Stat: Love in Scrubs

by Iesha Bree, Deja Rion (Narrator), D'Art (Narrator)

One night. No names. No expectations.

Just two strangers trying to forget—until the moment refuses to be forgotten.

Dr. Desmond Wilder has no time for chaos. As a single father and one of the most respected obstetricians at Saint Ambrose Memorial, every second of his life is calculated—especially now that he’s in line for Chief of Obstetrics. But everything shifts when he walks into his daughter’s summer program … and sees her.

Yara Sinclair never expected to see him again. Their one night together was supposed to mean nothing. He doesn’t even know her name. But now, he’s standing in the very school she built for children grieving the loss of a mother—exactly the kind of grief that shaped them both.

What begins as quiet distance turns into curiosity. And as walls slowly fall, they discover that maybe some moments are meant to find their way back—no matter how much time has passed.

Now Desmond has to decide if ambition is worth the cost of the one thing he swore he’d never open again—his heart.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, African American Romance, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published December 23, 2025

About the author

If you haven't read a novel by Iesha Bree, you can expect to read about bold independent women and Smooth, Charming Men ready to mend broken hearts. Each novel penned to heal and show each woman they're worthy of love.
 
I am an Indie Author! So be on the lookout for that!! Cover Designer, and reader. I have been reading all types of books by many different authors for years and I just love the idea of love so I decided I should share what I dream and hope to have someday! I'm also a military brat, so I always have this itch to travel to a new place that's another one of my passions.
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I have a book club if you're interested in getting sneak peeks to my new books, as well as participate in deep book discussions, and my character introductions to new series! lookup

Reviews

[Brittni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 ⭐ I appreciated the acknowledgement of medical racism against black women and the process of moving through grief. The love story was cute but just okay for me --although I liked how the two love interests didn't play about each other and were communicative.

The typos...threw off my groove, like who edited this? The narrators would read things the way they were supposed to be said instead of how it was written, or they would read exactly what was written even if it didn't make sense. Either way, once I catch 1 or 2 typos, I become hyper focused on that instead of the story. Also, there were missing details in the bowling scene of their first date that the author didn't include and that drove me crazy because it made absolutely no sense.

[Danielle Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing!!! First off Esa is my baby!! I loved her!! She was too cute and so smart! Desmond did a great job raising her! Speaking of I love a great daddy especially a girl dad! It’s just something about that! I loved how him and Yara’s relationship blossomed! He didn’t play about her nor she him!! My heart went out to her because everyone deserves both parents but girl especially need their moms! I loved how it touched on the topic of how our women are treated in the medical field. It’s sad that we aren’t listen too more often and given the proper care like others are. Big Daddy Desmond made sure Yara was given the best care and I loved that!! This book gave all the feels and I loved it!! 💗💗

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Desmond and Yara had such good chemistry. Their banter was everything, so fun and flirty. I also liked the both of them as individual characters as well. I love the awareness to Black maternal health & realistic depictions of how different people’s grief responses could be. I chuckled, swooned, and paused for the surprisingly emotional & tender moments. This book just felt good!

[Q. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molded together!

You can always tell the trajectory of a book by the first page or two. I knew this book was going to tear at my heartstrings. The treatment that women of color receive during maternal health should have been studied years ago. Still today their are women who prefer doulas, midwives, and home births over an OBGYN and/or hospital because of possible treatment or the lack thereof. Desmond is the fictional doctor that all women should have as their OBGYN. He cared because he experienced his ex-wife death after childbirth. Yara was a victim of poor maternal health because her mother's concerns and condition were ignored. They were a match made by God himself. They literally complemented each other. Desmond made sure his actions let Yara know he was "in it to win it." She didn't have any other choice but to fall in love with him. The cherry on top was Esa because she molded them together like a clay pot. She became a lowkey matchmaker for her "parents." Yara's purpose and vision changed Esa's life for the better. In return, Esa gained a mother along with being raised in a two parent home. Desmond and Yara achieved their happily ever after, but not without a few valleys. They conquered the low points so they can rejoice on the mountain top.

Look, ladies and gents, this "Love in the Scrubs" series is hitting. If you haven't had the pleasure to get into this series, please take the time to indulge. Each book has it own twist, but not one has left out the healing that has taken place on either MMC and/or FMC. So, in other words, download or purchase your copy today. Don't forget your Kleenex, you will need them.

[KellyM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typos & Inconsistencies

I really wanted to rate this higher but there were too many typos and missing words. Also, at the beginning of the book, Maria was Yara’s dad’s girlfriend but halfway through the book she was his wife.

[Zenya Weatherall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stat was a cute story but it felt a little rushed to me. I am normally a big fan of insta love but this fell a little flat. I do love that there wasn’t really a conflict, once they knew they wanted to be together they were all about each other. However I would have liked a little more substance. I didn’t hate it, the opposite I really liked the story and wanted more of it. I wouldn’t rate it as low as 3 stars, and 3.5 isnt an option so 4 stars will have to do. Kudos to the author for writing a story that had me wishing it was longer!

#NetGalley #Stat #ARC

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I adored about this story is how Bree refuses to gloss over grief. Instead, she leans into the messy, lingering ache of losing someone and the way it reshapes the lives of those left behind. That honesty makes the romance hit harder you’re not just watching two people fall in love, you’re watching them learn how to carry loss and still choose joy.

Yara Sinclair has turned her pain into purpose, building a school for grieving children. She’s resilient, compassionate, and quietly fierce. Dr. Desmond Wilder, meanwhile, is a single father and obstetrician who’s mastered control and compartmentalization. Their dynamic is electric precisely because they’re opposites: she invites vulnerability, he resists it.

One of my favorite layers in Desmond’s arc is his career crossroads. He’s up for a prestigious director position, but realizes that taking it would mean sacrificing even more time with his daughter and partner. That moment of clarity that family is more important than ambition adds depth to his character and makes his eventual choice to cultivate love and connection feel profoundly satisfying.

The audiobook narration by Deja Rion and D’Art brings this push‑pull to life. Rion gives Yara’s voice a warmth that makes you root for her healing, while D’Art nails Desmond’s guarded tone, gradually softening as the romance unfolds. Together, they create a rhythm that mirrors the slow burn—every pause, every sigh, every moment of tension feels intentional.

Why I liked
- Grief as a backbone: Loss isn’t a side note—it’s central to who these characters are.
- Slow burn perfection: The chemistry simmers until you’re practically begging for them to give in. When the spice arrives, it’s hot but never gratuitous it feels earned.
- Family & community: Desmond’s daughter and Yara’s school add tenderness and realism, grounding the romance in something bigger than just two hearts colliding.
- Career vs. family: Desmond’s choice to prioritize love and fatherhood over ambition makes the romance even more poignant.
- Medical drama backdrop: Bree sprinkles in hospital life and ambition without overwhelming the emotional core.

Bree balances emotional depth with swoony romance, and the audiobook narration makes every beat linger.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced audiobook copy.

[Brooke ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 STARS

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ALC!!!

This was honestly such a nice palette cleanser. It was really unique and a plotline that I have never heard before, which yall know I love a lil sum sum different every now and then. A doctor and a teacher with the same kind of goals and care for social issues? Tuh absolutely. Desmond was so caring a sweet to Yara, and I LOVED how Yara clapped back at his ex-in laws. They needed to take several seats and several seats were served IKTR!

Overall I really enjoyed this plotline and the romance was soooooo cute ugh.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review
📚 Book Title: Stat: Love in Scrubs
✍🏽Author: Iesha Bree
🎙️Narrator: Deja Rion & D'Art
📕 Format: 🎧
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️ Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

🕑Quick Take:
Yara Sinclair started Little Angels Academy as a learning institution for children who lost their mothers during or after childbirth and to honor her own late mother.

Dr. Desmond Wilder is a candidate for the Cheif of Obstetrics at St. Ambrose Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Wilder is a single dad to his daughter Esabella, who attends Little Angels Academy.

Yara and Desmond have an encounter at Little Angels Academy. However, this isn’t the first time Yara and Desmond have met. 🤭

💕 What I Loved:
I ate this story right up. It was beautifully written, engaging, and highlighted the important topic of the maternal health crisis.

✨ Tropes:
- Love After Loss
- Single Dad
- One Night Stand/Second Chance
- Medical Romance

🎭 Narration:
Deja Rion & D'Art provide excellent narration for Yara and Desmond. They are both new to me narrators, and did an excellent job bringing this story to life.

⚠️ Heads Up (Trigger/Content warnings):
- Black Maternal Health Crisis
- Death of Parent
- Death of Spouse

💭Final Thoughts:
This was my first read by Iesha Bree, and baby, I am sold! As previously stated, this story was well written with deep emotion, addressing a national crisis and its impact beyond just the immediate family. Most importantly, it shows that you can heal and love!!!

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for this advanced listener’s copy.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stat, Iesha Bree’s story in the Love in Scrubs series tackles hard issues without feeling heavy. This book addresses grief, loss and racial health disparities especially as it relates to fetal maternal health and Black women.

🩺Dr. Desmond, the brilliant OBGYN and father to adorable Esa, feels called to provide the best care possible during this potentially dangerous time in their lives.
🖍️Yara’s mission is to provide a safe, nurturing school for children dealing with loss.

Their lives seem destined to intersect, they just have to figure out if they are both willing to open their hearts and take a risk they weren’t planning on and if so what sacrifices will need to be made. Little Miss Esa is the star of this book and the ultimate puppet master. The narration for this book isn't great. It's probably a much better read than listen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!

[Jeanette H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the story I didn't know I needed. Who knew that a one night stand would lead to so much more. I love Yara and Desmond and we can't leave out Esa who really stole the show. This story navigated Black maternal health and grief in just the right manner that wasn't too heavy. I appreciate that Desmond and Yara are grown characters with an established purpose which helped them navigate through their own issues and come together.
The narrators, Deja Rion and D'Art are new to me but they did an excellent job with the narration. Their voices were fitting for this story.
Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for this ALC. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jite · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay.

This was an alright romance. I wasn’t passionate about the characters, Desmond and Yara, and to be honest not much happens in this. Desmond’s daughter was adorable, his parents were nice enough, what little we saw of Yara and her best friend was nice. But nothing really happens. There’s very little tension- even when Desmond’s former in-laws come in with a bad attitude, the stakes are so low because they’ve been absent from his and his daughter’s life that it doesn’t really matter. I have nothing bad to say about this romance but I also don’t have anything particularly good to say about it, very so-so for me.

[Chareese H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the Love In Scrubs series. Narrators are doing a really good job in telling the love story on to the next definitely a 2026 recommendation not a whole lot of drama. A really nice story to listen to or to read ❤️❤️❤️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cardi Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!

I knew it would be a wild ride with Doc being a Que. I love Yara and how she has direct experience with what Esa and Desmond experienced. They need this Academy to be real.

[Jacklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Such a great book! From start to finish. I wish we had a little angels where I live for my nieces that lost their mom

[Bookishwith_mariee · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved

Loved every minute of this read from beginning to end. Experiencing love after grief was definitely a tear jerker but overall a great story.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a meaningful story and I really loved what it set out to do. Iesha Bree leaned straight into grief, motherhood, healing, and second chances and did it in a way that felt honest without weighing the whole book down. Yara turning her pain into purpose through Little Angels Academy was beautiful to see, and Desmond balancing ambition, fatherhood, and vulnerability was the kind of arc I always appreciate. Their chemistry was there, the emotion was there, and Esa absolutely stole every scene like the tiny star she is.

Where this fell a little short for me was the audiobook experience. The narrators sounded technically good, but there was a noticeable lack of passion and emotional depth in the delivery. I struggled to feel fully connected to the characters because the voices rarely matched the intensity of the story. There were moments that should have punched me right in the chest, and instead they just… floated by. I kept wishing the narration would lean in harder to the grief, the tenderness, and especially the romance. I honestly think this would hit even stronger as a physical read or ebook because the writing itself is there.

Still, I enjoyed the story a lot. The themes mattered, the love story was heartfelt, and I appreciated the maturity of both leads. Solid four stars.

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to LOVE as well as SCREAM about in this incredible story. Goes on the read again and again PILE!

Between the tears for the young black children, growing up from day one, without their beloved mothers, due to negligent childbirth procedures. As well as for the anger for the sheer indolence as well as the arrogance, of many of the racist medical personnel, who cause the unnecessary deaths of mostly black women, trying to bring their precious babies into this cold hearted world!
Nevertheless, Miss Iesha doesn't stop there. She writes about Dr. Desmond and Teacher Valentina, (Yara) who decide to do something about it. Valentina, and her Dad, took the money from her deceased mom's lawsuit and opened a school to help these poor, motherless, children learn how to cope with their present day lives.

I absolutely loved this beautiful heart touching journey!

[Brandy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ALC REVIEW***
Narrators: Deja Rion and D’art

This is my first book of the series, and I really enjoyed it. A single dad trying to make it while also having a very demanding career. Driven by losing his baby mom due to the healthcare failing to listen to her. He made it his mission to be the best OB/GYN in the field. Yara a daycare owner who has had personal experience with losing a parent at birth. Went out one night and had a one-night stand. Come to find out that one night stand ended up being the love of her life.

Thank you Netgalley , Iesha Bree and Recorded books for the ALC!

[Goddess’ Smut Library 🩷 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️🌶️🌶️

[Dee DeLeon · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick and cozy read with a cute story line; however, what could have been a 3 star read was downgraded to 2 stars because of the author’s inability to use proper punctuation. There is nothing worse than reading a book with grammatical and/or punctuation errors…it just takes you completely out of the story!

[Stephanie H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Stars (audiobook)

STAT by Iesha Bree was a solid, meaningful listen that tackled important topics while still delivering romance and real-life tension.

I really appreciated the way this story highlighted Black maternal health and the importance of advocacy — that alone makes this book worth reading. Yara and Desmond reconnecting and navigating it as imperfect adults added a refreshing layer of realism to their story. There was no fairytale gloss here — just two people navigating life, love, and grief.

I’m always a fan of a single dad trope, and Desmond fit that role well. Esa was the cutest! The plot itself was engaging and well thought out, and the story flowed nicely overall.

As an audiobook, the narrators did a good job, but I did find that some of the heavier emotional moments could have used more depth. A few scenes that should’ve hit harder emotionally felt a bit restrained.

That said, this was still an enjoyable, thoughtful read/listen with a strong message and a compelling storyline. I’d definitely recommend it, especially for readers who enjoy romance with substance and social awareness.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Review: A chance encounter romance

My Review: Stat: Love in Scrubs by Iesha Bree is categorized as a "Multicultural Interest | Romance | Women's Fiction" novel. It is scheduled for release on 12/23/25.

About the Book: "One night. No names. No expectations. Just two strangers trying to forget—until the moment refuses to be forgotten."

In My Own Words: A single dad who lost his wife connects with a woman who works with children dealing with grief. As they try to navigate their relationship, love, growth, and healing occur.

What I Liked/Loved:

- I loved how original this story was. I was moved by the way the author chose to present the rather unfortunate issue that exists between AAW and the medical community, specifically regarding gynecological care and/or neglect. I'm glad she called attention to the matter. It was done brilliantly.

- I really liked that there were so many facets to the relationships featured. The lives were connected by grief, but they were healed by love. The author did a wonderful job of communicating how people handle loss differently.

- I loved that mental health therapy/counseling was written into the story. One of my favorite lines was associated with "the people left behind." That spoke volumes.

- I liked how a found family concept could be observed. I think every primary person in the story gained something more than expected, in that regard.

- I loved how Desmond's daughter still had a way to honor her mother. Desmond and Yara both understood the importance of maintaining a healthy connection, and they supported that. I also think that the shared type of experience between Yara and that sweet, little girl proved to be incredibly significant, laying a foundation for their own special bond.

- I loved that this story was realistic and emotionally rich.

- I loved that each of the three main characters had a strong voice. They used those voices in meaningful ways. (I won't say more than that, so as not to spoil things for other readers.)

- I loved the progression of the love story between Desmond and Yara.

- The HEA was very well written. There was more than one, as far as I am concerned. It was beautiful to see the picture of "family."

About the Audiobook: STAT was narrated by Deja Rion and D'Art. This duo injected heart and honesty into every word spoken. Their expression of the raw emotions for each character moved me greatly. The scene that stood out the most was the family dinner. The way they presented that material was so believable. Bravo...that is all there is to say.

My Final Say: Honestly, I was blown away by this book. I think that what it was able to accomplish was multi-layered, in that it educated and informed, it shared a loss, love, and life approach to dealing with grief, it advocated for young people and families who suffer devastating losses, and it elevated the idea of having supportive networks and communities. There were other components, as well. In the end, I would say it deserves a golden heart rating.

Other: Potential readers are advised to read any and all author/publisher notes. Some of the content presented could be triggering.

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: 💛
Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Emotional Arc: +
Tissues: 1-tissue read
Heat Factor:🌶🌶
Content Warning Advisory: Yes
Format: 🎧

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (RBmedia | Recorded Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for a honest critique. It was a pleasure to review.

[Ann-Marie Herod · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love it

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Recorded Books (RB Media) for this ALC copy of Stat: Love in Scrubs written by Iesha Bree and narrated by Deja Rion and D’Art. This audiobook is definitely a five-star listen for me. I loved listening to these two new narrators that I’ve never heard before, and they definitely brought this story to life. I feel like they captured the characters’ personalities really well and made me enjoy this story even more. I listened at 1.5x speed, and for me it felt like I was listening in on people having natural conversations and not like they were just reading to me. I would say this is a medium-paced romance story. This is my second book I’ve read by Iesha Bree, and she is slowly moving up to one of my favorites because each book I read by her never misses. This story follows Yara and Desmond as our main characters and love interests, and we have grief as well as maternal health complications explored in this story. I felt like it flowed in such a natural way, and I could easily read more and more about this couple, but it also wrapped up rather satisfyingly too. Yara and Desmond actually had a one-night stand, which we do get a flashback of, but then don’t really formally meet until he’s called up to his daughter’s school. The school is one that Yara happens to be the founder and director of because his daughter isn’t feeling well, but really she just wants her dad to spend time with her. Desmond lost his wife during childbirth of their daughter, and Yara lost her mother when she was giving birth to her, which is why she founded her school. One thing I can say is that once Desmond sees Yara again, he applies pressure, and I also loved the relationship he had with his parents as well as the relationship Yara had with her dad and stepmom. The thing about Desmond is he is a doctor and very committed to his job and now works in the maternity ward, delivering babies and making sure mothers get the care they deserve. One thing I really appreciated about how this story explored things is that even though there wasn’t too much relational conflict between the FMC and MMC, it really did explore the sacrifices people make for their careers and having to decide what matters most or how to balance the two. And let me tell you, Desmond’s in-laws, whew. I was glad they eventually got their act together, but I definitely wanted to cuss them out because they allowed their grief to make them check out of their granddaughter’s life, even though she is a piece of their daughter, and I know she wouldn’t want that. That whole plot added more intensity and conflict to the story since there wasn’t much conflict between Yara and Desmond themselves. Again, I loved this story, and I’m definitely going to read more by this author as well as check out the other stories in this series by different authors because they’re so interesting.

[K Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a breath of fresh air—truly a palate cleanser for my heart.

STAT: Love in Scrubs introduces us to Desmond and Yara, two beautifully layered characters whose paths cross, separate, and collide again when the timing (and healing) is finally right. Desmond is an obstetrician carrying the weight of profound loss, while Yara is the owner of an incredibly important school for children who have experienced loss themselves. Their connection is instant, undeniable, and yes… steamy—but it’s also deeply emotional and intentional.

One of my favorite parts of this story was Desmond’s relationship with his daughter, Esa. Esa is the heart of this book. She becomes the bridge that brings Desmond and Yara back together and reminds Desmond that when the heart knows… it knows. The way Iesha Bree handled parenting, grief, and love after loss was done with so much care and authenticity.

I absolutely loved seeing healthy communication, healthy romantic love, and healthy parenting on the page. The representation of a blossoming Black family, along with the beauty of bonus parenting, warmed my soul. Bonus parents who pour into their bonus children’s lives deserve all the praise, and this book captured that so well.

This story is tender, healing, and affirming—proof that love can be soft, safe, and still deeply passionate. Iesha Bree delivered a romance that felt real, hopeful, and emotionally satisfying. Highly recommend if you love heartfelt Black romance, found family vibes, and stories that remind you love can bloom again.

I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity by NetGalley for this ALC of State: Love in Scrubs by Iesha Bree. The audiobook was narrated by Deja Rion and D'Art. Also, thank you, RBmedia, for the opportunity to listen to this beautiful body of work.

[Rise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this story, and I truly felt like it was such a beautiful, emotional love story.

Both Yara and Desmond carried deep loss, and that’s what made their connection so powerful. Yara lost her mother during childbirth and was raised by her father, growing up with that absence always in the background. Desmond, on the other hand, lost his wife after she gave birth. Even though she had great medical care, she still passed due to underlying health issues. That contrast really stood out to me—Yara's mother didn’t receive the care she deserved, while Desmond’s wife did, and yet the outcome was still heartbreaking in both situations.

I really liked the chemistry between Yara and Desmond. Their bond felt natural and rooted in shared pain, but it wasn’t heavy all the time. It felt like two people who understood each other without having to explain everything.

After losing his wife, Desmond poured himself into his work as a physician, especially when it came to his pregnant patients. He made it his mission to make sure every mother received the attention and care they needed. That dedication showed how grief shaped him, but it also showed his heart.

I also loved that Yara opened a facility for children who had lost a parent. That spoke volumes about her character. She didn’t let her pain harden her—she turned it into something nurturing and supportive for other kids who might be feeling the same emptiness she once did.

And Isa? She was the perfect bridge between them. I really felt like she played such an important role in bringing her father and her teacher together. It all felt meant to be without feeling forced.

Overall, this story gave me such a warm, romantic feeling. It was emotional, healing, and full of heart — the kind of love story that really stays with you.

[Lisareadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜💜

I usually bring always knows how to bring the fields and this book gave me that and so much more. Love how she dealt and talked about grief not only amongst adults but amongst elders parents and even the children. I love that the Organization she created for children who've lost a parent to be able to cope with that. And the fact that her and Desmond met prior to her being his daughter's teacher oh my freaking goodness. And trust that flashback scene was freak nasty miss Jackson if you're nasty.... But I loved it and I saw you through when he was Que as well.. I just Loved yara interacting with the kiddos and being able to open herself up to a Give the love that she wanted to receive growing up from her mother who she lost. Her best friend Darby that's my girl she was not letting her friend talk herself out of this relationship. She was such a mess trying to find a man in the library... Literally I would not mind getting the book on her and her significant other eventually. Veronica's parents though I understand grief and sometimes I know people wallow and grief I did want a b**** lap both of them to the past because the f*** are you acting so rude towards people for... It's been 6 years and no you can still be grieving and still be happy that people are trying to look at the bright side or the positives of everything because they have to be present for those left behind... But I was happy that they know at least apologized but I wasn't gonna be set and happy until they apologize to yara. All in all this book just made me smile and it's a definite must read.

[lexx t · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stat by Iesha Bree was my first read from her and I truly did not expect it to hit the way it did. Going in, I thought I was getting a hospital romance centered around a doctor’s grind, but this story had so much more heart than that. Yes, Desmond Wilder is a dedicated OB with career goals and single dad responsibilities, but the real focus is what happens when unresolved grief and past connections collide. When Yara reenters his life through the school she created for grieving children, the story immediately shifts into something deeper, more emotional, and honestly more impactful than I anticipated.

What really pulled me in was how grief was handled. Both characters carry loss in different ways and watching them navigate that while slowly reconnecting felt raw and intentional. The romance does not rush and I appreciated that so much. It is about curiosity, healing, and allowing space for love when you have spent so long guarding your heart. The emotional buildup felt earned, not forced, and I found myself more invested in their personal growth than any surface level romance beats.

And let me just say this. The step daddy trope has had me in a chokehold lately and this book absolutely did not help my case. At all. Overall, Stat surprised me in the best way. It was tender, emotionally grounded, and far more layered than I expected. If you are looking for a romance that centers healing, second chances, and the kind of love that finds you when you least expect it, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story and this book was everything I didn’t know I needed.. The overall storyline was great, but what made it even better were those hidden gems, like healthy parent-child relationships in black families, as well as healthy relationships with stepparents.

Esa was my absolute favorite character in this story. Her little personality, shined, and Iesha truly wrote her in well. It saddened me about the relationship she had with Veronica’s parents, but that too was a hidden gem of the story, on how people handle grief very differently.

Yara & Desmond… I don’t even know where to start! Their love story was refreshing, and I enjoyed every minute of seeing their relationship blossom. Where is my non fictional Dr. Wilder lol!

The narration 🤏🏾🤏🏾 was excellent! I was not familiar with either of these narrators, but they did an amazing job and now I want to listen to more by them.

Overall, I loved this story and wished that Little Angels Academy was not a fictional place, cause I would be the first to volunteer! Definitely recommend!! Thank you RB Media and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.

Publication 🗓️ : 12.23.25

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stat

I really liked Desmond and Yara together. They were cute and I liked their chemistry and easy vibe. I liked that Desmond pursued her like a grown man and also realized that he needed to be more present for his daughter and his family. It sucks that that revelation seemed to fully be decided on after Yara came back into his life, but sometimes you need someone else in your life to get a different perspective.

I was glad that Yara had Darby as a friend to help her get out of her own way and stop trying to talk herself out of having a good man and get her to see that she can have the love that she deserved and still run her business.

I loved both sets of parents for Desmond and Yara. They did not play about their kids and also gave them good advice and support when needed without trying to control them or make decisions for them.

I liked that the author handled the maternal death situations with care and I loved everything about the school that Yara built around this situation.

There were several editing issues in this story and they sometimes made it harder to get through a certain paragraph or sentence but thankfully these issues didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this story. This was another good addition to this series and I’m excited for the last book to be released.