The Undergrads: All Nighter

by Julie Murphy

A good girl and bad boy make a deal in the second book in the binge-worthy trilogy of romance novels from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy. Perfect for fans of Elle Kennedy and Hannah Grace.

Daisy was always a wallflower (yes, she does see the irony). But she’s decided that college is her time to bloom. She is going to be That Girl who is invited to all the parties, kills it at school, and finally loses her v-card. (Virginity is a construct, but still!) To her dismay, everything about Daisy screams girlfriend material and her dates seem more interested in taking her home to mom than to bed.

Heath is a tattoo artist by night and a Wexley student by day. After leaving the UK to apprentice for his hero, it’s time to follow through on the agreement he made with his father to go to college. Three disastrous semesters later and Heath knows he has to keep his head down and his grades up.

But then one day, Heath goes to work and finds Daisy working the front desk–the stunning girl with a fear of needles he talked off a ledge when she came in to get matching tattoos with her friends last week. Not only is she incredibly unqualified for the job, but he learns that she plans on hiring someone to have sex with her so she can "get her first time over with.” When Daisy smells a whiff of judgement coming from Heath, she challenges him to be the lucky guy.

She's not his type and he's definitely not her's, but Heath makes an offer anyway. Five dates. And then Heath will sleep with Daisy. No sooner. No later. Take it or leave it.

Daisy is hesitant to say yes. What he’s asking for is frighteningly close to a relationship. But as the two begin to catch feelings, will five dates be enough?

Genres: Romance, College, Contemporary, Adult

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication December 1, 2026

About the author

Julie Murphy lives in North Texas with her husband who loves her and her cats who tolerate her. After several wonderful years in the library world, Julie now writes full-time.

When she’s not writing or reliving her reference desk glory days, she can be found watching made-for-TV movies, hunting for the perfect slice of cheese pizza, and planning her next great travel adventure.

She is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Dumplin’ (now a film on Netflix), Puddin’, Pumpkin, Ramona Blue, and Side Effects May Vary. Her middle grade novels include Dear Sweat Pea and a forthcoming 2023 title. She is also Disney's If The Shoe Fits, a modern day romcom retelling of Cinderella. Her writing partner is Sierra Simone and their romance debut is A Merry Little Meet Cute.

Julie has been featured in places liek Good Morning America, The New York Times, and Teen Vogue. Dumplin' was also named one of the best young adult books of all time by Time Magazine.

Reviews

[angelinabvby ۶۟ৎ]

GUESS WHO GOT ARC APPROVED

[Nya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an e-arc through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

3.5

I really enjoyed this and I feel like I need to start reading more of Julie Murphy's Adult novels - she's such an "easy" writer to read. Just enough detail to have you understand the characters yet keep her plot going. All the characters in these books are just so darn likable. I got invested once again!

I do think this was a bit of a let down from book 1: Student Union, but I do really love Daisy and Heath's story. Just for some unknown reason it took me a bit longer to get invested into the plot. Again, I was able to really relate to Daisy's internal conflicts and loved how they were able to COMMUNICATE! It's crazy how uncommon that is in romance book conflicts. It makes sense, how can you have the plot of "hiring" someone to take your virginity if you can't communicate properly?

This book is quirky but not as quirky as book one. This one is just oh so sweet. I do love Heath, he's such a genuinely good guy and a complete opposite from the "bad boy" archetype. He's completely smitten with Daisy from the beginning.

Julie has her characters speak from the heart, and their backgrounds play such an integral part into how their stories spread out. She's not afraid to touch on heavier topics like diseases, religion, sex work, etc. Julie Murphy wants her characters to be tangible human beings with flaws, anxiety, self doubt and opinions just like the rest of us, and I LOVE reading books with plus size characters and not being constantly reminded of their body. Yes, they're plus sized, but they're also human beings who deserve to feel desired. I felt so good about myself and my body after reading this.

Julie Murphy, you deserve the world.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Undergrads is such a delightful series. All Nighter was every bit as entertaining and heart-warming as Student Union. Returning to Wexely University for the next couple’s story and getting to hang out with Clover, Briar, and Daisy again was the best! Heath and Daisy's story does not disappoint. Total opposites, and yet somehow the perfect fit. A tattoo artist and a girl afraid of needles set the stage for the perfect meet-cute and all the ensuing antics.

Having fought and survived a childhood illness, Daisy is a good girl trying to assert her independence. Getting a tattoo and losing her v-card are at the top of her list. But she is deathly afraid of needles due to said childhood illness, and her father is a famous megachurch pastor who, despite his own sordid past, expects his daughter to be the perfect PK (pastor’s kid), which does not include a daughter who engages in behavior like hanging out with tattoo artists and committing the ultimate sin (according to some really judgy people) of having sex before marriage.

Heath crossed the pond to attend Wexley University and to train under the fabulous tattoo artist Claudia, the owner of Lost & Found Ink. His class attendance is less than stellar because all he really wants to do is pursue his dream of being a full-time tattoo artist, well, that and Daisy. Heath has a tough exterior, but he’s all mush on the inside, especially when it comes to Daisy. From the very beginning, the chemistry between them is absolutely charming, and Daisy’s word vomit is amusing as all get out. I think my favorite thing about Heath is that he doesn’t judge Daisy for her desire to please her father; he accepts her just as she is, and it’s just so sweet

Heath finds out about Daisy’s v-card losing quest and can’t stand the thought of some stranger doing the deed, so he steps in and offers her a compromise. Dates for a v-card. Daisy reluctantly agrees, and she soon discovers it’s probably the best decision she has ever made. Heath is the gentleman you never would have expected him to be, but again, he’s all mush. Daisy gets some pretty awesome dates with some side benefits. All in all, All Nighter is a fun, saucy read, and I loved it.

Daisy’s personal story and hang-ups about losing her v-card did hit close to home. As a lifelong PK (pastor’s kid) myself, I know all about purity culture and the ridiculous pressure put on young women to maintain their purity at all costs. I have been to real-life versions of Redeeming Life Church, and I have met many versions of Pastor Randy and Charity, the perfect pastor's wife. These depictions were eerily accurate. The one redeeming factor is that Pastor Randy does seem to genuinely love his daughter, even if he shows it in a slightly misguided way.

Also, the attempts at naming their friend group were hilarious. I am curious to know if the last name Clover came up with stuck, and I am absolutely dying to know what is going on with Briar, and I hope her story is next.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Laura Twaroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

If he doesn’t let you tattoo him, does he even really love you?!

This book deserves all the hype. Every tiny bit of it and then some. I LOVED it!

The emotional growth for both characters was grounded in such realistic struggles. From the wanting to please those around us to figuring out who we are without the noise - it was a really deep story about loving yourself while you allow others to love you, too.

It also had *epic* spice.

[Amber Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Julie Murphy for the arc!!
One thing I can promise you that Julie Murphy is amazing at, is writing a jealous man. In All Nighter, the second book in The Undergrads series, it’s time for Daisy to find her happily ever after. Daisy is in her second year of college and is on a mission to get hired for her dream internship, and to lose her virginity. Our British bad boy mmc, Heath, steps in to help and an unexpected friendship blossoms between the two. During their time together, Daisy motivates Heath to chase his dreams and Heath helps push Daisy outside of her comfort zone and encourages her to discover what she wants from life and make choices for herself. Sounds like boyfriend material right? Well because of their backgrounds he doesn’t think he is good enough for her which is sad for him but great for us because we get a book full of yearning! Loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one!!

Tropes:
- College setting
- Lessons in the bedroom
- He falls first
- Friends with benefits

[Molly Smiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you MacMillian, Balzer + Bray, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m sorry but FIVE DATES AND THEN IT’S OVER??? yeah no I was immediately unwell.
The Undergrads: All Nighter is peak “this is a terrible idea but let’s do it anyway” romance and I devoured it like it was my final exam grade on the line.
Daisy deciding she’s about to reinvent herself in college?? go to parties, thrive academically, and very casually check “lose my virginity” off her to-do list??? I already loved her. And then Heath—tattoo artist by night, broody student by day, absolutely trying to mind his business—gets dragged into her chaos and I was like oh this is going to ruin me.
The DEAL??? five dates and then they hook up, no emotions, no complications??? SURE. OKAY. DEFINITELY NOTHING WILL GO WRONG THERE.
The tension in this book??? unreal. Every date is like:
“this is still fake right?”
“we’re just sticking to the plan right?”
…meanwhile they’re catching feelings at a rate that should be studied.
And I loved that it wasn’t just spicy/fun (it absolutely is), it actually had heart. Daisy trying to figure out who she wants to be vs who everyone expects her to be?? Heath dealing with his own stuff and trying not to get attached?? it all felt messy and real in the best way.
Also the vibes are EVERYTHING:

good girl x “bad boy” but he’s secretly soft
structured dating plan that immediately falls apart
college chaos + late nights + feelings creeping in
“this was supposed to be simple” (it is NOT simple)
mutual catching feelings and pretending they’re not

And the way the emotional payoff hits?? I was GONE. fully invested. zero chill.
Julie Murphy really said “what if I make you laugh, blush, and spiral a little” and yeah… mission accomplished.
5⭐️, absolutely no notes, I would go on all five dates just to see how bad of an idea it really is.

[Roberta Inscho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. :)

I absolutely adored the second installment in Julie Murphy’s Undergrads series! And to be clear, I’m officially declaring myself a member of the Church of Heath. Amen.

I loved all the characters in this novel, which I think is one of Murphy’s standout strengths as a writer. Her casts are always so relatable and quirky, and she has a way of making each character’s uniqueness feel both distinct and completely normalized at the same time. Like, everyone is just a little bit weird, but we are all okay with that! It’s the kind of friend group I could genuinely see myself being part of. I also love that the women are consistently smart, talented, and fully appreciated as the goddesses they are. One of my favorite aspects of Murphy’s writing is her celebration of all body types— and the fact that the men in these stories absolutely worship the ground these women walk on. Julie Murphy really knows how to write a DOWN BAD man.

And that’s one of my favorite things about this book. Heath doesn’t see himself clearly, but he is the perfect boyfriend: attentive, caring, and with just the right amount of sexy jealousy. At the same time, he struggles with feeling like he’s not good enough, which makes him all the more endearing. Murphy truly knows how to craft a book boyfriend readers will fall in love with.

And Daisy’s storyline was so interesting! She was navigating so much between her dad’s strict religious expectations, while wanting to start college fresh and virgin-free! There were a lot of layers to her story that really made it interesting. And, I genuinely laughed out loud multiple times. There were so many quirky and sexy moments, and Murphy does such a great job of injecting humor into her romances. The scrunchie scene?! I DIED. LOL.

Overall, this was such a fun read, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series, which I’m hoping means Briar’s book is next. The ending left us on such a cliffhanger… who is Briar's mysterious hookup?! It’s not often that I find a second book in a romance series that matches (or even surpasses!) the first, but this one absolutely did for me.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Julie Murphy, Macmillian & Blazer + Bray for the NetGalley ARC!

Rating as 4 stars but it’s more 3.5 depending on what chapter I’m on LOL

Here are my thoughts:
Starting out with a church scene is BOLD,
necessary, but bold considering I can’t stand reading about religion or churches... And the tattoo shop bathroom scene, not subtle at all are we… LOL inside thoughts. Big time second hand embarrassment from everyone finding out that she is hiring someone to take her virginity on her first day of her new job!!!
Honestly I don’t know if I enjoy the plot of her virginity being taken by a random guy, it’s giving me the ick but I guess that’s the plot of the story, perhaps I’m not loving how it’s panning out to be. HATED “trash man”. Also turns out I’m not a fan of British accents being written, who knew… but I really do like Heath and him falling QUICKLY for her. I too would pout if I didn’t receive a text message but grinned when he did in fact text tomorrow (1am)🤭

LOVED the flirting

I feel like I haven’t seen the unaccepting dad trope so this was a new take though a given considering Daisy’s relationship with her dad to begin with. But I like it because it’s gives the main characters a mutual enemy and allows them to stick up for each other.

“What are we?”
“Together. If that’s what you want”

If I said “what are we?” And you reply that way, I’m walking out the door. Something about that rubbed me the wrong way… like this is the time for a major love declaration!! And then the next chapter is the boyfriend girlfriend nickname thing… ok…

Yeah I liked this book, it’s fun LOL

[Mal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the advanced reader copy.

Set in the same world as UNDERGRADS: STUDENT UNION, with Daisy as the main love interest. Daisy wants nothing more than to lose her virginity so that she can move into her "ho phase" in college. After a childhood medical trauma and finally reconnecting with her celebrity pastor father when she was a teen, Daisy has been treated like a fragile pawn piece for most of her life. At college she wants to find herself, especially her sexual self. Unfortunately, all the guys she makes out with immediately want to get into a relationship once they learn she's a virgin--that's not what she wants. So when Heath, a sexy British tattoo artist that Daisy works with offers to take her virginity with no strings, she's game. But as the two spend more time together, they both realize that the no strings sex they were hoping for might not be all they want from one another.

Julie Murphy finds a way to create stories that are simultaneously sweet and spicy (the sex scenes are at least a 3 on the chili pepper scale!). Daisy has the kind of too cheerful and optimistic personality that could become grating, but Murphy provides her enough baggage to temper it. While Heath sometimes came across as older than his twenty-three years and Daisy occasionally dipped a bit more adolescent, the chemistry between them made those issues minor bumps along the way. This is a fun romcom that reminds you how much fun college--and finding those first college friends--can be. I'm looking forward to reading the third in the series, when Briar gets her book.

All Nighter is out December 1, 2026

[Tiffany Killian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to preface this by saying that I did not read the first book in The Undergrads series, mostly because I didn't realize it was a series and then partly because I just wasn't in the mood to read it when I realized it existed. I also do not believe that this was a setback in any way as it seems the books are kind of, sort of stand-alones that have the same characters - which I assume book #1 was probably about Clover & her now husband. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, we can move on to All Nighter.

It's been a while since I've been in college so maybe bear with me in case I go off on a tangent or two. All Nighter follows the story of Daisy who is hell-bent on losing her virginity & starting her hoe phase in college, famous pastor for a father be damned (quite literally at some points). Apparently, no one has "de-flowered" her because they always want something serious or they don't think she's ready. This was my first baffled moment of the story because I definitely never encountered guys in college who turned down a girl who truly wanted what they were about to give. I mean I guess that could have changed over the years but I feel like not so much. My next baffled moment was that this chick was straight up about to pay someone to de-flower her so that she could then enter into a hoe phase just doing the deed non-stop. Once I got past the bafflement, it was a super cute story and Daisy & Heath had a lot of chemistry.

Speaking of Heath, there needs to be more of him out in the world because he was amazingly sweet and a protector but never in what appeared to be a stifling kind of way. OH and bonus points that he has a British accents and tattoos.

[Amanda Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibes: Good Girl / Bad Guy, College Romance, Deconstructing / Purity Culture, Tattoo Bed Goals
My Rating: 5 Stars
Plot: 4.5 Stars
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Spice: 3.5 Stars

This story is told in multiple person perspective and does swap between Daisy or Heath telling the story (indicated at the chapter head).

All Nighter is the follow up to Student Union in The Undergrads series, and somehow this book was better than the first. You have the "bad boy" with Heath, little Miss Sunshine with Daisy, and of course almost all of the characters from Student Union but we now have additional characters that both aid and destroy Daisy and Heath.

For anyone deconstructing from church or religious trauma or anyone that has gone through or been involved with Purity Culture - Daisy's dilemmas and the mindset she is trying to fight through hits way too close to home.

This is a quick paced story, there are a lot of emotional conversations around pasts and family and even coworkers that help bring complexity to the story. Daisy remains her bubbly self but develops more into herself and her own decisions as the story evolves. Heath is the "bad boy" on the surface, but never judge a book by its cover as trust and believe Heath is the kind of person you WANT helping you out in life.

And of course, there is Butter Chicken, or Betsey, who comes in to steal the show and causes her own mini storm of drama and even a paw court hearing.

This is a book I will be buying and I do hope the series continues to Briar, Tex, Julian, or even Claudia, Charlotte, or Victor!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan | Balzer + Bray, and Julie Murphy for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review of All Nighter (Undergrads #2) by Julie Murphy.

#TheUndergradsAllNighter #NetGalley

[Jack Pusloskie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For fans of:

-The Deal
-Icebreaker
-The Graham Effect

In All Nighter by Julie Murphy, shy Daisy is determined to reinvent herself in college, even if it means making a bold deal with Heath, a guarded tattoo artist. Five dates, then no strings attached… or so they think. As their arrangement deepens, both are forced to question whether they can keep emotions out of the equation.

This was a fun, slow-burning romance about stepping outside your comfort zone and catching feelings when you least expect them.

I had a bit of a love–hate relationship with this book. It took me some time to get into the story, largely because I initially found Daisy to be insufferable. However, as her background and family dynamics became clearer, her behavior made more sense, even if she still wasn’t always my favorite.

That said, I really enjoyed Heath as a character. The chemistry between Daisy and Heath was one of the strongest aspects of the book, as every interaction felt charged with tension, and their dynamic kept me engaged. I especially appreciated how they challenged each other to grow and to reconsider the paths they thought they had to follow. Heath, in particular, saw through Daisy’s “good girl” facade and created space for her to be more authentic, which added depth to their relationship.

Overall, while I enjoyed the character dynamics and romantic tension, I did struggle with the central premise at times, as it felt a bit unrealistic.

I received this eBook ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Julie Murphy, and Macmillan Publishers | Balzer + Bray for the opportunity to review All Nighter. This review has also been posted on my Goodreads: @jack-pusloskie—feel free to check out my profile there!

[Jadyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy!

As the love child of megachurch pastor, Daisy is used to spotlights and scrutiny. But college is her time to shine on her own and explore her interests, which include publicity, social media, and losing her virginity. A tattoo artist from the UK seems like an unlikely candidate, given that Daisy has a paralyzing fear of needles. But when she takes up a job womanning the front desk at Lost and Found Ink, she might just find more than work experience.

All Nighter is a college- and tattoo-flavored new adult treat! Just as sexy, swoony, and body positive as Student Union, and the cameos from the other Deflowered Flowers are a delight. This latest installment in the Undergrads trilogy left me so pumped to see what's next for Briar, and had me contemplating a new tattoo. Going in I was dubious about what, if any, religious trauma might be on the page. I was pleasantly surprised that Daisy's relationship with her faith was brushed over, and took a backseat to excellent interpersonal complexity in her relationship with her father and Heath.

[Kim Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of Julie Murphy; Daisy and Heath's story only furthered my esteem for Murphy and her writing. Daisy is the self-proclaimed good girl. I loved the scene at the beginning of the book when Daisy is praying during a church service led by her celebrity-pastor father for the opportunity to lose her virginity as soon as possible as a second-semester freshman. And boy does Daisy find her opportunity! Heath is the perfect guy to make her dreams come true in more ways than one. With a spice level of four, Murphy leaves nothing to the reader's imagination. The pacing was pleasing, leaving plenty of time for Daisy and Heath's interiority to resonate and convince the reader they are really into each other. beyond the physical. The will they/won't they adds the right amount of tension with a pleasing ending.


The whole time I was reading All Nighter, I was impressed with Murphy's ability to write an engaging, non-cringey new adult romance novel that held my fifty-something year old attention span. The character's feelings, opinions, and actions were all realistic and believable. I was pulling for everyone involved and invested enough to want to know Briar's story next--hopefully.


Thank you to MacMillan and NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review.

[KaleidoscopeLaiReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Review

Daisy and Heath completely stole my heart. Their story was equal parts emotional, romantic, and ridiculously swoon-worthy. Watching Daisy navigate the pressure of her religious father while Heath struggled with his own family issues gave their relationship so much depth and heart.

And Heath? Ugh. A 6’3 British tattooed man with an accent who falls first, worships his woman, and turns into the most protective simp imaginable? Yeah… I was DONE for. And let me just say, a man lovingly taking care of a cat is one of the sexiest things on this planet. I don’t make the rules.

This book delivered on all the best tropes: college romance, thick girl representation, he falls first, emotional growth, and a relationship that feels both sweet and passionate. Daisy and Heath’s journey felt authentic, heartfelt, and impossible not to root for.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s cute, emotional, spicy, and full of chemistry, this one is absolutely for you.

[Crystal Conwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

*NetGalley ARC Review*

All Nighter, the second book in The Undergrads series, follows Daisy, a sweet and sheltered preacher’s daughter, and Heath, a tattoo artist with a rebellious edge. Both attend Wexley, but their lives couldn’t be more different.

They first meet at a tattoo shop when Daisy backs out of getting inked, a moment that perfectly captures her hesitation to step outside the expectations placed on her. Throughout the story, Daisy wrestles with people-pleasing and the pressure of living up to her father’s megachurch image, while also trying to reconcile her more free-spirited mother’s influence. Her journey is really about learning to set boundaries and redefine her beliefs on her own terms.

Heath, on the other hand, comes from the UK and is deeply passionate about tattooing, but feels trapped by the expectations of his parents. He fears disappointing them if he fully commits to the life he actually wants. Through his relationship with Daisy, he begins to find the courage to choose his own path.

What makes this story work is how both characters grow individually while also supporting each other. Neither Daisy nor Heath is looking for anything serious at first, they just want something fun, but they end up finding something much deeper.

Overall, this is a cute, engaging, and relatable read that held my attention from start to finish. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing the series.

[Shelby Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐4.5 stars, but I rounded up due to my enjoyment of it! A hilarious, heartfelt, and spicy NA romcom. I loved the premise, especially because there's still not a lot of books that take place in college/uni. Heath and Daisy have a natural chemistry, and Julie Murphy is very good at writing believable characters. This book is the definition of romcom, a genre I've missed very much in media.

I enjoyed every aspect of this story, including:

• the humor
• the side characters
• the main characters dual POV
• the spice
• the very natural banter

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in Julie Murphy's Undergrads series was even better than the first! We follow the second of the three friends, Daisy, as she embarks on a quest to have a one-night stand. Of course, it is never as simple as that. She wrestles against the expectations of her father the preacher and her own thoughts about what she wants from a relationship. I'm looking forward to the third book in the series!

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

[Brianna Forman · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Undergrad All-Nighter by Julie Murphy was such an easy, bingeable read for me.

Daisy is in that stage of life where she’s trying to figure out who she is outside of expectations, and I really liked watching her push herself out of her comfort zone. Heath was honestly such a standout for me. He gives off “bad boy” vibes at first, but he’s actually soft, supportive, and completely gone for her in the best way.

Their dynamic was fun but also had some depth to it. I loved that there was actual communication, which we don’t always get in romance, and their connection felt like it grew in a way that made sense. There’s a mix of humor, awkward moments, and some heavier topics woven in that made it feel more grounded than just a fluffy college romance.

The pacing did take me a minute to fully settle into, but once I was in, I was invested. It’s not overly heavy, but it still leaves you with something.

Overall, a really solid 4 star read. Fun, a little messy, a little emotional, and perfect if you’re in the mood for a college romance with heart.

[Emily Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book in the series! I got this as an ARC from NetGalley after reading book one and absolutely flew through this one like I did Student Union. I truly enjoyed the journey of Daisy and Heath and how their story ended. I REALLY hope book three is going to be about Briar!

[nkc · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 5 stars | 3 🌶️
(Thank you to the author Julie Murphy & MacMillian Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for my honest review 💌)

Starting with Daisy, I saw so much of myself reflected in her character! Her inner dialogue about her body, her uncertainty when it comes to believing in something greater than herself, and the way she wrestles with wanting both independence and something meaningful to hold onto all felt incredibly real. I especially connected with her relationship with her father and the pressure she puts on herself to meet expectations, even when those expectations do not truly align with what she wants. That tendency to people please and prioritize others over themselves was written in such an honest way, and it hit close to home for me!

What made her journey so compelling was not just her personal growth, but the support system around her. Watching her friends stand by her, and seeing Heath show up for her even in moments when she could not fully show up for herself, added so much emotional depth to the story. And Heath, I adored him! He starts off quiet and guarded, giving off that reserved, black cat energy that contrasts so perfectly with Daisy’s warmth. As the story unfolds, you get to see him slowly open up, drawn more and more to her, until it becomes clear just how deeply he cares. That emotional shift felt natural and so satisfying!

Their banter was such a highlight for me! It was playful, sharp, and full of chemistry, the kind that has you smiling nonstop and rereading your favorite lines. I genuinely found myself giggling at random moments throughout the day while reading! Overall, this was a light, fast-paced read that still managed to deliver emotional depth and character growth. I absolutely loved it and would easily recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt romance with relatable characters and an engaging dynamic!

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Nighter, the latest installment in the Undergrad Series, had me hooked from the very first page. The story is irresistibly engaging, and I found myself completely absorbed. Each character is richly developed, and their growth felt authentic and nuanced. The romance, paired with a unique plot, offered a fresh perspective that I haven't seen in recent reads, which made it all the more captivating. The spice and tension between the characters were expertly balanced, keeping me invested in every scene. Although I wished for a bit more closure after the couple’s union, the journey itself was so satisfying. Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. A must-read for anyone craving a fresh take on romantic tension and character-driven storytelling.

I’m very excited and looking forward to reading more installments from the series and seeing how other character stories develop.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Julie Murphy writes women well, especially those trying to discover their true self while letting go of societal expectations. There were so many toxic relationship ideas in past generations and purity culture contributed a lot to that. This series captures the complicated stage that is college life, young women free from the nest, exploring their needs and wants in an open, non-judgmental way, and building new relationships. Really enjoyed Daisy's story and can't wait for the next book!

[Kristi Arends · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨️ Review to come!

[Rheanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Murphy’s books have always been hit or miss for be but I was absolutely HOOKED from the first chapter. I’m not sure what she put in this book to make me finish it in 24 hours but wowzah I could not put it down.

I loved both Heath and Daisy’s characters, and the plot line was engaging and easy to follow. The banter, the interactions, and the different situations they went through were written so well that I found myself giggling and kicking my feet. There was a not a single point in this book that felt slow or tedious to get through.

My only comment would be that the MCs in this book are 19 and 23, so a bit younger than I am. This made the story a bit less relatable for me. There were also some parts that were a little exaggerated or unbelievable, but I really didn’t care because I had so much fun reading.

Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a fun, flirty, college-setting book to check out! I can’t wait to read the other books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for the gifted copy!

[Kristina Nichole]

Student Union

[Bella Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ ARC REVIEW ] The Undergrads: All Nighter by Julie Murphy

🗓️ Release Date: 12.01.2026

Five dates.
No feelings.
Just one night at the end.

…yeah, okay.


LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE….did I mention that I LOVED this one? I absolutely adored Clover and Bennet, but I was 10000% entranced and utterly OBSESSED…like to the point of fucking devotion with Heath and Daisy. I could NOT put this one down. Let’s just say I mistakenly started this one around midnight and it stayed glued to my hands for the next 4 hours.

Heath is 100% my DREAM MAN and Daisy was so pure and honestly…they were both perfect in their own ways. Seeing Daisy come out of her shell and into her own person was so beautiful. And getting to see a glimpse into their future with their families has me so over the moon…I need an extended epilogue stat! I can’t get enough of them and already know this will be read over and over again by me and hopefully lots of other people too.

This is my 2nd Julie book (I read the 2 books in this series back to back in 3 days lol) and I think this solidified Julie being an auto-read author for me! Her books have been such an easy, comfort read for me and felt so magical.

I saw someone say Heath and Daisy’s “dynamic is such a beautiful take on opposites attract. They shouldn’t work on paper, but the way they do work? It’s effortless, emotional, and honestly kind of magical.” and I can say with 100% certainty that I agree.

Tropes:
🔏 College romance
🐈‍⬛ Tattoo artist x pastor’s daughter
🔏 Good girl x bad boy
🐈‍⬛ He’s british, but not in a classy way
🔏 Inappropriate use of a tattoo bed
🐈‍⬛ “Just this one time…”
🔏 Deconstructing purity culture for funsies
🐈‍⬛ Deal turned feelings
🔏 Five dates rule
🐈‍⬛ Slow burn
🔏 Self discovery

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review for The Undergrads: All Nighter by Julie Murphy
Publish Date 12/1/2026

This was such a fun, flirty and sexy college romance book. I was instantly charmed by the characters in this story. Also the obstacles that the MMC and MFC face feel believable and naturally written into the plot which was a BIG positive for me. Heath and Daisy have that delicious "opposites attract" chemistry and I LOVE their flirty banter. I couldn't put this book down as the story progressed through their no-strings-attached sex pact to the slow burn of their budding relationship. I caught all the feels. I couldn't help but laugh at, yet also cheer for Daisy's desire to experience her college "ho phase" and finally have people see her as a capable, competent, and sexual being. Heath also has a compelling story arc as he navigates the challenges of living up to other people's expectations and following his passion for tattooing... and Daisy. The secondary characters were also quirky and interesting, and I can't wait to read more about this world!

Read this if you love: coming of age, slow burn, good girl/bad boy, college romance

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the relationship between "good girl" Daisy and "bad boy" Heath. Their chemistry was perfection and who doesn't love a good slow burn romance?

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Murphy really understands what makes these tropes work—and more importantly, what makes them matter.

The Undergrads: All Nighter is the good girl/bad boy, grumpy/sunshine, "teach me" romance of my dreams. Daisy deciding college is her time to bloom and Heath accidentally becoming her guide through that transformation could have been surface-level chemistry and nothing more. Instead, Murphy builds a relationship grounded in genuine mutual support and respect. These two actually see each other—not just the fantasy versions, but the real, complicated, trying-their-best versions.

The five dates premise is delicious. Heath refusing to just sleep with Daisy immediately, insisting on something that looks suspiciously like dating first, creates exactly the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you want to scream at the pages. And Daisy's journey from wallflower to someone actively pursuing what she wants—while grappling with the reality that what she wants might be more than she bargained for—is handled with care and humor.

What elevates this beyond trope execution is the depth Murphy gives both characters. Heath isn't just a broody British tattoo artist; he's a guy honoring a promise to his father while chasing his own dreams. Daisy isn't just a good girl checking boxes; she's genuinely reckoning with who she wants to become. Their dynamic has real emotional stakes beneath all the banter and tension.

Binge-worthy is the right word. I'm fully obsessed with this trilogy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.