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I enjoyed this. Cute quips and banter. I’d read more by this author. Good job!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the arc

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Super solid start. The enemies banter in the beginning turned to flirtatious, tension fueled chemistry was FANTASTIC. Even a lot of the side characters were great. I loved the way the author was able to slowly time jump to cover a 2 year span to avoid the instalove trope but not leave any plot holes in its wake. I was really vibing and having a great time until the 3rd act breakup. I kinda wish there wasn’t one in this case (and that the rumors were the only conflict) or that the drama wasn’t as drawn out as it was. It really slowed the plot progression down. The epilogue did make up for it though, one of the cutest proposals I’ve ever read! Julian was *chef’s kiss*.

The audiobook narration was I always love hearing enemies to lovers type banter out loud! Only issue I had was the female narrator’s performance being a little slow but it was tolerable after increasing the reading speed a bit.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

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Love Sick is a medical rom-com, which I initially thought would be right up my alley. I grew up on ER, fell for Grey’s Anatomy in high school, and was recently hooked on The Pitt—so the idea of a romance set in a high-stakes medical environment sounded like the perfect blend of drama and heart. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark for me.

Right from the start, it was clear that Love Sick deals with a heavy load of triggering content—so much so that I strongly believe a clear list of content warnings should be provided before readers begin. Some of the more disturbing elements include bullying (particularly relentless slut-shaming), domestic and emotional abuse, sexual violence, gaslighting, and traumatic medical content. One early scene involving a C-section used as a teaching moment nearly caused me to stop listening. As a woman and mother, I found the depictions of reproductive trauma deeply upsetting and—frankly—unnecessary to the story. I later learned the author is a board-certified OB/GYN, which perhaps explains the inclusion of these elements, but the medical trauma and poor outcomes did not add to the story in a meaningful way. I hated how sexual violence was used as a plot device, in one instance as an assault that had the potential to become rape, and later a series of sexually violent acts are dropped on readers without any warning. It was a lot to take in.

The bullying in this book is also relentless. From the beginning, Grace—the female main character—is slut-shamed, and that continues for years. It’s exhausting and left little room for her to flourish as a character. We caught glimpses into other parts of her life through other characters, but even that was minimal. On the other hand, Julian—the male lead—starts out believing the rumors about Grace, participates in the bullying, and continues to do so for a significant portion of the book. Then, we’re supposed to root for an HEA with him? I just wanted Grace to find people who didn’t treat her like garbage.

There’s a lot of potential here. The forced proximity trope could have worked without making the male lead so unlikeable, and the medical setting might’ve added some engaging tension. But in the end, the story felt weighed down by its trauma and never gave its main characters enough space to grow.

I gave this book 2.5 stars. I likely won’t recommend it and won’t be picking up a copy for myself.

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This did a great job of portraying the long hours of medical residency after the grueling medical school educational experience. It highlights the double standards that women face, the effects of gossip on people and the toxic hospital hierarchy.

What begins as an antagonistic relationship between the two main characters morphs and the book spans their four years in the program. They each feel slighted in different ways from the beginning which makes for a slow burn as they help each other through the first and second years of their program.

I would have liked to see a lot less about the cohort using alcohol as a coping mechanism and some of the “nerdy” references could be less controversial. Otherwise, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The dual narration was nicely done and I enjoyed both performers in these roles.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

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This book was addicting. The tension between Grace and Julian was absolutely delectable—great chemistry, sharp banter, and a friend group dynamic that added a lot of charm and depth.

That said, there were moments that made me squirm a bit, mostly due to Julian’s internal monologue. His feminist self-awareness was often undercut by the dumb stuff he still did (Bro-b-gyn BBQ, really?), which made for an interesting but occasionally uncomfortable read.

Still, I liked both characters, I rooted for them, and the emotional payoff worked for me. A solid 4-star read with plenty of heat and heart.

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Love Sick delivers a charming and familiar blend of medical drama and budding romance that earns it a solid three stars. The dynamic between first-year residents Grace and Julian, fraught with initial misunderstandings and undeniable chemistry, provides the central engine of the story. Duncan effectively captures the intense and demanding environment of a hospital residency program, making their late-night shifts and high-stakes situations feel palpable.
What struck me most about Love Sick was the strong echo of the early seasons of Grey's Anatomy. The combination of ambitious young doctors navigating their personal and professional lives under pressure, the witty banter, and the underlying romantic tension between the leads all felt very reminiscent of Meredith, Cristina, and their cohort. While the plot points might not be groundbreaking, the character interactions and the will-they-won't-they dynamic are engaging enough to keep the pages turning.
However, the "toxic 'BrOB-GYN' culture" mentioned in the summary felt somewhat underdeveloped. While hinted at, it didn't quite reach the level of impactful commentary I was expecting. Additionally, while Grace's social anxiety is a key element of her character, at times it felt more like a plot device than a deeply explored aspect of her personality.
Overall, Love Sick is a light and enjoyable read, perfect for those who enjoy a dose of medical romance with a touch of nostalgia for the early days of Seattle Grace. It's not breaking any new ground, but it delivers on its promise of engaging characters and a heartwarming (if predictable) love story.

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When a Actuall Dr writes a book referencing her own profession what is there not to Like! And when Said Dr makes the Book a Enemies to Lovers/Love Hate type of deal I mean REALLY! I am Sold!!
Meg Sylvan and Eric Yang did a Great Job narrating Grace and Jullian, they had me intrigued the whole book!! The Banter from the very beginning is what always has me hooked on a Enemies to Lovers trope and Grace and Julian were definitely it! The rumors, the Angst, The pinning! Chefs kiss that's for sure!

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I really enjoyed the idea of this book, and a lot of it held up to my expectations!

This story follows Grace and Julian through their residency period. It was very much a slow burn, enemies to lovers, he falls first story. I thoroughly enjoyed their chemistry and witty banter throughout the entire book. However, one of the big storylines was around slut shaming, and I feel like it never fully got resolved by the end of the story.

This was a great debut novel and I would definitely read another by this author!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC of this book!

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Adorable book really enjoyed it. Listen to it on audiobook and was happy with the story as well as the reader. Thank you NetGalley for the early release.

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(3.5–4 stars)

Deidra Duncan’s Love Sick was a genuinely enjoyable listen that pleasantly surprised me. If you're a fan of medical dramas — especially Grey’s Anatomy — this audiobook will hit a lot of familiar, comforting beats. From hospital corridors brimming with tension and vulnerability, to characters who are emotionally messy yet endearing, the story captures the chaotic beauty of love, loss, and healing in high-pressure environments.

The characters are where this story really shines. They’re layered and imperfect, which made them feel real and easy to invest in. There’s a nice balance of romance and emotional depth, and the chemistry between the leads kept me rooting for them even when they made questionable choices. The hospital setting added an urgency to their interactions, as personal and professional stakes constantly overlapped.

The narration was solid — the performance added emotion and nuance, making it easy to stay engaged. I appreciated how well the pacing worked for an audiobook format; it never dragged, and each chapter moved the story forward.

That said, there were a few moments that felt a bit too on-the-nose or overly dramatic, especially for listeners who aren't big fans of melodrama. Some plot points also felt predictable if you're familiar with the medical-romance genre, but honestly, that’s part of the comfort — like settling into a show you know you’ll enjoy.

Thank you Netgalley and to the publisher for the arc.

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Just a wanna be greys anatomy and scrub knock off immature and beneath what it could be didn’t care wouldn’t waste my time again so you shouldn’t either

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I adored this debut novel and cannot wait for more from this author. I love books that have a STEMM focus and having the entire novel be a journey through residency brought out my Grey’s Anatomy loving side. The author being a practicing doctor certainly brought reality into the novel - I never questioned the authenticity of the medical content. There was a strong theme of sexual harassment and I do hope there is an included trigger warning page in the final copy. However, I have read other reviews that said this being a strong theme isn’t realistic. I hate to break it to those people, but it is. As someone who experienced severe sexual harassment in graduate school, it can feel like that permeates the entire experience - even years later (with therapy!) it can feel like that. I hope that this doesn’t continue to be a reality, but it can be. I honestly believed it brought so much complexity to the story and told us a lot about the characters- even with other things revealed toward the end. The tension that built between Grace and Julian was fantastic and funny, but later became electric and so supportive. I loved this entire story and by the end, these characters felt like friends. Listening to the audiobook made me never want to put the book down! The dual narration was fantastic! Both voices were lovely to listen to and brought the characters and their feelings to life. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next and look forward to it! 5⭐️, 2🌶, ⚠️

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Residency, Resilience, and Romance

First of all, who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers romance? Second, slow burn? Absolutely, yes. But third—and on a more serious note, this book dives deep into the realities of toxic work culture, and it had me feeling genuinely angry and heartbroken for the main character.
Set in the high stress world of an OB-GYN residency, these characters are exhausted, underpaid, and constantly under pressure. As if that weren’t enough, the toxic dynamics they face make you want to reach into the book and fight alongside them.
This isn't your typical fluffy romance. It’s layered, emotional, and incredibly well done. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a love story with depth.

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This book offers a unique perspective on modern relationships and emotional vulnerability. The premise is intriguing, and the narration is clear and well-paced, helping bring the story to life. However, while the book touches on some compelling themes, the emotional arcs didn’t always feel fully developed, and certain plot elements seemed rushed or underexplored.

It’s a decent listen if you’re looking for something introspective and different, but it left me wanting more depth and character connection. A promising story that just didn’t quite hit all the marks for me.

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"Love Sick" is everything I want in a romance with a medical plot, it was funny, heartfelt, smart, and just the right amount of messy. Grace, our FMC, is super relatable and has such an honest anxiety rep, very real and well-written. Julian, our MMC, is not so loveable to begin with but he grew on me with his emotional side.
The enemies-to-lovers tension with angst and banter!

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For every person that has recently asked me: have you watched The Pitt? I’ve finally got a rebuttal - have you read Love Sick!? Out May 13, and it will scratch every medical drama itch you have.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Canary Street Press for the e-ARC and audiobook!

This debut about OB-GYN residents in a hospital system is loaded with all of your favorite romance tropes. Lots of banter, and a simmering “are they fighting or flirting?” energy that keeps you guessing, and a truly likable cast of characters.

Deidra Duncan is a practicing OB-GYN (!!!), so all the medical drama feels super grounded and fresh without ever getting bogged down in jargon. You’re learning and being entertained. There are parts that had me a bit squeamish, and others that I actually cackled at.

Now, the main event - the romance: it's a slow burn that pays off. Not over-the-top spicy, but the chemistry is real, and the steam will get your heart rate up.

Perfect if you’re into:
💉 Medical drama without the melodrama
💬 Witty banter
❤️‍🩹 Enemies-ish to lovers with real heart
🎧 Audiobooks with great narration (truly, this one hits)

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This is exactly the kind of book I love—but the misogynist microaggressions are so triggering that I gave up after 10%. I like the banter and the chemistry between the main characters. The audiobook narration is wonderful.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

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Love Sick is an engaging romance between two obgyn medical residents. The MMC is written so endearingly and the FMC experiences a lot of growth. While the story held my attention and traumatic experiences were handled with care, I was bothered by the way her friendship with Alesha was so quickly resolved after it took most of the book to see any growth in the fmc’s healing from her trauma with her ex. Overall, I think the characters are very well developed and many people will enjoy this read.

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4.25⭐️
This was so good, a very easy fun ready!

The banter between Grace and Julian was chefs kiss, it had me with a smile in my face every single time.

Loved how we get a little bit of everyone on the group and how great they all fit, it made me feel a part of the group.

I also loved how the author included so many elements of hospital politics and how she shows the negative impact of rumors, especially against females.

The characters developed thru out the book are also great. Definitely recommended

Some Tropes:
✨️ Enemies to lovers
✨️ Slow burn
✨️ Workplace
✨️ Force proximity

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A Grey’s Anatomy-inspired rom-com with solid medical realism, Love Sick had its entertaining moments, but didn’t fully stick the landing for me. The premise was engaging and I appreciated the author’s firsthand healthcare insight, but the pacing dragged, the pop culture references felt forced, and the romance was weighed down by tonal inconsistencies and heavy topics that weren’t always handled with enough care. A decent read, but not one I’d revisit.

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