dnf.
Kira is the worst.

Ok I like this book I’ve read it like three times the only reason I didn’t give it a higher rating is because of the guy. Now I love a grumpy guy or whatever but sheesh this guy never gave the girl the benefit of the doubt until the end. BRO LIKE NOT EVERYTHING IS ABT YOU SHE WAS GOING THROUGH ISH TOO. He realized it too late too. But whatev I guess he redeems himself but I feel he could’ve done some more groveling but otherwise really good. I also love the representation of people who do have sexually transmitted diseases and the support that the character is given.

Four and a half stars.

Fair warning, I love Susie Tate's novels so this is a bit of a fan-girl review and I get that she might be a bit like Marmite to some readers but I loved this book.

Kira Murphy is a sexual health Registrar (doctor) with pizazz - in my mind I see her like the character of Scarlett in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, diminutive with pink and red hair and a wacky dress sense. She is great with her patients and passionate about immunisation against genital warts (I am just wondering how I am ever going to get this review past the puritanical censor on the B&N website). She also has a secret crush on the latest Tory wunderkind MP Barclay Lucas (think British Justin Trudeau), the current Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, who is trying to get a revolutionary new scheme through parliament.

Kira and Lucas' paths cross when she gives a verbal tongue-lashing to one of her boss' HIV patients who isn't taking his meds, the patient turns out to be Lucas' younger brother.

Kira's crazy antics, such as making tea for all the press lurking outside Lucas' palatial London home, belie a dedicated healthcare professional who is devoted to the National Health Service. Lucas just can't understand why Kira won't accept private work treating his brother away from the local NHS hospital, but when the press see her leaving his house his approval ratings soar and so he suggests they play along. What I loved most about this was that Kira went off into a romantic comedy monologue where she told Lucas she would be his fake fiancé but they would fall in love for real etc, etc (all very tongue-in-cheek) and Lucas was horrified.

This is contemporary British romantic comedy at its finest IMHO, great characters, great plot, impressive use of cockwomble as a pejorative, and truly laugh out loud at times.

A minor niggle, which might be deliberate, towards the end, on what felt like consecutive pages, there was a line which felt like a direct quote from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, followed by a visual reference to something that Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) does in Love Actually. Could be allusive, could be unintentional but they pulled me away from the plot a little.

Anyway, channelling Cherish Finden, one of the judges in the under-rated TV show Bake Off: The Professionals loved it, loved it, loved it! Now I am sad because I am going to have to wait months and months for another book - maybe I will re-read all the other books ...

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release and correcting typos.

Great read! Many laugh out loud moments!

The setting is London! Characters are a politician, a sex health doctor, strippers, a gay nurse, a man with HIV, and more. They embrace each other's differences. You can't help but feel for all of these characters. Serious moments are well balanced with humorous ones.

I LOVE THIS BOOK !!!!! Finally a five star read after what feels like a decade. Kira, you have my heart Babygirl I love her to the moon and back omggg. This books gave me so much feels. Everything was almost perfect. The only thing I hate about this book is that it wasn’t long enough. I need more !!!! Long live Queen Kira and her sexy badger. I need me a story like this.

This book wasn't for me.
Kira was so annoying, unprofessional, quite offensive at times and all together too much.
And the nicknames were horrid.


ARC.

That was so good. Some people have found the leading lady annoying but I loved her self confidence and no bullshit attitude.
The 3rd act conflict worked for me.

Loved this book. 4 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eArc of this book.

I really enjoy this author’s books so I was so excited to see this on Netgalley. It didn’t disappoint me either. It reminded me a little of Pride and Prejudice. Kira is a “sex dr” works with HIV patients and has a crush on a certain minister of state. Kira is carefree and a little wild, while Barclay is uptight and a little set in his ways. I loved seeing how he reacted to some of her antics. Honestly she could come across as a little much but I think they balanced each other out rather well. Henry was a fave for me and it was great seeing Millie’s tough guy routine. I recommend all of this author’s books so def check this one out.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for ARC in exchange for review.

I received this ARC from the Publisher via @netgalley

This book was good. Really good. It touched on very real issues in our society, issues that people don't always consider modern. I loved that Susie felt comfortable enough to address them.

Did I think that the couple were believable? No always, but at the end Susie made it all click together.
Did I love the patchwork quilt of characters in this book? Yes, absolutely.

Over all, a solid 4 star book. I would recommend this book to someone looking for a not always happy rom com to read.