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librarybookscene's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Racism, and Grief
kfmcf's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this book. I read it in one night and enjoyed myself. There were some things overall that bugged me but I had a good time and in no way regret my time spent with it.
The MC was a bit of a chore. I wish she had some more layers because she would have bugged the hell out of me if she were my friend. The ML was a little irksome, too. And oy the communication.
The side characters were interesting but I don't think I agree that I wanted more of them or her family. I think the book was honestly just a bit too chunky and cutting down the romance alone would have been enough. I don't mind drama, I don't mind the ups and downs, but this one was just a bit like "come on already we get it - you can't talk to each other."
Also why did he say he didn't see her "like that" if he definitely did? Just because of his current gf? It was odd.
My final peeve about this book is the footnotes. I kind of get that it's supposed to be like a medical textbook but it was too much and it was distracting. I get that there were terms to teach but there are ways to make it more approachable without them. I also couldn't tell if they were written in the POV of the author or the MC for far too long.
I'm looking forward to more from this author - I think for a first this was a strong start.
The MC was a bit of a chore. I wish she had some more layers because she would have bugged the hell out of me if she were my friend. The ML was a little irksome, too. And oy the communication.
The side characters were interesting but I don't think I agree that I wanted more of them or her family. I think the book was honestly just a bit too chunky and cutting down the romance alone would have been enough. I don't mind drama, I don't mind the ups and downs, but this one was just a bit like "come on already we get it - you can't talk to each other."
Also why did he say he didn't see her "like that" if he definitely did? Just because of his current gf? It was odd.
My final peeve about this book is the footnotes. I kind of get that it's supposed to be like a medical textbook but it was too much and it was distracting. I get that there were terms to teach but there are ways to make it more approachable without them. I also couldn't tell if they were written in the POV of the author or the MC for far too long.
I'm looking forward to more from this author - I think for a first this was a strong start.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Misogyny, Racism, and Grief
ktdakotareads's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Medical trauma
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
casandra_lovealwaysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I was beyond frustrated with the main character. I can normally deal with main characters I don’t like but she honestly felt very annoying to me. All the other characters saved this book for me.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was told from multiple perspectives.
The premise was good and the plot was good too, I just really got annoyed with how much back and forth there was. I feel at least 2 or 3 of the issues could have been wrapped up quickly or been eliminated and the story would still feel the same. Maybe that’s just personal taste, but that was really frustrating to me.
I enjoyed everything else about the book but I do believe the main character took too much away from it for me to give it a higher rating.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it was told from multiple perspectives.
The premise was good and the plot was good too, I just really got annoyed with how much back and forth there was. I feel at least 2 or 3 of the issues could have been wrapped up quickly or been eliminated and the story would still feel the same. Maybe that’s just personal taste, but that was really frustrating to me.
I enjoyed everything else about the book but I do believe the main character took too much away from it for me to give it a higher rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
booktribe's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Angela Appiah had what some might call the perfect life. She’s in medical school, with an upwardly mobile boyfriend, and she’s surrounded by successful friends. Until it all comes tumbling down. She doesn’t do well on her latest medical exam, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and problems emerge in her friend group. How will she pull it together and how will this new man, Ricky, that she has her eye on factor into her life?
The first sentence I read of this book cracked me up! I was into it from the beginning because the easy flowing, but engaging writing really caught me. Some of the scenes were very relatable and others were incredibly cute! I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot. Especially Nia and Shae. We all need friends like them! My favorite part of this novel though was the conversations on medical racism. It is SO important that we bring attention to this because every Black person that has been around hospitals or doctors enough knows how we are treated. As someone who has experienced medical racism across years of my life, I’m so glad it was talked about prominently in this novel! I also loved other important things that were mentioned in the book like the way we as Black people are treated by Asian store owners, or how African children are often bullied in American schools. This novel brought up so many important things that must be talked about more.
But there were some things about this book that I didn’t like. The first thing that I didn’t like was the footnotes. This isn’t personal though, I just ALWAYS hate footnotes, it doesn’t matter what book it is. Footnotes always take me out of the story. And I feel like every footnote could’ve either been omitted or added to the text in an actual sentence. They always distract me. But my main problem with this book was the love interest, Ricky. He was just trash! One of those “nice guys” that will do you wrong, but then act like the victim when you call him out and gaslight you into thinking you’re wrong. He’s fun, sure, but he is not someone you take seriously because he changes his mind every two seconds. And the fact that Angie was so dumb for him, made me not like her either. Girl stand up!!!!!
I did enjoy this book, the main characters were just so exhausting that it was hard for me to read. I would’ve enjoyed it so much better is Ricky hadn’t been so terrible. The book was definitely more good than bad though, so I’m giving it 3.5 stars and rounding it up to 4.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.
TW: medical racism, addiction, talks of illness and hospital related injuries
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction
kaitereads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Gun violence
savvyrosereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Out June 21, 2022 [Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Angie Appiah is the overachieving medical student daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, but when her boyfriend dumps her and she nearly fails a major exam all in the same day, she’s shaken by the stumble. Before too long, she meets Ricky, a gorgeous but infuriating artist—who just might upend her life even further.
There is SO MUCH I loved about this book! From reading other reviews, I suspected that the theme of an overachieving medical student dealing with burnout and figuring out what she wants out of life would resonate with me, and it definitely did—but the book also gave me an MC with the most relatable insecurities; deep and insightful commentary on medical education, healthcare, and the relationship of both to issues of race and Blackness; commentary on immigrant families and the pressures of being first generation; sapphic and non-binary representation; and honestly so much more. I adored the characters, the storyline, and all of the important issues that Dr. Obuobi managed to address so deftly.
There were moments where I thought the book might be a little bit long, but in the end I think every section and every sentence was necessary to the story. Both of the main characters also made several poor choices and engaged in terrible communication practices—but their growth over the course of the novel was wonderful to see. I am so excited for this novel to be out in the world, and even more excited to read whatever Dr. Obuobi writes next!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Grey’s Anatomy but make it a rom-com; diversity and intersectional representation; strangers-to-friends-to-lovers.
CW: Medical content; death (including death of loved ones); mentions of gun violence/injury; addiction; some discussion of sexism and racism.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Angie Appiah is the overachieving medical student daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, but when her boyfriend dumps her and she nearly fails a major exam all in the same day, she’s shaken by the stumble. Before too long, she meets Ricky, a gorgeous but infuriating artist—who just might upend her life even further.
There is SO MUCH I loved about this book! From reading other reviews, I suspected that the theme of an overachieving medical student dealing with burnout and figuring out what she wants out of life would resonate with me, and it definitely did—but the book also gave me an MC with the most relatable insecurities; deep and insightful commentary on medical education, healthcare, and the relationship of both to issues of race and Blackness; commentary on immigrant families and the pressures of being first generation; sapphic and non-binary representation; and honestly so much more. I adored the characters, the storyline, and all of the important issues that Dr. Obuobi managed to address so deftly.
There were moments where I thought the book might be a little bit long, but in the end I think every section and every sentence was necessary to the story. Both of the main characters also made several poor choices and engaged in terrible communication practices—but their growth over the course of the novel was wonderful to see. I am so excited for this novel to be out in the world, and even more excited to read whatever Dr. Obuobi writes next!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Grey’s Anatomy but make it a rom-com; diversity and intersectional representation; strangers-to-friends-to-lovers.
CW: Medical content; death (including death of loved ones); mentions of gun violence/injury; addiction; some discussion of sexism and racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Racism and Sexism