I didn't realize this was a British book when I first started it. I normally don't like them because my sense of humor never goes with the author. But this book was different. I have to say I enjoyed it.
I found this book to be LOL. I may not have always liked Kira though, but it's probably because at times she reminded me of some people that I know.
The fact that the author is a real life Dr. made the information in the book accurate. The stunning wit and dialogue made this book enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️

This is a laugh-out-loud funny story featuring an irreverent heroine and uptight hero. They clash over just about everything, yet desperately need the balance the other can give them. The tone is never dark, even though the novel deals with serious subjects like sexual harassment and STDs. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

This is an 'opposites attract' story. We have Kira, who is very energetic, quirky, flamboyant, and a complete extrovert. Then we have Barclay, who is a politician, a cabinet minister to be precise. He is a serious, straight-laced, rule follower. Their personalities are extremely different; where Kira is spontaneous, Barclay is cautious. Kira is all vibrant color, whereas Barclay is all monotone. Their paths cross when Barclay's brother ends up being one of Kira's patients. What comes next, is a whirlwind romance. There are many funny moments here, sweet moments and steamy moments. The story was actually very predictable for me, but fun to follow. There's lots of attraction between our two main leads, then there are misunderstandings and fights and disappointments, but there are also some sweet intimate moments.

I liked the storyline, but I had a problem with the two main characters.

I disliked Kira in the first half of the book. I liked that she was shown to be so quirky and weird, and she does whatever she wants, wears loud, striking clothes, she speaks whatever is there in her mind and does not conform to society's norms. All this was great. What I did not like was her behavior. She behaves in such an immature manner. She is constantly encroaching personal boundaries. To me, she also seemed very judgemental. If someone does not agree with her views or opinions or suggestions, she immediately brands them as stuck-up and prude. She prefers staying in a dangerous environment rather than approaching her friends (who are extremely supportive and understanding) for help because she does not want to appear weak! Why?! I can understand the need to be self-reliant and independent, but asking for help is never ever a sign of weakness. So many times in the story, she advises others to be open about their issues and get help, and if they are resistant to her suggestion, she thinks they are stubborn. But she herself is not taking her own advice. All this made me feel very annoyed with Kira and I struggled to read her parts in the first half. Later in the book, I did start liking Kira, because she was helping Henry a lot and I liked how passionate she was about her work.

I had issues with Barclay as well. He is very judgemental and becomes very self-centered towards the end. Also, he thinks everyone should behave the way he wants them to behave. He seems to blame his mother for having mental health issues, which to me, felt very insensitive. Both Barclay and Kira's tone often felt too complaining and whiny, and their behavior was just plain stupid in some places. There were also one or two places in the book where the characters make impolite references to the people living in ghettos. So all through this book, I was having a problem with one of the two main leads.

I liked the supporting characters in this book, like Henry, Millie, Mark, Barclay's parents. But my overall enjoyment was hampered because I was having issues connecting with the main characters. Also, the ending was too cheesy for me.

I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a light, cheesy romance.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing me an eARC. The above words reflect my honest opinion.

Kira Murphy might only be five foot tall but she has a lot of personality. She's quirky, unpredictable, a loose cannon. During her role as a 'sex doctor' GU registrar at St Thomas' hospital she speaks her mine to a HIV patient who is non-compliant with his medication. He is shocked to hear a doctor talk to him in that way but somehow it seems to work better than all the other doctors he's had to deal with since his diagnosis.

Barclay Lucas is a politician, a tory, attempting to save the world. One environmental cause at a time. After hearing what an affect Dr Murphy had on his brother he goes in search to Hire them. Only he wasn't expecting Kira. She refuses to take on Henry as a patient and as a private patient. She doesn't take on any paid work on top of her NHS contract. But she agrees to go and see Henry as a friend. Barclay is confused, irritated and unsure what he's got himself into.

A fake relationship is spun by Barclay's press Secretary after the press see Kira leaving the house. She agrees to help for Henry's sake, but like all good fake relationships it's not quite fake on both sides but they are polar opposites in almost every area of their lives. Although their is more going on in Kira's life than Barclay's knows about - will he be there for her when she needs him?

A story of opposites attract, acceptance, dealing with depression and gaslighting. A feeling of Notting Hill and Love Actually runs through the storyline and characters.

Kira Murphy saves the day!

No, seriously. Her antics had me both snort laughing, and tearing up in the best ways. I mean, how could we not love a heroine with a penchant for shedding light on the wart problem plaguing people?
A little unconventional, but a lot just right is how I’d describe this book.
This may be my first read by this author, but nowhere near my last!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Trigger warnings for sexual harassment and assault
Dr Kira Murphy is a sexual health doctor and works with patients with sexual diseases often in very unconventional ways. Her free spirit and lovable personality makes her a popular doctor and friend. When she helps Henry who has been diagnosed with HIV turn his life and attitude around she has no idea how much it will turn her world upside down. After seeing the huge changes in Henry after his visit with Dr Murphy Henry’s brother serious and straight laced Barclay approaches Kira and asks her to work with Henry on an ongoing basis. Kira is speechless not because of the offer but because Barclays is her celebrity crush. He is a minister in the British parliament and she has been adoring him from afar. Even with her crush offering her money she refuses to do it for pay and insists she will do it as a friend to Henry.
After a drunken night at Barclays and Henry’s house resulting in Kira sleeping there overnight she walk out the front door the next morning to find the footpath covered with reporters. Never one to shy away from free publicity Kira launches in to speeches about vaccines for young people and then provides free tea and biscuits to the reporters. This interaction has a positive outcome for Barclay and increases his popularity so he propositions Kira again and asks her to be his date to a few events. This is to be strictly a business agreement but Barclay finds himself drawn to Kira and her carefree ways and cannot get her out of his head.
Meanwhile Kira is struggling with an educator at work who creeps her out and makes unwanted advances towards her. Although others ask her if she is okay when they see her upset after seeing him she is not willing to burden them with this or report the educator for fear of not being believed.
This book made me laugh right from the first page. Kira was such a beautiful character that was quirky and carefree but also passionate about helping others in not only her life but in the community. There were some very serious topics that were tackled that I thought they were written and addressed fantastically. Henry’s story about acceptance of his diagnosis was a long road for him but with Kira’s sometimes soft sometimes harsh support he was able to,overcome his demons and start living his life. Her relationship with Barclay was full of laughter and tear and his growth as a person was also a great storyline.
I could not put this book down and I read it in one sitting (it is currently 2.30am). Fantastic for anyone wanting to laugh, cry and read about some serious and not so serious topics all in one.

About the book:
Kira Murphy is a loud-mouthed, big-hearted infectious diseases doctor with the NHS who's quicker at making friends than you can count to three. She has the biggest (most harmless) crush on the Minister of State for Business, Energy, and Clean Growth, who's a Tory, compared with her much more Labour party sensibilities. Barclay Lucas, said Tory, has made it to his minister position with extreme discipline; he's Kira's polar opposite. But it's no matter - it's not like she'll ever see him anywhere other than the TV. Until she does, after (unknowingly) doing him a favor. Soon, she's more entrenched in his life than she could have imagined, and she doesn't want to disentangle. Weirdest of all, neither does he.

TL;DR:
- 4.5 stars
- A LONG book! Lots of plot that could probably be a bit quicker, but such sharp humor and dialogue. Worth picking up if you like a truly quirky lead (TRULY), some opposites attract, and a happy ending.

Loved:
- This book tackled some SERIOUS issues. You really wouldn't be able to tell from the synopsis, but there's coverage of HIV/AIDs, sexual assault, healthcare accessibility, recreational drug use, etc. It's all done pretty tastefully and is really important stuff, but it's not a purely fluffy romance. Just a little content warning if you need it. That being said, it really was all handled very well, and felt natural to the storyline.
- Kira and Barclay are really well-rounded characters with classic British humor and wit. I loved them to bits.

Less into:
- Kira was incredibly grating for at least the first third of the novel. She didn't value her own life or safety, she didn't take credible threats to her person seriously, she was too headstrong for her own good. It was hard to read at times, honestly. She also struggled to understand that she had to adjust her personality because she was in a relationship with a literal MINISTER! No one was saying she had to completely ditch her wild ways, but a little bit of decorum. Just a little.
- The relationship between the two was SO unbelievable, in that one is an NHS doc, and one is a serious politician with a security detail. But that's not REALLY a ding - it's nice to read things that are fantastical sometimes! A couple times it's pointed out that Kira has super famous friends, which again, doesn't ring believable, but it's not a story dealbreaker at all.

Overall a solid read, more serious than expected, and with a happy ending to boot.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.