Over My Shoulder

by Tamara C. M. Murphy

Whether it's juggling the stress of planning her best friend's wedding or taming her energetic Pomsky pup, Thea has her hands full. But that doesn't stop there, she also attends one bad date after another to find a date for the wedding. Thea is on the verge of giving up when Blind date number thirteen doesn't turn out the way she hoped when she meets a handsome stranger named Matt. Someone she thinks she'll never see again but with each new encounter, it unravels a layer of Thea's past that she is trying her hardest to keep hidden.

What will happen when Matt finds out about her darkest struggle?




TRIGGER Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Loss of a Loved One, Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Attempted Suicide.

234 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2022

About the author

Hey Lovelies,

My name is Tamara, and there's nothing I love more than a good romance. After rediscovering my love for writing, I wanted to share my emotionally addictive romances with the world♡.

​I write books that not only showcase the expression of different sizes and cultures, but also create characters so precious, they can't help but warm your heart. 

My other interests include: eating chocolate, reading/spending all my money on books, learning languages, gushing over dogs (so cute and fluffy!!)

Reviews

[Megg | megg.reads.romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice and short book, but I don't think I'm the target audience. Even though I am someone who has severe anxiety, I didn't feel any relation to Thea, but that could be because I embrace my anxiety and I'm not ashamed of it like it feels Thea is so I just felt an immediate disconnect. I did like Thea and Matt's meet-cute and overall I think a younger reader(looking at you Gen Z) would enjoy this even more.

[Monique dahlia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting to read a book where anxiety and romance overlaps. I’m not much of a romance reader (I usually go for thrillers) but this book was refreshing! As someone who also has anxiety and often finds it hard to find someone who accepts them , this book gave me hope.

It was beautiful reading Thea’s journey of dealing with anxiety and depression and also finding true love, despite the ugly moments (death, no family etc) she was able to find the light and find someone who loved her for her. Which is something I hope and know I will soon get.

I really loved the characters of Pauline and Diana (Peter was a bit too overbearing for me - but that’s what big brothers are like I guess). The way Diana and Peter would put Thea first was so wholesome to read, often it can be hard to find friends who support you when it gets really dark - but constantly Diana and Peter would prioritise Thea before anything else, even their own wedding (which I’m glad Thea didn’t allow the 2nd time).

Ah Matt, so dreamy and described so beautifully- don’t we all want a Matt? I can’t wait for my Matt, so family oriented, genuine and a ‘simp’ but we love that. Next time I walk into a coffee shop I’ll be peeping around for my Matt.

This book was a beautiful read, even though it was a hard month for me (mentally and physically) and I’ve been in a reading rut - this book was a nice read, although it was quite dark and emotional at times.

So if you want to cry but also fantasise true love at the same time and want mental health representation - then this book is it!



Monique 💕

[Ramishah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so excited I got to read this book that was sent to me by the sweet author for her debut novel all the way from the UK!!!

What a great first novel! I read this book so fast it was like 200 pages!!

It’s a romcom about Thea who is an event planner who has just gone on one bad date after another and can’t catch a break until she runs into a guy named Matt who might just be her perfect match!

The romance was sweet and I just loved how much love Matt had to give but this book also highlighted mental health rep so incredibly well!

There were so many times I felt like I could relate to Thea but I would definitely suggest checking TWs first because it did get very heavy at times (some include death of a fam member, mental health, emotional abuse).

Thanks again Tamara for sending me your book, congrats! 💓

[Rachel96 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book at a time where I was dealing with my own mental health. It reminded me of why I loved to read. It was my escape into another world. I fell in love with the characters and I could relate to the lead characters thoughts and feelings. This book was a breath of fresh air. Would definitely recommend for people getting back into reading x

[Elishia (thehonestbooktok) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just want to say thank you so much to Tamara for sending me a copy of your beautiful book to read and review! 💗
I really enjoyed it!
I really resonated with Thea’s anxiety and depression, I loved her character and how Matt didn’t judge her and helped her when she needed it! As someone who suffers with anxiety it was so refreshing to read a book with proper mental health representation!
I did feel like some parts were a little rushed, but that’s maybe just me as I read a lot of slowburns, so I’m not as used to a connection so fast! I felt maybe it could have been a little longer, just to give more chance for more feelings to develop and have more of a longer time frame.
Overall I liked the characters and the overall plot! I just kinda wish it had been extended a little for more context and so we could see more of the relationships between the characters!

[Lindzanne1_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! I absolutely adored this book. It’s a sweet romance that resonated with me so much. This book addresses mental health in such a raw and relatable way. I’m always looking for fictional books with characters that deal with mental health struggles. In this book you’ll meet Thea. She’s gone through some very traumatic events and is battling with anxiety and depression. The book is told from her perspective and being inside her anxious mind was so relatable. Follow along with her as she deals with her mental health struggles with support from her 2 closest friends and her new love interest. So many romantic moments and I just loved this book in every way. It is heartbreaking, yet so hopeful. I resonated with the story so much as I have an anxiety disorder. We need more books like this that address mental health.

Thank you so much Tamara for the gifted copy!

[Philippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamara (the author) was kind enough to send this to me and what a lovely read.

I loved Tamara’s witty writing and loved reading about the MCs battles and how she overcame them. It was a perfect, cute & quick read!

[Oberon Sael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy romantic book. I related to Thea in many moments of the book as well as the most of the character cast, it's such a cute read when you wanna have a casual reading session or get back into reading again. ❤

[Sarah C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a heart grabbing story, I cried, laughed and swooned. This was a quick read but for me it was a powerful one. The FMC Thea is battling anxiety and depression and has suffered a terrible loss. Throughout the story we see her ups and downs and gosh I just wanted to give her all the hugs! MC Matt was swoon worthy, supportive, a sweetheart and was so understanding with Thea. The way he fell for Thea so effortlessly *swoons* they are the perfect pair! This was a great example that your village does not need to be blood related, Thea had full support and love from her 2 best friends and I adored their relationship. (Her best friend’s POV made me cry!) Murphy shows us the raw side of battling anxiety and depression, handling the loss of a loved one, seeking help in the form of therapy, and family drama. This book has a beautiful romance with a focus on mental health. I definitely recommend and be prepared to root for Thea the entire time! 💗 I cannot wait to see more from Murphy!

Please check content warnings before reading.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended

[Anise Starre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a moving and poignant read, I finished it and felt like I'd raced through every emotion possible!

Thea, our FMC, is such a compelling and relatable protagonist for anyone who has ever suffered with anxiety and depression. It was incredibly easy to root for her and all I wanted was for her to get her happily ever after. Luckily, Thea had a wonderful group of friends who also wanted the same thing! Diana and Petey were brilliant and I loved her they supported Thea and, even though they were worried about her, let her heal at her own pace. Everyone needs friends like Diana and Petey.

Matt was a CHARMER from the very first word on page. He was so sweet, patient, understanding, supportive and kind. He was the perfect companion for Thea and I just loved how fully he loved every single aspect of her. Setting the bar high, Matt!!

This was a really compelling, heartfelt, and sweet read - perfect for anyone in the mood for a sweet romance filled with emotion - and I'm really looking forward to seeing what Tamara does next!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was so good that I literally cried while reading the book. The way Thea's depression and anxiety were represented in this book was amazing, and having her friends and Matt be there for her was great. Matt was such a sweetheart, and the love he had for Thea was amazing.

[Emily Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it love the book so good and I met the author and had a great chat I have it signed