Crave and Torn

Billionaire Bachelors Club #1-2

by Monica Murphy

From  New York Times  bestselling author Monica Murphy comes two spicy romances in the Billionaire Bachelors Club series—in one volume!   Crave He’s an arrogant billionaire who always gets what he wants, but what if his best friend’s sister is the one person he can’t have?   Billionaire bachelor Archer Bancroft is hot as sin and always gets what he wants. But what he wants is Ivy Emerson, his best friend’s sister, and the one person he can’t—shouldn’t—crave. But Ivy isn’t the only thing Archer wants—there’s also the million-dollar bet with his friends to be the last bachelor standing.  Ivy knows Archer is nothing but he’s infuriating, arrogant...and completely intoxicating. But everything changes when a stolen kiss leads to a night neither can forget. 
Torn In this enemies-to-lovers romance, she’ll do anything to protect her family’s business, but what happens when her heart stands in the way?   Marina Knight came to this party for one thing to slap Gage Emerson in the face. No one, especially not this sexy tycoon, is going to snatch up her family's real estate empire. He’s on the verge of making an enemy for life—even if he can make her melt with a single kiss …  When Gage discovers that the alluring woman before him is the key to his latest acquisition, claiming her as his suddenly doesn’t seem quite so cut-and-dried. To get what he wants, he must get to know the fierce woman willing to face him down—as she steadily steals his heart.  As they delve deeper into an affair they didn’t see coming, Marina’s Will she lose her heart to Gage—or everything she holds dear?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 30, 2024

About the author

New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.

Sign up for my newsletter: https://monicamurphyauthor.com/subscribe

Hang out with me on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/monicamurphyauthor

I'm on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monicamurphya...

Reviews

[Gianna Lian · Rating 3 out of 5]

rtc… but overall rating: 3/5⭐️s. I hate insta-love and this book was pretty much the definition of it...

[Addie Yoder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crave and Torn were fast paced steamy romances that were perfect to read while between trips when I was unable to sit and focus on a complicated story line. They were short billionaire romances that connected to each other (three guys make a bet that they wont fall in love). While not earth shattering, they were the right books for the right time.

[Kaity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two stories in one and they are both so damn hot! ;p

[Megan Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review #8 of 2024!
“Crave & Torn” by Monica Murphy
Tropes: Brother’s Best friend, Enemies to Lovers, Million Dollar Bet, Billionaire Men.
Rating: 4⭐️’s for plot & 2🌶️’s for spice.
•
I first wanted to say a huge thank you to @avonbooks for sending me a gifted copy of this book to read and review! I honestly finished this beauty just in time to share that it publishes next Tuesday, January 30, 2024🎉
•
I went into this book blind, having never read any other books by the author nor having read any other billionaire romance storylines, and I really enjoyed both of the storylines and how they interconnected to each other. The first book, Crave, follows a best friend of the brother falling in love with the brother’s younger sister, while the second book, Torn, follows the brother from the first book falling in love with an enemy real estate business woman. I actually enjoyed seeing the characters and their relationships grow.
•
Below are some of my favorite quotes:
1. “He kisses me like he’s a starving man and I’m the only thing he craves. I can feel his erection nudging between my legs, and I’m so wet for him it’s almost embarrassing”.
2. “Then what exactly is this new place supposed to be? It’s whatever your heart desires, whatever your lover wants. Hence the name Crave, considering it fits so perfectly. A discrete, comfortable, safe place where you can discover your secret fantasies, indulge in your secret wants”.
3. “Don’t. Don’t what? Don’t touch you? Don’t stop? Which is it, Marina? He whispers the questions across my lips, his own hot and delicious. I’m torn. I don’t know what to do. I want him to stop. But then again, I want him to keep going. I want to know what it feels like to be with Gage”.

[Blasi Whitehead · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 short stories both decent

[Shelbi Symons · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moves to quick for me!

[paris schafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty spicy, a nice light read as a filler. i loveee a cheesy romance

[☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book put me into a reading slump but you can tell by seeing how long it took me to finish this book 😭 keep in mind, it’s not a long book lol.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savor Review
My Rating: 4/5

My Thoughts: Billionaire Archer enjoys the occasional hookup with no strings attached. He bets with his friends that he will be the last bachelor in their group. Unfortunately for him, the women who flock to him aren't taking the hint. Ivy, his best friend's younger sister, has always been slightly attracted to Archer; however, she isn't a fan of his personality. Archer and her are constantly being pulled together, and while their attraction is mutual, every time they start to move forward, Archer puts his foot in his mouth. This was a fun, spicy, short read.

Torn Review
My Rating 4/5

My Thoughts: Gage is ready to take on one of his biggest deals when he meets Marina. Unknowingly that she is the key to the deal that could end up destroying her. Marina is ready to put up a fight with Gage. This book deals with drama, some angst, spice. I enjoyed reading their story.

[Permanently_Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murphy where have you been hiding and why didn't I know about these? I love when authors glow-up their book babies because readers like myself get to find new reads to fawn over.

The first two books in the Billionaire Bachelors Club series are now in one lovely volume full of

▫️Hot explicit scenes
▫️Tall, Dark & Handsome Teddy Bears
▫️The Brother's Bestie
▫️Enemies to Lovers
▫️Banter

I enjoyed each couple dynamic and liked the almost power couple vibe they had by the end. Archer and Ivy's chemistry in Crave was a bomb that ignited fast and hot while Gage and Marina in Torn had a more controlled burn as their rivalries simmered.

I chuckled, I swooned... I hide my pages as I read a few times.... Some of it seemed a little too fast paced. However, the break-up to make-up was not overdone and I loved that! True rating is a 3.5/5.

[Jen Altman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m so unbelievably bored that I need to pull the plug on this 2-in-1 book. I made it through Crave and about 1/3 through Torn. Both stories really have no substance whatsoever. They’re smut with a little storyline and zero character development. The characters barely know each other, have no chemistry but jump into bed right away. I guess that works for some people 🤷‍♀️

I probably would have trudged my way through the rest of Torn, but I’m listening to the audiobook, and the narrator for Gage has a voice that’s like nails on a chalkboard. It’s so annoying and doesn’t fit the billionaire business tycoon character at all. It sounds more like an overly enthusiastic surfer dude. 🥴 🙉

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up. That’s being generous…

[Sav · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oooof 🫩 boooorrrring. This is one book but with two books in it: crave is book one and then torn is the second book half way through. It was a bit lame, but the story kept me intriguedISH so I was able to read it through in about 48 hours while my kids were in school. It was an easy read because it’s a short written book but holy hell was it cringe. That’s coming from someone who loves archers voice so I am a sucker for fast pace fall hard romance but Just don’t bother if you don’t wanna be put in a slump.. had this on my shelf for sooooo long and it really wasn’t anything to remember. Make a bet on a girl, girl is your bsf sister, fight, make up and then rinse repeat for the second book. Meh lol

[Kelsea Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book is terrible. I grabbed it quickly on my way to a flight without looking at reviews and this was soooo underwhelming. TBH I'm about 85% through the book and I just can't bring myself to finish it. I love a spicy book, don't get me wrong, but when you have all spice and no plot I'm just lost in it. The storyline and the way people act reminds me of a wattpad story in the way that its soooooo trope-y. Betting on a girl? The girl is your bffs sister?

[Anniee Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, this was my first time reading a book by this author! I was immediately in love. I read both books in a day. I was hooked. Between the three guys: Archer, Gage, and Matt were a hoot! It all started with a little bet and ended up being more because love always wins!

Both stories Crave and Torn had me like woah! I highly recommend

[Giuliana Barletta · Rating 3 out of 5]

These novellas were short and spicy, which is just a nice quick in between read. Monica Murphy writes a lot of heavy romance so I found these to be a little more light hearted for her. They weren’t amazing nor were they terrible. Again they’re kinda short so the plots aren’t super dragged out or developed but they both include hea’s and were super easy to read.

[Alyssa Boggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only getting three stars because I like Torn a lot more than Crave. Craves writing felt… like I was craving more(pun heavily intended). It didn’t have emotion in it, it felt bland, and their story and attraction just didn’t feel real. Gage and Marina felt more real, and I love the ending to their story. The writing overall isn’t my jam, but it’s an easy quick read.

[Avie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short book to read, needed a filler book to read in between my more intense books and this was amazing. The book flows nicely giving both perspectives of the characters at the perfect time. As soon as I'm sick of one character the next one fills in details that keeps you entertained. Will definitely be reading more of her books.

[yna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to think of this as a filler book. I wasn’t particularly interested in the fast-paced, insta-love, steamy romance, but it’s a nice breather from books that make you overanalyze every line like it’s a literature exam. Teenage me would’ve devoured this on Wattpad and then stared at the ceiling fantasizing about my non-existent love life 😆

[Paige Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. They were both much shorter than I would have liked them to be. I feel like both of their stories could have extended, but they were still good books. I can not wait to see who wins the bet in the next book. I do recommend this series. For mature readers. This is a quick read.

[Shelley Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was good I really enjoyed the 1st 1/2 of the book. The 2nd 1/2 was the same story with different name and the same ending.

[Tabatha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a little disappointed in these books. They felt rushed. I would have liked to know more about these characters.

[Lexi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I preferred Torn but overall the books were predictable and similar. Typical bet, fall in love, big fight, get back together.

[Maggie Richmond · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to dnf it but I have to. I will come back to it. I just don’t know when. I am in a book slump

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda wish I would have read these two books separately then I think I would give it more stars. I just feel like I missed to much of the story reading the combo of the two book.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was two books in one. Too short. Both very similar. Definitely no character build up.

[Julie Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 short, spicy, romance books in one! The relationships are definite hard launches and escalate quickly but easy and fun reads!

[Lilianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never thought I was a stickler for a slow burn or a book that develops romance until I read crave and torn. Don’t get me wrong, the book held my attention for the duration of the two stories; however, I felt like I missed out on all the meat of the relationship. I get that it’s a novella but the whole time I was thinking ‘how is the formulaic romance structure gonna happen in like 20 pages.’ Overall, I was entertained throughout the book but honestly would have loved to have the plot developed a bit more…I was invested in the hotel development dynamic and the evolution of best friend sister trope in Crave.

[Melanie Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this two in one book. I definitely want to read the next book it recommends at the end

[Terra Clotfelter G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. These short books are short because they aren’t enough for a whole story IMO.

[Amber Kuykendoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book, lots of banter and spicy scenes