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Lancaster Prep Next Generation #2
Keep Me in Your Heart
Step into New York Times bestselling author Monica Murphy’s mesmerizing and emotionally charged romance featuring Rowan Lancaster, the son of Crew and Wren from A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime. With an exclusive bonus scene.
This was supposed to be the best year of Rowan Lancaster’s life. Instead, thanks to a massive linebacker, his ankle is broken and his last football season at Lancaster Prep is done. Just like that. Now his days are dull and gray. Boring.
Except for the days that include Arabella Hartley Thomas.
She’s the girl everyone wants to be friends with. Beautiful but approachable. Stylish. Quirky. Yet she gets under Rowan’s skin like no other, and he doesn’t understand why. Sure, they flirt and banter and give each other grief. But now she invades his dreams and makes his heart pound so hard he’s sure she can see it.
Until suddenly, not only does Arabella see every part that he wishes he could hide, he realizes if he let himself, he could fall―hard.
Which is the same day he learns she might be leaving…for good.
This was supposed to be the best year of Rowan Lancaster’s life. Instead, thanks to a massive linebacker, his ankle is broken and his last football season at Lancaster Prep is done. Just like that. Now his days are dull and gray. Boring.
Except for the days that include Arabella Hartley Thomas.
She’s the girl everyone wants to be friends with. Beautiful but approachable. Stylish. Quirky. Yet she gets under Rowan’s skin like no other, and he doesn’t understand why. Sure, they flirt and banter and give each other grief. But now she invades his dreams and makes his heart pound so hard he’s sure she can see it.
Until suddenly, not only does Arabella see every part that he wishes he could hide, he realizes if he let himself, he could fall―hard.
Which is the same day he learns she might be leaving…for good.
352 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2024
881 people are currently reading
15473 people want to read
About the author
Monica Murphy
106 books18.7k followersNew York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 748 reviews
October 14, 2025
➸ 3.5/5 stars
This book was a fun ride. equal parts surprising in a good way and a little iffy in others. It was actually my first Monica Murphy book, jumping into the second book of a second-gen series had me a little worried. But I didn’t feel lost at all. So props to her for making it easy to follow!
⤷ tropes and vibes:
• new adult romance
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Boy and girl obsessed
• First love
• Mmc’s first time
• Opposites attracts
• Rich private school vibes
• Slow burn
let’s start with the fun stuff: I enjoyed reading this. I was hesitant when I saw the characters were only 17-18 (you know how that can go), but Monica actually pulled it off. She gave them a sense of realism that some authors just don’t. These characters actually felt like their age, and it was refreshing.
۫ ꣑ৎ ┊ arabella hartley -
she was…interesting. I’ll be real, at first, I did not like her. She felt super attention-seeking, and I couldn’t relate to her at all. But the more I read, the more I got into her head, and it started to make sense. She’s a people pleaser, and yeah, she craves attention but not in a toxic way. It’s more like she’s desperate to feel included because she’s been abandoned her whole life. That made her behavior a lot easier to understand, even if I couldn’t personally connect with it.
What I respect about Arabella is that all her issues like being overly concerned with what people think. were internal. She wasn’t some weak character letting people walk all over her, which is what I initially expected. she held her ground in her own way. she depended on Rowan I didn’t hate it. Their relationship felt genuine and had this soft, wholesome vibe.
۫ ꣑ৎ ┊ rowan lancaster -
Oh. My. God. He is everything! He’s what the Royal Elite Horsemen wish to be but never will. I was ready for another overly arrogant alpha guy, but Rowan Lancaster actually surprised me. He’s thoughtful, caring, and uncertain at times, which makes sense for an 18-year-old. I hate when authors write teenage guys with the mindset of a 35-year-old CEO. Rowan felt real. He’s grumpy for everyone but her and a virgin, while Arabella was the experienced one. I loved that flip on the usual dynamic. it made their story stand out. Watching Rowan admit his feelings was pure gold. He always prioritized Arabella, and the way he showed his emotions felt genuine. Both of them had their baggage, but they worked through it in such a sweet and mature way. Yeah, they moved kind of fast, but at the same time, it didn’t feel rushed. their relationship developed in the right way even if they were doing things a bit early if that makes sense 😭
➸ I wasn’t a fan of that one scene around the 35% mark where Arabella stripped naked because she felt insecure. That moment kind of threw me off. it felt unnecessary and made her insecurities feel too much in a way that clashed with her other moments of strength. Overall, this was a solid book. Not perfect, but definitely not bad. The characters had depth, their romance was sweet, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. If you like messy, young love that still feels grounded, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
***ARC Provided by Valentine PR Management.***
This book was a fun ride. equal parts surprising in a good way and a little iffy in others. It was actually my first Monica Murphy book, jumping into the second book of a second-gen series had me a little worried. But I didn’t feel lost at all. So props to her for making it easy to follow!
⤷ tropes and vibes:
• new adult romance
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Boy and girl obsessed
• First love
• Mmc’s first time
• Opposites attracts
• Rich private school vibes
• Slow burn
let’s start with the fun stuff: I enjoyed reading this. I was hesitant when I saw the characters were only 17-18 (you know how that can go), but Monica actually pulled it off. She gave them a sense of realism that some authors just don’t. These characters actually felt like their age, and it was refreshing.
۫ ꣑ৎ ┊ arabella hartley -
she was…interesting. I’ll be real, at first, I did not like her. She felt super attention-seeking, and I couldn’t relate to her at all. But the more I read, the more I got into her head, and it started to make sense. She’s a people pleaser, and yeah, she craves attention but not in a toxic way. It’s more like she’s desperate to feel included because she’s been abandoned her whole life. That made her behavior a lot easier to understand, even if I couldn’t personally connect with it.
What I respect about Arabella is that all her issues like being overly concerned with what people think. were internal. She wasn’t some weak character letting people walk all over her, which is what I initially expected. she held her ground in her own way. she depended on Rowan I didn’t hate it. Their relationship felt genuine and had this soft, wholesome vibe.
۫ ꣑ৎ ┊ rowan lancaster -
Oh. My. God. He is everything! He’s what the Royal Elite Horsemen wish to be but never will. I was ready for another overly arrogant alpha guy, but Rowan Lancaster actually surprised me. He’s thoughtful, caring, and uncertain at times, which makes sense for an 18-year-old. I hate when authors write teenage guys with the mindset of a 35-year-old CEO. Rowan felt real. He’s grumpy for everyone but her and a virgin, while Arabella was the experienced one. I loved that flip on the usual dynamic. it made their story stand out. Watching Rowan admit his feelings was pure gold. He always prioritized Arabella, and the way he showed his emotions felt genuine. Both of them had their baggage, but they worked through it in such a sweet and mature way. Yeah, they moved kind of fast, but at the same time, it didn’t feel rushed. their relationship developed in the right way even if they were doing things a bit early if that makes sense 😭
➸ I wasn’t a fan of that one scene around the 35% mark where Arabella stripped naked because she felt insecure. That moment kind of threw me off. it felt unnecessary and made her insecurities feel too much in a way that clashed with her other moments of strength. Overall, this was a solid book. Not perfect, but definitely not bad. The characters had depth, their romance was sweet, and it kept me hooked from start to finish. If you like messy, young love that still feels grounded, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
***ARC Provided by Valentine PR Management.***
December 6, 2024
2 stars.
december update: muuuuuch better than willow’s book. idk it was just easier to read; something was still missing though.
i LOVED the acknowledgement at the end of the book. finally an author who doesn’t think a bad review is hate. it’s constructive criticism, take it & learn from it. you don’t have to write an essay complaining on your instagram story or threaten readers.
——
crewwren’s children back to back? in the same year??? auntie you just successfully paid your bills for the rest of the year.
(very sad that beau is a baby so his book probably won’t see the light of day any time soon. and after willow’s book i need to see about august.)
december update: muuuuuch better than willow’s book. idk it was just easier to read; something was still missing though.
i LOVED the acknowledgement at the end of the book. finally an author who doesn’t think a bad review is hate. it’s constructive criticism, take it & learn from it. you don’t have to write an essay complaining on your instagram story or threaten readers.
——
crewwren’s children back to back? in the same year??? auntie you just successfully paid your bills for the rest of the year.
(very sad that beau is a baby so his book probably won’t see the light of day any time soon. and after willow’s book i need to see about august.)
November 24, 2024
This a fun new adult read, I’ve never read anything by the author but I’m intrigued now and would love to read the first gen books. This book follows the fmc Arabella and mmc Rowan and they attend the same private school. Off the bat the banter between Arabella and Rowan was so good, i liked the flirting and her doing stuff just to get a reaction from him. I really enjoyed the fmc, she held her own even with her horrible parents.
The romance is the ‘they both like each other but wont say it to each other vibe’. She falls first and he’s still trying to figure out his feelings. I liked the friendship and how he protected and was possessive about her despite them not being together. The romance is steamy and they have so much tension and chemistry. This is a slow burn and first love for both and a first time for the mmc. I liked the family scenes especially with the mmc’s parents, they seem great. Aside the romance i appreciated the plot between the fmc and her parents, loneliness and all that. Overall this was a cute read, the main characters are 17,18 so it’s very new adult but rich people so they do whatever they want lol.
Read if you like:
- New adult romance
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Boy and girl obsessed
- First love
- Mmc’s first time
- Second gen
- Opposites attracts
- Rich private school vibes
- Slow burn
The romance is the ‘they both like each other but wont say it to each other vibe’. She falls first and he’s still trying to figure out his feelings. I liked the friendship and how he protected and was possessive about her despite them not being together. The romance is steamy and they have so much tension and chemistry. This is a slow burn and first love for both and a first time for the mmc. I liked the family scenes especially with the mmc’s parents, they seem great. Aside the romance i appreciated the plot between the fmc and her parents, loneliness and all that. Overall this was a cute read, the main characters are 17,18 so it’s very new adult but rich people so they do whatever they want lol.
Read if you like:
- New adult romance
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Boy and girl obsessed
- First love
- Mmc’s first time
- Second gen
- Opposites attracts
- Rich private school vibes
- Slow burn
July 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
😈 Content Warnings
• Injury & physical recovery
• Toxic parental pressure
• Manipulation
• Emotional neglect
• Mental health struggles
💕 Tropes
• Grumpy × Sunshine
• Slow burn
• Opposites attract
• High school romance
• Forced proximity
• Athlete × good girl
📖 Perfect for Readers Who Liked/similar books…
• Him by Elle Kennedy
• Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
• Heartless by Elsie Silver
🧭 Age Recommendation
16+
💗 Quote
“Sometimes we hold on too tight to the things we think we want, only to realize we’re missing what we truly need.”
🎵 Song Match
“You Are In Love” by Taylor Swift
🌶️🌶️
😈 Content Warnings
• Injury & physical recovery
• Toxic parental pressure
• Manipulation
• Emotional neglect
• Mental health struggles
💕 Tropes
• Grumpy × Sunshine
• Slow burn
• Opposites attract
• High school romance
• Forced proximity
• Athlete × good girl
📖 Perfect for Readers Who Liked/similar books…
• Him by Elle Kennedy
• Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
• Heartless by Elsie Silver
🧭 Age Recommendation
16+
💗 Quote
“Sometimes we hold on too tight to the things we think we want, only to realize we’re missing what we truly need.”
🎵 Song Match
“You Are In Love” by Taylor Swift
Read
December 5, 2024DNF
December 3, 2024
Monica Murphy does it again, and this time I believe this couple might be my fav.
Arabella and Rowan attend the same private school and both have secret struggles they hide from the world. Their banter and playfulness makes the slow burn SO SO worth it.
Read if you like:
- New adult romance
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Boy and girl obsessed
- First love
- Mmc’s first time
- Second gen
- Opposites attracts
- Rich private school vibes
- Slow burn
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author the chance to fall in love with this one- it's release DECEMBER 3rd so keep your eyes open for it!
Arabella and Rowan attend the same private school and both have secret struggles they hide from the world. Their banter and playfulness makes the slow burn SO SO worth it.
Read if you like:
- New adult romance
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Boy and girl obsessed
- First love
- Mmc’s first time
- Second gen
- Opposites attracts
- Rich private school vibes
- Slow burn
Thank you to Valentine PR and the author the chance to fall in love with this one- it's release DECEMBER 3rd so keep your eyes open for it!
November 29, 2024
Oh my gosh, when Monica said she wrote her favorite girl so fair. I was excited. But then I read it and let me tell you this Monica Murphy understood the assignment!!! Arabella is just so funny, and she's a spitfire, and the way she almost feels like she should be Born a Lancaster! I love the way she gets under Rowan’s skin. The way they opened up to each other. The way rowan reminded me of his dad to! How he is so grumpy but yet still so deeply in love that he is soft inside but for only one girl. I think this may be my new favorite Lancaster book!! Monica did it again, magnificent read, and I can't wait for the next one!!!
December 9, 2024
Monica Murphy returns to the beloved halls of Lancaster Prep with Keep Me In Your Heart, the latest installment in her young adult romance series. This time, she brings us the story of Rowan Lancaster and Arabella Hartley Thomas - a grumpy football player with a broken ankle and a vibrant, fashion-forward girl who refuses to dim her light for anyone. The novel masterfully explores themes of parental neglect, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to be authentically yourself while falling in love.
Writing Style & Narrative Flow
Murphy's writing shines particularly bright in this installment, showcasing significant growth from her previous works. Her prose is crisp and engaging, peppered with witty dialogue and emotional depth that keeps pages turning. The dual POV narrative alternating between Rowan and Arabella provides intimate access to both characters' internal struggles while maintaining perfect pacing throughout the story.
One notable strength is Murphy's ability to craft natural, flowing dialogue that feels authentic to teenage voices without falling into cliché territory. The banter between Rowan and Arabella crackles with chemistry and wit, making their interactions a highlight of the novel.
Character Development
Arabella Hartley Thomas
Murphy has created something special in Arabella - a refreshingly complex female protagonist who defies the typical "quiet, virginal" archetype often found in YA romance. Arabella's bold fashion choices and outspoken personality serve as armor against her parents' neglect, making her journey of vulnerability with Rowan all the more impactful. Her character arc from seeking attention through outrageous behavior to finding genuine acceptance is beautifully crafted.
Rowan Lancaster
Rowan's evolution from brooding, injured athlete to a young man learning to open his heart provides a satisfying character arc. His initial resistance to emotional vulnerability feels genuine to his character, and his gradual softening toward Arabella never feels forced. Murphy skillfully portrays his struggle with identity beyond football without falling into melodrama.
Strengths
- Excellent character development and chemistry between leads
- Strong supporting cast, particularly the Lancaster family dynamics
- Well-paced emotional development
- Thoughtful handling of complex family relationships
- Fresh take on familiar tropes
Areas for Improvement
- Some secondary plot threads could have been more developed
- The Paris conflict resolution felt slightly rushed
- A few side characters deserved more page time
- The jewelry design subplot could have been better integrated throughout
Romance & Chemistry
The slow-burn romance between Rowan and Arabella is expertly crafted. Their progression from antagonistic flirting to genuine connection feels earned and authentic. Murphy excels at building sexual tension while maintaining appropriate boundaries for the young adult genre. The physical intimacy scenes are tastefully written and serve the emotional development of both characters.
Themes & Social Commentary
The novel tackles several weighty themes with sensitivity:
- Parental neglect and emotional abuse
- The pressure of family expectations
- Social class and privilege
- Self-worth and authenticity
- The courage to choose your own path
World Building
Lancaster Prep continues to be a richly detailed setting that feels both exclusive and realistic. Murphy's attention to the social dynamics of wealthy teens adds depth without overwhelming the central romance. The contrast between the warm Lancaster family home and Arabella's cold, status-driven world effectively highlights the novel's themes.
Impact & Relevance
Keep Me In Your Heart stands out in the YA romance genre for its mature handling of complex family dynamics and its celebration of authenticity. The book sends powerful messages about self-worth and choosing one's own path without becoming preachy.
Technical Elements
Pacing
The story moves at an engaging clip, with well-placed emotional beats and natural progression of the romance. The Thanksgiving break section particularly shines with perfect pacing.
Point of View
The alternating perspectives work seamlessly, providing necessary insight into both characters' emotional journeys while maintaining narrative momentum.
Final Verdict
Keep Me In Your Heart is worth reading for its fresh take on YA romance tropes, complex character development, and engaging writing style. While there are minor areas for improvement, the novel succeeds in delivering an emotionally satisfying story that will resonate with readers both young and mature.
Writing Style & Narrative Flow
Murphy's writing shines particularly bright in this installment, showcasing significant growth from her previous works. Her prose is crisp and engaging, peppered with witty dialogue and emotional depth that keeps pages turning. The dual POV narrative alternating between Rowan and Arabella provides intimate access to both characters' internal struggles while maintaining perfect pacing throughout the story.
One notable strength is Murphy's ability to craft natural, flowing dialogue that feels authentic to teenage voices without falling into cliché territory. The banter between Rowan and Arabella crackles with chemistry and wit, making their interactions a highlight of the novel.
Character Development
Arabella Hartley Thomas
Murphy has created something special in Arabella - a refreshingly complex female protagonist who defies the typical "quiet, virginal" archetype often found in YA romance. Arabella's bold fashion choices and outspoken personality serve as armor against her parents' neglect, making her journey of vulnerability with Rowan all the more impactful. Her character arc from seeking attention through outrageous behavior to finding genuine acceptance is beautifully crafted.
Rowan Lancaster
Rowan's evolution from brooding, injured athlete to a young man learning to open his heart provides a satisfying character arc. His initial resistance to emotional vulnerability feels genuine to his character, and his gradual softening toward Arabella never feels forced. Murphy skillfully portrays his struggle with identity beyond football without falling into melodrama.
Strengths
- Excellent character development and chemistry between leads
- Strong supporting cast, particularly the Lancaster family dynamics
- Well-paced emotional development
- Thoughtful handling of complex family relationships
- Fresh take on familiar tropes
Areas for Improvement
- Some secondary plot threads could have been more developed
- The Paris conflict resolution felt slightly rushed
- A few side characters deserved more page time
- The jewelry design subplot could have been better integrated throughout
Romance & Chemistry
The slow-burn romance between Rowan and Arabella is expertly crafted. Their progression from antagonistic flirting to genuine connection feels earned and authentic. Murphy excels at building sexual tension while maintaining appropriate boundaries for the young adult genre. The physical intimacy scenes are tastefully written and serve the emotional development of both characters.
Themes & Social Commentary
The novel tackles several weighty themes with sensitivity:
- Parental neglect and emotional abuse
- The pressure of family expectations
- Social class and privilege
- Self-worth and authenticity
- The courage to choose your own path
World Building
Lancaster Prep continues to be a richly detailed setting that feels both exclusive and realistic. Murphy's attention to the social dynamics of wealthy teens adds depth without overwhelming the central romance. The contrast between the warm Lancaster family home and Arabella's cold, status-driven world effectively highlights the novel's themes.
Impact & Relevance
Keep Me In Your Heart stands out in the YA romance genre for its mature handling of complex family dynamics and its celebration of authenticity. The book sends powerful messages about self-worth and choosing one's own path without becoming preachy.
Technical Elements
Pacing
The story moves at an engaging clip, with well-placed emotional beats and natural progression of the romance. The Thanksgiving break section particularly shines with perfect pacing.
Point of View
The alternating perspectives work seamlessly, providing necessary insight into both characters' emotional journeys while maintaining narrative momentum.
Final Verdict
Keep Me In Your Heart is worth reading for its fresh take on YA romance tropes, complex character development, and engaging writing style. While there are minor areas for improvement, the novel succeeds in delivering an emotionally satisfying story that will resonate with readers both young and mature.
December 3, 2024
a memorable monica murphy book because this dynamic between rowan and arabella is so so different from what she usually puts out but it is EVERYTHING
arabella is literally so different from most of monica murphy’s heroines and even though i love softer heroines more than the average—arabella was AMAZINGGG. she’s brazen and outrageous without it compromising her sweet nature and is relentless in her pursuit of rowan (yes she’s chasing him but he ends up chasing her back 🤭) but at the same time she is so sweet and just wants some meaningful companionship in her life and she wants it with rowan
the storyline
Arabella Hartley Thomas (h) has been crushing on Rowan Lancaster (H)—direct descendant of the Lancaster Preparatory lineage—for a long time and this is the year that she’s finally gonna wring him in. Rowan is a tough nut to crack. Suffering from a sports ending injury the only thing brightening his dull days are his quick quips with Arabella. With both of their feelings for each other dancing around each other for so long, this is the year for something more to blossom
very different dynamic than we usually see with monica murphy, with both of the character archetypes too and i actually LOVEDD IT
i very luckily received an ARC for them for my honest review
i hope we get brooks’ book <3
arabella is literally so different from most of monica murphy’s heroines and even though i love softer heroines more than the average—arabella was AMAZINGGG. she’s brazen and outrageous without it compromising her sweet nature and is relentless in her pursuit of rowan (yes she’s chasing him but he ends up chasing her back 🤭) but at the same time she is so sweet and just wants some meaningful companionship in her life and she wants it with rowan
the storyline
Arabella Hartley Thomas (h) has been crushing on Rowan Lancaster (H)—direct descendant of the Lancaster Preparatory lineage—for a long time and this is the year that she’s finally gonna wring him in. Rowan is a tough nut to crack. Suffering from a sports ending injury the only thing brightening his dull days are his quick quips with Arabella. With both of their feelings for each other dancing around each other for so long, this is the year for something more to blossom
very different dynamic than we usually see with monica murphy, with both of the character archetypes too and i actually LOVEDD IT
i very luckily received an ARC for them for my honest review
i hope we get brooks’ book <3
December 9, 2024
Thank you to Valentine PR for the eARC!!
2.5💫
Unfortunately, I really struggled to get through this book. There were moments where I debated whether I should just DNF it, but I decided to power through. The writing felt very YA to me, and yes the characters are 17/18 years old, but I read books where it didn't bother me as much.
Don’t get me started on the whole “they both like each other and it's obvious to everyone but they keep denying it” — it drove me nuts. I’m also not a fan of unresolved plotlines, like Rowan’s backstory with the girl who broke his heart. It felt like it was just tossed in there to create something, but then...nothing. No follow-up, no closure.
The pacing was off for me too. Overall, it just wasn’t my kind of book, but I know so many people love this series, so don’t let my experience deter you if you’re curious!
2.5💫
Unfortunately, I really struggled to get through this book. There were moments where I debated whether I should just DNF it, but I decided to power through. The writing felt very YA to me, and yes the characters are 17/18 years old, but I read books where it didn't bother me as much.
Don’t get me started on the whole “they both like each other and it's obvious to everyone but they keep denying it” — it drove me nuts. I’m also not a fan of unresolved plotlines, like Rowan’s backstory with the girl who broke his heart. It felt like it was just tossed in there to create something, but then...nothing. No follow-up, no closure.
The pacing was off for me too. Overall, it just wasn’t my kind of book, but I know so many people love this series, so don’t let my experience deter you if you’re curious!
June 15, 2025
I feel so bad giving this book 3 stars😭😭.
Let me start by saying I don’t slut shame and I’m all for girls wearing what they want but HOLY SHIT what this girl wore to school was fucking not it. She wore a skirt so fucking short her ass was out and it was ALL FOR A BOYS ATTENTION. She basically wore the MOST skimpiest outfits……
She gave off pick me but as soon as you find out her background it will make sense.
Arabellas mum pissed me off!! Her parents neglect her.
ROWAN MOTHERFUCKING LANCASTER. He’s hot okay??? He was flew to Paris to get her away from her ass of a mum. He would do anything for her!!!!
But at the start he was kinda an ass.
they both liked each other FOR YEARS, THEY BOTH KNEW AND TGEY DIDN’T FUCKING DATE.
I feel soso bad for arabella her parents are terrible and ngl I felt her pain a bit….. it was so sad. I did warm up to arabella in the end.
Love wren, shes sooo nice and she makes such a great mother
That’s it🩷✨
I NEED IRIS AND BROOKES BOOK NOWWWWWW!!!!
✨✨pre-read✨✨
officially starting this beauty, not gunna lie, but i dunno the cover is giving me the ick, so i have a feeling this book wont be good. buttttt all my kisses for you was amazing so i hope at least some of this is good
Let me start by saying I don’t slut shame and I’m all for girls wearing what they want but HOLY SHIT what this girl wore to school was fucking not it. She wore a skirt so fucking short her ass was out and it was ALL FOR A BOYS ATTENTION. She basically wore the MOST skimpiest outfits……
She gave off pick me but as soon as you find out her background it will make sense.
Arabellas mum pissed me off!! Her parents neglect her.
ROWAN MOTHERFUCKING LANCASTER. He’s hot okay??? He was flew to Paris to get her away from her ass of a mum. He would do anything for her!!!!
But at the start he was kinda an ass.
they both liked each other FOR YEARS, THEY BOTH KNEW AND TGEY DIDN’T FUCKING DATE.
I feel soso bad for arabella her parents are terrible and ngl I felt her pain a bit….. it was so sad. I did warm up to arabella in the end.
Love wren, shes sooo nice and she makes such a great mother
That’s it🩷✨
I NEED IRIS AND BROOKES BOOK NOWWWWWW!!!!
✨✨pre-read✨✨
officially starting this beauty, not gunna lie, but i dunno the cover is giving me the ick, so i have a feeling this book wont be good. buttttt all my kisses for you was amazing so i hope at least some of this is good
November 25, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had me laughing, crying, and yelling all at once. It’s your classic friends-to-lovers tale, but with an edge of sadness that tugs at your heart. Predictable? Sure. But that didn’t stop it from being a wild, emotional ride full of drama and spice.
Arabella, oh Arabella—this girl has never felt love and doesn’t even know if she’s capable of it. And Rowan? Poor Rowan is out here drowning in feelings he doesn’t know how to handle. Together, they’re a mess of adorably awkward and frustratingly slow-burn moments. I wanted to smack them both at times, but then Rowan invited Arabella over for Thanksgiving, and I lost it. TEARS. Absolute TEARS.
Let’s talk about Lydia for a second—because, honestly, I wanted to throw my Kindle every time she showed up. And Arabella’s parents? Especially her mother?! I was fuming. The audacity! I could’ve cheered when Arabella finally stood up for herself.
But amidst all the chaos, Rowan’s mom was a literal angel. Rowan and Arabella together? Pure adorableness with a side of spicy goodness. And when I say spicy, I mean SPICY. Monica Murphy did not hold back, and I was so here for it.
Sure, the plot was predictable, but that didn’t make it any less fun or engaging. Rowan and Arabella’s love story might be familiar, but the drama and fire made it impossible to put down. If you love a romance with heart, heat, and a touch of chaos, this one’s for you!
This book had me laughing, crying, and yelling all at once. It’s your classic friends-to-lovers tale, but with an edge of sadness that tugs at your heart. Predictable? Sure. But that didn’t stop it from being a wild, emotional ride full of drama and spice.
Arabella, oh Arabella—this girl has never felt love and doesn’t even know if she’s capable of it. And Rowan? Poor Rowan is out here drowning in feelings he doesn’t know how to handle. Together, they’re a mess of adorably awkward and frustratingly slow-burn moments. I wanted to smack them both at times, but then Rowan invited Arabella over for Thanksgiving, and I lost it. TEARS. Absolute TEARS.
Let’s talk about Lydia for a second—because, honestly, I wanted to throw my Kindle every time she showed up. And Arabella’s parents? Especially her mother?! I was fuming. The audacity! I could’ve cheered when Arabella finally stood up for herself.
But amidst all the chaos, Rowan’s mom was a literal angel. Rowan and Arabella together? Pure adorableness with a side of spicy goodness. And when I say spicy, I mean SPICY. Monica Murphy did not hold back, and I was so here for it.
Sure, the plot was predictable, but that didn’t make it any less fun or engaging. Rowan and Arabella’s love story might be familiar, but the drama and fire made it impossible to put down. If you love a romance with heart, heat, and a touch of chaos, this one’s for you!
December 9, 2024
These books are only making me more delusional😅
Like are you telling me Arabella had a crush on Rowen for like three years, and then at the end she gets him and he was also secretly crunching on her??
This is not helping my delusional thoughts😭
I really liked Rowen and Arabella’s connection and communication. Especially in the smut scenes. I just felt like they were completely comfortable with each other and nothing was embarrassing or awkward. How open they were with each other. I loved that.
And of course seeing all the other beloved Lancasters!!
I loved seeing Wren as a mother, and all the other characters as grown ups. The part where they were having thanksgiving together and Brooks admitted that Iris was pregnant was so sweet😊 I would have loved to see Iris and Brooks’s story.
Seeing bits of August (the oldest child of Whit and Summer) was NOT ENOUGH. I’m so ready for his grumpy cold character, and i can’t wait for his book😩
Back to Rowen and Arabella. The fact that he flew all the way to Paris to get her with their private plane?? You can always count on the Lancaster men to do so outrageous things for their girl like this one🤭🤭
But something about them didn’t really spark that five star feeling. I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy it, I did. But I was just reading it. Nothing really surprised me, I didn’t giggle and kick my feet as much as I would have liked when I’m reading a cute romance novel.
One thing that I did enjoy was that this time Monica changes some things up. Arabella was the more experienced in the sexual aspect and Rowen was not. Meaning she wasn’t a virgin and he was. I loved that part and I think that I haven’t read a lot of books were the MMC is a virgin.
After all I would recommend this book❣️ even if you haven’t read the whole Lancaster series I think you would enjoy this one.
Like are you telling me Arabella had a crush on Rowen for like three years, and then at the end she gets him and he was also secretly crunching on her??
This is not helping my delusional thoughts😭
I really liked Rowen and Arabella’s connection and communication. Especially in the smut scenes. I just felt like they were completely comfortable with each other and nothing was embarrassing or awkward. How open they were with each other. I loved that.
And of course seeing all the other beloved Lancasters!!
I loved seeing Wren as a mother, and all the other characters as grown ups. The part where they were having thanksgiving together and Brooks admitted that Iris was pregnant was so sweet😊 I would have loved to see Iris and Brooks’s story.
Seeing bits of August (the oldest child of Whit and Summer) was NOT ENOUGH. I’m so ready for his grumpy cold character, and i can’t wait for his book😩
Back to Rowen and Arabella. The fact that he flew all the way to Paris to get her with their private plane?? You can always count on the Lancaster men to do so outrageous things for their girl like this one🤭🤭
But something about them didn’t really spark that five star feeling. I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy it, I did. But I was just reading it. Nothing really surprised me, I didn’t giggle and kick my feet as much as I would have liked when I’m reading a cute romance novel.
One thing that I did enjoy was that this time Monica changes some things up. Arabella was the more experienced in the sexual aspect and Rowen was not. Meaning she wasn’t a virgin and he was. I loved that part and I think that I haven’t read a lot of books were the MMC is a virgin.
After all I would recommend this book❣️ even if you haven’t read the whole Lancaster series I think you would enjoy this one.
December 8, 2024
I simply loveeee Monica Murphy’s books, and this one was not different!!
The plot was perfect and the characters amazing. I really liked to see Bells and Row story.
I have read Row parents’ book and loved it so much, and now I could finally read more about them and their children.
Bells is so sweet but strong and I really felt what she was feeling through the book. Thanks to Monica’s writing by the way!
Rowan is similar to is father and it was so good to watch him fall in love with Bells.
This book made me cry, laugh, smile, going crazy… Simply wonderful.
Honestly I’m so excited to read more, because Monica’s books are simply addictive.
Oh and it’s the perfect book to read in this time of the year because it also happens on winter.
So if you like romance with some hot scenes, just try this one, maybe you will love it as much as me.
Thank you Valentine Pr and the author.
The plot was perfect and the characters amazing. I really liked to see Bells and Row story.
“You’re part of something, Bells. A part of me. You’re buried so deep in my heart I don’t know how you’re ever going to get out.”
I have read Row parents’ book and loved it so much, and now I could finally read more about them and their children.
Bells is so sweet but strong and I really felt what she was feeling through the book. Thanks to Monica’s writing by the way!
Rowan is similar to is father and it was so good to watch him fall in love with Bells.
This book made me cry, laugh, smile, going crazy… Simply wonderful.
Honestly I’m so excited to read more, because Monica’s books are simply addictive.
“I would do anything for you, Arabella. Just say the word and I’ll be there.”
Oh and it’s the perfect book to read in this time of the year because it also happens on winter.
So if you like romance with some hot scenes, just try this one, maybe you will love it as much as me.
Thank you Valentine Pr and the author.
January 6, 2025
cute cute but I liked the 1st gen way more
December 4, 2024
I don't really consider books "guilty pleasures" but if I DID, I think this book would fall into that category for me. This story, the drama, the high school boarding school setting are all things that I don't necessarily read often anymore. In fact, this novel kind of reminds me of both "Gossip Girl" and "Maxton Hall" in respect to the drama, the settings, and the characters being of an elite social status.
If you like those elements in a novel, I think you'll like this book. There is something about it that just keeps you reading and I really did like the chemistry between the two main characters. The author notes in the acknowledgements that she wrote her FMC much different than how she typically writes her FMCs and I loved the unexpected contrast between Rowan and Arabella.
Another thing that was unexpected but also enjoyable was coincidental. It was the coinciding of the season to the timing of reading this book. I read this book during the time of year in which it was mostly set (Thanksgiving and Christmas) and it really did feel like reading a Holiday romance even though that is not what this book is being marketed as. However, similar to how Arabella feels about Netflix versus Hallmark movies, I appreciated that the kissing in this book wasn't just at the end.
I'm a newcomer to Monica Murphy but I'm now interested in checking out her backlist especially with different series overlapping.
**Thank you to Valentine PR for sending me this ARC to read and review**
If you like those elements in a novel, I think you'll like this book. There is something about it that just keeps you reading and I really did like the chemistry between the two main characters. The author notes in the acknowledgements that she wrote her FMC much different than how she typically writes her FMCs and I loved the unexpected contrast between Rowan and Arabella.
Another thing that was unexpected but also enjoyable was coincidental. It was the coinciding of the season to the timing of reading this book. I read this book during the time of year in which it was mostly set (Thanksgiving and Christmas) and it really did feel like reading a Holiday romance even though that is not what this book is being marketed as. However, similar to how Arabella feels about Netflix versus Hallmark movies, I appreciated that the kissing in this book wasn't just at the end.
I'm a newcomer to Monica Murphy but I'm now interested in checking out her backlist especially with different series overlapping.
**Thank you to Valentine PR for sending me this ARC to read and review**
June 15, 2025
"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart. I'll stay there forever." 💗💗
I’m sorry this was actually so sweet!!!! Like I couldn’t put it down.. I read it any chance I got and it didn’t help I was so busy this week so I had way less time to read it. I could have been doing with it like 2 days ago…
Anyways.. I think this book is the first book that actually had me crying because of how sad it was in a few parts.. in my opinion it wasn’t worthy of the 5 stars but it definitely is around a 4 to a 4.5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I love how she focused on the romance side/the relationship between them and this was the first time I’ve read one of the books by her that have it where they like each other right away from the beginning so I enjoyed that.
I’m sorry this was actually so sweet!!!! Like I couldn’t put it down.. I read it any chance I got and it didn’t help I was so busy this week so I had way less time to read it. I could have been doing with it like 2 days ago…
Anyways.. I think this book is the first book that actually had me crying because of how sad it was in a few parts.. in my opinion it wasn’t worthy of the 5 stars but it definitely is around a 4 to a 4.5. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I love how she focused on the romance side/the relationship between them and this was the first time I’ve read one of the books by her that have it where they like each other right away from the beginning so I enjoyed that.
July 23, 2025
This book was not good. The characters had no personality, chemistry, or depth other than the guy being a nepo baby asshole and the girl is just neglected by her family.. Not only were the characters flawed, but there was no plot in this entire book. I couldn’t even say I’d like this if I were in middle school because this book is NOT appropriate at all. The only reason I’m rating it 1.5 stars is because the spice was well written, it just sucks it didn’t have the plot to go with it. I honestly could’ve DNFED this book but I don’t really like doing that. Yeah this was a no for me..
February 1, 2025
incroyable je l’ai dévoré vrm
August 15, 2025
Fun teen romance read as always from Monica, loved the sassy fmc in this one!
January 12, 2025
I always love Monica's Lancaster Prep books, and this one featuring Arabella & Rowan was no exception. The storyline is generally the same for every book ... bad boy, good girl, boy treats girl like crap until he realises he loves her, happy ending, etc, but yet each book captures my heart wholly and completely.
December 4, 2024
Monica did it again! from 45% - I could not put this book down and binged it within a few hours!
- Friend to Lovers
- High School (senior year / 18YO)
- New Adult
- Unrequited Love
- Moody MMC
- Insecure MFC
Arabella is trying her best to not be the wallflower at Lancaster Prep. Being an only child of a wealthy investor, she has found herself alone more so than with people who care for her. So she tries her best to wear clothes that make her stand out and not be forgotten.
Rowan Lancaster is the moody broody boy who sees Arabella. They may just be friend since Freshman year, but their banter has always been strong. When Rowan breaks his ankle & isn't able to play football for his senior year, he finds himself in a down spiral with only the banter & joking around with Arabella bringing him out of the darkness. And when he hears Arabella is spending Thanksgiving alone - He invites her as a friend to his huge Lancaster family thanksgiving.
Even though Arabella is given a guest room at the Lancaster mansion, she finds herself leaning on Rowan more than she should. After all, she has been in love with Rowan since freshman year. But with Rowan only ever seeing her as a friend, she tries her best to keep her ultimate crush unknown. Until Rowan shows up one night in her bedroom - And he doesn't just want to do friendly things to her.
But with Arabella expecting to move to Paris in a months' time for a 2 year internship, their love can only be short lived. Or can't it?
4.5/5 stars with 3/5 steam.
- Friend to Lovers
- High School (senior year / 18YO)
- New Adult
- Unrequited Love
- Moody MMC
- Insecure MFC
Arabella is trying her best to not be the wallflower at Lancaster Prep. Being an only child of a wealthy investor, she has found herself alone more so than with people who care for her. So she tries her best to wear clothes that make her stand out and not be forgotten.
Rowan Lancaster is the moody broody boy who sees Arabella. They may just be friend since Freshman year, but their banter has always been strong. When Rowan breaks his ankle & isn't able to play football for his senior year, he finds himself in a down spiral with only the banter & joking around with Arabella bringing him out of the darkness. And when he hears Arabella is spending Thanksgiving alone - He invites her as a friend to his huge Lancaster family thanksgiving.
Even though Arabella is given a guest room at the Lancaster mansion, she finds herself leaning on Rowan more than she should. After all, she has been in love with Rowan since freshman year. But with Rowan only ever seeing her as a friend, she tries her best to keep her ultimate crush unknown. Until Rowan shows up one night in her bedroom - And he doesn't just want to do friendly things to her.
But with Arabella expecting to move to Paris in a months' time for a 2 year internship, their love can only be short lived. Or can't it?
4.5/5 stars with 3/5 steam.
February 14, 2025
I think this book had the potential to be really good. The storyline was absolutely adorable. But overall, there were a few things I just couldn’t get past. The main character, Arabella, was sometimes just way too dramatic! Her and Rowan would be having a simple conversation and she would just blow things way out of proportion, making him the bad guy. Also, about 35% into the book she did something so wild and crazy and just outrageous that I had to close the book for a sec (but I’ll let you read it for yourself to find out). But anyways, great plot and MMC, but I just struggled to enjoy Arabella as the FMC. I think in a lot of ways, she was insecure and misunderstood, but sometimes she just overall was way more to dramatic about very little things.
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Want to read
December 5, 2024Just seen this. Praying for Iris’ book next 🙏🙏
I’m obsessed with this world, I need moreee
So… it’s not iris’ book 🥲🥲. But this has just come out so I’m so excited to get my hands on this and read it. The Lancaster Prep series is my Roman Empire istg. I miss the first gen- why didn’t we get a book for arch’s siblings 😭😭. But I’m sure I’ll love this one too 🤭. Monica’s books don’t disappoint and how can I not rate them five stars??! I really liked all my kisses for you so hopefully this is just as good or better
I’m obsessed with this world, I need moreee
So… it’s not iris’ book 🥲🥲. But this has just come out so I’m so excited to get my hands on this and read it. The Lancaster Prep series is my Roman Empire istg. I miss the first gen- why didn’t we get a book for arch’s siblings 😭😭. But I’m sure I’ll love this one too 🤭. Monica’s books don’t disappoint and how can I not rate them five stars??! I really liked all my kisses for you so hopefully this is just as good or better
December 8, 2024
Oh my god… Ari definitely spoke to me on a level, I’m not even sure I’ll ever be able to comprehend, people pleasing is so hard to grow out of, and it was fun watching her get through life.
She is strong AF, and inspired me to try and stand on my ground more, because it’s not about what everyone else wants, but what YOU want.
I loved getting to know her, and seeing bits of me in her.
Rowan on the other hand? He was perfect, the way these two meshed, felt like a right time, right person, I mean, for his age, he checked all of my boxes.
I wish I had a Rowan in highschool. 😍
She is strong AF, and inspired me to try and stand on my ground more, because it’s not about what everyone else wants, but what YOU want.
I loved getting to know her, and seeing bits of me in her.
Rowan on the other hand? He was perfect, the way these two meshed, felt like a right time, right person, I mean, for his age, he checked all of my boxes.
I wish I had a Rowan in highschool. 😍
Read
June 22, 2024Edited manuscript
One of my fave Monica Murphy couples
One of my fave Monica Murphy couples
December 1, 2024
#Review: *Keep me in your heart* - Monica Murphy - ARC [18+]
4.9/5✨
3/5🌶️
I was in a slightly reading slump, after reading a bit too many Christmas themed books, but this one was the perfect choice to drag me out of it. Super grateful to be part of your team Monica and to able to read this early copy.🫶🏼
This book follows another Lancaster member and that's Rowan, one of Wren and Crew's kids. Of course, Rowan also goes to Lancaster Prep, where he finds his crush or, maybe, the love of his life. Her name is Arabella, a girl who really likes to make a show with her outfits and her personality. Both of them have some feelings for each other but it will take a while until something concrete happens.
I loooved how these characters were built!! Each of them had such a beautiful personality and had their own struggles. The story was, at the same time, funny and emotional. Row and Arabella's lives couldn't have been more different regarding their families and how they were raised. Rowan had the best parents and siblings, especially his little brother, Beau, stood out in this book🤭. On the other side, Arabella had some obnoxious parents. They ignored her completely, like she didn't even exist. She didn't have any siblings either, so basically Arabella had to live by herself all her childhood and teenage years. That affected her and it can be seen in her feisty personality.
The love between Row and Arabella was so sweet, but it will be challenged when Arabella's mom will offer her the chance to move to Paris to take part of an apprenticeship for her hobby of making jewelry. But that will only clear Arabella's thoughts and will convince her what's best for her.
For me, this series was really amazing and I'll always adore Monica's books. Maybe they're not for everyone's taste, but they are perfect for me and always I'll have a great time reading them🩵.
✨Tropes
#OppositesAttract
#ComimgOfAge
#GrumpySunshine
#Billionaire
#BoyObsessed
#ProtectiveMCM
#CloseProximity
4.9/5✨
3/5🌶️
I was in a slightly reading slump, after reading a bit too many Christmas themed books, but this one was the perfect choice to drag me out of it. Super grateful to be part of your team Monica and to able to read this early copy.🫶🏼
This book follows another Lancaster member and that's Rowan, one of Wren and Crew's kids. Of course, Rowan also goes to Lancaster Prep, where he finds his crush or, maybe, the love of his life. Her name is Arabella, a girl who really likes to make a show with her outfits and her personality. Both of them have some feelings for each other but it will take a while until something concrete happens.
I loooved how these characters were built!! Each of them had such a beautiful personality and had their own struggles. The story was, at the same time, funny and emotional. Row and Arabella's lives couldn't have been more different regarding their families and how they were raised. Rowan had the best parents and siblings, especially his little brother, Beau, stood out in this book🤭. On the other side, Arabella had some obnoxious parents. They ignored her completely, like she didn't even exist. She didn't have any siblings either, so basically Arabella had to live by herself all her childhood and teenage years. That affected her and it can be seen in her feisty personality.
The love between Row and Arabella was so sweet, but it will be challenged when Arabella's mom will offer her the chance to move to Paris to take part of an apprenticeship for her hobby of making jewelry. But that will only clear Arabella's thoughts and will convince her what's best for her.
For me, this series was really amazing and I'll always adore Monica's books. Maybe they're not for everyone's taste, but they are perfect for me and always I'll have a great time reading them🩵.
✨Tropes
#OppositesAttract
#ComimgOfAge
#GrumpySunshine
#Billionaire
#BoyObsessed
#ProtectiveMCM
#CloseProximity
December 3, 2024
I am absolutely loving this next generation of Lancaster kids!
Keep Me in Your Heart is Rowan Lancaster's book and does not disappoint.
Rowan is a senior in high school and is ready to enjoy his last year. However, the one person who's been a constant in his school life, Arabella Hartley, unintentionally mixes things up for him.
This is a true YA romance as these navigate new feelings, opening themselves up to one another and coming into their selves. There was alot of growth in each of them both individually and together. Rowan is a harmonious blend of his parents while Arabella strives to be anything like her parents. It's their opposing upbringings that allows these two to fully appreciate one another.
Monica really does these characters justice but keeping them innocent at times but also showing maturity in some of their life experiences in their young lives. There were certain areas that I wanted fleshed out more but it did not deter my overall love for this story and these characters.
This new generation is becoming just an enjoyable as their parents' series.
Keep Me in Your Heart is Rowan Lancaster's book and does not disappoint.
Rowan is a senior in high school and is ready to enjoy his last year. However, the one person who's been a constant in his school life, Arabella Hartley, unintentionally mixes things up for him.
This is a true YA romance as these navigate new feelings, opening themselves up to one another and coming into their selves. There was alot of growth in each of them both individually and together. Rowan is a harmonious blend of his parents while Arabella strives to be anything like her parents. It's their opposing upbringings that allows these two to fully appreciate one another.
Monica really does these characters justice but keeping them innocent at times but also showing maturity in some of their life experiences in their young lives. There were certain areas that I wanted fleshed out more but it did not deter my overall love for this story and these characters.
This new generation is becoming just an enjoyable as their parents' series.
May 21, 2025
3.5 ish
I love the female main character differences that Monica Murphy has done to Arabella, and loved being back in the Lancaster prep world
The school romance , 18 year old experimentation etc …
I love seeing wren and crew as mum and dad and seeing their son and children find love and romance
a slow romance but enjoyed it
I found some of the third act break up a bit annoying and found some of the people like her parents infuriating ( but that’s to be expected) I love that arabella found love and a family with the Lancaster’s
The Lancaster family - I love
Some of it was a bit far fetched and frustrating and annoyed me - like being kidnapped in the ritz by her mum like she sounds like a pig but it’s a tad absurd
I love the female main character differences that Monica Murphy has done to Arabella, and loved being back in the Lancaster prep world
The school romance , 18 year old experimentation etc …
I love seeing wren and crew as mum and dad and seeing their son and children find love and romance
a slow romance but enjoyed it
I found some of the third act break up a bit annoying and found some of the people like her parents infuriating ( but that’s to be expected) I love that arabella found love and a family with the Lancaster’s
The Lancaster family - I love
Some of it was a bit far fetched and frustrating and annoyed me - like being kidnapped in the ritz by her mum like she sounds like a pig but it’s a tad absurd
November 30, 2024
This is book 2 in the Lancaster Prep Next Generation series. This follows Rowan Lancaster (Crew & Wren’s oldest son) and Arabella. I loved Arabella, she’s sassy and so independent and deserves so much affection. Row and Bell’s relationship and chemistry was so good. Such a sweet story. Can’t wait for the next book.
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