The Doctor Falls First

Hearts of Midtown Hospital #2

by Cadence Rush

Dr. Soren Slater has everything he’s ever wanted. A stable and exciting career as an ER physician, a gorgeous penthouse condo, a Northwoods cabin to get away from it all, and a budding passion project to do some good in the world. He hasn’t won over the ER staff yet, with his serious and no-nonsense demeanor, but he’s accustomed to being a lone wolf. Short-lived trysts that don’t require commitment and certainly don’t involve any real feelings are the extent of his love life, and that’s the way he likes it.

Until one outspoken nursing student changes everything. Soren can’t stop thinking about Quinn after the horrible first impression he made, and every run-in with her perplexes him even further. His love life, his professional life, and everything he thought he knew about himself is turned upside down after meeting her. He already knows how to care for his patients, but he’ll have to learn how to love and risk everything if he wants a chance at being happier than he ever imagined. Soren’s finally giving someone his heart, but what will she do with it?

The Doctor Falls First follows Love, PRN in the Hearts of Midtown Hospital series, but it can be read first or as a standalone. This is a medical romance from his POV perfect for fans of yearning, obsessive, and angsty romances that are slow burn but spicy.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Cadence Rush writes romance with heart and heat. Her debut medical romance series, Hearts of Midtown Hospital, was crafted from her ER nursing experience and is beloved by readers obsessed with The Pitt and Grey’s Anatomy. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys spending time in nature, and daydreaming about projects she’s not supposed to be working on.

Reviews

[Calliope Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s more difficult than writing dual pov? Writing from a guys only perspective. Even more so than that, getting me to enjoy it all the way through as a fully thought out character arc. This book slapped my ass and made me call him daddy. 👁️🫦👁️

I’ve always struggled with the visuals of hospital shows because I can’t handle blood or needles so it was nice to read about the realities of an emergency room doctor x nurse romance plus the trauma informed and correctly written codes by Cadence Rush. She did such a wonderful job bringing Soren to life and I can’t wait for you guys to get to chapter 20. I was gagged sending her DM’s in real time. (Perks of being a client sibling.)

Couldn’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate Beltane than to read The Doctor Falls First

[Nikki H. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot go wrong with this story OR this series!

I get nervous sometimes when it's separate stories, first from her POV, followed by one with his POV, but Cadence did it BEAUTIFULLY. This felt like it's own book (because it is), and Soren had his own life as this slow burn won over my heart.

I loved seeing the moments I loved from the first book pop up again, but from a new perspective.

And oh my gosh... I cannot WAIT to hear this story on audio. The things this man thinks and says... oh my.

You can read it as a standalone, but I also highly recommend reading Quinn's book (book 1) as well!

[Jessica L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Soren is a phenomenal character, a doctor who can’t get his mind off of the nurse he can’t have. The yearning is top tier, peppered in with some banter, a little bit of snark, and sweet moments. And the spice. HOT. Especially from his side, love a man who sees his lady as a goddess (and worships her accordingly 😏) I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

[Rebecca A · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is his POV. Same book as the first.

[Cadence Rush]

I can’t believe it’s almost time for Soren’s book to be out in the world! This book took me almost a year to write, and I’ve learned so much and grown as a writer since Love, PRN. I hope you’ll love this story as much as I do!

What to expect:
💜his POV
💜YEARNING
💜medical romance like The Pitt but with a steamy Grey’s Anatomy vibe
💜One sided enemies to lovers (she can’t stand him, he becomes obsessed with her)
💜 he falls first and harder
💜he’s soft only for her
💜he’s an ER doctor that plays rec hockey
💜 a bromance! Soren and Henry’s friendship is so fun
💜a fast-paced and quick read for a weekend or to get out of a slump
💜a slow burn that’s spicy but also very emotional and sweet
💜 he’s never fallen like this and he has to learn how to love


Thanks so much for being a part of my author journey! Now, I’m off to write Henry and Sam’s book 🥰