After starting this one, I realized it wasn’t my style- I really wish NetGalley had some kind of preview option so I didn’t have to leave half reviews like this one…

This is the second book I've read recently with a Black woman in STEM, and I am totally here for it. This book touches on a lot of important topics, especially what happens when you try to live up to others' expectations of you. It is an incredibly freeing experience when you learn to let go of those expectations and start living life for yourself. Ricky is the perfect compliment to Angela, and I loved everything about him. He was so sweet to her and challenged her. These are the types of books I wish I was able to read when I was younger, but I'm glad I get to read them now! Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read a digital ARC of this book.

I went into this book pretty blind, but found myself sucked into the story quickly!

Angie is in med school, trying to please her immigrant Ghanaian parents, is ready for her future with her lawyer boyfriend, has great friends... but when she fails a major test, gets dumped, ufights with her parents, and her roommate calls her out on being selfish, Angie questions everything.

In the midst of all these things, she meets Ricky. They have a chance encounter that leads to Angie asking if they could be more than friends, only for him to say he has a girlfriend. 🙄

Angie has to learn that she can’t study her way out of these problems, or say all the right things to fix these relationships. This story is one of friendship, family, love, and finding your way in life. Angie felt so relatable, and her story felt so much like way all of us late 20-somethings are working through life these days!

I’m giving this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and am looking forward to the next book from Shirlene (already announced!). Also she is a cardiology fellow, artist, AND an author! What a queen! You should absolutely pick this one up!

This could have easily been a boring and dry book. It was full of medical school terminology, complicated concepts, and procedures that I have never heard of. And even with all of that, This was probably one of the BEST romance novels that I have read in a longtime.
What I loved most was that outside of her career and education, Angie was a typical person. She just wanted what a lot of us wants- to be loved. But even with her beauty, her body, and her brains she is not been successful in previous relationships and is so afraid if getting hurt. I connected with her feelings deeply and while reading it, I ride the waves of emotions that both Angie and Ricky went through.
This was so different from any romance novel that I've ever read in that it didn't focus on the physical relationship and connection more than it dis the emotional one.
I absolutely cannot wait to read mode by Obuobi, she is a phenomenal wtiter!

This was an interesting women's fiction book that tackled a lot of issues. I found the scenes at the hospital most interesting and I wish it really took that Grey's Anatomy approach and was set more at the hospital. It varied chapter to chapter whether I was engaged. I didn't feel the chemistry between the romance characters. The book was fine, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.

I wanted to love this more than I did but the footnotes kept pulling me out of the story every time they popped up. I also wasn't totally sold on Ricky until just about the end but I did really enjoy Angela's character. Overall, it ended being a quick and fun read since I enjoyed the rom-com & medicine mash up aspect to the story and one that I would recommend to those who love Grey's Anatomy or those who work in the medical field.

ON ROTATION is a solid debut from Shirlene Obuobi starring Angie Appiah, a third-year Ghanian American med student in Chicago.

I jumped at the opportunity to read a book about a young woman in a demanding career (and I likely always will), and I think this novel shines when Obuobi explores what med school is like for a Black woman. Details about her family dynamics and Ghanaian traditions were a bonus.

The story arc didn't quite work for me; I think because it's general fiction with a focus on romance, and I was hoping the focus would be on Angie's career. Rather, the story arc seemed to be about Angie's personal life, especially her romantic life. I would have liked much more about her time in school/on rotation... or, I suppose, the book to follow a more traditional romance-genre structure. I think either of those would have worked better for me, but of course, the story arc as-is may work better for others (perhaps those who don't want so much detail about med school and/or who rarely read romance?).

I couldn’t wait to get my eyes on this one - especially after seeing it likened to Grey’s Anatomy! And although it does have relationships, drama, and a medical field focus, I didn’t really get Grey’s vibes.
Angie is a medical student whose boyfriend has broken up with her and she has scored lower than she wanted on an exam. Basically, she’s falling apart. She desires to go for a walk and she meets Ricky - and from there, her life changes direction.
This novel was good - and a fun, easy read.

While I won’t say “read this if you like Grey’s” because the correlation is too loose, I will say, “read this if you like rom-coms, drama, and some medical field experiences (you don’t have to know anything about the field to read this either - the footnotes explain everything - which I LOVED)!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Obuobi's debut was so charming and full of heart! I loved getting to see into the world of medicine through a character also balancing her passion for her work with her outside life of strong friendships and a budding love story -- not only with a romantic partner but in learning to love herself. I'd highly recommend this book!

On Rotation is a story that is part self-discovery, part romantic comedy. FMC Angie Appiah is a medical school resident experiencing a true millennial right of passage: the quarter-life crisis. Her boyfriend dumped her, she barely passed an important exam, her friendships are on the rocks, and the pressure from her immigrant parents has her spiraling.

While hiding in a community garden to cry it out, Angie is interrupted by the handsome and artistic MMC, Ricky. Instead of fleeing, he listens and comforts her and pulls the ultimate swoony artist move– he asks to sketch her. Needless to say, Angie is smitten. The rest of the story unfolds as a newly determined Angie sets out to prove her worth as a med student, friend, daughter, and sister. All while riding out the occasionally frustrating will-they-won’t-they storyline with the new unexpected fixture in her life, Ricky.

This was such a good read! I was initially intrigued by the med school element and the comparisons to Grey’s Anatomy. The Grey’s comparison is misleading IMO since this book lacks the non-stop rollercoaster of drama of OR bombs, plane crashes, forbidden romances, and doctors having sex on every surface in a hospital the show is known for.

The characters and everyday drama really reminded me of the HBO show Insecure. Both FMCs are fierce, yet insecure and experience similar issues and character growth. For this book, just think Insecure vibes with the medical elements from Grey’s. Consider your expectations appropriately managed.

I loved the dynamic between Angie and her friends. Their bond and the issues they face feel real and authentic and I was just as invested in their friendship HEA as I was the rest of the story.

I really enjoyed learning about Angie’s Ghanian heritage and customs and the ‘over-bearing immigrant parents’ element also adds another facet to Angie’s growth. I also loved that we get learn about Ricky’s Mexican heritage and the commonality the MCs share with their diverse backgrounds.

The romance between Angie and Ricky is a slow-burning bumpy ride. For the first 30-40% I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d end up on Team Ricky, but his significant character growth, romantic gestures, and chemistry with Angie won me over. Their miscommunications and issues feel authentic and realistic instead of forced or contrived and the underlying lesson of appreciating your partner’s love language instead of expecting them to conform to yours was well written.

Angie’s evolution is what really makes this book. She’s relatable and her growth feels tangible. Instead of giving Angie polished wins across the board, the author gives us a refreshing reminder that success isn’t always defined by being #1. It’s measured by growth and knowing your worth.

Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable read. The banter, diverse cast of characters, medical backdrop, and Angie’s loveable character balance the conflicts so I never felt emotionally overwhelmed (*COUGH*Grey’s Anatomy*COUGH*). I was invested in the characters and rooted for their HEAs which we get in the warm and fuzzy epilogue.

Can we also just take a minute to appreciate the author’s extreme level of Boss B*tch? She’s currently a med school fellow, an artist, and an acclaimed author. Legit, she’s my hero and I can’t wait to read her future books!

Anyway, add this book to your TBR! You won’t regret it.

Angie is a medical student that is in her 3rd year which brings her out of the classroom and into the hospital, bringing a new set of challenges. As if this wasn’t enough, life doesn’t stop outside of school, Angie still has to balance maintaining her relationships with friends, boys, and family.

I loved that this novel was complex yet light and realistic. This is a different type of novel, just as the author says not strictly romance or women fiction. It left me feeling good and the authors writing kept me interested throughout. Thank you for my ARC!

I had really high hopes for this book. I feel like the synopsis was the big boom and the book did not follow through. Fans of Grey’ Anatomy and Seven Days of June is way off base when compared to this book. I did not connect with the main character every well.

This book was highly relatable. As someone in their mid(ish) twenties, I've felt the way the mc does many times. The book was fun to read and while not my typical setting/trope, I loved the insight into a profession we don't see represented very much. Love!

From the first paragraph, I knew this book would be a good one. I immersed myself into the book from the first chapter and I cannot say enough good things about this book! Honestly amazing! The writing is incredible and the plot is just one to die for. I am absolutely obsessed with this book. My favorite part would have to be the character development throughout the book. Character development is something I look forward to and this book did not disappoint.

As a physician, this book was a breath of fresh air. I usually avoid books/ media about being a doctor, but this book was tongue-in-cheek enough for me to have fun. I really enjoyed Dr. Obuobi's portrayal of women of color, specifically a black woman, in medicine.

Angela Appiah had what some might call the perfect life. She’s in medical school, with an upwardly mobile boyfriend, and she’s surrounded by successful friends. Until it all comes tumbling down. She doesn’t do well on her latest medical exam, her boyfriend breaks up with her, and problems emerge in her friend group. How will she pull it together and how will this new man, Ricky, that she has her eye on factor into her life?

The first sentence I read of this book cracked me up! I was into it from the beginning because the easy flowing, but engaging writing really caught me. Some of the scenes were very relatable and others were incredibly cute! I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot. Especially Nia and Shae. We all need friends like them! My favorite part of this novel though was the conversations on medical racism. It is SO important that we bring attention to this because every Black person that has been around hospitals or doctors enough knows how we are treated. As someone who has experienced medical racism across years of my life, I’m so glad it was talked about prominently in this novel! I also loved other important things that were mentioned in the book like the way we as Black people are treated by Asian store owners, or how African children are often bullied in American schools. This novel brought up so many important things that must be talked about more.

But there were some things about this book that I didn’t like. The first thing that I didn’t like was the footnotes. This isn’t personal though, I just ALWAYS hate footnotes, it doesn’t matter what book it is. Footnotes always take me out of the story. And I feel like every footnote could’ve either been omitted or added to the text in an actual sentence. They always distract me. But my main problem with this book was the love interest, Ricky. He was just trash! One of those “nice guys” that will do you wrong, but then act like the victim when you call him out and gaslight you into thinking you’re wrong. He’s fun, sure, but he is not someone you take seriously because he changes his mind every two seconds. And the fact that Angie was so dumb for him, made me not like her either. Girl stand up!!!!!

I did enjoy this book, the main characters were just so exhausting that it was hard for me to read. I would’ve enjoyed it so much better is Ricky hadn’t been so terrible. The book was definitely more good than bad though, so I’m giving it 3.5 stars and rounding it up to 4.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: medical racism, addiction, talks of illness and hospital related injuries

This was such a great book! I loved the story and the main character was perfect! I loved every minute of it! I highly recommend!

DNF at 30%. I was drawn to this book thinking it was a romance with a medical student heroine - yes please! Luckily before I started I had been warned it’s more women’s fiction than romance so I tried to manage my own expectations. However, this still wasn’t working for me and when I saw some reviews with details about Ricky’s behavior through the rest of the book - decided this one isn’t for me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC to review.

I absolutely LOVED the character of Angela. It's so enjoyable seeing a successful woman of color in a book. And I was so happy for the successes she had in this story. Though I am not a med student, I found her extremely relatable.

I, however, wasn't incredibly fond of Ricky. At first I enjoyed his character, but when we get to the major conflict, my opinion of him had tanked.

It was fun getting to learn about Ghanaian culture, as the action of knocking was something I was completely unaware of.

On Rotation is a Romance, but it's also about family, friendship, and working hard to achieve your goals while staying true to yourself. Shirlene Obuobi did a great job with this book.

I really enjoyed On Rotation by Shirlene Obuobi. It's funny, relatable and it felt realistic. It's a fantastic book seeing how people live and the thoughts they have while doing so. I would definitely recommend this.