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The Undergrads #1
Student Union
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 13:20:30
50 copies available
U.S. only
From #1 New York Times–bestselling author Julie Murphy comes a sexy rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101...The first in a trilogy of romance novels that follows a group of girls as they navigate love, friendship, and new adulthood, this is perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.
CLOVER ROWAN WALSH knows The Plan™.
1. Get a full ride to her dream school, Wexley University.
2. Conquer the school of business.
3. Say goodbye to the paycheck-to-paycheck life she and her mom have known for years.
There’s just one hiccup. With the first semester rapidly approaching, Clover learns her housing grant has fallen through. But a loophole presents Married couples can live in the dorms for the price of one student. Clover is willing to sacrifice the sanctity of marriage . . . even if it means proposing to the one person she swore she’d never speak to again.
Bennett Andrew Graves is the only heir to the Graves Coffee empire. After spending his first year at Wexley, squeaking by in classes and becoming personally acquainted with the female student body, he is looking forward to living off campus. Until the girl he grew up with (and whom he completely devastated years ago) walks back into his life with the most absurd Will you marry me?
Bennett can’t refuse Clover. He owes her this, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two can barely carry on a conversation without getting at each other’s throats. Forget about sharing a dorm—much less one bed.
But as Clover and Bennett hide the true nature of their marriage, they find that playing house isn’t all that bad—especially with certain marital benefits in the mix. In fact, Clover and Bennett are soon forgetting the most important part of their fake marriage of convenience . . . that it’s supposed to be fake.
CLOVER ROWAN WALSH knows The Plan™.
1. Get a full ride to her dream school, Wexley University.
2. Conquer the school of business.
3. Say goodbye to the paycheck-to-paycheck life she and her mom have known for years.
There’s just one hiccup. With the first semester rapidly approaching, Clover learns her housing grant has fallen through. But a loophole presents Married couples can live in the dorms for the price of one student. Clover is willing to sacrifice the sanctity of marriage . . . even if it means proposing to the one person she swore she’d never speak to again.
Bennett Andrew Graves is the only heir to the Graves Coffee empire. After spending his first year at Wexley, squeaking by in classes and becoming personally acquainted with the female student body, he is looking forward to living off campus. Until the girl he grew up with (and whom he completely devastated years ago) walks back into his life with the most absurd Will you marry me?
Bennett can’t refuse Clover. He owes her this, but that doesn’t change the fact that these two can barely carry on a conversation without getting at each other’s throats. Forget about sharing a dorm—much less one bed.
But as Clover and Bennett hide the true nature of their marriage, they find that playing house isn’t all that bad—especially with certain marital benefits in the mix. In fact, Clover and Bennett are soon forgetting the most important part of their fake marriage of convenience . . . that it’s supposed to be fake.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 5, 2026
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About the author
Julie Murphy
27 books100 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
For books about animals, see Julie Murphy
For the author of Dumplin', see Julie Murphy
For books about animals, see Julie Murphy
For the author of Dumplin', see Julie Murphy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️
This was my first Julie Murphy book and I loved it! It's funny, light and fluffy and the characters feel so real.Their love story was really messy and complicated but so beautiful and I loved everythingabou them. I have to say that Julie Murphy knows how to write spice because this was so hot!!!
I'm soo excited for the next two books and I just know they will be amazing!
Read this if you love:
• marriage of convenience
• college setting
• dislike to lovers
• forced proximity
• so much banter
• one bed
Actual rating 4.25 ⭐️
This was my first Julie Murphy book and I loved it! It's funny, light and fluffy and the characters feel so real.Their love story was really messy and complicated but so beautiful and I loved everythingabou them. I have to say that Julie Murphy knows how to write spice because this was so hot!!!
I'm soo excited for the next two books and I just know they will be amazing!
Read this if you love:
• marriage of convenience
• college setting
• dislike to lovers
• forced proximity
• so much banter
• one bed
December 7, 2025
A fake dating/marriage college kids spicy romcom. Over grew up with Bennett, a few years younger. She and her mom were “the help” and because he owes her (no spoilers, but it’s kinda a sad story) they get married so she can qualify for married student housing.
The premise is ridiculous (I mean, if he’s so rich and he owes you, just have him chip in 5 grand for your dorm) and the back story is touching. I liked this but I didn’t love it, the chemistry felt a bit forced to me. Julie Murphy is a favorite author - I was hoping this would be less spicy since it is a YA/Childrens imprint. But definitely good for fans of Hannah Grace such as the Icebreaker series.
If you want something more on the sweet side, I do enjoy Dumplin and If the Shoe Fits.
Thanks to NetGalley and Balzer and Bray/McMillan Children’s for the ARC. Book to be published May 4, 2026.
The premise is ridiculous (I mean, if he’s so rich and he owes you, just have him chip in 5 grand for your dorm) and the back story is touching. I liked this but I didn’t love it, the chemistry felt a bit forced to me. Julie Murphy is a favorite author - I was hoping this would be less spicy since it is a YA/Childrens imprint. But definitely good for fans of Hannah Grace such as the Icebreaker series.
If you want something more on the sweet side, I do enjoy Dumplin and If the Shoe Fits.
Thanks to NetGalley and Balzer and Bray/McMillan Children’s for the ARC. Book to be published May 4, 2026.
January 26, 2026
10/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Balzer + Bray, and of course Julie Murphy for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was waiting to read this book. It was sent to me a while ago, but I was saving it for a moment when I really needed a pick me up because I just knew this book was going to be an immediate favorite. Julie Murphy has written one of my favorite books of the year. This has so much heart. These two characters are so wonderfully flawed, messy, and perfect for one another. It is written so well. This is a book where I was literally mad that I had to put it down because life kept getting in the way. I still read it in a matter of a few hours. Amazing.
Clover is such a delightfully relatable FMC to the point that her college experience was a bit too relatable at times. Bennett was such a swoony and yearning MMC, and what more could you want? I normally don’t like friends to lovers, but these two just made it WORK. Their chemistry was hot. At one point, I literally screamed out loud, “Ten out of five stars!” My neighbors probably think I’m insane, but my godddd. I’m obsessed. This book felt like such a reflection of my life and relationship in the best way and I cried so much reading their love story. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
I want to be clear that this is not YA. There are explicit scenes. They’re written very well and seem age appropriate given that they’re in college and technically married. The whole marriage of convenience is also done to perfection too. It doesn’t feel like there is a bunch of random conflict thrown in that doesn’t advance the plot. Everything flows really well and moves the story forward. Even the secondary and tertiary characters mostly all seem necessary which is a common complaint of mine…that sometimes there’s just random characters who are there as plot devices. All in all, this is just so incredibly well written and I can’t wait to grab it on audiobook. I hope it’s done in duet!
2.5/5 🌶️
Thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Balzer + Bray, and of course Julie Murphy for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I was waiting to read this book. It was sent to me a while ago, but I was saving it for a moment when I really needed a pick me up because I just knew this book was going to be an immediate favorite. Julie Murphy has written one of my favorite books of the year. This has so much heart. These two characters are so wonderfully flawed, messy, and perfect for one another. It is written so well. This is a book where I was literally mad that I had to put it down because life kept getting in the way. I still read it in a matter of a few hours. Amazing.
Clover is such a delightfully relatable FMC to the point that her college experience was a bit too relatable at times. Bennett was such a swoony and yearning MMC, and what more could you want? I normally don’t like friends to lovers, but these two just made it WORK. Their chemistry was hot. At one point, I literally screamed out loud, “Ten out of five stars!” My neighbors probably think I’m insane, but my godddd. I’m obsessed. This book felt like such a reflection of my life and relationship in the best way and I cried so much reading their love story. I can’t wait to read more from this series.
I want to be clear that this is not YA. There are explicit scenes. They’re written very well and seem age appropriate given that they’re in college and technically married. The whole marriage of convenience is also done to perfection too. It doesn’t feel like there is a bunch of random conflict thrown in that doesn’t advance the plot. Everything flows really well and moves the story forward. Even the secondary and tertiary characters mostly all seem necessary which is a common complaint of mine…that sometimes there’s just random characters who are there as plot devices. All in all, this is just so incredibly well written and I can’t wait to grab it on audiobook. I hope it’s done in duet!
February 6, 2026
The Undergrads launches a new college romance trilogy centered on friendship, love, and the messy transition into adulthood. The story follows Clover Rowan Walsh, a driven incoming freshman at Wexley University whose housing scholarship falls through just before the semester begins. Desperate for a solution, she proposes a marriage of convenience to Bennett Andrew Graves, her childhood friend and first heartbreak so that they can share dorm housing at a discounted rate.
This was a very quick read for me; I finished it in just a few hours. The plot is engaging and fun, and the forced-proximity setup works well to pull the story forward. Clover, however, was a bit of a rollercoaster as a protagonist. One moment I was cheering for her, and the next I found myself frustrated by her reactions. Some of her anger toward Bennett felt misplaced, particularly regarding past hookups that happened while they were no longer in each other’s lives. While Bennett absolutely made mistakes - especially the catfishing situation - his willingness to marry her to help solve her housing crisis made it hard not to feel that she held his past over his head longer than necessary. That said, I also appreciated that the book didn’t pretend forgiveness is immediate or simple.
What begins as an awkward arrangement gradually develops into a heartfelt and chemistry-filled relationship, capturing the intensity and uncertainty of first love. Murphy balances emotional moments with engaging banter and a fairly relatable depiction of early college life. The story strongly evokes the early New Adult era, bringing a nostalgic college-romance feel that I haven’t encountered in a while.
Overall, this is a light, entertaining read. Fans of rom-coms, fake-marriage, and second-chance tropes will likely enjoy it, and I’m interested to see which characters the remaining books in the series will follow.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
This was a very quick read for me; I finished it in just a few hours. The plot is engaging and fun, and the forced-proximity setup works well to pull the story forward. Clover, however, was a bit of a rollercoaster as a protagonist. One moment I was cheering for her, and the next I found myself frustrated by her reactions. Some of her anger toward Bennett felt misplaced, particularly regarding past hookups that happened while they were no longer in each other’s lives. While Bennett absolutely made mistakes - especially the catfishing situation - his willingness to marry her to help solve her housing crisis made it hard not to feel that she held his past over his head longer than necessary. That said, I also appreciated that the book didn’t pretend forgiveness is immediate or simple.
What begins as an awkward arrangement gradually develops into a heartfelt and chemistry-filled relationship, capturing the intensity and uncertainty of first love. Murphy balances emotional moments with engaging banter and a fairly relatable depiction of early college life. The story strongly evokes the early New Adult era, bringing a nostalgic college-romance feel that I haven’t encountered in a while.
Overall, this is a light, entertaining read. Fans of rom-coms, fake-marriage, and second-chance tropes will likely enjoy it, and I’m interested to see which characters the remaining books in the series will follow.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this early.
February 22, 2026
THE UNDERGRADS: STUDENT UNION
Julie Murphy
Coming May 5th
Rating: 4,5⭐️
Review:
This book was everything a romance lover could ever dream of. From the very beginning I felt a pull towards the main characters and even the side characters. Their connection and interactions were the highlight of the story.
We follow Clover Walsh, a uni freshman who has currently encountered a problem regarding her college scholarship tuition. For that, she comes to the conclusion she has to marry someone, so that the campus provides special privileges to non usual students.
Here comes into the picture, Bennet Graves. Long story childhood friend and the heir to a coffee empire. He’s a year older than Clover and hasn’t been in touch with her since everything felt apart when they were 16.
The story takes a turn when they get married to one another. Their chemistry was off charts. Everything since the ceremony in the courtroom to the dorm interactions made me giddy. The way these two MCs felt a pull towards each other but didn’t wanna act on it, was so angsty.
Clover is a sweet girl but no innocent 😏 She knows what she wants and how to get so. Her relationship with Ben might’ve been messy, but she found a way to feel secure in her own skin and still lower her walls to him.
Bennet, from page one, we see him do anything and everything for her. He’s so in love with her and regrets everything, he’d do anything just to get her to stay.
Their love story was messy but real. It wasn’t pressured, cringy or anything like that. It developed at the right pace and covered every aspect their relationship had to. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
If you are looking for a sweet, spicy and funny story but with the right amount of emotional depth, this is it 💗
Thank you so much to Macmillan for the eARC! 🫶🏻 I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series 🤭🤭
Julie Murphy
Coming May 5th
Rating: 4,5⭐️
Review:
This book was everything a romance lover could ever dream of. From the very beginning I felt a pull towards the main characters and even the side characters. Their connection and interactions were the highlight of the story.
We follow Clover Walsh, a uni freshman who has currently encountered a problem regarding her college scholarship tuition. For that, she comes to the conclusion she has to marry someone, so that the campus provides special privileges to non usual students.
Here comes into the picture, Bennet Graves. Long story childhood friend and the heir to a coffee empire. He’s a year older than Clover and hasn’t been in touch with her since everything felt apart when they were 16.
The story takes a turn when they get married to one another. Their chemistry was off charts. Everything since the ceremony in the courtroom to the dorm interactions made me giddy. The way these two MCs felt a pull towards each other but didn’t wanna act on it, was so angsty.
Clover is a sweet girl but no innocent 😏 She knows what she wants and how to get so. Her relationship with Ben might’ve been messy, but she found a way to feel secure in her own skin and still lower her walls to him.
Bennet, from page one, we see him do anything and everything for her. He’s so in love with her and regrets everything, he’d do anything just to get her to stay.
Their love story was messy but real. It wasn’t pressured, cringy or anything like that. It developed at the right pace and covered every aspect their relationship had to. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
If you are looking for a sweet, spicy and funny story but with the right amount of emotional depth, this is it 💗
Thank you so much to Macmillan for the eARC! 🫶🏻 I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series 🤭🤭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Marriage of Convenience + One Bed + College Chaos = My New Favorite Read!
If she writes it, I will read it! I absolutely loved this book! It just flowed perfectly and was so easy to devour in one sitting.
The Tropes:
*Marriage of Convenience
*College Setting
*Enemies-to-Lovers Energy
*Forced Proximity
*Top Tier Banter
Why I Loved It:
The characters are grounded, relatable, and so easy to like. I found myself deeply invested in their journey from the very first chapter. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the "found family" feel of the supporting cast made the campus feel alive.
Julie Murphy has a way of writing that makes you lose track of time. The story moved at a perfect pace, and I genuinely didn't want it to end! This is a must read for anyone who loves a rom-com with equal parts heart, humor, and spice. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
Marriage of Convenience + One Bed + College Chaos = My New Favorite Read!
If she writes it, I will read it! I absolutely loved this book! It just flowed perfectly and was so easy to devour in one sitting.
The Tropes:
*Marriage of Convenience
*College Setting
*Enemies-to-Lovers Energy
*Forced Proximity
*Top Tier Banter
Why I Loved It:
The characters are grounded, relatable, and so easy to like. I found myself deeply invested in their journey from the very first chapter. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the "found family" feel of the supporting cast made the campus feel alive.
Julie Murphy has a way of writing that makes you lose track of time. The story moved at a perfect pace, and I genuinely didn't want it to end! This is a must read for anyone who loves a rom-com with equal parts heart, humor, and spice. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Julie Murphy is bringing the spice in her new romcom about two college kids who get married in order to get discount housing for nontraditional students! Clover and Bennett grew up together while her mom worked for his. But puberty hit and they grew apart. But after he betrays her in high school, they've had no contact. But now she needs a favor. The scholarship for her housing has fallen through and she needs him. Forced proximity, fake marriage, and a lot of spice are all ingredients in this delicious romance.
I liked this one. It's super light and fluffy, but definitely enjoyable. I didn't understand why Rowan didn't just live in the townhouse or just ask him for the money for housing. She basically took the money anyway since he (his mom) paid for it anyway. Still, this was cute.
I liked this one. It's super light and fluffy, but definitely enjoyable. I didn't understand why Rowan didn't just live in the townhouse or just ask him for the money for housing. She basically took the money anyway since he (his mom) paid for it anyway. Still, this was cute.
December 18, 2025
I know I said that I felt like I was outgrowing college romances, but I actually REALLY liked this one! The characters and the story don’t feel juvenile, but at the same time it feels age appropriate.
It kind of gives you the same feels as your first love. The dialogue was top tier for me. It felt very natural and authentic. Plus, this is a marriage of convenience. I’ve yet to meet a MOC that I didn’t like. I ate this all the way up and finished it in one sitting. My man Bennett is the king of yearn. Talk about down bad for your girl.
Thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the early gifted copy via NetGalley.
It kind of gives you the same feels as your first love. The dialogue was top tier for me. It felt very natural and authentic. Plus, this is a marriage of convenience. I’ve yet to meet a MOC that I didn’t like. I ate this all the way up and finished it in one sitting. My man Bennett is the king of yearn. Talk about down bad for your girl.
Thanks to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the early gifted copy via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a great book. Marriage of convenience, friends to enemies to lovers. Don't take my 4 star rating as anything other than a great read. Julie Murphy is a fantastic author and it shows with this new series. Cant wait for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A sparkling, spicy, fake-marriage rom-com that totally aced the assignment 🎓💍🔥
The Undergrads: Student Union is an absolute top-tier college romance—funny, flirty, emotional, and completely addictive. Julie Murphy delivers a perfect blend of sharp banter, real-life stakes, and slow-burn chemistry that explodes into full-on swoon. From the very first page, this book had me grinning, melting, and kicking my feet all at once 😍📚.
Clover Rowan Walsh is the ultimate determined heroine—smart, driven, plus-sized, and unapologetically ambitious 💕. Her body is not her storyline, but it is beautifully, confidently present—and the representation feels authentic, affirming, and refreshing. Clover wants success, stability, and a better life for herself and her mom, and when her housing falls through, her desperate-yet-brilliant marriage loophole plan is both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. And proposing to the one boy who once shattered her heart? Delicious chaos.
Enter Bennett Andrew Graves ☕💔—coffee empire heir, former heartbreaker, and the one man who cannot say no to Clover when it truly matters. Their history crackles with unresolved tension, guilt, and longing, making every forced interaction in their fake marriage feel electric ⚡. Sharing a dorm. Sharing a bed. Sharing secrets they never meant to speak again? The chemistry is off the charts 🔥🔥🔥.
What also makes this story so powerful is how grounded it feels beneath all the rom-com chaos. It explores class differences, financial fear, second chances, and learning how to trust again in such a heartfelt way. Watching Clover slowly let herself hope—and watching Bennett fight for the chance to be better—was incredibly satisfying 🥹💞.
Clover’s new friends Daisy and Briar bring humor, warmth, and unconditional support to Clover’s life. Their bond is special and full of inside jokes, tough love, and the kind of loyalty that makes survival at college (and in love) possible. And as the first book in The Undergrads trilogy, it perfectly sets up Daisy’s and Briar’s future love stories which I can’t wait to read 📖✨.
A swoon worthy , steamy, laugh-out-loud college romance with depth, heat, heart, body-positive representation, and unforgettable friendships 💕🔥 The Undergrads: Student Union is a 4-star comfort read for fans of fake dating, second chances, and rom-com chaos done perfectly.
The Undergrads: Student Union is an absolute top-tier college romance—funny, flirty, emotional, and completely addictive. Julie Murphy delivers a perfect blend of sharp banter, real-life stakes, and slow-burn chemistry that explodes into full-on swoon. From the very first page, this book had me grinning, melting, and kicking my feet all at once 😍📚.
Clover Rowan Walsh is the ultimate determined heroine—smart, driven, plus-sized, and unapologetically ambitious 💕. Her body is not her storyline, but it is beautifully, confidently present—and the representation feels authentic, affirming, and refreshing. Clover wants success, stability, and a better life for herself and her mom, and when her housing falls through, her desperate-yet-brilliant marriage loophole plan is both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. And proposing to the one boy who once shattered her heart? Delicious chaos.
Enter Bennett Andrew Graves ☕💔—coffee empire heir, former heartbreaker, and the one man who cannot say no to Clover when it truly matters. Their history crackles with unresolved tension, guilt, and longing, making every forced interaction in their fake marriage feel electric ⚡. Sharing a dorm. Sharing a bed. Sharing secrets they never meant to speak again? The chemistry is off the charts 🔥🔥🔥.
What also makes this story so powerful is how grounded it feels beneath all the rom-com chaos. It explores class differences, financial fear, second chances, and learning how to trust again in such a heartfelt way. Watching Clover slowly let herself hope—and watching Bennett fight for the chance to be better—was incredibly satisfying 🥹💞.
Clover’s new friends Daisy and Briar bring humor, warmth, and unconditional support to Clover’s life. Their bond is special and full of inside jokes, tough love, and the kind of loyalty that makes survival at college (and in love) possible. And as the first book in The Undergrads trilogy, it perfectly sets up Daisy’s and Briar’s future love stories which I can’t wait to read 📖✨.
A swoon worthy , steamy, laugh-out-loud college romance with depth, heat, heart, body-positive representation, and unforgettable friendships 💕🔥 The Undergrads: Student Union is a 4-star comfort read for fans of fake dating, second chances, and rom-com chaos done perfectly.
December 6, 2025
📚✨ THE UNDERGRADS: STUDENT UNION by Julie Murphy
College chaos. Fake marriage. Childhood enemies. One bed.
Say less - this book understands the assignment.
Julie Murphy launches her new Undergrads trilogy with a deliciously messy, irresistible romance that blends campus antics, second-chance tension, and forced proximity so good you’ll want to dog-ear every page.
Clover is determined, brilliant, broke and one housing disaster away from losing her dream school. Bennett is rich, charming, infuriating…and the last person she ever wanted to depend on.
Which, naturally, makes him the only person she can marry.
And honestly? Their fake marriage is one coffee-sweet, tension-filled spiral into “oh no, this feels real.”
🔥 What You’ll Get:
• Marriage of convenience (college edition!)
• Childhood friends → childhood heartbreak → slow-burn lovers
• Forced proximity + one bed (we love an academic struggle cuddle)
• Billionaire golden boy x hardworking, no-time-for-your-nonsense heroine
• College vibes: dorm living, late-night confessions, academic pressure
• Sneaky “I bought your favorite snacks because I know you better than anyone” love
• A romance that turns soft, funny, and genuinely swoony
Clover and Bennett’s history adds so much emotional depth while watching them unlearn old hurts, relearn each other, and fall hard in the process is EVERYTHING. Their chemistry is chaotic in the best way: bickering, banter, sexual tension you can feel through the page.
If you love:
✨ Fake dating / fake marriage
✨ Second chance in a college setting
✨ Rich boy x determined girl
✨ One bed + close quarters
✨ Enemies to “oh…wait”
✨ Elle Kennedy & Hannah Grace vibes
…this belongs immediately on your TBR.
Julie Murphy delivers a rom-com that’s heartfelt, hilarious, a tiny bit unhinged, and absolutely binge-able.
#TheUndergrads #StudentUnion #JulieMurphy #MarriageOfConvenience #CollegeRomance #FakeDatingButMarried #ForcedProximity #BookstagramReads
College chaos. Fake marriage. Childhood enemies. One bed.
Say less - this book understands the assignment.
Julie Murphy launches her new Undergrads trilogy with a deliciously messy, irresistible romance that blends campus antics, second-chance tension, and forced proximity so good you’ll want to dog-ear every page.
Clover is determined, brilliant, broke and one housing disaster away from losing her dream school. Bennett is rich, charming, infuriating…and the last person she ever wanted to depend on.
Which, naturally, makes him the only person she can marry.
And honestly? Their fake marriage is one coffee-sweet, tension-filled spiral into “oh no, this feels real.”
🔥 What You’ll Get:
• Marriage of convenience (college edition!)
• Childhood friends → childhood heartbreak → slow-burn lovers
• Forced proximity + one bed (we love an academic struggle cuddle)
• Billionaire golden boy x hardworking, no-time-for-your-nonsense heroine
• College vibes: dorm living, late-night confessions, academic pressure
• Sneaky “I bought your favorite snacks because I know you better than anyone” love
• A romance that turns soft, funny, and genuinely swoony
Clover and Bennett’s history adds so much emotional depth while watching them unlearn old hurts, relearn each other, and fall hard in the process is EVERYTHING. Their chemistry is chaotic in the best way: bickering, banter, sexual tension you can feel through the page.
If you love:
✨ Fake dating / fake marriage
✨ Second chance in a college setting
✨ Rich boy x determined girl
✨ One bed + close quarters
✨ Enemies to “oh…wait”
✨ Elle Kennedy & Hannah Grace vibes
…this belongs immediately on your TBR.
Julie Murphy delivers a rom-com that’s heartfelt, hilarious, a tiny bit unhinged, and absolutely binge-able.
#TheUndergrads #StudentUnion #JulieMurphy #MarriageOfConvenience #CollegeRomance #FakeDatingButMarried #ForcedProximity #BookstagramReads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clover Rowan thought she had a foolproof plan... but it turns out with all the best intentions and planning in the world sometimes there are setbacks that you cannot plan for... and that is exactly what happened. But the girl that always has a plan, has just found a loop whole, one she plans on taking advantage of, if she can just find a willing partner in crime!
The pages of Student Union introduce us to an overachieving and very determined young lady that has a dream of attending the famed Wexley University, and she'll do whatever it takes to get there. For the last few years she has planned, plotted, and maintained the good grades needed to be accepted to her dream school. Everything has fell perfectly into place, well it was, until she received notice that the family that gave her a grant to cover her living costs had backed out of their obligation and now she doesn't have the funds to pay for her dorm. But she has just found a way to live on campus and continue towards her dream... it just involves reuniting with the enemy! She never thought she'd talk to Bennett Andrew Graves again, but desperate times call for desperate measures!
From beginning to end this book had me completely captivated, Clover and Bennett may have claimed they were enemies, but it was easy to see they were a lot more than that, and I loved watching them get their second chance at love! They brought me many smiles and swoons, and left my heart all sorts of happy! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publishers and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
The pages of Student Union introduce us to an overachieving and very determined young lady that has a dream of attending the famed Wexley University, and she'll do whatever it takes to get there. For the last few years she has planned, plotted, and maintained the good grades needed to be accepted to her dream school. Everything has fell perfectly into place, well it was, until she received notice that the family that gave her a grant to cover her living costs had backed out of their obligation and now she doesn't have the funds to pay for her dorm. But she has just found a way to live on campus and continue towards her dream... it just involves reuniting with the enemy! She never thought she'd talk to Bennett Andrew Graves again, but desperate times call for desperate measures!
From beginning to end this book had me completely captivated, Clover and Bennett may have claimed they were enemies, but it was easy to see they were a lot more than that, and I loved watching them get their second chance at love! They brought me many smiles and swoons, and left my heart all sorts of happy! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publishers and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am still pinching myself that I got to read The Undergrads: Student Union early. Julie Murphy has been one of my favorite authors for ages, so when she announced a new series, I was mentally in line, ready to buy the book, wondering how I was going to make it until the release date in May of next year. Luckily, NetGalley came in clutch with a sneak peek into the world of Wexley University. And this first installment did not disappoint.
Childhood frenemies plus a marriage of convenience, what could possibly go wrong? Or maybe, just maybe, it's exactly what Clover and Bennett need to get things right. As Phoebe Buffay once said, they really are each other’s lobster. Clover is witty and guarded (as one should be when marrying the boy you have a messy love/hate past with), while Bennett had me at forehead smoothing and secretly buying vitamins and granola bars.
Their story is sweet, fast-paced, and reads almost like a novella in the best way: breezy, charming, and impossible to put down. I laughed out loud more than once. The banter is fantastic, and the side characters are so lovable: Daisy with her magical mini-fridge, Briar the lovable grump, Julian the friend you absolutely want beside you during a night out, and Tex the non-Texan. Fingers crossed, a few of them get their own books.
Until then, I’ll be thinking about late-night library sessions and fireworks at the Cannon Beach Country Club, eagerly awaiting the next Wexley University adventure.
Childhood frenemies plus a marriage of convenience, what could possibly go wrong? Or maybe, just maybe, it's exactly what Clover and Bennett need to get things right. As Phoebe Buffay once said, they really are each other’s lobster. Clover is witty and guarded (as one should be when marrying the boy you have a messy love/hate past with), while Bennett had me at forehead smoothing and secretly buying vitamins and granola bars.
Their story is sweet, fast-paced, and reads almost like a novella in the best way: breezy, charming, and impossible to put down. I laughed out loud more than once. The banter is fantastic, and the side characters are so lovable: Daisy with her magical mini-fridge, Briar the lovable grump, Julian the friend you absolutely want beside you during a night out, and Tex the non-Texan. Fingers crossed, a few of them get their own books.
Until then, I’ll be thinking about late-night library sessions and fireworks at the Cannon Beach Country Club, eagerly awaiting the next Wexley University adventure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Undergrads: Student Union releases on 05/05/2026.
I went into this novel feeling a bit hesitant. Julie Murphy’s books have historically been a hit or miss for me. I am beyond pleased (thrilled, honestly) to report that this one was an absolute smash. I ate this up. No notes.
I am a sucker for a marriage-of-convenience trope done right, and this story immediately delivers. It quite literally open at the courthouse moments before Clover and Bennett’s fake marriage begins. From the start, it’s clear that Clover believes that Bennett owes her, and that sense of debt is the reason he agrees to marry her. The full explanation of exactly why he’s indebted to her isn’t revealed until much later, creating a layer of suspense that made this book nearly impossible to put down.
Stories featuring the marriage-of-convenience trope can easily fall flat if the stakes aren’t believable. That was not an issue here. I found both the stakes and the reasoning behind each character’s decision to enter this arrangement convincing. While the book subtly explores wealth gaps and access to education, Julie Murphy handles these heavier, real-world topics with her signature humor and care.
The Undergrads: Student Union is a deeply satisfying romantic comedy showcasing everything Julie Murphy does best. I am already eagerly awaiting news about the rest of the books in this series.
I went into this novel feeling a bit hesitant. Julie Murphy’s books have historically been a hit or miss for me. I am beyond pleased (thrilled, honestly) to report that this one was an absolute smash. I ate this up. No notes.
I am a sucker for a marriage-of-convenience trope done right, and this story immediately delivers. It quite literally open at the courthouse moments before Clover and Bennett’s fake marriage begins. From the start, it’s clear that Clover believes that Bennett owes her, and that sense of debt is the reason he agrees to marry her. The full explanation of exactly why he’s indebted to her isn’t revealed until much later, creating a layer of suspense that made this book nearly impossible to put down.
Stories featuring the marriage-of-convenience trope can easily fall flat if the stakes aren’t believable. That was not an issue here. I found both the stakes and the reasoning behind each character’s decision to enter this arrangement convincing. While the book subtly explores wealth gaps and access to education, Julie Murphy handles these heavier, real-world topics with her signature humor and care.
The Undergrads: Student Union is a deeply satisfying romantic comedy showcasing everything Julie Murphy does best. I am already eagerly awaiting news about the rest of the books in this series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book so much. I was in a reading slump, and this was exactly the book I needed to pull me out of it. I flew through it and didn’t want it to end.
I was hooked right away by the fake marriage trope and the college dorm setting, but Clover and Bennett are what really made this story for me. Clover’s stress about money and housing felt so real, and I really connected with how determined she was to change her life and not mess up this opportunity. She was easy to root for from the start.
Bennett surprised me a lot. I didn’t expect to love his character as much as I did, but watching him grow and really show up for Clover made me so invested in their relationship. Their past added so much tension, and I loved the banter and the constant back and forth between them. The forced proximity and “we’re married but not really” moments were so fun, and watching those lines slowly blur was one of my favorite parts of the book.
There were so many moments where I was smiling, swooning, and just fully enjoying myself. The mix of humor and emotional moments felt really balanced, and the college setting made everything feel fresh and relatable.
This was a five star read for me and easily one of my favorite reads recently. It reminded me why I love romance and why I love reading in the first place. I’ll definitely be recommending this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I was hooked right away by the fake marriage trope and the college dorm setting, but Clover and Bennett are what really made this story for me. Clover’s stress about money and housing felt so real, and I really connected with how determined she was to change her life and not mess up this opportunity. She was easy to root for from the start.
Bennett surprised me a lot. I didn’t expect to love his character as much as I did, but watching him grow and really show up for Clover made me so invested in their relationship. Their past added so much tension, and I loved the banter and the constant back and forth between them. The forced proximity and “we’re married but not really” moments were so fun, and watching those lines slowly blur was one of my favorite parts of the book.
There were so many moments where I was smiling, swooning, and just fully enjoying myself. The mix of humor and emotional moments felt really balanced, and the college setting made everything feel fresh and relatable.
This was a five star read for me and easily one of my favorite reads recently. It reminded me why I love romance and why I love reading in the first place. I’ll definitely be recommending this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
December 2, 2025
I thought that the Undergrads: Student Union was a cute YA contemporary romance. The marriage of convenience to help Clover secure housing for her first year of undergraduate school at Wexley was very interesting. What kept me reading was the story of how Clover and Bennett grew up with each other and how their mothers were best friends, despite them being employer and employee. I did find myself liking Bennett and the more I read, the more I understood that the simple actions he did such as buying her snacks, showed his love for her. I felt that Clover did become more secure in her relationship with Bennett as truths were brought to light. There were some passages in this book that I did struggle reading, because of the way the scenes was described, however, majority of this book was very well written. Please note that because this is a Young Adult romance, there is some spice, which I would rate a 1.5/5.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the tropes/genres: marriage of convenience, one bed, childhood friends to lovers, college romance, billionaire/millionaire romance, and I suppose second chance romance, because Bennett does have a second chance to right the wrongs that he did to Clover when they were younger.
Overall, 4/5 stars.
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Balzer + Bray for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy the tropes/genres: marriage of convenience, one bed, childhood friends to lovers, college romance, billionaire/millionaire romance, and I suppose second chance romance, because Bennett does have a second chance to right the wrongs that he did to Clover when they were younger.
Overall, 4/5 stars.
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Balzer + Bray for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
December 16, 2025
“The Undergrads: Student Union” was in my top favorite books this year. Written by Julie Murphy, the author of “Dumplin’”, which I read and loved in 2016, this new book was a great new romance. I liked that there was plus size representation in the book because as a plus size person, you don’t see good representation of that often in romance books. The story follows Clover, a strong FMC who has achieved her lifelong dream of getting into Wexley, the Pacific Northwest version of any Ivy League. Everything seems great until the scholarship committee backs out on her housing scholarship. Desperate and unsure what to do, she falls back on the only plan she can think of: marrying her childhood friend/mom’s ex employers son, Bennett. The story follows twists and turns where you learn how this got to be, and how an 18 and 19 year old who haven’t spoken in years become married in less than 72 hours. I really enjoyed this story and read it in one sitting which is rare for me when it comes to romance books. The books plot occurs on Cannon beach where I used to visit a lot as a kid which also made the book special to me. I also haven’t had read a book with my name in it before which was fun :) Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Murphy, and Macmillan Children’s publishing group for providing me with this arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📖BOOK REVIEW📖 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this early
The only thing Clover wants in life is to go to Wexley University and have a career that will elevate her from paycheck to paycheck existence. She's got the acceptance and the scholarship, but she doesn't have housing. How convenient that she knows another student who owes her huge.
Years ago Bennett made a mistake and never owned up to his feelings about it, now he has the chance to make it right, it will just require a little, legitimate, marriage certificate.
This book has pining, and childhood angst, and there is only one-bed, and he takes care of her when she sick, and really all the best tropes. I really did believe the friendship and chemistry between Clover and Bennett and truly enjoyed watching them learn more about each other and their real feelings. I loved that Bennett's friend know him well enough to know it wasn't an act, and instead of sabotaging him or being dicks about it like so many bros in these books would, they were just totally supportive and brought Clover into their bubble. Plus Clover makes two friends who are so fantastic and interesting! I can't wait to read their stories.
I'm all honest this book was a fantastic read and I can't wait to add it to my shelf, May 4th
Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this early
The only thing Clover wants in life is to go to Wexley University and have a career that will elevate her from paycheck to paycheck existence. She's got the acceptance and the scholarship, but she doesn't have housing. How convenient that she knows another student who owes her huge.
Years ago Bennett made a mistake and never owned up to his feelings about it, now he has the chance to make it right, it will just require a little, legitimate, marriage certificate.
This book has pining, and childhood angst, and there is only one-bed, and he takes care of her when she sick, and really all the best tropes. I really did believe the friendship and chemistry between Clover and Bennett and truly enjoyed watching them learn more about each other and their real feelings. I loved that Bennett's friend know him well enough to know it wasn't an act, and instead of sabotaging him or being dicks about it like so many bros in these books would, they were just totally supportive and brought Clover into their bubble. Plus Clover makes two friends who are so fantastic and interesting! I can't wait to read their stories.
I'm all honest this book was a fantastic read and I can't wait to add it to my shelf, May 4th
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I keep saying no college romance yet here we are again! But, it's Julie Murphy and I love The Christmas Notch Series (same universe?) - I had to give it a read. (Yes, Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl is on my TBR!)
I like that Clover and Bennett behave like their age - yes, life has made them grow up a bit faster but they don't act lightyears beyond where they are. Let's face it, they probably wouldn't have thought a fake marriage was a great idea if they weren't so young. As someone that works in higher education, I wouldn't condone their little scheme but I am routing for these two!
The writing is effortless, funny yet endearing, just enough spice, and provides a little escapism. I liked all the characters in this book and getting to know them. I look forward to seeing where their lives lead in this series. I would totally buy one of Blair's late night grilled cheese sandwiches if I could.
I can always do without a third act breakup but it made sense for these two to get some space from each other since they barreled into living together. I like that these two get the chance to rewrite their story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the advance reader copy. My opinions are my own. #TheUndergradsStudentUnion #NetGalley
I like that Clover and Bennett behave like their age - yes, life has made them grow up a bit faster but they don't act lightyears beyond where they are. Let's face it, they probably wouldn't have thought a fake marriage was a great idea if they weren't so young. As someone that works in higher education, I wouldn't condone their little scheme but I am routing for these two!
The writing is effortless, funny yet endearing, just enough spice, and provides a little escapism. I liked all the characters in this book and getting to know them. I look forward to seeing where their lives lead in this series. I would totally buy one of Blair's late night grilled cheese sandwiches if I could.
I can always do without a third act breakup but it made sense for these two to get some space from each other since they barreled into living together. I like that these two get the chance to rewrite their story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the advance reader copy. My opinions are my own. #TheUndergradsStudentUnion #NetGalley
Review of advance copy
I would actually give it 3.5, but I am not a romance girlie so these types of books are typically not for me. I enjoy Bennett's POV the most. My mom got an ARC from LoveLitCon 2026.
Now for spoiler review:
Overall I think this book could have benefited with being 50-100 pages longer and having some details fudged out a bit more.
Now for spoiler review:
Overall I think this book could have benefited with being 50-100 pages longer and having some details fudged out a bit more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was lucky to get an ARC from NetGalley of The Undergrads by Julie Murphy . The story is about Clover and Bennett who grew up together because Clover’s mom worked for Bennett moms who owns Graves Coffee, which incidentally Bennett is the heir of. While growing up the two were so close that they start to grow feeling for each other but don’t realize it . Something happens that rips the whole dynamic apart. Clover’s mom quits and Clover has to change schools.
Years later Clover gets a scholarship for her dream school Wesley University. But unfortunately the housing grant falls through. However, there is a loop hole that allows married couples can live in the dorm for the price of one student . As much as it pains her she asks Bennett to marry for just for the year until she can figure out housing for her second year. Bennett agrees because he owes her from the devastation when they were kids.
What can go wrong ??? Lots of things, but through it all can they rekindle their friendship among other things and even possibly get their moms to be friends again?
Years later Clover gets a scholarship for her dream school Wesley University. But unfortunately the housing grant falls through. However, there is a loop hole that allows married couples can live in the dorm for the price of one student . As much as it pains her she asks Bennett to marry for just for the year until she can figure out housing for her second year. Bennett agrees because he owes her from the devastation when they were kids.
What can go wrong ??? Lots of things, but through it all can they rekindle their friendship among other things and even possibly get their moms to be friends again?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Imagine a college campus alive with late-night grilled cheese, chaotic dorm life, and those friendships you just feel in your bones — that’s where Murphy drops us. Clover Rowan Walsh has engineered the perfect plan to escape financial struggle and get into her dream business program at Wexley University… until her housing grant falls through. Desperate, brilliant, and delightfully stubborn, she proposes a loophole: marry someone so they can afford dorm housing as a couple. Enter Bennett Andrew Graves — rich, charming, and the boy who shattered her heart years ago.
The romance is the kind that feels like late-night confessions and banter that keeps you reading even when you think it should stop. It’s built on classic rom-com tropes — fake marriage, forced proximity, childhood connection, and enemies-to-lovers tension — but Murphy threads through real stakes: class gaps, past hurts, and the awkward, magical mess of young adulthood.
The romance is the kind that feels like late-night confessions and banter that keeps you reading even when you think it should stop. It’s built on classic rom-com tropes — fake marriage, forced proximity, childhood connection, and enemies-to-lovers tension — but Murphy threads through real stakes: class gaps, past hurts, and the awkward, magical mess of young adulthood.
March 1, 2026
The premise of this immediately caught my interest - childhood friends with a power dynamic and a falling out agree to get married so she will qualify for cheaper student housing at college after her housing grant falls through. I thought it was so ridiculous that it would be really fun, and I was right. This story immediately transported me back to late college nights, library grilled cheeses, and questionable clothing choices.
I liked the main characters, despite finding Clover to be a bit of a mess at times. I think that’s what made her so relatable as a young character figuring out adulthood. The side characters were great, and I can’t wait to hopefully read their stories. Overall, this was an easy read, and I look forward to seeing where this trilogy goes.
Thank you to Julie Murphy, Macmillan, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
I liked the main characters, despite finding Clover to be a bit of a mess at times. I think that’s what made her so relatable as a young character figuring out adulthood. The side characters were great, and I can’t wait to hopefully read their stories. Overall, this was an easy read, and I look forward to seeing where this trilogy goes.
Thank you to Julie Murphy, Macmillan, and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Blazer + Bray form.providing a digital copy for review. The opinions reflected here are my own.
I've enjoyed a lot of Julie Murphy's works before so I was really excited to read this, even though I tend to shy away from books with young main characters. After reading The Undergrads: Student Union, all of those still hold true.
I think Murphy did a great job of writing a fun, sexy book that will be really appealing to readers who enjoy college romance. Is the plot a little convoluted? Sure was, but I'm not sure I've ever read a fake marriage book quite like this one, so points for creativity! There was also tension and jealousy and yearning, as well as necessary healing and growth. I'm not sure I'll ever enjoy the rather cringe-worthy epilogue, though.
I've enjoyed a lot of Julie Murphy's works before so I was really excited to read this, even though I tend to shy away from books with young main characters. After reading The Undergrads: Student Union, all of those still hold true.
I think Murphy did a great job of writing a fun, sexy book that will be really appealing to readers who enjoy college romance. Is the plot a little convoluted? Sure was, but I'm not sure I've ever read a fake marriage book quite like this one, so points for creativity! There was also tension and jealousy and yearning, as well as necessary healing and growth. I'm not sure I'll ever enjoy the rather cringe-worthy epilogue, though.
January 19, 2026
This book definitely catches your attention from the first few pages. There’s no buildup to the first dramatic situation. I almost with there was- or at least a little more initial background as to why she was in the situation and why she “asked him.” How long had it been since they talked or seen each other?
I loved the back and forth from the past to the present throughout the book. I flew through this book wanting to keep finding out more about their past and how they got to where they were in their present. This book executed the build up of present while giving you pieces of the past expertly.
This is a slow burn romance that is done so well! Thank you author and NetGalley for this ARC!
I loved the back and forth from the past to the present throughout the book. I flew through this book wanting to keep finding out more about their past and how they got to where they were in their present. This book executed the build up of present while giving you pieces of the past expertly.
This is a slow burn romance that is done so well! Thank you author and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and McMillian for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Undergrads: Student Union releases 5/5/26
I totally love marriage of connivence tropes because you know it's going to hook you right in. From the start, it's clear that Clover believes that Bennett owes her. Clover has debt and that's the reason he agrees to marry her.
Both characters have stakes in entering this marriage decision and the arrangement so convincing.
Julie Murphy handles this situation with humor and care. Julie delivers every single time. This book satisfying rom com and I'm hoping Julie continues a book series for this book. I feel it needs book 2.
Add The Undergrads: Student Union to your TBR.
The Undergrads: Student Union releases 5/5/26
I totally love marriage of connivence tropes because you know it's going to hook you right in. From the start, it's clear that Clover believes that Bennett owes her. Clover has debt and that's the reason he agrees to marry her.
Both characters have stakes in entering this marriage decision and the arrangement so convincing.
Julie Murphy handles this situation with humor and care. Julie delivers every single time. This book satisfying rom com and I'm hoping Julie continues a book series for this book. I feel it needs book 2.
Add The Undergrads: Student Union to your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 ⭐️’s
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
This book was great, I love anything Julie Murphy writes so there’s no surprise there! I think she does a great job of creating really entertaining characters!
If there’s one trope I really love, it’s a marriage of convenience and this book delivered!!! Not only was it romantic, but the characters had me cackling! Like I could fully see a college kid with a black market grilled cheese business! The banter and chaos that came with these characters was so entertaining to read, I finished the book in one sitting!
The back story of Clover and Bennett was not at all what I expected it to be. Though, I’m glad we got to see the flashbacks to give more insight into what really went down even though it enraged me a bit 😂
Overall this was a cute, college romance and I’m excited to explore the rest of the characters stories in the next installments of this series!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
This book was great, I love anything Julie Murphy writes so there’s no surprise there! I think she does a great job of creating really entertaining characters!
If there’s one trope I really love, it’s a marriage of convenience and this book delivered!!! Not only was it romantic, but the characters had me cackling! Like I could fully see a college kid with a black market grilled cheese business! The banter and chaos that came with these characters was so entertaining to read, I finished the book in one sitting!
The back story of Clover and Bennett was not at all what I expected it to be. Though, I’m glad we got to see the flashbacks to give more insight into what really went down even though it enraged me a bit 😂
Overall this was a cute, college romance and I’m excited to explore the rest of the characters stories in the next installments of this series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Publishing for the arc of this book. This story is told from the points of view of the female main character Clover Walsh and male main character Bennett Graves. These two have quite the history that is revealed throughout the book. I could not put this book down. I read it in two sittings. I almost read it in one but it got to late. This book is a room com where the main characters start out as a marriage of convenience to make sure Clover can get campus housing for her first semester in college. Many parts of this book had me laughing out loud. I highly recommend reading this book.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
A good fluffy college romance that was a quick read. Great side characters, I liked the relationship though I felt it could have been deeper. It had the right elements in the beginning for there to be a lot of animosity from her end, and I didn’t really feel it a whole lot.
I did enjoy how the relationship shop built, the tension was great.
A bit of a miscommunication trope for that third act break which I didn’t like tbh. The argument made sense but also… didn’t? Meh, felt like the drama was a bit forced there.
I have it 4 stars bc I had lots of fun and I flew through it so it was def worth it for me :)
4/5 ⭐️
I did enjoy how the relationship shop built, the tension was great.
A bit of a miscommunication trope for that third act break which I didn’t like tbh. The argument made sense but also… didn’t? Meh, felt like the drama was a bit forced there.
I have it 4 stars bc I had lots of fun and I flew through it so it was def worth it for me :)
4/5 ⭐️
February 14, 2026
thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this arc.
this was my first time reading a book by julie murphy and it was cool. i would say that this took some time getting into because of how the characters were a bit immature. but i had to remind myself that they were undergrads. in addition, i struggled to connect with the idea of them getting married to get housing but as the story progressed, i got a sense of how close they were when growing up and why she could have reached out to him out of him owing her something. it was nice.
i liked how visual and descriptive the story was. it was like watching a movie and that’s something i enjoy when reading.
good read.
this was my first time reading a book by julie murphy and it was cool. i would say that this took some time getting into because of how the characters were a bit immature. but i had to remind myself that they were undergrads. in addition, i struggled to connect with the idea of them getting married to get housing but as the story progressed, i got a sense of how close they were when growing up and why she could have reached out to him out of him owing her something. it was nice.
i liked how visual and descriptive the story was. it was like watching a movie and that’s something i enjoy when reading.
good read.
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