Editorial Content for Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
My prior exposure to Julie Murphy was through her middle-grade and young adult novels like DUMPLIN'. I was broadly aware of the fact that she had co-written a series of adult romances with a Christmas theme, but until I picked up FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A GOOD GIRL, I had no idea just how adult Murphy's collaboration with Sierra Simone could be.
Here the co-authors begin a new series called Academic Affairs, set at fictional Astra University in Mount Astra, Kansas. It opens as Bram Loe, a professor of ecology, meets up with a group of his lifelong friends at the local dive bar. Much to his own surprise, he ends up drunkenly hooking up with a young woman celebrating her birthday. As a divorced dad of three and a tenured professor, it's been a long time since he's let himself loose like that, but he reassures himself that it was a one-night stand.
"Spicy scenes between Bram and Maddie punctuate a humorous and occasionally thoughtful narrative...landing this series launch firmly in the 'raunch-com' category."
That is, until the birthday girl shows up on his doorstep. She has been placed with Bram's family by a nanny agency to offer after-school care while his ex-wife is overseas doing glacier research. Her name is Madelyn Kowalczk, and she has signed up with the agency to supplement her paltry stipend as an adjunct lecturer in the political science department. Unknown to Bram, she is also living out of her car because she recently suffered a toxic breakup that has left her more or less penniless. Her ex, an aspiring politician from a political family, has decided (based on focus groups) that her saucy attitude and curvy body are a liability rather than an asset to his campaign.
Bram, who has twin daughters as well as a teenager, is desperate for some help around the house. But despite their best efforts, he and Maddie just can't deny their ongoing attraction. Even after they agree that they can maintain a secret sexual relationship, it's not long before they’re harboring real feelings for each other.
Spicy scenes between Bram and Maddie punctuate a humorous and occasionally thoughtful narrative (complete with snarky footnotes contributed by Bram's friend, Joey), landing this series launch firmly in the "raunch-com" category. There are some serious undertones here --- Bram's attempts to branch out from his focus on family and faculty meetings, and Maddie's attempts to come into her own political future now that she's out from under the weighted thumb of her toxic ex.
Several supporting characters (especially the colorful ones from Bram's friend group) add humor and intrigue, and readers will find themselves hoping that they get their own Academic Affairs. Fans of Murphy and Simone's Christmas Notch books should take note as there are several cameos by characters from that series as well.
Teaser
When rookie lecturer Maddie Kowalczk lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe, who she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame. Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face to face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down. His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.
Promo
When rookie lecturer Maddie Kowalczk lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe, who she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame. Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face to face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down. His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.
About the Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone comes a brand-new college town raunch-com about a sexy single dad professor and a feisty law school grad turned nanny in this steamy tale of Academic Affairs.
Class is in session.
Maddie Kowalczk is ready to be a bad girl. When the rookie lecturer lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe --- a reserved but incredibly handsome single dad she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame.
Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face-to-face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down (and that’s not just the hangover talking). His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.
Maddie is desperate and broke, so when Bram offers her a raise and the chance to set some ground rules, she can’t say no. As the two settle into their new roles, the normally unruffled Bram finds that no one riles him up like Maddie does, which is a problem when every argument feels like foreplay. Of course, Bram is an educator first and foremost, and he very quickly finds he can’t resist the temptation of instructing Maddie in the fundamentals of being a good girl.
And it turns out Maddie’s a hands-on learner.
Audiobook available; read by Connor Crais, Victoria Connolly and Teddy Hamilton
