Reviews

The cover model is perfect for Stremmel lol. I love this group of doctors and Sara Shapiro is a good addition. Both characters were great even with their flaws.

Stremmel is the extremely grumpy doctor from Florida(?), 42 years old, perpetually tan surgeon. Sara Shapiro is a 39 year old plastic surgeon (NOT cosmetics, think burn victims) and daughter of the "most famous" plastic surgeon based in LA. Her entire family are in the field. They have a glass-explosive argument at the hospital and are sentenced to 8 weeks of counseling. Their therapist, Manala, forces them to do little games (tossing pillows to each other, rowing together, solving jigsaw puzzles as a team) each week where they argue, go home and have angry sex (Sara moved into the first floor of the "doctor dorm" and Stremmel is on 3rd), then avoid each other all week until next Thursday.

Sebastian Stremmel reveals his backstory. His dad left him, his sister & mom when he was 4. But once his sister became a big name working for some sports team and Stremmel is a successful doctor their dad comes back into their lives trying to use them for his own gain. From an early age then Stremmel learned to have no expectations. As he says "Expectations. Either you expected more or you expected less, and whichever way it went, it fucked you up."

Sara's family put a ton of pressure on her growing up and she turned into a "perpetual people-pleaser" also developing bulemia which she continued to have for 20 years, all through med school until as recently as 4 years ago. She has insane stomach issues now because of it. She can't eat a full meal, snacking is best and certain foods make her nauseous (she's triggered). She snacks on croutons and trail mix a lot, but in a way that drives Stremmel crazy (like she hates raisins but won't buy trail mix without raisins or separate it out).

Stremmel pretty quickly realizes he loves her but it takes her longer. Their big climatic point is when he goes on vacation to Jamaica and she turns up at the same resort for a conference. He gives her an ultimatum of either she's all in with him or nothing. Sara says she needs time so they go weeks without talking. They eventually do get back together after he's been in the most depressive state ever. Her reason is she wanted to make sure what they had was real and that it wasn't part of a cycle based around their therapy sessions where tension builds all week until it explodes in fiery sex before they go back to avoidance.

ferp's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

elisemb's review against another edition

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funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

gieselleusc's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I should’ve dnf-ed, but I’ve read other books by this author and loved them. This one just didn’t work for me - specifically their dialogue. I wasn’t also sure why these two hated each other or why they were so wildly immature. I definitely wished I had liked it more.

steph07's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this might be my favorite book of the year. i love absolutely everything about it. if i could give it 10 stars i would. if you’re looking for a rom com this is it!

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