I enjoyed reading Just What the Doctor Hired by Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Just What the Doctor Hired is a novel by writing duo Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter. Dr. Jensen Edwards is a pediatric hospitalist. He’s been keeping his head down and focusing on his work since pharmacist Kayla cheated on him, then left him for oncologist Dr. Andrew Lee. The hurt was awful but the embarrassment was immense. Then, when it was learned that Kayla was a gold digger and left him for Andrew’s greater income it was like adding insult to injury.

When Jensen needs a date for a dinner where he will be honored as a top doc, he asks friend and author Molly Covington to be his plus one. While she initially agrees she then reneges when she and her boyfriend get back together. But so as not to leave Jensen high and dry, Molly hires a Plus One companion for the evening. Having met her fellow through Plus One, Molly gets a good recommendation and researches the lady before making the contract.

Autumn Haze is a BSN student, adding this to her psychology degree. She is making ends meet, but barely, by working at the ferry toll booths full time and also as a Plus One companion on weekends. She refuses to take any more money from her dads. They already paid for her first degree and that’s enough. While most of her clients are well mannered, there is the occasional jerk who insists on a different sort of service, but she promptly cancels those contracts upon meeting and leaves. This is one reason why she only meets clients in public places, doesn’t use her real name at work, and never gives out personal details, especially contact information.

Molly selects Autumn, makes the arrangements, and gives Jensen the meeting information. While nervous, Jensen is made very comfortable by Autumn and they click on how the evening should go. In fact, the chemistry is off the charts And they hate to see the evening end.

This is a different kind of romance tale and I really enjoyed it! I do recommend this book!

Thank you so much to Lisa-Marie Potter, Amanda Nelson and their team for providing this book for review via Netgalley.
I have to say I enjoyed this book a lot it was a fun and easy read, it was just what I needed, the characters were very lovable and engaging, their chemistry was palpable and soo cute I was rooting for them from the beginning, I do have to say that at times it did feel a bit insta lovey and rushed especially how they fell in love and I felt like the ending was a bit dragged out but overall it was a really fun book and their character development was heartwarming🤍

Autumn meets Jensen when she is hired as his date. Soon it turns to more, but if people find out how they met how will it be received by their friends and colleagues? I liked how it was told from both points of view.

Thank you NetGalley and Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Overall, a 3.5 stars for me!

If you enjoy a romance set in a medical setting, which I indeed do, then this is right up your street! It had very relatable moments towards the main characters, but it was hard to relate to FMC all the time when she was refusing help at all costs, however this one minor issue. Overall, it is an easy read and light hearted, would recommend!

This was such a great book! If you love romance books set in the medical field then you need to read this book! Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the advanced reader's copy of Just What the Doctor Hired.

This was a delightful and charming story full of warmth, humor, and heart. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the characters’ chemistry and the fresh take on the opposites attract trope. The main characters are likable and have rich backstories that make their connection feel natural. I especially appreciated how the authors balanced lighthearted banter with moments of emotional depth. The pacing was spot-on, never dragging, and always moving the story forward in satisfying ways. A great contemporary romance with heart and humor.

I wanted to DNF this book a few times for a few reasons.

I don't only read close door romance/no spice, I can appreciate a good romcom without the spice but heads up for those waiting for the on the page action, it isn't happening.

Reasons this book wasn't it for me.
1. For adults in their 30's with legitimate life experience, both main characters were obtuse.
2. I get that Autumn wanted to be independent and not accept money from her (insanely well off dads) but girl, your only solution was to be a toll booth worker and a companion? No other jobs could work around your nursing schedule? I get it, it's a book but it just felt stupid.
3. How much time Jensen spent agonizing over hiring Autumn and then continued to put her in situations that would make it hard for them to keep their relationship under wraps.

Some of the banter threw me off and thought the pacing was really off in some parts.

I requested this book not realized that it was a sequel and did not feel like that in any way impacted my enjoyment of the book, so this definitely can be read as a standalone. There were a couple small references to characters from the first book, but didn't seem overly spoilery. The chemistry between Autumn and Jensen was really enjoyable, and I would recommend this book!

Thanks to the authors, BookBuzz, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

Just What the Doctor Hired feels like a hallmark movie: fast paced, full of cute moments and predictable in a heartwarming way.
The unique premise intrigued me and, even if I'd have enjoyed a little bit more depth in their story overall, Autumn and Jensen's romance was cute, bingeable and funny.
I would recommend Just What the Doctor Hired if you are looking for a low stakes, fake dating, closed doors summer romance.

If you love "workplace" romance (IYKYK) with witty banter and just the right amount of tension, this one's worth adding to your TBR. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters — their banter kept me smiling, and the premise definitely grabbed my attention. While there were some heated moments, the story stays firmly in the closed-door category, which I always appreciate knowing upfront.

I also enjoyed seeing the personal growth woven into the storyline, though I found myself wishing for a bit more depth in those moments. Still, it’s a fun, light read with likable characters and a satisfying pace.

Perfect for fans of closed-door romance who love "workplace" tension, clever dialogue, and character-driven stories!

Thank you to Netgalley, BookBuzz, and Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter for this ARC. I will be giving my honest review.
This book starts off with Autumn who works as a companion which means people hire her to pretend to be their date or girlfriend. She gets hired to go to a doctors award ceremony to be someone's date. Jensen is receiving an award and his date cancelled on him, so his friend suggested using this companion service where he gets paired up with Autumn. They meet and instantly have a pull towards one another. Jensen catches feelings for Autumn when he learns more about her, like she's in nursing school, and she enjoys watching football and hiking. Jensen hires Autumn to pretend to be his girlfriend for a few more times until they cannot deny their chemistry.
I immediately knew this would give me Grey's Anatomy vibes. The characters have a witty back and forth throughout. I enjoyed seeing the instant connection between the two from their separate POVs. Both of the main characters are humble and genuine. The mmc is so sincere and caring towards everyone in his life. Jensen is a pediatric doctor with messy light brown hair and green eyes so obviously I pictured Jensen Ackles the entire book. I felt like this book was a perfect fit for me and I would recommend it.
"Doctors and nurses. It's a bit cliche, don't you think?"
"I don't know. it seems to work for McDreamy."

With thanks to the authors, Wild Rose Press andNetGalley for the copy of the eARC ahead of Publication.
3.5☆

Fake dating to save reputation to friends to more.
~spoilery~
Although well crafted  and cute enough to enjoy, the overall story fell flat for me. It felt like the story was a storm in a tea cup from beginning to end. I just don't "get" the expectation of maintaining a false facade for professional purposes.
I do wonder if the joint authors have a background in the hospital field because that element felt well considered. As a non-USA resident, I was lost during discussions of medical insurance and certain place names and locations. I did enjoy the glimpses of Autumn's Dads.  The character, Lily, felt like a rather strong handed "Devils Advocate" whose insight or "help" stilted the story arc.

3.5/5 ⭐

I love romances where the main characters work in medicine, and honestly, that’s the reason I chose to read this book.

JustWhatTheDoctorHired is a romance between a medical specialist and a nursing student. To be honest, it wasn’t what I expected in many ways, but it didn’t disappoint either.

From the beginning, we meet a heroine who’s pretty anxious about her life and career, and a hero dealing with internal struggles in his professional life. They meet through mutual acquaintances and a dating app, and there's an agreement between them—which I admit got me really excited. From their first meeting, you can feel their instant connection. Their genuine chemistry made that part of the story easy and fun to read. The scenes were often lighthearted with a playful tone.

However, that doesn’t last long. There’s a third-act breakup (which honestly threw me off).

I have to admit, during that part of the story, there were a lot of things I didn’t enjoy. The connection they had built at the start felt lost—not because of the breakup itself, but because some things just didn’t make sense to me. The pacing felt too rushed, everything either dissolved or got resolved way too quickly, and I just couldn’t reconnect with the story.

Still, despite its ups and downs, it’s an entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an advance copy.

JustWhatTheDoctorHired comes out on July 9—don’t miss it!

What I found especially sweet was the instant connection between Autumn and Jensen. Their chemistry felt genuine right from the start, which made rooting for them easy. I also loved how Autumn’s passion for sports was woven into the story—it added a fun layer to her character and really helped her fit so naturally into Jensen’s friend group. The hiking scenes were a great touch too, giving their relationship a relaxed, real-world vibe that I appreciated.

That said, I have to be honest—the third-act breakup really threw me off. It felt abrupt and poorly handled for both characters, and honestly, it undercut a lot of the connection they’d built up. The pacing of that part was too fast, and the reasons behind the breakup didn’t feel convincing enough to justify what happened. It made it harder to stay fully invested in their relationship at that point.

Even with that rough patch, the book has its heart in the right place and delivers a sweet romance that I enjoyed. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

This book wasn’t for me. The pacing felt too fast, and the romance was so rushed that it didn’t feel earned. This made it hard to care about the characters and their relationship. The FL kept saying she was avoiding dating to focus on her exams, but the way it was written didn’t convince me she was actually serious about.

Conversations were so unnatural they were cringey, I just wanted to finish the book, but I couldn't even do that.

Thanks Netgalley and the author for the ARC🤡🗯👀

3.5* rounded up.
That was cute! There were moments that felt a little too cheesy but overall I enjoyed watching Jensen and Autumn come together and learn about themselves as things wrapped up. it good to see when a man steps up and admits where he messed up and is growing from the mistakes.

Thank you netgalley and Wild Rose Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a charming, heartwarming romance that delivers a slow-burn love story with just the right touch of sweetness. Autumn Haze is a dedicated nursing student determined to stay focused—her “no men” rule is non-negotiable until she finishes her degree. To support herself, she secretly works as a hired companion through Plus One. Enter Dr. Jenson Edwards, a swoon-worthy, emotionally wounded doctor who—still reeling from a public breakup—hires Autumn to accompany him to an awards ceremony.

What begins as a business arrangement gently blossoms into something more, and the chemistry between Autumn and Jenson is both believable and delightful. Their growing connection feels authentic, and Jenson is the ultimate book boyfriend—kind, thoughtful, and the perfect match for Autumn’s driven personality. Autumn’s best friend, Lilly, adds a fun and supportive energy to the story, grounding Autumn and providing some great no-nonsense advice.

While the drama is minimal until the end, the emotional stakes feel real, especially as both characters grapple with the consequences of the secret arrangement. The gentle pacing works in the book’s favor, letting the relationship develop organically and giving readers time to really root for this couple.

This is a feel-good romance with a soft emotional core—perfect for readers who enjoy low-drama, high-swoon contemporary love stories.

Autumn is focused on her nursing career and has sworn off dating—until a side job at a dating service lands her in a fake relationship with a charming local doctor. What starts as a one-time event quickly turns into an ongoing arrangement, complete with undeniable chemistry and blurred boundaries.

As Autumn juggles school, work, and unexpected feelings, both she and the doctor must confront their fears of commitment and what they truly want. This story is equal parts witty and heartfelt, blending laugh-out-loud moments with tender emotions.

I wanted to love this story. The synopsis sounded like a fun RomCom but unfortunately I didn't finish it. It starts out so fast I was skeptical a whole book could follow. The chemistry between the main characters didn't feel genuine and the jump to head-over-heels love seemed over-the-top. If the pacing was a bit slower with a start in attraction/chemistry, to friends getting to know each other and then on to love, it would have felt more cohesive. Overall it was a cute story and I appreciated the healthcare representation but it just wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley, publishers and authors for the chance to review.