Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the ARC.

I think for a different reader, this might be a 4-5⭐️ book. But there were things about it that just weren’t for me.

I did like the way the book was set up around the 7 night shifts that the MMC and FMC, both doctors, were working from Christmas Eve to NYE in a large British hospital. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the descriptions of medicine/procedure in those settings. But the organization around those shifts worked well.

I prefer my romance books to be light , even comic, and this book is more of a drama. There are some very serious topics - sexual harassment, homophobia and violence against a drag queen, recovering from the end of an engagement, living up to parental expectations, standing up for oneself, and all that before you get to the serious topics covered in the hospital setting.

Also, my favorite part of romance books is the “banter;” generally, I’m a fan of dialogue. Both the MMC and FMC were very much in their heads. There was one instance where one said something and the reply was literally a page away. A lot of thought process.

I did not overall like the MMC. He needed a spine. But that was part of what he was coming to terms with in his own personality, so it was part of the plot. In real life, id find him aggravating, but others may not see him that way. Finally, i found the FMC’s changes to what had long been her biggest personality issues (possibly due to neurodivergence) came about too quickly. Her recognizing the issues over 7 days works but her actions changed rather dramatically over that short period.

The FMC’s roommate and their significant other were great side characters. There is also a very good conversation with the FMC and her mother, about career and life expectations and realizing your parents are just people and not perfect. The MMC’s ex was one dimensional with unclear motivation.

I’d give it 🌶️.5, there are a couple of scenes and they aren’t close door but they are short and not graphic.

If you’re looking for a romantic drama with a lot of soul-searching and serious topics, this is 100% for you. It was well constructed and well written. And I think someone looking for that will find a great choice.

3.5 ✨
The Night Shift is definitely on the slower side to begin with, although the characters fall fast for each other. By the half way point it definitely picks up. I really enjoyed how much they just accept each other as they are, and they make a really great match. The exploration of an ASD diagnosis/ traits was really interesting and I liked how the author conveyed this without explicitly saying it nearer the beginning. The side characters were one of the best parts of this, and getting to know some of the patients they work with. Overall a cute read set around Christmas time without being super Christmas themed

Nancy Peach delivers a festive rom-com with a pulse in The Night Shift, a story that’s equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and emotionally intelligent. Set during the Christmas night shift at a hospital, this novel introduces us to Violet Winters—a junior doctor with a brilliant mind and a bruised ego. With two complaints already under her belt and no holiday plans, Violet signs up for the night shift hoping to escape the pressure. What she doesn’t expect is to be working alongside Dr. Gus Jovic, the hospital’s golden boy: charming, calm, and maddeningly perfect.

Peach’s writing sparkles with wit and warmth, reminiscent of Beth O’Leary and Ali Hazelwood, yet distinctly her own A B. The banter is sharp, the pacing brisk, and the emotional beats land with surprising tenderness. Violet’s neurodivergent perspective adds depth and authenticity, making her journey of self-acceptance and professional growth all the more compelling.

This isn’t just a love story—it B’s a celebration of imperfection, resilience, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Whether you’re a fan of medical dramas, holiday romances, or just crave a heroine who’s messy, smart, and utterly lovable, The Night Shift is the prescription you didn’t know you needed.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, and One More Chapter for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great feel-good read if you’re having a super crappy day, week, month, or year. Gus (MMC) and Violet (FMC) were thrown into the night shift during Christmas, leading to their lives being entangled in the best of ways. What I loved about both characters is that, yes, they were flawed, but they worked on themselves to be better for themselves and each other. I loved the character development that most romance books lack. The story was pretty predictable, but isn’t that why we choose romance books? For the low-stress storyline and HEA?

Read if you like:
- Neurodivergent FMC
- Workplace romance
- Christmas
- Dual POV
- Banter

It's the holiday season! Two doctors with very different personalities find themselves on a week-long night shift for similar reasons and sparks fly. I love to read about neurodivergent characters and I also love medical romance so this was a good read for me. The writing tone was a bit clinical and essay-like in parts, but the romance and character development were great. I enjoyed this.
I got the ARC from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter via Netgalley. This is my honest review

This was a fun RomCom set in a hospital during the overnight shifts of the Christmas/New Year period. I really enjoyed the medical setting, as it captured the challenges and realities of working in that space.

The neurodivergent representation through Violet, the main female character, was a highlight. That said, the brief conversation with her mum about possibly being autistic felt a little out of place and unnecessary. Violet, in her first year on the wards, has a lot to learn, and her bluntness often makes it hard for her to connect with others. Still, she shows genuine growth over the short timeframe of the story, which was heartwarming to see.

Dr Gus Jovic, the male lead, is four years into his hospital career. He’s calm, steady, and deeply caring toward Violet. I particularly loved how he encouraged her to embrace who she is while looking out for her.

The story also touches on some serious topics—such as sexual harassment and sexism, the strain of night shift, relationship breakdowns, and feelings of inadequacy—adding depth to the romance and comedy.

Overall it was a fun, feelgood read.

The night shift felt like quite a marathon read for me initially for some reason I found it quite slow and repetitive to start but as it progressed the flow improved. I was drawn to this book by its medical slant and as a nurse who has done many night shifts over the years I could totally relate to the trials and tribulations of a newly qualified junior doctor.
Violet was portrayed as a typical nervous starter struggling not only with her newly acquired practical skills but also the intricacies of communication empathy and filters due to her probable neuro divergent condition, this seems to be very topical at present particularly the increased awareness of it in highly functional females!
Violets saviour at work was the dashing enigmatic anaesthetist Dr Gus who ably assisted her with a basic cannulation and from there their burgeoning relationship grew.
A predictable slow burn of a read
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

.

Violet is hilarious and might be one of my favorite FMC that I’ve read this year. She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in and doesn’t hold back on making her opinion known. Which makes her a great doctor. The MMC Gus is the opposite while keeping the face that his fiancé left him months ago and he doesn’t tell anyone. He’s a self-admitted people pleaser. This story was funny and heartwarming.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

✨ Rating: 3 ⭐️
🫧 Vibes: comfort read with depth
🎶 Song: collide - howie day
📖 Favourite Quote: "You’re brilliant, a brightly brilliant shining star. And you’re mine. How did I get so luck?"
📚 Would I recommend? meh.
💬 Final thoughts: the romance was lacklustre and it felt like I was reading a medical journal at times.

In the package:
📦 medical romance
📦 slow burn
📦 witty, sarcastic humour
📦 neurodivergent representation

Plot: Violet, a blunt junior doctor signs up to work the nightshift only to be paired with the charming, Dr. Gus, where banter, secrets, and unexpected chemistry turn a dreaded holiday into something special.

Thoughts: This unfortunately missed the mark for me. While the characters did have some conversations with depth, it still felt lacklustre and kind of insta lovey. This may have been because the story is told in third person. And then it all went downhill when Gus’ ex-fiancé showed up 80% into the book. He clearly didn’t know what to do and how he felt. Violet deserved better especially when it was clear that his ex basically walked all over him. I just wanted to scream into my kindle “YOUR EX DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOU!!”

Violet was the best part of this book, she was insanely smart, awkward, blunt and I loved her inner monologue.

📚Read if you enjoyed: The TV series The Pitt

The Night Shift by Nancy Peach is a heartwarming and charming story filled with warmth, humor, and just the right touch of romance. Violet and Gus were wonderful characters to follow, and their journey made me smile throughout. It was a delightful read that I truly enjoyed and I give it five stars.

Such a great book. Violet is starting her first week of working night shift. She doesn't want to go home for Christmas. Gus is also working night shift. Do they end up starting something? Definitely a must read.

Violet is a foundation year doctor working night shifts over Christmas week. Gus, an anaesthetist with his own reasons for volunteering, ends up on the same rota. Though they’ve worked in the same hospital for months, this is the first time their paths truly cross—and the connection is instant.

This was my first read by this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. I especially loved Violet as a character; she reminded me so much of myself. The neurodivergent representation felt authentic and relatable, particularly the way Violet navigates being undiagnosed and considering whether she might be on the autism spectrum. I appreciated that this aspect was explored thoughtfully without overshadowing the main story. The challenges she faced—miscommunications, accidentally offending others, and not fully understanding why—rang very true.

While the story was somewhat predictable, it never felt dull. The characters, both primary and secondary, were well developed, and the growing bond between Violet and Gus was written beautifully. The book also didn’t shy away from real-life struggles, which added depth.

I laughed, I cried, I raged—it gave me everything I want in a book. The romance had plenty of heat without going overboard, striking a great balance.

Overall, this was a heartfelt, engaging read. I’ll absolutely be picking up more from this author in the future.

Tropes you’ll find:

Neurodivergent FMC

Workplace romance

Christmas setting

(Light) forced proximity

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The book is set in a hospital during Christmas with the female lead, Violet, being a young doctor and the male lead, Gus, being four years her senior. For me the writing felt detached, cold and not really gripping, it felt like most of the things were written down rather than showed. I was not able to connect to any of the characters or get invested in the story. Shouldn't be categorised as a romance at all.

3 ⭐️ The Night Shift by: Nancy Peach is Publishing Date September 5, 2025 with HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

I very much enjoyed the dual point of view and seeing of all the inner thoughts. What you learned about past histories lend a deeper understanding to how a person acts and reacts. Yes there is some medical stuff involved but it’s the connection and community with people that is the bigger stand out.

It’s delightful seeing them interact and connect with each other. A directness but with an underlying layer of hoping to not hurt one anything. You can see the caring grow and the handling of difficult things with grace and kindness.

Mr. Zeller was one of my favourite characters and stood out the most in remembering afterwards even though he wasn’t a main character.

Parts also felt flat and drawn out. Sometimes very wordy; either informative or too much and muddled. Given how few days it felt too long and not a lot always happening or being told rather than shown or described so you feel it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC copy allowing me shares my honest thoughts.

Nancy Peach’s The Night Shift is a witty, heartfelt romance that captures both the chaos and the quiet triumphs of working in medicine. At its center is Violet Winters, a nervous but determined new doctor navigating her first week of overnight shifts. Violet’s honesty and sharp tongue make her an instantly memorable heroine, the kind you can’t help but root for even as she stumbles through exhaustion and self-doubt.

Enter Dr. Gus Jovic, the brilliant yet grounded consultant who sees through Violet’s defenses. Their dynamic is electric in a refreshingly understated way—marked by teasing banter, reluctant admiration, and the kind of late-night heart-to-hearts that feel all the more intimate against the backdrop of fluorescent hospital corridors. Gus brings a steady warmth to Violet’s whirlwind world, and their slow-burn connection is both believable and deeply satisfying.

What elevates this novel is how seamlessly Peach blends humor with poignancy. The night shifts highlight the emotional toll of medicine—the lives saved, the ones lost, and the relentless self-pressure—but never without a spark of levity. Violet’s internal voice, equal parts snark and vulnerability, keeps the pages moving with an addictive rhythm.

Romantic, funny, and emotionally resonant, The Night Shift delivers a story that celebrates not only falling in love but also finding your footing when life feels overwhelming. Violet and Gus’s journey proves that sometimes the darkest nights lead to the brightest beginnings.

this was such a refreshing read. i really did like the ND side of it. now, i really do dream of one day i don't have to "notice" it in this way. or talk about it. but at the moment its very much still needed. and when done well shout out to the person that writes it. because Nd shouldn't need an applause. but so many people are 'liking' to tick box add them to their books. and you can always tells. but in this case our main characters was Nd. it wasn't her whole but her voice in this book and the way we come to her and her story was important. and her voice was all the more impacting because of that. and for me Nancy captures it all with refreshing honesty and charm. add to that her writing of medical professionals and it was just a *really compelling read all round.
Violet is a junior doctor and is about to start her overnight shifts. and she is very much feeling it. and shes not feeling it in the easiest of ways. there is after all already complaints about her. add to that the charming and loved Dr in her eyesight and its all feeling quite complex.
i felt truly involved in hearing from Violets perspective. shes thoughtful and managed to make me think too. shes also very much her own person and doesn't fit into your rom-com role. i loved that. we get to see how she goes through life both with patients and the pressure of being in the healthcare profession. add to that of course dealing with a world that isn't always set up or kind to someone like Violet and there is extra weight often to her load. i often felt exhausted for her!
the romance part was also lovely. like the rest of the book it felt supportive, kind, tender and honest. it wasn't forced, or high stakes. it wasn't some big imploding or exploding story. it just was. it was key but also fit alongside everything else. the solidness of it felt like that rest of the book. and just what Violets needs. that safety. that surety. that kindness.
we also have some lovely little side stories and side characters who all have their parts to play in the book and added their own light to the book.
this book was a amazing romance. but it was also so much more than that.
it shined a light on many themes. and shined a light on me. its also shines bright, sparkles and beams off the pages. i loved this book and loved every second reading it. it hit my heart, buried itself in, and i dont think will ever leave.

Thank you Net Galley, Nancy Peach, and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the ARC.

This story follows neurodivergent FMC Violet and MMC Gus as they both elect for a week or night shifts at the hospital to avoid matters in their personal life and wind up confiding in each other. Her blunt attitude and his people pleasing tendencies complement each other in the story and highlight the pros and cons of each of these traits.

This book has a simple and straightforward way of outlining the inner thoughts/struggles of a neurodivergent person trying to navigate social relationships, professional relationships, and navigating the “grey” of the world. It’s an easy and fast-paced read, although predictable at times, enjoyable nonetheless.

I liked the neurodivergent representation and the general inclusiveness of this book, but the romance was a disaster.

Violet is a young doctor on her first night shift. She’s good at theory, but clumsy with procedures and awkward with people. Gus has four more years of experience, is confident, charming, and universally liked. (He’s also a pathetic people pleaser and a doormat, but we’ll get there.)

This book was written in a very particular way: it was emotionless, detached, and not exactly gripping. It’s not only that it was written in the third person—although that certainly intensified the experience—but it felt like a biology textbook on humans at times. It took me some time to get used to it, but once I got invested, I didn’t mind it much anymore.

I liked the neurodivergent representation. Violet’s struggles felt very realistic, and I appreciated the author’s positive and accepting approach. It was also very refreshing that immigrants in this book didn’t have “funny” accents and didn’t make “funny” mistakes. I got so used to belittling and patronizing non-native speakers in books that an old man speaking perfect English really warmed my heart.

Unfortunately, the romance was awful. Gus was still hung up on his ex, and when she came back, he got all confused and allowed her to stay at his place, like the spineless doormat he was. It would’ve been bad at any point in the book, but in the last 20% I would expect the hero to not have any doubts of that sort.

Since this book is marketed as a romance, I can’t, with good conscience, recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

One of the best forced proximity workplace romance books I’ve read in such a long time! Violet is such a good MC and I love her whole vibe. Perfect for fans of
Neurodivergent FMC
Workplace romance
Seasonal romcom
Forced proximity
Medical setting

Foundation doctor Violet Winters is starting her first week of nights and she’s nervous. Violet found the study easy, but her people skills are lacking and she has to terrible of habit of saying the first thing that pops into her head. Both her parents are doctors, they make it look easy, so rather than go home for Christmas she does the night shift over the holidays, and dodge telling them she's had two complaints lodged against her in a couple months.

Dr Gus Jovic is an anaesthetist and the opposite of Violet, he’s calm and confident and nothing fazes him and the nurses and patients think he’s wonderful. In a busy English hospital during the silly season, Violet and Gus have to deal with accidents, emergencies and older people whose health is declining and Violet feels tired, overwhelmed and out of her depth.

As the nights pass, Violet really admires Gus, not just because he's brilliant at his job, willingness to help and has steady hands, he's good looking man and no way he would be interested in an awkward string bean like herself and anyway he’s engaged to the stunning Amelia?

I received a copy of The Night Shift by Nancy Peach from One More Chapter and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. While this book is classed as a romcom, I found it highlighted some serious topics, like doctors adjusting from studying to treating real patients, coping with working the night shift, having a good bedside manner doesn’t always come naturally, getting on the your co-workers and sexism.

Move over Bridget Jones, I found Violet Winters the quirkiest and funniest person ever, along with some memorable patients, her diverse friends, parents and supportive nurses and a handsome doctor it's a fantastic read and will literally have you in stitches.

Five stars from me and I highly recommend The Night Shift and yes it does get a little racy.