Lockset

University Square #2

by Brenda Murphy

After a string of failed relationships, brilliant litigator Eunice Park is determined to stay single. Who needs distractions when you’re trying to make partner at Chicago’s most prestigious law firm? A Sunday afternoon visit from the police is the beginning of a series of events that turn Eun’s life upside down, and she’s forced to return to her hometown and confront her estranged family.

Morgan Wright, locksmith and part-time animal shelter volunteer, is convinced the perfect woman exists, just not for her. After a chance encounter with Eun, Morgan becomes embroiled in Eun’s family drama.

Charmed by Morgan’s easy swagger, Eun invites her back to her hotel room. Bone-melting sex and a surprisingly soulful connection leaves Eun questioning her return to Chicago. But not everyone in Sikesville is happy Eun has returned.

Genres: Butch Femme, Lesbian, Romance, BDSM, LGBT, Fiction

ebook

Published October 12, 2020

About the author

Brenda Murphy writes short fiction and novels. She loves tattoos and sideshows and yes, those are her monkeys. When she is not swilling gallons of hot tea and writing, she wrangles two kids, two dogs, and one unrepentant parrot. She reviews books, blogs about life as a writer with ADHD and publishes photographs on her blog Writing While Distracted.

Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 Stars. This was another good book in Murphy’s new University Square series. While I didn’t like this as much as book one, On the Square, I am pretty hooked on this series already. I like the small town setting and the diverse group of LGBTQ characters. While this is a series, each book stars new characters. Because of that you can start with this book and not have any issues at all for reading out of order.

I thought book one was a lot of fun so I was excited about this read. I was actually hoping this book would star a different main character than who Murphy chose so I have to admit I was a little disappointed. But it did help that both characters were pretty likeable so I fell into their stories easily. As I mentioned before, Murphy likes to write about a diverse cast of characters which is really nice to read. I’m keeping my fingers crossed we will finally get Yvonne Li’s story in the next book.

Like most of Murphy’s books you have to consider putting an erotic tag on this. While this book felt a tiny bit kinkier than book one, I still think this series is more in the steamy romance category than erotic but that’s a debate for another day. And again like most of Murphy’s books this had elements of BDSM, but I would call it light. It had some power play, handcuffs, spanking, and other kink on that level but nothing too “hardcore” so to say.

Besides the romance, this book has a little bit of intrigue. There are some mystery elements surrounding one of the main character’s father that actually leads to some little bursts of excitement. This was quite different than the other books I have read by Murphy so I liked this slight new direction. It kept me turning the pages for sure. There was also bit of family drama that again kept the story moving.

I think the main issue for me, and while I didn’t love this like I hoped, is that I felt the book ran out of steam about two thirds of the way in. It is surprising since the book is not that long but I felt like the story was running out of gas. Because of the mystery and the family drama, there was a lot there to keep my attention so I was startled when the book still lost momentum. Instead, it was like insert sex scenes, and more sex scenes, but then pause to introduce a new character, that was never once mentioned before and who just happens to be “the ex”, and then unpausing for more and more sex. Steamy romances are some of my favorite to read and I’m shocked to say that there were at last two too many sex scenes for me in this book. I had to fight to not start skimming them which is never a good sign.

Overall, this was a good romance with a little intrigue, but it just lost its energy a bit. And while I didn’t like this as much as book one, I’m already hooked on this series and can’t wait to read more. Murphy got this second book out fast so hopefully we won’t have to wait long for the next installment.

A copy was given to me for a honest review.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5* – Eun is a mess. Her career is her whole life but is it worth it? Five years ago, she left her father’s house yelling at him after he tried some intervention to stop her from being a lesbian. His sudden death brings Eun back to her hometown and highlights how lonely she really is. When she meets Morgan, the locksmith who took her father’s dog in (not that Eun even knew he had a dog), it’s lust at first sight.

I find instalust in books much more plausible than instalove. And the way Brenda Murphy exposes it makes total sense. How it turns into more too.

Because she’s a mess, Eun is pretty frustrating. She’s always done what was expected of her (except the lesbian thing) so she’s not sure what she wants. Morgan is incredibly patient with the back and forth but she, too, has her own insecurities (how could a woman like Eun want a woman like Morgan?) so she screws up too. And that’s when I wanted to yell at the both of them. Talk, people! You can’t accuse the other of stonewalling instead of talking if you run away too. Ugh.

Fortunately, Brenda Murphy doesn’t write stupid people so the not-communicating didn’t last too long. They did have a lot of sex, and while I’m usually all for it, it felt a bit repetitive.

Lockset is the second book in the University Square series but can be read as a standalone. I may have liked it a little more than the first book, On the Square, and I recommend reading both.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hsinju Chen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warnings: death of parent, infidelity (side characters), homophobia, arson, drug addiction, violence, blood

This is book two of Murphy’s new series University Square, and while there are a few recurring characters, it can absolutely be read as a standalone. But book one On the Square (review) has a wonderful storyline with a Blasian butch (focusing on her Chinese roots) that is worth a read.

Eun (은) Park (42, lesbian), an attorney in Chicago, is estranged from her family because of her sexuality. When her father calls in hopes of reconnection, Eun gives in and agrees to visit. However things don’t go as planned, and Eun soon finds herself back home, fatherless, and meets a sweet butch Morgan Wright (42), who is taking care of Eun’s father’s dog Rudy, at the worst possible timing for dating. The chemistry between Eun and Morgan is undeniable, but Eun has a life back in Chicago and Morgan’s locksmith shop is in this small town. The pair has to decide if their encounter is merely for sex, or something more.

“It’s like these grief rocks fall out of the sky randomly.” — Eun

I picked up this book because the author is Murphy. She never disappoints in writing wonderful characters of color, and I love her for that. While reading her books, I never need to question whether or not the portrayal is going to be authentic—it always is. It is not often to see past experiences of a person of color to actually affect their lives in wlw fiction, but Murphy skillfully incorporates them into the stories. I am happy to say I will continue to read Murphy’s works and forever recommend them to others.

Eun is Korean, and there are some small things within the story that make her so relatable: she detests her other name Eunice and gives baristas her last name instead when ordering. While told in both Eun’s and Morgan’s third-person points of view, we get to experience more of Eun’s thoughts either because of the nature of her character, or a deliberate choice of the author I could not tell.

I really enjoy Murphy’s writing and I love the incorporation of some of Eun’s jump thoughts. There were several beautiful sentences of expositions as well as lighter words that made me chuckle. However, the main language between the characters is not words but sex. Sex is their shared passion as well as coping mechanisms. Eun and Morgan try very hard to communicate with each other, but oftentimes, one party shuts down and refuses further discussions. There were numerous instances of them kiss and make up in all the sexy ways possible. What started as a cute romance quickly turns into light erotica with a shade of mystery suspense, though not as much as I initially thought we were going to get.

The room faded, and Morgan’s world became Eun’s mouth on her lips and her fingers between her legs.

Overall, Eun and Morgan are respectful to each other. Maybe Eun treats Morgan a little worse than the other way around, but that is when the stress of facing the death of her father as well as her bigoted uncle comes in. I love the contrast between Eun, a law graduate with a homophobic family, and Morgan, a high-school graduate with an incredibly queer family. They connected through not only their bodies but also their love of reading. Since infidelity of side characters is important to the story, I think it leads to Morgan and Eun being more open to each other. I also appreciate that Eun is struggling with what she really wants in life. Having advanced education and a job everybody wants somehow makes it more difficult to see clearly of one’s life and decisions, and Murphy did a great job of portraying Eun’s confusion and sense of loss.

When her father had rejected her, too, [Eun] wondered if she was too much, too much for anyone to love, because if your own parents didn’t, or couldn’t love you, who could?

I did have a little issue with a few dialogues, but most of them flowed better than the last book, where Dale and Mai were essentially not communicating. Also, for some reason, there are two Judys and two Sallys (one in On the Square) in this story and it was a bit odd to read. But I am guessing one of the Judys will star in future books, maybe pairing up with Morgan’s sister Mel. And Mai’s sister Yvonne seems to be seeing the same person as in the last book. I hope these secondary characters will be mains in the sequels.

All in all, Lockset was an enjoyable read with a great Korean American lead, mild erotica, and very light mystery. I will undoubtedly read the rest of the University Square series.

I received an e-ARC from NineStar Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Lockset” is a small-town romance with a slight amount of mystery/intrigue. Eun is forced to go back to her hometown to settle the estate of her estranged father after he dies suddenly. Once she’s back she meets the town locksmith, Morgan.
They are attracted to each other on their first meeting and soon fall into a physical relationship. They both know it can’t be serious as Eun is only in town for a short while. As it sometimes happens, feelings start to happen and things become complicated.
I really liked the diverse cast Murphy writes into her books. She has a people from the whole spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community. She also writes a racially diverse cast which is enjoyable to read. “Lockset” features a lot of women in roles normally dominated by men, such as a fire chief, locksmith, contractor and plumber.
Another aspect I enjoyed was the small mystery surrounding the death of Eun’s father. I never knew where the story was going to go and it kept me reading.
The major problem I had was that there was a serious lack of communication between Eun and Morgan. And the few times they did talk, one would usually walk off in a huff. The chemistry was off the charts physically, but I didn’t see much of a connection emotionally. They each came into their relationship with a lot of baggage, Morgan doesn’t feel she’s good enough because she doesn’t have a college degree. Eun is dealing with the death of her father, her bigoted family and she honestly doesn’t know what she wants.
Instead of talking, Eun and Morgan’s major way of communicating is through sex. In my opinion, there was a tad too much of it for my tastes and I found myself skimming those scenes. It became frustrating that when they needed to talk instead, they would fall into bed together. While the sex was hot and varied, I would have liked to see them being intimate in other ways as well.
In the end, I say it’s worth a read. Especially if you like the steamier romances. It’s not a long story and can be read in one sitting.
“Lockset” is the second release in Brenda Murphy’s University Square series. It can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading “On the Square” as well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series - enjoyed but little overlap so easy to read as one off. Enjoyed it - a little convoluted but went with the flow. Recommended.

[MJSam · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 in Murphy’s University Square series, and it was ok, but I liked book 1 more.

This features Eun, a lawyer returning home to the small town she grew up in after the death of her father, and Morgan, a locksmith who also grew up there. Parts of this were ok, but there were too many elements that didn’t gel for me.

First, gievn that they are the same age and Morgan was only delayed a year in graduation, I didn’t buy that they wouldn’t have known each other or that Eun wouldn’t have know Morgan’s family. There are multiple comments about how small this town is and how everyone knows each other, so it seemed unlikely that Eun wouldn’t have recognised Morgan.

Eun is also dealing with a lot when she arrives, and almost immediately jumps into bed with Morgan, they rarely talk about anything of substance outside of Eun’s family issues, but still manage to fall in love. I felt like Eun was just grabbing hold of Morgan because her family represented all the Eun wished she had. Morgan also comes from a family of three queer siblings, but it’s not very well fleshed out, given that this would be unusual, I thought it deserved more exploration.

There’s also a fairly mundane plot involving Eun’s hateful uncle and another character I won’t name to avoid spoilers. It was fairly obvious and a bit over the top, so I didn’t feel it added much. I’d have much preferred a deeper exploration of the MCs relationship to the addition of that subplot, which was also the reason for many of the contrived miscommunications throughout the book.

The resolution was fairly easy to spot from practically the beginning and not many of the side characters were fleshed out this time (unlike Dale’s sons in book 1). This isn’t a bad read, but book 1 was more enjoyable and had more realistic plot elements. 3 stars.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series for a number of different reasons, so it pains me to say that this one just didn’t really hit the spot for me.

It has so many great things going for it, number one being the diversity the series brings. I enjoy the fact that Murphy wraps in diversity in a number of different ways and I hope this continues throughout the series and sets examples to others as to how to do this well.

I also like a book that includes a pet heavily so Rudy the dog was a nice incorporation for me.

I liked the small element of mystery that was threaded through the storyline with regards to Eun’s father. It was a nice addition to the romance and helped solidify the feelings Eun had regarding her father and the situation she finds herself in.

I have to agree with the other reviews, towards the end I was missing any relationship development and felt it had just been replaced with unnecessary sex scenes. I wanted something else instead to show intimacy between the MCs. I also wasn’t completely sure why we were introduced to Morgan’s ex suddenly at this point of the narrative either, unless this was a setup for her inclusion in future instalments.

I want to discuss a couple of small spoilers so I’m putting these behind the spoiler tag.

I didn’t enjoy the number of times other characters seemed to want to put down the relationship between Morgan and Eun, mentioning a date Morgan had been on that clearly hadn’t meaner much to her. One mention to add tension would make sense, but it seemed to be a running theme.

I actually had a point where I had to put my Kindle down and wanted to yell at the MCs. Later in the book they say to each other that they have to keep up good communication - I just wanted to scream that they don’t communicate well!! This was a bit of a theme in the first book too so I’m hoping that the MCs in the third instalment don’t have the same issue.

Whilst I’m disappointed, I’d say there is still lots about this book to enjoy and I’d definitely recommend people give this series a try. I’m really just hoping the third book is about Yvonne.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Althea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After feeling slightly frustrated by the overshadowing of the plot in On the Square, I enjoyed Lockset a lot more (and it has another butch/femme romance!). Although it is the second book in the series, it can also very easily be read as a standalone, but it does spoil some parts of the first book. Lockset follows Eun, a litigator, who one day receives a phone call from her father that she hasn’t seen for a long time, asking her to come back home to see him. Not soon after the phonecall, Eun receives a visit from the local police, explaining that her father was found dead, which leads her to come home to sort out his funeral and his estate. We also follow locksmith Morgan, who offers to look after Eun’s father’s dog until Eun sorts his affairs out, but Morgan soon ends up embroiled in Eun’s family drama. I’m very happy to say that the plot played a much stronger role in this second book, and offered an almost mystery/thriller aspect to the book, as the reader, alongside Eun and Morgan, try and figure out what happened to her father (although I still think some threads of the plot were left unresolved). Although I figured out the ‘who dunnit’ quite early on, there were a lot of unexpected twists and turns that I still really enjoyed!

The characters also felt a lot better fleshed out in this sequel and I found it a lot easier to tell the two narratives apart. Eun is the very confident businesswoman who also loves reading and writing but hasn’t found a lot of time to enjoy these hobbies due to her demanding job, and Morgan is a real softie who loves dogs and who is continuing on her family’s locksmith business. I really liked the two of them and their chemistry was palpable. I felt the sex scenes in this book were also a lot more intense and I enjoyed them a whole lot, although I think there may have been one too many in there, if I’m being nit picky! Although there weren’t too many new side characters introduced in this book, I liked that we saw the characters from book one popping up – from Noah working in Mai’s restaurant, to Eli helping Morgan with her puzzle boxes and Yvonne growing close to both Morgan and Eun – interlinking stories in a series like this is something that I really enjoy.

I also felt that Brenda Murphy expanded on the world-building of Sikesville in this sequel and we got to see how all the characters all knew each other and interconnected, as well as seeing new parts of the town, like the dog park, the taco truck and the vets. I can’t wait to see where else we go in the upcoming books in the series!

I feel like fewer themes were discussed in this one (though that isn’t necessarily a bad thing), but a big one was homophobia. There is a lot of hostility towards Eun, particularly from her family, in the form of religious homophobia which might be quite difficult to read for some people, but it is always challenged. To almost offset it, Morgan comes from a very loving, and very queer, family which was really nice to see (all of Morgan’s siblings, including her brother’s fiancée, and her uncle are queer).

Overall, this was a great second book in the series that really built on from On the Square. It’s the perfect book if you’re looking for some steamy lesbian romance with a slight mystery twist and I highly recommend picking this series up!

Thanks to Netgalley and NineStar Press for an eARC copy in return for an honest review!

[MaxDisaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Not bad, a bit predictable but relatively entertaining.
Can't say this series left much impression on me, so I'll focus elsewhere for now.
But again, it wasn't bad

[Ameliah Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious
Eun is an attorney who spent her life trying to make her father proud (after her mother abandon them) doing almost everything that was expected of her. Coming out didn’t sit well with her father and the last straw was when he invited the pastor and his wife over to pray the gay away over her. She has buried herself in her career, never making time for a partner of her own. Now her father is dead and she has to return to her hometown to deal with the aftermath. Morgan is a locksmith and a part time volunteer at the animal shelter. She is jaded on love, not believing there is anyone out there for her. When she and Eun cross paths, she becomes enamored of the other woman and it’s not long before they are spending a heated afternoon in Eun’s bedroom…. Morgan finds herself helping Eun deal with the family drama and the mystery that surrounds her father’s death but when all is said and done, will Morgan have her heart broken or do they stand a chance?
This book is HOT, HOT, HOT! There are many lovely, sexy scenes scattered throughout this sweet drama. As it is a book written by Ms Murphy, you KNOW it is well written, interesting, engaging and delightful! It is also not safe for work, unless you enjoy reading lusty, blush inducing things in public is your thing, then by all means, this book is just right for you!!! I really enjoyed this story and would have loved it even without all the sex. I loved how Morgan and Eun related to each other and how dedicated Morgan was to the other woman. The drama and brief mystery held my attention and made me wonder what was going to happen next. I did feel that maybe things weren’t as resolved with the uncle as I would have liked but it was still a great story and one I will enjoy for some time to come.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lockset by Brenda Murphy
University Square #2

Eunice Park never thought she would return to her hometown but when she did reach home again one of the first people she saw became her tower of strength. Both women grew up in the same town but did not know one another from childhood. Their road was not easy but they do manage to weather all that comes their way and build a strong relationship as a result of it all.

What I liked:
* Eunice Park: lawyer, intelligent, focused, professional, career-minded, estranged from her family, too busy for a relationship.
* Morgan Wright: locksmith, warm, caring, animal lover, family oriented, loving, empathetic, unlucky in love, a great person.
* Rudy: the rescue dog that Morgan meets near the beginning of the book
* Morgan’s family: diverse, interesting, there for one another, supportive, likable, and everything a person would want in a family.
* That the main characters were both mature, knew how to communicate, were gainfully employed, and were open to love
* The story, writing, secrets, mysteries, and resolution
* That the story felt believable and events described – good and bad – can and do occur in the real world.
* The food – I looked up several dishes mentioned and am eager to make a few or try them if I can find them.
* Seeing some of the characters mentioned in the previous book
* Wondering who will be up next in the next book of the series

What I did not like:
* Realizing that some of the bad things that happened in this story in fact do occur in real life and relationships.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Ninestar Press for the ARC – This is my honest review

4 Stars

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and NineStar Press for the ARC of this book.

This was an enjoyable romance that, for the most part, worked well for me. It was heavier on the erotic scenes than I normally like, but surprisingly, I didn’t really mind. The romance itself was well-developed given that the book was pretty short. (And oh, that cover! Talk about g o r g e o u s !)

Eun was my favorite character; I absolutely loved learning about her life story and her growth throughout the events of the book. I adored that the author explored her complex feelings toward her family. She‘s sometimes prickly and unlikeable, but I think that‘s to be expected given her backstory. Eun is Korean-American and, as other reviewers have pointed out, Murphy does a good job of representing her authentically. Morgan is dreamy, kind, and patient, and I loved her with Eun. I would’ve liked to have dived into Morgan’s inner world a bit more, but it made sense that Murphy wanted Eun’s story to take center stage.

Overall, I really liked this book and will be checking out more from Brenda Murphy.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I really like Brenda Murphy's books. I haven't read all of them, but will eventually make my way through them all. Lockset is the second book in the University Square series. I think at the time I was reading it, I didn't realize that. I did read book 1 and must admit that I enjoyed it more than this one.

Lockset is about Eun Park who returns to her hometown once she receives word her father has died. She is a successful lawyer in Chicago and hasn't been home to see her father is many many years. This story develops as you read the book. Morgan Wright enters the story because she is the locksmith who is called when a wellness check is done for Eun's father. I would say that Morgan is the one who is more grounded in this story.

So I think the reason why I enjoyed this less than book one is because there was just so much going on in this romance. You have Eun who has issues with her father and also her mom who she feels abandoned her. Then you have the issue with the her uncle and her father's church. Then you have sabotage, work issues, love issues. It was just A LOT. I wish the storyline was simpler. Like take out a few of those issues and focus more on what was left. Despite these things, I never found myself saying I can't read anymore of this. The issues did keep me reading, plus I wanted to see if Eun and Morgan could really make a go of a relationship. After all, the mains did have chemistry and some rather good sex. Not sure if I would have put these two together, but it still works.

I would have to rate this 3.25 stars.

This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Brenda Murphy writes not only a culturally diverse book with Lockset, but Murphy manages to include characters from OnThe Square to make it a well rounded book with people from every population. Then Murphy tops it all off with the cutest puppy (all dogs are puppies until they bite me...just saying).

It is the death of a family member which brings a mystery to life in Lockset. Mind you, this is not a mystery (laugh). This is a tale of secrets, anger, and learning to step beyond it. It is also a story with really hot sex -my favorite kind. Murphy builds a quiet romance within a firestorm of homophobia, hatred, self-doubt, and loss.

If I have not said it before, then I will definitely say it now: add Brenda Murphy and this series to your must read list. I love this series and I am seriously crushing on Murphy.

I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Aj Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lockset is the second University Square Series book, but if you haven't read "On the Square", this will work on its own. (Though to be honest you really should read On the Square because it's a very enjoyable book!)

Lockset sees us return to Sikesville to meet Morgan, the thoroughly adorable and incredibly sweet, locksmith. As well as being kind and charming she's an animal lover and volunteers at the local shelter because she's awesome. Somehow this woman is single! Eun, our other leading lady is a touch prickly, however, to say the least. She's a successful litigator and a trip back to her home town and homophobic family is not high on her agenda.

The chemistry between the two women is sparkling and some of the sex scenes are outrageously hot. This is part of the really good quality erotic writing I have come to know and love from Brenda Murphy. Unlike her previous books, however, in this text many of the plot points are overly telegraphed and some of the writing isn't quite polished - hence the three stars.

Despite this, if you like Brenda Murphy's other works you will definitely enjoy this too.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always know I’ll enjoy a book by Brenda Murphy so I was happy to read this. Eun and Morgan are the main characters. Morgan lives in town, but Eun, who grew up there, fled to Chicago after coming out to her disapproving father. She has to return when her dad dies. Besides meeting and being attracted to Morgan, some strange things happen around Eun. Her father’s assistant is almost too helpful, at least in my opinion; the accounts seem odd, and then other things happen. Eun is ambivalent about staying although attracted to Morgan. It’s kind of a fun mystery trying to pick out who is doing these things to hinder or hurt Eun. There are some viable candidates, but I congratulated myself too soon on not falling for the first one because I was surprised at who it was. The romance had some hitches as both women had issues to resolve and some communication mishaps, but there were some steamy scenes. All in all, it was an enjoyable read.

[Em Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story by Brenda Murphy. Eun is one hot mess and I mean sexy hot but her parents and extended family really did a number on her and not to mention the heartless boss. Morgan, big and butch and so kind and sweet. Then there is Rudy, I want a dog like that. This story had a bit on everything and I glad the 2 MC and dog got there in the end. Also I’d love to go to Ohana’s for a meal, the food sounded yummy,

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to her hometown after her father‘s death Eun, a lawyer from Chicago, meets Morgan, a local locksmith. They are opposites in many ways, Eun is high strong, and has no time for relationships, and only likes anonymous one night stands, we’re Morgan is warm, calm, and is looking for a long-term relationship as her previous ones have all failed. They are both from different cultures and backgrounds, however when they meet there is intense eye contact that fascinates both women.
As they connect more the relationship turns into an intense sexual one, but both know it’s a dead end for any hope of a relationship. Yet they are incredibly drawn to one another and usually Eun says something that hurts Morgan. Eun has sort of a poor\push relationship with Morgan because she wants her comfort and her understanding however she has no experience with the relationship and just doesn’t know what to say or do. Morgan senses that Eun’s insensitive comments are because she’s afraid and Morgan attempts to convince her to just communicate with her and not walk away. There are ups and downs between these two women who continue to have intense eye contact and wild hot sex, until the sex turns into lovemaking. Can these two women, who are different from one another in so many ways, find a way to forge forward into a relationship that can last?
This is a very interesting book and one that I highly recommend, there’s so much going into it but more importantly what goes into it is incredibly well written with characters who are very complex and well developed.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an erotic romance where the two main love interests have to overcome obstacles including death, homophobia, emotional insecurities, distance, job troubles, etc. in order to make their relationship work. The tension is present throughout the novel, which makes for a quick read. I really enjoyed that this book touched on a wide range of diversity. At times, however, I felt like the story overplayed some of the drama by trying to fit too many problems into small space. Other than that, the two main characters were solid, well thought out and both really likable and I found myself cheering them on throughout the book, despite myself.

[Veronica of V's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eunice Park is an out lesbian litigator living in Chicago. She is estranged from both her parents for different reasons. Her father essentially disowned her for being gay, while her mother left when she was young due to a drug habit. She’s startled when her father calls–after 5 years of no contact–and demand she come home to see him. Eun can’t really take off on a whim, but she makes plans to come the following weekend. And, then forgets due to work stress. And, the next call Eun receives from her hometown of Sikesville, Ohio is from the police letting her know her father has died.

Morgan Wright is a locksmith, running her family business and the person the police (her sister) calls on for a welfare check ad Mr. Park’s home and office. So, she’s there to discover the body and Mr. Park’s rambunctious dog. A softie for fostering strays, Morgan brings home the abandoned pooch. It’s not long before she encounters Eun, who is struggling with the guilt and frustration of missing her father while still being so angry at how their once-loving relationship changed. Her mother is no support, and her uncle is hateful, homophobic and out for his inheritance. Morgan’s steadfast companionship is a boon, and helps her weather some of the immediate storms.

The funeral is one thing, and their quick connection makes the intimacy between Eun and Morgan even more bittersweet, because Eun knows she needs to return to Chicago and face the wrath of the senior partner in her practice over the last case that went terribly wrong. Eun has no reason to stay in Sikesville, even with a growing attraction to Morgan, but bigger forces are at work, and Eun’s dad’s journals seem to be key in getting to the bottom of what seems a secret affair and perhaps extortion. Eun’s about to set out for Chicago when the mystery takes a turn into arson.

And, Morgan’s not so please being considered a bit of distraction–even knowing that Eun isn’t meant to remain n their small town. But, the more tragedy that sets in , the more that Eun realizes her life has been devoted to the dreams of others, and she now has the opportunity to start living her life for her own self, and with a woman who’d be proud to stand by her side.

It’s a sweet and sexy story with lots of struggles and make-up sex and two classy ladies that find a home in one another–wherever that might be. I liked the clash of cultures and how Eun navigated the disparate parts of her life. There’s a bit of drama near the end that went way into the danger zone, but it was only obliquely related to Eun and Morgan, so I didn’t get too worked up over it. Let’s just say that dinner at Mai’s restaurant was never so bloody! We got a little glimpse of the stories from ON THE SQUARE, and I think a look forward into a future love story.

[Z Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I adored the first book in the series, I may have enjoyed Lockset even more than On The Square. The instant sense of familiarity was a pleasure in itself. As luscious as sinking into a bubble bath scented with my favourite almond blossom. It felt as if I’d never been away…

If I loved the first novel like Haagen Dazs Pralines ‘n’ Cream with hot fudge sauce and nutty sprinkles…warm walnut shortbread and freshly baked bread…this story? Was a litre bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream; lavishly laced with a whiskey warm kick. I may have made these novels sound supersweet; they are not. They are rich and real, and feel as authentic as they are fulfilling. I love these women. They are strong in the sort of way I admire most. They retain a stubborn pride in their own self-sufficiency, above and beyond all reason. A trait that does tend to result in a refusal to rely on others and an inability to accept (let alone seek) help. All of which makes for fabulous friction in tandem with sizzling chemistry. And fantastic fiction, full-stop.

Eun may have had a dump truck of misfortunes land in her lap but she retained the sort of quiet strength that makes sharing them a journey, rather than an endurance. I never for one moment doubted that Brenda Murphy would give these wonderful women the destination they deserved. No matter how rocky the road or tire-slashing the lurkers lying in wait to throw a spanner in their works.

On that note…the image of Morgan weilding a wrench was the single most sexy sight I wish I’d witnessed since Mai last licked her fingers in On The Square. (I am sure she must have done this. She is a cook. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it). It was an added dollop of delight to visit her now thriving restaurant and see her again. I could clearly do with another season of Nigella to warm my cockles. Or a reboot of The (exceedingly) Delicious Miss Dahl. I p’raps have a bit of a type…warm, sensuous women with lush curves…and sublime skills with a bag of sugar. Ah well, in the meantime, I can but hope that a third trip to University Square might be on the menu and offer utmost compliments to the chef who cooked up this delicious series for our delectation. Oh, and a five star recommendation.

Treat yourself...you deserve it. Times are tough. 😁

[Domi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the University Square series returns to Sikesville to focus on two other characters: Eun Park, a lawyer from Chicago who left Sikesville due to an overbearing, homophobic father and Morgan, the local locksmith coming from a loving family. They hit it off when Eun comes back to town after her father dies but after a steamy hookup it is clear they will not match longterm due to different expectations in life.
I loved the fact that we got to know more of Sikesville and it inhabitants and well, there was Rudy the dog. I always love a dog in a story. There was just a lot going on in this book with homophobic families, infidelity, arson, and whatnot. In between those scenes there's a lot of miscommunication (basically all about the same thing) and then a hot sex scene again. Now, I certainly don't mind steamy scenes, but for the balance in this story and a more believable romance it might have worked better to just add some "normal" interactions between Eun and Morgan to see them deepening their connection. Overall I liked book 1 more, but I will definitely read future installments cause I will for sure enjoy those reads as well.

*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed it this could have been better. It seemed to me that no one had read it all the way through before release - like the bits of it were good but it wasn’t consistent across the whole. In ch17 the mc says we should have already talked about safe words.....well they did in ch7!
Various random side characters get written in but then aren’t mentioned again. Probably going to feature in future books but seemed a little forced.
Like other reviewers I found the sex scenes neither one thing or other. Not enough in them to be erotica and the one strange spanking didn’t make the book BDSM for me, but just too much quantity for a romance. I wanted them to have a conversation but then there’d be another sex scene. And as I said earlier it was like no one had read all the way through to see there are just too many and it gets repetitive.

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two people who couldn’t be more different—but the attraction is difficult to deny. Murphy creates two exceptional, strong, women characters in her second book of the University Square series. Family dynamics are complicated, and Murphy handles them well here. She gave me some characters that I loved to hate (I know it’s a strong word, but in this context, it is so appropriate) and a couple of twists I didn’t expect.

I enjoy Murphy’s style of writing and the characters she creates. And you cannot say enough about the steamy sex scenes. No spoilers, peeps! I do think you will find the power exchange between the MCs to be entertaining and enthusiastic, to say the least. Just sayin’. Pick this one up for an entertaining weekend read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan’s doing her best, staying out of relationships. Eun is doing her best, keeping it to one night stand app dates. They meet in sad circumstances and a little guy named Rudy helps bring them together. Over a few bumps and through some very steamy sexy times, these two women find they have a magnetic pull that a lot of people wish they could find. Their chemistry is amazing, but will good loving be enough to keep them together in Sikesville? Brenda has written a story with a bit of everything, a little mystery, a lot of steam, diverse characters & an ending that I hope points to more page time for this couple. Pick up On The Square, book one of this University Square series, if you haven’t yet. It’s just as good as this one!

[RNPride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about reclaiming your life and doing what you want, following your heart instead of other people's expectations. It was a page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. The author kept me engaged with the characters and plot twists throughout. This was a beautiful written story with romance, a bit of angst and intrigue plus a few surprises along the way. It was quite hot and steamy! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already looked for more stories from this author.

[0848020333 0333 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eunice loves her life as it is on Chicago, when she returns home to handle the affairs of her fathers funeral, she starts on a journey to herself. she meets Morgan who is laidback, honest and wants to be there for her. They both know that the relationship is short-termed, they both wish that it was not so. their journey into finding each other and themselves was fun, ansty. Throw in some mystery and detective work and a brilliant read.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town, returning home, opposite's attract romance. Second in the University Square series; introduces two new characters.

Eun Park has never done anything for herself, always seeking to make her father proud even as they have cut all ties between them. But her father's sudden death forces Eun to return to her small-town hometown where she meets the down-to-earth Morgan Wright.

[Educator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance and mystery combined. Heavy on the romance. Eun is a lawyer and Morgan is a locksmith. Together they and the fearless fur baby, Rudy, brave family drama, horrible memories, and small town stares. There are steamy scenes through out the book so be warned. It is a one sitting read.