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Med Wreck Romance Series #1
Love Medley
Sometimes love changes key.
Lucy Chang is a rising star at Blackwell School of Medicine, but behind the high grades and loyal friends, she’s struggling to recover from an emotionally abusive relationship with her ex, Weston. When he resurfaces, Lucy asks ER nurse Jake Whitlock to pretend to be her boyfriend—just long enough to get Weston off her back.
Jake, a med school dropout turned dueling piano performer and nurse, agrees to help. He’s used to hiding his insecurities behind piano bar performances and forced charm, especially around his disapproving father and perfect older brother—who’s now dating his ex. But fake dating Lucy is the first thing that’s felt real in a long time.
Set in a chaotic hospital filled with found family, heartfelt banter, and the music that connects them, Love Medley is a slow-burn romance about healing, vulnerability, and choosing love on your own terms.
Content warnings:
Love Medley includes scenes of emotional abuse and intimidation. The story opens with the main character hiding from her abusive ex, who attempts to force his way into a locked room. While no on-page physical violence occurs, the threat is present. The book also contains references to the aftermath of domestic violence (secondary character), emotionally abusive parenting, explicit language, and open-door sex scenes. Healing, found family, emotional growth, and love are central to the story’s arc.
Lucy Chang is a rising star at Blackwell School of Medicine, but behind the high grades and loyal friends, she’s struggling to recover from an emotionally abusive relationship with her ex, Weston. When he resurfaces, Lucy asks ER nurse Jake Whitlock to pretend to be her boyfriend—just long enough to get Weston off her back.
Jake, a med school dropout turned dueling piano performer and nurse, agrees to help. He’s used to hiding his insecurities behind piano bar performances and forced charm, especially around his disapproving father and perfect older brother—who’s now dating his ex. But fake dating Lucy is the first thing that’s felt real in a long time.
Set in a chaotic hospital filled with found family, heartfelt banter, and the music that connects them, Love Medley is a slow-burn romance about healing, vulnerability, and choosing love on your own terms.
Content warnings:
Love Medley includes scenes of emotional abuse and intimidation. The story opens with the main character hiding from her abusive ex, who attempts to force his way into a locked room. While no on-page physical violence occurs, the threat is present. The book also contains references to the aftermath of domestic violence (secondary character), emotionally abusive parenting, explicit language, and open-door sex scenes. Healing, found family, emotional growth, and love are central to the story’s arc.
- GenresRomance
500 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2025
7 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Lyssa Fairbanks
2 books13 followersLyssa Fairbanks is the author of Love Medley, the debut novel readers and indie bookstores embraced for its heartfelt characters, sharp banter, and emotional depth. Her follow-up, Love Dramedy, continues the Med Wreck series with more humor, heart, and found-family chaos.
A doctor in a past life, Fairbanks writes medical romances about emotionally devoted couples, slow-burn longing, and the messy, hopeful ways people choose love. When she’s not wrangling two spirited kids or revising over too much coffee, she’s planning creative dates with her husband, or sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her writing life on Instagram (@LFairbanksWrites).
She lives in St. Louis with her family and their melodramatic dog, Mochi. Learn more at www.lyssafairbanksauthor.com.
A doctor in a past life, Fairbanks writes medical romances about emotionally devoted couples, slow-burn longing, and the messy, hopeful ways people choose love. When she’s not wrangling two spirited kids or revising over too much coffee, she’s planning creative dates with her husband, or sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her writing life on Instagram (@LFairbanksWrites).
She lives in St. Louis with her family and their melodramatic dog, Mochi. Learn more at www.lyssafairbanksauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 27, 2025
Do yourself a favor and add this swoon-worthy Sex in the City meets Grey's Anatomy with a splash of Grease 5-star romance debut to your TBR! All three of my favorites wrapped up in this medical romance about four best friends in their fourth year of medical school. This was such a great debut novel about friendship, finding love, and balancing a busy life with school and working in the emergency room. It's also so much more than just a romance. It deals with physical and emotional abuse, and the author did a great job portraying the dark moments throughout the book. The spice level was top-notch and definitely had me blushing! This is book one of four in the Med Wreck Romance series, and I am so excited to continue....and I'm dying to find out who the next book will be about! Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR!
Lucy just got out of an abusive relationship, and now she just wants to focus on herself, school, her career path, and her three best friends. Love is the last thing on her mind... until she meets Jake. Jake dropped out of medical school to become an ER nurse. He is passionate about his job, but his family is disappointed in him. On a busy night in the ER, Lucy and Jake paths cross, and since then they both can not stop thinking about each other. You will seriously fall in love with all the characters in this book and will be rooting for them the whole way!
Lucy just got out of an abusive relationship, and now she just wants to focus on herself, school, her career path, and her three best friends. Love is the last thing on her mind... until she meets Jake. Jake dropped out of medical school to become an ER nurse. He is passionate about his job, but his family is disappointed in him. On a busy night in the ER, Lucy and Jake paths cross, and since then they both can not stop thinking about each other. You will seriously fall in love with all the characters in this book and will be rooting for them the whole way!
July 3, 2025
STEM MCs: she's in an ER rotation in her final year of med school, and he's a nurse in the ER.
Before you start this book, you need to read the content warnings. The book starts in a rough place, and the trauma from that follows her throughout the book, so just be aware of it before you get started.
Now, to get into it: This book has a bit of everything in it.
If you're a theater nerd or really into classic pop music, there's a ton sprinkled throughout the book.
I love, love a med romance where we switch up the gender norms! Male nurses are amazing!
He is from a very Gilmore-esque family, and she's from a Chinese-American family, so you know they both have had to create their own found families with their friends. The friend groups are high quality on both sides!
Jake has such a high EQ, and you know how much I love an emotionally mature MMC! He's the real MVP of the story, that's for sure. Lucy has been manipulated by so many people in her life, and watching her interact and unfurl with Jake where she finds a soft safe place was really beautiful. She, in turn, sees him and validates him and his life choices as well. It's a perfect pairing!
There's some miscommunication in setting up the fake dating, and then it's perpetuated by both of their insecurities throughout much of the book. They are both such real characters, and you get the full back stories for both of them to understand why this happens, but it's still heartbreaking and frustrating. This is my only pain point for the romance. I think they are both highly sensitive people with very high empathy, and they just feel everything and doubt themselves a lot... it's incredibly relatable. The plus side to this miscommunication is tons of mutual pining!
This book is well written, it has a good plot and excellent character development, and although it's a slow burn, once you get to the ignition point it has good spice. Some of the spice is very Grey's Anatomy inspired, IYKYK!
4.5 stars!
Before you start this book, you need to read the content warnings. The book starts in a rough place, and the trauma from that follows her throughout the book, so just be aware of it before you get started.
Now, to get into it: This book has a bit of everything in it.
If you're a theater nerd or really into classic pop music, there's a ton sprinkled throughout the book.
I love, love a med romance where we switch up the gender norms! Male nurses are amazing!
He is from a very Gilmore-esque family, and she's from a Chinese-American family, so you know they both have had to create their own found families with their friends. The friend groups are high quality on both sides!
Jake has such a high EQ, and you know how much I love an emotionally mature MMC! He's the real MVP of the story, that's for sure. Lucy has been manipulated by so many people in her life, and watching her interact and unfurl with Jake where she finds a soft safe place was really beautiful. She, in turn, sees him and validates him and his life choices as well. It's a perfect pairing!
There's some miscommunication in setting up the fake dating, and then it's perpetuated by both of their insecurities throughout much of the book. They are both such real characters, and you get the full back stories for both of them to understand why this happens, but it's still heartbreaking and frustrating. This is my only pain point for the romance. I think they are both highly sensitive people with very high empathy, and they just feel everything and doubt themselves a lot... it's incredibly relatable. The plus side to this miscommunication is tons of mutual pining!
This book is well written, it has a good plot and excellent character development, and although it's a slow burn, once you get to the ignition point it has good spice. Some of the spice is very Grey's Anatomy inspired, IYKYK!
4.5 stars!
June 27, 2025
Love Medley is an outstanding debut by Lyssa Fairbanks. Readers will have no choice but to fall in love with the determined and beautiful Lucy, while also falling in love with the biggiest cinnamon roll Jake. I can't even describe the breakneck pace I read this novel in. It lives rent free in my head. I am dreaming about my next reread just to revisit these amazing characters!!
Lucy is SUCH a wonderful character. She's funny, sweet, gorgeous, thoughtful, determined, and REAL. She is such a multifaceted character and the readers get to experience all the highs and lows of her story. We are in the thick of it with her and being able to watch her grow is amazing. I cried my heart out at the end of her story.
Jake is a heartthrob. He is sexy and kind and smart and overall just the biggest green flag you've ever seen. I kid you not, this man had my jaw on the floor and my heart fluttering. We get to experience all of the highs and lows with Jake. His love, his loss, his insecurities, and his pride. Watching him grow and develop over this novel really did something great to my brain chemistry.
The romance is so sweet and the sex is SO hot. Like someone get me a fan, I am sweating!! Every single part of this novel ticked a box that I didn't even realize I needed!! Love Medley is pure perfection.
Grey's Anatomy has NOTHING on this medical romance.
Lucy is SUCH a wonderful character. She's funny, sweet, gorgeous, thoughtful, determined, and REAL. She is such a multifaceted character and the readers get to experience all the highs and lows of her story. We are in the thick of it with her and being able to watch her grow is amazing. I cried my heart out at the end of her story.
Jake is a heartthrob. He is sexy and kind and smart and overall just the biggest green flag you've ever seen. I kid you not, this man had my jaw on the floor and my heart fluttering. We get to experience all of the highs and lows with Jake. His love, his loss, his insecurities, and his pride. Watching him grow and develop over this novel really did something great to my brain chemistry.
The romance is so sweet and the sex is SO hot. Like someone get me a fan, I am sweating!! Every single part of this novel ticked a box that I didn't even realize I needed!! Love Medley is pure perfection.
Grey's Anatomy has NOTHING on this medical romance.
July 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 3/5
# 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: 𝟯𝟵𝟰
💙𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢’𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚢 𝚟𝚒𝚋𝚎𝚜
🩺𝙵𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
💙𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏
🩺𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝙼𝙼𝙲
💙𝙼𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝙵𝙼𝙲
🩺𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛
💙𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚘𝚜
🩺𝚂𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚗
⭐️ 𝙸 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔!!
it’ll suck you in from the very first chapter! I’m not going to lie, it was pretty emotional in all the best ways.
This is my first “med” romance and I likey! It kind of gave off Grey’s Anatomy vibes.
It has a protective, caring MMC that knows hows to give a good d𝚒c𝚔i𝚗. Um yes please! I’ll add Jake Whitlock to my book boyfriend list. He can kiss my boo boos anytime he wants 😆
🌶️ It’s kind of a slow burn at first, but once Lucy jumps him, it’s game on! Theres not a whole lot of scenes but enough to warrant a level 3 spice alarm 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️ᙎᗩᖇᑎIᑎᘜ: There is some physical & mental abuse, but I love how the main characters overcome it all together 🥰!
🩺🌸🩺🌸🩺
Many thanks to @lfairbankswrites for the #giftedarc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - 3/5
# 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀: 𝟯𝟵𝟰
💙𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢’𝚜 𝙰𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚢 𝚟𝚒𝚋𝚎𝚜
🩺𝙵𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝙳𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐
💙𝙵𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏
🩺𝙲𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚗 𝚁𝚘𝚕𝚕 𝙼𝙼𝙲
💙𝙼𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝙵𝙼𝙲
🩺𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛
💙𝙷𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚝 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚘𝚜
🩺𝚂𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝙱𝚞𝚛𝚗
⭐️ 𝙸 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔!!
it’ll suck you in from the very first chapter! I’m not going to lie, it was pretty emotional in all the best ways.
This is my first “med” romance and I likey! It kind of gave off Grey’s Anatomy vibes.
It has a protective, caring MMC that knows hows to give a good d𝚒c𝚔i𝚗. Um yes please! I’ll add Jake Whitlock to my book boyfriend list. He can kiss my boo boos anytime he wants 😆
🌶️ It’s kind of a slow burn at first, but once Lucy jumps him, it’s game on! Theres not a whole lot of scenes but enough to warrant a level 3 spice alarm 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️ᙎᗩᖇᑎIᑎᘜ: There is some physical & mental abuse, but I love how the main characters overcome it all together 🥰!
🩺🌸🩺🌸🩺
Many thanks to @lfairbankswrites for the #giftedarc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 13, 2025
Loved this book so much! I fell in love with Lucy and Jake from the beginning and kept rooting for them. 😭🩵 fake dating is one of my fave tropes and I thought the author wrote this trope so well.
Both were so likable and their worries about being good enough for each other was so relatable esp with parents who put a lot of pressure on them. I also thought the author did a great job with the topic of abuse and what it looks like on the hospital side when they see patients who are in unsafe situations.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! 😍
Both were so likable and their worries about being good enough for each other was so relatable esp with parents who put a lot of pressure on them. I also thought the author did a great job with the topic of abuse and what it looks like on the hospital side when they see patients who are in unsafe situations.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! 😍
September 15, 2025
the story starts in a darker place but grows into something warm, hopeful, and full of heart. it’s a stem romance with musical elements that was so refreshing to read.
the fake dating dynamic was so much fun, the slow burn had just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked, and the payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
love medley kicks off the med wreck series, and we even get a sneak peek at the next couple!
spoiler: it’s sapphic and i’m already obsessed. 🤭
the fake dating dynamic was so much fun, the slow burn had just the right amount of tension to keep me hooked, and the payoff was absolutely worth the wait.
love medley kicks off the med wreck series, and we even get a sneak peek at the next couple!
spoiler: it’s sapphic and i’m already obsessed. 🤭
October 14, 2025
Love Medley handled the subject of abuse with realism and sensitivity. The author did an excellent job showing the emotional impact without losing the heart of the story. The humor and musical banter added such a refreshing balance—it made the characters feel real and the story truly sing.
September 17, 2025
LOVED all the music refereneces, top notch. This romance was cute and had emotion and heart and solid character development. Hard to beat this!
July 10, 2025
5/5 stars! Love Medley is the start to an amazing four book series that I have been honored to alpha read. Lyssa Fairbanks is an amazing writer that creates romance out of tough situations. The character development was so profound and I couldn’t put this down! I felt like I was one of the friends in the book! If you’re looking for a medical romance that touches your heart, this is the one for you!
Lucy Chang, a rising star at Blackwell School of Medicine, seems to have everything—great grades and a strong group of med school girlfriends—but Weston, her toxic ex, continues to terrorize her. Always a drifter, she wonders if she’s lost her way. Now, she vows to take a break from love as she struggles to find her voice. Meanwhile, Jake Whitlock, an ER nurse, battles deep-seated insecurities stemming from his father’s disdain for male nurses. Making things worse? His ex is dating his arrogant brother, Sterling. Performing at the local dueling piano bar brings Jake some relief, but he still wrestles with self-doubt. One fateful day in the ER, Lucy asks Jake to pose as her boyfriend to get Weston to back off. Could this fabricated romance be the catalyst for their self-discovery—as well as the beginning of a perfect love duet?
Coming September 2025! Be ready to fall in love with Lucy and Jake!
Lucy Chang, a rising star at Blackwell School of Medicine, seems to have everything—great grades and a strong group of med school girlfriends—but Weston, her toxic ex, continues to terrorize her. Always a drifter, she wonders if she’s lost her way. Now, she vows to take a break from love as she struggles to find her voice. Meanwhile, Jake Whitlock, an ER nurse, battles deep-seated insecurities stemming from his father’s disdain for male nurses. Making things worse? His ex is dating his arrogant brother, Sterling. Performing at the local dueling piano bar brings Jake some relief, but he still wrestles with self-doubt. One fateful day in the ER, Lucy asks Jake to pose as her boyfriend to get Weston to back off. Could this fabricated romance be the catalyst for their self-discovery—as well as the beginning of a perfect love duet?
Coming September 2025! Be ready to fall in love with Lucy and Jake!
July 2, 2025
I am lucky enough to know the amazing Lyssa Fairbanks, so I have had the privilege of reading multiple drafts of this story. The end result is something that manages to be funny and poignant, charming and racy, sizzling and sweet. Although this story stands alone, the character development and world-building serve as a solid foundation for the rest of the 4-book series. Fairbanks does a great job slowly building the central romance while also introducing a slew of secondary characters who will get more page time in forthcoming novels. Great for fans of Grey's Anatomy or Ali Hazelwood.
Here's my official blurb:
"This book is both adorably charming and incredibly sexy, filled with well-drawn characters you'll want to root for and a romance that almost made my Kindle Fire actually catch flame. It's squad goals and relationship goals set against an interesting backdrop of ER scenes. I can't wait to see what this diverse and likable group of friends does next. More please!"
Here's my official blurb:
"This book is both adorably charming and incredibly sexy, filled with well-drawn characters you'll want to root for and a romance that almost made my Kindle Fire actually catch flame. It's squad goals and relationship goals set against an interesting backdrop of ER scenes. I can't wait to see what this diverse and likable group of friends does next. More please!"
August 4, 2025
This was a fast-paced read that felt like being dropped into an episode of ER, Grey’s Anatomy, or Chicago Med. The story was packed with a wide cast of characters, from hospital staff to bar regulars, etc. And yes, there were definitely some steamy on-call room moments 😂 🔥
The major trigger warnings include emotional abuse (though out the book), and mentions of physical abuse.
The major trigger warnings include emotional abuse (though out the book), and mentions of physical abuse.
September 22, 2025
A great debut novel, ecited for the rest of the series!
October 27, 2025
Unfortunately I found this book pretty juvenile in its writing
November 3, 2025
I really liked this book. It drew me in and kept me up reading way too late—twice.
As the author tells you herself in her forward, this book starts with Lucy, the FMC, hiding in the bathroom in response to a soon-to-be ex’s volatile tirade. While not a typical opening to a romance novel, I thought that it was just perfect. Why? Because it set the stage for a complex immersion into the realities of romance following abuse.
While it’s definitely true that this book explores some deep and often glossed over topics, I found it light and romantic overall. Jake was about as good a guy as they come. Sweet. Understanding. Self-aware. The perfect romantic counterpart for Lucy. In general, but especially after what she went through.
Lucy was a fascinating character. Smart, capable, and accomplished, but drowning in the perceived need to put other people’s needs and wants above her own.
Jake and Lucy definitely had their ups and downs—personally, as well as with each other—but everything resolved itself in the end. Just like a good romance does.
No book is perfect for everyone, but I think you might like Love Medley if you enjoy:
🩺 STEM romance
♥️ Fake dating
🩺 Med student (her) x Nurse (him)
♥️ Slow burn
🩺 Mental health rep
♥️ Romance following abuse (mental emotional, on page)
🩺 Cinnamon roll MMC
♥️ He falls first
🩺 Asian American rep
♥️ The struggle to “be enough”
🩺 Found family
♥️ Spicy romance with strong emotional connection
My favourite part?
The reminder that our past doesn’t have to define our future. Our past choices have brought us to where we are, but new choices can change the direction we’re heading. And the playlist? *Chef’s kiss*
As the author tells you herself in her forward, this book starts with Lucy, the FMC, hiding in the bathroom in response to a soon-to-be ex’s volatile tirade. While not a typical opening to a romance novel, I thought that it was just perfect. Why? Because it set the stage for a complex immersion into the realities of romance following abuse.
While it’s definitely true that this book explores some deep and often glossed over topics, I found it light and romantic overall. Jake was about as good a guy as they come. Sweet. Understanding. Self-aware. The perfect romantic counterpart for Lucy. In general, but especially after what she went through.
Lucy was a fascinating character. Smart, capable, and accomplished, but drowning in the perceived need to put other people’s needs and wants above her own.
Jake and Lucy definitely had their ups and downs—personally, as well as with each other—but everything resolved itself in the end. Just like a good romance does.
No book is perfect for everyone, but I think you might like Love Medley if you enjoy:
🩺 STEM romance
♥️ Fake dating
🩺 Med student (her) x Nurse (him)
♥️ Slow burn
🩺 Mental health rep
♥️ Romance following abuse (mental emotional, on page)
🩺 Cinnamon roll MMC
♥️ He falls first
🩺 Asian American rep
♥️ The struggle to “be enough”
🩺 Found family
♥️ Spicy romance with strong emotional connection
My favourite part?
The reminder that our past doesn’t have to define our future. Our past choices have brought us to where we are, but new choices can change the direction we’re heading. And the playlist? *Chef’s kiss*
August 30, 2025
One of the most beautiful and engaging romances I’ve read. The main characters Lucy (medical student) and Jake (ER nurse) develop a slow-burn romance that will leave the reader aching for more. You'll be rewarded with plenty of spice though!
One of my favourite themes is found family so that element was a major positive for me. The friendship groups of both characters are so much fun and promise unforgettable stories to come. Family is another prominent theme and the author explores the tensions that stem from parents and siblings, as well as how this feeds into identity and belonging. The author sensitively examines intimate partner violence and Lucy's story will resonate with many readers.
Music is the key that threads this story together. It shines through on every page and fleshes out the characters in a way words never could. Make sure to check out the playlist recommended by the author.
Love Medley is a symphony of music, medicine, love and friendship with unforgettable characters. Lyssa Fairbanks is a gifted debut author to watch out for!
One of my favourite themes is found family so that element was a major positive for me. The friendship groups of both characters are so much fun and promise unforgettable stories to come. Family is another prominent theme and the author explores the tensions that stem from parents and siblings, as well as how this feeds into identity and belonging. The author sensitively examines intimate partner violence and Lucy's story will resonate with many readers.
Music is the key that threads this story together. It shines through on every page and fleshes out the characters in a way words never could. Make sure to check out the playlist recommended by the author.
Love Medley is a symphony of music, medicine, love and friendship with unforgettable characters. Lyssa Fairbanks is a gifted debut author to watch out for!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews