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The Medic and the Mom-to-Be: A Clean and Uplifting Romance
She’s got the perfect plan…
Until love breaks all the rules!
Wei-Wei Lu has everything mapped out. Her teaching career, her pregnancy and a future entirely on her terms—no waiting for love! But when her traditionally minded parents arrive for Thanksgiving—knowing nothing about Wei-Wei’s baby—all of her organization implodes in a cloud of cranberry-scented dust. Determined to reassure her parents that she’s got everything under control, Wei-Wei does what any panicked expectant mom would pretend that medic Ravi Khan is her boyfriend. But Ravi isn’t remotely her dream guy. He’s too carefree, too flirty, and he’s already planning his next far-flung adventure. Now Wei-Wei has to choose between giving Ravi up…or giving a surprising kind of love a real chance.
From Harlequin Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
A Lakeland Elementary Romance
Book 1: The Teacher's Match
Book 2: The Medic and the Mom-to-Be
Until love breaks all the rules!
Wei-Wei Lu has everything mapped out. Her teaching career, her pregnancy and a future entirely on her terms—no waiting for love! But when her traditionally minded parents arrive for Thanksgiving—knowing nothing about Wei-Wei’s baby—all of her organization implodes in a cloud of cranberry-scented dust. Determined to reassure her parents that she’s got everything under control, Wei-Wei does what any panicked expectant mom would pretend that medic Ravi Khan is her boyfriend. But Ravi isn’t remotely her dream guy. He’s too carefree, too flirty, and he’s already planning his next far-flung adventure. Now Wei-Wei has to choose between giving Ravi up…or giving a surprising kind of love a real chance.
From Harlequin Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
A Lakeland Elementary Romance
Book 1: The Teacher's Match
Book 2: The Medic and the Mom-to-Be
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a digital edition of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
2.5 stars. Wei-Wei Lu is A Planner. The type who has lists for her lists. She likes to plan for everything, right down to the detail, and all of the contingencies. Having not found a suitable partner, yet longing to be a mother, she decides to go the IVF route, carefully choosing the donor, her doctor, the schedule, the works. As the book opens, it's early autumn - Thanksgiving is around the corner - and Wei-Wei is already thinking about how her maternity leave in the spring will affect her colleagues at Lakeland Elementary. She has not shared her news at school, and has a long, elaborate plan to find a sub and have that person in place before she even announces that she needs one. Also on her list? Breaking the news of her single motherhood to her very traditional parents. Its not objection that Wei-Wei fears; no, it is her parents taking over. Part of her careful planning is to prove that she can do this on her own.
Into this carefully planned existence stumbles Ravi Khan, the uncle of one of Wei-Wei's 4th grade students, who has recently returned from an international job and is kicking back with his sister and her son. Ravi is the exact opposite of Wei-Wei: sloppy, carefree, someone who glosses the details and acts impulsively. He's sailing through life as a medic, taking jobs as they interest him, though he has one special position in mind: aboard a hospital ship, currently in port in Africa. Ravi has Reasons for wanting this job (Daddy issues), and because it's a month away, he's spending time with his own sibling and nibling.
Wei-Wei and Ravi meet when he is late to pick up his nephew from school, and she does not exactly have a great impression of him. Ravi's sister is so busy with her job at the local hospital that Ravi ends up filling in for her as a chaperone, both on school trips and extracurricular activities. Ravi keeps showing up in Wei-Wei's life and messing up her plans, which causes her to be flustered and out of sorts. Her parents are coming for Thanksgiving, making her even more nervous, and Ravi's bumbling around leads her parents to believe they are in a relationship. Wei-Wei decides to roll with it as best she can, and her parents become convinced that she and Ravi are the Perfect Couple. Wei-Wei has lost control of the situation, and of course the truth will out in its own way.
This is the second in the Lakeland Elementary series, revolving around the teachers at a Chinese immersion school in Michigan. The setting that I enjoyed so much in the first book is very much lacking here: Wei-Wei is a native Chinese speaker, and teaches an advanced class, so it feels very much like wallpaper here. There is one festival early in the book, and then the focus is on the characters. Unfortunately, this did not work for me, and neither did the romance.
Ravi is an overgrown manchild who acts before he thinks and ends up causing a lot of unnecessary drama because of it. I can hardly believe he's in his thirties and has held several international jobs, considering his lack of attention to detail (he can't even complete the application for the hospital ship correctly!). He makes several impulsive decisions, like buying a set of nursery furniture for Wei-Wei and refinishing it, not even considering the idea that maybe she had some picked out already. He has no experience refinishing antique furniture, either, but figures it will be easy. Considering he , I really can't believe that Wei-Wei would put up with him, much less fall in love with him. The plot contrivances to push them together are transparent and irritating, and the tropes ultimately fall flat. I just did not believe the last few chapters of the book, where Ravi and Wei-Wei find their way back to each other after the obligatory third act breakup.
This author can write, but again I find myself disappointed by the romantic thread, and this time with the setting and characters as well. I thought Wei-Wei deserved better than she gets here, and I can't believe that the differences in her personality and Ravi's will get along along enough to make marriage worth it. There is another hint at a sequel featuring Ravi's sister, and I do find this universe interesting enough to try the next book.
2.5 stars. Wei-Wei Lu is A Planner. The type who has lists for her lists. She likes to plan for everything, right down to the detail, and all of the contingencies. Having not found a suitable partner, yet longing to be a mother, she decides to go the IVF route, carefully choosing the donor, her doctor, the schedule, the works. As the book opens, it's early autumn - Thanksgiving is around the corner - and Wei-Wei is already thinking about how her maternity leave in the spring will affect her colleagues at Lakeland Elementary. She has not shared her news at school, and has a long, elaborate plan to find a sub and have that person in place before she even announces that she needs one. Also on her list? Breaking the news of her single motherhood to her very traditional parents. Its not objection that Wei-Wei fears; no, it is her parents taking over. Part of her careful planning is to prove that she can do this on her own.
Into this carefully planned existence stumbles Ravi Khan, the uncle of one of Wei-Wei's 4th grade students, who has recently returned from an international job and is kicking back with his sister and her son. Ravi is the exact opposite of Wei-Wei: sloppy, carefree, someone who glosses the details and acts impulsively. He's sailing through life as a medic, taking jobs as they interest him, though he has one special position in mind: aboard a hospital ship, currently in port in Africa. Ravi has Reasons for wanting this job (Daddy issues), and because it's a month away, he's spending time with his own sibling and nibling.
Wei-Wei and Ravi meet when he is late to pick up his nephew from school, and she does not exactly have a great impression of him. Ravi's sister is so busy with her job at the local hospital that Ravi ends up filling in for her as a chaperone, both on school trips and extracurricular activities. Ravi keeps showing up in Wei-Wei's life and messing up her plans, which causes her to be flustered and out of sorts. Her parents are coming for Thanksgiving, making her even more nervous, and Ravi's bumbling around leads her parents to believe they are in a relationship. Wei-Wei decides to roll with it as best she can, and her parents become convinced that she and Ravi are the Perfect Couple. Wei-Wei has lost control of the situation, and of course the truth will out in its own way.
This is the second in the Lakeland Elementary series, revolving around the teachers at a Chinese immersion school in Michigan. The setting that I enjoyed so much in the first book is very much lacking here: Wei-Wei is a native Chinese speaker, and teaches an advanced class, so it feels very much like wallpaper here. There is one festival early in the book, and then the focus is on the characters. Unfortunately, this did not work for me, and neither did the romance.
Ravi is an overgrown manchild who acts before he thinks and ends up causing a lot of unnecessary drama because of it. I can hardly believe he's in his thirties and has held several international jobs, considering his lack of attention to detail (he can't even complete the application for the hospital ship correctly!). He makes several impulsive decisions, like buying a set of nursery furniture for Wei-Wei and refinishing it, not even considering the idea that maybe she had some picked out already. He has no experience refinishing antique furniture, either, but figures it will be easy. Considering he , I really can't believe that Wei-Wei would put up with him, much less fall in love with him. The plot contrivances to push them together are transparent and irritating, and the tropes ultimately fall flat. I just did not believe the last few chapters of the book, where Ravi and Wei-Wei find their way back to each other after the obligatory third act breakup.
This author can write, but again I find myself disappointed by the romantic thread, and this time with the setting and characters as well. I thought Wei-Wei deserved better than she gets here, and I can't believe that the differences in her personality and Ravi's will get along along enough to make marriage worth it. There is another hint at a sequel featuring Ravi's sister, and I do find this universe interesting enough to try the next book.
September 26, 2026
Wei-Wei and Ravi are opposites. One is a straight-laced rule follower, the other a free spirit. But, since Ravi's nephew is in her class, they keep winding up together. What starts as irritation evolves into fondness as Wei-Wei's parents show up for Thanksgiving. Why is their surprise visit especially alarming? Because Wei-Wei's got a surprise of her own...her latest trip to the fertility clinic means that soon she'll be a single mom. But with Ravi around, maybe "single" might not be in her cards after all!
This was a fun read. I enjoyed Wei-Wei's class, the fall feels, and especially the Chinese culture. I was learning while being entertained.
While the author does a great job with pacing, I needed WAY more exposition. I had so many questions. The biggest one being: What was the journey that led Wei-Wei to decide become a single mother via medical fertility support? I never quite felt like these characters were real, in part because their decision making didn't make sense to me. Things they said and did wouldn't probably happen in real life. (Example: Why does Wei-Wei opt to video call her parents in the middle of a school function?) While I honestly felt like I got to know Ravi better than Wei-Wei, his behavior was sometimes just odd.
Despite the times I was scratching my head, I still cared about these characters and wanted to see what would happen. It's a pleasant read, one that will be enjoyed by anyone looking to celebrate culture, family, and love!
I'd like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was a fun read. I enjoyed Wei-Wei's class, the fall feels, and especially the Chinese culture. I was learning while being entertained.
While the author does a great job with pacing, I needed WAY more exposition. I had so many questions. The biggest one being: What was the journey that led Wei-Wei to decide become a single mother via medical fertility support? I never quite felt like these characters were real, in part because their decision making didn't make sense to me. Things they said and did wouldn't probably happen in real life. (Example: Why does Wei-Wei opt to video call her parents in the middle of a school function?) While I honestly felt like I got to know Ravi better than Wei-Wei, his behavior was sometimes just odd.
Despite the times I was scratching my head, I still cared about these characters and wanted to see what would happen. It's a pleasant read, one that will be enjoyed by anyone looking to celebrate culture, family, and love!
I'd like to thank Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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May 24, 2026The Medic and the Mom-to-Be is a warm and emotionally uplifting romance that beautifully blends humor, vulnerability, family dynamics, and heartfelt connection into an engaging reading experience. Kristi Hong crafts a story filled with charm, emotional sincerity, and relatable character moments that make the novel both comforting and deeply enjoyable.
What makes the book especially compelling is the dynamic between Wei-Wei and Ravi. Their contrasting personalities create natural chemistry, humor, and emotional tension, while the fake relationship setup allows their connection to develop in a way that feels authentic and emotionally rewarding. Beneath the lighthearted moments lies a thoughtful exploration of expectations, family pressures, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace unexpected love.
The emotional atmosphere throughout the story feels genuine and uplifting. The family centered themes, cultural dynamics, and personal growth woven into the narrative give the romance additional depth while maintaining a comforting and hopeful tone. Kristi Hong balances humor, warmth, and emotional development with confidence and heart.
Sweet, heartfelt, and emotionally satisfying, The Medic and the Mom-to-Be is a delightful romance that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy uplifting love stories, fake dating dynamics, family centered narratives, and emotionally driven contemporary romance.
What makes the book especially compelling is the dynamic between Wei-Wei and Ravi. Their contrasting personalities create natural chemistry, humor, and emotional tension, while the fake relationship setup allows their connection to develop in a way that feels authentic and emotionally rewarding. Beneath the lighthearted moments lies a thoughtful exploration of expectations, family pressures, vulnerability, and the courage to embrace unexpected love.
The emotional atmosphere throughout the story feels genuine and uplifting. The family centered themes, cultural dynamics, and personal growth woven into the narrative give the romance additional depth while maintaining a comforting and hopeful tone. Kristi Hong balances humor, warmth, and emotional development with confidence and heart.
Sweet, heartfelt, and emotionally satisfying, The Medic and the Mom-to-Be is a delightful romance that will strongly resonate with readers who enjoy uplifting love stories, fake dating dynamics, family centered narratives, and emotionally driven contemporary romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is an odd book. It's a standard thesis-antithesis-synthesis setup: she's too rigid and controlling, and he's spontaneous to a fault. So they have to learn how they can be together and support each other, particularly since, when they meet, she's already pregnant (via a donor in a clinical setting). I appreciated how Kristi Hong revealed those character traits by showing rather than telling. However, I found Ravi (MMC) to be spontaneous to the point of irresponsibility and possibly endangering his nephew.
I felt that the pacing was off. The book starts slow and then the second half goes by too quickly. Rather than feeling like the story gained momentum, it just felt a bit disjointed. And Wei-Wei's (FMC) relationship with her family was a bit more telling rather than showing.
I did enjoy this book. I appreciated Hong's depiction of Wei-Wei's experiences as an immigrant to the US and the Michigan fall setting was beautifully described.
Thank you to Harlequin for providing this ARC (via NetGalley).
I felt that the pacing was off. The book starts slow and then the second half goes by too quickly. Rather than feeling like the story gained momentum, it just felt a bit disjointed. And Wei-Wei's (FMC) relationship with her family was a bit more telling rather than showing.
I did enjoy this book. I appreciated Hong's depiction of Wei-Wei's experiences as an immigrant to the US and the Michigan fall setting was beautifully described.
Thank you to Harlequin for providing this ARC (via NetGalley).
August 9, 2026
Another in the Lakeland Elementary series, in which 4th-grade teacher Wei-Wei encounters the uncle of one of her students and quickly concludes that he's not for her. She's organized, he's spontaneous; she's now pregnant and looking forward to be a mother --even if single-- and he claims to have no interest in children or marriage. Instead, the medic is eager to gain a position on a medical ship headed for various African nations.
But Mason, Ravi's nephew, is in Wei-Wei's class, which continually places Ravi in proximity to Wei-Wei. Then, her parents decide to visit sooner than she anticipated and a miscommunication with them convinces her parents that Ravi is Wei-Wei's boyfriend. Now what? Fake-dating, of course.
When will this deception end and how will the prospective grandparents be informed of the pending baby's arrival?
But Mason, Ravi's nephew, is in Wei-Wei's class, which continually places Ravi in proximity to Wei-Wei. Then, her parents decide to visit sooner than she anticipated and a miscommunication with them convinces her parents that Ravi is Wei-Wei's boyfriend. Now what? Fake-dating, of course.
When will this deception end and how will the prospective grandparents be informed of the pending baby's arrival?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Stethoscopes, school bells, and a whole lot of heart make The Medic and the Mom to Be by Kristi Hong a delightful read. The characters shine, especially the gregarious Ravi, whose lively personality brings plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Wei-Wei offers a wonderful contrast with her organized, steady nature—a perfect fit for a dedicated schoolteacher—and the unique school setting adds even more charm to the story. Hong fills the romance with genuine tenderness, joyful humor, and heartfelt vulnerability, creating a story that feels wonderfully warm, deeply human, and impossible not to cheer for. Although this is the second book in A Lakeland Elementary Romance series, it stands comfortably on its own. This sweet story earns a gold star for charm, laughter, and a feel-good romance.
August 8, 2026
Fun, sweet read. Perfect light read for a lazy afternoon.
August 27, 2026
Hoping there will be more books in this series 😀
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews