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. ***

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

[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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brenda Murphy for the advanced copy of Lockset. This is a voluntary review.

This erotic lesbian romance wasn’t just a romp in the park. Eun (Eunice) and Morgan face many realistic obstacles while exploring a new, passionate relationship. Grief, family tensions, homophobia, past relationships, and a mystery surrounding Eun’s father blanket the couple as the small town of Sikesville threatens to tear them apart. Yet, it just might be the place to bring them together.

There are many steamy scenes that take place during the course of this tale, and you won’t be let down. Eun and Morgan have fantastic chemistry, but face all the difficulties new relationships inevitably do between these intense moments. The past, present, and future of both are conversation points that create realistic dialogue and some of the drama of the story. The rest of the drama is left up to Eun’s homophobic and judgemental family members whom hint at the mystery of Lockset. The mystery is a small portion overall, but adds to the drama and wrapping up of the story nicely.

If you enjoy erotica, a history of family issues, mini mysteries, or new relationships, give Lockset a try.

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.

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.