découvrira donc ce qu’il tente désespérément de cacher, elle va comprendre qu’elle l’a jugé sur des apparences qui seront trompeuses. Bien qu’elle soit dans l’équipe des pom pom girls , elle ne verra qu’une facette du joueur qu’il est. Il mène parfaitement le jeu à la fois sur le terrain et lors de leur moment à deux. Elle ne sait jamais si elle peut le prendre au sérieux ou non. Cette passion qui pourrait naître lui fait donc peur car elle a besoin de stabilité et de sécurité . Mais aimer n’est ce pas prendre un risque? Il est évident qu’il saura susciter chez elle des émotions que Ben ne pourra jamais provoquer et cela lui fait donc peur . Il lui faudra donc prendre des risques mais osera t-il mettre son coeur sur la table et donner sa chance à Asher? Elle a été éduquée dans une famille aimante et soudée donc elle n’est pas forcément à même de comprendre ce que vit nos héros. Saura t-elle accepter ses réactions parfois virulentes? Saura t-elle l’apaiser et l’aider à aller de l’avant?
Asher Davis est présenté dès le début comme aux antipodes du parfait héros. Il fume, il s’amuse avec les filles, il se fiche de ce qu’on penser de lui mais au final n’est ce pas tout simplement des apparences afin de cacher son propre mal être? On va vite découvrir le contexte familial dans lequel il vit et l’incidence que celui ci aura sur son développement personnel. Ash est un jeune homme de 17 ans qui manque cruellement de repères et qui a appris à mettre en sourdine ses émotions. Aimer c’est prendre le risque d’être blessé et il semble être incapable de s’engager émotionnellement parlant. Il y a aussi chez lui une certaine méfiance et un manque de confiance en lui. Cela peut paraître ironique quand on le voit les premières fois mais ce côté exubérant est une facette qu’il préfère offrir aux autres. Personne ne le connaît vraiment et personne ne se donne la peine d’aller plus loin que ce qu’il renvoit. Autumn pourrait être celle qui le pousse dans ses retranchements et qui l’oblige à se dévoiler. Nous n’avons pas autant de chapitres écrits de son point de vue, ce qui implique donc que nous n’avons pas toutes les cartes en main et que nous allons le découvrir en même temps que notre héroïne. On espère qu’il trouvera un certain apaisement après la tempête qu’il a vécu mais quand on est habitué à affronter les troubles, il est difficile de se livrer entièrement.
Bref, si vous lisez en VO, je vous conseille de découvrir cette nouvelle saga de Monica Murphy qui nous offre donc une très sympathique romance Young Adult. La famille Callahan a un très grand potentiel livresque d’autant plus que nous ne savons presque rien au sujet de Jake et cela nous laisse donc la porte ouverte à de nouvelles aventures tout en prenant des nouvelles de nos héros. Affaire à suivre
This is an enjoyable coming of age romance with Drew and Fable’s oldest daughter Autumn. Firstly I’m so glad Monica wrote Drew and Fable as parents exactly how I pictured them to be, they have built an amazing loving supportive family.
We follow Autumn and Asher through four angst driven years of high school. Asher has a reputation at school he’s not really the typical bad boy but his home life colours the way he acts and is percieved. Autumn is the good girl who doesn’t rock the boat at school or at home, she’s well liked and has a core group of friends. Over the years they have little moments some where he teases her because he loves to annoy her and some where you see little sparks of possibilities. I loved the secret meetings and the way their relationship was written as they decide to explore their feelings.
Asher is not an easy guy to get through to but he was so easy to like. There are so many obstacles for them but the biggest one is Asher himself. His feelings of low self esteem are written perfectly and with a realism that is so believable. Autumn is strong willed determined and a little bit headstrong just like her parents. I enjoyed reading about them working out what they want without too much interference from outside forces. The ending came too soon for me, it felt a little rushed as I wanted to know more about the future but as there are more siblings I’m sure we will get updates on this couple.
To say I get giddy anytime a book from Monica hits my kindle, that would be an understatement. I have been on pins and needles waiting for Close to Me and all l can say is that this book was everything and more than I expected.
Drew and Fable hands down are one of my all-time favorite couples. And now we get the next generation starting with their daughter Autumn.
Close to Me gave me all the feels that I felt with Drew and Fable. Autumn and Ash are angsty goodness and I want so much more of them. Good thing the stories will continue with the rest of the Callihan kids and I’m hoping we will get to see glimpses of Autumn and Ash in the future through Jake’s book.
From the moment Autumn meets Ash as a freshman, there is this instant connection – although he was a total pain in the behind. This book takes us on a journey of missed opportunities and angsty encounters. Ash comes from a troubled home and there is just something about him that draws Autumn to him over and over again. My heart broke for Ash and it reminded me so much of the pains that Fable went through growing up herself. Autumn’s parents know the type of struggle he’s going through and reach out to help him.
This is definitely a book you want to experience – so I won’t tell you too much more about the book. Just be prepared for some laughter, some crying and a few cups or more of drama, drama, drama.
Love Monica and can’t wait for Jake’s book!!
***4 “Don’t give up!!!” stars***
“Don’t worry. I won’t burn you.”
“You already have.”
“You’ve burned me too.”
I suppose that many of you have read already “One week girlfriend” by Monica Murphy.
Guess what??? Drew and Fable had a big part in here since this story was about their daughter, Autumn… And i think, that we will have more of the next generation!!!
But don’t you worry!!! This is a complete standalone and even though, i haven’t read yet Drew’s book, i enjoyed this certain story very much!!!
“Nothing’s going on between us.”
“You go ahead and keep telling yourself that.”
Autumn and Ash have some kind of history… Since their first year of high school, they are sniffing around each other… even though they’re trying their best to avoid each other mostly…
But still… They ‘re coming around over and over again, but usually, they are ending hurting each other, so they’re moving on… Until next time!!!
At the present, at their senior year, the things are about to change cause something bad is happening and they are getting closer than before…
“I hate him.
I like him.
I’m drawn to him.
He repulses me.
Sometimes, I think I repulse him too.
“I don’t really know how to feel… anything,” he admits…
“Then neither do I,” I lie.
“I still can’t feel anything… I think it’s gone.”
“What’s gone?”
“My heart. I don’t have one. My chest is hollow.”
“I just poured my heart out to you and that’s what you have to say to me?”
“You don’t have a heart, remember?”
“Yeah, because you stole it.”
Autumn is a good girl. A girl from a good family and she is growing up in the best enviroment…
Ash was an enigma for her, the crazy bad boy that she couldn’t stay away from, even though she was trying to…
Ash’s life, from the other hand, can’t be more hard. But still, he is trying to hold his head above the water and survive. To do something good for himself…
Autumn was in a way his obseesion…. He was trying really hard to stay away from her, but at the same time, he couldn’t….
Now, these two are forced to be around each other more and how that will end up???
“He’s not bright and sunny like Ben. He’s dark and foreboding, like a stormy night.
Yet here I am. Drawn to the darkness when I should be seeking the light.”
“Autumn Callahan is not for me. I need to remember that.”
Well, i love both Autumn and Asher…
There was fire between them from the very first moment and i wanted them to be together, but there were many obstacles standing in their way…
The truth is that Asher hurt Autumn many times in the past, but i’m thinking that he didn’t mean it. He just didn’t know how to handle his feelings… especially since he was feeling that he never deserved this girl…
“I react to him no matter what. He’s yelling at me, I’m disgusted with him, we’re arguing, yet I still feel the spark.
I hate that stupid spark with everything I’ve got.”
“He needs someone to believe in him…
I want to be that person.
If he’ll let me.”
Now, Drew and Fable were having a big part in here and i loved how they were between them and with their family…
I loved how good people they were and the way that they embrassed a troubled kid and tried to help him…
Well, honestly, i love this family and i can not wait more of them… Jake, be careful!!!
“Just… be careful with him. Troubled souls are hard to fix…
Troubled souls also just need someone to love them sometimes. Someone to believe in them when they already feel so defeated.”
Close to Me is a binge worthy book. I didn’t want to put it down and read it in a day. Autumn is Drew and Fable’s daughter and you see how close knit of a family they have. Drew coaches football at Autumn’s high school so she is popular and also kids try to get close to her because of who her dad is. The good thing about her is that she is such a nice girl. Even though she is wealthy, she is also sweet to everyone, everyone but Ash. She does feel pressure to be a certain way and feels that she is expected to be a proper girl and have the perfect boyfriend. That perfect boyfriend isn’t the bad boy she meets freshman year that she can’t stop thinking about.
Ash is not so much a bad boy, but he comes from a rough home. He has no one that truly cares about him and he feels like he has nothing left inside him. Until he meets Autumn. He knows she steals a bit of him and he will never get it back.
You see glimpses of their interactions over the course of their four years in high school and you are just rooting for these two. There is always something that happens that forces them apart, but you know in the end, love will win. There is, of course, the high school drama that I don’t love, but it was done in such a way that it didn’t bother me, even when it probably should have. This is why I read Monica Murphy. I trust her writing and I loved this book.
I’m so excited for the Callahan’s series. Drew and Fable are an awesome couple so getting to experience their children’s stories is wonderful to me with the added benefit of letting me experience Drew and Fable as parents. Autumn is the oldest daughter and isn’t happy that they moved to a small town as she starts her freshman year of high school. On her first day she meets Asher, a football player with a bad boy vibe that sparks something in her while at the same time, telling her to stay away. Asher’s road hasn’t been easy but meeting Autumn, he sees someone that he doesn’t feel worthy to know yet wants in his life. As they progress through high school, Autumn and Asher work hard to avoid each other even though life seems to throw them together. When Asher’s world crashes down around him, it’s Drew of the big heart and new assistant football coach to the rescue and suddenly Asher is living at the Callahan’s home. I love how Autumn and Asher danced around each other for 4 years. This time allowed them both to learn more about themselves which permitted them to truly open up to each other when the time was right. Even then, the road wasn’t an easy one which had me captivated wanting to know how this journey would unfold. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
CLOSE TO ME is the first instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, young adult THE CALLAHANS romance series focusing on the Callahan siblings-a spin off from the author’s ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND series. This is high school students Asher Davis, and Autumn Callahan’s story line.
Told from several first person perspectives including Asher and Autumn CLOSE TO ME covers four to five years in the life of high school students Asher Davis, and Autumn Callahan. Autumn Callahan is the eldest child and daughter of former NFL quarterback Drew Callahan and his wife Fable, and as such finds herself often on the outside looking in but her four year, love/hate relationship with high school quarterback Asher Davis pulls our heroine into the vortex that is about to suck Asher Davis into the depths of h*ll. When trouble at home finds Asher living with Coach Callahan, his relationship with Autumn is stepped up to the next level, no longer a love/hate relationship but a teenaged love affair wherein Asher’s past is determined to destroy them all. What ensues is the building friendship, relationship and romance between Asher and Autumn, and the potential fall-out as Asher’s home-life, and previous relationships affect everything going forward.
The relationship between Asher and Autumn begins acrimoniously as Asher’s attempts to befriend Autumn are met with derision and scorn. Autumn struggles to accept everything that Asher represents without ever truly understanding the totality of the darkness that controls his world. As Autumn and Asher dance around one another throughout their entire high school career, Asher’s life begins to implode leaving our hero a shell of his former self. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The colorful and energetic cast of characters include Drew and Fable Callahan (One Week Girlfriend series), as well as their children Jake, Ava and Beck; Autumn’s friend Kaya; several high school students, mean girls and wanna-bes. Jake’s story is next in Falling For Her.
CLOSE TO ME is a story of family, dysfunction, betrayal, secrets and lies; of one boy’s struggle to survive against the odds; of one girl’s need to love a boy who believes he is not worthy of love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is passionate; the characters are charismatic, broken, struggling but strong.
The first time Autumn Callahan met Asher Davis, he made quite the impression. As the new girl at their high school Autumn was trying to find her footing, and Asher didn’t help with that. Throughout high school, their paths crossed and the attraction was real, but they came from two different worlds, and Asher was so hot and cold, that while the attraction was there nothing could become of it.
Senior year. Finally, Autumn only has to deal with limited sightings of Asher Davis for a few more months, and then she’s off to college. However life doesn’t always work out the way we want, and when Asher ends up needing the Callahan’s like he’s never needed anybody before, the attraction turns to more. But will more actually work, or will Autumn continually get burned?
First and foremost, I just have to say bravo Monica Murphy, because Drew Callahan as a dad, wow. And Fable as a mom, even more wow. You brought two of my all-time favorite characters back to me, and even though they are secondary to the story, they are still the same Drew and Fable that everyone loves. As for Autumn and Asher, the chemistry between these two was amazing from the jump. To watch them both evolve and their attraction for each other evolve, was seriously amazing. And the angst, my land, the angst with this one, you could feel it. The back and forth kept me on the edge of my seat. I have nothing but amazing things to say about this book, and I’m going to need book 2 asap!
Close to Me proves once more that when Monica Murphy writes about the Callahan clan, magic truly emanates from her fingers. This coming of age tale about Autumn, the oldest of 4, hit all the right spots of my heart, leaving me sighing with pure joy over and over again.
I loved that we get a glimpse of each of the four years of high school, with freshman, sophomore and junior years showing us the meaningful albeit brief encounters between Autumn and Asher Davis. But with each of those moments, there is a powerful pull between the two that ultimately leads to the most important year of all, their senior one.
Everything goes a bit upside down as the brooding and troubled Ash becomes much more to Autumn and not just because her dad is his football coach at their small-town high school. And yes, both Drew + his Fable are key components of this story and add just the right amount of parental guidance and support when needed most.
But it’s the unmistakable chemistry Autumn and Ash have that drives this book and all the reasons they shouldn’t be together. Their secret meetings when everyone is asleep are both sexy and touching. The rawness that bleeds out of Ash would turn most girls away but Autumn, with her strength and desire to be there for him, wins out time and again even when he is downright cruel at every turn.
Much like her parents before her, there are plenty of obstacles standing in her way with Ash but I can undoubtedly say that Autumn is her parents’s daughter and her devotion to her bad boy never really wavers. And she never gives up even when she probably should.
Close to Me is full of feels and I appreciated that the author didn’t waste time with unspoken truths. Everything is laid bare and she lets Ash and Autumn figure out which way they want to go with their relationship, even when it hurts.
Being back in this world has shown me once again that there is no love quite like Callahan love and I look forward for more to come.
5 big stars!