REVIEW: Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy

In Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy, It has been eight years since Katie Watts went from a normal happy preteen girl to the survivor of an abduction and other physical tortures. She has struggled with overcoming her fears and is trying to get to a place where she can reenter society successfully. Through it all, Katherine has never forgotten her savior. Her guardian angel, Will. The unlikely friendship that blossomed out of tragedy was the one thing that carried her through, day to day. Now she would give anything to find out what happened to Will. And it turns out fate may just help her along in her wishes.

‘Ethan doesn’t scare me. More like it’s my body’s reaction to him that terrifies me–and fills me with curiosity.’

Will knew growing up that his father was a monster but he thought it was only at his own expense, being on the wrong end of a slap or a fist to the stomach. Little did he know that his father was torturing others until the day Will found Katie held captive in his back yard. Getting her to safety was the only thing on his mind. Years later, with a new identity and longing to know if Katie is still safe or not, Ethan tracks her down to find her doing her level best. He knows he shouldn’t interfere. It could cause more problems than it could solve, but nothing can stop him from helping her. But if he comes clean about who he really is, it could put them both in danger and back into the media spotlight which is the last thing they both need.

‘It made no sense but the connection between us was so strong, I still felt it. Tethering me to her, and invisible string that tied us together no matter how far apart we were.’

Wow. Never Tear Us Apart had me tangled in knots emotionally with the compelling plot, dark & twisted romance, and heartbreaking past Ethan and Katherine had to endure.

‘I’m not a victim. I’m a survivor. Big difference. Huge.’

Now this was a New Adult book worthy of the genre. It was also one that showcased the complexity I always look for in both the storyline and the emotions portrayed in these novels. And believe me…there was NO shortage of strong emotions. I think what really captivated me was how the book was set up and how that related to the storytelling. We alternate from the present to the past seamlessly by way of the chapters being notated as Will Then, Ethan Now, Katie Then and Katherine Now. Monica Murphy did a fantastic job of using each chapter to enhance the story being presented and explaining just enough of the past to follow along perfectly.

Ethan and Katherine were such an intriguing combination, I thought. They both suffered at the hands of Ethan’s father in some way, physically and emotionally, and it brought them together under circumstances that no one else could understand. The range of feelings they had for each other seemed very realistic and just gutted me, quite honestly. It was everything from tender and passionate to wary and disheartened.

Seeing Katherine still struggling as an adult made my heart go out to her. She was a character that I think readers will easily be able to empathize with. I was proud of her for wanting to take her life back and feel like she was just any other normal twenty year old. In my eyes, she was much stronger than her peers and I hope she realizes that in book two. Now Ethan, boy, I loved his character but he made some boneheaded decisions. As is the norm for New Adult stories, of course. I thought his intentions were in the right place but he didn’t have enough faith in himself and in things to work out to be completely honest with Katherine.

Left with a wide open ending (read: the mother of all cliffhangers) we’ll have to wait until book two for a HEA for Katherine and Ethan. But I know it will be nothing short of spectacular after the great start author Monica Murphy gave us here. Can’t wait!

Book Info:

Publication: Published January 5th 2016 |  Bantam | Never Tear Us Apart #1

Perfect for readers of Colleen Hoover, Jay Crownover, and K. A. Tucker, the first novel in this darkly sexy contemporary series from bestselling author Monica Murphy kicks off an emotionally powerful two-part tale of forbidden love.

A long time ago, when I was fifteen and a completely different person, I saved a girl’s life. I spent only a handful of hours with her, but somehow, we connected—and I’ve never been the same. No one understands what we went through. No one knows what it’s like to be us. We survived, yet I don’t feel like I’m really living—until now. Eight years later, I find her. I want to make her mine. I need to make her mine. But she’ll hate me forever when she finds out who I really am.

Advance praise for Never Tear Us Apart

“This book has all the best parts of romance and betrayal. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.”—New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover

“A powerful story that left me raw, yet hopeful.”—USA Today bestselling author K. A. Tucker