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The Vet Upstairs

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In the enchanting city of Istanbul, where ancient history blends seamlessly with modern life, a chance encounter with a furry friend sets the stage for an unforgettable romantic comedy. When Celia, an ambitious young woman on a short-term work assignment, moves into her cozy apartment, she quickly befriends a charming street cat. Little does she know that this feline fluffball is about to become her unlikely matchmaker.

As Celia navigates the challenges of her new life in a foreign city, the cat's comical antics and endearing ways lead her to a neighbor like no other—a handsome veterinarian named Enes. With each visit to Enes’s clinic, Celia finds herself drawn not only to his expertise with animals but also to his warm smile and kind heart. But can the mischievous cat's clever interventions truly bring these two lonely hearts together, or are there more surprises in store than they ever imagined?

"The Vet Upstairs" is a heartwarming tale of love, laughter, and the unexpected connections that can change our lives. Join Celia and Enes, as they discover that love can bloom in the most unexpected places...especially when there's a feline matchmaker on the prowl.

101 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2023

69 people are currently reading
294 people want to read

About the author

K.C. McCormick Çiftçi

16 books33 followers
KC McCormick Çiftçi is an English teacher turned romance writer. She is from Michigan, but spent the majority of her twenties living and working abroad, collecting the experiences that inform the stories she tells. She enjoys telling multicultural and international love stories through sweet romance, romantic comedy, and women’s fiction. She lives in Turkey with her husband and a herd of cats.

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5 stars
53 (21%)
4 stars
90 (36%)
3 stars
81 (32%)
2 stars
23 (9%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
Profile Image for girlwithhearteyes.
1,685 reviews223 followers
September 13, 2024
3.75 stars

MVP of this story was the cute little street cat!

Celia (the FMC) is on a temporary work contract in Istanbul, and is quickly adopted by a stray cat. Enes (the MMC) is her upstairs neighbour and conveniently also a vet.

I really enjoyed this novella — it had feel-good vibes and a surprisingly grounded plotline. Celia’s dilemma about having a fulfilling career but missing real connections felt realistic. The ending was HFN but felt right for the story.
Profile Image for Eurynome.
192 reviews
July 25, 2025
A lively and charming novella set in Istanbul, with vivid glimpses of everyday life in the city. The portrayal of Istanbul feels authentic and engaging. It’s a fun and quick read, and it even features cats, which adds to its charm.
🐈🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛
Profile Image for Nikita Decruy.
75 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 stars

Theme: forced proximity.

Such a cute, fun, short read. Celia travels to Istanbul for a 6 month contract and within her first 48 hours meets a furry friend, she feeds her and takes care of her. Eventually this cat adopts Celia and they fall into a comfortable living situation (although not what she planned).

Her upstairs neighbour is a vet and upon meeting each other they start slowly falling in love (or is it at first sight?)

Wont spoil anything about the book but go read it!
Profile Image for Ambri Hutchins.
212 reviews3 followers
August 20, 2024
Such a cute lighthearted short romance. It was adorable!
Definitely recommend as a quick read if you enjoy short romance stories❤️
Profile Image for Carolyn Vandine West.
886 reviews36 followers
July 31, 2024
Cute little novella. If you like sweet, clean short stories with a kitty thrown in, this is a book for you. This is a first read for me by this author. But I liked it, went fast and was fun.
Celia is a free lancing agent, I guess you would call her. She has always enjoyed traveling and visiting other countries for a short time with her assignments. However she has been restless lately. Thinking about putting down roots, it is made easier when a sweet cat “adopts” her. She’s never been able to have anything living, not even a plant, because of her travels.
So when she decides she might want to stay in Istanbul, it works well to discover her cute neighbor upstairs is a vet. He assures her that the kitty cat has no owner, but thinks she would like one.
Set in Turkey if you have any challenges to read book in other countries. I did receive a free copy of this ebook, but unfortunately didn’t mark down where I got it. This did not affect my review which is my opinion.
Profile Image for Lisa (Two Bookish Brits).
907 reviews166 followers
December 31, 2024
What a great way to end my reading challenge.

This was a cute, quick read that supplied all the feels.

Celia is used to travelling with her job but when that job ends up with her in Istanbul she’s really starting to feel like she’s missing out on something. Especially when the stray cat adopts her and won’t leave her alone. She becomes besotted with the cute little kitty and from there on, she starts realising what she’s missing.

It doesn’t hurt that the local vet is kind and caring and easy on the eyes either.

Celia slowly beings to start wanting more from life and we get to see that play out in this short but sweet book.

This is my first read from this author but if their other books are as good as this I’ll be reading more.
Profile Image for Karla.
420 reviews8 followers
April 22, 2025
What's not to love about a book with a cat?  The love story might not be the focus here, but rather it's about Celia being at a crossroads in her life.  To settle or not to settle?  To put roots or to uproot?  I was once at that crossroads and I empathized with her so much.  One must realize that home is really where the heart is, it's sometimes not just the place but the people (and animals) you are with.  If you are looking for a love story between humans this is not it, because it just gives you the beginnings of one (and I'm not really sure if it has the potential of a lasting one😅), but it is a love story between a girl and a cat, and it's just a cute short novella that I enjoyed🙂
Profile Image for Jordan.
Author 1 book19 followers
December 11, 2025
this was such a sweet, feel good novella.

The the little street cat, Badem, was the true MC of this book, and i loved every second of it.

I really enjoy the chemistry between Enes and Celia. The relationship growth, build up and just overall vibes of them felt very realistic but still “dreamy.”

I could have absolutely read a full length book about these three, but it ended in a HFN that felt like the perfect conclusion to their story.
4,538 reviews29 followers
June 23, 2025
Likeable characters and a charming story.
18 reviews
July 10, 2025
I enjoyed this book and loved that it wasn't insta love. loved that it was set in Turkey ❤️
Profile Image for Hannah.
361 reviews
September 7, 2024
This was a cute, relatively quick read, but I didn't love it. The pacing felt a bit slow - there was no progress in the romance or in Celia's professional life until the very last chapter and I got a little bored with her. I also would have liked a dual POV so that we could get Enes' thoughts and feelings, and seen more of Istanbul from a local's perspective.
Profile Image for Alice Stellar.
200 reviews4 followers
October 27, 2024
Too short and too sweet.

If I could, I'd give this book 2.5 stars.

I thought that this novella would be a cute romcom with a cat (always a bonus) that would let me get to know Istanbul a bit, as well. In some ways, all of those things are in the story, but, aside from the cat, in small doses. I came out of it learning a little about Istanbul and Turkish culture, but not nearly enough to make me feel transported. But the biggest letdown was all of the relationships in this book - not a good weak point when it comes to a romance.

I get that in order to really show that our heroine Celia is finally tempted to quit her job that makes her travel at least twice a year, the author needs us to see that she's put down roots and made connections with people. But they all just come so easily, from a chatty girl at the business she's evaluating, to our romantic lead's mother. But worst of all was our love interest, Enes.

There are absolutely no stakes here. None at all. Enes is a nice guy who seemingly has no secrets and no flaws, and yet, no current or seemingly important past relationships. It would have been so easy for the author to have created some kind of conflict even with a character like this - I was expecting, say, some kind of misunderstanding due to culture or language. But no, among his many perfect qualities, Enes speaks English not only fluently, but like a native. I've rarely read a book where the language and culture of a character is simultaneously a big detail and yet totally brushed aside. There are no misunderstandings, no confusing moments, nothing.

I don't necessarily need romances to be full of drama - in fact, too much drama can often feel like a slog. But this book tipped the other way for me. There was little suspense, aside from Celia's often repeated and repetitive musings about her career and choices and what she should do now. Everything and everyone else was so easy that for me, the story became totally uninteresting and unbelievable. I ended up skimming through a lot of it.

Even our cute cat Badem is just TOO cute. No sometimes annoying cat antics or quirks, except for adorable ones. I say this as a cat lover/borderline crazy cat lady who's lived with cats all of my life. Part of living with cats are those little quirky moments, and even the most adorable, loving, affectionate cats I've had have had a few of those.

Speaking of cats, I also felt like excessive amounts of time are spent discussing Badem's vet visits and preparing for them in detail, etc. Not in a veterinary knowledge way, but just practical stuff like, "Oh someone will have to watch Badem." and then having our two main characters discuss and plan about this for a very long time (in a very practical, no subtext way), especially considering this is a novella.

I think "The Vet Upstairs" could be a good read if you are in a time of stress where you want something comforting to read, and absolutely no content, and not even really anything much to broaden your horizons, aside from the occasional very small detail or mention of a place (don't worry about this taking place in Istanbul - it more or less could take place just about anywhere, despite the author having ties to Turkey).

Still, I can't totally hate this book. I think that it probably has provided lots of comfort and good moments to readers, which is admirable. And I also think it's a good foundation for what could be expanded into a really good romance novel. I wish the author had put this novella in a drawer for a while, and then taken it out and found ways to expand on so many of its characters, potential conflicts, plotlines, descriptions, and sense of place.
Profile Image for Jaclyn.
2,576 reviews5 followers
July 5, 2025
adorable! I love the cat and I love how central she was to the story. I also love how the MMC kinda just fell into co-parenting the cat with the FMC.

i only wish there was a bit more to the romance. when

also the central conflict about Celia not planning to stay beyond her six month contract felt resolved a bit too easily.

finally, and I admit it's nit-picky, but while I admire the level of detail about cat care, that just made the little snags (at least from my POV) more obvious:
Profile Image for Bana AZ.
536 reviews51 followers
September 26, 2024
There were great people everywhere. Terrible people everywhere, too. But the soul connections, the friends who fit into your life like they were meant to be there? Those were the rarest of gems, and they deserved to be treasured as such.

Synopsis:
Celia just arrived in Istanbul for a six-month work contract. She meets an adorably clingy cat who she decides to call Bedam. Good thing for the cat, a vet lives inside her building. And good thing for Celia, Enes the vet is really attractive.

What I thought:
This was such a cute and wholesome little novella! I was smiling the whole time reading it because it was just lovely. None of the characters were annoying, the MMC was full of green flags, and the cat was adorable and essential to the love story. This just made me feel so warm and happy, but I also wanted just a little more.

I actually read the whole thing during a four hour bus ride. It was a perfect palate cleanser. I’m glad I got it during a Stuff Your Kindle day and I feel really lucky that I randomly got this. I’ll be checking out this author’s other works for sure.

Other quotes I like:
“If people could just live where they wanted to live and work where they wanted to work, things like immigration and taxes wouldn’t be as complicated as they were.”

Profile Image for Colleen.
520 reviews1 follower
July 25, 2025
Stuff your kindle, free

Who lives in Istanbul for 6 months and sits on the couch and watches “The Office” in the evenings instead of exploring the city? Celia and Enes and Bedam the cat. It was disappointing as a reader that we got two sentences about the sites in Istanbul. We could have explored this beautiful city through the characters eyes. Instead we got Netflix and chill with no action. I’m more than okay with the G-PG spice level but I wanted some of the rich, spicy culture of Turkey (food, architecture, people etc).

Felt like this book was the outline and not the flushed out, details included, finished version. It was so quick and brushes over so many of the details. I see it is a Novella so that explains why it took me an hour or so to read. However, we got more of Celia’s thought on her loneliness and decision whether to stay or go than we did about her feelings towards Enes. Get a job and stay if that’s what you want to do. Quit flip flopping.

Bedam the cat was the best part. We got more of Celia’s feelings on him than on Enes. Made me want to get a cat.

Overall, super quick read. Past the time waiting for the oil change in my van. Recommend if you are looking for a bland, quick read. Don’t be followed by promises of Istanbul and Turkey.
Profile Image for Randi Sampson.
1,756 reviews92 followers
October 17, 2023
I'm honestly not the biggest cat person, but there was just something really sweet about this cat who drew two strangers together. Truly, the cat stole the show and really made the book so good! It was cozy and warm and had me smiling from start to finish. I don't know a lot about Turkish culture (okay, more like I knew absolutely nothing...) so it was really fun to get a little glimpse at that too. And these characters? They were just the sweetest! I loved their connection. It was a bit of a slow burn... but it was also a very quick read (short enough to enjoy in just one sitting), so we still don't have to wait too long! Despite it's shorter length, it really did feel like it was complete. I definitely would have enjoyed spending more time with these characters, sure, but it also didn't feel like it was rushed or anything. If you love matchmaking cats and are looking for a fun new read, definitely consider this one! I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.

The Vet Upstairs is a closed-door romance with kisses only. There are just a couple of minor swears.

**I received an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.
419 reviews9 followers
April 29, 2025
This story was made for me. My husband and I, have been learning the beautiful Turkish language and have been rabidly devouring Turkish content…from reading Orhan Pamuk to watching three Turkish TV show a week. We also have been missing our sweet baby girl, Sass, who we lost this last year. Sass, like Badem of this book adopted us. She pushed her way into our house and warmed herself in spot deep in our hearts.

This story is as much about falling love with a cat and Istanbul as it is with Celia’s veterinarian upstairs neighbor. The story is also about a woman who after being a vagabond and taking short term contracts around the world is finally ready to put down some roots.

This was written as part of a series involving the cats of Istanbul and I notice the author has also written two books in a Austen in Turkey series…I will definitely be checking both out. The Vet Upstairs was VERY light on romance and more about the cat and a young woman making some big life changes, it won’t be for everyone…but I think if you have been owned by a cat (or like cats), you will like this story.
Profile Image for Elaine Coghlan .
1,491 reviews14 followers
October 18, 2023
The Vet Upstairs ~ Cats of Istanbul#1 by KC McCormick Ciftci
Blurb:
"The Vet Upstairs" is a heartwarming tale of love, laughter, and the unexpected connections that can change our lives. Join Celia and Enes, as they discover that love can bloom in the most unexpected places...especially when there's a feline matchmaker on the prowl.
A fantastic story, that has been written very well, the storyline was great, the character work was fantastic and the book had a smooth flow to it. I was kept entertained from beginning to end. The author has given us characters that we can care about.
Profile Image for Marie.
816 reviews16 followers
October 20, 2023
Working in Istanbul is a chance for Celia to experience the ancient city and explore new things she never thought she'd do. After falling for a stray cat her life explodes with the comical exploits this tiny animal puts her through. Enes is a local vet who also happens to be her neighbour, bringing these two together. Can they help each other to not only to smile again but maybe even find romance. This is an easy book to read and funny I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC copy and this is my own honest opinion and review
Profile Image for Reagan Williams.
178 reviews
July 25, 2024
Celia doesn’t spend more than 6 months at a time in her job. She’s busy traveling the country and living her best life, until something catches her attention… a cat! When the cat doesn’t leave her side, she decides maybe she does need a cat friend! How ironic that the hot next door neighbor is a vet… Maybe this cat will keep her put for more than a few months. Or will it be the hot neighbor?

Overall, it was a cute a short novella, but it didn’t do anything exciting or overly cute to catch my attention.
Profile Image for Bee.
137 reviews15 followers
July 27, 2024
This was such a cute novella.

Celia works for herself as a contractor and never stays in one spot, as her contracts usually last six months.

After she lands a new contract in Instanbul with a new apartment, Celia is bombarded with a furry companion. Celia ends up getting the cat spayed at a vet recommended by one of the other tenants in her building.

Little does she know the cat is going to make her feel like something is missing from her life and raise new questions on what "home" truly is.
July 5, 2025
This book gave me exactly the cute, fluffy energy I needed!

A new city, a charming street cat, and a hot vet upstairs honestly, Celia’s life sounds chaotic in the best way possible. I loved how the story captures the vibe of Istanbul, mixing the old-world charm with fun modern romance.

The chemistry between Celia and Enes felt so natural, and the cat totally stole the show as cats do 😼. It’s one of those comforting, easy reads that leaves you smiling perfect for rom-com lovers and anyone who believes cats secretly run the world.
Profile Image for Andy.
1,910 reviews
April 18, 2025
This was a charming novella. Both Celia and Enes are sweethearts. I loved getting to see Istanbul through Celia eyes as she settles in. Badem is adorable as well. I loved that the cat basically adopts her. I could have used some more interaction between Enes and Celia but with a novella I recognize that is difficult. All in all, I am happy that I read this book and hope to read more by this author.
Profile Image for Manjima Chatterjee.
97 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2025
Just loved the short and cute story!! I practically smiled throughout... everytime anything related to Badem was there(which was a lott!!) and the "Vet's" wide grin !! omg...swooning!! the vivid description of him cuddling and snuggling Badem just got my heart mushy 🥹💞 Apartment from that Celia's thoughts and situation was very realistic and practical! Them hugging for the first time was just soooo adorable! Wish I could have more of them...Such a cute and lovely story!!b💖🥹🫶🏻
Profile Image for Audrey.
302 reviews9 followers
October 17, 2023
🌟ARC Review🌟

The Vet Upstairs by KC McCormick Çiftçi was a cute quick story about Celia who moves to Istanbul for a 6-month contract. She befriends a neighborhood cat and the local vet, Enes who lives just upstairs in the same apartment building and she starts questioning her goals. This book was short and sweet. This is my second book by KC McCormick Çiftçi and I will definitely read more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
21 reviews
October 22, 2024
Charming!

I very much enjoyed reading this book. It's almost as if Baden, the little stray kitten, had magical powers or great insight to know to bring Enes and Celia together. The Istanbul location was an added treat. Sweet storyline that gave the two humans time to grow their relationship.
Profile Image for Sara Donahue.
139 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2025
2.7/5? As you can see, it took me forever to read. It wasn’t a bad book though! It was cute, just didn’t peak my interest. A corporate girly who travels around the world for work falls in love with a cat who then makes her fall in love with her neighbor vet which makes her second guess putting down roots in one city to stay with the two of them. Like I said, cute, but nothing crazy exciting.
Profile Image for Caitlin Stover.
131 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2025
3.5⭐
Cute and sweet fast-paced short story, though predictable. I do wish the pacing was better to give a better representation of the time they spent together. The first half of the book was the first few days she was in Istanbul and the rest of her 6 months was crammed into the last half of the book.
Profile Image for Victoria Rodriguez.
88 reviews
May 3, 2025
3.75 🌟This was such a cute and fast read. I love how the author made the cat, Badem, a big part of the storyline. She was so cute 🥹 This was a well-written story and I genuinely had a great time reading it! I feel like this love story felt very realistic and very sweet! I also enjoyed learning about some of the cultural elements related to Turkey!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews

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