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Breaking Point
She's Harvard-educated, a senator's daughter, and the best damn ER physician no one takes seriously.
Dr. Delaney Ward didn't claw her way through medical school to be her father's campaign prop or anyone's idea of what a doctor should be. Her "ice queen" reputation? Armor, built one dismissive colleague at a time. She doesn't need anyone to save her, validate her, or see past her walls. Especially not Dr. Cameron Lee, whose easy swagger and flirtatious charm remind her of every man who's ever underestimated her.
But Cameron's confidence hides fractures of his a patient who died because of a call he made, a fear of failure that drives every decision. And Delaney's armor hides a woman who secretly paints watercolors and devours romance novels, desperate for the kind of love she's convinced herself she doesn't deserve.
Then the worst day of their careers arrives.
When a mass casualty incident floods Metro General with impossible choices, the walls they've built become impossible to maintain. Delaney breaks in ways she never expected. Cameron discovers strength he didn't know he had. And somewhere between the patients they save and the ones they lose, they stop being careful colleagues… and become each other's lifeline.
But the crisis is only the beginning. They've seen each other shatter. Now they have to decide if the pieces fit together—or if some breaks can't be mended.
Dr. Delaney Ward didn't claw her way through medical school to be her father's campaign prop or anyone's idea of what a doctor should be. Her "ice queen" reputation? Armor, built one dismissive colleague at a time. She doesn't need anyone to save her, validate her, or see past her walls. Especially not Dr. Cameron Lee, whose easy swagger and flirtatious charm remind her of every man who's ever underestimated her.
But Cameron's confidence hides fractures of his a patient who died because of a call he made, a fear of failure that drives every decision. And Delaney's armor hides a woman who secretly paints watercolors and devours romance novels, desperate for the kind of love she's convinced herself she doesn't deserve.
Then the worst day of their careers arrives.
When a mass casualty incident floods Metro General with impossible choices, the walls they've built become impossible to maintain. Delaney breaks in ways she never expected. Cameron discovers strength he didn't know he had. And somewhere between the patients they save and the ones they lose, they stop being careful colleagues… and become each other's lifeline.
But the crisis is only the beginning. They've seen each other shatter. Now they have to decide if the pieces fit together—or if some breaks can't be mended.
- GenresRomance
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 12, 2026
Such a good book, I’ve read a few other books from the series and knowing the characters from the other books adds layers but is in no way essential. I think if you read this one first whilst there will be spoilers, you will definitely be able to go back and read the earlier books.
The story covers two Doctors who work in an emergency department. They both have their own issues and the book shows how, through their relationship, they heal. The chapters alternate between their perspectives which I love. Towards the end there are chapters from other characters and while I enjoyed them I was craving to get back to the main two. I think this is the part where it helps if you’ve read the other books and it definitely does add to the story.
There are sex scenes which include some more casual scenes and some with a sense of dominance and submission but nothing even as far is 50 shades. The scenes are generally of a woman in control so I would expect most people would not be triggered.
There are explicit scenes of a mass shooting which feel very visceral. I really struggled to read them but coming from the UK I think we experience these very differently so I’m not sure if people from other countries would fine those chapters as more or less triggering and upsetting. I think it’s the most traumatic section of this author’s writing that I’ve seen so far and there is a chapter at the end of the book that explains this in more personal detail. It’s well written with attention to detail. These chapters made me cry which is not a bad thing.
I so struggled to put this book down, I loved the romance and really liked getting to understand the characters. I definitely want to read more from this author. I think if you work in health care the author is obviously someone who has as well and you are in very safe hands, although if you are still in the emergency medical part this could be a hard read I do think it could be cathartic. Especially the end!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
The story covers two Doctors who work in an emergency department. They both have their own issues and the book shows how, through their relationship, they heal. The chapters alternate between their perspectives which I love. Towards the end there are chapters from other characters and while I enjoyed them I was craving to get back to the main two. I think this is the part where it helps if you’ve read the other books and it definitely does add to the story.
There are sex scenes which include some more casual scenes and some with a sense of dominance and submission but nothing even as far is 50 shades. The scenes are generally of a woman in control so I would expect most people would not be triggered.
There are explicit scenes of a mass shooting which feel very visceral. I really struggled to read them but coming from the UK I think we experience these very differently so I’m not sure if people from other countries would fine those chapters as more or less triggering and upsetting. I think it’s the most traumatic section of this author’s writing that I’ve seen so far and there is a chapter at the end of the book that explains this in more personal detail. It’s well written with attention to detail. These chapters made me cry which is not a bad thing.
I so struggled to put this book down, I loved the romance and really liked getting to understand the characters. I definitely want to read more from this author. I think if you work in health care the author is obviously someone who has as well and you are in very safe hands, although if you are still in the emergency medical part this could be a hard read I do think it could be cathartic. Especially the end!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The fourth installment in Cari’s Code Blue Hearts series, and it’s got some pretty big shoes to fill…
I looked back over my previous reviews, and they follow the trend of the series.
It. Just. Keeps. Getting. Better.
Cameron and Delaney’s story spans the previous three, and it’s interesting to see it from the other side.
Their situationship was devastating in a way. Both hiding their pain and fears, releasing only with each other, yet still hiding away.
There was a moment in chapter 21 that had me in tears… it was heartbreaking… and it wasn’t even Cameron or Delaney!
Then again, a key Delaney chapter during the ‘Code White’ - total devastation and it showed her humanity… That poor mum!
The mass trauma event…. WOW! I felt like I was there, and I could almost feel their stress. I was certainly feeling it…
And even the way the chapter headings changed to suit the story… I was impressed with the amount of detail and thought that went into this!
Especially when they then started to change back to reflect their healing journey.
This wasn’t truly a romance. It was a journey. A journey of healing, finding oneself, and finding the one who lets you be yourself.
Cari Blake is quickly turning into one of my favourite authors because she’s not afraid to tackle the hard storylines and brings a sense of realism to each and every scene.
And it was such a small thing, but this scene just absolutely made it for me… the humour was so subtle, it was fantastic!
"Are you serious?!?" I asked, my voice coming out strangled. "You're doing this right now? On a mountain in Ireland?"
"Dead serious. Though if you say no, this is going to be a reaalllly awkward hike back down."
The ending itself was a bit unexpected, but I adored it.
And those notes from both Cari and her husband just made the entire story and the preceding ones all the more powerful.
Bravo, Cari. Not sure how you’re going to top this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I looked back over my previous reviews, and they follow the trend of the series.
It. Just. Keeps. Getting. Better.
Cameron and Delaney’s story spans the previous three, and it’s interesting to see it from the other side.
Their situationship was devastating in a way. Both hiding their pain and fears, releasing only with each other, yet still hiding away.
There was a moment in chapter 21 that had me in tears… it was heartbreaking… and it wasn’t even Cameron or Delaney!
Then again, a key Delaney chapter during the ‘Code White’ - total devastation and it showed her humanity… That poor mum!
The mass trauma event…. WOW! I felt like I was there, and I could almost feel their stress. I was certainly feeling it…
And even the way the chapter headings changed to suit the story… I was impressed with the amount of detail and thought that went into this!
Especially when they then started to change back to reflect their healing journey.
This wasn’t truly a romance. It was a journey. A journey of healing, finding oneself, and finding the one who lets you be yourself.
Cari Blake is quickly turning into one of my favourite authors because she’s not afraid to tackle the hard storylines and brings a sense of realism to each and every scene.
And it was such a small thing, but this scene just absolutely made it for me… the humour was so subtle, it was fantastic!
"Are you serious?!?" I asked, my voice coming out strangled. "You're doing this right now? On a mountain in Ireland?"
"Dead serious. Though if you say no, this is going to be a reaalllly awkward hike back down."
The ending itself was a bit unexpected, but I adored it.
And those notes from both Cari and her husband just made the entire story and the preceding ones all the more powerful.
Bravo, Cari. Not sure how you’re going to top this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have mixed feelings about this novel. It delivers on the drama of emergency medicine and the toll it can have on the dedicated staff working under these often chaotic and heart-wrenching circumstances. However, there are some aspects of the protagonists’ relationship that made the characters hard to embrace. Specifically, the dominance/submission dynamic between Delaney and Cameron felt extreme - her need for control seemed borderline pathological and his compliance was almost saint-like. Fortunately, there is a welcome shift in this dynamic that takes second place to the focus on the medical practice in the ER.
Dr. Delaney Ward has a medical pedigree based on Ivy-league training and practice. Her cool, borderline cold, professional approach is rooted in a lifetime of struggling against the control of a father who uses her as a prop in his political ambitions. In contrast, Dr. Cameron Lee, her colleague, comes from much humbler beginnings and presents himself as a smooth, suave player. Both are locked into their respective personas as performances rather than authentic expressions. As the story unfolds, they offer each other the opportunity to develop an honest connection and a future beyond their excellence in emergency medicine.
The author is an emergency room nurse and her husband, a retired EMT/firefighter. Together they have captured the heightened emotional aspects of emergency care as well as the clinical competency required to function in these settings. The developing love story, though rocky for the above-mentioned reason, is a bonus as it humanizes the storyline to a greater degree.
Note: There is a cautionary statement at the start of the book to alert readers who may be sensitive to the graphic details of trauma cases.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Dr. Delaney Ward has a medical pedigree based on Ivy-league training and practice. Her cool, borderline cold, professional approach is rooted in a lifetime of struggling against the control of a father who uses her as a prop in his political ambitions. In contrast, Dr. Cameron Lee, her colleague, comes from much humbler beginnings and presents himself as a smooth, suave player. Both are locked into their respective personas as performances rather than authentic expressions. As the story unfolds, they offer each other the opportunity to develop an honest connection and a future beyond their excellence in emergency medicine.
The author is an emergency room nurse and her husband, a retired EMT/firefighter. Together they have captured the heightened emotional aspects of emergency care as well as the clinical competency required to function in these settings. The developing love story, though rocky for the above-mentioned reason, is a bonus as it humanizes the storyline to a greater degree.
Note: There is a cautionary statement at the start of the book to alert readers who may be sensitive to the graphic details of trauma cases.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5/5 rounded up
I don't work in healthcare — nowhere near an emergency room. In fact, we often joke in public relations that what we do is "PR not ER." But I have provided media and communications support to two companies who experienced a multi-fatality incident. That meant sitting with families who had lost loved ones, communicating loss with care to the people left behind. It's been long enough that I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve as much as I used to, but close enough that the experiences of Metro General, and Delaney and Cameron, were powerful for me.
Dr. Delaney Ward and Dr. Cameron Lee are two lonely hearts working side by side in an emergency room. They both wear protective armor, but are drawn to each other. Like recognizes like. Cari Blake's writing brings her characters to life. Cameron and Delaney's loneliness and isolation feel real. Blake shines when she brings us into the ER. She never dumbs things down, but always brings the reader along.
There was some insta-love and some minor repetitive beats but none of it derailed the read. I finished this book in less than 24 hours.
The mass casualty incident anchors the book and you should know that going in. Blake doesn't shield you from anything and you have to bear the weight of Delaney and Cameron's choices under pressure, and their trauma.
Blake's husband's note at the end sharing his appreciation for his wife's work as a charge nurse was perfect. Their lived experiences in the ER beat through every page of this book. You leave with more appreciation for first responders than you came in with.
While Code Blue Hearts has come to a close, I look forward to more stories from this pair.
I don't work in healthcare — nowhere near an emergency room. In fact, we often joke in public relations that what we do is "PR not ER." But I have provided media and communications support to two companies who experienced a multi-fatality incident. That meant sitting with families who had lost loved ones, communicating loss with care to the people left behind. It's been long enough that I don't wear my feelings on my sleeve as much as I used to, but close enough that the experiences of Metro General, and Delaney and Cameron, were powerful for me.
Dr. Delaney Ward and Dr. Cameron Lee are two lonely hearts working side by side in an emergency room. They both wear protective armor, but are drawn to each other. Like recognizes like. Cari Blake's writing brings her characters to life. Cameron and Delaney's loneliness and isolation feel real. Blake shines when she brings us into the ER. She never dumbs things down, but always brings the reader along.
There was some insta-love and some minor repetitive beats but none of it derailed the read. I finished this book in less than 24 hours.
The mass casualty incident anchors the book and you should know that going in. Blake doesn't shield you from anything and you have to bear the weight of Delaney and Cameron's choices under pressure, and their trauma.
Blake's husband's note at the end sharing his appreciation for his wife's work as a charge nurse was perfect. Their lived experiences in the ER beat through every page of this book. You leave with more appreciation for first responders than you came in with.
While Code Blue Hearts has come to a close, I look forward to more stories from this pair.
May 6, 2026
Dr. Delaney Ward followed her own path rather than the one her parents had wanted, especially her father. She is an emergency room doctor, knowing that she is making a difference in the lives of her patients. She doesn’t really relate to one of the other doctors, Dr. Cameron Lee, who seems to need constant accolades for his work. When her father continues to pressure her to be available to benefit his political aspirations, she realizes that he will never accept how important her career is to her. When a mass casualty situation causes all out chaos in the emergency department, lives will be lost as personnel and supplies become limited. Delaney and Cameron do their best and pull together to save as many shooting victims possible. She realizes how caring for others, without the expectation of praise, has made her a more compassionate doctor. Cameron soon learns that his feelings for Delaney, has made him realize that he doesn’t need the constant affirmation or approval that he is a good doctor. When a relationship slowly develops between them, not just quick physical encounters, is there a chance for a life together…maybe even open their own practice? An update oh characters from the three previous books, added a warm family feeling to this amazing series, highlighting the caring and devotion of first responders and medical staff. I highly recommend this entire series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cameron and Delaney, both with walls firmly set, keeping people at arm’s length—it’s safer that way. Cameron wears a cocky mask, hiding painful guilt for a decision he made based on the information he had. Delaney has built walls around her heart. All her life she’s been told what to do, even at her job as an ER Doctor she’s constantly having to prove her validity—it’s exhausting. Delaney sees through Cameron’s illusion. Cameron understands Delaney’s needs. He’s a patient man . . .
Cari Blake not only wrote a fantastic love story, it’s an incredible ER suspense. It really is good stuff. *** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Cameron
FMC:
✨Delaney
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 4 of Code Blue Hearts
Tropes:
👉contemporary er romance
👉ice queen
👉forced proximity
👉opposites attract
👉he falls first
👉trauma bond
👉emotional healing
👉fem-dom
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2, mf, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥gore, mass casualties, detailed medical procedures, detailed injuries
💥death.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cari Blake not only wrote a fantastic love story, it’s an incredible ER suspense. It really is good stuff. *** Recommended ***
MMC:
✨Cameron
FMC:
✨Delaney
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 4 of Code Blue Hearts
Tropes:
👉contemporary er romance
👉ice queen
👉forced proximity
👉opposites attract
👉he falls first
👉trauma bond
👉emotional healing
👉fem-dom
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2, mf, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥gore, mass casualties, detailed medical procedures, detailed injuries
💥death.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2026
Book 4 of Code Blue Hearts. Can be read as a standalone.
'But when a mass shooting floods Metro General with dozens of casualties, every wall they’ve built—professional and personal—comes crashing down. The impossible choices they make during the worst hours of their careers will either bond them forever or break them apart.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'But when a mass shooting floods Metro General with dozens of casualties, every wall they’ve built—professional and personal—comes crashing down. The impossible choices they make during the worst hours of their careers will either bond them forever or break them apart.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2026
Dr. Delaney Ward works at Metro General in spite of her rich father's protests. Dr. Cameron Lee is haunted by a patient's death. They end up in a relationship that helps fill their needs but then the hospital has a mass casualty incident that leaves them having to make impossible decisions.
We meet some of the characters from the previous books in this series as well. This book was hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We meet some of the characters from the previous books in this series as well. This book was hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow. If this is where the series ends up, and I hope it doesn't, I hope there are more, then just... wow. the mass casualty sequence, the daughter who says "Mommy", it hit me right in the feels but HEA, I mean... how could anyone ask for a more perfect HEA than that? Yes, a touch cheesy, but so perfectly earned and loveable. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
April 29, 2026
Breaking Point was phenomenal. Intense, emotional, and impossible to put down.
The hospital setting really elevated the story, and the high-stakes moments were gripping from start to finish. The emotional impact hit hard without ever feeling overdone.
A powerful, well-balanced read with a beautifully satisfying ending.
The hospital setting really elevated the story, and the high-stakes moments were gripping from start to finish. The emotional impact hit hard without ever feeling overdone.
A powerful, well-balanced read with a beautifully satisfying ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The best medical romance series I've ever read, hands down. If this is the last book, though I hope it's not, it's been an amazing ride with this author. Thank you for the ARC copy!
May 7, 2026
Great story. Medical scenes were gritty & well written. I've read all 4 books in this series and liked this one best. Waiting on the next book they write.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews