Ctrl Alt Delete: A Plain Jane Romance Series, #2

By P E Murdock

When mousy librarian Jenny Simmons gets unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend Jason after three long years together, her heartbroken world is turned upside down. With the encouragement of her bubbly best friend, Nina, Jenny slowly starts to rebuild her confidence, one girls' night out at a time. But when Jenny's picture-perfect sister Meg gets engaged to be married, Jenny must confront her stagnant love life head-on. A whirlwind bridal makeover with the help of Meg's glamorous friends is just the beginning of Jenny's transformation from a heartbroken bookworm to an independent modern woman. Jenny realizes her self-worth when sparks fly between Jenny and Liam, Meg's hunky groomsman, at wedding dress fittings and bachelor parties. But when her ex Jason comes crawling back, contrite and hoping to rekindle their romance, will Jenny stay true to her newfound confidence? Or will she slip back into the comfortable trap of her past? This humorous and heartwarming novel follows Jenny's journey of self-discovery and sisterly bonds as she learns to close the book on old heartbreak and start a

a bold new chapter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Murdock
• Release date: Oct 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223534617

P E Murdock

Born on January 28, 1961, Paul Ernest Murdock discovered his love for writing later in life. With a career in warehousing and an academic background in Accounting, his real-world experiences add a gritty realism to his favorite genres, crime mysteries, and thrillers. Paul's work is a thrilling blend of suspenseful plots and complex characters. When not writing, he enjoys the tranquility of outdoor activities such as bowling, camping, and fishing. Despite his late start, Paul's passion and dedication to writing demonstrate that it's never too late to pursue your passion.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jenny Simmons woke with a start to the blaring of her alarm clock. She fumbled to silence it, squinting against the bright morning light filtering through the blinds of her studio apartment. 7:00 a.m. already - where had the night gone? Jenny sat up with a groan, her head throbbing from one too many glasses of wine the evening before.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Jenny shuffled sleepily to the bathroom. She avoided glancing in the mirror, knowing her shoulder-length brown hair was a tangled mess, and smudged mascara ringed her hazel eyes. Turning the shower knob, she stepped under the hot spray, letting the water wake her. Jenny ducked her head under the stream, fingers working to detangle her knotted locks. The scent of her coconut shampoo filled the steamy air as she massaged it into her scalp.

After her shower, Jenny squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush. As she mechanically brushed her teeth, her gaze landed on the framed photo of her and Jason taped to the mirror. It had been taken on one of their first dates at the aquarium, both smiling brightly against the backdrop of a luminescent jellyfish tank. Jenny's heart twinged at the happy memory that now seemed so long ago. Shaking her head, she spit out her toothpaste and headed to the closet to pick out an outfit.

Jenny's wardrobe consisted primarily of oversized cardigans, loose-fitting slacks, and floral blouses in muted earth tones. She selected a pair of black trousers and an olive green sweater, then added the finishing touch of cat-eye glasses perched on her nose. After pulling half her hair back in a low bun, Jenny headed to the kitchen to make coffee.

While waiting for the pot to brew, Jenny scrolled through her phone—a few texts from friends asking how she was holding up after the breakup. With a sigh, she shot back quickly. I'm fine, she reassurances before tucking the phone in her purse. Grabbing her travel mug, Jenny rushed out the door towards the bus stop.

Twenty minutes later, Jenny stepped off at her stop across from the city library where she worked. Pushing through the carved wooden doors, she smiled at the familiar scent of dusty pages that greeted her. Jenny loved everything about this place - the endless bookshelves packed with stories, the sunny reading nooks, and the sense of quiet discovery. She had found her niche here, surrounded by books.

Morning Jenny, called Sara, another librarian, from behind the front desk. Jenny and Sara had become fast friends, bonding over their shared book obsession.

Hey Sara. How was your weekend? Jenny asked, stifling a yawn.

Great! I went to that new Turkish restaurant I was telling you about. You've got to try it, Sara gushed. How about you?

Jenny managed a weak smile. Oh, nothing too exciting. Just relaxed and caught up on Netflix. She had no energy this morning to get into her dramatic weekend.

Sara nodded, then gestured to the growing line of patrons waiting to check out books. Should be a busy Monday. I'll catch you on your lunch break for details, she said knowingly before turning her attention to an impatient older gentleman waving a Stephen King novel.

Jenny settled at her station, logged into the computer, and put on her glasses. Soon, she was absorbed in assisting patrons with locating biographies for school projects, recommending new mystery novels, and hunting down obscure book requests. She loved matching people with the perfect book to inform or transport them. Time seemed to fly by.

At noon, Jenny and Sara grabbed sandwiches from the cafe across the street and retreated to the break room. Finally, alone, Sara fixed Jenny with a probing look.

Alright, spill. What happened this weekend that you're clearly not telling me about?

Jenny sighed, fiddling with the crust of her sandwich. Jason broke up with me on Friday night. Over pasta, if you can believe it. Said he thought we should 'take a break.'

Oh no, Sara gasped. I'm so sorry. Are you doing okay?

Jenny blinked back, the tears threatening to spill over. Honestly, I'm a mess, she admitted. I thought we would get married one day. And now he's gone just like that.

Sara reached over and gave Jenny's hand a comforting squeeze. You're better off without him if he gave up so easily. You deserve someone who truly appreciates you.

Jenny just nodded, Sara's reassurance only providing mild comfort. She knew deep down that losing Jason would continue to haunt her.

The two finished their lunch while chatting about more upbeat topics like celebrity gossip and a trashy beach read Sara was immersed in. Before they knew it, their breaks ended, and they returned to the circulation desks.

The afternoon passed by in a blur of book requests and shushing chatterers. As closing time neared, Jenny glanced out the soaring arched windows and was surprised to see dusk settling over the city. She flipped the open sign to closed at 5:00 p.m. and totaled the day's book loans on the computer. Her mind was already wandering to the night ahead.

After saying goodbye to Sara, Jenny slowly walked to the bus stop, weighed down by grief and exhaustion. She only wanted to collapse on the couch with a pint of ice cream and watch sappy romance movies. She knew it wasn't the healthiest coping mechanism, but she needed the distraction from replaying those awful moments with Jason.

Stepping into her apartment twenty minutes later, Jenny sighed heavily. The cozy studio that usually felt like a little oasis now seemed claustrophobic with memories of Jason here.