I loved Anatomy! Absolutely loved it. I’m going to give this one 4 stars because some things just bugged me - not enough to turn me off of the book, but enough to annoy me a wee bit.
First of all, the beginning of the story was a bit slow. It felt like it was talking forever for anything to happen. And then when something finally happens - hazel being arrested for something she didn’t do - it seems to take forever for that to be resolved. When that whole incident is finally swept under the rug, the real adventure begins - and I rather quite enjoyed it.
Hazel is swept off to London to help figure out what is wrong with princess Charlotte. Here is where she meets a secret society of immortals (some very interesting plot points surrounding this group) and the absolutely wonderful Simon.
The second part that bothered me is the love interests. Simon is a great catch (but he isn’t Jack). Just as Hazel begins to fall for Simon, Jack reappears. The reader knows right away how this will play out, but oh boy did ever hope for an alternate ending. I really did.
Overall, I did find it quite predictable, however, it did not disappoint. there is still much to like about it - interesting twist of what happened to princess Charlotte (alternate history is always fun).
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-Arc. The opinions expressed are my own honest opinions.

I can't get over how much I loved this! There is a little something in here for everyone: love, politics, history, sci-fi, a touch of horror, etc. Even the cover is downright gorgeous!

Anyway, I'll wait patiently while someone decides to make this into a movie. If anyone needs casting recommendations, I'll be over here!

Immortality: A Love Story is the perfect ending to this duology. I The world building through the eyes of Hazel Sinnet was so perfectly developed that I could picture it so vividly. I love the way Hazel stands up for herself and always works out a way to get through whatever is thrown at her, and this book shows that even more so than the first one. The pacing, the ode to feminism, fantasy and adventure are what kept me flipping pages. I adored this duology and will be recommending it to anyone I can.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this once Jack came back. The beginning was slow and I was bummed there was no Jack. Overall, love this duology, just try to be more patient than I. Love the interlocking storylines and the real histories thrown in. Great fun.

I liked this but it was definitely its own story that just felt a little different than the first. I liked the ending!

5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: fantasy, Gothic romance, magic, medicine, historical fantasy, secret societies

This review has been posted to Goodreads and has been posted to my review blog as of 11/8 and to Instagram as of 11/17.

This book opens almost a year after the close of the last one, with Hazel working as a surgeon and Jack presumed dead by everyone except maybe Hazel. Poor Hazel is having a hard time in this one. She's enjoying being a surgeon and chasing her dream, but is also realizing how lonely her life is now that so few people want to associate with a woman doctor. Things only get worse for her when one of her patients accuses her of murder to save her own skin (why she didn't rat on the other doctor/medic instead of or even alongside Hazel I don't know) and Hazel gets to spend several horrible weeks in prison. Things do get better though and, aside from the occasional death threat, Hazel enjoys her time in the royal household, working on her medical treatise and meeting with other intellectuals. During her time in London, Hazel gets the chance to decide who she wants to be and the kinds of values she wants to have.

For the other characters, the other doctor-in-resident with the royal household is Simon. He comes off as abrasive and condescending at first, but he gets better and he and Hazel actually become friends. Simon is supportive of Hazel's ventures and encourages her medical pursuits. For her part, Hazel likes Simon as a friend and confidante and later something more. I liked Simon and thought he actually seemed like a decent guy who would be happy to run a medical practice with Hazel if given the chance.

Of course, though, we also have Jack make a reappearance. Right off the bat it's clear he isn't the same person who 'died' at the end of Anatomy. He's harder and more closed off, and he understands better the burden of immortality. When it comes to Hazel, he's insistent he doesn't want to watch her grow old and die while he remains forever young. There's a love triangle situation going on a little bit with Simon and Jack, but I actually didn't mind it and I think I would've been satisfied with either outcome.

In terms of plot we have the Companions to Death group and the princess' illness (and Simon's own dealings with the king's illness). The princess is quite reticent to Hazel examining her at first but eventually gives in and allows her to conduct an examination and try to figure out what's wrong with her. It actually doesn't take Hazel very long to figure it out, but that then leads her to a secondary plot involving the princess in hopes of coming up with a different outcome.

The Companions to the Death come up almost immediately after Hazel arrives in London and she's immediately fascinated by them. She remains interested when she's introduced to the group, but she's hesitant to accept their offer to join them, which comes with the attached string of immortality. However, she's more than happy to remain as an honorary member as their retainer surgeon. Another review suggested some similarities to Death Becomes Her, which I've never seen but I did look it up and agree wholeheartedly with that comparison (this book just lacks the satire element of DBH). One thing I thought was interesting was that Hazel got over her wariness with the group fairly quickly, and perhaps it's because I have the benefit of being a reader of the book and not a character, that felt very...naïve to me. Some of the group members felt more trustworthy than others, but there were some in particular that radiated a more sinister vibe, and I wondered how Hazel didn't also feel that.

I don't totally know how I feel about the ending. On the one hand I'm happy that things worked out for Hazel and the other characters. But on the other hand I don't know how to feel about Hazel's decision at the end, which is probably why it took me so long to finally write this review.

I also wanted to mention that Hazel's 'crime' is shockingly relevant to today (though more in the US right now than in the UK). You don't really see abortion talked about a lot in literature, and especially not YA literature. I was happy to see it included in the book even though I'm sure it was written before Roe was overturned.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining to read and I liked the parts where Hazel figures out medical stuff and the parts with the Companions to the Death.

I love this story and I love Hazel Sinnett. If you're a fan of Enola Holmes or Stalking Jack the Ripper and you haven't read this series.... What is wrong with you haha. This series is so good. Full of twists and turns, historical settings, romance, and a whole lot of mystery. This book was quicker than the first plot wise. I read this so fast and could not put. it down. This was an incredible continuation and I *think*??? end to the series.

I really enjoyed this one! The first book in the series was very good and unique. This was a great addition.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. One of the rare instances where I actually like the sequel to a book just as much, if not MORE than the original. Reading about historical medicine PLUS "secret societies" and we get to meet actual historical figures? Love it. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

I requested this from NetGalley because I loved the covers of this duology, but now I love Hazel too. 🥹

I definitely would have rated this book higher if there had been more scenes of Hazel actually practicing medicine similar to the first book.

The ending? *chef’s kiss* I would love a third, but cannot complain.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I don't usually have a lot of faith in sequels, but Schwartz did such a fantastic job with this one! All the elements- the betrayal, the princess, the new doctor, the "resurrection" of Jack, PLUS a secret society made for SUCH an engrossing read!

When the first book ended I was truly surprised I couldn’t believe that was how it was going to end. Imagine how thrilled I was when I found out a SQL was in fact happening. Immortality a love story starts with Hazel in prison and we the reader are left wondering how is this going to move forward and just as she’s about to be hanged she saved at the very last second. And so our story continues! Hazel is just as captivating a character here as she was in the first book and I loved getting to spend more time either again.

She’s brought to help heal princess Charlotte from a serious fever the historical detail was just so so good. If you listen to Dana Schwartz’s podcast ,Noble Blood, then you know her research is excellent and that really shines through so I’m really interested to see what comes next for this promising author who has a clear voice with hopefully more stories to come!

This was a rare case for me where I enjoyed the sequel more than the first book in the series! I had the pleasure of reading Anatomy: A Love Story and Immortality: A Love Story back-to-back and I HIGHLY recommend it if you can. You don’t realize the beauty of a buildup Dana Schwartz is creating in the first book until you finish the second one. I loved it.

I am going to skip the synopsis so as to not give away any spoilers, but you pick up pretty much where we were left at the end of the first book. I really grew to love Hazel and what she stands for through this second book. The mix of the strong female main character, the historical fiction aspect, and the romance thrown in was the perfect combination here.

As a nurse, I was drawn to this story more than some may be. I LOVED the medical aspect SO MUCH! Medical history has always fascinated me and to find it in this story was so fun. So, if this is your jam, definitely pick this duology up.

This story felt more fast paced and action filled then Anatomy. Expect twists and turns, side stories that I loved, character growth, and so much more.

The ending was beautiful. ALL THE FEELS! I am so sad this world is over, and I will definitely be looking out for more work from Dana!

Pick up this duology if you enjoy:
-Strong female main characters
-Historical fiction mixed with a little extra “magic”
-Some appearances from real characters from history
-A plot that keeps you waiting in a good way
-A good duology (The perfect series length in my opinion!)
-Beautiful unique book covers to add to your shelves

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read and review.

Hazel Sinnett is Britain’s first female doctor, and working in a man’s profession in the early 1800s as a women brings a lot of attention, good and bad. She is hired to treat the Princess of Wales, Charlotte, for her mysterious illness. While in London she is invited to join the even more mysterious society Companions of Death with their illustrious members like M. and Mme. Lavoisier, Lord Byron, and Benjamin Banneker. However, while in London she also exposes some malicious intentions which bring trouble on herself.

I really liked the incorporation of historical figures into this story. I knew of them already, but I found myself researching further into them and their place at turn of the 19th century. Since I had not read the first novel “Anatomy: A Love Story” I was having to play catch up and figure out some of the characters and infer about their previous tale in “Anatomy”. For this reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4, because it is written in a way that it is very important that you read the stories in succession, not independent of each other.

Themes: 💀☠️🦾🦿🧠👸🏻👩‍❤️‍👩👩‍❤️‍👨🪡🪬🩺🧪📗🇬🇧

My feelings: 😀🥸🤓🫡😀👍🏻

#netgalley
#readmorebooks
#readmorebooksbywomen
#youngadult
#historicalfiction
#goodreads
#readersofinstagram
#mybookisife

IMMORTALITY: A LOVE STORY by Dana Schwartz is a Young Adult Fantasy Romance that's set in 1817 Edinburgh, Scotland and later moves to London. It's the sequel to ANATOMY: A LOVE STORY and stars Hazel Sinnett, a young woman who is skilled at healing and performing operations. And yet, the patriarchy still won't grant her the right to call herself doctor. I found this story to be engrossing, the characters well-constructed, and the plot enjoyable and twisty in the best way. Before I gush some more, let's jump to the setup.

Still reeling from recent events, Hazel doesn't know if the man she loves, Jack, has survived his almost-execution using a vial of immortality serum given to her by the detestable Dr. Beecham. Not one to sit around and wait for her future, Hazel treats patients out of her family's ancestral home, Hawthornden Castle. When she saves a patient's life after the patient has done something to herself that's illegal, Hazel is arrested and imprisoned. It seems that Hazel will die in prison, but then a letter arrives asking her to be the personal physician of King George III's daughter, Princess Charlotte. She's whisked away to London where she must finagle royal court politics, an attractive celebrity doctor, and the enigmatic club known as The Companions of Death.

One of my favorite aspects of the previous book was its setting, so I enjoyed returning to Edinburgh and to Hawthornden Castle. Along with Hazel, I missed Jack. I thought Ms. Schwartz did a great job evoking the feelings of loneliness and anxiety Hazel felt. We didn't stay here for the entire book, as Hazel was imprisoned, and then whisked off to London. I enjoyed the setting of Regency London, but I missed Edinburgh. As a side note, I think the author did a great job capturing the injustice of Hazel's arrest and subsequent imprisonment for a crime she didn't commit. It was eerily reminiscent of what's happening in the US and other countries current day.

The inciting incident is the arrival of the letter requesting Hazel's presence as Princess Charlotte's physician. If I had to fault the novel for anything, it would be that too much time elapsed before Hazel was freed from prison and the plot moved to the second act set in London. Also: I wanted to see Jack sooner. I understand that there had to be a setup for the world of London and all of its intrigues, but my little shipper heart yearned for him and Hazel to reunite.

Speaking of shipping... hello there, Dr. Simon von Ferris! An admitted Hazel/Jack shipper, I had my doubts when this character was introduced. But Ms. Schwartz? You did it. I found myself cheering for Hazel and the celebrity doctor to get together. Maybe Jack's extended absence stepped me down that path. I found Simon to be a well-crafted, well-rounded character. He had his faults, but he had his head and his heart in the right place. It was refreshing to meet a man in this world who stood beside a fellow colleague, even though she's a woman. He was really attractive, too, except for the mustache (which, yes, I know, is period appropriate).

Without giving anything away, there was a romance subplot involving Princess Charlotte that I absolutely loved. The demonstration of Hazel's skill as a physician both involving the Princess's story, and one other, was well-written and plotted. They were mini-mysteries embedded in the story. The closure on the Princess's story was satisfying and also demonstrated how far Hazel will go to help her patients.

The Companions of Death introduced the readers to many famous people from history. I found the club quite macabre, which I think is the point, but so many famous people involved pulled me out of the story a little. Overall, I thought the club a smart addition to the story and an explanation for Dr. Beecham and his findings.

Jack's late return bothered me a bit, as I previously mentioned. But when he did return, it was very realistic that he'd been through A LOT. I'll leave it at that to avoid major spoilers. His reactions to everything felt spot-on and he had my sympathy throughout the story.

Before I sum up my review of this book, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I love the cover. It echoes the clever cover of ANATOMY, but I think it's even better. Bravo to the illustrator, Zach Meyer!

IMMORTALITY: A LOVE STORY is a well-written YA Fantasy Romance which addresses past and current societal issues while taking the reader on an entertaining, sometimes slightly gory, sometimes romantic, journey. I really enjoyed it. Run, don't walk, to pre-order this strong finish to this entertaining deology!

Thank you to Netgally and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC of this book for my honest feedback.

A great sequel to Anatomy. Hazel is back treating patients young and old alike. Lots of history in this novel, but I feel like giving any kind of detail would be a spoiler!

Was a little long and repetitive in the middle where Hazel had a long-treated patient she works with. Not quite a 5 for this reason, but a strong 4.5. Funny, charming, and a feminist book at heart.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to review the ARC.

I love this author’s storytelling. I love the setting and the main character, Hazel. She is such a delight. I love the historical fiction aspect of this, as well as the medical aspects. This is a YA book, which I typically do not read, but I do love this author. I will definitely read her again if she publishes more!

Jack has been hanged. Hazel has moved on in her medical practice. After being wrongfully accused of a crime Hazel finds herself in London, treating the princess.

I could (and probably will) read this duology several times. The characters are so well written and the story is heartwarming and interesting. I cannot wait for this to release so I can listen to the audiobook!

Release day is Feb 28, 2023 so you've got some time to read Anatomy: A Love Story before this sequel comes out. Big thank to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for this ARC!

I wanted to enjoy this but was overly unimpressed with the relationships, the dynamic, and the plot felt convoluted.

Immortality: A Love Story is the continuing tale of Hazel Sinnett and her life as a female physician in Regency era Scotland and London. While it's mostly a contained story, I highly recommend reading Anatomy: A Love Story first to fully understand the characters and storyline.
Much like Anatomy, Immortality is an interesting combo of historical fiction and science fiction. Many of the side characters are actual historical figures, although the author does admittedly play a fast and loose with their real stories (somewhat expected for a science fiction tinged booked!) Reading this book did inspire me to do some googling to see what their actual stories were! They way the ending of the book is written, it does feel like this will be our last check-in with Dr. Sinnett, but I would be happy to read more.
Is it the most historically accurate? No.
Is the twist ended a little much? Yes.
Is it still a worthwhile read? I think so!
While I received an ARC of Anatomy: A Love Story for free, this had no bearing on my rating and review. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books!