Amber is a superstar emergency vet forced to work on camera as the hospital where she’s employed has a contract with a reality show. She’s not a big fan but she’s too busy at work to really care, until the day her nemesis walks through the door. Of all the vets the producers could have chosen to bring on board, they picked the one man she can’t stand. He’s the last person she expected to see working in her clinic but just when she thinks there’s no way this can get worse, the producers drop a bomb: she’s going to have a fake relationship with Ian on camera.

They went to school together and while they were never friends, they tolerated one another well enough until Ian inadvertently played a cruel prank on Amber. She has loathed him ever since so he’s got a lot of work to do to win her over. He's less than thrilled either, since the producer is blackmailing him, but he’s forced to play along. And in all honesty, there’s nobody he’d rather fake date so Ian’s not too upset about the arrangement, unlike Amber. They have to play nice in front of the cameras, which is easier said than done, since Amber’s great at holding a grudge.

I enjoyed these characters and loved their snarky banter. Their story is sweet and funny and I highly recommend it. I received an ARC from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this story, you could honestly tell that the author knew the vet world. There were so many elements that worked in this books favor. Enemies to lovers, a boss-B FMC, found family, breaking of generational cycles, reality tv, etc. the romance got a bit spicy, but nothing to wild in my opinion. I was definitely girl crushing on Amber (FMC)! She was tough as nails for her family/loved ones and all of her patients. Her sarcastic, smart, ambitious, passionate, no nonsense self ( can you tell I liked her? 😂) I love reality tv and animals so I thought this was a great idea for a romance novel. I mean there’s even a parrot who quotes The Princess Bride, what isn’t to love about this book.

If you like enemies to lovers and fake relationships and vets- you’ll like this. For the most part I enjoyed this book. But I felt it kinda fizzled at the last half. There were just too many stereotypes and tropes for both main characters that I was like “really?!?!” As I was reading it. Maybe I think too much about what I’m reading?

Disclaimer: I DNF'd at 30%.

I'm usually a very quick reader and it's not hard for me to find entertainment in books. The blurb of this book caught my attention, so I guess I just had high expectations? Still, I've been trying to read this book for like a week, and I've TRIED tried. Usually, it's not hard for me to find something I liked in a book, but it was hard for me in this one, and I put off reviewing it because I really wanted to finish it and find out why.

Here's the conclusion I found: it's just tropes. And it's not even enemies to lovers, it's just slightly annoyed with each other because of something stupid. It's "but I always liked you" since the very beginning. I don't know, I guess it rubbed me off the wrong way. I kept waiting for something to add to the plot, and when I found it it was just info dumping. Like a paragraph of Amber's entire life or Ian's lack of relationship with his family and it was that. No slowly easing into it.
This is not a critique of the writing itself, because I actually smiled at some of their dialogue and thoughts...I think it's a critique of the system itself. When you see an author with potential, you don't make them publish a book reduced to its tropes and with a sparkle of something different - the veterinary stuff, although I have read other books with vet MCs. You work for them and with them to find a good plot.

So, this is why I'm still giving this book 3 stars. It's not awful, It's not horrible, it's just...meh. I see the tropes, I see the trying to get them right, but unfortunately I don't see it made right. I'm a writer myself, and I totally support thinking of one's book as a few tropes, but the book can't be JUST that - not if you're publishing! If you're writing for yourself and trying to get better, by all means, practice without trying too hard. If you're wanting to be a published writer, you shouldn't just practice. You should do it right.

I feel like I'm being too mean here and I don't mean (eheh) it. It just really upset me how I was trying to find something in this book, anything, and I didn't. It was either moving too fast or too slow. One chapter Amber was preaching how she hated him, loathed him, and in the next there was already the sexual tension part, and in the next they were talking about what happened in the past and ruining it all again. I just don't think that's how it works. The pacing was off.

Thanks Netgalley for an ARC of this book - I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh my goodness - this book was a delightful, steamy, swoony surprise. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end, This writer knows how to build chemistry between two characters for sure.

I loved Amber and Ian's backgrounds and how this established their characters from the beginning. I loved the other characters and the PETS. Yes this is a love story, but vets saving the lives of animals and kicking ass on reality tv? It's golden.

I can't wait to hear more from this author. This was the perfect blend of second chance romance, found family and attraction on an animalistic (pardon the pun) scale.

This is the first book I read by Zoe Forward.
I really enjoyed her writing style and overall I enjoyed the enemy to lovers trope in this book. I wasn't bored and want to keep on reading.
Definitely recommend this to readers that loves the trope, loves animals as there are plenty incidents that made me laugh out loud, and romance.
If you are a fan of the three, definitely get your hands on Doc showmance.
As someone that loves watching reality T.V I could see this one.

Great story.

I am so impressed that this author is a veterinarian, because I would fully believe that she studied to be a writer. I think the writing in this story was strong, but the characters left me wanting. Amber is definitely the stronger voice of the two, but even she came off one-dimensional. Ian didn't really appeal to me and felt bland.

The first half of this book had me intrigued. I think it could have been a lot more engaging if the author had focused more on Amber and Ian's relationship in vet school. Their past conflict is kind of glossed over; I didn't get a 100% clear picture of what happened. A flashback or time jumps could have fleshed out the story more.

Amber and Ian both admit their attraction from the start, but as soon as they give into their lust and have sex they decide they are in love. That was a bit sudden for me.

Thank you to Forward, the publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I wanted to love this more than I did. I really did not feel connected or understood either of the main characters, which is weird to me because this a dual-POV story. Both of them were flip flopping of wanting to make their relationship real and taking it seriously that I felt like maybe then y'all shouldn't be because neither of you are set on committing?

I get the drama of reality TV can be annoying and I thought Amber loving the practice despite being on TV felt really weird to me. I am not a vet, but I don't think not completing residency at a single place, especially if the place has the conditions of being filmed, would be a hard thing to get out of. Even more so when a senior doctor is pulling extreme ethical violations that are directly impacting Amber's development.

Lastly, a continuity issue that I am sure is fixed in the final publication was who punched the brother. Was it Amber or Ian? I am curious which person got the punching in.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, workplace romance, fake-dating, reality TV

This book features an enemies to lovers, almost second chance romance, between two veternarians. Obviously adorable animals were on my mind after reading this amazing story.
The protagonists were classmates in Veternary School, but an ill timed prank made Dr. Ian Todd enemy no. 1 for Dr. Amber Hardin. They are paired up again when Ian joins the Emergency Hospital where Amber works at, as a part of the reality show shot in the hospital.
I love how this book is an ode to committed veternarians who advocate for their vulnerable patients and their families, it doesn't white wash the profession, the hardships, the emotional stress and the conflict with colleagues who are outdated and might not give the best care to the animal.
I loved how the author has focussed on found family and how love and loyalty doesn't necessarily need blood relations. It's also great to see the hero, coming from a toxic family, but he's already healing himself and trying to break the generational curse. I found myself laughing out loud at so many points in the book, the humor was just what I needed! I'm hoping to see spin offs based on Amber's siblings, let's see if the author is in the mood🤭

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book. This is my first NetGalley read, and probably the first book I requested. The cover and summary of the book intrigued me right away - I’ve been in a romcom mood lately and this fake-dating for reality tv sounded perfect. Plus it takes place in a veterinarian’s office.
I enjoyed reading Amber and Ian going from “enemies” to lovers, although it seemed fairly quick. There is reference to a previous friendship in veterinarian school at the beginning of the book but quickly seems to just disappear and they don’t really bring up or resolve what happened.
Some of the secondary characters are likely, others are just there. The whole reality tv aspect of the book was interesting, and went just about as well as I would think it would be real life.

Amber is a no-nonsense emergency vet who will not back down from a fight for her patients. The emergency vet clinic where she works is the subject of a reality show so the cameras are always rolling when she's at work. Ian is the handsome vet who broke her heart in vet school who happens to be the star of his very own show. When the ratings are suffering for her clinic's show, the producers decide to bring in Ian to help boost the ratings and provide some drama in the form of a workplace romance between Ian and Amber (one she wants nothing to do with). With the extra pay the show is offering, Amber decides to play along to help get her brother away from the grip of a loan shark.

This is one of the first romcoms that I just couldn't get into. I kept coming back to it to give it a chance but I DNF. I didn't connect with any of the characters and the dialogue just seemed so immature and dramatic. I am usually a big fan of enemies to lovers but I just couldn't get into this storyline and the workplace honestly seemed pretty toxic. Life is too short to read books that you don't enjoy so I just had to put this one down.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Amber's a fiercely protective of her patients, hardworking vet who also happens to be an unwilling reality TV star. When her enemy from vet school is roped into starring on the show with her, someone comes up with the brilliant idea to have them fake date as a way to pump up viewership and ratings. Should be no problem to work with her enemy, right? Except perhaps not, because such close proximity is doing things to her heart and to her opinion of Ian. He's really not the person she had thought, and that's not good because she's not really in the right frame of mind to get involved, with anyone, let alone him.

Ian has never gotten over Amber. Now that they're fake dating, he's about to turn the fake into real. If only he weren't planning on leaving again...

Enemies to lovers is my jam. When it's like this one, I fall in love with the trope even more because these two have sparks from the very first page of their reunion. Snarky and witty, sweet with serious chemistry, Doc Showmance is enemies to lovers done right.

I enjoyed this story, though it was a bit longer than necessary. Amber was a firecracker. I loved her honesty, bluntness, and her love for animals. Ian was cocky, amusing, and caring. His defiance of his parents' plans for him, going for what he cared about, made me feel more towards his getting together with Amber. There were some sad moments, happy moments, groaning moments, misunderstandings, and a hard-earned HEA.

I received a copy of this story through Xpresso Tours, and this is my unsolicited review.

Thank you so much Net Galley. This was my first Net Galley book. I was so excited to read this one. But for me it just fell short. I was really into the first half of the book then it just kind of got again, for me, became way too predictable and I lost the excitement.

I loved that Amber and Ian knew each other from Vet school and had that I liked you but hate you and will never let you know there are feelings going on/ enemies to lovers. I loved the bantering back and forth. I looked forward to Amber’s hilarious comments.

I also felt like the second half was really rushed. There was spice in the story which kept the story going but again got old after a while when it was stated numerous times Ian was good in bed. As the story went on and found Amber got on my nerves just a bit. I enjoyed when Amber’s sister, Joyce, brought Amber to light and sent her off to get her man.

Overall there were parts I enjoyed and thought it was fine.

Enemies to lovers with cute, cuddly animals thrown in....I'm there.

Ian and Amber were once friends. They might have even been on their way to being something more....but then Ian blew it and humiliated Amber in a way that she's never forgotten. Now he's standing in the same clinic she works in and she's being told that he's the new hire. Since the clinic is the site of a reality tv show, there is a large amount of scheming and planning to get their viewership to tune in and follow along with Ian and Amber's relationship. Yes....relationship because the producers of the show want them to "fake date." How is Amber supposed to accomplish this without going off on Ian for all the ways he did her wrong in the past? How can Ian stand to be so close to the spitfire he always had feelings for? Let along "pretend" to date her when all he an think about is her and how he want to date her "for real."

This was a cute premise for fake dating and enemies to lovers. I enjoyed the flow of this one as if felt very natural and not forced. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

This book is set in a veterinary office that also is in the midst of a reality tv contract and it is everything I could’ve asked for! It had me laughing from the first page with just a description of a tattoo. I couldn’t have been more happy with the tropes either! Do you like enemies to lovers? Fake dating? What about the one bed trope or a generous tablespoon of some delicious spice? Throw in a badass female main character and that’s a five star recipe to me! Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC I had a wonderful time with it! #Docshowmance #Netgalley

This was my first ARC that I signed up for and received. I was so excited to get approved to read this book from Netgalley. What drew me in to the book at first was it's cover. It had a dog on it. I have a dog myself and anytime I see a book with a dog on the cover I definitely look into it more. After reading the book description I found out it was about vets and a reality TV show which obviously sounds like a interesting combo. My sister is in school for becoming a vet and with me loving animals I was just drawn to wanting to read it.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I rated it 4/5 stars. Amber and Ian are both interesting characters and have unique personality that make them both likeable and annoying at times. I like how Amber was the grump and Ian was the sunshine in the story. Most of the time it's the other way around in romance books. Amber is rough around the edges but deep down just wants ti be loved like everyone else. Ian is the understanding, charming and loveable guy that fall head over feet for Amber and is willing to do whatever to show her that. I love how fast pace and easy the book was to read. I recommend reading this book if your a animal lover, like enemies to lovers, second chances, family connections and rom-com. I would definitely read a sequel to this book or any other books by Zoe Forward!

Thank you again to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

thank you netgalley for this arc, first and foremost. I thought this would be right up my alley. in some ways, it was. I loved how the girl was grumpy instead of the guy, I dont often see that in books. Also, the veterinary world was fascinating. Also a rare setting for a romance book. Some of it was very cliche, very cringe but in the end I enjoyed it so much.

My first book by Zoe Forward and I could tell straightaway she is an experienced author...and a veterinarian! All these wonderful scenes with animal patients (sometimes cute, sometimes heartbreakingly tragic, always realistic)- they must have been based on Zoe's real life experience. Trust me, they were one of the best aspects of the book.

The enemies-to-lovers trope is full of tension and passion by definition, but here we have two ER vets with an unresolved conflict from college time being forced into fake dating on national TV, and you know it's a perfect recipe for lots and lots of drama. Add the snark, general grumpiness and (in my opinion justified) Olympic level grudge-holding ability of one of the protagonists and the easygoing 'sunshine' of the other one-no wonder sparks do fly!

Dr Amber Hardin might come across as prickly, but when it comes to saving animal lives, she is one of the best. The ER clinic where she's finishing her residency year needs to bring in money and does it by hosting a reality TV show. Amber is contractually obligated to be on camera 30% of her working time. . When her 'old nemesis' Ian Todd is brought in on the show, Amber knows she will have to endure working with him for a few months, but then the stakes are raised, as the producers would like Ian to become Amber's love interest. Our protagonists have their reasons for complying with this request, although it certainly makes their relationship super complicated. Ian genuinely likes and respects Amber and would love to get a second chance with her, while Amber struggles working out what is true and what is there just for the sake of rolling cameras.

I liked the protagonists. Despite her grumpy, '#NoFilter' reputation, Amber is very truthful, loyal, and down-to-earth person, while there's definitely more to Ian than just his good looks and bright smiles. Whatever happened in the past to drive these two apart, they have a lot in common in terms of their values and their life outlook (their background couldn't have been more different). They are much more friends-who-are-bound-to-become-lovers than enemies, and it worked for me. I loved their first date! I wish the secondary characters were more developed, though. There was a lot of potential with Amber's siblings, each of whom could be a star of their own book.

Who would I recommend this book to? Obviously anyone who loves animals and reality TV! It's an easy, entertaining book with likeable protagonists and a perfect happy ending. Hope Zoe Forward turns it into a series and tells us more about Bruno, Joley, Marino, and Nabi.

3.5

I thought the book was cute and funny at times. The characters were were funny. I however didn’t like the plot there wasn’t much of one to me. I was a little disappointed. It just wasn’t for me.