Reviews

In The Dark by Monica Murphy

shaunnah511's review against another edition

2.0

I understand what the author was trying to do here, but for me, she completely missed the mark. In her acknowledgements, she states that she isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, but instead trying to write something fun and sexy. Well, the story is entirely predictable and the characters one-dimensional and interchangeable, however I did not have any fun or find this terribly sexy.

I'll start with what I enjoyed. Ms. Murphy knows how to write a great meet-cute. So far in this series, the initial meeting of the love interests have been sexy and unique. That's about where the sexy and unique ends though.

Lucy was frustrating to no end. She spends the majority of the story wondering how Gabe could ever be interested in her, which leads me as the reader to the same questions. She was bland and overly self-conscious. Gabe wasn't great either. He is described as being ridiculously handsome over and over, but that seems to be about all Lucy sees in him, because they never get much deeper than that.

As with the previous installment in this series, things felt unresolved at the end. Gabe spends most of the book stressing over his parent's expectations of his love life, and that's all pushed to the side with one sentence, blowing it off at the end - even though Gabe avoided the relationship for that reason alone.

They spent most of the story treating each other terribly, and then suddenly they were in love? This one just didn't do it for me. Not sure if I'll bother with Tristan, because he honestly doesn't seem worth the effort.

gvharlamert's review against another edition

2.0

******2.5 STARS******

I really wanted to like this book. I've been going back and forth on whether it was a 2.5 or a 3 star book. I liked the characters a lot. But I felt like their story was rushed and could have been more dramatic. It just felt like the actual confrontation was a let down. It was also rarely mentioned about the lying and the guilt till the end it felt like. I just think the plot and characters could have been developed a little more. Overall, good easy read but I'm not sure if I will be reading the third book in this series anytime soon.

babblingchatterreads's review against another edition

4.0

The second book in The Rules Series is Gabe Walker and Lucy’s story. Somewhat typical but a unique story in their own way that was filled with fun, angsty, intense moments that I enjoy reading and get easily hooked on. If I had to pick Shep or Gabe from the series so far I would definitely be Team Gabe. :D

That dark thrill down my spine every afternoon when I feel his hot gaze on my body is incredibly addicting.

Gabe is vacationing on a summer trip with his insane and filthy rich family and seeking for some adventure other than the boring & (so-done) plans and events that his parents have set for him. Until he finally has caught sight of the mystery girl next door where he is begins “perving” while she has been laying out poolside or taking a swim. Lucy has caught sight of his wandering eyes and even had started putting on a teasing show.

Beautiful, curvy woman, Lucy/“Luce”/Luciana, has a life that she keeps to herself. She is house sitting for the summer to earn some extra cash and when the gorgeously, jaw dropping, next door neighbor she been flirting with from afar suddenly drops by for surprise visit she continues the charade of a rich girl assumptions that Gabe has of her. Needless to say it temporarily worked in her favor.



After finally giving into their desires (& steamy ones at that) of wanting to be around each other they make a pact to keep this a summer fling and has spent together every chance they get. Little did they know that this plan of a spontaneous escapade would turn into something more until they unexpectedly encounter each other once again…in college of all places! What are the chances?



“I get too caught up in you. Every single time we’re together.” He shifts away from me so he can stare down into my eyes. “It’s like you’re the only thing I focus on when I’m with you, Luce. Hell, even when I’m not with you, you consume my thoughts. It’s wild.”

I really enjoyed this story. Gabe was a person who I least expected to fall for someone like Lucy especially after getting to know him in book one and his lavish lifestyle. He was like a whole different person in this 4.5 stars read. I was even LOL during the early chapters and was how it got me more into the story. A bit of laughter, with a mix of a love connection (opposites tend to attract) with a side of secrets and drama make Gabe and Lucy’s story refreshing. Oh Gabe you had me from the start. It was worth a sleepless night for. ~Cristina, 4.5 hearts


Ah, you have accomplished your goal, Ms. Murphy. Well, for me anyway. After reading the acknowledgments, you said you just wanted to write, have fun and make your readers smile. You did that for me. Gabriel Walker most definitely made me grin like a fool. Can't say I love him more than Shep, but he is something else though. And this is what I really enjoy about this series. It's just light and fun and sexy all at the same time. Plus, the story in itself has substance. It won't drag you along and give you tons of hot and heavy scenes going nowhere. No, I loved every single moment of it. And then again, when I reached the end of the book, I can't believe it's over. Just like Fair Game—I. Still. Want. More! I just can't seem to get enough of these guys! That epilogue does not suffice. It's not really a cliffhanger per se, but it just ends abruptly (but in a really nice way) that you'll be left needing more. Wanting to know more about what will happen to them after.



Gabriel Walker is filthy rich and he's spending his summer time with his family in their gigantic, but boring mansion of a vacation house. When he saw who their neighbor was, he started watching her every afternoon that she lounges and swims. With a body like hers, he most definitely wanted her. And Gabriel Walker always gets what he wants.



Lucy is spending her entire summer house sitting for this family who owns a humongous house. She can do what she wants so she finds time to entertain herself. Since she's been wanting to lose weight—finding her curves a little too much—she sees to it that she swims every afternoon. She always senses him watching her from that balcony and she enjoys it. Nothing wrong with a totally hot guy like a model straight from GQ devouring you from afar, right? But when he takes the time to approach her, get to know her and win her over for the summer, what's she going to do? Especially with how gorgeous and filthy rich this guy is. And she's nowhere near his level. At all.



They both just go with the flow, spend time and have fun, figuring what they have will only last over the summer anyway. Eventually, as time passed, feelings get a bit involved and it was really inevitable. Since they parted ways and knew it was just a summer fling, imagine their surprise when they go to the same college. And much worse (or better), is that they have a class together. Talk about a small world. Or coincidence. Or maybe fate? Would Lucy be able to keep up her pretenses especially now that summer is over, but they seem to still be all over each other? She knows how different she is from Gabe, given the life she's been dealt with, so what's she planning to do? How long can she keep doing this?



In the Dark can be read as a standalone, but is part of The Rules series. I think you'd better enjoy reading it if you've read Fair Game and got to know Shep and Jade. I was so thrilled reading this. Again, I think Shep still does it for me, but that doesn't mean Gabe is any less in any way. He's perfectly sweet and gorgeous too. But I guess Shep Prescott has this uniqueness in him. Oh, prepare a spare set of panties too, because Gabe knows how to run and use his mouth. He can be really sweet, bold, dirty and dominant. He made me swoon and gave me butterflies in my tummy. I mean, imagine the biggest player in the entire college getting all serious and sweet to you. Sometimes I find it ridiculously impossible, knowing his (old) ways, but yeah you'll sure be melting into a puddle. And I love how Lucy was able to tame him and ground him back to earth every single time. He badly needs it. They just complement each other so well, and not to mention that their chemistry and the sexual tension is off the charts! Now I seriously cannot wait for what Monica has in store for us with the last man standing, Tristan, in Slow Play too! ~Renery, 4 hearts

bookishanjali's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars review to come

waitingforyourletter's review against another edition

3.0

2,5 Sterne - hier wurden sehr sensiblen Themen sehr fahrlässig behandelt ... kann ich absolut nicht nachvollziehen aus der Sicht der Autorin. Personen sympathisch deshalb noch die 2,5 Sterne!

lovehollyxx's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 Stars

Another great book from Ms. Murphy! I loved Gabe and Lucy's story. In The Dark was sexy and full of heart!

Full review to come

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

jooke's review against another edition

3.0

2.5*

or I need a break of this genre or the balance between the sexual tension (and actions) and the general story line was completely wrong... I rolled my eyes multiple times.
I didn't seem to have this impression with the other 2 books in this serie.

dayrim_25's review

4.0

I loved it what are the odds of them ending up in the same place that would be my luck but without the happily ever after. 

fxygchn's review

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.5

shanbreads's review

4.0

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, jade and shep's story, was unsure whether to read this second one in case it didn't live up to it. I worried for nothing gable and lucy's story was just as good and I now can't wait to read tristans.