A review by ainun_farhan_zahra
Doc Showmance by Zoe Forward

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

 

Thank you so much Netgalley and the author for the ARC!

'Doc Showmance' stays true to the blurb and delivers every bit of steam and melodrama that were promised.

I haven't read any veterinary romance before. In fact, I doubt there are many in this category. A vet herself, Zoe's urge to write about two badass, stubborn, entertaing vets is very justified. Kudos to the author for merging her experiences and wild imagination to give life to a hilarious and thoughtful story. 

Our protagonists Amber and Ian both belong to dysfunctional families. Amber lives with her foster siblings - Bruno, Marino and Joley. Despite having different parents and no social liability to each other, their connection is beautiful and incredibly heartwarming. On the other hand, Ian couldn't be furthest from his. With power hungry, manipulative guardians, it's surprising that he has compassion left in him at all. After finishing vet school, both had parted their ways following a bitter incident. When fate collides them once more to star on a tv show, will they able to move past the past or will hatred bring them down?

I mean obviously hatred doesn't bring them down. That part is certain, isn't it? 

Unfortunately - though I love fake-dating, enemies to lovers, hospitals, doctors, animals, slow burn, badass females, the book didn't click for me as much as I wanted it to. The characters are likable but the story could have been written better with a bit more maturity. Ian's background could use more depth. More highlights should be given on the animals - in my opinion. I would have loved to see them bond with their patients, to read about the work Ian actually does in his tv show, how they protest against animal abuse and so on. At the end, it felt like a lot of information were crammed into few sentences. Otherwise, it's quite a good read. I don't regret picking it up.