The Swell

by C.E. de Gzell

Finding love in the emergency room- where every heartbeat matters.

New intern, Dr Poppy Mason, doesn’t know if she has what it takes to survive The Bennelong Hospital Emergency Department, aka ‘the snake pit’. And it’s not just the patients she needs to be wary of. Dr Joshua Hunter, Registrar, is so handsome Poppy has to stop her jaw dropping the first time she sees him. But the tongue lashing he gives is not the kind she was hoping for. Despite his arrogance, the chemistry is undeniable, and they start a relationship. Poppy doesn’t know where she stands though, and finds refuge in friendship with Dr Will Charles. Will teaches her to surf as she heals from past trauma. Will she learn from the past or keep making the same mistakes? Will her friendship with Will ever blossom into something more? And will a decision that places her in direct conflict with one of the most powerful doctors in the hospital be one that she regrets?

The Swell is the debut novel by a doctor who knows what the emergency room is really like. For readers who enjoyed Grace under Pressure and Going Under.

Genres: Romance

373 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

Reviews

[Carrie Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of ER and The Pitt will love this book. Hosptial politics, medical emergencies and romantic entanglements combine to take the reader on a roller coaster of emotions. Gzell uses a delicate touch dealing with confronting issues, without shying away from the reality of the pressures of life. So much to love in this book!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!
Devoured the book in 48 hours (apologies to the author who would have spent years perfecting the storyline). The hero was a young woman just starting out in the male dominated medical profession. She was intelligent, competent, and sexually able.
A modern, humanistic and feminine version of House of God!
Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Poppy Mason is an intern at The Bennelong Hospital Emergency Department. Worried she doesn't have what it takes, she receives help and support from the very handsome Dr Will Charles as they both develop feelings for each other in the tumultuous life of young Doctors.

This was an Absolutely Stupendous Debut that I Wholly Enjoyed and recommend.

The writing was very Meticulously Executed with Attention to Detail that was Eloquently written. The Medical and Hospital Setting of the story was very familiar to me as I Revelled in the Medical hustle and bustle atmosphere that were presented.

Even though a work of fiction, the story felt very real by the the way that it was presented with Authenticity and Substance as I felt resonance and emotionally invested with the characters who were well developed and well thought out.

The romantic elements were a great way of incorporating the characters in a more intimate and engaging manner mixed together with the medical side of the story.

Can't wait for book two!!

Thank you @ce_degzell_ for the copy to review

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swell by CE de Gzell is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel that captures the highs, lows and traumas faced by young doctors in their first year of practicing medicine. Gzell’s prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into a world where the ocean becomes both a setting and symbol. The characters are vivid and complex, and their journeys feel both intimate and universal. The story moves with the rhythm of a wave, building tension, cresting with emotion, and leaving a lasting impact. It’s a deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and resilience. A stunning debut that lingers in the heart long after the final page.

[Lisa Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It centers around Poppy Mason, a medical student working in the Emergency Deptartment at a busy hospital in the inner west of Sydney. She lives with her two friends who are also medical students, and despite her busy schedule manages to have a very active social life! She meets Will Charles who helps her overcome past traumas through surfing. I loved the parts which detailed the different medical dramas Poppy encountered in the ER, which were really well written. The author is a doctor so this lends a lot of authenticity to the book. Poppy love life is also very intruiging and is brought to life against the backdrop of the vibrant neighbourhood of Newtown in Sydney. I am looking forward to the next book in the Poppy Mason series!

[BookBoyfriend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told entirely from Poppy’s POV, The Swell captures the raw highs and lows of life as a trainee doctor in a busy Sydney hospital. The hard themes hit with realism, the struggles Poppy has been through in life and her long shifts, self-doubt, and the struggle to find where she fits. The author makes the medical world feel vivid without being overwhelming. The clinical language is precise yet accessible, grounding the story and making you feel like you’re right there beside Poppy on the ward. I cannot express how amazing C.E. de Gzell is at completely immersing you in the busy Sydney hospital.
Against the chaos of the hospital is Will, her calm to the swell of life. Through Poppy’s eyes, he’s a deeply positive, steady presence, especially as he teaches her to surf, a quiet counterpoint to the pressure of medicine. The setting, from fluorescent corridors to open ocean, is beautifully drawn, and C.E. de Gzell excels at immersing the reader in both. It’s a thoughtful, emotionally grounded story about learning how to stay afloat in life, love, and work.

[BookishChic50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to get into at first. All the medical jargon made the book difficult for me, but it got better. I also had a hard time relating to Poppy, but once she got with Will she became more likeable as a character.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Swell. It’s a gripping account of Poppy’s first term as an intern, and all the drama (medical and romantic) that comes with it. It was very realistic and well written. It was hard to put down as I was so keen to find out what happened next. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Lisa J Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story of Poppy and her time as an intern at Bennelong Hospital in the Emergency Department. As we read and get to know her life and what makes her tick. Fantastic job, C.E de Gzell, you've got me hooked to read more in this series.

[Heidi Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down! The characters draw you in, and the story keeps you turning the pages. A contemporary medical drama (if you enjoy TV shows like The Pitt and ER, you’ll love this) with some spicy romance. I’m looking forward to Book 2 in the series!

[Nicole Gower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous debut novel following Poppy through her first year as an intern doctor. Filled with drama - both medical and romantic - this book takes you into the ER department and has you hooked from start to finish. A highly entertaining read with a good dose of spicy romance.

[Kate Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really really enjoyed this book. It was a great balance between work related drama as well as relationships, giving the reader that anticipation of wanting to know what happens next, and not wanting to put the book down. Can't wait for book #2!

[Karolien Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put the book down. Loved it and hope there is another soon!!!

[T || · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me a while to read due to personal reasons but.

Overall the writting etc was good aside from words like doona (im assuming this Australian slang???) And caff?? These are just immediate examples of terms. Maybe a break down page after dedication may help some non Australian readers understand the slang used.

The story overall seems very "work focused" and very doctor speak. What i mean by this is - the depthness of her work etc is what overshines the minority the book. There is only really a small percentage of the book of her life outside of work and its partying and sex. It isnt exploded / explained / depicted with the amount of depth her work place is.

I also didnt enjoy how she jumped between 2 men.
Overall this book wasn't what I was expecting and im sorry it did take me so long to do a review.

3 stars from me.

[JoAnna VanDorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

So Poppy is all about overwhelmed hospital staff. And anti sucide but when it comes to someone who isn’t part hospital staff she makes fun of his feelings and self doubt?? Like wow how freaking shallow can one person be. I mean she was my favorite FML as it is because of her non flattering ways and that just made her go higher on my list of worst FML. There was too much doctor talk and not enough life outside of work talk. Outside of work it was drinking and s3x. Work was details about patients coming in and oh he's hot I didn't like how she jumped from Josh to Will. She's sleeping with one but hanging out with the other wanting him to kiss her. Just to jump back in bed with the other. Fyi the one she's sleeping with treats her absolutely horrible but she's always there opening her legs. I was honestly disappointed in this book.
⭐⭐⭐ And an half stars
🌶️ Pepper just because they had sex a lot if as like a door cracked open. Not full of details but not a closed door either.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rather intriguing story about a new intern at Bennelong Emergency Hospital. This is the story of Poppy Mason. It is a romantic suspense type of story. As Poppy searches for love, she is also navigating the dangerous waters of being a new intern in the emergency department. This story gives you a look at the workings of the hospital, the emergency department, and the way new doctors are treated. When one of the young doctors commits suicide, Poppy challenges the system. The system fights back. A very interesting read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc and I am leaving the review voluntarily. The book really pulls you in right from the first chapter. The various situations inside and outside of the ER were well described throughout the book. The main character Poppy had some development throughout the book. I am interested to see how the story progresses.

[Polli.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic if you're a fan of medical fiction. There's detailed descriptions of working life in a hospital A&E with accurate and in depth patient scenarios, some comical, some devastating, courtesy of Poppy the new intern.

Not only is Poppy new to the Bennelong hospital, but she's still coming to terms with her sister's suicide and carries that loss deeply. It's a loss that leads her, after a colleague's suicide, to campaign for better conditions for trainee doctors.

It's a timely written story, filled with extensive medical details, and surfing, obviously written by a practitioner of both. It, I believe, is a first novel, and because of this lacks the expertise and experienced author could bring to it. Sometimes it falls flat, often lacks chemistry, other times it goes into extreme detail or long windedness or reads like a doctors instruction leaflet. But for the most it's a well written, interesting story. Maybe Poppy, the main MC, could be better developed, as could her love interest, Will. Or maybe I've just been reading too many books written from multiple POVs and like how I get to know book characters that way. I am sure, as the series develops, all theses minor problems will improve.

Anyways, overall The Swell is an interesting read, and a sweet love story complete with all of love's complexities, and if you love medical drama this is for you!

Given four stars for the amount of medical detail which I found fascinating!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly entertaining and humorous, shocking in parts and mixed with a perfect splash of spice (the naughty kind), I loved reading Gzell’s debut. A novel about the highs and lows of the ER through the eyes of Poppy, a doctor fresh out of med school. Poppy enjoys playing as hard in the bedroom as working in her demanding job. Gzell’s own experience as a medical doctor shows in the detail. Left wanting more - can’t wait for the sequel!

[Neg McN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t recommend this book highly enough. It was a real page turner and I read it over a weekend as I couldn’t put it down. I ended up quite invested in Poppy’s story. The descriptions of working in the ED and the medical procedures were eye opening. A story that is both fun and very moving at the same time. The author has done an excellent job in storytelling! I can’t wait for part 2.

[Joey Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Swell by C.E. Gzell is beautifully written and deeply moving. Poppy’s story is a must read for fans of medical drama & romance. Can’t wait for book 2!