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Under Southern Stars
She survived a toxic marriage, a brutal divorce, and the chaos of the ER. Her heart? Flatlined. Love? Marked DNR.
Emergency department nurse Sophia Mitchell has made it through the single motherhood, long shifts in one of the country’s busiest ERs, and a man who nearly broke her. Now she’s built walls around her heart strong enough to stop a trauma team. And she has exactly zero interest in letting anyone past them.
Especially not the charming New Zealand paramedic whose radio flirtations are making her question everything she knows about keeping men at a safe distance.
Jack McKenzie wasn't supposed to be more than another EMT dropping off patients at Metro General. But his coffee deliveries, his easy way with her fifteen-year-old daughter Madison, and an accent that does dangerous things to her pulse are slowly dismantling every defense she's built. When he invites them to New Zealand for spring break, Sophia takes the biggest leap of faith since signing her divorce papers.
What she discovers halfway around the world changes everything.
Jack isn't just a paramedic with perfect coffee skills—he's Jackson Charles McKenzie, heir to a wine empire and owner of a vineyard estate that belongs in a travel magazine. Standing in his family's mansion, watching his mother assess her like a lab specimen, Sophia realizes she's made the same mistake falling for a man who's been playing a carefully edited version of himself.
But when her toxic ex-husband escalates his campaign of psychological warfare, Sophia discovers Jack has been quietly protecting Madison from threats she never knew existed. Now she faces an impossible trust the man who deceived her, or lose the only person who's ever made her feel truly seen.
From Metro General's controlled chaos to Central Otago's breathtaking vineyards, this is a story about second chances, the courage to trust again, and discovering that sometimes the biggest risk is letting someone see all of you—scars, walls, and all.
Emergency department nurse Sophia Mitchell has made it through the single motherhood, long shifts in one of the country’s busiest ERs, and a man who nearly broke her. Now she’s built walls around her heart strong enough to stop a trauma team. And she has exactly zero interest in letting anyone past them.
Especially not the charming New Zealand paramedic whose radio flirtations are making her question everything she knows about keeping men at a safe distance.
Jack McKenzie wasn't supposed to be more than another EMT dropping off patients at Metro General. But his coffee deliveries, his easy way with her fifteen-year-old daughter Madison, and an accent that does dangerous things to her pulse are slowly dismantling every defense she's built. When he invites them to New Zealand for spring break, Sophia takes the biggest leap of faith since signing her divorce papers.
What she discovers halfway around the world changes everything.
Jack isn't just a paramedic with perfect coffee skills—he's Jackson Charles McKenzie, heir to a wine empire and owner of a vineyard estate that belongs in a travel magazine. Standing in his family's mansion, watching his mother assess her like a lab specimen, Sophia realizes she's made the same mistake falling for a man who's been playing a carefully edited version of himself.
But when her toxic ex-husband escalates his campaign of psychological warfare, Sophia discovers Jack has been quietly protecting Madison from threats she never knew existed. Now she faces an impossible trust the man who deceived her, or lose the only person who's ever made her feel truly seen.
From Metro General's controlled chaos to Central Otago's breathtaking vineyards, this is a story about second chances, the courage to trust again, and discovering that sometimes the biggest risk is letting someone see all of you—scars, walls, and all.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
395 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
December 22, 2025
3.75🌟
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that encompasses the drama of an ER, the life of a busy hospital or a paramedic, our emergency services are really impressive, blue hearts indeed! I was reminded of tv shows such as Casualty, ER, Chicago med etc but I can’t think of a single book, and I’m pleased to say it worked really well and is the first in a series that I’ll look forward to reading more from.
There’s quite a lot going on in the story, part love story, part medical drama and covers a lot of family dilemmas that I really enjoyed.
The narration was lovely, the writing aswell, and the author duly dedicates the work to the frontline hero’s. I appreciated it all.
Huge thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that encompasses the drama of an ER, the life of a busy hospital or a paramedic, our emergency services are really impressive, blue hearts indeed! I was reminded of tv shows such as Casualty, ER, Chicago med etc but I can’t think of a single book, and I’m pleased to say it worked really well and is the first in a series that I’ll look forward to reading more from.
There’s quite a lot going on in the story, part love story, part medical drama and covers a lot of family dilemmas that I really enjoyed.
The narration was lovely, the writing aswell, and the author duly dedicates the work to the frontline hero’s. I appreciated it all.
Huge thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧
August 17, 2025
3-3.5⭐️ Under the Southern Stars was a good, easy read with some charming moments, though I found myself wanting a bit more in a few areas. The romance leans more toward insta-love or insta-attraction, and while that can work, I would’ve loved to see a slower buildup between Jack and Sophia to make their emotional connection feel deeper.
I appreciated the inclusion of nursing in the story and thought it was handled well and respectfully. The main conflict, centered on Jack hiding his wealthy background, felt a little overblown. It didn’t seem like a betrayal—money doesn’t define a person, and it felt like something that could’ve been solved with a conversation. I get that Sophia had walls up from her past, but it felt a bit one-sided considering Jack had baggage too.
The pacing was occasionally slow, but overall, it was still enjoyable and had enough heart to keep me engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated the inclusion of nursing in the story and thought it was handled well and respectfully. The main conflict, centered on Jack hiding his wealthy background, felt a little overblown. It didn’t seem like a betrayal—money doesn’t define a person, and it felt like something that could’ve been solved with a conversation. I get that Sophia had walls up from her past, but it felt a bit one-sided considering Jack had baggage too.
The pacing was occasionally slow, but overall, it was still enjoyable and had enough heart to keep me engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2025
One of my favorite stories, this book has amazing characters! Realistic ED setting, as an ED nurse, couldn’t be more accurate of a description on the work environment, you thought there was drama in high school…
January 25, 2026
I loved the ER setting and the whole nurse/paramedic vibe, and I appreciated how much heart the story had, especially with Sophia balancing work, motherhood, and healing from a toxic past. Jack was definitely charming too.
But the romance felt a little too fast and insta for my taste, and the “secret rich guy” twist honestly felt like unnecessary drama that could’ve been solved with one real conversation. The pacing also dragged in spots, so it didn’t have that can’t put it down energy.
Overall, it’s sweet and has its moments, but I wanted more depth. This took me a while to get through and I felt like there was some really unnecessary parts.
But the romance felt a little too fast and insta for my taste, and the “secret rich guy” twist honestly felt like unnecessary drama that could’ve been solved with one real conversation. The pacing also dragged in spots, so it didn’t have that can’t put it down energy.
Overall, it’s sweet and has its moments, but I wanted more depth. This took me a while to get through and I felt like there was some really unnecessary parts.
August 15, 2025
Could Not Stop Reading
I am am avid reader of crime/mystery books, but sometimes I like to break free with something less intense. While there wasn't any murder to solve or criminal to chase, Cari Blake brought her own level of intensity to print in Under Southern Stars. I literally had to put my Kindle down while reading to let my emotions reset whether it be due to a steamy encounter between Sophia and Jack or because of how completely insane Troy is with his views on women (poor Madison). The story does include medical situations, but they are basic enough for people outside of the medical field to understand.
I've already recommended and shared this book with friends and family!
On to book 2!
I am am avid reader of crime/mystery books, but sometimes I like to break free with something less intense. While there wasn't any murder to solve or criminal to chase, Cari Blake brought her own level of intensity to print in Under Southern Stars. I literally had to put my Kindle down while reading to let my emotions reset whether it be due to a steamy encounter between Sophia and Jack or because of how completely insane Troy is with his views on women (poor Madison). The story does include medical situations, but they are basic enough for people outside of the medical field to understand.
I've already recommended and shared this book with friends and family!
On to book 2!
November 24, 2025
This was SO promising! I LOVE when I discover an indie author, who never actually planned to be an author, and writes characters from their field with such accuracy and faithfulness. However, this debut was soooo unmistakably a debut. It fell into all the usual trappings: uneven pacing, repetitiveness, awkward exposition forced into scenes… but I can still see potential for me to continue enjoying this author’s work. Onto the next one!
January 14, 2026
I listened to the audio for this one and I'm scoring it a 3 stars too. There were a few glitches in the audio, the beginning and end of most POV's were cut for a second and I didn't hear the first or last word. Whether from my download from NetGalley or the actual audio is like that, I don't know.
The female voice was good, I liked her accents (5 stars). The male accent was good when he spoke with the New Zealand accent, but not so much with the others, he did however laugh, grunt and make all the amazing sounds that make an audio fun to listen to (4 stars).
As for the plot it was a great story, but the writing began to be quite repetitive from 50% on wards (and I am not talking about the repeat we have in the scene when we change POV's, I get that it was needed, that was ok). The chapter endings were very similar; the inner thoughts from both characters were very similar; the last chapters were extremely repetitive; all their justifications were repeated in two or three chapters, it was like they had nothing new to say - it was the same lingo every time (and all this raises my suspicion that AI was used).
This is not a clean romance, there are quite a few intimate scenes and F bombs, so if this is not your thing this book is not for you. But if it is, you will enjoy this story.
Tkank you NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book and review it.
The female voice was good, I liked her accents (5 stars). The male accent was good when he spoke with the New Zealand accent, but not so much with the others, he did however laugh, grunt and make all the amazing sounds that make an audio fun to listen to (4 stars).
As for the plot it was a great story, but the writing began to be quite repetitive from 50% on wards (and I am not talking about the repeat we have in the scene when we change POV's, I get that it was needed, that was ok). The chapter endings were very similar; the inner thoughts from both characters were very similar; the last chapters were extremely repetitive; all their justifications were repeated in two or three chapters, it was like they had nothing new to say - it was the same lingo every time (and all this raises my suspicion that AI was used).
This is not a clean romance, there are quite a few intimate scenes and F bombs, so if this is not your thing this book is not for you. But if it is, you will enjoy this story.
Tkank you NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book and review it.
August 31, 2025
Ok I need to go to New Zealand now lol the descriptions of nature, landmarks, animals in the book was amazing! And the wine sounds great too.
The romance was quite sweet as well and the spice great. The side characters were all cute too especially jacks sisters.
I loved that the main character was a single mom divorced - I don’t think that gets much representation in romance. I think the book did a great job of showing the sacrifices and struggles of the single mom but also how rewarding it can be.
Definitely recommend for my romance girlies!
The romance was quite sweet as well and the spice great. The side characters were all cute too especially jacks sisters.
I loved that the main character was a single mom divorced - I don’t think that gets much representation in romance. I think the book did a great job of showing the sacrifices and struggles of the single mom but also how rewarding it can be.
Definitely recommend for my romance girlies!
October 21, 2025
I have never connected with characters the way I did in this book. Cari Blake doesn’t just tell a story—she breathes life into it. From the very first page, Sophia and Jack felt like real people I knew and cared about, and by the end, I was completely lost in their world.
What truly sets this book apart is the authenticity. Cari’s real-life experience as an ER nurse shines through in every medical scene. The realism, the emotion, the chaos—it all feels so genuine that you can practically hear the monitors beeping and feel the adrenaline rush. It’s not just detail for the sake of it; it’s lived experience, and it gives the story an incredible depth and intensity.
And then there’s the setting. Her descriptions of New Zealand are absolutely breathtaking. The landscapes, the culture, the tiny sensory details—every bit of it is written with such precision and love that I felt like I’d been transported there myself.
Under Southern Stars isn’t just a romance—it’s an experience. Cari Blake has officially become an auto-buy author for me. The emotion, the realism, the vivid descriptions—this book had it all. I’m already counting down the days until book two.
What truly sets this book apart is the authenticity. Cari’s real-life experience as an ER nurse shines through in every medical scene. The realism, the emotion, the chaos—it all feels so genuine that you can practically hear the monitors beeping and feel the adrenaline rush. It’s not just detail for the sake of it; it’s lived experience, and it gives the story an incredible depth and intensity.
And then there’s the setting. Her descriptions of New Zealand are absolutely breathtaking. The landscapes, the culture, the tiny sensory details—every bit of it is written with such precision and love that I felt like I’d been transported there myself.
Under Southern Stars isn’t just a romance—it’s an experience. Cari Blake has officially become an auto-buy author for me. The emotion, the realism, the vivid descriptions—this book had it all. I’m already counting down the days until book two.
November 13, 2025
STEM FMC: ER nurse. STEM MMC: paramedic
They are medical professionals and there is no discussion of safety or prevention before diving right in to sex?!
It’s a bit repetitive and the pacing is off. Within a couple weeks of dating he’s trying to give his last name to her daughter? Nope! As a teenage daughter of a single mom who dated while I was in high school, I would have thrown a fit if one of her boyfriends tried to come in like my new dad after them dating for less than a month. Not appropriate.
They are medical professionals and there is no discussion of safety or prevention before diving right in to sex?!
It’s a bit repetitive and the pacing is off. Within a couple weeks of dating he’s trying to give his last name to her daughter? Nope! As a teenage daughter of a single mom who dated while I was in high school, I would have thrown a fit if one of her boyfriends tried to come in like my new dad after them dating for less than a month. Not appropriate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
Thank you to Cari Blake, Victory Editing, and Netgalley for the ARC. My review is voluntary and the opinions are mine.
I love romances. This was one of the best I have read in a while. The characters of Sophia and Jack were interesting in the careers. Their path to HEA was not smooth, but that real. Add in the characters of Sophia's daughter Madison and all of Jack's family to bring some entertainment value. I look forward to reading the next book by this fantastic author!
I love romances. This was one of the best I have read in a while. The characters of Sophia and Jack were interesting in the careers. Their path to HEA was not smooth, but that real. Add in the characters of Sophia's daughter Madison and all of Jack's family to bring some entertainment value. I look forward to reading the next book by this fantastic author!
September 14, 2025
A great read from a debut (and local) author!
Really enjoyed the glimpse into ER nurse/paramedic life, the New Zealand/vineyard setting and the relatable aspects of a budding romance with the perfect amount of predictability.
Really enjoyed the glimpse into ER nurse/paramedic life, the New Zealand/vineyard setting and the relatable aspects of a budding romance with the perfect amount of predictability.
September 19, 2025
Obsessed with Jack!!
This book makes you feel so connected to the characters! I love the description of New Zealand and all the new medical terms I learned. But the best was the relationships and learning that true love always comes out on top!
This book makes you feel so connected to the characters! I love the description of New Zealand and all the new medical terms I learned. But the best was the relationships and learning that true love always comes out on top!
December 31, 2025
It started off really strong. I am not in the medical field but appreciated the knowledge that was woven into the story. The medical scenes felt very lifelike and had me completely immersed. I also loved how the romance starts off with the cute moments shared between Jack and Sophia at work and over the radio. I immediately started messaging all of my friends in the medical field to add this to their TBR. I had such high hopes for this book and was all in at the beginning of the story. I wasn’t a huge fan of the instalove but I’m always willing to give the book a chance if the plot can make up for it.
Unfortunately the book started to go way downhill very quickly. As the story progressed, the author’s writing became more and more lazy. Cari Blake does a lot of telling and very little showing. One major example of this is the ex-husband, Troy. Instead of taking the time to actually write in scenes that show how he might be a toxic parent/ex-husband she instead just has him spew direct dialogue that is beyond overly dramatized. I think what’s worse is that this author clearly chose a widely inaccurate stereotype of someone from a community who obviously has differing thoughts and opinions than her own. Anytime she would do this - which was often - it would completely throw me out of the story. You would think that authors would know by now that if they are intent on sending a message then it has to be done in a way that flows with the story and gives the reader a chance to have an open mind to what the writer is trying to convey. Lazy writers such as Cari Blake only achieve to cut their audience in half while contributing to the demonization of other communities with their overly inflated, inaccurate rhetoric that only further divides our nation. Seriously, we are stepping into 2026, have we not figured out how to evolve past this? Thankfully lazy writers like her are easy to see through and only accomplish creating an echo chamber for a small population of readers. I truly tried to look past this in the beginning but eventually it started to become a major focal point in the story and eventually I just lost interest all together. It’s almost like Blake lost sight of what she was actually trying to achieve here. Then we get to the conflict between Jack and Sophia and again, it was kinda just lazy writing… it was like, really? That’s it? It was very… underwhelming.
Needless to say, I will not be recommending this book to others.
I received an ALC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. All thoughts are my own.
Narrated in duel POV by Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner. Arya Jacob’s did a lovely job with her narration. I think Kieran Rayner struggled to switch up his voices for the other characters. I think he would do better with duet narration.
Unfortunately the book started to go way downhill very quickly. As the story progressed, the author’s writing became more and more lazy. Cari Blake does a lot of telling and very little showing. One major example of this is the ex-husband, Troy. Instead of taking the time to actually write in scenes that show how he might be a toxic parent/ex-husband she instead just has him spew direct dialogue that is beyond overly dramatized. I think what’s worse is that this author clearly chose a widely inaccurate stereotype of someone from a community who obviously has differing thoughts and opinions than her own. Anytime she would do this - which was often - it would completely throw me out of the story. You would think that authors would know by now that if they are intent on sending a message then it has to be done in a way that flows with the story and gives the reader a chance to have an open mind to what the writer is trying to convey. Lazy writers such as Cari Blake only achieve to cut their audience in half while contributing to the demonization of other communities with their overly inflated, inaccurate rhetoric that only further divides our nation. Seriously, we are stepping into 2026, have we not figured out how to evolve past this? Thankfully lazy writers like her are easy to see through and only accomplish creating an echo chamber for a small population of readers. I truly tried to look past this in the beginning but eventually it started to become a major focal point in the story and eventually I just lost interest all together. It’s almost like Blake lost sight of what she was actually trying to achieve here. Then we get to the conflict between Jack and Sophia and again, it was kinda just lazy writing… it was like, really? That’s it? It was very… underwhelming.
Needless to say, I will not be recommending this book to others.
I received an ALC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions. All thoughts are my own.
Narrated in duel POV by Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner. Arya Jacob’s did a lovely job with her narration. I think Kieran Rayner struggled to switch up his voices for the other characters. I think he would do better with duet narration.
May 2, 2026
It started off strong loved that she's a nurse that she was divorced and a single mom.. I thought after reading the blurb that she would be harder to catch I thought their would be more angst. They got together quickly. Idk the whole situation with the father didn't make sense either. They forever kept mentioning ticktok that gave me the ick.
August 8, 2025
A Gritty Romance....with a Kiwi Twist
I read a lot of these and it got me to laugh out loud, tear up, get mad and get turned on several times. Win x 4. I loved all of the emergency response details and I learned a lot about New Zealand, too! Finished this book in a day or so at the beach, so good, I just kept going!
I read a lot of these and it got me to laugh out loud, tear up, get mad and get turned on several times. Win x 4. I loved all of the emergency response details and I learned a lot about New Zealand, too! Finished this book in a day or so at the beach, so good, I just kept going!
April 14, 2026
Under Southern Stars by Cari Blake (2025)
Code Blue Hearts #1
10h 5m narrated by Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner, 334 pages
334-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-319
Genre: Medical Romance
Rating as a movie: NC-17 or XX for sexual content depending on editing
Featuring: Preface Content Warning - Emotional Reality of Working in Emergency Medicine, Contains Intense Emergency Situations That May Be Challenging For Some Readers, No Graphic Details, Scenes Grounded in Compassion and Realism, Emergency Birth, Life Saving Procedure - Cricothyrotomy; Dual POVs, Emergency Room at a Metro Hospital, ER Nurse, Divorcée, Paramedics, Workplace Setting, Workplace Romance, New Zealand, Single Mother, Co-parenting, Māori, Sex - Vividly Detailed, Teenagers, Soccer, Ruby, Age Gap - 6 Years, Misogyny, Secret Trope, Anytown, USA; Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand; Auckland, North Island, New Zealand; Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand; Family Dynamics, Print Version - Text Graphics, Note From Author, Blurb, Praise and Excerpt for No Greater Love: Code Blue Hearts, Book 2, Author's Links
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Giver" by Chappell Roan, "Happy Birthday To You" by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill
Books and Authors mentioned: The Princess Bride by William Goldman [based on] The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The "Good Parts" Version by William Goldman; Brené Brown, The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, The Matrix by The Wachowskis, The Giver by Lois Lowry
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⚕️🩺🏥🚑🇺🇸🇳🇿⚽️🏉
My thoughts: 📱2% 9h 53m left Chapter 2 Jack - I finally took everyone's advice and signed up for Netgally and this is my first read. It seems to be a recently published audiobook for a series that already has I think 3 books out and is available on Kindle Unlimited. Unfortunately, my Kindle is maxed out so I will not be able to read it today but the audiobook is fantastic. When I saw book 2 was available on Kindle Unlimited I was immediately thinking, I'm gonna have to read that book after this, but by the end of chapter one, I knew there is no way on doing this series without the audio. These narrators are phenomenal it is like watching a show in my head it kind of reminds me of a game Operate Now: Hospital. This book is very exciting, I’m going to have to read this series with my husband.
📱7% 9h 25m left Chapter 5 Sophia [five sophia Page 22 of 334] - I got the ebook, did a little reading along [dual reading] but this is actually better as an audiobook. The print is good, but busy compared to the audio, which sounds like a television show.
I read a book, [which was fantastic - 5 stars], just so I could free up a spot on my Kindle Unlimited and get this ebook. The audio book is fantastic it does not need an e-book but I did not feel like dictating the awesome quotes I wanted to use in my review. This book is fantastic I cannot believe I was unaware of this author before now. I don't know why there aren't more medical romances out there, if there are I need to find them. I already know I'm going to read everything in Cari Blake's catalog. Book 2 is already available but I am so torn because the story is great but the narration was chef's kiss so I really want to experience the audio for the next book. I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long, we will see. This one is going on the list for a group read. This book is not as spicy as the content rating makes it seem but if you are telling us exactly where your tongue is going then that's beyond R-rated so I had to give it some Xs. The author has a medical background so I'm not surprised that the scenes are realistic and accurate, I am blown away at how well she articulates in an entertaining style, that is a gift. I have come across several medical thrillers and Sci-Fi fiction stories that get so clinical it's boring in the middle of what should be an exciting scene, which never happens here. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and sharing her work with my friends. Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend to others: Absolutely! I want to reread this one with my husband, and I'm choosing it as a group read.
Code Blue Hearts
1. Under Southern Stars (2025)
2. No Greater Love (2025)
2.5 A Southern Stars Christmas (2025)
3. Burn Notice (2026)
4. Breaking Point (2026)
Memorable Quotes: The Code Blue Hearts series reflects the emotional reality of working in emergency medicine. Each book contains intense medical situations that may be challenging for some readers. Nothing is shown in graphic detail, and all scenes are grounded in compassion and realism. This novel contains scenes involving an emergency birth and a life-saving surgical procedure (cricothyrotomy). These moments reflect real clinical urgency and may be intense for some readers.
“Emergency department,” I answer, putting on my charge nurse voice. “Kia ora, Metro General.” That honey-warm Kiwi accent flows over the line. “Got a transport for you.” My stomach does something I refuse to acknowledge. We’ve been doing this dance over the phone for months, but hearing Jack’s voice first thing in the morning still catches me off guard. “Go ahead with report,” I manage, glancing at the digital greaseboard. Nine patients in a 45-bed ER. The night shift is practically whistling with relief. Easy for them; they’re leaving to go home. The ER gods are definitely going to make us pay for this. “Fifty-eight-year-old male, chronic back pain, demanding transport after his GP wouldn’t refill his oxy script. Vitals stable, ambulating without assistance. He’s…not pleased with the wait time.” I roll my eyes. “Sounds like a real emergency.”
I fiddle with my stethoscope, a $5 disposable special crammed in the pocket of my scrubs. It isn’t as nice as the $150 Littmann I’d bought myself as a present for successfully graduating from nursing school, but that one had been stolen after I set it down momentarily and one of the residents apparently decided no nurse would have a stethoscope that nice. Its $50 replacement had been destroyed when a psych patient boarding in the emergency department attempted to strangle me with it. So now, I make do with the el-cheapo model.
Before I can respond, Dr. Lee appears—tall, dark-haired, looking like he’s stepped off a medical drama. “Everything alright here, Sophia? Need me to charm this gentleman into compliance?” He winks at her, then turns to me with casual disinterest. “Nice accent, by the way. You from Down Under?” I manage not to wince visibly. “Otago, actually, Doctor. New Zealand.” “Oh, same thing, right?” He grins. “I’ve been to Sydney once. Loved seeing all the Sheilas on Bondi Beach.” He pronounces it “BOO-ahndy BAY-ch,” drawing out the syllables like he’s auditioning for a Crocodile Dundee reboot. Baz gives me his familiar smirk. Nothing worse than being mistaken for an Aussie when you’re a Kiwi—it’d be like confusing a Canadian for an American, only with a few hundred more years of rivalry packed in.
“JAAAAAACK!” O’Malley’s voice echoes off the concrete walls. “Oh, Jaaaaaaaack!” Martinez calls in a terrible falsetto that would have made a drag queen weep. “Uhhhh…Jack??” Thompson adds, his impression of Sophia’s radio voice surprisingly accurate. “Well, well, well,” says Kowalski, emerging from behind Engine 18 with a shit-eating grin. “Look what the Kiwi dragged in.” I surveyed the scene, taking inventory of the damage. The apparatus board now displays “Medic 402—Romeo Unit” in neat block letters. My gear locker is “decorated” with heart stickers that look suspiciously like they’ve been liberated from the pediatric trauma kit, along with what appears to be gas station roses with a note reading “From your secret admirer at Metro General.” Someone has even written “McKenzie Metro” in pink dry-erase marker on Engine 18’s bumper.
Code Blue Hearts #1
10h 5m narrated by Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner, 334 pages
334-page Kindle Ebook story pages 1-319
Genre: Medical Romance
Rating as a movie: NC-17 or XX for sexual content depending on editing
Featuring: Preface Content Warning - Emotional Reality of Working in Emergency Medicine, Contains Intense Emergency Situations That May Be Challenging For Some Readers, No Graphic Details, Scenes Grounded in Compassion and Realism, Emergency Birth, Life Saving Procedure - Cricothyrotomy; Dual POVs, Emergency Room at a Metro Hospital, ER Nurse, Divorcée, Paramedics, Workplace Setting, Workplace Romance, New Zealand, Single Mother, Co-parenting, Māori, Sex - Vividly Detailed, Teenagers, Soccer, Ruby, Age Gap - 6 Years, Misogyny, Secret Trope, Anytown, USA; Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand; Auckland, North Island, New Zealand; Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand; Family Dynamics, Print Version - Text Graphics, Note From Author, Blurb, Praise and Excerpt for No Greater Love: Code Blue Hearts, Book 2, Author's Links
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Giver" by Chappell Roan, "Happy Birthday To You" by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill
Books and Authors mentioned: The Princess Bride by William Goldman [based on] The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure, The "Good Parts" Version by William Goldman; Brené Brown, The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, The Matrix by The Wachowskis, The Giver by Lois Lowry
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⚕️🩺🏥🚑🇺🇸🇳🇿⚽️🏉
My thoughts: 📱2% 9h 53m left Chapter 2 Jack - I finally took everyone's advice and signed up for Netgally and this is my first read. It seems to be a recently published audiobook for a series that already has I think 3 books out and is available on Kindle Unlimited. Unfortunately, my Kindle is maxed out so I will not be able to read it today but the audiobook is fantastic. When I saw book 2 was available on Kindle Unlimited I was immediately thinking, I'm gonna have to read that book after this, but by the end of chapter one, I knew there is no way on doing this series without the audio. These narrators are phenomenal it is like watching a show in my head it kind of reminds me of a game Operate Now: Hospital. This book is very exciting, I’m going to have to read this series with my husband.
📱7% 9h 25m left Chapter 5 Sophia [five sophia Page 22 of 334] - I got the ebook, did a little reading along [dual reading] but this is actually better as an audiobook. The print is good, but busy compared to the audio, which sounds like a television show.
I read a book, [which was fantastic - 5 stars], just so I could free up a spot on my Kindle Unlimited and get this ebook. The audio book is fantastic it does not need an e-book but I did not feel like dictating the awesome quotes I wanted to use in my review. This book is fantastic I cannot believe I was unaware of this author before now. I don't know why there aren't more medical romances out there, if there are I need to find them. I already know I'm going to read everything in Cari Blake's catalog. Book 2 is already available but I am so torn because the story is great but the narration was chef's kiss so I really want to experience the audio for the next book. I don't know if I'll be able to wait that long, we will see. This one is going on the list for a group read. This book is not as spicy as the content rating makes it seem but if you are telling us exactly where your tongue is going then that's beyond R-rated so I had to give it some Xs. The author has a medical background so I'm not surprised that the scenes are realistic and accurate, I am blown away at how well she articulates in an entertaining style, that is a gift. I have come across several medical thrillers and Sci-Fi fiction stories that get so clinical it's boring in the middle of what should be an exciting scene, which never happens here. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and sharing her work with my friends. Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Recommend to others: Absolutely! I want to reread this one with my husband, and I'm choosing it as a group read.
Code Blue Hearts
1. Under Southern Stars (2025)
2. No Greater Love (2025)
2.5 A Southern Stars Christmas (2025)
3. Burn Notice (2026)
4. Breaking Point (2026)
Memorable Quotes: The Code Blue Hearts series reflects the emotional reality of working in emergency medicine. Each book contains intense medical situations that may be challenging for some readers. Nothing is shown in graphic detail, and all scenes are grounded in compassion and realism. This novel contains scenes involving an emergency birth and a life-saving surgical procedure (cricothyrotomy). These moments reflect real clinical urgency and may be intense for some readers.
“Emergency department,” I answer, putting on my charge nurse voice. “Kia ora, Metro General.” That honey-warm Kiwi accent flows over the line. “Got a transport for you.” My stomach does something I refuse to acknowledge. We’ve been doing this dance over the phone for months, but hearing Jack’s voice first thing in the morning still catches me off guard. “Go ahead with report,” I manage, glancing at the digital greaseboard. Nine patients in a 45-bed ER. The night shift is practically whistling with relief. Easy for them; they’re leaving to go home. The ER gods are definitely going to make us pay for this. “Fifty-eight-year-old male, chronic back pain, demanding transport after his GP wouldn’t refill his oxy script. Vitals stable, ambulating without assistance. He’s…not pleased with the wait time.” I roll my eyes. “Sounds like a real emergency.”
I fiddle with my stethoscope, a $5 disposable special crammed in the pocket of my scrubs. It isn’t as nice as the $150 Littmann I’d bought myself as a present for successfully graduating from nursing school, but that one had been stolen after I set it down momentarily and one of the residents apparently decided no nurse would have a stethoscope that nice. Its $50 replacement had been destroyed when a psych patient boarding in the emergency department attempted to strangle me with it. So now, I make do with the el-cheapo model.
Before I can respond, Dr. Lee appears—tall, dark-haired, looking like he’s stepped off a medical drama. “Everything alright here, Sophia? Need me to charm this gentleman into compliance?” He winks at her, then turns to me with casual disinterest. “Nice accent, by the way. You from Down Under?” I manage not to wince visibly. “Otago, actually, Doctor. New Zealand.” “Oh, same thing, right?” He grins. “I’ve been to Sydney once. Loved seeing all the Sheilas on Bondi Beach.” He pronounces it “BOO-ahndy BAY-ch,” drawing out the syllables like he’s auditioning for a Crocodile Dundee reboot. Baz gives me his familiar smirk. Nothing worse than being mistaken for an Aussie when you’re a Kiwi—it’d be like confusing a Canadian for an American, only with a few hundred more years of rivalry packed in.
“JAAAAAACK!” O’Malley’s voice echoes off the concrete walls. “Oh, Jaaaaaaaack!” Martinez calls in a terrible falsetto that would have made a drag queen weep. “Uhhhh…Jack??” Thompson adds, his impression of Sophia’s radio voice surprisingly accurate. “Well, well, well,” says Kowalski, emerging from behind Engine 18 with a shit-eating grin. “Look what the Kiwi dragged in.” I surveyed the scene, taking inventory of the damage. The apparatus board now displays “Medic 402—Romeo Unit” in neat block letters. My gear locker is “decorated” with heart stickers that look suspiciously like they’ve been liberated from the pediatric trauma kit, along with what appears to be gas station roses with a note reading “From your secret admirer at Metro General.” Someone has even written “McKenzie Metro” in pink dry-erase marker on Engine 18’s bumper.
May 5, 2026
Under Southern Stars by Cari Blake completely stole my heart, and honestly, I didn’t stand a chance from the very first chapter.
As a Firefighter/Paramedic, I’m always a little cautious going into medical romances because I will notice when things feel off, but Cari Blake absolutely nailed the chaos, the grit, and the emotional toll of life in the ER. Sophia felt real in a way that hit deep. Her exhaustion, her guarded heart, her fierce love for her daughter, it wasn’t just written, it was felt. You can tell this story understands what it means to carry trauma and still show up every single day.
Sophia Mitchell is the kind of heroine you instantly root for. She’s strong without being unbreakable, guarded without being cold, and her journey from survival mode to actually allowing herself to live again was beautifully done. Her heart marked DNR mindset? Painfully relatable, and watching that slowly change had me completely invested.
And then there’s Jack McKenzie…
Let’s just say I was not prepared. A sunshine Kiwi paramedic with an accent, a soft spot for her daughter, and secretly a vineyard-owning millionaire? Yeah... I folded immediately. But what I loved most is that Jack isn’t just swoony, he’s steady. Protective in a way that feels safe, not controlling. The kind of man who shows up quietly and consistently, even when he knows he might lose everything.
Their chemistry? Off the charts. The banter, the radio flirtations, the slow build into something deeper, it all felt natural and addictive. And the transition from the fast-paced chaos of Metro General to the breathtaking vineyards of New Zealand was chef’s kiss. The setting alone made me want to book a flight immediately.
What really elevated this story, though, was the emotional depth. This isn’t just a romance, it’s about trust after betrayal, healing after emotional abuse, and learning that love doesn’t have to hurt to be real. The tension with her ex added a layer of realism and urgency that made the stakes feel high in all the right ways.
Also... can we talk about Madison? Because I loved her. The dynamic between her and Sophia, and the way Jack integrates into that relationship, was one of my favorite parts of the book. It never felt forced, just genuine and earned.
I went into this slightly biased toward Aussies... but I’m not even going to lie, this book may have fully converted me to Team Kiwi.
As a Firefighter/Paramedic, I’m always a little cautious going into medical romances because I will notice when things feel off, but Cari Blake absolutely nailed the chaos, the grit, and the emotional toll of life in the ER. Sophia felt real in a way that hit deep. Her exhaustion, her guarded heart, her fierce love for her daughter, it wasn’t just written, it was felt. You can tell this story understands what it means to carry trauma and still show up every single day.
Sophia Mitchell is the kind of heroine you instantly root for. She’s strong without being unbreakable, guarded without being cold, and her journey from survival mode to actually allowing herself to live again was beautifully done. Her heart marked DNR mindset? Painfully relatable, and watching that slowly change had me completely invested.
And then there’s Jack McKenzie…
Let’s just say I was not prepared. A sunshine Kiwi paramedic with an accent, a soft spot for her daughter, and secretly a vineyard-owning millionaire? Yeah... I folded immediately. But what I loved most is that Jack isn’t just swoony, he’s steady. Protective in a way that feels safe, not controlling. The kind of man who shows up quietly and consistently, even when he knows he might lose everything.
Their chemistry? Off the charts. The banter, the radio flirtations, the slow build into something deeper, it all felt natural and addictive. And the transition from the fast-paced chaos of Metro General to the breathtaking vineyards of New Zealand was chef’s kiss. The setting alone made me want to book a flight immediately.
What really elevated this story, though, was the emotional depth. This isn’t just a romance, it’s about trust after betrayal, healing after emotional abuse, and learning that love doesn’t have to hurt to be real. The tension with her ex added a layer of realism and urgency that made the stakes feel high in all the right ways.
Also... can we talk about Madison? Because I loved her. The dynamic between her and Sophia, and the way Jack integrates into that relationship, was one of my favorite parts of the book. It never felt forced, just genuine and earned.
I went into this slightly biased toward Aussies... but I’m not even going to lie, this book may have fully converted me to Team Kiwi.
December 28, 2025
3.5⭐️
I had fun with this story. I listened to the audiobook, always extra credits when multiple narrators are used when there are multiple pov’s. The story is easy to follow and enjoyable when doing creative stuff at the same time.
I liked reading about the hectic world of the ER, especially the way Sophia stood up for her team somewhere in the middle of the story. The connection between Sophia and Jack was cute. Even though the tempo in this book was high, it was a fun journey.
There were two things that could have handled better. Madison is 15, yet it feels like she switches from 10 to 18 to 15 back to 10 years old. Sometimes she’s unusually wise, sometimes she’s very childlike. I think it would have worked better if there were two children, that way you can have the childlike enthusiasm and the smart remarks.
Second, the struggle of Jack came over like first-world-problems. So, he has money, so what. He had trauma from previous experiences, yet the trauma did not feel like a trauma, just a bad girlfriend experience. At some point, I got pretty annoyed.
But I still had fun with the story and want to continue with the series!
Thank you Netgalley for providing the audiobook!
I had fun with this story. I listened to the audiobook, always extra credits when multiple narrators are used when there are multiple pov’s. The story is easy to follow and enjoyable when doing creative stuff at the same time.
I liked reading about the hectic world of the ER, especially the way Sophia stood up for her team somewhere in the middle of the story. The connection between Sophia and Jack was cute. Even though the tempo in this book was high, it was a fun journey.
There were two things that could have handled better. Madison is 15, yet it feels like she switches from 10 to 18 to 15 back to 10 years old. Sometimes she’s unusually wise, sometimes she’s very childlike. I think it would have worked better if there were two children, that way you can have the childlike enthusiasm and the smart remarks.
Second, the struggle of Jack came over like first-world-problems. So, he has money, so what. He had trauma from previous experiences, yet the trauma did not feel like a trauma, just a bad girlfriend experience. At some point, I got pretty annoyed.
But I still had fun with the story and want to continue with the series!
Thank you Netgalley for providing the audiobook!
January 15, 2026
This book started off strong with the medical aspects and a witty strong main female character.
I thought it was going to be a charming love story with aspects from New Zealand but it started to go down hill fast. The author used a lot of stereotypes for her hate and “trauma” from the ex husband but doesn’t really give examples except for crappy things he says.
It was lazy and bad writing.
Then she throws in a insta-love story and so much dialogue. Things were so repetitive and redundant. She over discussed some issues and added things just because it’s her personal view.
I was hoping the story would redeem itself by the end I was just ready to end. It was predictable and uneventful.
I received a free advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought it was going to be a charming love story with aspects from New Zealand but it started to go down hill fast. The author used a lot of stereotypes for her hate and “trauma” from the ex husband but doesn’t really give examples except for crappy things he says.
It was lazy and bad writing.
Then she throws in a insta-love story and so much dialogue. Things were so repetitive and redundant. She over discussed some issues and added things just because it’s her personal view.
I was hoping the story would redeem itself by the end I was just ready to end. It was predictable and uneventful.
I received a free advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to listen to this audiobook. I really enjoyed the narrators, which is one thing that keeps me hooked on an audiobook. Overall I enjoyed the storyline, and was rooting for Sophia and Jack. I enjoyed the medical story arc, which is how Sophia and Jack meet. I loved Sophia's daughter and Jack's sisters, and how they all got along when they visit New Zealand. Sophia's ex husband was an absolute POS and I was flabbergasted by the things he was doing (I guess I shouldn't be with the current state of the world, but I digress), and could not believe that Sophia didn't do more to tell him off.
Overall this was a sweet, romantic book with an engaging story that kept me coming back for more.
Overall this was a sweet, romantic book with an engaging story that kept me coming back for more.
January 5, 2026
Under Southern Stars was a quick and enjoyable read a la the audiobook edition; The narrators were also pleasant to listen to. I enjoyed this storyline as it features a FMC and MMC that are a bit older with the opposite age gap (the FMC is several years older than the MMC). There were a few aspects/points that could be more concise, but it did not detract overall from enjoying the storyline. I look forward to reading future books in this series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC edition of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC edition of this book.
August 14, 2025
Cari Blake’s debut is an easy, engaging contemporary romance set between a busy metro ER and the vineyards of New Zealand. Sophia Mitchell, an emergency nurse and single mom, has survived a toxic marriage and a brutal divorce. She’s not looking for love—especially not with a charming New Zealand paramedic who keeps showing up with coffee and kind words.
The ER scenes are vivid and clearly drawn from real-life experience—some of the best parts of the book. Once the story heads to New Zealand, the sense of place is equally strong. Jack’s “hidden identity” subplot could have been solved with one adult conversation, but his backstory gives enough weight to (mostly) justify the secrecy. I was willing to suspend a little disbelief for the sake of the story. He’s a cinnamon roll through and through, especially with Sophia’s delightfully sassy and unexpectedly insightful teen daughter, Madison.
The ex-husband’s petty manipulations add tension without hijacking the romance, and the book never loses sight of its core: a guarded woman learning to trust again. The characters are simple, the beats predictable—but that’s part of its charm. It’s an easy, satisfying read with a strong sense of place, and I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.
The ER scenes are vivid and clearly drawn from real-life experience—some of the best parts of the book. Once the story heads to New Zealand, the sense of place is equally strong. Jack’s “hidden identity” subplot could have been solved with one adult conversation, but his backstory gives enough weight to (mostly) justify the secrecy. I was willing to suspend a little disbelief for the sake of the story. He’s a cinnamon roll through and through, especially with Sophia’s delightfully sassy and unexpectedly insightful teen daughter, Madison.
The ex-husband’s petty manipulations add tension without hijacking the romance, and the book never loses sight of its core: a guarded woman learning to trust again. The characters are simple, the beats predictable—but that’s part of its charm. It’s an easy, satisfying read with a strong sense of place, and I’ll be picking up the next book in the series.
January 14, 2026
This was such a nice story. I enjoyed the narrators and the story. I love how the teenage daughter was portrayed and it felt like it could be a realistic relationship between mother, daughter, and toxic father.
I do with we learned a little more about the dad. That we find out if he gets what’s coming!
I do with we learned a little more about the dad. That we find out if he gets what’s coming!
February 3, 2026
Really liked this one. The romantic connection develops quick but is very strong and I liked that. The hospital aspect was interesting to read and I wish there was more there. Having already wanted to visit NZ, this book amplified it for me tenfold.
December 30, 2025
This wasn’t one of my favorite reads this year. It was slow moving and boring at times. I wanted to shake the female main character and make her quit her whining and ridiculousness. It’s very predictable and the turning point when they break up or separate for a bit is such a minor issue in my mind that I hated her even more.
February 12, 2026
While not a fan of "insta-love," this novel has a really good storyline about communication and honesty. I liked the ER scenes, and they felt on point.
Since I listened to the book, there are two narrators. The male narrator is a Kiwi (if I remember correctly) and has a nice, even voice. I could feel the longing and tension in his voice.
It follows a few tropes, but what romance novel doesn't?
I would consider reading/listening to another book in this series.
Since I listened to the book, there are two narrators. The male narrator is a Kiwi (if I remember correctly) and has a nice, even voice. I could feel the longing and tension in his voice.
It follows a few tropes, but what romance novel doesn't?
I would consider reading/listening to another book in this series.
January 14, 2026
I really enjoyed this audio book. The kiwi accent from the MMC had me blushing at some parts. The writing was excellent and the romance was so heartwarming. This is a medical romance, the FMC is a charge nurse and the MMC is an EMT. The production wasn’t the greatest unfortunately, there was some gaps and odd quiet moments where it felt like the sentence was stopped too short. I enjoyed the story and will plan on continuing the series as Blake releases more
January 21, 2026
🚑🌌💙 Under Southern Stars ALC Review 💙🌌🚑
Book 1 in Code Blue Hearts
Under Southern Stars is an emotionally grounded, spicy, contemporary romance that blends workplace realism with scenic escapism and delivers a hopeful, satisfying read. Audio is told in dual narration and the narrators do an excellent job enhancing and elevating the emotional impact with their authentic and engaging performances.
🫵🏼 Under Southern Stars is for readers who:
• enjoy spicy workplace romance
• enjoy medical romance stories
• enjoy romances with heart, humor, and a heroine whose strength isn't just physical but deeply felt
• are fans of strong character voices
• appreciate a love story that doesn't take a long time to get going
• appreciate authentic accents in audiobooks
• are character-focused readers
• appreciate spice that starts well before the 50% mark
❓QOTD: Do you think intentionally ommitting info is always a lie? Or do you think it depends on the context, the situation?
‘Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.’
❕AOTD: I think it depends on the context, the nuance. Are you ommitting info to cover for something you don't want to face the consequences for? If so, it's probably a lie. Whereas if you omit info because you're trying to keep a surprise, then not so much a lie (even if you technically, by definition, did lie). Intent matters, I think.
🎧 Dual Narration by: Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner
Run time of 10hrs and 5 minutes (at standard listening speed).
The narration was really good, with the emotional intensity being amplified by great narrators. Both narrators deliver an authentic and engaging performances that suit the characters well. They both do a great job where tone and emotion are pivotal.
The accents and inflections chosen by the male narrator for Sophia's ex husband and her girlfriend really hammer home how grating of people they are. There are a few lines of dialogue in particular that made me chuckle due to the excellent delivery. Had I been reading with my eyes, I'm 99% sure I wouldn't have laughed.
Dual narration was a great choice, in my opinion, and works wonderfully to enrich the story. It also serves well to help differentiate character perspectives as well as enhances the immersive quality of the listening experience and adds depth in dialogue-heavy segments.
The emotional beats, from workplace tension to quiet moments of connection and everything on between, felt more vivid in audio.
Arya brings Sophia's internal world, resilience, and emotional nuance to life with a grounded, expressive voice. Excellent use of apt inflections, pauses, etc that work very effectively to increase the impact on listeners. One area I particularly appreciated and loved
Kieran is from New Zealand so you get an authentic accent. That's always a plus in my book (heh). While listening, I was unaware the narrator was from New Zealand but felt like the accent was natural, grounded, expressive.
✨ I saw some reviews saying their ALC had some issues clipping ends of chapters (or something along those lines). I didn't personally experience that issue (or maybe just didn't catch it).
📓 Under Southern Stars introduces us to Sophia—a dedicated ER charge nurse who has endures a toxic marriage, a bitter divorce, co-parenting a teen daughter with a wildly abrasive man, and the relentless demands of single parenthood, all while working in the busiest emergency department in the US. Having sworn off romance entirely, she's built up emotional defences as strong as the trauma unit she thrives in. Enter Jack, a charming New Zealand paramedic, whose flirtatious radio banter, coffee deliveries, and easy rapport with Sophie's daughter, Madison, slowly begins to dismantle her walls.
What begins as workplace flirtation some becomes something deeper — and when Jack invites Sophia and Madison to New Zealand, she takes the biggest emotional risk of her life.
There, she learns that Jack is more than just the upbeat EMT she thought she knew, and that trusting someone again might be the only way to protect the family she's fought so hard to keep safe.
📘 At its heart, Under Southern Stars is a book about recovery after trauma—not just physical trauma, but emotional. Sophia's journey from guarded cynic to someone capable of trust and romantic love again serves as the emotional backbone of the narrative. Her experiences in the ER, where life and 💀 often balance on a knife's edge, mirrors her internal struggle to let romantic love back into her life.
Jack's gentle, kind, and patient presence in Madison's life becomes almost its own sub subplot and a symbol of his sincerity - one that complicates Sophia's initial resistance to emotional closeness.
✨ Madison (Sophia's 15yr old daughter) has enough of a role, and dialogue, that I can see that being something some readers don't enjoy. It wasn't an issue for me, but I know some readers don't enjoy kids in their books.
Jack's hidden identity, he and his family's wealth, speaks to themes of authenticity vs persona. His choice to present only his "true self" challenges assumptions about class, expectation, and what it means to be genuine.
🛡️ Sophia's experiences in the emergency department function as a metaphor for her emotional defenses: efficient, necessary, and protective, but also isolating. Her evolution reflects the shift from containing pain to facing it honestly.
✍🏼 Written with prose that's crisp, accessible, and character-focused it meshes well with the story. Emotionally sharp and intelligent prose handles feelings and vulnerabilities in a way that feels authentic, honest, and earned as opposed to melodramatic. Tight sentences that keep scenes moving without slowing the reader unnecessarily while aiding in immersion and the faster pace. Dialogue is a major mode of plot progression, while keeping inner thoughts are moreso direct and relatable, reflecting the characters' emotional states without overly embellished or elaborate phrasing.
There were some repetitive lines. Enough that I noticed and noted it. Nothing egregious, in my opinion, but just enough that it pulled me out of the story a couple times.
💙 I loved the initial start of their hesitant, workplace flirtation. The banter was fun and witty. Their first date was real and relatable. But then... See below. However, once they get past the miscommunication issue, it was sweet.
🌶️ The romance escalates quickly as does the spice. Those that love getting spice earlier in the book will appreciate this aspect. But for me, the payoff and earned feeling weren't where I like them to be.
➖ ❎ What I didn't love:
💙 Their relationship started off great, some nice banter. But after just one quick date, it went from causal work acquaintances/new friends to meet my daughter. And a couple weeks later they're flying to the other side of the globe together, her teen daughter included. Before 30% he refers to her as "Tāku ipo" and says it menas "my darling or my beloved." Thoughts of loving one another happening on both side quickly, too.
If you like and appreciate a very quick, whirlwind romance, you'd probably enjoy this aspect more than I did. I prefer slow burn, the slower the better; I want them to pine and banter, really driving the tension up.
⚖️ Sophia felt "betrayed" because he hadn't filled her in on his family's money or estate in New Zealand, to a degree that felt way too much for the situation. At that point, she'd only known Jack for maybe 2 months, if that long. It's to be expected that you don't know every single thing about a person immediately. It felt a bit disproportionate to me. Had she been upset or hurt that he hadn't felt comfortable or safe in telling her - that I could get with and would've loved. It could've been used as a way for them to grow independently and together.
But it wasn't framed that way, unfortunately. Betrayed is such a strong word, to me, for what actually occured.
Jack had been previously burned before related to his family money, so he was hesitant to talk to her. While I can understand his hesitancy, it doesn't make sense to me since he asked Sophia and her teen daughter to fly that to the other side of the world and stay in his family home. One honest, adult conversation where he gave her some info (even if somewhat vague, whatever he felt comfortable sharing) before they went to NZ would've remedied the issue before it even arose. If you enjoy some miscommunication (or poor communication), you'd probably enjoy this more than I did.
⏳Maybe the root of the above is, at least in part, due to pacing difficulties. As I do feel the pace wasn't to my liking. Some parts felt rushed (like the romance), while others were given more page time than I felt was warranted (the betrayal, for example). I loved the beginning of the book, but then the romance shot off like a rocket.
⚽ Also, absolutely not a fan of immediately introducing potential partners to children. She did that, and flew around the world with Jack, in the very early stages of their relationship. Additionally, Jack makes a comment about changing Sophia's daughter's last name to his. Bro, chill. You all have been an item for maybe 2 months, and you're "betraying" her mom by not telling her the details of your family's money. He's great with Madison (the daughter) in every other way, though. For that matter, Troy (ex-husband) recently started dating his current GF, and she's well known to Madison and seems to be living with Troy (and likely there when Madison is with Troy). I don't recall specifics on their relationship, so maybe she isn't as new as I'm thinking.
✨ Madison comes across at times as quite mature for 15, but other times her dialogue sounds much younger than 15. I'm trying to find one specific line that made her sound >12.
🚑 There's a line to a chronic pain patient who's being seen for something unrelated, "See? Sometimes the pain is real." I really didn't care for that line, or that line of thinking. It reads like the author has a negative opinion of those with both chronic pain patients and addicts. Chronic pain doesn't make the pain they deal with on the daily any less real than acute pain - but I'm also not a doctor, nor am I in the medical field so maybe it does and I'm not aware. Or maybe I'm just overthinking it, but it rubbed me wrong nonetheless.
🌌 If you enjoy contemporary, heartfelt and spicy romance that's character-focused, accessible, relatable, brimming with emotions, authentic character interactions rather than literary ornament — then give Under Southern Stars a read.
🤔 Will I continue the series? Potentially. I've never read this author before but enjoyed it enough to keep an eye out and see if the synopsis intrigues me. It isn't a must read for me, but I'm curious enough to keep watch and maybe check out the author's backlist in the mean time.
📚 If you liked: The Worst Best Man (Mia Sosa), A Love Song for Ricki Wilde (Tia Williams), Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies: A Novel (Jackie Lau), or Julia Song is Undateble (Susan Lee), then I think you might like Under Southern Stars.
Thank you @ Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op Cari Blake and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this via ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Book 1 in Code Blue Hearts
Under Southern Stars is an emotionally grounded, spicy, contemporary romance that blends workplace realism with scenic escapism and delivers a hopeful, satisfying read. Audio is told in dual narration and the narrators do an excellent job enhancing and elevating the emotional impact with their authentic and engaging performances.
🫵🏼 Under Southern Stars is for readers who:
• enjoy spicy workplace romance
• enjoy medical romance stories
• enjoy romances with heart, humor, and a heroine whose strength isn't just physical but deeply felt
• are fans of strong character voices
• appreciate a love story that doesn't take a long time to get going
• appreciate authentic accents in audiobooks
• are character-focused readers
• appreciate spice that starts well before the 50% mark
❓QOTD: Do you think intentionally ommitting info is always a lie? Or do you think it depends on the context, the situation?
‘Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.’
❕AOTD: I think it depends on the context, the nuance. Are you ommitting info to cover for something you don't want to face the consequences for? If so, it's probably a lie. Whereas if you omit info because you're trying to keep a surprise, then not so much a lie (even if you technically, by definition, did lie). Intent matters, I think.
🎧 Dual Narration by: Arya Jacobs and Kieran Rayner
Run time of 10hrs and 5 minutes (at standard listening speed).
The narration was really good, with the emotional intensity being amplified by great narrators. Both narrators deliver an authentic and engaging performances that suit the characters well. They both do a great job where tone and emotion are pivotal.
The accents and inflections chosen by the male narrator for Sophia's ex husband and her girlfriend really hammer home how grating of people they are. There are a few lines of dialogue in particular that made me chuckle due to the excellent delivery. Had I been reading with my eyes, I'm 99% sure I wouldn't have laughed.
Dual narration was a great choice, in my opinion, and works wonderfully to enrich the story. It also serves well to help differentiate character perspectives as well as enhances the immersive quality of the listening experience and adds depth in dialogue-heavy segments.
The emotional beats, from workplace tension to quiet moments of connection and everything on between, felt more vivid in audio.
Arya brings Sophia's internal world, resilience, and emotional nuance to life with a grounded, expressive voice. Excellent use of apt inflections, pauses, etc that work very effectively to increase the impact on listeners. One area I particularly appreciated and loved
Kieran is from New Zealand so you get an authentic accent. That's always a plus in my book (heh). While listening, I was unaware the narrator was from New Zealand but felt like the accent was natural, grounded, expressive.
✨ I saw some reviews saying their ALC had some issues clipping ends of chapters (or something along those lines). I didn't personally experience that issue (or maybe just didn't catch it).
📓 Under Southern Stars introduces us to Sophia—a dedicated ER charge nurse who has endures a toxic marriage, a bitter divorce, co-parenting a teen daughter with a wildly abrasive man, and the relentless demands of single parenthood, all while working in the busiest emergency department in the US. Having sworn off romance entirely, she's built up emotional defences as strong as the trauma unit she thrives in. Enter Jack, a charming New Zealand paramedic, whose flirtatious radio banter, coffee deliveries, and easy rapport with Sophie's daughter, Madison, slowly begins to dismantle her walls.
What begins as workplace flirtation some becomes something deeper — and when Jack invites Sophia and Madison to New Zealand, she takes the biggest emotional risk of her life.
There, she learns that Jack is more than just the upbeat EMT she thought she knew, and that trusting someone again might be the only way to protect the family she's fought so hard to keep safe.
📘 At its heart, Under Southern Stars is a book about recovery after trauma—not just physical trauma, but emotional. Sophia's journey from guarded cynic to someone capable of trust and romantic love again serves as the emotional backbone of the narrative. Her experiences in the ER, where life and 💀 often balance on a knife's edge, mirrors her internal struggle to let romantic love back into her life.
Jack's gentle, kind, and patient presence in Madison's life becomes almost its own sub subplot and a symbol of his sincerity - one that complicates Sophia's initial resistance to emotional closeness.
✨ Madison (Sophia's 15yr old daughter) has enough of a role, and dialogue, that I can see that being something some readers don't enjoy. It wasn't an issue for me, but I know some readers don't enjoy kids in their books.
Jack's hidden identity, he and his family's wealth, speaks to themes of authenticity vs persona. His choice to present only his "true self" challenges assumptions about class, expectation, and what it means to be genuine.
🛡️ Sophia's experiences in the emergency department function as a metaphor for her emotional defenses: efficient, necessary, and protective, but also isolating. Her evolution reflects the shift from containing pain to facing it honestly.
✍🏼 Written with prose that's crisp, accessible, and character-focused it meshes well with the story. Emotionally sharp and intelligent prose handles feelings and vulnerabilities in a way that feels authentic, honest, and earned as opposed to melodramatic. Tight sentences that keep scenes moving without slowing the reader unnecessarily while aiding in immersion and the faster pace. Dialogue is a major mode of plot progression, while keeping inner thoughts are moreso direct and relatable, reflecting the characters' emotional states without overly embellished or elaborate phrasing.
There were some repetitive lines. Enough that I noticed and noted it. Nothing egregious, in my opinion, but just enough that it pulled me out of the story a couple times.
💙 I loved the initial start of their hesitant, workplace flirtation. The banter was fun and witty. Their first date was real and relatable. But then... See below. However, once they get past the miscommunication issue, it was sweet.
🌶️ The romance escalates quickly as does the spice. Those that love getting spice earlier in the book will appreciate this aspect. But for me, the payoff and earned feeling weren't where I like them to be.
➖ ❎ What I didn't love:
💙 Their relationship started off great, some nice banter. But after just one quick date, it went from causal work acquaintances/new friends to meet my daughter. And a couple weeks later they're flying to the other side of the globe together, her teen daughter included. Before 30% he refers to her as "Tāku ipo" and says it menas "my darling or my beloved." Thoughts of loving one another happening on both side quickly, too.
If you like and appreciate a very quick, whirlwind romance, you'd probably enjoy this aspect more than I did. I prefer slow burn, the slower the better; I want them to pine and banter, really driving the tension up.
⚖️ Sophia felt "betrayed" because he hadn't filled her in on his family's money or estate in New Zealand, to a degree that felt way too much for the situation. At that point, she'd only known Jack for maybe 2 months, if that long. It's to be expected that you don't know every single thing about a person immediately. It felt a bit disproportionate to me. Had she been upset or hurt that he hadn't felt comfortable or safe in telling her - that I could get with and would've loved. It could've been used as a way for them to grow independently and together.
But it wasn't framed that way, unfortunately. Betrayed is such a strong word, to me, for what actually occured.
Jack had been previously burned before related to his family money, so he was hesitant to talk to her. While I can understand his hesitancy, it doesn't make sense to me since he asked Sophia and her teen daughter to fly that to the other side of the world and stay in his family home. One honest, adult conversation where he gave her some info (even if somewhat vague, whatever he felt comfortable sharing) before they went to NZ would've remedied the issue before it even arose. If you enjoy some miscommunication (or poor communication), you'd probably enjoy this more than I did.
⏳Maybe the root of the above is, at least in part, due to pacing difficulties. As I do feel the pace wasn't to my liking. Some parts felt rushed (like the romance), while others were given more page time than I felt was warranted (the betrayal, for example). I loved the beginning of the book, but then the romance shot off like a rocket.
⚽ Also, absolutely not a fan of immediately introducing potential partners to children. She did that, and flew around the world with Jack, in the very early stages of their relationship. Additionally, Jack makes a comment about changing Sophia's daughter's last name to his. Bro, chill. You all have been an item for maybe 2 months, and you're "betraying" her mom by not telling her the details of your family's money. He's great with Madison (the daughter) in every other way, though. For that matter, Troy (ex-husband) recently started dating his current GF, and she's well known to Madison and seems to be living with Troy (and likely there when Madison is with Troy). I don't recall specifics on their relationship, so maybe she isn't as new as I'm thinking.
✨ Madison comes across at times as quite mature for 15, but other times her dialogue sounds much younger than 15. I'm trying to find one specific line that made her sound >12.
🚑 There's a line to a chronic pain patient who's being seen for something unrelated, "See? Sometimes the pain is real." I really didn't care for that line, or that line of thinking. It reads like the author has a negative opinion of those with both chronic pain patients and addicts. Chronic pain doesn't make the pain they deal with on the daily any less real than acute pain - but I'm also not a doctor, nor am I in the medical field so maybe it does and I'm not aware. Or maybe I'm just overthinking it, but it rubbed me wrong nonetheless.
🌌 If you enjoy contemporary, heartfelt and spicy romance that's character-focused, accessible, relatable, brimming with emotions, authentic character interactions rather than literary ornament — then give Under Southern Stars a read.
🤔 Will I continue the series? Potentially. I've never read this author before but enjoyed it enough to keep an eye out and see if the synopsis intrigues me. It isn't a must read for me, but I'm curious enough to keep watch and maybe check out the author's backlist in the mean time.
📚 If you liked: The Worst Best Man (Mia Sosa), A Love Song for Ricki Wilde (Tia Williams), Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies: A Novel (Jackie Lau), or Julia Song is Undateble (Susan Lee), then I think you might like Under Southern Stars.
Thank you @ Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op Cari Blake and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this via ALC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
January 7, 2026
I’m a sucker for medical romance, and Under the Southern Stars hit all the right notes. The ED setting felt realistic and grounded, which I loved, and the descriptions of New Zealand were so gorgeous they made me want to pack my bags STAT! (pun intended)
Sophia is an ER nurse who’s survived a toxic marriage and a brutal divorce, now juggling single motherhood like a champ. Jack is a paramedic from New Zealand trying to escape his family’s wealth and find a life that actually feels meaningful. Used to people seeing the money and not the man, he chooses not to be completely upfront with Sophia about where he comes from, shattering the fragile trust she’s only just begun to rebuild.
Jack and Sophia’s banter is witty, natural, and full of chemistry, and I adored seeing two older, more established characters connect in a way that felt real. It’s such a refreshing change from the usual twenty-something romance leads. That said, I felt the drama over Jack hiding his wealth felt a little overblown and could’ve been solved with one honest conversation. However, it didn’t take away from the overall heart of the story.
This is a charming, heartfelt romance with stunning settings, lovable characters, and just the right mix of humor, heart, and spice. Fans of medical romance and stories with a touch of wanderlust will find a lot to enjoy here.
Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
Sophia is an ER nurse who’s survived a toxic marriage and a brutal divorce, now juggling single motherhood like a champ. Jack is a paramedic from New Zealand trying to escape his family’s wealth and find a life that actually feels meaningful. Used to people seeing the money and not the man, he chooses not to be completely upfront with Sophia about where he comes from, shattering the fragile trust she’s only just begun to rebuild.
Jack and Sophia’s banter is witty, natural, and full of chemistry, and I adored seeing two older, more established characters connect in a way that felt real. It’s such a refreshing change from the usual twenty-something romance leads. That said, I felt the drama over Jack hiding his wealth felt a little overblown and could’ve been solved with one honest conversation. However, it didn’t take away from the overall heart of the story.
This is a charming, heartfelt romance with stunning settings, lovable characters, and just the right mix of humor, heart, and spice. Fans of medical romance and stories with a touch of wanderlust will find a lot to enjoy here.
Thanks to NetGalley for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.
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