Murphy's Secret

Clocktower Romance #3

by Becke Turner

Growing up, Whit Murphy had one goal, to care for his mother and siblings after an Afghanistan firefight claimed his father’s life. Although he struggled in school, he excelled in football, as in professional Player of the Year good. Keeping his body and brain healthy occupies his focus until his old girlfriend calls him for a family crisis. Suddenly, he’s forced to partner with his former lover and risk his career and his heart to save his sister.

If Talley Frost hadn’t tutored Whit, he wouldn’t even have a football career. Too bad, her efforts backfired when he chose football over her. Now, he’s out of her league. But how can she save his sister and protect her heart at the same time?

Take a detour back to Sunberry, NC and see what's happened to Ava's youngest son, Whit, as he takes on the NFL, his Murphy clan, and the girl he can't forget.

Genres: Contemporary

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2022

About the author

Becke Turner writes heartwarming, clean small-town romances filled with family, second chances, and love that feels like home.

Her stories feature sassy, independent women, close-knit communities, and relationships built on trust, gentle humor, and everyday moments that matter most.

She is best known for the Murphy Family Saga, a collection of interconnected romances set in a town where neighbors look out for one another and love often arrives when it’s least expected.

A retired healthcare data analyst, Becke now happily spends her days writing stories rooted in home and heart. A lifelong animal lover, she shares her writing space with Tucker, her opinionated standard poodle, who firmly believes supervising the creative process is part of his job.

When she’s not writing, Becke enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, biking, and snorkeling with her husband of more than fifty years.

Her books are written for readers who love clean romance, familiar settings, and stories that leave you feeling hopeful, comforted, and at home.

Reviews

[Micki Sund · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Becke Turner book yet! I loved revisiting the characters from Home To Stay. I love seeing people overcome challenges. One of the things I loved most about this book is that it addresses an important topic that’s a real life issue and did it in a way that made me more aware! I loved this book!!!

[Krisz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was my first experience with Becke Turner's writing. I chose this arc to read based on the blurb.

Unfortunately I didn't like the book. I had issues with the writing as well as with the story itself.
As for the writing I felt like it needed quite a bit more polishing, it didn't flow and didn't sucked me in the story. As for the story itself I have to say quite a few things didn't make sense to me. I felt I never found out what Murphy's secret was in the first place. But perhaps my attention has already run short by the time I reached the supposedly highest peak of the story at the end which was nothing if not unsatisfactory. I wanted to skip a lot of times by then. Though the lowest point for me and the biggest hole in the storyline was a bit earlier, where THE conflict between the hero and heroine should have been. You know, the problem was there wasn't any as the story just skipped that part, or at least it was missing from my copy. Although there weren't any missing chapters based on the numbering, believe me, I checked.
I think an editor worth their salt would have been able to make this book a lot better. Or another round of beta reads.

I have Home to Stay sitting on my kindle but I'm wary to read it after just reading a review commending the author on her improved writing in Murphy's Secret.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read Whit's story after reading the first two books. I know this is supposed to be ok as a standalone but I'm not sure it works for people who didn't read the first book to have a small idea of Whit's problem. I really enjoyed Whit and his caring for his family and working for them but also you realized he felt like he wasn't worth anything other than that.

That being said here comes the downsides. First, inconsistencies from the first book. Talley met the family before Whit's mom married the stepdad and in here they say they met after the marriage. I hate stuff that makes me stop and figure out it I'm the one out of sorts. Also misnaming the dog from the first book and calling it the name of the dog from the second. I'm guessing a typo but again distracting. Also Talley wasn't all that likable. She expects a football player to just make a video about how dangerous football is? Talley could have been better fleshed out so she didn't seem so harsh and we could understand her better. I actually cheered when Whit yelled at her. Also the point of going home because of Hope seemed to fall to the wayside for most of the book.

[Peni]

A Clocktower Romance with a little more heat. Growing up, Whit Murphy had one goal, to care for his mother and siblings after an Afghanistan firefight claimed his father’s life. Although he struggled in school, he excelled in football, as in professional Player of the Year good. Keeping his body and brain healthy occupies his focus until his old girlfriend calls him for a family crisis. Suddenly, he’s forced to partner with his former lover and risk his career and his heart to save his sister.

If Talley Frost hadn’t tutored Whit, he wouldn’t even have a football career. Too bad, her efforts backfired when he chose football over her. Now, he’s out of her league. But how can she save his sister and protect her heart at the same time?

Take a detour back to Sunberry, NC and see what's happened to Ava's youngest son, Whit, as he takes on the NFL, his Murphy clan, and the girl he can't forget. If you like a second chance romance with a courageous woman willing to risk everything for the man she loves, you’ll enjoy Becke Turner’s award-winning romance MURPHY’S SECRET. Get your copy of MURPHY’S SECRET, today.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book by Becke so far. This second chance romance was fun and easy to read. I can see the growth Becke has had as an author in this book in particular. It was so fun to see the story of Whit and Tally as adults as we just got a taste of them as preteens in Home to Stay. I look forward to reading more about Sunberry and it's inhabitants.

I received an ARC copy of this book and am willingly leaving this review.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was an enjoyable continuation of the Murphy family. I liked that we see the characters we met in "Home to Stay". The boys are grown up and facing real world problems. I did feel that there were parts that felt repetitive and Hope's storyline didn't quite feel handled adequately in my mind. However, the writing was smooth and the characters are relatable!

[Betty Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wit's career and Talley's determination hinder the feelings they have for each other. Self-understanding and empathy are necessary for their love to flourish. The characters elicit empathy and the plot moves flawlessly. A great read!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Football injury

Risk of brain damage from being tackled is focus of character's behavior.
Also brain damage from disease not related to contact sport's
References to Panthers, Chapel Hill
Female protagonists determined to convince others that their perspective is correct.

[Becke Turner]

Dear Reader,
Whit Murphy's romance is my only spicy read in the Clocktower Romance Series. And the inside scoop? I will soon be revising this book to conform to the sweet, PG-13 heat level. Just saying... More later. :)

Becke

[Cecelia Crews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

Wow is was a very rewarding and powerful story. There is so much truth of life in this story that it even brought tears to my eyes several time. This was so well written that everyone should read it.

[Deloris Brinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story of people who help each other

I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys mixing family, sports, and love. I like how family and neighbors help each other yet don't realize the stress or physical conditions that come from hard sports.

[Roy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad language

Lots of gutter language and thoughts with no redeeming morality. Lots of post modern philosophy and immorality with several cardboard characters.

[Ann Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murphy's Secret:

Backs did an amazing job. This book will have your emotions all over the place. I can't wait to start the next book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Whit and Talley’s story. I liked that the author introduced them as kids and now the are grown wit an adult storyline.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written second chance story. Will Talley and Whit re connect after all these years. Loved everything about this story with awesome characters.