I did not read this when it was first released a few years ago as part of the night shift anthology as a novella and i'm glad I didn't.

To have a shortened version of this story that occurs in one night would have been leaving these characters as if their story wasn't told.

I love how these 2 seemingly broken characters are building either other through their insecurities but also reaching out for help when needed.

As per usual Brenda has made us want more even when she has given us all she can from these characters. We again feel for and with these characters and even the secondary characters.

Would love to see Hattie and even Amanda deserves a HEA.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

Jocelyn is a doctor who has had the worst kind of betrayal a woman could have – but unfortunately for her, she just isn’t able to get away from the reminder of that betrayal. Her ex – husband and the woman that he cheated on her with work at the same hospital as her.  

I liked Jocelyn – she is strong, intelligent and a no – nonsense woman who just wants to live her life without being the subject of gossip at her workplace.  

Carson, on the other hand, is a vet who suffers from PTSD, and is alpha to his core. He works as maintenance man for the hospital where Jocelyn works. He has a myriad of issues; but somehow it doesn’t end up making him an assh*le nor a manwhore, which I appreciated like you wouldn’t believe. 

There is an instant connection (more like insta – love) between them – but what I liked was the fact that this novella actually focused on more of relationship between Jocelyn and Carson – another fact that I actually liked about the book.  

Healing Touch is a novella, and I definitely went into the book expecting an insta – love situation – which is exactly what I got in the book but there was also substance; not only to the plot but to the characters as well.

I adored this story.. it was well done and pulled at my heart . The author took a short story I enjoyed and developed it into a beautiful story of forever love

A very short, sweet, and swoon worthy read that gave me those Grey’s Anatomy vibes without ripping my heart completely out.

The back stories of the characters will suck you in before the story even does; I was immediately invested in Joss and Carson’s romance.

Oh, the romance- hot hot hot.

4,5 stars

I had this book for quite a while and I’m seriously kicking myself for not reading sooner! It was really good!

Joss is an Obstetrician. Her husband left her a year ago for another woman, a nurse working in the same hospital as her. For the past year she’s been forced to see them together at work. Carson is an army veteran, working as an electrician in the same hospital. They meet each other when she asks for his help. The attraction between them is instant!!

Joss is insecure about herself since her husband left her. He really did a number on her and left her wondering what’s wrong with her. Carson has some issues of his own. His time overseas left him with demons he battles with everyday. Joss is the first person to make him feel again.

It was so interesting to see this two coming together. Both of them change because of each other. Joss learns to love herself and Carson decides to face his demons and become a better man for her. I felt their struggles and I was so glad to see them overcome their issues. Such a heartfelt story, full of emotions and two people that find each other at the best time!!

This book was great! Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a really sweet emotional read that I really loved reading. This had me captivated from the first chapter of this story and I could not put this story down from start to finish. The writing flowed throughout the story and the characters were extremely enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this book this was a cute romance that I couldn't stop reading and I read it in one sitting

This was a good read that I have to say really surprised me. I had previously read this as a short story and was intrigued as to how it had been expanded on and it really was great. I’d have preferred a longer epilogue but that’s just me being greedy as I loved it. Well worth a read.

What a fun story, meant to be a novella I think. I enjoyed the back and forth between Carson and Joss. I suppose their relationship was just like most others and all the misunderstanding could be solved with open communication, but it isn't. I felt like I picked up in the middle of the story though. Overall 3 stars, I liked it.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

I just the way this author writes. I have read several of her books now, and while this isn’t my absolute favorite of hers it was still a great read!

This was a wonderful romance and another great read from Brenda. Joss and Carson meet at the hospital she is a doc and he works maintenance Joss has had a rough time of it and everyone at work knows he left her for a nurse and she has to see them both at work on a regular basis. Carson likes to keep to himself he is suffering from PTSD after serving his country. When they meet when he comes to fix the electric's the attraction between them is immediate and they start to see each other but their relationship is not without lots of drama will they work through it or will their differences push them apart.

Brilliant read yet again from this author and it definitely will not be last I enjoyed this book very much and will look forward to reading more from you from you

Brenda Rothert is a new to me author but now I"m hooked! It sat on my kindle too long which is disappointing, but I'm happy i got a chance to meet these characters and experience the authors writing style.

Romance, heat, drama...all in just the right doses to keep you smiling and turning the pages!

Healing Touch by Brenda Rothert was such a feel good book!! I mean you will definitely have the feels while reading but I fell in love with Joss and Carson. They have such a fun relationship, of course with ups and downs, but who doesn't?? lol

Joss's husband left her about a year ago for another woman. And to make matters worse, Joss's ex works at the hospital where she works and soo does the other woman. Soo this makes for a tension filled work environment ..lol

Anyway there happens to be a new Mechanical guy that is fixing all the broken "mechanical" things in the hospital and happens to think Joss is quite beautiful but truthfully he feels she is out of his league. Joss is such a down to earth girl, she feels that Carson is different from any man she has met in the past. She is willing to give him a chance and hopefully the ex will stay out of their relationship as well.

I gave Healing Touch 5 iScream Stars!!! Such a fun read on a lazy Sunday afternoon!!!

Jocelyn Drake and Carson Stephens might not have much in common but the attraction they share is common ground enough. Carson has seen the basest of human nature but he is a protector and a fighter. Needing time to heal from his wartime wounds he takes a job in Tulane Medical Center in maintenance. Jo is an OB/GYN who is just starting her research project in the same hospital. Carson and Jo meet when she asks him to fix the cooling in the space designated for her project. After that, these two just hit it off and sent them down the love rabbit hole. Carson may have felt a little insecure about his position at the hospital but Jo never let him feel he was any different. I love the way he defends Jo when her douche of an ex, bullies him. And that delivery scene in the elevator is so crazy but portray Jo's level of maturity to a T. Definitely one of the best books I've read this year.

Healing Touch is a short and steamy story about a doctor and a maintenance worker at a hospital in New Orleans. It was apparently originally written as a novella which was included in an anthology, but at the request of readers was expanded into a more complete story (but it’s still on the shorter side for a regular sized book). I mention this because judged by my regular, full-length novel standards, this one may not have been liked as well.
Dr. Jocelyn Drake is an on-staff obstetrician at Tulane Medical Center. Recently, she was made hospital-wide gossip fodder when her husband (also a doctor at the hospital) decided to take up with an ER nurse behind her back. Their divorce is finalized now, and she’s moved on, but that type of thing can cause your confidence to take a hit.

Carson Stephens enjoys his hospital maintenance job. Being on the third shift allows him to do his job with minimal interaction from others. A bad childhood, a cheating ex-fiancée, followed by a couple tours in the Middle East have him wanting to just put his head down and fix broken things. But when he’s called in to help with an issue for Dr. J. Drake, Carson finds himself interested in the beautiful woman he’s seen around the hospital. After one night of flirting, things go from hot to horizontal pretty quick.

I have to confess, their flirting that first night did make me a little uncomfortable. With all the awareness the #metoo movement has brought to workplace harassment, their banter in their workplace - within minutes of meeting - felt more than a little inappropriate. No, neither was in a power of position over the other, but that type of conversation isn’t ever appropriate between two people who are just meeting. I really had to remind myself repeatedly for the first several chapters “this is fiction, this isn’t real, this part was a steamy novella where things needed to move quick” in order to not feel wigged out by their instantaneous, steamy flirting.

Why would I have not liked this as well if I didn’t know the origins behind the writing? Basically, this story is heavy on the steamy times (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing 😉) and a little lighter on the actual plot. But Ms. Rothert is a very capable writer with strong storytelling skills. She also has fantastic dialogue. If this were a regular novel, I would have liked to see more plot and character development, more conflict, maybe even a little more angst. Joss and Carson were both wounded people who connected easily on both the physical and emotional levels, but they had some hard work to do to get on the same page, and I would have liked to see it happen.

I give the author props for writing about two people in their later twenties, who actually behaved maturely. Yes, they had conflicts, and yes they went storming off. But it wasn’t with the intention of ending things. It was to take some time to cool off and gather their thoughts. I also really liked that the author had the hero decide - on his own, without ultimatums or coercion - to get counseling. Sure, there’s plenty of instances of a hero having to speak with a therapist, but usually it’s his boss making him go. Or he goes because he’s already lost his woman and knows it’s the only way to get her back. I liked that Carson realized he had some issues, and made the choice on his own to get his head screwed on straighter.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book, especially if you like lots of steamy times. And since I liked the main characters so much, I would have liked to have the story go even deeper. Maybe have the story start out a little slower (and not have the initial banter be so inappropriate for a workplace), and really experience the characters and their feelings. But for an afternoon of entertainment, this one hit the spot!

* thank you to NetGalley and Kindle Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Divorce can be hard and for Dr. Jocelyn Drake it is about bringing back her confidence. We see a woman who is hurt, shy and not beautiful in her eyes then we have rhe perfect man to change everything. Carson Stephen's is not your typical maintenance guy but so much more in her eyes. He is a man who knows how treat his woman right and make her do things she never imagined doing before. The chemistry between them is hot and though the story goes quick we see a lot brewing besides just sex. Brenda Rothert created such a beautiful tale of not just healing after a divorce but that feeling of being alive again with the right man. Loved it and readers will want more of Carson with how he deals at this newfound attraction towards the one woman to make him think of possibilities.

"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."

This was originally part of an anthology called Night Shift but it is now written as a full length story with alot more to it

Joss is a doctor at Tulane medical. Her ex husband is also a doctor there and to make matters worse he was cheating on her with a nurse in the ER.. Joss feels like the laughing stock of the hospital until she meets Carson, the hunky maintenance/mechanical man. He makes her feel things she never thought she would feel again.

Carson is a former Army man who is dealing with feeling like he is not good enough. His dad treats him like crap and his ex left him while he was overseas. He has had his eye on Joss but is not good with talking to people. Then she needs his help fixing a room that is too hot and needs ventilation.

After a hot hook up can they make this work? They both have issues to contend with but in the end will love win out or will the issues be too much?