‘Just What the Doctor Hired’ by Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter was an enjoyable read. I would rate it around 3.5.

However, I felt like it dragged at places, and had that Hallmark movie feeling to it.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for the e-ARC.

I really wanted to enjoy Just What the Doctor Hired, but it just didn’t work for me. The premise was cute, but the characters felt a bit flat and the pacing dragged in places. There were a few sweet moments, but overall, it lacked the spark I was hoping for. Not terrible, just not very memorable.

This book was a cute love story. It was definitely an instalove situation but very romantic and sweet. Every girl wishes to find a guy like this in their life time. I liked that they had the female main character pretty much doing whatever it takes work wise to achieve her goals. Even though their big 'obstacle' they had to over come as a couple seemed very lack luster because it was something she should've already realized about him and he had a fair reaction to being called out. But if I was in the moment I could see both sides. All in all it was a very sweet and cute read.

Funny, witty banter that I love in contemporary romance. I really liked Autumn and Jensen as a couple. The only thing I really disliked about this book was the fat-shaming of Dan (Jensen’s best friend) from his own wife. It’s 2025, let’s not make anyone’s weight the primary descriptor for their character.

📚✨ ARC Review
Tropes: Fake dating 💍 | Grumpy x Goal-Oriented 😤💼 | Forbidden-ish romance 🚫❤️

Autumn Haze is not here for love 🛑💘—she’s all about nursing school, survival mode, and side hustling as a Plus One companion 💉🎓💵. Her motto? No men. Just meds. Until… enter Dr. Jensen Edwards 👨‍⚕️💔

Fresh off a brutal breakup and hospital gossip hell 🔥🩺, Jensen just wants to accept his “Best Doctor” award without drama. So what does he do? Hires Autumn as his fake date 🥂… but what starts as a no-strings situation quickly turns into a stethoscopes-and-swooning kind of deal 🩷😳💫

The tension? Electric ⚡️
The banter? Chef’s kiss 👩‍🍳💋
The slow burn? PAINFULLY good 🔥🔥🔥

👩‍⚕️💘 If you’re into strong female leads, cinnamon roll doctors, and fake dating with REAL feelings, this one’s for you!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (because I needed just one more chapter 😭)
#BookTok #FakeDatingTrope #NurseLife #DoctorRomance #SlowBurnRomance #BookReview #RomComReads

This sweet romance kept me hooked and turning pages! The chemistry, the obstacles, the rich character development - what a treat!

What a sweet romance. I was hooked and kept turning pages. There were obstacles and the characters were well rounded.

#netgalley-arcs I want to thank authors Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter, and the publisher Wild Rose Press for an advanced reader copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this romance story. Despite being a successful and handsome doctor, Jensen has had his heart broken and can't seem to find a woman who is right for him. He hires Summer to be his girlfriend for a function, but when they meet, the chemistry between them is very real.
I really enjoyed their romance as it unfolded, and thought that they made a great pairing. I loved their story and thought that for the most part it was realistic and really drew me in. I was horrified by the way the whole insurance and paying for the hospital unfolded when she had appendicitis. I don't know how true that is, but it's monstrous.
I really enjoyed this book and I'd certainly be keen to read more in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Jensen is a dream doctor with a good head on his shoulders and sexy eyes, he somehow is a great match to our girl Summer. Through obstacles and all they persevere.

Thank you to Amanda Nelson, Lisa-Marie Potter, and The Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would rate it 3.5 stars. Jensen and Autumn had fantastic chemistry, and I loved the playful banter between them throughout. The side characters played a significant role in the plot, which made the world feel richer and more realistic. I especially appreciated the inclusion of Autumn’s two dads—they were hilarious and added a lot of heart to the story.

The third-act breakup was expected, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment too much.

One small detail I wanted to note was the use of the name Gareth for one of the background characters. While it’s a minor point, Gareth is a Welsh name rather than an English one. The book seemed to imply it was English, and I think a brief clarification would have been a nice touch for accuracy.

That aside, I had a great time reading this and would definitely pick up more books by these authors in the future. I’m excited to see what they come out with next!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.

This was a very Hallmark-esque read. At times cheesy and predictable, but overall enjoyable. However, the main characters did not seem to be grown adults working in a healthcare setting. They reminded me of high school or college students with their actions and dialogue. It was pretty hard for me to take them seriously. The one problem I always have when reading a male character's POV is if they are too able to describe female clothing or start romanticizing with too much vigor. Then I'm well aware the female author is behind the words and it pulls you back. Also, Jensen's ex girlfriend was ridiculous. It felt very "Real Housewives" antics whenever she was in a scene.

This was a great read! I love the premise of a date-for-hire that turns into something more! Autumn is a nursing student who is focused on one thing - getting her BSN. To maintain financial independence from her loving dads who she already feels have done too much for her, Autumn works a variety of jobs, all while going to school. One of these jobs is being a companion-for-hire, but this is not to be mistaken with an escort. Autumn provides her services as a date, making those who hire her look great at whatever events they’ve hired her to attend. Autumn’s been steadfast in her goals, that is until she’s hired to accompany a hot doctor, affectionately compared to McDreamy. Hot Doc Jensen might be the one thing that can make Autumn amend her goal of no men until her BSN.

This swoony romance is set in Seattle, and is perfect for those looking for the feeling the early seasons of Grey’s Anatomy provided. This is a quick read where the plot moves quickly, the banter is bantering, and the chemistry is tangible.

This book reads like a perfect episode of your favorite hospital drama tense, tender, and topped with a happy-ever-after (ish).

Our main protagonist
A nurse-in-training with a backbone of steel and a heart she’s scared to trust. She has been burned before and sworn off men for a good reason. While shes juggling school and working to pay her own way shes handed a surprise chemistry from a client her vow to never date again until she gets her degree is put to the test. But hey, love doesn’t always wait for the right shift.

Our male lead on the other hand is done with love to the point his friend pays for a blind date. Cue fake dating anyone??? And a best friend who might be a bit of a told you so :) but his wife is the absolute best character that I want as my IRL bestie.

The Vibe
Smart pacing, solid four-star plot, and just enough tension to keep your pulse racing. Every chapter feels keeps the plot moving and a HEA that actually lands.

Supporting Cast Highlights:

Amazing supportive dads making food and dropping emotional truth bombs.
A quirky best friend who knows exactly when to bring alcohol and tough love.
Friends who see the truth before he does—and push him to fight for his own happy ending. (and get his head in the game)
No Blood or gore in this one sweet for sure
Oh and there i football - I love me a girl who isn't afraid to show her love and passion for sports :)
Easy in on sitting read.

I devoured Just What the Doctor Hired in less than 24 hours — it was impossible to put down! As someone who lived in Seattle, WA, the setting immediately resonated with me, adding an extra layer of connection and authenticity to the story. Amanda Nelson and Lisa-Marie Potter crafted a charming, heartfelt romance filled with witty banter, relatable characters, and just the right amount of tension. The chemistry between the leads was electric, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. Whether you’re a local or just love a well-written, swoon-worthy romance, this book is an absolute must-read! I will be adding my Tiktok review this weekend!

A fake dating scenario with a happily ever after? Sign me up to read it!
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was nice getting to know the character’s families and see those relationships grow for Jensen. I also had respect for Autumn’s character choosing to prioritize her career over a romantic relationship after she had been burned in the past. I would recommend this if you like an easy read with a sweet ending.

Thank you to NetGalley, book buzz & The wild rose press for a copy of the book in return for my unbiased review.

A great closed door romance read with a little sizzle. my first from the authors. Jenson, a paediatric doctor needs a date for a medical event in which his recent ex had been cheating on him with another doctor. Jenson hires Autumn through a 'plus one' service and the spark ignites from the get go.

Over a series of events, the chemistry continues to build, however they have both had difficult pasts and struggle to navigate their relationship initially. I also love Autumns dads, they are absolutely fabulous.

A great read if you love a medical romance, interspersed with sports references and a slow burn angsty romance.

💕 closed door romance (does have kissing)
🩷 golden retriever mmc
💕 strong, smart independent fmc
🩷 Medical references
💕 third act break up / interference

thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

this felt sooo hallmark! it was just your average fake dating, will-they-won’t-they romance novel. I didn’t feel like there was anything super special about this book. I definitely ate this story up but i feel neutral about it! the premise was unique, the companion for hire thing is something I havent seen before so that was a fun plot point. definitely cheesy and a little cringe at times. the characters felt a bit immature for their stated ages and I honestly didn’t feel a whole lot of chemistry but still a fun little read. 2.5/5!

✨✨5 stars✨✨✨
❗️MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS❗️

Overall: I loved it A LOT. Every moment of it. It was beautifully written and the whole action, plot, ATE IT UP. I fell in love with the characters and their relationships were so sweet. The tension? Was there. One word: AMAZING (book).

Likes:
•the description, perfect, it wasn’t pure romance, but rather fiction. Which gave the book uniqueness and depth.
•the character development. I loved how the authors showed not only the beauty of characters, but also flaws. The plot when Jensen fucked up was perfect to show that we all make mistakes and that actions speak louder than words
•the social areas shown. I loved how we had different areas (the hospital, the football games, the Plus One work, Autumn’s college) and how they showed each perspective, we knew a lot but it wasn’t too much, just the right amount of description and details
•the romance. It was beautiful, pure romance. I loved how it clearly was love, not only physical attraction. Their relationship was perfectly balanced (ofc between love and lust)

Dislikes (not really)
I cannot say I have a dislike in terms of the literal book, but personal preference.
I WAS SO ANNOYED BY LILY (Autumn’s best friend). I get it she was on her side BUT OMG GIRL, JENSEN ISN’T LIKE MATTEO (Autumn’s ex). I hated how she compared so muchhhhh Jensen with her ex when he was COMPLETELY IN LOVE with Autumn. Omg, it ate my soul!

It was a great reading experience, I loved every moment. The trope was clearly shown (the fake dating) and the development of the characters and the world was perfect. The end? BEAUTIFUL.
I would recommend it 100%!! It’s a cute romantic story that touched my heart. If I could, it would give it more than 5 stars🫶🏻

It was a cute idea but I didn’t find the characters likable. Lilly was annoying and pushy, Autumn was so wish washy and Jensen was extremely problematic and so over the top. It was a quick easy read I finished it quickly but unfortunately did not connect with the characters.

I have a soft spot for the fake dating trope and this did not disappoint. Usually the 3rd act breakup annoys me but it was something that had to happen in this book and was dealt with in a very good way. Good character dynamics and I loved the two main characters.

Thanks to wild rose press and NetGalley for this arc!

I’m a sucker for a healthcare romance since I work in healthcare myself so naturally I gravitated towards this book! It was so cute. If you like the fake dating trope but aren’t a big fan of spice, this is for you!!!!