Having her heart broken by too handsome and too hot kinda guy Lauren Taylor is looking for something adorable and goofy. So when she spills her coffee on a handsome guy who is way out of her league she just runs from him. Plus she is too much committed to her career.

Andrew Bishop can't stop thinking about the girl who crashed into him and then disappeared. Even though having a relationship is the last thing on her mind. When Andrew and Lauren run into each other at the cancer center where she's working and he's being treated it is too hard to resist the connection they feel.

But all they can offer now each other is friendship and nothing more. Life has other plans though.

Review-

Characters are real, beautiful and in depth. The situation they are dealing with is as raw and as real as it can get. Their timing is the villain in the story. I like this fact because characters have to fight with themselves to find what is right and wrong. This gives more layer to the characters.

The professional dilemma is beautifully described. Lauren being the doctor of Andrew can't have any romantic relationship with him and thus they fight the irresistible connection they have. I love how they maneuver through this situation emotionally and with logic.

Their pun battle is too hilarious. It is the star of the book. And I am so so so envy of Andrew having such a gorgeous and awesome twin. She is the cupid and my favorite character throughout the book.

The only thing which I didn't like was the length. I felt many times there were unnecessary narration which dulls the overall story. It is a slow burn.

The writing is impeccable and being the debut work of the author I am already a fan. I am excited to read more of her work in future.

This book truly hit home for me, especially with working in the medical field. This was such a great book!!

Lauren is finishing doing her Oncology Pharmacy Residency, and that’s the only thing on her mind. One day while running late to work, she literally runs into the most attractive man and spills her coffee all over him. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d run into him again. Especially not as a patient at the cancer clinic she’s working at.

There’s an obvious attraction between the two of them. But, first things first, he’s a patient, even if he’s not her patient, she knows not to cross that line. Second, she’s sworn off all attractive men, after prior experiences. Lastly, he’s going through a difficult time in life, he should be focusing on his treatments. But, is this really going to stop them from seeing what could happen?

Overall, I absolutely loved this story, and I highly suggest it to everyone! I loved all the puns in this book, they were hilarious! It was a slow burn romance, and it’s not too steamy. The ending had me in chills and wanting to cry. But I loved it so much!

I absolutely loved this book.. Great plot and believable characters. I look forward to reading more books by this author. I received an arc from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

This was a new author to me and I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book. I don’t usually like reading books that have characters in the medical field because I am usually disappointed. It ruins the book for me when the authors don’t do the research to write correct facts. But this book was awesome! The author’s bio said she was an oncologist pharmacist and her knowledge showed through in the book. I loved the characters and how the author handled the sensitive area of cancer and the fears a patient going through chemo would face. The book was well written, easy to read, and very emotional. I highly recommend this book and look forward to future books from the author.

Just finished reading Perfect Distraction and it was actually THE perfect distraction lol (c/mon it was begging me to use it!) Though there were some underlying themes that veered on the heavier side, somehow it remained very much a light, easy, fun romcom with substance.
Perfect Distraction is about Lauren Taylor, an oncology pharmacist who works in a hospital helping moderate the meds of cancer patients. She accidentally, quite literally, bumps into (the of course exceptionally good looking) Andrew Bishop at a coffee shop. A meet cute if I ever read one ;). Turns out he is her newly admitted patient... let the sexual tension thicken and the chemistry ensue! The characters were well developed, I appreciated the intelligent witty banter and the build up of their forbidden love. It was everything I wanted it to be and I enjoyed it very much, thank you @booksparks for inviting me on this book tour!

Perfect Distraction is a heartfelt tale involving Lauren, an oncology pharmacist and Andrew, a law student diagnosed with Lymphoma. These two move on to have an adorable connection and share a forbidden love of sorts since Andrew is a patient at Lauren’s clinic (Lauren is someone who never veers off the dotted line so this is all new to her). While the build up was kinda slow, I still enjoyed the fun relationship the two built and I can imagine them being my friends. Also, they share a love for punny puns - definitely my type of friends!

I say pick this up if you’re looking for a sweet romantic story that’ll leave you feeling all warm and cosy with love. This was seriously perfect and helped to take my mind off the heavier narratives I’ve been reading. Some times a light read is all you need to recover from a bad day and this was it for me.

*Thank you Netgalley, Allison Ashley and Entangled Publishing*
This was such a fun love story! The title is fitting as it was just that - The Perfect Distraction. They say you should write what you know and Allison Ashley is an Oncology Pharmacist in her non-writing time. I'm sure this helped with the authenticity of her writing. I enjoyed this story very much and would recommend it to all romance readers. See publisher's synopsis below:

Synopsis:
Lauren Taylor isn't thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over. He's out of her league and she's focused on finishing her oncology pharmacy residency. She's sworn off men who are too handsome for their own good, anyway.

Andrew Bishop can't stop thinking about the gorgeous redhead who crashed into him and then disappeared, even though he should have way more on his mind - like dealing with his Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis and finishing out his last year in law school. When Andrew and Lauren run into each other at the cancer center where she's working and he's being treated, they try to keep it professional. They can be friends, and nothing more.

But sometimes life has other plans…
.

Lauren is focused on finishing school. (I love that she's an oncology pharmacy resident.) Maybe too much so as she's just spilled coffee on a stranger. Or it could be that he's so striking she got distracted. But it's okay, she's on a self-imposed embargo, done with attractive men. The best thing to do is make her getaway and force herself to forget about him.

Andrew can't do the same, though. She made quite an impression on him, one he can't let go of. Even if he has things going on that require his attention. A diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma, for example. All while completing his final year of law school. Yet, she lingers.

Then their paths cross yet again, where both least expect it. A cancer center where she's working and he's being treated. Which means their connection should be ignored due to her job. They can be friends and nothing more. But fate has a better idea.

How will Lauren handle the potential ethical dilemma of having growing feelings for a patient, regardless of how briefly he is one? Will they explore what's between them as Andrew fights his illness? Will Lauren help him through it? Will their love endure despite the obstacles standing in their way? One-click to find out. My lips are sealed.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**

I loved this book, light and easy to read! I would recommend this to others!
This book helps to bring a tough situation and make it light, it succeeds. I felt part of the story, the emotions/feelings were palpable and it was like I was walking with the main characters through everything.

When I first read the blurb of this book, I knew it would be good. But i was a little hesitant because I was afraid it would be a heavy read and my emotions would be in overdrive. However, this story between Lauren and Andrew is so beautiful! The way they met was funny, only to meet a second time in a mouth opening what kind of way. But their journey from strangers to friends to something more was heart filling, sweet, cute, and simply perfect. I was rooting for Lauren to get all she wanted in her career. I was finger crossing for Andrew to get better. I was having my heart melting, smiling, crying, inflating, and warming up through their family scenes, the volunteer scenes, and their private scenes. I was impressed how they truly cared for each other and protected the true beauty of their relationship. This is just a memorable read. I hope that other characters get a story too.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

This was such a sweet book and was the perfect distraction from all the current news out there. I adored both characters, felt it was pretty realistic for a romance and the PUNS - they were the best! I loved all the references to my hometown too. Smart and sweet - highly recommend.

Thank you #Netgalley. for the advanced copy.

I loved this book! I enjoyed following the story of Lauren and a young girl working on her clinical rotation. Towards the end of her rotation, she meetings Andrew, a patient who she has an instant connection with; yet he is there for his diagnosis of cancer. Lauren knows she can not get involved with a patient. The story follows the friendship Lauren develops with Andrew and his family, all while trying to main professionalism and applying for a job. The novel shows the hard road Andrew deals with during his chemo treatments and how Lauren is there to support him without overstepping.

This book was so sweet! I love, love, loved it!! The story felt so real and the author did a wonderful job keeping me turning the pages. This is one of those stories that once you start, you don't stop and it just grabs at your heart strings until the very last page. Just be warned you will need tissues for this one folks. The characters are just so amazing!

4.5☆
Loved it!

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.

What can I say about this incredible debut novel? Well done! It’s about finishing college, love in an unlikely place, and cancer. When a clinical pharmacy resident falls for a cancer patient, it’s the love story of the century.

"She swiveled on her heel, but instead of dashing to the exit as planned, crashed face first into a hard, broad chest. The loose-fitting lid popped right off, and coffee splashed out of the cup, all over her hand and onto the shirt of the person she’d run in to. Instinctively she jumped back, as did the stranger, and she set the dripping cup onto the counter. “William Shatner,” she hissed in the same way a normal person might say dammit, and swiped several napkins to clean her hand."

Lauren Taylor is finishing up her clinical pharmacy residency and hopes to get her dream job in Kansas City, but she didn’t expect to meet Andrew Bishop, a sexy and oh, so brave cancer patient. Their relationship is tenuous because she doesn’t want to look get in trouble for dating a patient, but it is very hard not to fall for an incredibly strong, intelligent, and compassionate man who volunteers in a children’s hospital while he’s battling cancer himself.

"He’d been in a terrible mood the day he met Lauren. Part of it had stemmed from his desire to avoid going to the appointment with the entire female side of his family. He wished he could have just told them no, that he wanted to go by himself. Or allowed only Jeni to come with him… The other reason he’d started the day pissed off wasn’t something he’d ever say out loud. It was hard to even admit to himself. He was scared. Scared of what the doctor would say, scared of getting chemo, of losing his internship with the best attorney in town."

Andrew Bishop fell for Lauren the very minute she bumped into him with a full cup of hot coffee. Not to mention her unusual cuss words in the form of famous names and hilarious pun wars. He has cancer and no woman would want to get involved in that, so why is he determined to pursue her when she draws the line at not dating patients at her hospital. Maybe it’s the way she looks at him with those beautiful eyes and sultry smile.

I can’t count how many times I cried, laughed and cheered for these two remarkable people. Andrew is my hero and his unforgettable fortitude and determination to not give up are so noteworthy. Also, his support system is strong with his big family and close friends. And, of course, the extraordinary Lauren who is unfailing in being there for Andrew and his family to answer questions and to recommend volunteer work to Andrew at a children’s hospital. However, what made this a wonderful feel-good story despite the cancer theme, is the undying love between Andrew and Lauren. I cried so many times at their good days and bad days. If anyone deserves a happily ever after, it is these two people. Recommend highly!

Thank you to Allison Ashley for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

A heartfelt debut! With her first novel, Allison Ashley wasn't afraid to go big! It's rare the taboo subject of cancer is front and center in a romance novel because let's be honest, there's not a lot of laughter surrounding it, but Ms. Ashley delights with a fresh voice who not only shares a touch of what a day in a life is like, but also proves that life isn't over just because of a diagnosis. I felt the new authorness slightly in the lack of development here and there, but overall, it was a stellar kick off and I look forward to seeing more from this author!

Lauren's character is easy to like. She's steps away from the job she's been dreaming of as an oncology pharmacist when she accidentally falls for an almost patient. Her turmoil is sincere, but their connection is hard to resist.

Andrew is such a down-to-earth likable guy. He's at the prime of his life and almost to achieve the law degree he's been working hard towards for years when he receives the devastating news that he has cancer. Meeting Lauren on his first day of treatment gives him the distraction to deliver the strength needed to make it through.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an instant connection and perseverance to let love win. It's a touchy subject, but it's written really well and it's not portrayed as a huge book of sadness. It brings realness to a sensitive time and brings out the beauty of human connection. Really enjoyed Lauren and Andrew!

It is safe to say that many of us are currently looking for distractions at the moment. With COVID-19 and everything else going on around the world it was nice to have a light read mixed in to the bunch. I thoroughly enjoyed Perfect Distraction and it is currently only $3.99 on Amazon. Just saying...(nudge nudge)

Lauren Taylor is in the midst of her oncology pharmacy residency which is taking up all of her time and focus. So when she bumps into a handsome guy at the local coffee shop, spilling her coffee on him, the last thing she is thinking about it is a connection. Plus this was just a fleeting moment, right?

Well what if that fleeting moment became more? I mean, who was to guess that said handsome guy is going to be Lauren's patient when she walks in for a consult?

Andrew Bishop is a law student who has Hodgkin Lymphoma and is facing chemotherapy for the first time. He just wants to get through his treatments so he can go back to his life. Then he finds himself with an undeniable connection to Lauren.

The characters were very relatable in this story. I felt bad for Andrew and his family, I also felt the ethical dilemma Lauren was faced with as a clinician/patient relationship (even though she was only briefly a part of his medical team) - altogether I felt myself picturing these characters in real life. They are the type of people you want to cheer for, you know? Plus it's filled with puns which kept me laughing.

I definitely recommend Perfect Distraction to anyone looking for a little romance in their lives.

Read in March 2020
Thank you to @netgalley @booksparks and @authorallisonashley for a gifted copy of this book. What a great debut book, I love the meet cute of Lauren and Andrew. I adored their chemistry and how amazing they were as characters. This is a great clean romance with fun banter to keep you laughing but also some depth to the story. I could not put it down and read it in a day. ⁣

Perfect Distraction is the first book I have read from Allison Ashley and I am looking forward to reading more! I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down! Lauren and Andrew were such a charming couple and I was immediately rooting for them. Throw in the really unique story line and you have this fantastic romance! I definitely recommend picking this one up today.

This book hooks you from the very first page and I could not put it down. I loved the original premise behind this book. When Lauren meets Andrew awkwardly in a coffee shop, they have no idea their lives will intertwine due to her work and his health. I don’t want to give too much away, but the writing was fresh and the story line kept my attention for the entire book. I just could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!