What do you think?
Gulf Waters Regional #1
Ricochet
She broke his heart, but he’ll never break his promise.
Dr. Tatum Erikson is looking for a second chance. Struggling to cope after a family tragedy, the board-certified OB/GYN is offered the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the nation’s top hospitals. But her past catches up with her in the form of her new boss–the newly appointed Chief of Medicine.
Her ex.
Dr. Jonathan Ramsdale’s “no-nonsense,” unwavering focus is put to the test when he discovers his predecessor’s newest hire is the only woman he’s ever loved.
The one who shattered his heart.
With lives at stake, Jonathan and Tatum have no choice but to set their personal feelings aside and work together. Somewhere between supply closets, hospital lockdowns, and broken elevators, the truth behind their break-up comes to light, and the lines of professionalism start to blur.
Their connection is electric. The chemistry? Undeniable, but Tatum’s betrayal from 12 years ago still hangs heavy in the air.
When her world takes an unexpected detour, their rekindled relationship is her only safe harbor. Now, Jonathan is faced with a difficult decision that could cost them choosing a life that is free of fear, or a life full of love.
-----
Medical Romance ◾ Second Chance ◾ Lovers to Enemies to Lovers ◾ Boss x Employee ◾ MCs in their late 30s ◾ Found Family ◾ Comfort Care ◾ Love After Infidelity (FMC cheats on MMC in past, off page) ◾ Mental Health Rep ◾ Disability Rep ◾ Dual Timeline ◾ Dual POV ◾ Open Door Spice ◾ Drama Surrounding Birth and Pregnancy (FMC is an OB)
Dr. Tatum Erikson is looking for a second chance. Struggling to cope after a family tragedy, the board-certified OB/GYN is offered the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the nation’s top hospitals. But her past catches up with her in the form of her new boss–the newly appointed Chief of Medicine.
Her ex.
Dr. Jonathan Ramsdale’s “no-nonsense,” unwavering focus is put to the test when he discovers his predecessor’s newest hire is the only woman he’s ever loved.
The one who shattered his heart.
With lives at stake, Jonathan and Tatum have no choice but to set their personal feelings aside and work together. Somewhere between supply closets, hospital lockdowns, and broken elevators, the truth behind their break-up comes to light, and the lines of professionalism start to blur.
Their connection is electric. The chemistry? Undeniable, but Tatum’s betrayal from 12 years ago still hangs heavy in the air.
When her world takes an unexpected detour, their rekindled relationship is her only safe harbor. Now, Jonathan is faced with a difficult decision that could cost them choosing a life that is free of fear, or a life full of love.
-----
Medical Romance ◾ Second Chance ◾ Lovers to Enemies to Lovers ◾ Boss x Employee ◾ MCs in their late 30s ◾ Found Family ◾ Comfort Care ◾ Love After Infidelity (FMC cheats on MMC in past, off page) ◾ Mental Health Rep ◾ Disability Rep ◾ Dual Timeline ◾ Dual POV ◾ Open Door Spice ◾ Drama Surrounding Birth and Pregnancy (FMC is an OB)
493 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2025
About the author
Emmy Kendall
3 books26 followersEmmy Kendall is a dreamer. The Texas native is fueled by creativity, a quirky imagination, and a generous dose of caffeine. She believes reading should be an emotional experience, which is why her stories are infused with angsty predicaments and flawed characters.
When she's not writing, she's indulging in millennial nostalgia, nose-deep in a romance or thriller novel, cooking something up in the kitchen, or taking football entirely too seriously (Go Cowboys!).
When she's not writing, she's indulging in millennial nostalgia, nose-deep in a romance or thriller novel, cooking something up in the kitchen, or taking football entirely too seriously (Go Cowboys!).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 2, 2025
FMC - Tatum: 4 🌟
MMC - Jonathan: 5 🌟
SPICE - 🌶🌶
LIKES: This felt like Grey's Anatomy, except in a book, and I ate it up! So much drama, so much tension, and damnit if it didn't make me feel all of the feelings!
I loved the slow-burn tension between Tatum and Jonathan. Even though their past is super rocky, I was still rooting so hard for the moment when they would start to patch things up, and I absolutely love their HEA 💕
DISLIKES: For a single romance novel, there are a lot of dramatic moments and plot twists packed into it. I still enjoyed it as a whole, but I kept thinking "wow, what else could possibly happen?!" and then BAM another plot twist lol. Now that I finished it and I'm looking back on it, it just feels like A LOT happened and A LOT was processed in the span of 480-some pages.
I really like Tatum's character, but I personally can't forgive her infidelity. I happen to love the drama that comes with the cheating trope and I never turn away from those books, but it still makes me lose some respect for the character, which is the only reason I rate her at 4 stars
*FINAL NOTE* - The book has mechanical errors that need touching up, but this was read as an ARC, so they hopefully get fixed before publication
Thank you so much to Torch Lit Ink and author Emmy Kendall for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕
MMC - Jonathan: 5 🌟
SPICE - 🌶🌶
LIKES: This felt like Grey's Anatomy, except in a book, and I ate it up! So much drama, so much tension, and damnit if it didn't make me feel all of the feelings!
I loved the slow-burn tension between Tatum and Jonathan. Even though their past is super rocky, I was still rooting so hard for the moment when they would start to patch things up, and I absolutely love their HEA 💕
DISLIKES: For a single romance novel, there are a lot of dramatic moments and plot twists packed into it. I still enjoyed it as a whole, but I kept thinking "wow, what else could possibly happen?!" and then BAM another plot twist lol. Now that I finished it and I'm looking back on it, it just feels like A LOT happened and A LOT was processed in the span of 480-some pages.
I really like Tatum's character, but I personally can't forgive her infidelity. I happen to love the drama that comes with the cheating trope and I never turn away from those books, but it still makes me lose some respect for the character, which is the only reason I rate her at 4 stars
*FINAL NOTE* - The book has mechanical errors that need touching up, but this was read as an ARC, so they hopefully get fixed before publication
Thank you so much to Torch Lit Ink and author Emmy Kendall for the opportunity to read this ARC 💕
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
There. There it is. This girlie has finally been given a contemporary romance perfect for readers who tend to avoid reading contemporary romance.
Ricochet is a compelling, captivating story that offers more than just a romantic trajectory between two main protagonists. Kendall has managed to craft several well-fleshed-out and multifaceted characters who stand perfectly on their own and offer conflicts and battles that make the reader ponder life, love, or the meaning of one's purpose in this world. Dr Tatum Erikson is an incredible main character — not polished "perfection", but a realistic woman made of flesh and bones. The author is not afraid to show her in moments of darkness and exhaustion, and some of the descriptions (both mental and physical ones) make her deeply relatable. Essentially, her uniqueness stands out without feeling artificial, and Emmy Kendall offers a female character powerful enough not to forcefully push other female characters down or reduce their own power. Tatum is self-reliant, conflicted, and full of agency, and you cannot help but admire her, even when she thinks herself not good enough.
Instead of swooning over our darling love interest, I wish to praise Kendall for the "villain" of her story. What I loved about her narrative arc for Nick is that he is not reduced to being the bad guy. We quickly realise that often, the antagonists are victims in their own right, too. As the story progresses, we encounter his own insecurities and inner battles, and his actions begin to make sense. I do enjoy it greatly when authors do not reduce their plots to the first possible, easy way to craft the plot, but give great depth and thought to all the characters and the smallest details about their personalities. The author has managed precisely that with Nick — for that reason, I found it impossible to dislike him. In fact, I felt a great sense of compassion... and was glad when he ultimately received the same from some of the other characters in the novel.
Emmy Kendall also explores so many topics that I thoroughly enjoyed and even find important to discuss and elaborate on. Parental neglect is a well-known theme, but Kendall, in this case, specifically focuses on abandonment on the mothers' part and sheds light on all the reasons why. This allows thinking in more detail about the role of mothers and the way we tend to look at motherhood in terms of societal rules, without often taking into consideration the impact motherhood might have on particular women as individuals. I think this is particularly well shown in the case of Jonathan's mother.
Another crucial thing was the focus on infidelity when committed by a woman. Infidelity among women is rarely about simple dissatisfaction as it often grows from unmet emotional needs, loneliness, or internal conflict. Because a woman commits it in this case, the story exposes not just personal flaws but the silent pressures Tatum’s endured. To me, it is more of a psychological excavation than a moral judgment. At the same time, by portraying a woman who betrays, the writer punctures this popular notion of women as pristine beings and replaces it with something human and realistic. It simply allows Tatum to exist beyond the archetypes of purity or victimhood, which enables Kendall to craft her own unique story.
The novel has two explicit sex scenes that I enjoyed greatly. Somehow, I am a sucker for intimate descriptions when the sex itself represents more than just the physical gratification. In both cases, these scenes served as an extension of the couple's emotional state, even Tatum's reclaiming of self, which was powerful. The depth behind those moments is what made it very enjoyable to read.
Last but not least, the novel introduces readers to the world of obstetrics and gynaecology, a topic that also deserves further exploration, both in fiction and beyond. As a child of a woman who survived a placenta accreta and nearly died during childbirth because of improper treatment, it was wonderful to see this particular case presented in the novel with such care and importance. This way, the book was both entertaining and informative to me.
Overall, this was an emotional and impactful ride, from the first pages right to the end. I particularly recommend this novel to those readers who seek a good story about life, with all the good and the bad it can offer us.
Ricochet is a compelling, captivating story that offers more than just a romantic trajectory between two main protagonists. Kendall has managed to craft several well-fleshed-out and multifaceted characters who stand perfectly on their own and offer conflicts and battles that make the reader ponder life, love, or the meaning of one's purpose in this world. Dr Tatum Erikson is an incredible main character — not polished "perfection", but a realistic woman made of flesh and bones. The author is not afraid to show her in moments of darkness and exhaustion, and some of the descriptions (both mental and physical ones) make her deeply relatable. Essentially, her uniqueness stands out without feeling artificial, and Emmy Kendall offers a female character powerful enough not to forcefully push other female characters down or reduce their own power. Tatum is self-reliant, conflicted, and full of agency, and you cannot help but admire her, even when she thinks herself not good enough.
Instead of swooning over our darling love interest, I wish to praise Kendall for the "villain" of her story. What I loved about her narrative arc for Nick is that he is not reduced to being the bad guy. We quickly realise that often, the antagonists are victims in their own right, too. As the story progresses, we encounter his own insecurities and inner battles, and his actions begin to make sense. I do enjoy it greatly when authors do not reduce their plots to the first possible, easy way to craft the plot, but give great depth and thought to all the characters and the smallest details about their personalities. The author has managed precisely that with Nick — for that reason, I found it impossible to dislike him. In fact, I felt a great sense of compassion... and was glad when he ultimately received the same from some of the other characters in the novel.
Emmy Kendall also explores so many topics that I thoroughly enjoyed and even find important to discuss and elaborate on. Parental neglect is a well-known theme, but Kendall, in this case, specifically focuses on abandonment on the mothers' part and sheds light on all the reasons why. This allows thinking in more detail about the role of mothers and the way we tend to look at motherhood in terms of societal rules, without often taking into consideration the impact motherhood might have on particular women as individuals. I think this is particularly well shown in the case of Jonathan's mother.
Another crucial thing was the focus on infidelity when committed by a woman. Infidelity among women is rarely about simple dissatisfaction as it often grows from unmet emotional needs, loneliness, or internal conflict. Because a woman commits it in this case, the story exposes not just personal flaws but the silent pressures Tatum’s endured. To me, it is more of a psychological excavation than a moral judgment. At the same time, by portraying a woman who betrays, the writer punctures this popular notion of women as pristine beings and replaces it with something human and realistic. It simply allows Tatum to exist beyond the archetypes of purity or victimhood, which enables Kendall to craft her own unique story.
The novel has two explicit sex scenes that I enjoyed greatly. Somehow, I am a sucker for intimate descriptions when the sex itself represents more than just the physical gratification. In both cases, these scenes served as an extension of the couple's emotional state, even Tatum's reclaiming of self, which was powerful. The depth behind those moments is what made it very enjoyable to read.
Last but not least, the novel introduces readers to the world of obstetrics and gynaecology, a topic that also deserves further exploration, both in fiction and beyond. As a child of a woman who survived a placenta accreta and nearly died during childbirth because of improper treatment, it was wonderful to see this particular case presented in the novel with such care and importance. This way, the book was both entertaining and informative to me.
Overall, this was an emotional and impactful ride, from the first pages right to the end. I particularly recommend this novel to those readers who seek a good story about life, with all the good and the bad it can offer us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2026
🌟🌟 Really not sure about this, but if there’s one thing I am certain of, it’s that this is not—and never could be—a five star read (IMO).
Look, I’m all for second chance romances, and contrary to the masses I actually like the cheating trope (if done well).
Unfortunately it just didn’t hit for me… here’s why:
🚨 spoilers…
1. Tatum cheated for NO good reason, regardless of what her dad said, or Nick’s appraisal of the event. She made a choice to ask him to leave, then opened the door for him to come back and then had sex with him. You’re sad? You need a hug? Great—do that. I’m sorry, but just own it, girl.
2. Jonathon (the MMC) was RIGHT… she cheated on him with his best friend, breaking his trust, humiliating him, ruining and friendship and breaking his heart. Why did she think she deserved his friendship/forgiveness (immediately after not seeing him for 12 years)? Utter bollocks.
3. Considering the above, I honestly felt like her trauma (which was valid) was used as an excuse by both her and the MMC because they wanted to have sex again.
4. Ending was rushed—hate that.
5. I just don’t think they should’ve ended up together.
So… yeah. 🤷♀️
Look, I’m all for second chance romances, and contrary to the masses I actually like the cheating trope (if done well).
Unfortunately it just didn’t hit for me… here’s why:
🚨 spoilers…
1. Tatum cheated for NO good reason, regardless of what her dad said, or Nick’s appraisal of the event. She made a choice to ask him to leave, then opened the door for him to come back and then had sex with him. You’re sad? You need a hug? Great—do that. I’m sorry, but just own it, girl.
2. Jonathon (the MMC) was RIGHT… she cheated on him with his best friend, breaking his trust, humiliating him, ruining and friendship and breaking his heart. Why did she think she deserved his friendship/forgiveness (immediately after not seeing him for 12 years)? Utter bollocks.
3. Considering the above, I honestly felt like her trauma (which was valid) was used as an excuse by both her and the MMC because they wanted to have sex again.
4. Ending was rushed—hate that.
5. I just don’t think they should’ve ended up together.
So… yeah. 🤷♀️
August 3, 2025
ARC Review:
Ricochet is an emotional, second-chance romance where the sparks never died — they just waited to reignite. Set against a richly layered medical setting, this story blends heartfelt tension with relatable obstacles that make the characters easy to root for. The plot twists keep things interesting, though a few felt unresolved in the rush to wrap up. Still, the chemistry and emotional depth hit the mark. A satisfying read for fans of medical romance and messy, meaningful love.
Ricochet is an emotional, second-chance romance where the sparks never died — they just waited to reignite. Set against a richly layered medical setting, this story blends heartfelt tension with relatable obstacles that make the characters easy to root for. The plot twists keep things interesting, though a few felt unresolved in the rush to wrap up. Still, the chemistry and emotional depth hit the mark. A satisfying read for fans of medical romance and messy, meaningful love.
May 31, 2026
This review will spoil all plot twists.
I do not love a cheating trope but decided to give this a shot based on so many glowing reviews.
This is:
A second chance - Jonathan and Tate
Dual timeline
Friends-to-lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers
Med school/hospital setting
Content warnings:
Dubious consent - she’s been drinking/having a panic attack and her boyfriend’s friend has sex with her
Death of a newborn
IVF mentioned (not MCs)
A brief hostage situation at the hospital (gun involved)
Military injury resulting in quadriplegia
Let me say first of all, Nick is an irredeemable a$$hole.
We know at the outset that this book centers on a cheating/second chance trope, but what the reader doesn’t know until later is that Nick took advantage of Tate in a drunk and anxiety-ridden state, while Jonathan is out of the country doing Doctors Without Borders type of stuff. So let’s call this what it really is: this is rape, not cheating. Are we meant to ignore the consent issue with a woman who has been drinking and is also suffering from a panic attack at the return of her piece of sh*t father to her life? The act itself is not portrayed on page, so the reader is unaware of the characters’ thoughts in the throes of it; however, the book literally sets the scene with the words “mental anguish and excessive intake of alcohol” and Tate telling herself “stop” and “you’re drunk.” One could try to argue that if she’s thinking like that, maybe she’s more aware of what’s going on, maybe she’s not so drunk, but that’s the kind of thought process that leads to blaming the victim, not the perpetrator. Nick is set to drive himself home immediately before anything happens so we are left with the assumption that he’s fully aware of what he’s doing.
All that being said, the story plays out where Jonathan comes home and finds them together, Nick runs out with his pants around his ankles like the piece of sh*t rapist that he is, and Jonathan throws Tate out, not wanting to hear her explanation. They won’t see each other again for over a decade.
A huge spoiler here is that Tate gets knocked up from this incident and winds up marrying Nick (girl why??) for “stability for their baby” even though they definitely don’t love each other, which is always a super great idea and totally works out in the long run. I understand and acknowledge that a huge percentage of women who are assaulted don’t report it/file charges and I understand why that is, but the fact that Tate winds up marrying Nick after what he did to her is unbelievable to me. They divorce not long after, and this is SUPER spoiler-y, but Tate and Nick’s baby only survives a few hours after birth, which Nick leaves her to deal with ON HER OWN. Like I said, irredeemable a$$hole.
And when these people are all back together working at the same hospital 12 years after these events, Tate is fine with being Nick’s friend… like girl what are we even doing here, this guy is scum. And how is Jonathan still friends with him? I know he doesn’t know the state Tate was in when the “cheating” happened but for the life of me I can’t understand why Nick is still in the fold. I hate that this book calls this cheating when it should be called rape.
So the dynamic while these people are back working together is all over the place with Jonathan being the hospital grump, Tate coming in and winning everyone over, Julian (Jonathan’s other bff) unaware of anything that’s happened, Nick getting away with what he did completely unscathed and without consequence. Then add to that Jonathan’s “crazy” ex, a secret not dead brother (the brother is not a secret- that he’s not dead is the secret, like again why hide from Jonathan that someone he cares about is not dead?), Tate’s neglectful and abusive dad who winds up being briefly treated at their hospital and is never mentioned again, and Tate’s mom who comes back into the picture with secret half siblings. It just feels like too many plot lines crammed into one book, and to me felt disjointed and messy.
Overall, to me, this book tries to do way too much; there are lies on top of lies on top of more lies, and it just seemed so overwrought, with excessive and unnecessary plot twists. Felt very soap opera to me, so if you’re into that, maybe this book is one you’d enjoy.
Unfortunately this book was not for me and I won’t read this author again.
I do not love a cheating trope but decided to give this a shot based on so many glowing reviews.
This is:
A second chance - Jonathan and Tate
Dual timeline
Friends-to-lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers
Med school/hospital setting
Content warnings:
Dubious consent - she’s been drinking/having a panic attack and her boyfriend’s friend has sex with her
Death of a newborn
IVF mentioned (not MCs)
A brief hostage situation at the hospital (gun involved)
Military injury resulting in quadriplegia
Let me say first of all, Nick is an irredeemable a$$hole.
We know at the outset that this book centers on a cheating/second chance trope, but what the reader doesn’t know until later is that Nick took advantage of Tate in a drunk and anxiety-ridden state, while Jonathan is out of the country doing Doctors Without Borders type of stuff. So let’s call this what it really is: this is rape, not cheating. Are we meant to ignore the consent issue with a woman who has been drinking and is also suffering from a panic attack at the return of her piece of sh*t father to her life? The act itself is not portrayed on page, so the reader is unaware of the characters’ thoughts in the throes of it; however, the book literally sets the scene with the words “mental anguish and excessive intake of alcohol” and Tate telling herself “stop” and “you’re drunk.” One could try to argue that if she’s thinking like that, maybe she’s more aware of what’s going on, maybe she’s not so drunk, but that’s the kind of thought process that leads to blaming the victim, not the perpetrator. Nick is set to drive himself home immediately before anything happens so we are left with the assumption that he’s fully aware of what he’s doing.
All that being said, the story plays out where Jonathan comes home and finds them together, Nick runs out with his pants around his ankles like the piece of sh*t rapist that he is, and Jonathan throws Tate out, not wanting to hear her explanation. They won’t see each other again for over a decade.
A huge spoiler here is that Tate gets knocked up from this incident and winds up marrying Nick (girl why??) for “stability for their baby” even though they definitely don’t love each other, which is always a super great idea and totally works out in the long run. I understand and acknowledge that a huge percentage of women who are assaulted don’t report it/file charges and I understand why that is, but the fact that Tate winds up marrying Nick after what he did to her is unbelievable to me. They divorce not long after, and this is SUPER spoiler-y, but Tate and Nick’s baby only survives a few hours after birth, which Nick leaves her to deal with ON HER OWN. Like I said, irredeemable a$$hole.
And when these people are all back together working at the same hospital 12 years after these events, Tate is fine with being Nick’s friend… like girl what are we even doing here, this guy is scum. And how is Jonathan still friends with him? I know he doesn’t know the state Tate was in when the “cheating” happened but for the life of me I can’t understand why Nick is still in the fold. I hate that this book calls this cheating when it should be called rape.
So the dynamic while these people are back working together is all over the place with Jonathan being the hospital grump, Tate coming in and winning everyone over, Julian (Jonathan’s other bff) unaware of anything that’s happened, Nick getting away with what he did completely unscathed and without consequence. Then add to that Jonathan’s “crazy” ex, a secret not dead brother (the brother is not a secret- that he’s not dead is the secret, like again why hide from Jonathan that someone he cares about is not dead?), Tate’s neglectful and abusive dad who winds up being briefly treated at their hospital and is never mentioned again, and Tate’s mom who comes back into the picture with secret half siblings. It just feels like too many plot lines crammed into one book, and to me felt disjointed and messy.
Overall, to me, this book tries to do way too much; there are lies on top of lies on top of more lies, and it just seemed so overwrought, with excessive and unnecessary plot twists. Felt very soap opera to me, so if you’re into that, maybe this book is one you’d enjoy.
Unfortunately this book was not for me and I won’t read this author again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2025
There are so many emotions and need to grab tissues. I love the characters and the storylines. I love the small nods to things that Texas People love! I love that this is such a great story in the medical field! I will totally be referring this to people and I cannot wait for the next book!
June 30, 2026
DUDE. Dude. So damn good. Oh my god!!!! I loved this :,) I kinda had mixed feelings due to what she did but oh lawd it was so good. I laughed and I cried sooooo much. This was beautiful and refreshing whew
August 21, 2025
ARC review for Ricochet by Emmy Kendall
Thanks to Emmy and Torch Lit Ink for the ARC opportunity!
What to expect: second chance (after cheating), medical romance, lovers to enemies to lovers, boss/employee, adult MCs, found family, hurt/comfort, mental health and disability rep, forced proximity, slooooowwwww burn, workplace romance
Content warning: the author includes a comprehensive list at the beginning of the book. Check it out for full details but know, given the setting and the FMC's occupation, fetal and maternal health and medical needs are a constant presence.
Review: 5/5
So, for my ARCs, I normally do "Things I liked" and "Things I disliked or missed the mark" to summarize for review readers my thoughts while also trying to make it simple to decide if a book might be for them while it's still so new. I'm switching things up for this one because I don't know how to do that style of review without spilling all the spoilers, haha. SO much happens in this book (maybe a little too much at times) but the twists and turns have twists and turns. Like, a lot of things go on and are revealed as the story progresses. Was I absolutely screaming and raging at one point? Absolutely. Do I think some characters were WAY TOO NICE to other characters who maybe didn't deserve that? Fork yes I do. Would I have been meaner if I were the character and/or author. 1,000%. But did all that fictional character rage on top of the twists and turns have me turning page after page after page? Of freaking course. I could not stop reading this book. When I say I did almost no work one day, I mean it.
I could not put this book down and, because of that, despite my times of raginess (rageyness? rageiness? Hmmm....), I can't give this anything less than five stars. Medical dramas are not my go to and now I know why. I would need blood pressure medication. This tells me I make the right call to not watch Grey's or any other medical drama because I clearly cannot hang. If you like any of those things, this should absolutely be a must read for you.
P.S. for my spice-loving friends, this is very much a slow burn and definitely lighter on the spice. The drama and romantic build-up is center stage for 75% of the book and, while you do get spicy times, it's relatively mild in my opinion.
P.P.S. if you too were very ragey while reading parts of this book, feel free to step into my office and drop into my DMs so we can rage together. I like rage buddies.
P.P.P.S. every time I say the title of this book I literally cannot help myself and I say as though I'm in a Ricola commercial. I cannot stop. Send help.
Thanks to Emmy and Torch Lit Ink for the ARC opportunity!
What to expect: second chance (after cheating), medical romance, lovers to enemies to lovers, boss/employee, adult MCs, found family, hurt/comfort, mental health and disability rep, forced proximity, slooooowwwww burn, workplace romance
Content warning: the author includes a comprehensive list at the beginning of the book. Check it out for full details but know, given the setting and the FMC's occupation, fetal and maternal health and medical needs are a constant presence.
Review: 5/5
So, for my ARCs, I normally do "Things I liked" and "Things I disliked or missed the mark" to summarize for review readers my thoughts while also trying to make it simple to decide if a book might be for them while it's still so new. I'm switching things up for this one because I don't know how to do that style of review without spilling all the spoilers, haha. SO much happens in this book (maybe a little too much at times) but the twists and turns have twists and turns. Like, a lot of things go on and are revealed as the story progresses. Was I absolutely screaming and raging at one point? Absolutely. Do I think some characters were WAY TOO NICE to other characters who maybe didn't deserve that? Fork yes I do. Would I have been meaner if I were the character and/or author. 1,000%. But did all that fictional character rage on top of the twists and turns have me turning page after page after page? Of freaking course. I could not stop reading this book. When I say I did almost no work one day, I mean it.
I could not put this book down and, because of that, despite my times of raginess (rageyness? rageiness? Hmmm....), I can't give this anything less than five stars. Medical dramas are not my go to and now I know why. I would need blood pressure medication. This tells me I make the right call to not watch Grey's or any other medical drama because I clearly cannot hang. If you like any of those things, this should absolutely be a must read for you.
P.S. for my spice-loving friends, this is very much a slow burn and definitely lighter on the spice. The drama and romantic build-up is center stage for 75% of the book and, while you do get spicy times, it's relatively mild in my opinion.
P.P.S. if you too were very ragey while reading parts of this book, feel free to step into my office and drop into my DMs so we can rage together. I like rage buddies.
P.P.P.S. every time I say the title of this book I literally cannot help myself and I say as though I'm in a Ricola commercial. I cannot stop. Send help.
May 5, 2026
Listen, did I read this in a day and a half? Yes. Was it "good"....kind of. Very much like reading Grey's anatomy, incredibly dramatic, complicated, unhealthy relationships all around
1. It was SO long
2. What a couple, do you root for them? I don't know, toxic AF that's for certain
3. The lower lips in this book are like thier own character, so many emotions are translated through some kind of lower lip action
1. It was SO long
2. What a couple, do you root for them? I don't know, toxic AF that's for certain
3. The lower lips in this book are like thier own character, so many emotions are translated through some kind of lower lip action
Read
November 8, 2025DNF’d @ 20%. Didn’t connect with the writing style, sometimes very prosy, sometimes very abrupt.
May 12, 2026
This book is every bad episode of all of your favorite medical drama television shows strung together. It is not a good book, and that is a fact. I knew I should've put it down once I read the prologue because all it did was make me so angry.
I despise Tatum, the FMC, in this book SO much. She cheats on Jonathon for no reason, and capitalizes on the fact that she had a bad childhood to attempt to justify it. Honestly, she's such a wanker.
Jonathon, the MMC, is a really great guy before the cheating ... honestly, what Tatum did absolutely destroyed an already insecure man. I liked his character a lot due to the fact that he had so many layers. He deserved SO MUCH BETTER.
I skimmed through a lot of the medical stuff in this book, especially the surgeries, because while reading, I felt like I was watching Grey's Anatomy.
This book was not for me. I did not like it, I don't think much of it was good, and I do not recommend it.
I despise Tatum, the FMC, in this book SO much. She cheats on Jonathon for no reason, and capitalizes on the fact that she had a bad childhood to attempt to justify it. Honestly, she's such a wanker.
Jonathon, the MMC, is a really great guy before the cheating ... honestly, what Tatum did absolutely destroyed an already insecure man. I liked his character a lot due to the fact that he had so many layers. He deserved SO MUCH BETTER.
I skimmed through a lot of the medical stuff in this book, especially the surgeries, because while reading, I felt like I was watching Grey's Anatomy.
This book was not for me. I did not like it, I don't think much of it was good, and I do not recommend it.
June 5, 2026
At the beginning of reading this, I had high expectations for it especially surrounding the tropes and how the author approached them, it was seeming like at best, a 4 star read but as the plot began to unfold, it lacked a steady flow that kept me hooked and in complete understanding of the delivery process used by the author.
I appreciate the mention of a learning disability and the diverse mental health struggles in this. I appreciate how easy it was for me to understand the majority of the medical plot points used to achieve a well rounded storyline. I even appreciate how unique the plot points are but I will still state that overall, it was too rushed. For the high we got from all the plot angles, I was expecting the author to take more time with showing me how the romance in this will manifest for over a decade after the story.
I appreciate the mention of a learning disability and the diverse mental health struggles in this. I appreciate how easy it was for me to understand the majority of the medical plot points used to achieve a well rounded storyline. I even appreciate how unique the plot points are but I will still state that overall, it was too rushed. For the high we got from all the plot angles, I was expecting the author to take more time with showing me how the romance in this will manifest for over a decade after the story.
July 30, 2025
Grab a box of tissue… This book broke my heart and put it back together. It touched on so many difficult subjects but it was done in a respectful way. I definitely can’t wait till the next book comes out.
July 8, 2026
Wow I LOVED this book! A second chance medical romance… count me in! Working in healthcare I always appreciate a book that has the correct information, and this one did!
October 23, 2025
This is an emotional, second chance story that had several unexpected plot twists. They just left me a bit confused and just didn't make sense. This is also a dual POV with two timelines. Now with Tatum and Jonathan seeing each other again after not talking for over a decade and the before when they met in medical school.
Ricochet starts with the breakup of what seems to be a perfect relationship. Tatum is caught cheating, but she insists it's "not what it looks like and not what he thinks." Although we know nothing of how, we know Tatum is thrown out so you have hope. You want to root for her because she has such a tragic past and full of heart ache. The more I read though the more I really liked Jonathan. He's a great guy and wants to save people. He works through his learning disabilities to become a chief of medicine at a really young age. You really want him to find love again.
The problem for me was that I no longer saw Tatum as this broken person who is just misunderstood. She was perfect for Jonathan, but messed that up. She was the villain in this story and honestly just didn't want her to end up with him. The plot twists again were just frustrating. Honestly wanted to DNF at 80%, but I was so invested in it. I understand why Jonathan took her and it's really sweet. I just didn't think they should have been together.
Ricochet starts with the breakup of what seems to be a perfect relationship. Tatum is caught cheating, but she insists it's "not what it looks like and not what he thinks." Although we know nothing of how, we know Tatum is thrown out so you have hope. You want to root for her because she has such a tragic past and full of heart ache. The more I read though the more I really liked Jonathan. He's a great guy and wants to save people. He works through his learning disabilities to become a chief of medicine at a really young age. You really want him to find love again.
The problem for me was that I no longer saw Tatum as this broken person who is just misunderstood. She was perfect for Jonathan, but messed that up. She was the villain in this story and honestly just didn't want her to end up with him. The plot twists again were just frustrating. Honestly wanted to DNF at 80%, but I was so invested in it. I understand why Jonathan took her and it's really sweet. I just didn't think they should have been together.
August 2, 2025
Solid 4.5 ⭐️Read 1.5🌶️ Level
LET ME JUST SAY, Never judge a book by the genre the author categorizes. Because for me this book is not just contemporary romance story, it has a little bit of mystery and suspense as well.
Then, add the numerous amount of TWIST!!! this book has. All I can say is MY GOODNESS!! You don’t know if you’re going or coming. Follow it up with the amount of emotions you feel throughout the book !!! (Queue the tissue box) To finish it off, Emmy Kendall made me feel some kind of way for not liking some of the characters.
Ricochet Tropes:
✨Duo POV
✨Duo Timeline
✨Both MC are Medical Professionals
✨Mental Health Representation
✨Disability Representation
✨Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
✨Military Representation
Yes, one of the issues of this book is CHEATING , but please don’t let that stop you from reading this book. This beautifully written story will leave you whole by the time you finish reading it.
Ricochet is a contemporary medical romance coming that you won’t see coming.
LET ME JUST SAY, Never judge a book by the genre the author categorizes. Because for me this book is not just contemporary romance story, it has a little bit of mystery and suspense as well.
Then, add the numerous amount of TWIST!!! this book has. All I can say is MY GOODNESS!! You don’t know if you’re going or coming. Follow it up with the amount of emotions you feel throughout the book !!! (Queue the tissue box) To finish it off, Emmy Kendall made me feel some kind of way for not liking some of the characters.
Ricochet Tropes:
✨Duo POV
✨Duo Timeline
✨Both MC are Medical Professionals
✨Mental Health Representation
✨Disability Representation
✨Friends to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers
✨Military Representation
Yes, one of the issues of this book is CHEATING , but please don’t let that stop you from reading this book. This beautifully written story will leave you whole by the time you finish reading it.
Ricochet is a contemporary medical romance coming that you won’t see coming.
Read
November 7, 2025I won't rate this because cheating herione is not my jam so I feel like my rating would be unfair. I like my heriones to have the moral high ground , sue me😅
Im sorry but I also dont think Tatum (h) is redeemable not just because of the cheating but what followed after and it was ridiculous that the Hero still talked with the cheater best friend...just no...I will say and im not proud of it but it really felt like karma when you learn the hero was in a relationship with a nurse on and off for years that ends up being the h's half sister in his defense he didnt know😂😅
but ya if you like reading cheating books go for it
Im sorry but I also dont think Tatum (h) is redeemable not just because of the cheating but what followed after and it was ridiculous that the Hero still talked with the cheater best friend...just no...I will say and im not proud of it but it really felt like karma when you learn the hero was in a relationship with a nurse on and off for years that ends up being the h's half sister in his defense he didnt know😂😅
but ya if you like reading cheating books go for it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
I am so glad I came across author Emmy Kendall. Ricochet tugged at so many of my emotions. It was hard to put this book down. Tatum and Jonathan met in medical school, and became friends, then they became a couple. Everyone thought they would end up married. But one unforgivable mistake and their world comes crashing down. While Jonathan is away on a medical trip, Tatum struggles with her fears, childhood trauma, anxiety, and depression. When her abusive father pops back into her life, she spirals, the one person she needs she can’t get ahold of. After too much to drink their mutual friend Nick and Tatum end up sleeping together. This is the biggest mistake of Tatum’s life.
12 years later Tatum is back in Texas and discovers that her old medical friends along with Jonathan all work at the same hospital. In fact Jonathan is her new boss. They navigate a professional relationship trying to figure out how to make it work. Johnathan never told his best friend Santiago what happened between Nick and Tatum, she was his best friend as well and had no clue why she ghosted everyone. As their worlds collide the truth of what happens unravels. Johnathon tells Santiago what happened and now understands why Johnathan has a strained relationship with Nick.
There is so much packed into this story, twists and turns and shocking revelations. Aside from cheating I related so much to Tatum. Her anxiety and depression, panic attacks, critical of her body and thinking she is unloveable. I suffer from anxiety, depression, I’m plus size and for the longest time I thought I was unworthy of love because of my weight. This book had me in tears!
The unexpected twist and turns in this book, literally had my jaw on the floor. Sometimes love is enough to fix mistakes and forgiveness is necessary to move on with your life This book was so well written and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
12 years later Tatum is back in Texas and discovers that her old medical friends along with Jonathan all work at the same hospital. In fact Jonathan is her new boss. They navigate a professional relationship trying to figure out how to make it work. Johnathan never told his best friend Santiago what happened between Nick and Tatum, she was his best friend as well and had no clue why she ghosted everyone. As their worlds collide the truth of what happens unravels. Johnathon tells Santiago what happened and now understands why Johnathan has a strained relationship with Nick.
There is so much packed into this story, twists and turns and shocking revelations. Aside from cheating I related so much to Tatum. Her anxiety and depression, panic attacks, critical of her body and thinking she is unloveable. I suffer from anxiety, depression, I’m plus size and for the longest time I thought I was unworthy of love because of my weight. This book had me in tears!
The unexpected twist and turns in this book, literally had my jaw on the floor. Sometimes love is enough to fix mistakes and forgiveness is necessary to move on with your life This book was so well written and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
August 1, 2025
Emmy Kendall… this is your debut novel?! I swear, this book was written with pure magic. I’m completely and utterly in love—with the story, the characters, the emotion, everything. Your writing is addictive and enthralling, the kind that pulls you in from page one and refuses to let go. I didn’t just read Tate and Jon’s story—I felt it.
This book took me on a full-blown emotional roller coaster. I was crying by 22%, and my heart never really recovered (in the best way). You tugged on my emotions with such precision—one moment I was giggling like a schoolgirl, the next I was clutching my chest in heartbreak. And the plot twists? Mind. Blown. They were so unexpected and so brilliantly executed.
The world you built at Gulf Waters Regional Hospital was nothing short of spectacular. The medical drama, the friendships, the intensity—it all felt real and alive. By 30-40%, I knew this was a solid 5-star read. By 50%, I was wishing I could give it more.
I devoured the dynamic between Tate and Jon like I was starving. Their chemistry, their heartbreak, their healing—I felt it all deep in my bones. I rooted for them with everything in me. Through all the chaos life threw at them, they still found a way to love fiercely and unapologetically. It was beautiful.
I especially connected with Tate. Her mental illness and trauma were written with raw depth and honesty. She was sweet, charming, and so deserving of good things. Watching her reclaim her worth was one of the most powerful parts of this journey for me.
I can’t praise this book enough. Emmy, thank you for putting your heart and soul into this story. Ricochet is an absolute masterpiece—and I’ll be recommending it to anyone who’ll listen. Stunning, emotional, unforgettable.
This book took me on a full-blown emotional roller coaster. I was crying by 22%, and my heart never really recovered (in the best way). You tugged on my emotions with such precision—one moment I was giggling like a schoolgirl, the next I was clutching my chest in heartbreak. And the plot twists? Mind. Blown. They were so unexpected and so brilliantly executed.
The world you built at Gulf Waters Regional Hospital was nothing short of spectacular. The medical drama, the friendships, the intensity—it all felt real and alive. By 30-40%, I knew this was a solid 5-star read. By 50%, I was wishing I could give it more.
I devoured the dynamic between Tate and Jon like I was starving. Their chemistry, their heartbreak, their healing—I felt it all deep in my bones. I rooted for them with everything in me. Through all the chaos life threw at them, they still found a way to love fiercely and unapologetically. It was beautiful.
I especially connected with Tate. Her mental illness and trauma were written with raw depth and honesty. She was sweet, charming, and so deserving of good things. Watching her reclaim her worth was one of the most powerful parts of this journey for me.
I can’t praise this book enough. Emmy, thank you for putting your heart and soul into this story. Ricochet is an absolute masterpiece—and I’ll be recommending it to anyone who’ll listen. Stunning, emotional, unforgettable.
August 4, 2025
Ricochet (Gulf Waters Regional #1)
by Emmy Kendall
🩵Release Date August 7th 2025
4.5⭐️
2🌶️
Ricochet is second chance, medical romance ( if you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan) you will definitely enjoy this book!
It’s a very slow torturous burn 🔥 between the two main characters … but it was definitely worth the wait! 🥵
Loved all the medical procedures and terminology! The author really did her research and it shows! Phenomenal!
The constant drama, plot twists and obstacles these characters faced … geez 😒 every chapter something went wrong lol 😂 it really keeps you engaged and on your toes!
Both of the main characters had their quirks. I think I connected more with the FMC Tatum with her mental health issues and low self esteem\confidence issues. To me she came off very realistic and made some bad mistakes in her past.
But I Wasn’t too fond of that one “Bump” in the road she faced. 😖
Wasn’t really feeling the MMC Jonathan , he just came off as very cruel to Tatum.
And I know it’s because she cheated, but I think if there was more communication on his side . Things would have worked out differently.
I think my favorite character was anesthesiologist/ playboy “Nick “ who is just misunderstood and is the person you always make bad or false assumptions about! I can definitely relate!
Hope to read more about of him in the next book! 🩵
Overall this book is definitely chock full of DRAMA and babies lol 😂
But it was very entertaining! And I would definitely recommend this any contemporary romance reader!
🩵I really can’t believe this is Emmy’s first book! She did an amazing job and looking forward to reading more of work!!
Thank you Torch Lit Ink and Author Emmy Kendall for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
by Emmy Kendall
🩵Release Date August 7th 2025
4.5⭐️
2🌶️
Ricochet is second chance, medical romance ( if you are a Grey’s Anatomy fan) you will definitely enjoy this book!
It’s a very slow torturous burn 🔥 between the two main characters … but it was definitely worth the wait! 🥵
Loved all the medical procedures and terminology! The author really did her research and it shows! Phenomenal!
The constant drama, plot twists and obstacles these characters faced … geez 😒 every chapter something went wrong lol 😂 it really keeps you engaged and on your toes!
Both of the main characters had their quirks. I think I connected more with the FMC Tatum with her mental health issues and low self esteem\confidence issues. To me she came off very realistic and made some bad mistakes in her past.
But I Wasn’t too fond of that one “Bump” in the road she faced. 😖
Wasn’t really feeling the MMC Jonathan , he just came off as very cruel to Tatum.
And I know it’s because she cheated, but I think if there was more communication on his side . Things would have worked out differently.
I think my favorite character was anesthesiologist/ playboy “Nick “ who is just misunderstood and is the person you always make bad or false assumptions about! I can definitely relate!
Hope to read more about of him in the next book! 🩵
Overall this book is definitely chock full of DRAMA and babies lol 😂
But it was very entertaining! And I would definitely recommend this any contemporary romance reader!
🩵I really can’t believe this is Emmy’s first book! She did an amazing job and looking forward to reading more of work!!
Thank you Torch Lit Ink and Author Emmy Kendall for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
August 31, 2025
Dr. Tatum Erickson is dealing with a family tragedy. She has moved back to where she is from and got a job at a wonderful hospital as a board certified OB/GYN. When Dr. Patel hired her, she was really excited for the opportunity. When she started, however, she quickly learned that Dr. Patel was no longer the Chief. It was now her ex boyfriend from medical school, Dr. Jonathan Ramsdale. The one that got away. The one that she caused to leave. The one that has never left her head, and her heart. For Dr. Ramsdale, he’s equally surprised. Tatum is the one who broke his heart. They still have chemistry, but her betray is unforgiveable. But what is life without that all consuming love? Can Jonathan ever forgive her?
I apologize because I’m going to be gushing about this book for this entire review. It’s been so long since I read a second chance five star romance, and this was IT. And it was in a medical setting – which I LOVE. Both of these characters were fantastic, as were all of the side characters. This book was utter perfection. I could only WISH I was able to write a book this good. The chemistry between the two characters was off the charts, but you understood why the two of them weren’t giving into it right away. The past was getting in the way, in more than one ways. There were things that Jonathan didn’t know, that he needed to know if anything between them was going to work. What was revealed was beyond what I could imagine. I shed more than a few tears – so make sure to grab some tissues while reading this book.
I guess the best way to sum this book up is that it’s a really beautiful story about second chances – in love, and in life. It’s full of emotions, and the love between Jonathan and Tatum is undeniable and beautiful. I don’t know how this is a debut novel… you’re missing out if you don’t read this book!
I apologize because I’m going to be gushing about this book for this entire review. It’s been so long since I read a second chance five star romance, and this was IT. And it was in a medical setting – which I LOVE. Both of these characters were fantastic, as were all of the side characters. This book was utter perfection. I could only WISH I was able to write a book this good. The chemistry between the two characters was off the charts, but you understood why the two of them weren’t giving into it right away. The past was getting in the way, in more than one ways. There were things that Jonathan didn’t know, that he needed to know if anything between them was going to work. What was revealed was beyond what I could imagine. I shed more than a few tears – so make sure to grab some tissues while reading this book.
I guess the best way to sum this book up is that it’s a really beautiful story about second chances – in love, and in life. It’s full of emotions, and the love between Jonathan and Tatum is undeniable and beautiful. I don’t know how this is a debut novel… you’re missing out if you don’t read this book!
September 6, 2025
Ricochet
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Tropes listed are: Medical Romance ◾ Second Chance ◾ Lovers to Enemies to Lovers ◾ Boss x Employee ◾ MCs in their late 30s ◾ Found Family ◾ Comfort Care ◾ Love After Infidelity (FMC cheats on MMC in past, off page) ◾ Mental Health Rep ◾ Disability Rep ◾ Dual Timeline ◾ Dual POV ◾ Open Door Spice ◾ Drama Surrounding Birth and Pregnancy (FMC is an OB)
Emmy Kendall lists the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book - pay heed to them before you read.
Ricochet is a book that had me in my feels. The slloooooooowwwwwwww burn kind of got me, too. Emotional, full of drama, and tons of sparks flying! Tatum struggles with her fears, trauma and anxiety when her boyfriend Jonathan leaves on a trip. Her father suddenly reappears in her life and when she needs him the most, she is unable to contact Jonathan. Their friend Nick lends her his shoulder (and more) and it becomes the single worse thing she's the most traumatized over. When she finds herself at a hospital, twelve years later, only to find out that Jonathan is now her new boss, she struggles to get past her anxiety and grief as well as the depression she falls into.
This book is so "edgy" that I didn't want to put it down. There was twists and turns at every page and I just wanted to find out how everything turned out. If you like medical drama's, this is the book for you! It will keep you on the edge and turning the pages!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶
Tropes listed are: Medical Romance ◾ Second Chance ◾ Lovers to Enemies to Lovers ◾ Boss x Employee ◾ MCs in their late 30s ◾ Found Family ◾ Comfort Care ◾ Love After Infidelity (FMC cheats on MMC in past, off page) ◾ Mental Health Rep ◾ Disability Rep ◾ Dual Timeline ◾ Dual POV ◾ Open Door Spice ◾ Drama Surrounding Birth and Pregnancy (FMC is an OB)
Emmy Kendall lists the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book - pay heed to them before you read.
Ricochet is a book that had me in my feels. The slloooooooowwwwwwww burn kind of got me, too. Emotional, full of drama, and tons of sparks flying! Tatum struggles with her fears, trauma and anxiety when her boyfriend Jonathan leaves on a trip. Her father suddenly reappears in her life and when she needs him the most, she is unable to contact Jonathan. Their friend Nick lends her his shoulder (and more) and it becomes the single worse thing she's the most traumatized over. When she finds herself at a hospital, twelve years later, only to find out that Jonathan is now her new boss, she struggles to get past her anxiety and grief as well as the depression she falls into.
This book is so "edgy" that I didn't want to put it down. There was twists and turns at every page and I just wanted to find out how everything turned out. If you like medical drama's, this is the book for you! It will keep you on the edge and turning the pages!
August 29, 2025
📚✨ Ricochet by Emmy Kendall
⭐️4/5 | 🌶️2/5
This felt like Grey’s Anatomy in book form — and I devoured it. The drama, the tension, the emotions… it had me flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Ricochet is a second-chance romance where the sparks never really went out — they just waited for the perfect moment to reignite. Between the medical backdrop, the constant chaos, and the emotional gut punches, I was hooked.
The medical terminology and procedures were phenomenal. You can tell Emmy Kendall did her research, and it made everything feel so authentic. But seriously, every single chapter something went wrong — like, can these characters catch one break? It kept me fully engaged, though.
I definitely connected with Tatum. Her mental health struggles and confidence issues made her feel very real. She made mistakes, but they were the kind that made sense for her character. The only thing I didn’t love was that one bump in the road she faced — it pulled me out a little.
Still, the chemistry was undeniable, the emotions were raw, and the messy love story kept me invested the whole way through. If you love medical romance, constant drama, and screaming at fictional characters to get their act together, this one’s for you.
✨ Reading Mood: Curl up in bed, grab snacks, and prepare for late-night binge-reading with plenty of emotional whiplash.
⭐️4/5 | 🌶️2/5
This felt like Grey’s Anatomy in book form — and I devoured it. The drama, the tension, the emotions… it had me flipping pages like my life depended on it.
Ricochet is a second-chance romance where the sparks never really went out — they just waited for the perfect moment to reignite. Between the medical backdrop, the constant chaos, and the emotional gut punches, I was hooked.
The medical terminology and procedures were phenomenal. You can tell Emmy Kendall did her research, and it made everything feel so authentic. But seriously, every single chapter something went wrong — like, can these characters catch one break? It kept me fully engaged, though.
I definitely connected with Tatum. Her mental health struggles and confidence issues made her feel very real. She made mistakes, but they were the kind that made sense for her character. The only thing I didn’t love was that one bump in the road she faced — it pulled me out a little.
Still, the chemistry was undeniable, the emotions were raw, and the messy love story kept me invested the whole way through. If you love medical romance, constant drama, and screaming at fictional characters to get their act together, this one’s for you.
✨ Reading Mood: Curl up in bed, grab snacks, and prepare for late-night binge-reading with plenty of emotional whiplash.
August 3, 2025
Arc Review
Jonathon and Tatum = heartbreak, healing, and hallway tension that could kill a man.
Two doctors.
A shared past.
A present full of unresolved emotions, professional complications, and one emotionally lethal elevator ride.
This book wrecked me in the best way. I laughed. I blushed. I cried — so many times, I may send Emmy Kendall an invoice for emotional damages.
Things to love (and scream about):
He's her new boss (hello, workplace drama)
She made her paper dyslexia-friendly for him… 🥹😭
“F*ck professionalism.” → sir, there are people in this elevator
“Spread your legs apart, baby, let me give it all to you.” → yep, we’re feral now
She has panic attacks. He has trauma. And yet… they see and soothe each other in ways that feel so real
She’s insecure about her body, and he’s OBSESSED with every inch of her. Honestly, same.
🔥 The spice? Delicious.
😭 The emotions? Devastating.
❤️🩹 The healing? Beautiful.
🩺 The hospital drama? Grey’s Anatomy, but hotter and more personal.
Final thoughts:
This book felt like being cracked open and stitched together at the same time.
I loved Tatum. I adored Jonathon.
And I highly recommend reading with tissues nearby.
Rating: 5/ 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tear count: A lot. Just… a lot.
Jonathon and Tatum = heartbreak, healing, and hallway tension that could kill a man.
Two doctors.
A shared past.
A present full of unresolved emotions, professional complications, and one emotionally lethal elevator ride.
This book wrecked me in the best way. I laughed. I blushed. I cried — so many times, I may send Emmy Kendall an invoice for emotional damages.
Things to love (and scream about):
He's her new boss (hello, workplace drama)
She made her paper dyslexia-friendly for him… 🥹😭
“F*ck professionalism.” → sir, there are people in this elevator
“Spread your legs apart, baby, let me give it all to you.” → yep, we’re feral now
She has panic attacks. He has trauma. And yet… they see and soothe each other in ways that feel so real
She’s insecure about her body, and he’s OBSESSED with every inch of her. Honestly, same.
🔥 The spice? Delicious.
😭 The emotions? Devastating.
❤️🩹 The healing? Beautiful.
🩺 The hospital drama? Grey’s Anatomy, but hotter and more personal.
Final thoughts:
This book felt like being cracked open and stitched together at the same time.
I loved Tatum. I adored Jonathon.
And I highly recommend reading with tissues nearby.
Rating: 5/ 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tear count: A lot. Just… a lot.
August 7, 2025
This book was an emotional rollercoaster of a read! If was full of drama, tension, and all of the feelings. It gave off the vibes of Greys Anatomy, but in book form.
There was so much hurt and heartache in this book. I kept thinking, surely it’s done, there isn’t anymore that can happen, but I was so wrong. Tatum and Jonathan met back in medical school and hit it off right away. They became best friend and then lovers until it ended when she cheated with his best friend. The ultimate betrayal left to him pushing her away and a decade later she is now on his hospital where he is the chief of the medical department. There is so much hurt and anger, which is understandable, but the passions and spark never really faded between them. But so many secrets came out in this story.
Can he forgive her for everything? Can they heal? They are both very stubborn people, but they both love and care for one another so much. But at the end of the day is life enough to get over the ultimate betrayal? The two of them had some family trauma from the past also that they needed to heal from. When I tell you these two went through it all, they went through it! It was A LOT in one book. Whew! I didn’t know if I could finish at one point, my heart was so broken for Tatum.
There was so much hurt and heartache in this book. I kept thinking, surely it’s done, there isn’t anymore that can happen, but I was so wrong. Tatum and Jonathan met back in medical school and hit it off right away. They became best friend and then lovers until it ended when she cheated with his best friend. The ultimate betrayal left to him pushing her away and a decade later she is now on his hospital where he is the chief of the medical department. There is so much hurt and anger, which is understandable, but the passions and spark never really faded between them. But so many secrets came out in this story.
Can he forgive her for everything? Can they heal? They are both very stubborn people, but they both love and care for one another so much. But at the end of the day is life enough to get over the ultimate betrayal? The two of them had some family trauma from the past also that they needed to heal from. When I tell you these two went through it all, they went through it! It was A LOT in one book. Whew! I didn’t know if I could finish at one point, my heart was so broken for Tatum.
September 5, 2025
Emmy Kendall hits it out of the park with her debut book! I am a total sucker for medical romance books and this one delivered everything you could ever want in a medical romance and then some! I found my queen Emmy Kendall on Tik Tok a few months ago when she started posting previews for this book and I became an instant fan. This book is the perfect recipe of romance, reality, courage, heartache, selfless love, joy, loss, and second chances. I know a lot of people give second chance romances a bad rep, but I urge you to please give this one a try, if you fall into that camp, because Emmy Kendall masterfully weaves pain, regret, courage, and grace in such a delicately realistic manner, that it will leave an impact on you. I am beyond excited to read book two in this series, because all these characters have my heart and I’m rooting for them. P.S. Just when you think you have the plot of this book figured out, Emmy Kendall does a complete mind bending plot twist that I never saw coming and absolutely LOVED. Emmy Kendall is an author that everyone will be talking about for years to come and I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with her writing like I did.
August 4, 2025
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Emmy Kendall delivers a poignant second chance romance with her debut novel, Ricochet. Filled with emotions, this story shines a light on a love story that never truly died even with a past betrayal that clouded this relationship.
The medical setting of this story was what piqued my interest in this book and I’m so glad I took a chance on it. The infidelity aspect honestly scared me a bit because it’s usually not a trope I read but the way the author built this story around and beyond that betrayal made me understand the characters and their actions more.
These two college sweethearts definitely captured my heart. From their past to their present circumstances, these two made me feel so many emotions while reading. The flashbacks provided so much information that still affect them to this day. On top of their chemistry and connection, there is healing in this story in the sweetest way for Tatum and Jonathan.
If you enjoy medical drama tv shows, this book reads just like one and I can definitely say that I’m already looking foward to continuing this series.
**On top of the infidelity, Ricochet covers multiple different sensitive subjects, so please check the trigger warnings beforehand.
I would like to thank Emmy Kendall and Torch Lit Ink for the opportunity to read and review Ricochet.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
Emmy Kendall delivers a poignant second chance romance with her debut novel, Ricochet. Filled with emotions, this story shines a light on a love story that never truly died even with a past betrayal that clouded this relationship.
The medical setting of this story was what piqued my interest in this book and I’m so glad I took a chance on it. The infidelity aspect honestly scared me a bit because it’s usually not a trope I read but the way the author built this story around and beyond that betrayal made me understand the characters and their actions more.
These two college sweethearts definitely captured my heart. From their past to their present circumstances, these two made me feel so many emotions while reading. The flashbacks provided so much information that still affect them to this day. On top of their chemistry and connection, there is healing in this story in the sweetest way for Tatum and Jonathan.
If you enjoy medical drama tv shows, this book reads just like one and I can definitely say that I’m already looking foward to continuing this series.
**On top of the infidelity, Ricochet covers multiple different sensitive subjects, so please check the trigger warnings beforehand.
I would like to thank Emmy Kendall and Torch Lit Ink for the opportunity to read and review Ricochet.
August 3, 2025
Thank you to Torch Lit Ink and Author Emmy Kendall it was my pleasure receiving this as an e-ARC and I will be giving my honest review. Loved this book!! Have your tissues ready as you go through some emotional stuff and lots of plot twist!! Loved that this was set in Texas as Im a Texas girlie. Loved the chemistry between FMC & MMC and cant wait to see what happens in the next book!! Chefs kiss to Author Emmy Kendall!!!
“She broke his heart, but he’ll never break his promise.
Dr. Tatum Erikson is looking for a second chance. Struggling to cope after a family tragedy, the board certified OB/GYN is offered the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the nation’s top hospitals. But her past catches up with her in the form of her new boss–the newly appointed Chief of Medicine.
Her ex.
Dr. Jonathan Ramsdale’s “no-nonsense,” unwavering focus is put to the test when he discovers his predecessor’s newest hire is the only woman he’s ever loved.
The one who shattered his heart.”
“She broke his heart, but he’ll never break his promise.
Dr. Tatum Erikson is looking for a second chance. Struggling to cope after a family tragedy, the board certified OB/GYN is offered the opportunity of a lifetime at one of the nation’s top hospitals. But her past catches up with her in the form of her new boss–the newly appointed Chief of Medicine.
Her ex.
Dr. Jonathan Ramsdale’s “no-nonsense,” unwavering focus is put to the test when he discovers his predecessor’s newest hire is the only woman he’s ever loved.
The one who shattered his heart.”
August 6, 2025
Powerful Second-Change Romance Full of Healing and Hope
I read this book in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. This was a beautiful, layered, cathartic love story of redemption, healing, and hope with many nuanced twists. The book is well written, well paced, and one of those stories that stay with you after you close the book.
This was a powerful love story, realistic, challenging, restorative, and oh so worth it. A good reminder that there is so much more to people than meets the eye. The exploration into the past was incredible and added texture, context, and compassion.
Emmy Kendall does a wonderful job of world-building, connecting the reader with characters, and creating a sense of trust where you lean into the story and embrace even the most emotional parts.
The love story is heavy on the yearning, vulnerability, connection, and depth.
I am invested in the world of Gulf Waters Regional and can't wait for the next book!
I read this book in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. This was a beautiful, layered, cathartic love story of redemption, healing, and hope with many nuanced twists. The book is well written, well paced, and one of those stories that stay with you after you close the book.
This was a powerful love story, realistic, challenging, restorative, and oh so worth it. A good reminder that there is so much more to people than meets the eye. The exploration into the past was incredible and added texture, context, and compassion.
Emmy Kendall does a wonderful job of world-building, connecting the reader with characters, and creating a sense of trust where you lean into the story and embrace even the most emotional parts.
The love story is heavy on the yearning, vulnerability, connection, and depth.
I am invested in the world of Gulf Waters Regional and can't wait for the next book!
August 6, 2025
If you want a book that gives off Grey’s Anatomy vibes search no more this is the book for you!!
Literally couldn’t stop reading it from the moment I started there was a lot of plot twists & dramatic moments that I freakingggg loveeeddddd!! Just when I thought that was it, BOOM something else happens!
This books makes you feel all the feels and if you’re like me have some tissues ready because this books makes makes you tear a couple times 😩😩
I loved both characters & their stories learning about their traumas lets you realize why they are / were the way they are.
I will say though I did lose a bit of respect for Tatum only because of her infidelity, like yea hearing what happened and her side of the story makes you feel kinda bad for her, but it still doesn’t excuse the fact you know??
But other than that this story was AMAZING!! I truly really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much Torch Lit Ink & author Emmy Kendall for the opportunity to arc read ✨✨🫶🏻
Literally couldn’t stop reading it from the moment I started there was a lot of plot twists & dramatic moments that I freakingggg loveeeddddd!! Just when I thought that was it, BOOM something else happens!
This books makes you feel all the feels and if you’re like me have some tissues ready because this books makes makes you tear a couple times 😩😩
I loved both characters & their stories learning about their traumas lets you realize why they are / were the way they are.
I will say though I did lose a bit of respect for Tatum only because of her infidelity, like yea hearing what happened and her side of the story makes you feel kinda bad for her, but it still doesn’t excuse the fact you know??
But other than that this story was AMAZING!! I truly really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much Torch Lit Ink & author Emmy Kendall for the opportunity to arc read ✨✨🫶🏻
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews