RITA Reader Challenge Review

The Bachelor Doctor’s Bride by Caro Carson

This RITA® Reader Challenge 2015 review was written by TheoLibrarian. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Short Contemporary Romance category.

The summary:

Paging Dr. Love!

Cardiologist Quinn MacDowell has no time for affairs of the
heart–especially those not related to his job. But when a black tie affair
throws him together with bubbly Diana Connor, she gets underneath his white
coat like no woman has before. Quinn is determined not to let this chance at
happiness dance out of his reach.

Opposites may attract, but Diana doesn’t believe they make permanent
matches. If the hunky doctor with the icy façade knew how much baggage she
actually came with, he’d run the other direction. When her plan to keep things
cool gets blown away by a Texas storm, these polar opposites must decide if the
heat between them will burn for a summer, or forever.

Here is TheoLibrarian's review:

If you are looking for a contemporary without a crazy gimmick, this is the book for you.  Quinn and Diana meet at a fancy event, talk, dance, get together, and learn to navigate their issues. No fake engagements, no secret relationships, no trauma.  The conflict that drives this story is a simple one: can these two people fit into each other’s lives?

Diana is a cheerful, bubbly person whose goal is to make other people happy. She’s a real estate agent who also volunteers at the animal shelter.  She’s not the top real estate agent or a real estate mogul. She’s just a person who works an average job and spends as much time as she can brightening up others’ lives.  When she first sees Quinn, she believes he is longing after a married woman, so she takes it upon herself to find him the perfect match. Because she wants to make this stranger happy.

Quinn is a serious cardiologist. He does relationships but his work has always come first.  He comes from a wealthy family and they do high society things, but he doesn’t think much of it.  He is intrigued by Diana and is very open with her about what he wants. He wants to spend time with her. He wants a relationship, not meaningless sex. After reading so many contemporaries filled with “let’s just have sex to get it out of our system…oops we fell in love!” it was refreshing to read a hero who knew what he wanted and did what he could to make it work.

If you can’t already tell, I really liked this conflict. No one I know has ever faked an engagement, but I know plenty of couples who have had to learn how the other person will fit into their life before committing to a lifelong relationship. The two characters do come from really different places. Diana doesn’t have money problems, but she isn’t a member of Austin society. She likes sparkly things and being openly exuberant. Quinn does come from Austin society. The gala they meet at was put on by his family. He has connections with other old money families. Diana and Quinn both have to bend and grow in order to make their lives fit together.

The only problem I had with this book was the portrayal of the big, bad, bitchy other woman. Patricia has known Quinn for some time and believes that they would be a much better partnership than Quinn and Diana. She openly belittles Diana and has conversations with her friends about pushing Diana aside while she knows Diana is in the house.

“I’ll be engaged to Quinn within six months, mark my word. But I’ve got to let him overdose on her first. He won’t appreciate it if I chase her away. I’m throwing them together as often as possible, in every situation. He’ll be embarrassed by her sooner or later.”

I’d half-expected Patricia to be cackling and rubbing her hands together during that little speech. The only thing that redeems this seemingly one-dimensional portrayal of evil Patricia is the knowledge that Patricia is the heroine of Carson’s next book. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Patricia’s growth is handled.

Despite the issues of Patricia’s characterization, I would highly recommend this book.  It’s a quick read. but I really thought Carson resolved Quinn and Diana’s large and real problem in that time.

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The Bachelor Doctor’s Bride by Caro Carson

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  1. DonnaMarie says:

    So, no dark secret pasts, secret babies, kidnappings, stupid misunderstandings, or convoluted lies to elderly family members to get an inheritance without an actual relationship? Two people meet, like each other and decide to try the whole fall in love thing? Wuuuuuhhhhh?

    SOLD!!

  2. Sally says:

    What a helpful review. I never would’ve gone for the book on title or summary alone, but stories that run on character conflicts rather than outside gimmicks are the entire reason I read romance. I’ll be looking into this posthaste. Thanks!

  3. Darbi says:

    SOLD. Sounds like a refreshing read, although I love a case of mistaken identity or a fake engagement.

  4. Erica says:

    SOLD. That sounds lovely. And a fantastic review. 🙂

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