As Neil's skill as a surgeon grows, so does his friendship with Eli, and his silent, hopeless longing for more. It isn't until Neil's final year that Eli at last admits his own deepest desires. But Neil's joy is Eli has no intention of pursuing a relationship. Their positions in the hospital would make it unethical, even if he was emotionally ready for someone new.
Wounded and furious, Neil is determined to forget about Eli once and for all. But when a near-tragedy strikes, a new question Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?
Comment: I saw this book being recommended by the editor when I was reading another book from the same publisher. I got curious and investigated and the blurb seemed something I'd like, and that's why I decided to give it a go.
Neil left the world of English to become a doctor, more specifically a surgeon. However, this entails a demanding life and too many routines which means a life outside of work feels slacking off and Neil wants to prove he has what it takes to succeed. Since he needs to train several specialties, he deals with all sorts of doctors and co workers, but only dr Eli, a cardiologist, catches his eye. He knows he might not have much to offer but he can't help himself but is Dr Eli ready to have a relationship with him anyway? How does this impact Neil's career and the fact he might not stay there after his residency is over?
Just like any other medical series fan, even though I don't know much about actual medicine, it was still interesting to read a story about a training surgeon and how part of his life seems to be placed on hold while he goes through the demands of his work. I have watched enough TV shows to be able to picture some of the things Neil talks about and this intrigued me, but I can see why some readers weren't as impressed; there is, indeed, quite a lot of medical details in this story.
I should also say that the publisher's blurb is a little misleading, for it seems to suggest there's an ongoing romance between Eli and Neil and then something happens. Well, this particular situation only takes place a bit after half way. The biggest part of the story is about Neil going through his life and how we get to glimpse his longing and interest in Eli during a long time before they start spending time together. Now, this surely sounds boring to some readers, but I didn't mind it due to the writing style.
I liked this fast paced method of telling us how Neil would go from here to there without much fuss. It feels a little impersonal at first, but I was able to read between the lines and was soon captivated by Neil whose POV we have all the time, until the epilogue, when we have Eli's. I can understand this style doesn't work for most readers, but to me it was a quick adaptation. The style reminded me of Taylor Fitzpatrick's only book I tried so far. Not in content, of course, but the writing style.
Anyway, back to Mrs York story, the romance is supposedly a slow burn. I have enjoyed these types of romances before but a lot is set on the writing. I did like the style here, so that helped, but the actual romantic aspects only happen after a while. At first it was all about the awareness and the acknowledgment Neil had an interest and then feelings for Eli. When they start to interact more because of work, obviously that it makes it easier for the reader to see if the relationship could happen, and to me this worked out well, but it might seem too slow for some readers.
As for the actual romance, it had its moments, but it wasn't the most romantically described story. It felt more like a comfort romance, in the sense that they share so many common things and have so many common friends, that it feels easy to become a couple at some point. I think the longing and the sex appeal they see in each other aren't meant to be a statement, only an acceptance of a fact. I kind of liked following Neil and seeing them getting together but yes, this isn't obvious.
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