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Second Opinion
The doctor is in . . . and he's her ex.
Luke: Of all the hospitals in the country, Melissa Lawrence had to walk into mine. And not only did she walk into my hospital, she brought a daughter with appendicitis on a night I’m the surgeon on call. Melissa was my first girlfriend, my first love, my first everything—but she married someone else.
But now she's divorced, and back in town. And even though I’ve had years to get over Melissa, all it takes is a glimpse of her blue eyes and she’s under my skin.
But one thing is clear: Melissa Lawrence is off-limits. Because if I get involved with a patient’s mother, I could lose my medical license, and if I get involved with Melissa? I could lose my heart.
Melissa: Last year, my husband left me for another woman. His excuse? I'd let myself go. So I'm back in my hometown to lick my wounds, and it'll be a long time before I let another man see me naked.
But when my daughter gets sick, the surgeon is none other than my high school boyfriend, Luke Carlton. All grown up, but still smoking hot. Since we have a history, he asks if I want different surgeon for my daughter, and I know I should say yes. The problem is, I don't want anyone else. But after the way we ended, there's no way Luke could want me . . . is there?
Second Opinion is a feel-good second chance romance featuring high school sweethearts who never got over each other. Dual POV. No cliffhanger. Moderate spice.
Luke: Of all the hospitals in the country, Melissa Lawrence had to walk into mine. And not only did she walk into my hospital, she brought a daughter with appendicitis on a night I’m the surgeon on call. Melissa was my first girlfriend, my first love, my first everything—but she married someone else.
But now she's divorced, and back in town. And even though I’ve had years to get over Melissa, all it takes is a glimpse of her blue eyes and she’s under my skin.
But one thing is clear: Melissa Lawrence is off-limits. Because if I get involved with a patient’s mother, I could lose my medical license, and if I get involved with Melissa? I could lose my heart.
Melissa: Last year, my husband left me for another woman. His excuse? I'd let myself go. So I'm back in my hometown to lick my wounds, and it'll be a long time before I let another man see me naked.
But when my daughter gets sick, the surgeon is none other than my high school boyfriend, Luke Carlton. All grown up, but still smoking hot. Since we have a history, he asks if I want different surgeon for my daughter, and I know I should say yes. The problem is, I don't want anyone else. But after the way we ended, there's no way Luke could want me . . . is there?
Second Opinion is a feel-good second chance romance featuring high school sweethearts who never got over each other. Dual POV. No cliffhanger. Moderate spice.
- GenresDoctors
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2025
43 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Arthur
2 books6 followersRosie Arthur writes love stories full of sizzle and swoon. The women are stubborn, the men are smoldering, and the endings are always happy.
If she isn't writing, she's probably reading to her kids or walking her dog.
Rosie lives in Toronto.
Contact: rosiearthurwrites@gmail.com
If she isn't writing, she's probably reading to her kids or walking her dog.
Rosie lives in Toronto.
Contact: rosiearthurwrites@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 28, 2025
Oh I absolutely LOVED this book- I felt like shedding a tear when I read the last paragraph of the book, because I didn’t want the book to end! The storytelling by author Rosie Arthur was absolutely phenomenal, because she was able to draw the reader into her characters lives and root for them. This story is a sweet reminder that sometimes when we meet a person it can be the right person, but the wrong time, but to never give up. I’m an absolute sucker for a medical romance and my queen Rosie delivered a medical romance wrapped up with a bow and everything with this book. I loved how this book showcased the FMC’s resilience, which I think is really beautiful. I absolutely can’t wait to read more from my new favorite author Rosie Arthur and I can’t believe this was her debut book- so insanely proud of her and I can’t wait to see where her writing endeavors take her!
June 28, 2025
Super cute, fun read about a second chance at love. Love the strong female STEM undertone mixed with body positivity that wasn't over-the-top.
June 16, 2025
A compelling blend of past regrets and present-day sparks, Rosie Arthur's "Second Opinion" is a captivating romance that proves some heartbreaks are worth revisiting. The story reignites the flame between first loves, Dr. Luke and Melissa Lawrence, under the most stressful and professionally compromising of circumstances.
The narrative immediately draws you in with a powerful "what if" scenario. Years after a painful breakup, Melissa walks back into Luke's life, not as a long-lost acquaintance, but as the desperate mother of his young patient. The tension is palpable from the first page. Luke, now a successful surgeon, finds himself in an impossible position. His professional ethics and the very real risk of losing his medical license are at war with the undeniable pull he still feels for Melissa. He knows she is completely off-limits, yet the sight of her awakens feelings he thought were long buried. For Luke, the potential loss is twofold: his career and his heart, which he's guarded for years.
From Melissa's perspective, the timing couldn't be worse. Navigating a recent divorce and the anxiety of her daughter's health crisis, she's confronted with the ghost of her past—a hotter, more mature version of the boy she once loved. Arthur skillfully portrays Melissa's internal conflict. While she knows accepting Luke as her daughter's surgeon is a recipe for complications, her heart tells her he's the only one she trusts. This deep-seated, unresolved connection is the crux of their story.
"Second Opinion" excels at creating a high-stakes emotional environment. The forbidden nature of their rekindled attraction, layered over a shared history of love and loss, makes for a deeply engaging read. Readers will find themselves rooting for Luke and Melissa to navigate the complexities of their situation and find their way back to each other. It’s a story that reminds us that sometimes, the most complicated choices can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. A must-read for fans of second-chance romance with significant emotional depth.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The narrative immediately draws you in with a powerful "what if" scenario. Years after a painful breakup, Melissa walks back into Luke's life, not as a long-lost acquaintance, but as the desperate mother of his young patient. The tension is palpable from the first page. Luke, now a successful surgeon, finds himself in an impossible position. His professional ethics and the very real risk of losing his medical license are at war with the undeniable pull he still feels for Melissa. He knows she is completely off-limits, yet the sight of her awakens feelings he thought were long buried. For Luke, the potential loss is twofold: his career and his heart, which he's guarded for years.
From Melissa's perspective, the timing couldn't be worse. Navigating a recent divorce and the anxiety of her daughter's health crisis, she's confronted with the ghost of her past—a hotter, more mature version of the boy she once loved. Arthur skillfully portrays Melissa's internal conflict. While she knows accepting Luke as her daughter's surgeon is a recipe for complications, her heart tells her he's the only one she trusts. This deep-seated, unresolved connection is the crux of their story.
"Second Opinion" excels at creating a high-stakes emotional environment. The forbidden nature of their rekindled attraction, layered over a shared history of love and loss, makes for a deeply engaging read. Readers will find themselves rooting for Luke and Melissa to navigate the complexities of their situation and find their way back to each other. It’s a story that reminds us that sometimes, the most complicated choices can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. A must-read for fans of second-chance romance with significant emotional depth.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2025
First off, in the interests of full disclosure: I'm friends with the author, so this review may be biased.
Secondly, this is an OPEN DOOR romance, with a few steamy scenes. I thought the spice was hot, but if you prefer that the bedroom door stay closed, you'll probably want to skip this one.
But that said, I loved this book and I read it in one sitting. It was just my kind of humour, dry and often self-deprecating, and it had me laughing out loud.
The premise: Melissa, 31, is newly divorced and has moved back to her hometown with her two kids. Her confidence is at a low ebb (her ex-husband left her for a twenty-one-year-old) and she's struggling with her body image. Then, during her first month back, her daughter gets appendicitis, and the surgeon is none other than her first love, Luke Carlton. Of course, with their history Luke shouldn't be operating on Melissa's daughter, but he does, and emotional complications ensue.
There are some serious themes, including a secondary character dealing with an alcohol problem. But the overall vibe was uplifting, and it left me with a smile on my face. I especially loved the way Luke dealt with Melissa's body insecurity.
Favourite quote:
“I must have been doing something wrong,” he murmurs in my ear. “If you thought there was a chance I’d be disappointed by the sight of you naked . . . you’re even more beautiful now than you were at twenty-one.”
“Really?” I ask. “You’re not just saying that because you’re hoping to get me into bed?”
I can feel his chest shake as he chuckles. “Hell, no. I mean, of course I’m hoping to get you into bed, but that’s not why I’m saying it. I’m a man, Milly. I like curves.”
Secondly, this is an OPEN DOOR romance, with a few steamy scenes. I thought the spice was hot, but if you prefer that the bedroom door stay closed, you'll probably want to skip this one.
But that said, I loved this book and I read it in one sitting. It was just my kind of humour, dry and often self-deprecating, and it had me laughing out loud.
The premise: Melissa, 31, is newly divorced and has moved back to her hometown with her two kids. Her confidence is at a low ebb (her ex-husband left her for a twenty-one-year-old) and she's struggling with her body image. Then, during her first month back, her daughter gets appendicitis, and the surgeon is none other than her first love, Luke Carlton. Of course, with their history Luke shouldn't be operating on Melissa's daughter, but he does, and emotional complications ensue.
There are some serious themes, including a secondary character dealing with an alcohol problem. But the overall vibe was uplifting, and it left me with a smile on my face. I especially loved the way Luke dealt with Melissa's body insecurity.
Favourite quote:
“I must have been doing something wrong,” he murmurs in my ear. “If you thought there was a chance I’d be disappointed by the sight of you naked . . . you’re even more beautiful now than you were at twenty-one.”
“Really?” I ask. “You’re not just saying that because you’re hoping to get me into bed?”
I can feel his chest shake as he chuckles. “Hell, no. I mean, of course I’m hoping to get you into bed, but that’s not why I’m saying it. I’m a man, Milly. I like curves.”
July 5, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author, and I received the ARC from Hidden Gems. I don’t read many contemporary romance books, but this one had a cute plot that drew me into it. It is the story of Melissa Lawrence, a newly divorced mother of two, who moved back to her hometown of Somerset, Ontario. She brings her daughter into the hospital for emergency appendicitis, and the doctor on call is her high school boyfriend, Luke. The story takes off from there, and as their relationship develops, they examine the mistakes they made in the past. Then they look at what the future might be like. It might also be an interesting series, if the author wanted to explore additional stories with the friends.
June 17, 2025
This is the first time I've read anything from this author and while I liked the blurb enough to give it a shot, I wasn't really expecting much from it. Very glad I was wrong! In a world of romances between 20-somethings, this is a romance between Adults. Sure, Luke and Melissa are only in their 30's, but their struggles both with their relationships and their professions, make this a very grown up book.
Can you guess that I loved it? These characters aren't perfect, but they are real, and their troubles are realistic. I'm so pleased I found this author, and I can't wait to read more from her.
Can you guess that I loved it? These characters aren't perfect, but they are real, and their troubles are realistic. I'm so pleased I found this author, and I can't wait to read more from her.
July 10, 2025
I’m usually a bit more lenient in my reviews when it’s a debut author—but I’m happy to say I didn’t need to be this time. This was a great book, and I truly enjoyed it. While the plot mainly revolves around a “will they, won’t they” dynamic, the writing is strong enough to carry the story without relying on dramatic twists. The focus is on romance, but it’s done in a thoughtful, well-crafted way. The characters feel real, and their problems are relatable. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for this author’s next book.
If I would have to summit up in a few words it would be - hopeful, wholesome and joyful.
Oh, and I ditched everything else to finish it.
If I would have to summit up in a few words it would be - hopeful, wholesome and joyful.
Oh, and I ditched everything else to finish it.
December 13, 2025
The title (Second Opinion) is a clever title for this book. Melissa is a newly divorced mom and has to take care of her kids. Claire, her daughter, ends up in the ER. Claire's doctor is none other than Luke, Melissa's ex. Luke and Melissa have a history. Will it get in the way? Will they get a second chance at love? I love so many things about this book. First off the female character is a plus size and not a skinny person. There are real life situations talked about regarding weight and insecurities. If you like a second chance romance this book needs to be on your TBR. I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 10, 2025
STEM MMC: trauma surgeon. STEM FMC: computer scientist who teaches math
This book was ok. There was a massive focus on weight and appearance that was incredibly frustrating. Why does everyone tell her that she needs to lose weight and get on ozempic to get a man? Her husband left her because she didn’t lose the 10 lbs of baby weight after having two kids. Come on. I don’t even think you could call this girl curvy but that she might have some curves. There’s lots of focus on food and exercise. Aside from that, it’s well written and has some light spice.
This book was ok. There was a massive focus on weight and appearance that was incredibly frustrating. Why does everyone tell her that she needs to lose weight and get on ozempic to get a man? Her husband left her because she didn’t lose the 10 lbs of baby weight after having two kids. Come on. I don’t even think you could call this girl curvy but that she might have some curves. There’s lots of focus on food and exercise. Aside from that, it’s well written and has some light spice.
June 18, 2025
This story brings back together two past lovers and brings in ethics right from them being reunited, that really is a lot for them to deal with; pasts, feelings, ethics and the reason that they were seeing each other again. Their story is an emotional one with plenty of layers, good characters and keeps you interested throughout. I am voluntarily leaving this review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems
June 22, 2025
Melissa is recently divorced and moved back to town with her kids. When her daughter has a medical emergency, the surgeon who has to operate on her daughter is not other but her ex-high school boyfriend. All the feeling they had for one other resurfaced even stronger but having relationship with patient’s relative might cost Luke’s his medical license. Would they take the risk?
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
June 17, 2025
She needs help with her daughter so she takes her to the hospital where she will meet him. He was her love but they broke up and she married someone else. He knows he cannot get involved again as he could lose his career. Follow them as they navigate their next steps
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a wonderful read
June 17, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gem books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
LIKE THE BOOK
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
LIKE THE BOOK
This is where I say the author gives enough information.
So, I do not give anything away.
June 22, 2025
It was a good book. I liked it so much a fun book. I was given an arc and i choose to give a honest review.
September 3, 2025
Quick and easy read. It’s pretty Hallmarky and very predictable but it’s cute and was fun to read
October 8, 2025
Was worried I wouldn’t like this book bc I’m not a rom com girlie??? But I think this book has transformed me into one. Cute, funny and a easy fun read
January 21, 2026
The writing sounded like that of a middle schooler, and the plot holes were very annoying.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews