jagrimm's review
emotional
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? No
4.0
sooz_767's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 stars
This was definitely not the quickest or easiest book to read, especially in the post-COVID world we live in.
We learn pretty early on that our main POV character, Kira (a doctor specialising in infectious diseases with the CDCs), ends up having to make some sort of decision between her 2 children, so you spend the entire book waiting for this awful moment to come, amongst the rest of the awful impact of the pandemic on the world, the doctors, their families, etc. It's hard going at points so not something I could binge read.
I obviously won't spoil what happens but I think the way the story wound up was well done and fitting.
I'm looking forward to the authors next book following one of the other doctors, Vani. đ
This was definitely not the quickest or easiest book to read, especially in the post-COVID world we live in.
We learn pretty early on that our main POV character, Kira (a doctor specialising in infectious diseases with the CDCs), ends up having to make some sort of decision between her 2 children, so you spend the entire book waiting for this awful moment to come, amongst the rest of the awful impact of the pandemic on the world, the doctors, their families, etc. It's hard going at points so not something I could binge read.
I obviously won't spoil what happens but I think the way the story wound up was well done and fitting.
I'm looking forward to the authors next book following one of the other doctors, Vani. đ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Pandemic/Epidemic
kbranfield's review
5.0
Doctors and Friends by Kimmery Martin is a captivating (non-Covid) pandemic novel centered around a group of doctors who are close friends.
Socially awkward Dr. Kira Marchand works for the CDC. She is a widowed mom to six-year-old Beau and fourteen-year-old Rorie. Â Kira and her kids join her friends from medical school for a long-awaited vacation in Spain and Morocco. ER doctor Compton Winfield makes a shocking discovery before departing for the trip and leaving behind her husband Ellis and their three kids. OB/GYN Hannah Grier joins her friends and tries to hide her continued sorrow over her infertility.
Kira and her kids arrive in Spain first and they meet with her former boyfriend Declan who works on the vaccine side of medicine. She is notified of a new sickness in the region that bears watching. While Declan takes Beau and Rorie on to Morocco, she and her friends continue with their plans.  Kira continues to get updates about the new artiovirus but little is still known about the disease. Unfortunately, as their vacation is drawing to a close, the artiovirus explodes onto the world stage and when they return home, nothing is the same.
During the pandemic, Kira has kept Beau and Rorie safe from the artioviurs. Â But Kira eventually faces an ethical dilemma that could threaten her future. Â Compton returns to New York where the emergency rooms are overwhelmed with sick and dying patients. When the worst is over, she suffers from PTSD and finally must face a loss she has yet to grieve. Hannah is stunned when she becomes pregnant but she is able to safely work from home.
Doctors and Friends is a very compelling novel that is impossible to put down. The characters are richly drawn with flaws and strengths that add to their appeal. The descriptions of the artiovirus are a little too well detailed but these descriptions add urgency to the unfolding pandemic drama. The storyline is well-developed and will resonate with readers. With a hint of suspense, Kimmery Martin brings this outstanding novel to an extremely emotional yet satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this incredible novel.
Socially awkward Dr. Kira Marchand works for the CDC. She is a widowed mom to six-year-old Beau and fourteen-year-old Rorie. Â Kira and her kids join her friends from medical school for a long-awaited vacation in Spain and Morocco. ER doctor Compton Winfield makes a shocking discovery before departing for the trip and leaving behind her husband Ellis and their three kids. OB/GYN Hannah Grier joins her friends and tries to hide her continued sorrow over her infertility.
Kira and her kids arrive in Spain first and they meet with her former boyfriend Declan who works on the vaccine side of medicine. She is notified of a new sickness in the region that bears watching. While Declan takes Beau and Rorie on to Morocco, she and her friends continue with their plans.  Kira continues to get updates about the new artiovirus but little is still known about the disease. Unfortunately, as their vacation is drawing to a close, the artiovirus explodes onto the world stage and when they return home, nothing is the same.
During the pandemic, Kira has kept Beau and Rorie safe from the artioviurs. Â But Kira eventually faces an ethical dilemma that could threaten her future. Â Compton returns to New York where the emergency rooms are overwhelmed with sick and dying patients. When the worst is over, she suffers from PTSD and finally must face a loss she has yet to grieve. Hannah is stunned when she becomes pregnant but she is able to safely work from home.
Doctors and Friends is a very compelling novel that is impossible to put down. The characters are richly drawn with flaws and strengths that add to their appeal. The descriptions of the artiovirus are a little too well detailed but these descriptions add urgency to the unfolding pandemic drama. The storyline is well-developed and will resonate with readers. With a hint of suspense, Kimmery Martin brings this outstanding novel to an extremely emotional yet satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this incredible novel.
nursenell's review
4.0
A very interesting story, made more so because it was written before Covid and the Pandemic. The author is a M.D. and so she uses correct medical terminology and explanations.
thepageladies's review
4.0
âThree female doctors and friends remind the reader of the heart-wrenching tragedies and impossible choices that make such a cast not only heroic but human.ââKristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday
Hannah, Compton, and Kira have been close friends since medical school, reuniting once a year for a much-needed vacation. Just as they gather to travel in Spain, an outbreak of a fast-spreading virus throws the world into chaos.
When Compton Winfield returns to her job as an ER doctor in New York City, she finds a city changed beyond recognitionâand a personal loss so gutting it reshapes every aspect of her life.
Hannah Geierâs career as an ob-gyn in San Diego is fulfilling but sheâs always longed for a child of her own. After years of trying, Hannah discovers she's expecting a baby just as the disease engulfs her city.
Kira Marchand, an infectious disease doctor at the CDC in Atlanta, finds herself at the center of the American response to the terrifying new illness. Her professional battle turns personal when she must decide whether her children will receive an experimental but potentially life-saving treatment.
Written prior to Covid-19 by a former emergency medicine physician, Doctors and Friends incorporates unexpected wit, razor-edged poignancy, and a deeply relatable cast of characters who provoke both laughter and tears. Martin provides a unique insiderâs perspective into the world of medical professionals working to save lives during the most difficult situations of their careers.
Thank you Berkley and netgalley for the giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
Man talk about chills! This was an impressive and realistic book especially with everything that has happened.The novel takes place in three timelines before , during, after, and the novel is about 8 doctors that are friends, Kira who works infectious disease, Cander works in in emergency medicine, Hannah is a Ob-Gyn Georgia who works in urology, Vani in internal medicine, Zadie in pediatric cardiology, Emma in trauma surgery, and Jonah works in family medicine. I truly enjoyed the friendship between these characters! It shows us fear of the unknown and suffering and responsibilities, that the doctors take on and deal with during a pandemic. I found this book to be unique, well written and a wonderful read!
Hannah, Compton, and Kira have been close friends since medical school, reuniting once a year for a much-needed vacation. Just as they gather to travel in Spain, an outbreak of a fast-spreading virus throws the world into chaos.
When Compton Winfield returns to her job as an ER doctor in New York City, she finds a city changed beyond recognitionâand a personal loss so gutting it reshapes every aspect of her life.
Hannah Geierâs career as an ob-gyn in San Diego is fulfilling but sheâs always longed for a child of her own. After years of trying, Hannah discovers she's expecting a baby just as the disease engulfs her city.
Kira Marchand, an infectious disease doctor at the CDC in Atlanta, finds herself at the center of the American response to the terrifying new illness. Her professional battle turns personal when she must decide whether her children will receive an experimental but potentially life-saving treatment.
Written prior to Covid-19 by a former emergency medicine physician, Doctors and Friends incorporates unexpected wit, razor-edged poignancy, and a deeply relatable cast of characters who provoke both laughter and tears. Martin provides a unique insiderâs perspective into the world of medical professionals working to save lives during the most difficult situations of their careers.
Thank you Berkley and netgalley for the giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
Man talk about chills! This was an impressive and realistic book especially with everything that has happened.The novel takes place in three timelines before , during, after, and the novel is about 8 doctors that are friends, Kira who works infectious disease, Cander works in in emergency medicine, Hannah is a Ob-Gyn Georgia who works in urology, Vani in internal medicine, Zadie in pediatric cardiology, Emma in trauma surgery, and Jonah works in family medicine. I truly enjoyed the friendship between these characters! It shows us fear of the unknown and suffering and responsibilities, that the doctors take on and deal with during a pandemic. I found this book to be unique, well written and a wonderful read!
cnielsen14's review
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
puzzlesatoz's review
4.0
Itâs still so weird reading about a pandemic. Still too soon. Even though she started writing this before Covid. Some of the editing was done during Covid. Different virus but still some eerie parallels
katkinney's review against another edition
4.0
DOCTORS AND FRIENDS was reportedly written pre-covid, however the novelâs pandemic outbreak is eerily similar to the covid epidemic. A group of friends who all happen to work in medicine are in Spain on a vacation when a pandemic breaks out. We see things unfold through their eyes over the course of the next year.
Kimmery Martin works in medicine and that vast depth of knowledge shines through in all her books. At times the book was a bit graphic, but I really appreciated the fact that scenes felt so real, just like you were watching an episode of Greyâs Anatomy flash across the pages. Each of the characters had a unique perspective and a bit of personal stuff going on in their own lives. The pacing for me was a bit off. The start of the book is slowâthe virus doesnât hit until 33% of the way inâand the ending felt a bit rushed. At times it felt like there were too many characters. Still, overall it was an enjoyable read. 4/5 stars.
Kimmery Martin works in medicine and that vast depth of knowledge shines through in all her books. At times the book was a bit graphic, but I really appreciated the fact that scenes felt so real, just like you were watching an episode of Greyâs Anatomy flash across the pages. Each of the characters had a unique perspective and a bit of personal stuff going on in their own lives. The pacing for me was a bit off. The start of the book is slowâthe virus doesnât hit until 33% of the way inâand the ending felt a bit rushed. At times it felt like there were too many characters. Still, overall it was an enjoyable read. 4/5 stars.