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So F*cking Special: 1996
A 90's Friday Night Lights meets Fifty Shades... only the town is the sadomasochist and the two young lovers its pawns.
July Elizabeth Edwards is stuck in the existence her pretentious, rural East Texas town has allotted her. A shift in social status junior year provokes unlikely ride or die friendships, others' secrets she's not allowed to tell, and an unexpected crush on the ambitious Adrian Reed. The result is far more insatiable than anyone anticipated.
Before cell phones and social media, walk the halls of Pure Pines High as they are set figuratively to a Soundtrack of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Counting Crows, R.E.M., The Cranberries and Radiohead... When the preps were challenged by the grunge phase, and polo shirts and loafers were traded in for flannel shirts and name brand combat boots. Their world was changing, and it was hard to remain CLUELESS.
She’s known and competed with him her entire life. He was conceited and arrogant. She was treading water to survive Pure Pines. When circumstances strip them of cheerleading and football, the odds throw a replacement neither of them expects, and something the halls of Pure Pines High are certain to reject. One touch, an out of ordinary lingering stare, and something ignites that won't die down, only does it count if it's a secret? How long will it stay behind closed doors? When love is denied, lust becomes unapologetic.
So F*cking 1996, Book one of the YA to New Adult 90's Series hit number one in #lusttolove on its Wattpad debut, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
"Cruel intentions and My so Called Life, re-examined through a modern lens.”
"From best friends to boyfriends to bullying, sex and drugs, So F*cking Special is a coming-of-age story that demands to be read. It’s Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice. Raye Murphy writes an insightful, delightful tale that has readers fully invested in the futures of Adrian and July. I’m dying to read more.” — PJ Jones, author of The Cop Reporter, No Place for the Weak at Heart and The Evil I Have Seen
July Elizabeth Edwards is stuck in the existence her pretentious, rural East Texas town has allotted her. A shift in social status junior year provokes unlikely ride or die friendships, others' secrets she's not allowed to tell, and an unexpected crush on the ambitious Adrian Reed. The result is far more insatiable than anyone anticipated.
Before cell phones and social media, walk the halls of Pure Pines High as they are set figuratively to a Soundtrack of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Counting Crows, R.E.M., The Cranberries and Radiohead... When the preps were challenged by the grunge phase, and polo shirts and loafers were traded in for flannel shirts and name brand combat boots. Their world was changing, and it was hard to remain CLUELESS.
She’s known and competed with him her entire life. He was conceited and arrogant. She was treading water to survive Pure Pines. When circumstances strip them of cheerleading and football, the odds throw a replacement neither of them expects, and something the halls of Pure Pines High are certain to reject. One touch, an out of ordinary lingering stare, and something ignites that won't die down, only does it count if it's a secret? How long will it stay behind closed doors? When love is denied, lust becomes unapologetic.
So F*cking 1996, Book one of the YA to New Adult 90's Series hit number one in #lusttolove on its Wattpad debut, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
"Cruel intentions and My so Called Life, re-examined through a modern lens.”
"From best friends to boyfriends to bullying, sex and drugs, So F*cking Special is a coming-of-age story that demands to be read. It’s Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice. Raye Murphy writes an insightful, delightful tale that has readers fully invested in the futures of Adrian and July. I’m dying to read more.” — PJ Jones, author of The Cop Reporter, No Place for the Weak at Heart and The Evil I Have Seen
491 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2024
4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Raye Murphy
2 books17 followersAuthor Raye murphy writes YA-New Adult Romance, Historical Romance, Romantasy, and Dark Romance.
So F*cking Special: 1996, Book One of her Ya-New Adult 90's Series debuted on Wattpad and hit number one in #lusttolove, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
So F*cking Special: 1996, Book One of her Ya-New Adult 90's Series debuted on Wattpad and hit number one in #lusttolove, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 23, 2024
What a great book and a Time Machine! This was such a blast to the past! If you grew up in a small town in the 90’s this one needs to be at the top of your list! Great story, great characters! Loved it from beginning to end!
May 6, 2024
I received an arc copy of this book, and i really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down! Can't wait for book 2! For a girl born in 1998 it really took me on a ride through the 90s!
August 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for rhe ARC.
So F*cking Special dived into the messy intensity of teenage life in the 90s. The grunge-era setting is perfectly captured, from the music to the atmosphere, and it really took me back.
I loved the tension between July and Adrian. Their enemies-to-something-more dynamic had me hooked, even when the pacing felt a little slow at the start. July especially stood out as a complex, flawed, and magnetic lead, and her voice carried the story beautifully.
It was a little too angsty for me, but it was authentic, and by the end, I was completely invested. A strong start to what feels like a series with so much more to give. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.
So F*cking Special dived into the messy intensity of teenage life in the 90s. The grunge-era setting is perfectly captured, from the music to the atmosphere, and it really took me back.
I loved the tension between July and Adrian. Their enemies-to-something-more dynamic had me hooked, even when the pacing felt a little slow at the start. July especially stood out as a complex, flawed, and magnetic lead, and her voice carried the story beautifully.
It was a little too angsty for me, but it was authentic, and by the end, I was completely invested. A strong start to what feels like a series with so much more to give. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book.
June 15, 2024
Raye Murphy writes the YA book of generation X! This 90's world, these characters... July and Adrian are written so well. The tension, the friendships I was captivated by their story, and cannot wait for what book two in the series promises. Don't let the world building of a YA book fool you... this one is worth the slow burn. In fact, it is a slow burn done top notch. The cliff hanger to book two has me searching the internet for it's release date! Also: No spoilers, but it must be said that the book opens on a prologue from both character's POV that I believe sets up the series. LOVED that some questions won't be answered until the 2nd and third books. That's a cleverness we usually only see in fantasy books. Love that the author used that device around July and Adrian's love story. Nicely done! Can't wait for more. I am addicted to those two!
November 27, 2024
This story truly hits each mark
From the pain of not being chosen to the constant banter from teens etc.
If you need a throwback to highschool drama but with a twist this book is for you.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series
From the pain of not being chosen to the constant banter from teens etc.
If you need a throwback to highschool drama but with a twist this book is for you.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series
January 5, 2026
📚So F king Special:1996
✍🏻Raye Murphy
Blurb:
A 90's Friday Night Lights meets Fifty Shades... only the town is the sadomasochist and the two young lovers its pawns.
July Elizabeth Edwards is stuck in the existence her pretentious, rural East Texas town has allotted her. A shift in social status junior year provokes unlikely ride or die friendships, others' secrets she's not allowed to tell, and an unexpected crush on the ambitious Adrian Reed. The result is far more insatiable than anyone anticipated.
Before cell phones and social media, walk the halls of Pure Pines High as they are set figuratively to a Soundtrack of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Counting Crows, R.E.M., The Cranberries and Radiohead... When the preps were challenged by the grunge phase, and polo shirts and loafers were traded in for flannel shirts and name brand combat boots. Their world was changing, and it was hard to remain CLUELESS.
She’s known and competed with him her entire life. He was conceited and arrogant. She was treading water to survive Pure Pines. When circumstances strip them of cheerleading and football, the odds throw a replacement neither of them expects, and something the halls of Pure Pines High are certain to reject. One touch, an out of ordinary lingering stare, and something ignites that won't die down, only does it count if it's a secret? How long will it stay behind closed doors? When love is denied, lust becomes unapologetic.
So F*cking 1996, Book one of the YA to New Adult 90's Series hit number one in #lusttolove on its Wattpad debut, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
"Cruel intentions and My so Called Life, re-examined through a modern lens.”
"From best friends to boyfriends to bullying, sex and drugs, So F*cking Special is a coming-of-age story that demands to be read. It’s Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice. Raye Murphy writes an insightful, delightful tale that has readers fully invested in the futures of Adrian and July. I’m dying to read more.” — PJ Jones, author of The Cop Reporter, No Place for the Weak at Heart and The Evil I Have Seen
My Thoughts:
This story looks at life through the eyes of teens as they try to navigate friendships, high school social hierarchy, and their own hearts. Adrian and July are so unexpectedly relatable. Their enemies to lovers romance is driven by resistance and lust, and before you know it there is a deep connection..I loved the tension between July and Adrian. Their enemies-to-something-more dynamic had me hooked, I loved this book, Would recommend to other.
Thanks NetGalley, RupertBossier and Author Raye Murphy for the advanced copy of "So F king Special:1996". I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RuperBossier
#RayeMurphy
#So F kingSpecial:1996
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Raye Murphy
Blurb:
A 90's Friday Night Lights meets Fifty Shades... only the town is the sadomasochist and the two young lovers its pawns.
July Elizabeth Edwards is stuck in the existence her pretentious, rural East Texas town has allotted her. A shift in social status junior year provokes unlikely ride or die friendships, others' secrets she's not allowed to tell, and an unexpected crush on the ambitious Adrian Reed. The result is far more insatiable than anyone anticipated.
Before cell phones and social media, walk the halls of Pure Pines High as they are set figuratively to a Soundtrack of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Counting Crows, R.E.M., The Cranberries and Radiohead... When the preps were challenged by the grunge phase, and polo shirts and loafers were traded in for flannel shirts and name brand combat boots. Their world was changing, and it was hard to remain CLUELESS.
She’s known and competed with him her entire life. He was conceited and arrogant. She was treading water to survive Pure Pines. When circumstances strip them of cheerleading and football, the odds throw a replacement neither of them expects, and something the halls of Pure Pines High are certain to reject. One touch, an out of ordinary lingering stare, and something ignites that won't die down, only does it count if it's a secret? How long will it stay behind closed doors? When love is denied, lust becomes unapologetic.
So F*cking 1996, Book one of the YA to New Adult 90's Series hit number one in #lusttolove on its Wattpad debut, and won first place in the Enemies to Lovers Category for 2024's Ultimate Romance Awards.
"Cruel intentions and My so Called Life, re-examined through a modern lens.”
"From best friends to boyfriends to bullying, sex and drugs, So F*cking Special is a coming-of-age story that demands to be read. It’s Pretty in Pink meets Pride and Prejudice. Raye Murphy writes an insightful, delightful tale that has readers fully invested in the futures of Adrian and July. I’m dying to read more.” — PJ Jones, author of The Cop Reporter, No Place for the Weak at Heart and The Evil I Have Seen
My Thoughts:
This story looks at life through the eyes of teens as they try to navigate friendships, high school social hierarchy, and their own hearts. Adrian and July are so unexpectedly relatable. Their enemies to lovers romance is driven by resistance and lust, and before you know it there is a deep connection..I loved the tension between July and Adrian. Their enemies-to-something-more dynamic had me hooked, I loved this book, Would recommend to other.
Thanks NetGalley, RupertBossier and Author Raye Murphy for the advanced copy of "So F king Special:1996". I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#RuperBossier
#RayeMurphy
#So F kingSpecial:1996
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 20, 2024
Review: So F*cking Special (1996)
Stars: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re a product of a 90s small-town high school, this book will transport you right back to those hallways like a time capsule. I swear, while reading this, I could practically hear the locker doors slamming and the murmur of gossip in the cafeteria. "So F*cking Special" is a beautifully nostalgic nod to a time before social media ruled our lives—when what really mattered was who you were crushing on, whether you’d make the team, and where everyone was meeting up on Friday night.
July Elizabeth Edwards’ journey felt like I was reliving my own teenage years, struggling to navigate the maze of friendships, crushes, and social hierarchies. Her East Texas town could have been any of our towns—pretentious, judgmental, and so intimately small that secrets were currency. The romance between her and Adrian Reed was fiery and unexpected, yet totally believable in its slow burn. It reminded me of how intense everything felt at that age, like the world could break or be rebuilt depending on who noticed you that day.
Set to a soundtrack that hit me right in the feels (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Cranberries—come on, how perfect is that?), this book nailed the grunge-era vibe. Seriously...LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST...YOU WILL BE TRANSPORTED!!!! The transition from polo shirts and preppy cliques to flannel and Doc Martens was almost like watching history unfold again in my mind--I was a flannel girlie(fyi). It’s like "Friday Night Lights" meets "Fifty Shades," but the real sadomasochist is the town itself, manipulating its young lovers like pawns in a twisted survival game.
For those of us who were there, this book feels like a slow dance at prom—awkward, nostalgic, and bittersweet. And yes, I’ll admit, I wanted Calgon to take me back--back to a time when the biggest worries were boys, sports, and homework. If you were a 90s teen, this is one ride you don’t want to miss--so throw on your flannel, get out your Clearasil, turn on the Cranberries, and read this book with your besties and wax poetic about the past for ultimate vibes!
Stars: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you’re a product of a 90s small-town high school, this book will transport you right back to those hallways like a time capsule. I swear, while reading this, I could practically hear the locker doors slamming and the murmur of gossip in the cafeteria. "So F*cking Special" is a beautifully nostalgic nod to a time before social media ruled our lives—when what really mattered was who you were crushing on, whether you’d make the team, and where everyone was meeting up on Friday night.
July Elizabeth Edwards’ journey felt like I was reliving my own teenage years, struggling to navigate the maze of friendships, crushes, and social hierarchies. Her East Texas town could have been any of our towns—pretentious, judgmental, and so intimately small that secrets were currency. The romance between her and Adrian Reed was fiery and unexpected, yet totally believable in its slow burn. It reminded me of how intense everything felt at that age, like the world could break or be rebuilt depending on who noticed you that day.
Set to a soundtrack that hit me right in the feels (Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Cranberries—come on, how perfect is that?), this book nailed the grunge-era vibe. Seriously...LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST...YOU WILL BE TRANSPORTED!!!! The transition from polo shirts and preppy cliques to flannel and Doc Martens was almost like watching history unfold again in my mind--I was a flannel girlie(fyi). It’s like "Friday Night Lights" meets "Fifty Shades," but the real sadomasochist is the town itself, manipulating its young lovers like pawns in a twisted survival game.
For those of us who were there, this book feels like a slow dance at prom—awkward, nostalgic, and bittersweet. And yes, I’ll admit, I wanted Calgon to take me back--back to a time when the biggest worries were boys, sports, and homework. If you were a 90s teen, this is one ride you don’t want to miss--so throw on your flannel, get out your Clearasil, turn on the Cranberries, and read this book with your besties and wax poetic about the past for ultimate vibes!
July 16, 2024
What are you looking for in a book? If you're looking for erotic sex scenes, you won't get it in So F*cking Special: 1996. But if you are looking for an earthy story about teenagers navigating the politics of small-town high school, you will love this book. It's not just for those who can identify; those who went to high school in the 1990s. I recommend it for all parents because the trials of teenagers today are much the same as they were then. Peer pressure, grades, athletic achievement, extra-curricular activities-- did I mention peer pressure? Yes, it's worth mentioning twice because peer pressure drives teenage angst more than grades or athletic prowess. And they’re dealing with all these pressures while their hormones are suddenly raging. Read this book and appreciate where your kids' heads are. Better understand the pressures they are juggling. I found the story compelling. Would July and Adrian ever get their *&^ crap together? It's a slow burn, for sure. The author does an excellent job of hooking the reader into their mutual but hidden attraction. We experience their chemistry deepening, only to be thwarted by peer pressure and their inner fears of rejection. We experience their attempts at intimacy, their foibles, and, finally, their success. Me, personally? I found So F*cking Special 1996 to be a very special book.
November 1, 2025
The first 33% of this book had me fully convinced the author had lifted it straight from a TV show. I actually paused to Google if it had been adapted already — before remembering I was reading an ARC. That’s how familiar it felt.
From the cheerleader crush calling out at the first game and freezing on the name she really wanted to say, to the older, cooler girl stepping in to tell her who to call instead — it was déjà vu in print. Then the FMC catching the coach creeping the girls’ changing in tbe locker room, and the whole walking-in-on-a-rape-at-a-party scene… at that point I was sure I’d seen this before, (my mind kept circling back to Cruel Summer season one)
Maybe it was meant to pay homage to ‘90s teen tropes, but it leaned a little too hard into imitation. I wanted edgy nostalgia; I got recycled plot points.
The premise was great and the playlist was fire — I actually kept it looping on low while reading, and it definitely set the mood. But overall, this one wasnt really SO F*CKING SPECIAL.. felt more like a rerun than anything new.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — I wanted to love it, but it ended up feeling like a rerun.
From the cheerleader crush calling out at the first game and freezing on the name she really wanted to say, to the older, cooler girl stepping in to tell her who to call instead — it was déjà vu in print. Then the FMC catching the coach creeping the girls’ changing in tbe locker room, and the whole walking-in-on-a-rape-at-a-party scene… at that point I was sure I’d seen this before, (my mind kept circling back to Cruel Summer season one)
Maybe it was meant to pay homage to ‘90s teen tropes, but it leaned a little too hard into imitation. I wanted edgy nostalgia; I got recycled plot points.
The premise was great and the playlist was fire — I actually kept it looping on low while reading, and it definitely set the mood. But overall, this one wasnt really SO F*CKING SPECIAL.. felt more like a rerun than anything new.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC — I wanted to love it, but it ended up feeling like a rerun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
So Fcking Special: 1996* by Raye Murphy is everything I love in a slow-burn romance, wrapped in pure 90s nostalgia. Set in small-town East Texas, it captures that pre-social-media high school world so vividly I could practically hear locker doors slam and smell the pencil shavings in homeroom.
July Elizabeth Edwards and Adrian Reed’s relationship is a perfect mix of history, rivalry, and tension-filled attraction. Murphy doesn’t rush them—she lets the chemistry simmer, making every shift in their dynamic hit harder. The writing is both atmospheric and raw, and the 90s references (Pearl Jam, The Cranberries, grunge flannel vibes) add a heartbeat to the story.
It’s more than just a romance—it’s about identity, social pressure, and navigating that messy space between adolescence and adulthood. The pacing is deliberate, but it works, letting you live in the moment with these characters. By the time it builds to its emotional payoff, you feel it.
If you love enemies-to-lovers slow burns with real emotional depth, rich setting details, and a dose of 90s grunge, this is the perfect read.
July Elizabeth Edwards and Adrian Reed’s relationship is a perfect mix of history, rivalry, and tension-filled attraction. Murphy doesn’t rush them—she lets the chemistry simmer, making every shift in their dynamic hit harder. The writing is both atmospheric and raw, and the 90s references (Pearl Jam, The Cranberries, grunge flannel vibes) add a heartbeat to the story.
It’s more than just a romance—it’s about identity, social pressure, and navigating that messy space between adolescence and adulthood. The pacing is deliberate, but it works, letting you live in the moment with these characters. By the time it builds to its emotional payoff, you feel it.
If you love enemies-to-lovers slow burns with real emotional depth, rich setting details, and a dose of 90s grunge, this is the perfect read.
December 7, 2025
wow, after that ending, I need book 2 immediately!
Set in the 90s, this story follows a high school friend group and provides a blend of tension, drama and cultural references. The relationship between Adrian and July is captivating. Their dynamic is complex and unsolved in this volume. They begin as kind of enemies that share the same friends, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Still, drama and certain characters continually pull them apart, leaving me full of anticipation for the moment they finally come together. I also really enjoyed the friendship dynamics woven into the story.
After having finished the book, the start of the story, which is set in the future when July and Adrian are adults, only heightened my curiosity. What events led them to that moment and what awaits them after?
Thank you NetGalley and Raye Murphy for giving me the arc. This review is solely based on my opinion.
tropes:
-angsty and complex relationships
-90s setting
-slow burn
-high school setting
Set in the 90s, this story follows a high school friend group and provides a blend of tension, drama and cultural references. The relationship between Adrian and July is captivating. Their dynamic is complex and unsolved in this volume. They begin as kind of enemies that share the same friends, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Still, drama and certain characters continually pull them apart, leaving me full of anticipation for the moment they finally come together. I also really enjoyed the friendship dynamics woven into the story.
After having finished the book, the start of the story, which is set in the future when July and Adrian are adults, only heightened my curiosity. What events led them to that moment and what awaits them after?
Thank you NetGalley and Raye Murphy for giving me the arc. This review is solely based on my opinion.
tropes:
-angsty and complex relationships
-90s setting
-slow burn
-high school setting
December 21, 2025
I have to start by saying that I hate the miscommunication trope with a passion. Can't stand it, don't want it, chuck it in the bin.
HOWEVER. (!!!!)
It just fit here?
I was a bit confused sometimes as to the why of it all, but honestly I feel like our MCs were too. They were messy, all over the place, teenagers so OFC they will jump to conclusions, overreact and basically.. act their age? I mean, everything in this book was so completely justified by their age and I loved it because I usually feel teenagers in books don't actually act like teenagers. So hooray for them not having to be grown-ups at 16/17.
I also loved the nostalgia of it all. The 90s just hit different man.
HOWEVER. (!!!!)
It just fit here?
I was a bit confused sometimes as to the why of it all, but honestly I feel like our MCs were too. They were messy, all over the place, teenagers so OFC they will jump to conclusions, overreact and basically.. act their age? I mean, everything in this book was so completely justified by their age and I loved it because I usually feel teenagers in books don't actually act like teenagers. So hooray for them not having to be grown-ups at 16/17.
I also loved the nostalgia of it all. The 90s just hit different man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Talk about a blast from the past! This was pure 90s nostalgia and I 👏🏼 ATE 👏🏼 IT 👏🏼 UP 👏🏼!!!
This book was like a time machine transporting me right back to my adolescence, argumentatively one of the greatest times to be alive. If you are millennial, especially one from a small town, you are most definitely going to want to read this book! Get your old high school playlists out and allow yourself to be fully immersed into this slow burn love story. I could not get enough of July and Adrian. Bring on book 2!
This book was like a time machine transporting me right back to my adolescence, argumentatively one of the greatest times to be alive. If you are millennial, especially one from a small town, you are most definitely going to want to read this book! Get your old high school playlists out and allow yourself to be fully immersed into this slow burn love story. I could not get enough of July and Adrian. Bring on book 2!
September 24, 2025
Lets start with the fact that I graduated HS in 1996. This book made me cringe and laugh all in one. It was like a flashback to my HS years!
Told in dueling POVs between July and Adrian, we explore the relationships, friendships, frenemies and everything in-between of a small rural town in Texas. This is a great YA angst type drama perfect to remind us exactly why we either loved or hated HS.
I gotta say, I don't think I needed a cliffhanger but am excited to see what the year 1998 brings!
Thank you to Raye Murphy and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Told in dueling POVs between July and Adrian, we explore the relationships, friendships, frenemies and everything in-between of a small rural town in Texas. This is a great YA angst type drama perfect to remind us exactly why we either loved or hated HS.
I gotta say, I don't think I needed a cliffhanger but am excited to see what the year 1998 brings!
Thank you to Raye Murphy and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2025
This is my first Raye Murphy book, and it did not disappoint. Loved that it takes place in the 90's. July and Adrian are well written. It has so much tension and the friendships seem so real I was hooked by their story and cannot wait for book two. This is a YA book that has one of the best slow burns. This does end with a cliff hanger. This is told in both July and Adrians POV which I loved so much. So that means some questions won't be answered until the 2nd and third books. Thank you NetGalley.
November 23, 2025
First off, you give me a high school love story set in the 90’s?! Instant yes from me to read. I loved how we were introduced to July and Adrian with the leg grab and waist hold *swoon* this was a typically miscommunication/no communication trope and I have a love/ hate with it. It makes it feel so much more tragic but it makes more sense because these are teenagers. Scared to be vulnerable and show their cards and that’s something I think everyone can relate to. I’m curious about all the secrets in the town and if more will come out in the next book. Well I’m hooked and can’t wait for more!
January 13, 2026
I really wanted to like So F*cking Special: 1996 — especially since I was born in 1996 and expected to feel some kind of connection or nostalgia going in. Unfortunately, it ended up being more style than substance for me.
The vibe is strong and very committed to being gritty and raw, but after a while it feels like the book is insisting on its own significance rather than earning it. The characters never fully clicked for me, and without that emotional anchor, a lot of the heavier moments fell flat.
There’s also a lot of repetition in tone and theme, which made the pacing feel sluggish. By the end, I was more relieved to finish than eager to see where it was going.
Not a bad book, but it didn’t live up to what it promised — or what I was hoping for.
The vibe is strong and very committed to being gritty and raw, but after a while it feels like the book is insisting on its own significance rather than earning it. The characters never fully clicked for me, and without that emotional anchor, a lot of the heavier moments fell flat.
There’s also a lot of repetition in tone and theme, which made the pacing feel sluggish. By the end, I was more relieved to finish than eager to see where it was going.
Not a bad book, but it didn’t live up to what it promised — or what I was hoping for.
September 1, 2025
I was provided with a copy through Netgalley. I really struggled with the pacing of this book. I felt like we had hardly any interaction between the main characters until 44%. I was super drawn to the music aspect, the title, and the cover. It just fell a bit flat for me. The dynamics of the various friendships also felt very odd to me. I think you would like this if you enjoy Chloe Walsh books. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
August 25, 2025
Loved this book from start to finish proper ninety’s nostalgia took me right back to my youth ,, really good representation of that era and what it was like to be in school and all the dramas evolved.. loved the way the characters built feel really connected to them and the way the love story built a great story of how teenagers struggle to communicate their feelings for others
November 29, 2025
It was too long and Adrian's POV was not as developed as July's and the voices weren't too different from each other. A lot of exposition about their suburb and the power dynamics at school and not enough between the two leads.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
December 31, 2025
Very nostalgic read, and different from a lot of contemporary romances I’ve read recently.
But honestly did read like a wattpad at some points which was hard to get out of when I have like no connection to the 90s.
Overall, I agree with the description of if cruel intentions was a movie
But honestly did read like a wattpad at some points which was hard to get out of when I have like no connection to the 90s.
Overall, I agree with the description of if cruel intentions was a movie
June 16, 2024
Amazing trip down memory lane! The characters were very relatable, and the “soundtrack” was my love language! A page-turner in every way!
June 21, 2025
Obsessed with JULY AND ADRIAN!
I really dove into this one, and couldn't put it down. It was a more interesting YA read as it took me back to the 90's in REAL HIGH SCHOOL CIRCUMSTANCES of a small pretentious town, as opposed to the cliche writing normally associated w/ high school situations. These characters feel so uniquely real, and the friendships are incredibly well developed. LOVED THE PLAYLIST. The book laces a few chapter illustrations or images throughout that I found an intriguing bonus. They had me guessing what was to come in each new chapter. Really top notch YA read and kick off to the new adult series. I enjoyed Raye Murphy's writing style and find myself anxious to be in that world again. Can't wait for book 2. I believe it will be the spicy New Adult of the Series, with one more book to follow.
I really dove into this one, and couldn't put it down. It was a more interesting YA read as it took me back to the 90's in REAL HIGH SCHOOL CIRCUMSTANCES of a small pretentious town, as opposed to the cliche writing normally associated w/ high school situations. These characters feel so uniquely real, and the friendships are incredibly well developed. LOVED THE PLAYLIST. The book laces a few chapter illustrations or images throughout that I found an intriguing bonus. They had me guessing what was to come in each new chapter. Really top notch YA read and kick off to the new adult series. I enjoyed Raye Murphy's writing style and find myself anxious to be in that world again. Can't wait for book 2. I believe it will be the spicy New Adult of the Series, with one more book to follow.
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