What do you think?
Rate this book
Murphy's Law #3
Undeniable
She’d been mine once. Or as close to mine as I’d ever get.
Ivy Sharpe and James Larson were childhood best friends. Until the summer after high school graduation. They spent one secret month sneaking out for late-night drives and dancing until the sun came up.
That one month ended in heartbreak so all-consuming that they’ve tried to avoid each other ever since. And it’s worked for thirteen years.
Until now.
Austin, TX, was supposed to be Ivy’s fresh start. But between mixing drinks during her first shift at a local bar, she finds herself eye-to-eye with the last man she expected to see.
James is just as confused to find Ivy working at his best friends’ bar. Seeing her there, in one of his favorite places, is like his past slapping him in the face.
And based on Ivy’s reaction, she’d love nothing more than to make that slap a reality.
They fight. They argue. But no matter how hard they try, nothing can stifle the attraction and feelings bubbling back to the surface. Feelings that prove they can only run from their explosive past for so long.
Especially when they both end up back in their hometown and the place where it all began.
But they aren't the same people they were thirteen years earlier, and it’s what happened after that summer that may be impossible to overcome.
Some wounds not even time can heal. And some secrets aren’t meant to stay hidden.
Undeniable is book three in the Murphy’s Law series. Each book will center around their friend group and focus on one, or more, of the friends. This book may be read as a standalone but contains spoilers from the previous books.
Ivy Sharpe and James Larson were childhood best friends. Until the summer after high school graduation. They spent one secret month sneaking out for late-night drives and dancing until the sun came up.
That one month ended in heartbreak so all-consuming that they’ve tried to avoid each other ever since. And it’s worked for thirteen years.
Until now.
Austin, TX, was supposed to be Ivy’s fresh start. But between mixing drinks during her first shift at a local bar, she finds herself eye-to-eye with the last man she expected to see.
James is just as confused to find Ivy working at his best friends’ bar. Seeing her there, in one of his favorite places, is like his past slapping him in the face.
And based on Ivy’s reaction, she’d love nothing more than to make that slap a reality.
They fight. They argue. But no matter how hard they try, nothing can stifle the attraction and feelings bubbling back to the surface. Feelings that prove they can only run from their explosive past for so long.
Especially when they both end up back in their hometown and the place where it all began.
But they aren't the same people they were thirteen years earlier, and it’s what happened after that summer that may be impossible to overcome.
Some wounds not even time can heal. And some secrets aren’t meant to stay hidden.
Undeniable is book three in the Murphy’s Law series. Each book will center around their friend group and focus on one, or more, of the friends. This book may be read as a standalone but contains spoilers from the previous books.
- GenresRomanceDark Romance
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2023
13 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Grace Turner
9 books77 followersGrace Turner lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and two rambunctious pups and has a revolving door full of friends and family always visiting. By day, she works as a lowly paralegal, and by night she reads, writes, and breathes contemporary romance.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 3, 2024
This is an angsty "second chance" read. That trope is catnip for me - and although I didn't love this book, there wasn't anything hugely wrong with it. So, if you're also into that trope, you may like it.
James and Ivy (both 31) had a relationship 13 years ago, when they were 18. Something mysterious and bad happened between them, in the past. In the present day, they meet again because Ivy has moved to James' city and she accidentally started working at his friends' bar (she didn't know his friends owned the bar when she took the job). In the present day, there's bad feelings between them, and lots of vague hints about how their relationship went wrong.
Chapters alternate between following them in the present day, and in the past. This wasn't too choppy, I thought the "back and forth" format worked for this book, where it's failed in some other books. Also, even though this is book 3 in a series, I hadn't read the other books, and I wasn't confused.
Why 3 stars? When a book revolves around answering 1 question - in this case, "What happened between them 13 years ago?" it's kind of setting itself up to be underwhelming. Because that question better have a VERY dramatic, intriguing, or surprising answer, after so much build-up! So, it was kind of underwhelming, here. The reveal wasn't bad, it was suitably dramatic, but it was predictable. Also, although they were both decently likeable, this story didn't draw me in and make me love them, I'll forget their names soon after finishing this. I only give 4 stars to books where I love the characters and know that I'll think about them again.
Not to compare everything to one of my favorite books, Fearless, but, that is still the king of the "angsty second chance" trope. This one is far below it, but it's not a bad read at all. It's nothing special, but it's fine. I may check out other stuff from this author.
James and Ivy (both 31) had a relationship 13 years ago, when they were 18. Something mysterious and bad happened between them, in the past. In the present day, they meet again because Ivy has moved to James' city and she accidentally started working at his friends' bar (she didn't know his friends owned the bar when she took the job). In the present day, there's bad feelings between them, and lots of vague hints about how their relationship went wrong.
Chapters alternate between following them in the present day, and in the past. This wasn't too choppy, I thought the "back and forth" format worked for this book, where it's failed in some other books. Also, even though this is book 3 in a series, I hadn't read the other books, and I wasn't confused.
Why 3 stars? When a book revolves around answering 1 question - in this case, "What happened between them 13 years ago?" it's kind of setting itself up to be underwhelming. Because that question better have a VERY dramatic, intriguing, or surprising answer, after so much build-up! So, it was kind of underwhelming, here. The reveal wasn't bad, it was suitably dramatic, but it was predictable. Also, although they were both decently likeable, this story didn't draw me in and make me love them, I'll forget their names soon after finishing this. I only give 4 stars to books where I love the characters and know that I'll think about them again.
Not to compare everything to one of my favorite books, Fearless, but, that is still the king of the "angsty second chance" trope. This one is far below it, but it's not a bad read at all. It's nothing special, but it's fine. I may check out other stuff from this author.
September 11, 2023
3.75-4 ⭐️ read.
Loved several aspects about this book. For starters, I’m a sucker for a second-chance romance and this 100% delivered. It was the best mix of second-chance/ enemies(hostile exes)-to-lovers. Also adored that the story was told in dual-timeline (13 years ago and “now”).
The characters were relatable, adorable, angsty, and just downright perfect. This goes for side characters not just mains, although I did truly love me some sassy Ivy.
I read this as a stand-alone, having not read the other books in the series, and it was totally fine.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review, it was truly a gem.
Loved several aspects about this book. For starters, I’m a sucker for a second-chance romance and this 100% delivered. It was the best mix of second-chance/ enemies(hostile exes)-to-lovers. Also adored that the story was told in dual-timeline (13 years ago and “now”).
The characters were relatable, adorable, angsty, and just downright perfect. This goes for side characters not just mains, although I did truly love me some sassy Ivy.
I read this as a stand-alone, having not read the other books in the series, and it was totally fine.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review, it was truly a gem.
April 7, 2024
4.5 stars
September 18, 2024
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley, Grace Turner, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Undeniable releases September 9, 2023
This is the third installment in the Murphy’s Law series, and follows Ivy and James.
I recommend reading the first two beforehand if you haven’t already for the full experience.
- dual pov
- childhood friends/neighbours
- hate to love
- second chance
- then/now (13 year gap)
James and Ivy have been avoiding each other for over a decade, but James’ best friends (Reed/Josh/Amanda from book 2) have recently hired Ivy as their new bartender at Murphy’s Law, which has all of their history resurfacing.
This had all of the components I love and look for in a romance book: childhood friends, second chance, angst, argumentative banter that really serves as a form of foreplay, and the best execution of build up and anticipation to know what tore them apart the first time.
The circumstances that brought James and Ivy back together fell into place so perfectly! I mean, a 2 hour car ride back to their hometown for a fundraising festival organized by their parents, where the whole town is fully booked, so he has to room with her? They’re bound to talk and address what happened all those years ago after spending a perfectly imperfect summer together.
I love how interactive the friend group is in this series and how we were able to catch up with past characters in addition to the main romance.
I also loved how strong of a character Ivy was and how she knew her worth as a curvier woman.
The pacing was flawless and that’s not something I say lightly.
THAT ENDING. I NEED MORE!!
This series has been such a hidden gem, and with each book Turner’s writing just gets better and better.
I can’t wait to read Devon’s story.
cw: fatphobia, miscarriage
Thank you to NetGalley, Grace Turner, and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Undeniable releases September 9, 2023
This is the third installment in the Murphy’s Law series, and follows Ivy and James.
I recommend reading the first two beforehand if you haven’t already for the full experience.
- dual pov
- childhood friends/neighbours
- hate to love
- second chance
- then/now (13 year gap)
James and Ivy have been avoiding each other for over a decade, but James’ best friends (Reed/Josh/Amanda from book 2) have recently hired Ivy as their new bartender at Murphy’s Law, which has all of their history resurfacing.
This had all of the components I love and look for in a romance book: childhood friends, second chance, angst, argumentative banter that really serves as a form of foreplay, and the best execution of build up and anticipation to know what tore them apart the first time.
The circumstances that brought James and Ivy back together fell into place so perfectly! I mean, a 2 hour car ride back to their hometown for a fundraising festival organized by their parents, where the whole town is fully booked, so he has to room with her? They’re bound to talk and address what happened all those years ago after spending a perfectly imperfect summer together.
I love how interactive the friend group is in this series and how we were able to catch up with past characters in addition to the main romance.
I also loved how strong of a character Ivy was and how she knew her worth as a curvier woman.
The pacing was flawless and that’s not something I say lightly.
THAT ENDING. I NEED MORE!!
This series has been such a hidden gem, and with each book Turner’s writing just gets better and better.
I can’t wait to read Devon’s story.
cw: fatphobia, miscarriage
August 29, 2023
I loved this so much. I cried TWICE. Like literal tears. This is intense but never in a gratuitous or “character torture” way, some of the emotions were just genuinely beautiful and I didn’t resent this for making me feel at all.
This has dual POV and I loved the pacing. I typically don’t read high school age but this felt very centered in the present and the dual flashbacks provided important context. Plus, most of it is post high school graduation when they are over 18. None of this would have affected my rating just thought I would share for romance readers who care about that stuff!
The second chance romance pulls at your heartstrings. Their love is so real and I couldn’t put this down. This is that second chance romance that you have to keep reading because you NEED them to figure this out and you can’t wait until they do. Also the tension and twisty hate is not the opposite of love back and forth is excellent. Spice was wonderful! This one is a bit more of a slow burn compared to book 2 but I’m not complaining cause it made sense for the story.
Thank you so much to Grace Turner and NetGalley for this ARC. I’d absolutely recommend this one, it’s SO good.
This has dual POV and I loved the pacing. I typically don’t read high school age but this felt very centered in the present and the dual flashbacks provided important context. Plus, most of it is post high school graduation when they are over 18. None of this would have affected my rating just thought I would share for romance readers who care about that stuff!
The second chance romance pulls at your heartstrings. Their love is so real and I couldn’t put this down. This is that second chance romance that you have to keep reading because you NEED them to figure this out and you can’t wait until they do. Also the tension and twisty hate is not the opposite of love back and forth is excellent. Spice was wonderful! This one is a bit more of a slow burn compared to book 2 but I’m not complaining cause it made sense for the story.
Thank you so much to Grace Turner and NetGalley for this ARC. I’d absolutely recommend this one, it’s SO good.
April 3, 2024
This was such a satisfying read. I don’t know why I wasn’t looking forward to this book, I guess I didn’t really know much about James…. First of all, I am absolutely obsessed with this friend group. I’ve said it before, I always think about them, they are amazing. I am in love with this series.
Undeniable, in my opinion was fully focused on Ivy and James stories, their stories separately, their stories together, their pain and their trauma and how it made them who they are now, why they hate each other… it was a hard read because of the trauma, the triggers, I cried several times reading this book, I felt Ivy’s pain. Although it was a lot of back and forth past and present, I wasn’t mad about it. This story was important and Grace tied it all up in a beautiful bow although the bomb that goes off at the end…….. GRACE STOP TEASING ME 🤭
I will always rave about the Murphys Law series. I can’t wait for the next book, but for now, I’ll just daydream and think about these characters constantly…..
Undeniable, in my opinion was fully focused on Ivy and James stories, their stories separately, their stories together, their pain and their trauma and how it made them who they are now, why they hate each other… it was a hard read because of the trauma, the triggers, I cried several times reading this book, I felt Ivy’s pain. Although it was a lot of back and forth past and present, I wasn’t mad about it. This story was important and Grace tied it all up in a beautiful bow although the bomb that goes off at the end…….. GRACE STOP TEASING ME 🤭
I will always rave about the Murphys Law series. I can’t wait for the next book, but for now, I’ll just daydream and think about these characters constantly…..
October 4, 2023
Well damn, what a heart warming, emotional, sexy story. I should have expected this from this author but still I was blown away and loved every page. I couldn’t put this book down, the back and forth with past and present usually is off putting to me but I wanted more! I love the way it all played out, I really loved that the guy wasn’t necessarily the bad guy/ wrong doer, and that trauma that was experienced didn’t take over the story.
April 15, 2026
Another great addition to the Murphy's Law series. I was so happy when we got to know he was still wearing her necklace after all those years, and I loved how the moms noticed everything.
Looking forward to read the 4th/last book.
4 ⭐
Looking forward to read the 4th/last book.
4 ⭐
September 6, 2023
RTC (once my heart stops hurting from this book)
September 20, 2023
Grace Turner writes a great romance book but I’ll be honest my favorite of her stories is still Hazel and Luke! This book has some major drama but does not disappoint when it comes to spice!
July 5, 2024
The angst in this book 😍 Top tier banter as well. It was definitely a slow burn but so worth it! The plot twist towards the end was so heartbreaking but they got their HEA so it was worth it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
3.75⭐️
July 10, 2025
This storyline was sooooo freaking good! I binge read this book, because I just couldn’t put it down. Loved it!
April 3, 2024
This was such a cute story, the dual time line and the twist in the story had me hooked and I definitely cried reading this one. Grace Turner has become one of my instant must read authors and I can't wait to see what comes next!
January 25, 2025
FACT: Grace Turner is one of my favorite authors
FACT: I squirrel & save her books to get me through reading slumps
FACT: With each book, I wonder it will be as good as the previous one - and this one did not let me down
#3 in Murphy's Law - and each book I've read so far has felt like a really good book by a different author. Which just goes to speak to Grace Turner's versatility, as a writer.
This one was a love story across the ages; so emotional and raw. Where #1 and #2 had a sort of mystery/suspense/dark subplot line, this story was focused on Ivy and James and their relationship. Young love that soured on a misunderstanding/miscommunication, with a chance to resolve itself, 13 years later.
"I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief" - CS Lewis
Young love that was misunderstood and buried within a complex knot of anger, compounded over the years. Their reconnection is an opportunity to peel back the skin and reveal the myriad of underlying complex emotions that each of them has battled with, over the years, and are now forced to reckon with the reopening of old wounds. It was almost painful to read in parts but its the reality of life and relationships, and Grace didn't shy away from the difficult details.
This was a tumultuous love story with a HEA. I loved the journey.
And Grace Turner didn't disappoint. Again.
FACT: I squirrel & save her books to get me through reading slumps
FACT: With each book, I wonder it will be as good as the previous one - and this one did not let me down
#3 in Murphy's Law - and each book I've read so far has felt like a really good book by a different author. Which just goes to speak to Grace Turner's versatility, as a writer.
This one was a love story across the ages; so emotional and raw. Where #1 and #2 had a sort of mystery/suspense/dark subplot line, this story was focused on Ivy and James and their relationship. Young love that soured on a misunderstanding/miscommunication, with a chance to resolve itself, 13 years later.
"I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief" - CS Lewis
Young love that was misunderstood and buried within a complex knot of anger, compounded over the years. Their reconnection is an opportunity to peel back the skin and reveal the myriad of underlying complex emotions that each of them has battled with, over the years, and are now forced to reckon with the reopening of old wounds. It was almost painful to read in parts but its the reality of life and relationships, and Grace didn't shy away from the difficult details.
This was a tumultuous love story with a HEA. I loved the journey.
And Grace Turner didn't disappoint. Again.
November 28, 2023
Read if you enjoy:
Dual POV & Dual Timelines
Hate to Love
One That Got Away
This story follows Ivy, a curvy, sassy volleyball coach who has just moved to Austin, Texas, for a fresh start. Needing the extra income, she also starts work at a bar part-time only to find out the owners of the bar are best friends with the man she has been avoiding for the last thirteen years. James and Ivy spent every moment they could together in the last month before heading off to college. Their relationship ended in heartbreak, and they haven’t spoken since. Seeing each other again brings all the feelings and attraction back to the surface.
This read was heart-wrenching in the absolutely best way. This right person, wrong time book left me emotionally raw, and I couldn’t put it down. I cried, I laughed, and I rooted for them to heal and love again. The characters were lovable and relatable. This is an absolutely fantastic read that I have zero criticism for. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an emotional second-chance love story.
Thank you, Grace, for providing me with an ARC copy of Undeniable in exchange for an honest review ❤️
Dual POV & Dual Timelines
Hate to Love
One That Got Away
This story follows Ivy, a curvy, sassy volleyball coach who has just moved to Austin, Texas, for a fresh start. Needing the extra income, she also starts work at a bar part-time only to find out the owners of the bar are best friends with the man she has been avoiding for the last thirteen years. James and Ivy spent every moment they could together in the last month before heading off to college. Their relationship ended in heartbreak, and they haven’t spoken since. Seeing each other again brings all the feelings and attraction back to the surface.
This read was heart-wrenching in the absolutely best way. This right person, wrong time book left me emotionally raw, and I couldn’t put it down. I cried, I laughed, and I rooted for them to heal and love again. The characters were lovable and relatable. This is an absolutely fantastic read that I have zero criticism for. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for an emotional second-chance love story.
Thank you, Grace, for providing me with an ARC copy of Undeniable in exchange for an honest review ❤️
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews