This RITA® Reader Challenge 2015 review was written by Kim Lowe. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Long Contemporary category.
The summary:
Everyone in Bell Harbor thinks career-minded plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades needs a husband. Everyone, that is, except for Evelyn…sort of. Even if she did want a husband (which she doesn’t…most of the time), she’d never let something as intangible as fate determine who she marries. No, if she’s going to find someone to spend her life with, she’ll do it scientifically: with a carefully crafted list of criteria and an Internet dating site.
But when intoxicated, law-breaking Tyler Connelly crashes into her life by way of a stolen Jet Ski, unruly emotions defy common sense. Sure, he’s sexy, charming, and determined to win Evelyn’s affection, but all evidence points to him being the worst possible choice. He’s too young for her. Too irresponsible. Too underemployed. And, oh yeah, he’s herpatient.
But Tyler knows firsthand how the best-laid plans can crumble under the weight of destiny. Now all he needs to do is to teach Evelyn that, in matters of the heart, love often supersedes logic.
Here is Kim Lowe's review:
Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. – Lord Byron
Tyler Connelly made Dr. Evelyn Rhoades laugh … even as she tended to his wounds from driving a stolen jet ski into a dock. Fate delivered her to the emergency room in the same hospital as her plastic surgery office, bringing Bell Harbor’s newest doc in contact with the town’s bad boy (or so she thinks). Tyler saw past Eve’s professional approach and asked her out. Eve rebuffed him, claiming Tyler (at 28) was too young for her (at 35). Plus he isn’t “marriage material” as she is ready to start a family (or so she thinks).
Although Tyler agreed that he is not ready for marriage, he pursued Eve to “just have fun.” His persistence paid off when he finally cracked her facade, giving them both the opportunity to enjoy the moment. THE BEST MEDICINE is a light hearted contemporary romance that is pure escapism. Brogan delivers laughs as the hospital gals support Eve during her adventures with online dating. The plot turns playfully sexy as Eve and Tyler ease into a comfortable friendship that leads to love.
THE BEST MEDICINE proved to be as the title suggests … just what the doctor ordered for two unexpected lovers who try to please their families at the expense of their own desires. Recommended read to those who appreciate small town romance.
THE BEST MEDICINE is Book 2 in the Bell Harbor series. It can be read as a stand alone novel (as I have not read the first book … yet). I received a signed copy from Tracy Brogan at the WRW Loves Readers Luncheon.
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I think a contemporary thief who wouldn’t take no for an answer would be a deal-breaker for me.
Yeah, I love small town romance, but I’m not wild about the “everyone wants me to get married except for me, except secretly I do” thing. It usually comes off as single shaming. I have been meaning to try the first in this series, though…
Mara, I had the same reaction to the blurb — it sounds like, well, of course she REALLY wants to get married, no duh. I wish this review had touched on that, or the can’t take no hero, or the ethical issue of doctor/patient, etc.
I don’t intend to disparage the lovely reviewers, but this isn’t the first reader review I have read recently where I felt like there isn’t much critical thought going into it and then reached the end only to learn that the reviewer received a signed copy from the author. I can be extra forgiving of writers I love, so I guess this makes sense to me, but I definitely won’t be picking this one up.
Oh, hm, the other A review of a side-eye-able book (given a D grade by someone else) was by the same guest reviewer, so maybe it’s a stylistic thing and not an intentionally inflated grade thing.
Thank you, Smart Bitches, for posting my review. My reviews tend to be shorter than the “critical” reviews often found here at Smart Bitches. Several factors play into my decision to writer shorter reviews, namely time, so I prefer to give my quick thoughts.
I received the book, by random, from Tracy Brogan at the Washington Romance Writers (WRW) Reader Appreciation Luncheon. I just happened to sit at the same table with Tracy. At the time, I was not a big contemporary romance reader but I chose to dive right into the book. I appreciated the pressure a 30 something career woman often feels to start a family … and she happens to fall in love with a 20 something free spirit. I also enjoyed the Michigan background – very different from where I live now and where I grew up in Florida. This is the beauty of romance – we can learn from each other.
Great review Kim and very excited as always to see you published on a variety of blogs.
As a fellow reviewer I tend to write longer reviews but I know that is my style as it takes me longer to get everything I want to say in. That is also the way I tell a story – sit back this is going to take awhile there are always things I need to say.
You are able to get to the point quicker, so good job on that.
Romance rocks and the more we promote it the better the sales and the more authors get published.
Thanks for all the interesting comments. I love engaged readers, even if they feel a book of mine would not be to their liking. (I realize not everyone enjoys my sense of humor. Just ask my kids!)
Anyway, I would like to mention that I give away books all the time, but not with the expectation that they’ll be publicly reviewed, and certainly not with the expectation that any reviewer would be swayed to give anything other than an honest review. I am thrilled to be a RITA nominee and so glad that that Kim enjoyed The Best Medicine. As her review suggests, it’s a light-hearted, meant-to-be funny read. And as most comedies go, nothing at the start of the story is quite what it seems. Is Tyler a thief? Hmmmm…. maybe. Maybe not…
At any rate, thanks for the thoughtful discussion. Happy reading!!