The Doctor and the Midwife was such a fantastic read! I'm glad I read it when I was in the mood for this story since I enjoyed it thoroughly. I loved getting to know both the characters of Audrey and Ammon (side note: I think this is the first I've seen this as a Hero's name, so it took a bit of getting used to), how much their differences took center stage in the beginning, but also how similar they were in their passions and pursuits. They're definitely opposites attract thanks to their backgrounds and medical careers and practices, with him supporting giving birth in hospitals as the only safe practice, and her supporting childbirth at home, but it was nice seeing them understanding each other's POV and growing in their respect for the other as medical professionals. Their banter and vulnerability were the best, and I looked forward to every interaction between these two, be it in person as well as through the climbing app as Belay and Bell.

It must be noted that since this book centers around the topic of childbirth, it also comes with the themes of losing patients (sometimes only the mom, others both her and the baby.) While the author does treat both cases respectfully, I just wanted to give a heads-up in case it's a trigger for someone. The second case is told as something that's happened in the past for one of the MCs, while the first case is shown IRL in an operation room. I think one of the best things about this book is how the author presents the arguments for both sides of the hospital vs home birth debate, as well as informing and empowering women to realize the choices they have regarding this matter. I also wanted to point out that while this book mentions church social activities and/or Sunday school, it's more used as another setting, rather than to deliver an actual Christian message. This, coupled with the fact that there's talk of the universe and vibes or things like that is the reason why I wouldn't label this one Christian Fiction. Another topic that's central to this book is rock climbing, but even though you may not understand all the ins and outs of it, the author explains it rather well, and it's not exactly overwhelming with all the lingo. Now I rather think I wanna go rock climbing to some of the places mentioned in the book. :)

All in all, a beautiful and satisfying Contemporary Romance, perfect for fans of You've Got Mail and/or Pride and Prejudice retellings, the author's writing, or the genre. I'd also recommend it for people looking for themes such as love, life, death, forgiveness (of others and of oneself), and finding one's purpose in life. ~ 4.5 stars

Many thanks to #Netgalley and the author/publisher for granting an ARC of #TheDoctorandtheMidwife. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are given voluntarily.

I'm a big fan of Call the Midwife, so I thought this would be a great read. Unfortunately, it just fell flat for me. I know it's supposed to be more of a romance, but it just didn't work for me.

Fun and enchanting story. I grew up wanting to be an OBGYN (or preferably a midwife) but my plans changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Sara brought my dreams to life within the pages of this quirky romance that has quickly become a favorite of mine.

This book caught my attention because of the title. This was a feel-good romance, and it does the job well. As Ammon and Audrey's relationship develops you find yourself rooting for them, especially as the online merges with real life.

This feel-good romance story captivated my interest due to the excitement and range of the emotions that develop from an online friendship that turns into romance. Audrey and Ammon are co-workers and frenemies whom share more than just similar occupations. Little do they know that the other is also on the other end of an online chat.

This book had me hooked from the first page to the last and kept me up well into the night as I devoured each page. I had a difficult time finding a place to stop as I eagerly kept reading to see how each character would react when each discovered the other was the one he or she had been talking to all along.

Although Ammon may seem arrogant at first, I found myself rooting for him at the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Alva, and the publisher for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

The chemistry between our leading characters is magnetic. I felt visceral reactions in laughing, crying, and blushing due to this story. The pull you feel to the characters is real and I didn't want it to end.

I was fortunate to be able to read this book from start to finish in one sitting! Granted, I started it at three in the morning- but hey, who needs sleep? It's my first time reading this author so I didn't know what to expect, and I was happily sucked right in to the characters and plot. It is definitely a "You've Got Mail" enemies to more story, but the vivid characters and details of the labor and delivery profession- whether midwife or doctor- kept me glued to the pages. Audrey and Ammon both have their own issues and vulnerabilities they are privately dealing with, so for a while they only see the parts of each other that they intensely dislike. They totally bring out the worst in each other! It takes plenty of eye-opening experiences together and some influence from friends for both of them to look past the facades they each put up. Totally cried at the more emotional parts, and I loved the journey these two went on together.

My one beef is that the author was careful to describe certain things in a politically correct manner- for example, instead of "homeless person" she used "a person experiencing homelessness," but when describing adoption she used the stigmatized term "put up for adoption" instead of the preferred positive term "placed for adoption." It wouldn't bother me if it was someone's dialogue since I understand it is a commonly used term, but it was part of the narrative the same way the other PC terms were used. This may just be a huge pet peeve of mine since I am a mother who has adopted, but the main character Audrey is very socially conscious so I think it would have been more appropriate to use a more acceptable phrase for describing adoption.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Really enjoyed this book! It was funny, sweet and romantic! This author did a great job at pulling you in and the love story was romantic! How can you not love the enemies to lovers trope? It gave me You've Got Mail vibes!! I will be adding her to my to-be-read list of authors for sure!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a really sweet story which i could read this over and over again! Solid story with wonderful characters! Will definitely be recommending this book!

This was a fun read! I really liked the characters and liked how they came around to like and then love each other. With romance you always know where the story is going -- but the journey should be fun. This one is.

Audrey Novak has her own midwife practice. After working in a hospital and working with Doctor's Without Borders in Africa, she prefers the intimacy of a small practice and enjoys being able to give her patients the care they want.
Dr. Ammon Parker is her new neighbor. He's completing his residency to become an OBGYN. He is against home-births and does not hesitate to tell Audrey how he feels. He is struggling with completing his residency and remembering why he wanted to become a doctor.
The two eventually bond over a love of rock climbing, but struggle to get past their antagonism towards one another and their chosen professions.
This is a retelling of 'You've Got Mail' if you love the movie you'll probably enjoy this book. The story was cute and clever, but did have several feminist undertones that bothered me. If you have feminist leanings, you'll love it.
Overall it was a very cute story. There are some mature topics dealing with the loss of a patient and operation room descriptions. It may not be the best read for someone who doesn't do well with those things.

I am addicted to Christian romances. I love light stories and in some cases funny too. In this case, the book brings a very clear inspiration with the film You've got Mail and I really enjoyed follow the journey of the fearless Audrey and the arrogant Ammon.

Ammon is being challenged in front of the pregnant women at his Medical Residence and everything gets worse when he has to face the midwife Audrey who goes to great lengths to show how inconvenient the doctor is. It turns out that what started as a battle gradually turns into attention and affection.


They don't realize that they have so much in common until the day when Ammon discovers that Audrey is the right girl for him and that he can offer everything she ever dreamed of in a relationship, but Audrey doesn't like the doctor's attitudes at all and he will need do everything if he wants to win her heart.


At first, I found the writing a little confusing with few dialogues presenting the characters and many technical details about the births, but as the story progresses I was able to connect with all of them, especially Freddy and Ellie, best friends of the protagonists and who have a go-and-go dating. The ending was super cute but it could also have shown more of the couple after they get along.
3,5/5 stars

A romance that’s sweet and clean, with a “You’ve Got Mail” sort of theme. You’ll find yourself smiling as you read this one. Loved the characters and their interactions with each other. A good book to read that light and fun to read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Romance, clean, contemporary; Christian CJCLDS faith, mild faith elements

Lucy and Ammon's story was so well done. I loved the back and forth between them, their misunderstandings, hurts, and worries. The online internet/hiking group connection made for a fun way for them to connect in a positive way. Both of their work experiences, successes, devastating moments, lack of sleep, connections, and 'moments' both off and on-line were well done. Nuances are always the mark of a better read for me, and this had them. The well-described emotions, hurts, worries, and attraction, along with their connection, kindnesses to each other (when those happened, let me qualify that one), healing their pasts, finding their present, and making their futures, cleverly woven and bound together.

I loved this was told from alternating points of view, getting both sides of the medical care for women in childbirth, and seeing the patients, doctors, and midwives work together at this moment of birth and women's lives in the mix. Adding Ammon and Lucy's families to the mix, their climbing, some wonderful moments that are just 'life', and sweetly pulling their lives together and the 'climbed' through the obstacles in their relationship and fought for each other in the end.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.

This book was super good. It was super original and I flew through it. It didn't feel like anything I've read in the past. Can't wait to read more from the author!! This book was unputdownable.

The Doctor and the Midwife by Sarah Alva

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

Sarah Alva brings readers an interesting and entertaining read about a clash of wills between a resident doctor and an home birth midwife that leads to sparking conversations and unexpected love.

Ms Alva is a new -to-me author but I'm excited to see what else she will write. Having studied Biology in college, as well as taken the MCAT test, there was much that I loved reading about in the pages of this book. While I didn't go to medical school, I could understand Ammon's anxiety over his calling and his desire to serve others well. I can also appreciate Audrey's stance of offering women a home birth if they choose. Babies were born at home for thousands of years and if everything is normal, the patient should decide for themselves. I loved the almost instantaneous clash between Ammon and Audrey and the snappy conversations they had. I laughed at the snarkiness and was pleased to see that it didn't detract from the attraction sparking between them. The online relationship between them, though unknown, added another element to their interactions and I liked that it made them try to work together. The advice they gave each other, more welcome from a "stranger", was sound and worked to improve their treatment of each other. The revelation of who they really are was very well done and I liked how it all played out. And the faith journey that each of them took in the pages was nicely done and natural to the characters. The ending of the story was perfect as it tied up loose ends but left a few small things open for a possible future book. I will certainly be recommending this story to others in the hope they will enjoy it as I did.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Covenant Communications via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

This Story was really cute and clean but I did not finish it. This book had tropes I wasn't a big fan. I still would recommend it if you like fast short reads. This is also available on audiobook if that is something you like.
I was really excited for this one but sadly couldn't finish it, but that is ok not all books will work for you.
Thank You so much netgalley for a copy.

Sarah Alva's a new author to me but the book blurb sounded interesting. You'd think a doctor and a midwife would get along pretty well, but not when the doctor makes his dislike and mistrust of midwives known at their first meeting! Ammon really put both feet in it when he basically said Audrey was an unsafe provider and provided inadequate care. When he finds out that Audrey is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), far from an unsafe provider, he has to eat his words and apologize.

Audrey and Ammon are both rock climbers and connect through a rock climbing board, but neither knows the other's real name, and although they frequently bump heads a lot in real life, they get along quite well conversing through the board. I kept waiting for them to figure out who the other was.

I liked that Audrey not only improved her relationship with Ammon, but also her mother. I enjoyed watching both characters learn their first impressions of each other were wrong. I liked that the story wasn't just about their professions, although it was a big part of it. We get to see them with their friends.

I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was an enjoyable, quick read. It brought back a lot of memories of my experience with my first child’s birth. I kinda wish I had known some of this stuff then, because it might have gone better! Anyway, it was interesting reading about the differences between Ammon and Audrey, and how much they clashed because of those differences.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t want to put it down, and all of the characters had depth. I’d love to see a story featuring Ellie and Freddie in the future.

I absolutely give this book 5 stars! It’s got a very Shop Around The Corner or You’ve Got Mail feel. I love the banter and humor between the characters. I found myself chuckling out loud all throughout the book. Several times my husband asked me what are you smiling about or what’s so funny? I felt a little sad when the book came to an end because I enjoyed the people in the book and the story line so much. If you like contemporary fiction you definitely should pick this one up!