REVIEW: NY Doc Under the Northern Lights by Amy Ruttan

In NY Doc Under the Northern Lights by Amy Ruttan, Betty Jacinth needs to get away and when the perfect opportunity arises for her to go and work in Iceland, she takes it. However, working alongside Dr. Axel Sturlusson isn’t easy, especially when she’s so attracted to him. Yet, with her recent heartbreak and Axel not looking for a relationship, will the pair give into temptation or will they walk away from their shot at happy ever after?

“It’s icy outside,” he stated gruffly.
“Oh, I’m surprised to hear that a place called Iceland is icy,” she snapped back. She was too tired to be bandying words about with a gigantic behemoth of a Viking in the middle of the airport.
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t appreciate the sarcasm.”
“And I don’t appreciate your tone, either. I assure you, if I can navigate the likes of Manhattan during rush hour I can get myself to Reykjavik intact.”

Give me a book by Ms. Ruttan and I could sit and read said book from start to finish in one sitting and that’s exactly what I did with this medical romance by this wonderful author. Really, the way this story started drew me into it immediately, as the heroine is going through a tough time and heading to Iceland to work is the perfect way to heal her broken heart while doing what she does best in working as a surgeon. Will her skills be put to the test? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time where this story had me smiling because Axel is a bit surly and Betty brings a little light into his life with the way she challenges him. Does her inappropriate footwear really annoy him that much?

As for the dialogue, it was very entertaining and intense due to the main characters back stories and the medical emergencies these two handle. However, the dialogue wasn’t all intense. There were moments that had me smiling, especially since Betty isn’t only good for Axel. She’s also good for the niece the hero has been made guardian of after the death of his brother. Will Betty be able to help the young girl through the tough time she’s going through, especially when it comes to things she can’t talk to her uncle about? Moreover, I really liked both the hero and heroine and loved how they progressed as individuals and as a couple. Really, it’s palpable that these two need each other to heal from the hurts of their pasts. Since Axel feels guilty about what happened to his brother and the fact that he was unable to save him, which has led to a strained relationship with his father. While the heroine, I liked that she finally stands up to the person who hurt her and shows she’s no longer willing to be the doormat she once was. No way will she allow anyone to use her to gain attention as a surgeon ever again.

”Aren’t they something? I could watch them for hours.”
“Me too,” she whispered in awe. Tears stung her eyes at the beauty of the dancing lights in the darkened sky.
“You’re crying?”
“It’s kind of moving.”
“I think it’s sweet that you’re crying.”
“You do? Surgeons don’t cry, though. That’s what I was always told by my father.”
Axel touched her cheek, wiping a tear away with his thumb. “I think it shows more humanity when a surgeon cries.”

With the heroine, she’s strong and brave for going to Iceland, even though it feels like she’s running away from her problems when she should have stayed and dealt with her problems. Then again, that wouldn’t have been easy, considering who her supervisor happens to be, so it was probably good that she did take leave when she did in order to see what she wanted for her future. Could she continue to work where she did in New York, especially with what her supervisor continued to do to her because she was the better surgeon between the pair? While the hero, he’s consumed with guilt and I loved the decisions he made in order to get past what happened with his brother and to make his relationship better with his father because he and his niece are the only family they have left. Will Axel be able to get through to his father? I also liked the close bond the hero shares with his niece and how she pushes Axel to realize that Betty is important. How could he possibly give her up?

”What’re you doing here?” she asked, finally finding her voice and getting her head clear.
“I think it’s obvious.” He held out the flowers. “I’m sorry.”
She didn’t take the flowers. “Axel, you said some…wait, how did you get here?”
“I flew,” he said nervously.
A lump formed in her throat. “You don’t fly, though.”
“I flew for you. I faced my demons for you and, guess what, I can’t live without you, Betty. I don’t want to live without you.”

Overall, Ms. Ruttan has delivered a wonderfully-written and well-developed read in this book where the chemistry between Axel and Betty is strong from the moment they meet because Betty challenges Axel; the romance was delightful and heart-warming and I loved how these two helped to heal each other; and the ending had me loving how the heroine finally stands up for herself when it comes to her career and had me loving what the hero does to show Betty she’s the one for him. No way would he have been able to face his demons and conquer them without her. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely and had me crying happy tears because of the heroine’s surprise and all Axel has accomplished when it comes to facing his fears. I would recommend NY Doc Under the Northern Lights by Amy Ruttan, if you enjoy the mysterious strangers trope, the friends to lovers trope, workplace romances or books by authors Dianne Drake, Janice Lynn, Tina Beckett and Annie O’Neill.

Book Info:

Publication: October 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Medical |

Escaping the big city…For love under Icelandic skies.

When surgeon Betty Jacinth’s heart is broken once again, she takes a job in Iceland for a change of scenery. She expects cold weather–but not the frosty welcome she receives from gorgeous but brooding Dr. Axel Sturlusson! Now father to his orphaned niece, Axel gradually thaws, and a flame ignites–but when Betty’s ex begs her to return, can she make the right choice for love?