Colette Dixon did it again!

The Heart of Doctor Steele is a beautiful book explaining the life of the 18th century woman who was interested in medicine. It's feminist features are a wonderful mix with it's romance. I didn't stop reading until the very end.

A well researched novel.

The Heart of Doctor Steele was a quick read; with real depth.  Dr. Steele has lost everything until his neighbor Margaret steps into his life.  She seeks to repair his reputation.  Sweet novel of finding a way to stand up for yourself against all odds and triumphing.

This book is a fascinating glimpse into pre-civil war medicine, with a side of romance.  The medical aspect of the book was extremely interesting - and terrifying.  I cannot imagine undergoing a hysterectomy or cyst removal surgery without anesthesia.  Of course the other treatments are equally horrifying - but still.  

John Steele is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of women with what we would term gynecological issues.  This book takes place before that was a specialty and when a man examining a woman below the waist was consider beyond impropriety.  John is pioneering surgical treatment for large ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and adhesions. Because of what he is doing and some bad results of the surgeries - he has been vilified and has really sunk into a serious depression.  

Margaret lives with her family next door to where John has moved to drink himself into oblivion.  She is a very smart daughter of a professor.  She is fascinated by medicine and wants to learn more.  She sees John moving in as an opportunity to study medicine with him.  And makes every effort to draw him out of his depression and back to life.  She also assists him with a surgery to remove a 7lb cyst (OMG) shortly after meeting him.  They are drawn together - and seem to quickly fall in love.

Overall - the book was very well written and historical detail was on point.  The descriptions of the surgeries aren't for the faint of hear though!  And if you struggle with cysts and fibroids  or other related issues, this story might be triggering for you.  

Fans of very accurate historical romance will enjoy this one for sure!  The only reason I'm not giving this four stars is because it dragged somewhat - and I didn't always understand the motivations for the way Margaret was acting.  Both she and John seemed a little over-the-top melodrama at times.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

This was a quick read with a pretty standard romance. John and Margaret weren’t super developed characters with the exception of his background to understand why he’s so closed off emotionally and unwilling to continue as a surgeon. The relationship I actually liked best was the one between sisters with Margaret and Charlotte. The more interesting part of the book for me was Margaret wanting to get into Harvard Medical School even though they weren’t allowing women in. Even if that decision was made after only one experience helping in surgery. 

Overall, nothing too thought provoking in the book but enjoyable in parts but underdeveloped in others.