2,5 stars
This first book in the series is introductory. It´s only introduces us some principal characters. It hardly tell us anything about Jen`s revenge, just that she is willing to do everything to destroy the woman who left her when she was a child.
Not even important characters like her mother appear in this book, she only names her explaing why she hates her mother so much. I suppose that in the next book there will be more development in this part of the story.
On the other hand, I have not understood some Jen`s behaviors. She ends up being attracted to Rhett but, in exchange of money, she betrays him accepting a job that just causes her many problems.
He has liked me more that he. He is noble, attentive, sexy and romantic guy.
Although it is a little predictable book, it reads quickly and it is easy to understand to me.
The end is abrupt and open, since there is continuation. It leaves you wanting to know more.

First, this book ends in a cliffhanger which irritates me since you must read the next book to find out what happens to the characters. Although, now I'm invested in the characters, I have to find out what happens to them. I will be buying the next books in the series. This book focuses on Jensen's perspective. 

Jennifer Fanelli or that's what her name used to be. Now, she goes by Jensen. Her plan...her revenge plan ...to destroy her mother through the boy she raised as her son, Rhett Montgomery. The pretty boy basketball player, frat boy, and Mr. All-American rich boy next door. Everyone loves him. The more time Jensen spends with him, the more she likes him. She keeps hoping that he's secretly a jerk or kicks puppies. He isn't. She has numerous secrets...the first being that Mrs. Diane Montgomery is her mother. She doesn't want Rhett to find out any of her dirty secrets. Instead of enacting revenge, she wants a relationship with him.

4 <b> Revenge </b> Stars
Confession .. I may be obsessd with Monica Murphy!i have almost read everything she has ever written. I have never written her version of revenge tho! This story is about Jensen who has changed her name to hunt down and ruin Rhett Montgomery since her mom left her for his family. Her entire plan is to make Rhett fall in love with her ( her stepbrother) and then introduce her to his mother for the ultimate revenge slap in the face.
<b> My mother turned me into this. I'm a slut, a whore, a user, a manipulator, a woman bent on revenge. All because of her.</b>
Revenge has slowly ruined Jensen because Rhett is the perfect book boyfriend and she is realizing that her revenge is convoluted. I need book 2 so therefore you know.. the plot twist and the lack of answers is killing me!!! I just finished this ARC and was like damn how long do I have to wait for this series to release.. to then discovered ALL 3 books are out already!!! So that’s awesome when I get a chance to return to the series!

I have read a number of Monica Murphy's other books and loved her series with Drew, Fable, and Owen. So, I was quite excited to preview Murphy's latest book, Her Defiant Heart. Unfortunately, I was sadly disappointed. That said, I was compelled to finish the book, so I give it a reluctant 3 stars.

The story surrounds a revenge plot that practically falls apart the instant the main character, Jensen, confronts her target, Rhett. And why? Because Rhett is so attractive, thoughtful, and well endowed. Seriously?!?!? Oh, and unbeknownst to him, he is her step brother. Ughh!!!

The characters are flat and beyond stereotypical. She's from the wrong side of the tracks, grew up in a trailer park, and works at a topless bar to make ends meet when she's not going to classes and studying for school. He's ridiculously wealthy, belongs to a frat, but is a gentleman. She wants revenge of some sort because her mother abandoned her. But the revenge never really emerges. He finds her intriguing because she's playing coy. It's a complicated mess - but not in a good way.

The ending is abrupt and a cliffhanger. It's meant to entice readers to read the next book but comes off as contrived. As Romeo once said to Juliet, "Dost thou leave me so unsatisfied?" Will I read the continuation? Maybe...

Initially Jensen's story seems to be one about revenge. Once she actually meets her target, Rhett, she realizes that he isn't at all what she expected. He seems to be nice and kind. She decides she can't use him as a tool for revenge against her mother who abandoned her when she was young. Jensen finds she is actually falling for her stepbrother...the problem now is how to tell him the full truth about who she really is. Even worse, that isn't the only secret she's keeping from him....

Her Defiant Heart was a good start to this series. I always enjoy Monica Murphy's writing. I've noticed that this is the first of three books and I'll be buying the next one right away. I have no choice since this book ends on one heck of a cliffhanger!

Her Defiant Heart
By: Monica Murphy

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Being a huge fan of Monica Murphy going down this road of hidden romance is absolutely captivating.

“The writing is flawless, and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shocking moments."


Life can feel like a cruel joke. I grew up poor and motherless, with a father who never got over his wife’s abandonment. But now he's gone too, and I'm dead set on finding the woman who so carelessly tossed me aside when I was a baby.

I want revenge. And I'm going to get back at my mother any way that I can.

I change my name. Start my new life in college, and just happen to cross paths with the gorgeous, ultra-rich Rhett Montgomery. He's immediately interested in me, not that I'm surprised.

You see, I planned it that way. I meant for him to find me. He's the one connection to my mother, and I'm using him, so I can destroy her. But I didn't plan on Rhett being so charming. Sweet. Sexy.
And I definitely didn't plan on falling for him either…

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

copy received for honest review
This is a book that keeps you anticipating what will happen next. mystery surrounds Jennifer Fanneli. She is on a mission. Jensen/Jennifer wants revenge. She has planned for a long time. Rhett Montgomery is unknowingly a major part of her plan. What she does not count on is liking him. The more she is around him, the harder it is to keep focused on what she wants. She has major secrets and just when Rhett gets close she pulls away. When he finds out one of her darkest secrets will he help her or abandon her like everyone else in her life? this is a angsty read that will keep you on your toes. I can't wait until the next one!

This was a unique twist on the taboo stepbrother romance genre. I enjoyed the book, I couldn't seem to stop reading. I've really got mixed emotions about Jensen I really don't like her for many.reasons but then a lot of who she is isn't her fault. I like Rhett pretty well and genuinely feel bad for him for falling into Jensen's trap. I will definitely seem out the next book as this one ended in a big cliffhanger.

This book didn’t grab my attention. There wasn’t anything special about it. And then I realized it was book 1 of 3. I just felt like the story wasn’t involved enough to require 3 books. DNF.

2 stars
I love Monica Murphy. I adore her One Week Girlfriend series. One of the best books ever. Sadly, this book was a miss for me. There was too many things I had a problem with to like it.

***3,75 "Too good to be true???" stars***

This was a nice and decent story... It didn't blew me up, but i will definitely read the next two parts of this story, because I'm way too curious after the cliffy in here!!!
This was a story of revenge... But, was it really???
It was a story about finding love in the most unexpectent place!!!!
And that damn cliffy??? Wow!!!! I'm dying to see what will happen next!!!! So, i think that the writer fullfilled her purpose!!!

Well, Jensen had changed town, identity and goals in the name of revenge...
And who is in the other end of her sights??? Her mother who abandon her and her daddy, when she was still a baby... But her wrath had to face all her mother's new family...
So, a mean to an end is Rhett Montgomery and she had set her sights upon him...
And he is taking the bait!!!!

Technically, Rhett is her stepbrother, but he is also a way to get closer to the person that she wants to take revenge, her mother!!!!
But what will happen when Rhett will come closer to her and she will discover that he is nothing like she was imagining him to be???
What will happen when her cruel heart is starting to beat rapindly in his presence???
What will happen when all her lies will be revealed???

Well, I'm not really sure if i liked Jen very much... I think that her plan was lacking of many things...
She was appearing indifferent and cold, but i don't thing that was the deal... She was playing it like she was a tough chick and in an extent, she was, but she was just angry... Angry about her mother who abandon them and she created a new family... And angry about her father who never get over her mother!!! And irrationally angry with Rhett, because she thought that he had what it was rightfully hers... The love and approval of her mother...

Rhett was rich and popular, but he was such a nice guy!!!! Really, guys!!! He was too good to be true, but i don't think that he was purprosefully that way... This was just the way he was!!!! And i think that even what Jen was believing, he had his own issues with her stepmother and other things!!!! He was just easygoing and he could win you over in just only moments!!!
And that was the problem with Jen... He just threw her out of her game with his wonderful ways and thoughtful actions...

Well, as i told you above, i wasn't head over heels with this book, but i still enjoyed it!!!
And the author managed to built a decent story which i want to discover till the very end!!!!

***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review ***

Monica Murphy knows how to do taboo. I usually don’t like taboo, i won’t lie, but after reading her Never duet, I knew I could trust her to do this book justice. There is a major cliffhanger and of course I need to know what happens between Jensen and Rhett. Jensen is so angry and getting a glimpse at her childhood, we can see exactly why she holds such a grudge against her mother. I am very interested in learning Rhett’s story because i feel like there is much more to him that meets the eye. Can’t wait to continue this series.

I enjoyed that Jensen wasn’t your typical character. She’s after revenge, and she’s got a plan. But you do see her grow and realize her mistakes with Rhett. I liked this one a lot and can’t wait to read the sequel.

I love new adult but I wasnt the biggest fan of this novel ,just because I didn't get attached to the characters and I didn't care about them.
The writing style was good.
I think I will gave it 2.5 stars

Once you start reading Her Defiant Heart, it becomes obvious that this will be the first part of an ongoing story about Jen and her revenge. As the story progresses, readers will come to expect the pending cliff-hanger that eventually occurs. While I’m no a fan of cliff-hangers or stories that span multiple books, this story definitely has me intrigued and needing to know the forthcoming outcome.

There were some very obvious happenings throughout the plot that came as no surprise, and my suspicions about a particular character will hopefully be confirmed in the next instalment. I did find the storyline repetitive in places, and felt it could have been condensed and shortened, as it’s only the first part of this trilogy. That said, I will be reading the next part as I’m compelled to see it through.