REVIEW: Falling for the Pregnant GP by Lucy Clark

In Falling for the Pregnant GP (Sydney Surgeons #1) by Lucy Clark, forced to take a six-month sabbatical after losing his wife and daughter and then having a health scare, Ethan Janeway finds himself the new locum of a small country town and living with the pregnant GP Claudia-Jean ‘CJ’ Nicholls. Determined to stick to doing his job to the best of his abilities and then hopefully returning home to Sydney, Ethan sees CJ as off-limits. Yet, the more closely they work together, the more he finds himself doing the one thing he swore he’d never do again – fall in love. Will Ethan be able to win CJ’s heart, or is returning home to his job more important than love?

”I guess I like to eat food when I get home from work,” she remarked, answering his previous questions. “I naturally presumed you would, too.”
“I don’t follow. Why should you be concerned with where and when I eat?”
“Your lodgings, while you’re in town, are at my house.”
“They’re…what now?”

Getting to read Ethan’s story, the first in Ms. Clark’s Sydney Surgeons series was an absolute delight, especially when I followed it up with the second book of this series, which features Ethan’s sister Melody getting her happy ever after, and I’ve got to say that this story does not disappoint. Really, Ethan captured my heart from the moment he was introduced because he has been through so much heartache and needs rest and relaxation before going back to his fast-paced life. Luckily, the small country town he’s arrived in gives him that, even though there are a few medical emergencies he has to deal with that reopen old wounds. Will Ethan ever be able to heal completely from his past? Will he and CJ be able to help heal each other, especially when she has her own demons that don’t make it easy for her to trust a man?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories; back stories that had me sympathizing with the pair, as the heroine’s husband was an utter jerk that didn’t deserve her while the hero has so much guilt over what happened to his wife. Why hadn’t he been there for his late wife more? Moreover, I liked how resilient and courageous the heroine was because she’s about to be a single mom and doesn’t know how to slow down. I also liked her need for independence because her husband didn’t do right by her, but that she’s willing to let the townspeople be there for her when she needs them since living in a small town is all about everyone knowing your business and vice versa. Really, privacy doesn’t exist.

”So, does the fact that you’re up and ready to shake, rattle and roll mean you’re coming grape picking with me?”
“Someone’s got to keep an eye on you.”
“Ha. Trust me, Ethan. Everyone there today will be keeping an eye on me. “
”They really are protective of you?”

While the hero, I liked that he’s making the most of his new role as the town locum, even though it isn’t easy for him, but he knows he needs this break he’s been forced to take before anything worse happens to him than it already has. I also liked how hard-working he is, especially when he faces a situation that brings forth painful memories of what happened to his late wife. Will he be able to make the woman he treats see reason? Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero was how protective he was of CJ and that he would do anything to make sure the last weeks of her pregnancy are easy for her because rest and relaxation is important.

“Here, my life is in technicolor.”
“Really?” Hope flared higher.
“Yes. It’s so vibrant and alive that I need to wear sunglasses.” CJ laughed joyously at his words. Ethan loved being here…with her.

Overall, Ms. Clark has delivered a wonderful read in this first book of her Sydney Surgeons series where the chemistry between this couple was intense, the romance delightful because CJ changes Ethan’s life for the better; and the ending had me cheering for this couple’s happy ever after because Ethan’s words to CJ show how good she is for him. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as CJ and Ethan are so good together. I would recommend Falling for the Pregnant GP, if you enjoy small town romances, medical romances, or books by authors Jennifer Taylor, Amy Ruttan, Caroline Anderson and Fiona McArthur.
 

Book Info:

Publication: April 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Medical | Sydney Surgeons #1

Could this doctor and her baby bump…

be the family he’s longed for?

Surgeon Ethan Janeway locked his heart away when he lost his wife and baby daughter. But then he meets gorgeous GP CJ Nicholls, his new—and very pregnant!—boss. After her late husband’s infidelity, CJ has no reason to trust men, but kind, caring Ethan is different. They could be the perfect family—but first they’ll have to leave the past behind…