Note to the reader: There are a few medical acronyms and jargon throughout the story. So, if you do not like looking up words occasionally, this may not be the book for you. 

Okay I'm probably the outlier here, but I really enjoyed this book. Call me crazy, but I am still going to call this a romance. It might not be the cookie cutter romance that you're use to, but it is there. So, if you haven’t guess it yet this is a very slow burn. In addition, don’t expect any 'one and dones’ because: A) there is no time for that and B) it really doesn’t suit Neil’s character.

As the author takes us through eight plus years of Neil’s life we get to know his small group of friends and his family when he has time to visit them. We get to know his likes, dislikes, temperament, snarkiness and insecurities. And through it all we get to know a few of the other characters like Bob and Mark, that influence his life. Through all of this, the author does a good job getting the reader to understand how hectic and time-consuming it is for a med student/resident. How hard it is to have a relationship and to have said relationship survive.

The story is told from Neil’s perspective. So, while we might not know every single thought that goes through Eli’s head about his feelings towards Neil; we can see it through his actions. From when they first ‘meet’ up until their first kiss; it is there. It does get a bit angsty, but it works well with this story. I do understand the reason for Eli’s hesitation. However, when something happens to someone he is close to, he has an awaking so to speak. From that point on he doesn't look back. Every single moment between Neil and Eli is right there. It might not be spelled out for you and in flashing lights, but it’s there. When you read about the whiteboard, you will understand.

After everything Neil and Eli have gone through, they do indeed get their HEA; which was beautifully written. Just remember every love story isn’t the same. Because if it were, wouldn't life be boring?

This is M.K. York's debut novel, and I for one will be keeping an eye out on future works by this author.

The ultimate slow burn romance, literally years ! 
Despite this, and that the tension at times is palpable I found that I didn't really get Eli's reasons for not being with Neil towards the end, and I felt that there was too much medical information, and not enough romance.

Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5

necessary-medicineWith intelligence and humor, debut male/male author M.K. York delivers an emotionally charged slow-burn romance set in a prestigious Bay Area teaching hospital

In the high-intensity world of hospital residency programs, there's no room for romance. So it's a good thing for first-year surgical resident Neil Carmona that his crush on the gorgeous cardiologist Eli Newcombe is sheer fantasy. Not only is the sexy doctor Neil's superior, he's also recently divorced.

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 short-lived: 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 arises: Is a life without love—without Neil—a greater risk than laying his heart on the line?

Well, I just  adored Necessary Medicine by M.K. York, probably because it hit so close to home as a close family relative lived with us during his residency here. During that time period I got an up close look at his hours, his total exhaustion and the dedication it took to get him through those years (and all those rotations).  York knows that world intimately and brought it back to me so vividly I almost got on the phone to relive it  with my cousin again. Almost!

First-year surgical resident Neil Carmona felt so believable in every way.  From his fumbling through the different rotations, to his trying to find some semblance of ties to other people to ground him, I understood this man completely and loved him.  And when transplant surgeon extraordinaire appeared during one of his lectures, I could see the crush coming his way.  Neil's world is an insular one and York does a fine job of describing its pressures and incredible around the clock adrenaline rush of procedures, stress, and Expectations that bombard residents so that we can see why he wants to reach out to someone he's attracted to so badly even though it might be the worst idea ever.

Eli Newcombe is more of an enigma, at least at first.  Its when we meet up with him a second time that we get to know the man behind the reputation and realize that perhaps that, beyond the chemistry these two have, there just might be a future.

This is a slow burn sort of relationship that's has its foundation in the reality of a teaching hospital.  York gives us not only Neil and Eli but Neil's mentor (and Eli's friend), other residents and Neil's small circle of friends and the insular world of surgery and the transplant field.  I think this book is a marvel, and I found so many things about it fascinating. Yes, I did remember my cousin's similar stories from his internship and they pretty much measured up to the ones here.  I wonder who  York has been talking to.

However, if you're not a fan of things like tv medicine show dramas with ensemble casts and romances, this book might not be your thing.  But it was absolutely mine.  As I said I adored it.  I so hope M.K. York write more like this as the author has found a fan in me.

Cover art works but I'm not a fan of reds like this in cover art.  I find it offputting.

I wish I had a better review to write, but this book was very hard for me to enjoy. 

The medical aspect took over the book and I found the romance to be nonexistent. I couldn't root for Eli and Neil because to me there wasn't an Eli and Neil to root for.

I'd love to read something by this author again because the writing is there, but the story/romance isn't.

I really wanted to like this book. However, the story dragged on for me. One of the reasons, it's all from Neil's POV. And if I am being honest, Neil and Eli were just kind of boring. I did like the premise of the book. The setting in a hospital, between two doctors, I love the idea. But, the reality did not play out the way I was hoping. I guess, I was hoping for more play, less work, and this book was all work, little play. I assume it's very realistic in the life of doctors but I need more....attention to the relationship details. It's described as a slow burn, and it is indeed, a slow burn. It takes over 75% of the book before these two finally get together, and then, it felt a bit rushed from there. 

I understand that this is the first book from this author? The book itself was written well, but I would have at least preferred more from Eli's POV.

Not terrible. A bit like a gay Grey's Anatomy, to be honest.

I really wanted to like this book, but there was so much medical jargon and speak that I felt it just took over the story.  I found that the greater part of the plot was the life of a resident rather than a romance. I couldn't take to this book it wasn't for me

[book:Necessary Medicine|33826022] was an interesting book by newbie author, [author:M.K. York|16292114], and I have lots of <i>thoughts</i> about it. 

For one, I could have told you before reading the author bio at the end that the author was a doctor, or at least on the way to becoming one. As someone who has gone through dental school, which mirrors medical school in many respects, and who has had a hospital residency, which included anesthesiology, emergency medicine, and OR rotations, I recognized a kindred spirit here. The way [author:M.K. York|16292114] talks about medicine and the terminology that she uses would be extremely hard for a non-medical person to achieve. There is a <i>comfort</i> with the subject that clued me in, unmistakably.   

Now, I was very familiar with all of the medical terms and procedures in this story, but most readers won't be. Not only am I a dentist, but I come from a medical family, with a cardiologist for a father and cousins/in-laws in the medical field. <b>What is interesting about this story versus some other stories that feature doctor MCs is that this book is really mostly about medicine. </b>It is about the MC's journey through his residency, and the mental and physical toll it takes on him. Sure, there is a love interest and an eventual romance, but <b>this book truly reads like more of a residency memoir than anything else.</b> 

And that, my friends, is where I think the author misstepped. 

<b>[book:Necessary Medicine|33826022] is, plain and simple, not a category romance.</b> Yes, there is a romance in it, and yes, it is sweet at the end, but the storyline is really not based on the romance. I wish, actually, that the author had just written this book as a medical genre book instead, maybe adding in a little less romance and a little more harrowing patient stories. I think that would have been more compelling, and perhaps found it's target audience. 

For me, though I could follow along with the medical aspects of the story easily, it was a little too dreary and a little too slow for me to fully engage. Interestingly enough, <b>I thought that the writing was really good</b>. The author doesn't make newbie mistakes, and comes across way more polished than I would have guessed. I also adored the fact that one of the MCs knew he was bisexual and categorized himself as such, even though he had never been with a man until his mid-40s. Just hammered home the message that your <b>sexual orientation and sexual actions aren't one and the same</b>. Kudos for that!  

I would read this author again in a heartbeat, but I hope she changes her romance-writing to be more focused on the romance, which really only happened in this story in the last 15%. Still, lots of promise there. 

Oh, and that cover is <i>terrible</i>. Doesn't fit the story at all. 

*Copy provided for an honest review*

I liked Necessary Medicine it is a good medical story however not quite a romance. The characters were great and the storyline good but I would have like to see a bit more romance to go along with the drama. I will read more by this author as I did enjoy this book overall

This book is slow in the beginning if your not use to reading Doctor books. When the character start coming together it ok.

A 3 1/2 Star review......

A story that mirrors some of the many infamous medical T.V shows; Necessary Medicine regales readers with tales of internships, lack of sleep and the everyday trails of budding young doctors serving their 5-year stint in a teaching hospital.
 
Yes, Neil has a crush on Eli; but if you’re expecting a full on romantic storyline, then this is not the book for you. The romance between these two doesn’t blossom until very late in the book, however when it does, it’s wonderful. 
 
Unfortunately, I don’t believe promoting this story as a romance is an accurate depiction.

DNF. I feel like this book is better suited for those who are interested in the medical field. There's too much science and not enough romance happening for me and I have absolutely no interest in science.

This is Necessary Medicine, by first time author M.K. York. If you are a fan of shows like Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs and ER, this book is for you! I have no doubt you will love it because a good 90% of the book is dedicated to intern Niel Carmona and how he and his friends handle 5 years as interns at a teaching hospital in California. The book is told entirely (save the epilogue) in Neil's POV so we don't get to hear what's going on with Neil's crush veteran doctor Eli Newcombe. So, again, 90% of the book takes place in a teaching hospital, over the course of 5 years without even a hint of romance between our main characters or any <em>other</em> characters for that matter. (Interns are busy. They have no time for sex or a personal life.)

The last 10% of the book concentrates on the blossoming passion between 5th year intern Neil and organ transplant specialist Eli. And it is wonderful! The men fall hard for each other and the epilogue HEA is lovely. But this book isn't a romance.

I think what happened here is that I chose a book to read based on a pretty cover and a blurb that promised romance and relationship angst. Those are the type of books I read. M/M romance with a nice story line, hot sex (when applicable) and a sweet HEA. I am in the wrong demographic for this book, who many will find fits their particular wheelhouse. This book wasn't meant for me.

I did end up rating the book (I thought about not rating it since I am not the target audience for this one) and gave it 3 stars for an enjoyable medical story line, but I <strong>cannot recommend</strong> to this to my fellow M/M romance fans. This isn't a M/M romance.

If medicine is up your alley, I hope you enjoy this!