A clumsy TV show host meets a senior orthopedic surgeon who’s one disciplinary review away from losing everything.
I come to Pulse Point to host my first TV series. One day in, I've broken my ankle on set. (The raccoon responsible has no comment.)
Enter Dr. Zac Sterling: certified grump, devastatingly attractive, and assigned as my around-the-clock physician for the rest of filming. Strict professionalism. Zero room for error.
Except I've never met a man who unravels me this fast. And Zac's control doesn't stand a chance against a woman who looks at him like he's more than his last name.
When a leaked photo lands on the hospital administrator's desk, the relationship Zac has fought so hard to deny suddenly threatens everything he's worked for. Now the man who's spent his life following the rules has to decide whether some risks are worth taking.
Falling for your doctor? Against the rules. Falling this hard? Worth breaking every one of them.
Zac and Hannah were such a cute pairing, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship slowly take shape.
The forced proximity and forbidden doctor/patient setup gave them plenty of reason to fight their attraction, while Zac’s protective nature and Hannah’s adorably chaotic personality made them so easy to root for.
The romance takes its time, but I liked how naturally their connection grew once they started letting each other in. I especially enjoyed the dual POV and getting to see those little shifts in how they viewed each other. Their softer moments were definitely some of my favourites.
The ending was such a lovely touch. I really loved that both of them found a way to make both their relationship and careers work instead of either one having to sacrifice their dreams.
Overall, this was a sweet, wholesome romance with a genuinely satisfying HEA.
~~~~
A huge thank you to Sharon Woods and The Author Agency for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
‘Doctor’s Forbidden Match’ is a fun and entertaining romance that delivers plenty of chemistry, romantic tension and swoony moments. The combination of a clumsy TV host and a grumpy orthopedic surgeon creates an enjoyable opposites-attract dynamic from the start.
Hannah is a fun and energetic heroine, while Zac is the perfect grumpy hero. His determination to maintain professional boundaries despite their undeniable attraction creates plenty of tension between them.
The chemistry between Hannah and Zac is easily one of the strongest aspects of the story. Their forced proximity gives them plenty of opportunities to get under each other’s skin while slowly giving in to their feelings. Zac’s struggle between following the rules and risking his career for love adds another layer of tension to the romance.
The balance between romance, humor and drama works particularly well. The story remains light and entertaining while still giving the characters enough obstacles to keep the relationship interesting.
Overall, ‘Doctor’s Forbidden Match’ is a swoony romance with a grumpy doctor, undeniable chemistry and plenty of romantic tension. A great choice for readers who enjoy forbidden romance, workplace romance, forced proximity and grumpy x sunshine.
Thank you so much to Sharon Woods for providing an ARC of ‘Doctor’s Forbidden Match’. The opportunity to read and review this book is greatly appreciated. All opinions are honest and entirely my own.
This was a great story with Zac and Hannah. An in set ankle debacle sets Zac in Norton to care for Hannah’s ankle. And while he’s technically her doctor now, he’s falling for her. This was a really sweet and fun, steamy romance with those two. I loved seeing them finally come together.
This is the third book in this impressive series, and this is Zac and Hannah’s story. Hannah is in Pulse Point to film her first TV series, when she breaks her ankle on set, and Zac a grumpy orthopaedic surgeon is her doctor, and after she faints on set, he is not happy to be assigned by his boss to be with her throughout. This is a well written slow burn, easy to read story, with grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, forced proximity, secrets, doctor / patient, forbidden romance, challenges, humour, and undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining and fun addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Doctors forbidden match by @sharonwoodsauthor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ This man couldn’t get her out of his said from the moment they met. Even though it was forbidden, he was responsible for her care and now for her heart too. These two were so inevitable right from the very beginning. And they were perfect for each other. She found someone who didn’t care about her celebrity status and he found someone who wanted him for something more than being a doctor. I loved these two. Being in such close proximity to each other only made them fall more. I cannot wait to continue this series and see who falls next 💥
🩺❤️ She Saw the Man Behind Dr. Sterling ❤️🩺 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers
There is something about a grumpy, controlled man being completely unraveled by one adorably chaotic woman that gets me every time. 😂❤️
Doctor's Forbidden Match gave me exactly that with Zac and Hannah, and these two were such a cute pairing!
Hannah Morgan has come to Pulse Point to host her very first TV series, a reality home-improvement competition that could be a huge opportunity for her career.
Unfortunately, her time in Pulse Point gets off to a slightly rocky start.
And by rocky, I mean she encounters a raccoon on set and breaks her ankle. 😂🦝
Enter Dr. Zac Sterling.
Zac is the senior orthopedic surgeon at Pulse Point Hospital, and he's serious, controlled, grumpy, and already dealing with plenty of professional stress. The last thing he wants is to cancel his mini vacation to operate on a VIP television host.
His first impression doesn't exactly leave Hannah thinking warm and fuzzy thoughts about him either.
What she doesn't realize is that Zac's communication skills seem to have temporarily abandoned him because he's already completely fascinated by her. 😂
I loved having the dual POV for this reason. Hannah thinks she's dealing with a moody doctor who doesn't particularly care for her, while we get to see what's actually happening inside Zac's head.
Sir is already in trouble.
Things get even more complicated when Hannah is determined to return to filming before she's really ready. This is her first hosting opportunity, her director is already considering replacing her, and she knows how much this show could mean for her future.
So she returns to work.
On crutches.
With a scooter.
While still being Hannah.
You can probably imagine how well that goes. 😂
After another medical scare, Zac is assigned to stay with Hannah throughout filming until she's sufficiently recovered.
Forced proximity with the gorgeous patient he absolutely cannot get involved with?
I'm sure Dr. Sterling was thrilled. 😂🩺
I really enjoyed watching their relationship slowly change from those initial assumptions into friendship and then something neither of them could continue pretending wasn't there.
Hannah is bubbly, ambitious, clumsy, a little chaotic, and incredibly endearing. She's building a career in television, but underneath the celebrity image is someone much more down-to-earth than Zac initially expects.
And Hannah begins discovering that there's so much more underneath Zac's grumpy exterior too.
He's protective, thoughtful, dedicated to his patients, and dealing with his own pressures surrounding his career and family. I loved watching his carefully maintained walls start coming down as Hannah stopped seeing only Dr. Sterling and began seeing Zac.
That was one of my favorite things about their relationship.
She isn't interested in him because he's a successful surgeon or because of his last name.
And Zac doesn't fall for Hannah because she's becoming a television personality.
They both find someone who sees the person underneath the career.
The forced proximity makes that connection even sweeter because they have time to become comfortable with one another before their relationship really changes. Those softer moments between them were some of my favorites. ❤️
Of course, there's one fairly significant problem.
Zac is her doctor.
Their attraction isn't simply inconvenient. Acting on it could have very real consequences for Zac's career, especially when his professional position at Pulse Point is already under scrutiny.
That forbidden element gave their growing feelings another layer because the closer they become, the more they have to fight something that increasingly feels inevitable.
And then a leaked photo makes keeping their personal lives separate from Zac's professional life a whole lot more difficult.
This is definitely a true slow burn, and I'll admit that the first half moved a little slower than I normally prefer. I would have loved just a touch more romantic tension earlier in the story.
But once Zac and Hannah really started letting each other in, I was completely invested.
The friendship, the softer moments, the chemistry, and watching Zac's control slowly disappear around Hannah made the payoff so satisfying.
But I think one of my absolute favorite things about this story was the ending.
Neither Hannah nor Zac is asked to give up everything they've worked for simply because they fell in love.
Hannah's career matters.
Zac's career matters.
Their relationship matters.
Instead of one person sacrificing their dream to make the HEA possible, they actually have to figure out how to build a future that makes room for BOTH of them.
I loved that.
It felt mature, realistic, and incredibly satisfying because choosing each other didn't require either of them to stop choosing themselves.
Doctor's Forbidden Match is Book 3 in the Pulse Point series and gave me a sweet, wholesome forbidden romance with grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, opposites attract, doctor/patient tension, plenty of humor, a protective hero, an adorably chaotic heroine, and a HEA that left me smiling.
Hannah may have arrived in Pulse Point hoping for the opportunity that could change her career.
Instead, thanks in part to one very troublesome raccoon, she also found the grumpy doctor who would change her life. 😂🦝❤️
Thank you to Sharon Woods and The Author Agency for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Trigger Warnings include: The MMC is a surgeon, so medical scenarios are detailed and discussed on page. An MC suffers an injury that results in time in the hospital and physical therapy, medical board investigation and reprimand, rich men prioritizing money over the health and safety of their employee
Towards the beginning of the book, there’s a ‘description’ (judgement) of the show Hannah is working on. And now after finishing the book, I think it perfectly describes what went on off screen too. ‘The messy kind where things go wrong, tempers flare, and someone cries every episode.’ Zac lived a quiet, predictable, life as an orthopedic surgeon. It wasn’t without issues though. But now he’s got an even bigger problem on his hands: babysitting Hannah because he’s the most over-qualified for the job. And he’s got every right to be frumpy. Not that it lasts all that long, kinda impossible to be in a bad mood around Hannah. The “why we shouldn’t” list was stacked against them, but the heart wants what it wants! She would never jeopardize his career, and he would never prevent her dreams. But that “f—k it” moment!? Ohhhh that was perfection! It should be noted that Zac Sterling, as a surgeon, is very good with his hands…for many enjoyable purposes.
Two consenting, mature adults, making life altering choices and having meaningful conversations about it!? A third act on the verge of a breakup, but is actually a perfect conversation about “yeah, we can do this” while supporting each other’s careers. Good golly, that felt GOOD to read!!
My Favorite Quotes: • “You’re killing me.” “Good. Because you’ve been killing me all day.” • “I wish you saw yourself the way I see you.” • “Keep your eyes on me.” • “I’m fucking done being careful if it means losing you.” • “The things I want to do to you.” “Do them.”
7/10 Dirty Birdy 3/10 Age Gap 6/10 Forbidden 6/10 Forced Proximity 6/10 Slow Burn 7/10 Series
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Doctor's Forbidden Match was such a sweet, wholesome romance, and I really enjoyed watching Hannah and Zac slowly discover that their first impressions of each other couldn't have been more wrong. Hannah was such a fun FMC. She's bubbly, adorably clumsy, and determined to make the most of an opportunity that could be huge for her career. Zac, on the other hand, is the serious, controlled, grumpy orthopedic surgeon who initially wants nothing to do with being assigned to her care. But underneath all that grumpiness is a wonderfully protective side, and I loved watching it slowly emerge as he got to know the woman behind the TV personality. The forced proximity and forbidden doctor/patient dynamic created an interesting setup because even as their feelings grew, there were very real reasons they couldn't simply act on them. I also enjoyed the dual POV because we got to see those subtle shifts as their initial assumptions gave way to friendship, attraction, and eventually something much deeper. This is definitely a true slow burn, and the first half moved a little slower than I personally prefer. I would have loved a bit more romantic tension and chemistry building earlier in the story. Once their relationship started progressing, though, I enjoyed the softer moments between them and seeing Zac's carefully maintained walls begin to come down. One of my favorite things was actually the ending. I appreciated that neither Hannah nor Zac was expected to sacrifice the career they'd worked so hard to build in order for their relationship to work. Instead, they found a mature and realistic way to support each other's dreams while still choosing their relationship. Overall, this was a sweet, low-angst forbidden romance with forced proximity, an adorably chaotic heroine, a protective grumpy doctor, and a wonderfully satisfying happily ever after.
3.75 stars Doctor’s Forbidden Match was such a sweet, wholesome love story with a really lovely ending. This was my first ever ARC read for an author, so I was really excited to be able to read and review it! I really enjoyed the dual POV and getting to experience both characters’ feelings as their relationship slowly developed. I especially loved that he falls first, and the MMC’s protective side was definitely one of my favourite things about him. The FMC was adorably clumsy, which added some really cute moments throughout the story. This is a very, very slow burn with forced proximity, and I definitely mean slow! At around 50%, there still hadn’t been much progression between them romantically, and the MMC remained quite standoffish for a lot of the beginning. I would have personally loved to see a little more chemistry and tension building between them before they both started fantasising about each other. The first kiss finally comes around the 51% mark, so there is definitely a payoff for those who enjoy a true slow burn. Once things started moving forward between them, though, I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. There were lots of sweet moments, and overall their romance felt really cute and genuine. One thing I particularly loved was the ending. I thought it was so refreshing that neither of them had to give up their careers or dreams to be together. Instead, they made the long-distance relationship work and found a way to support both their careers and their relationship. I really appreciated that message, and it made the ending feel realistic, mature and incredibly sweet. Overall, this was a lovely, gentle romance with a slow-burn relationship, protective MMC, clumsy FMC, dual POV and a really heartwarming ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 + STARS Finding just the right person. Dr. Zac Sterling should have the world at his feet, but his boss, Mr. Peltz, hates him and makes Zac’s position as the Senior Orthopedic Surgeon at Pulse Point Hospital mostly filled with stress and conflict. Zac already has a complex relationship with his father, a renowned Emergency Doctor, so he doesn’t need this poor treatment from Peltz too. Peltz is nasty, but Zac takes a lot of crap that he shouldn’t. Zac is forced to cancel his mini vacation to operate on a VIP lady with a broken ankle. Hannah Morgan is a tenacious lady determined to make it in film. She’s a small-town girl at heart, though born and raised in LA by her loving parents. Hannah is clumsy, and her fall has left her with a serious break. Her job as the host of a reality home improvement contest could elevate her Hollywood career, but this injury could end her career. Dain, her director, is ready to replace her. Hannah is forced to go back to work way too early, using crutches and a scooter, but falls again. It’s decided that Zac must stay at Hannah’s side every day until she’s healed. Hanna and Zac became friends and eventually more but must hide their feelings. I enjoyed the secondary characters that weave in and out of the story. I love Pulse Point but missed any interaction with the characters from the other two books in the series. I love to keep up with characters I’ve grown fond of. Doctor’s Forbidden Match is slow and full of angst for the first half, but after that it got exciting, and I couldn’t put it down. The ending is wonderful. Zac and Hannah find a beautiful love and much success. Linda
This was another gorgeous little trip back to Pulse Point, and honestly, I love having this series as my occasional contemporary romance palate cleanser. Every few months I can pick up one of Sharon's books, settle in with some romance and a little spice, and just have a bloody good time 🩺🥹❤️
Zac and Hannah were so sweet. Hannah arrives in Pulse Point determined to reinvent herself after her reality-TV days, only to promptly fracture her ankle on set and end up under the care of the grumpy doctor. Naturally, forced proximity ensues 😂
I really loved Hannah's journey throughout this one, particularly watching her realise that the bar had been set so fucking low in her previous relationship and that she deserves so much more. Watching Zac see that too was one of my favourite parts of their relationship.
And can we talk about Pulse Point?! Sharon, I desperately need to know what inspired this town because I swear I can see the entire thing playing out like a TV series in my head. I genuinely want to move there and be surrounded by all these ridiculously attractive doctors 😂
This isn't my favourite of Sharon's books - that crown still firmly belongs to the Billion Dollar series 🫦 - but it was exactly what I needed. Sweet, romantic, easy to devour, with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
A huge thank you to my gorgeous girl Sharon for another ARC and for continuing to let me be part of her ARC crew 🥹 I genuinely love seeing little pieces of you and your life woven into these stories.
Zac and Hannah were adorable, Pulse Point has me wanting to move in, and I will absolutely be back for another little medical-romance escape 🩺💕
If you love contemporary forbidden romance with a doctor/patient relationship, well, this book is for you! “Doctor’s Forbidden Match” by Sharon Woods is out now. So, grab your copy today!
Hannah Morgan is a character I can definitely relate to because she is ambitious yet a klutz. I similarly moved to an island, and not even a week after living there, I broke my ankle. I had to be carried around by my friends to get from point A to point B. Unfortunately, I did not meet a Hunky doctor like Hannah did. Zac Sterling made me laugh because when he first met Hannah, he lost all sense of communication because of love at first sight. Hannah thought he was this moody, uncaring doctor, but that was far from the case. He was smitten with her. Their undeniable chemistry was an explosion waiting to happen because she couldn’t stop thinking about him as well. It is a slow burn, so nothing really happens between them until halfway through the book, which is expected in a slow-burn romance. This makes the romance much more impactful. So, yes, there is spice as well.
Overall, Sharon Woods did an exquisite job in creating a small-town vibe of Pulse Point. At the beginning of the book, Hannah felt uncomfortable in her expensive clothing and wanted to blend in with the locals. The pacing was perfect for a slow-burn romance, and I read it in 2 days; it was an easy read. I will definitely be reading more of Sharon Woods’ work in the future.
I got this ARC from the Author Agency. This is my honest review for “Doctor’s Forbidden Match” by Sharon Woods.
Reality TV meets small town nowhere in this fun, fluffy new romance novel from Sharon Woods. If you are looking for a breezy, enjoyable escape, this book delivers exactly that. This was my first time reading this author, and while it didn’t completely reinvent the wheel for me, it was a thoroughly solid and entertaining read.
The absolute standout of this book for me was the heroine, Hannah. She balances right on the edge of quirky, original and amusing without ever tumbling over into “too much.” As someone who could easily fall over a single pebble on a completely flat football field, I found her clumsiness deeply relatable and oddly endearing.
While the connection between Hannah and the MMC, Zac, felt a bit fast on the “insta-love” side, it settled into something genuinely believable that didn’t take away from the story. I loved watching these two characters from completely different worlds find common ground through the small, everyday aspects of life. Honestly, every woman should have a Zac, whose attention to the little details made him absolutely irresistible.
Overall, this was the ultimate palate cleanser. It’s paced so perfectly that you can easily fly through it in a single sitting without having to overtax your brain cells to keep up. It’s just pure, uncomplicated fun. Add this to your TBR if you enjoy small town romance with low to moderate spice that put a smile on your face and have you feeling warm and fuzzy.
A huge thank you to The Author Agency and Sharon Woods for the eArc in exchange for my honest review!
A smallish-town forbidden romance where the doctor just can't keep away from his patient? Yes, please! Where the two protagonists' first impressions of each other are completely wrong and they uncover the attractive truths they missed page by page? Even better!
Sharon Wood's third installment in this series is a true standalone. You do not need to have read any previous books to appreciate Zac and Hannah's story. She's the bubbly Hollywood reality host that's filming in his town, he's the grumpy head of orthopedic surgery that's focused solely on his practice. When she has an on-set accident during the first day of shooting, he's resentful that he's tasked with her VIP care at the expense of his typical practice. But with one board complaint already hanging over his head, he begrudgingly accepts his new role of keeping her safe from additional incidents.
Over the 8 weeks of filming, this couple starts to realize that their initial impressions weren't quite correct. She's not the vapid starlet he assumed, and he's got a protective side to him that makes her feel safe. Even though they are slowly drawn together, they have to resist their unethical attraction or risk both of the careers they've worked tirelessly to achieve.
Swoony in all the right ways, with a slow-burn that will have you screaming at them to just give in, this new release is a good low-angst read that kept me engaged and rooting for them until the very end.
Doctor's Forbidden Match by Sharon Woods was a decent, entertaining medical romance, but it didn't completely blow me away. The story follows Hannah, a clumsy TV show host who moves to a brand new town to host her first series, only to break her ankle on set on day one. Enter Dr. Zac Sterling: a devastatingly attractive, grumpy senior orthopedic surgeon who is already one disciplinary review away from losing everything, but gets assigned as her around-the-clock physician for the rest of filming.
I liked the dynamic between the two main characters, and the doctor-patient forbidden romance setup made for a lot of natural tension and forced proximity. Zac is a total rule-follower who tries so hard to keep his walls up, and watching Hannah completely unravel his control with her clumsy, sunshine energy was pretty fun.
The book does a nice job balancing the medical drama and midtown setting with a slow-burn romance and a lot of secret feelings. However, the reason this was a 3.5-star read for me instead of higher was the pacing. The middle section felt a bit slow and dragged out while they were fighting their attraction, and the drama with the leaked photo near the end felt a little rushed compared to the steady build at the start.
It is a solid, sweet, and low-angst read if you love a good grumpy-meets-sunshine trope, but it just wasn't a favorite.
Thank you, The Author Agency and Sharon Woods for the e-ARC
One thing I am absolutely loving, and its sadly taken me this long to notice, aside from the fact that this small town seems to have a shocking amount of wealthy hot af doctors (jealous), is that this series hasn't been focussed on a singular friend group or family. I honestly can't remember a series quite like it!
Don't you just love it when a fmc can come in and finally put a crack in the hot unattainable, slightly grumpy, surgeon in town? Walls broken down! And by a ex celebrity show contestant no less!
Hannah, comes to Pulse Point to host a home renovation show, her shot to prove she can be more than just a 'celebrity'. But a poorly coordinated moment - meets unfortunate raccoon encounter, ends up in a badly broken ankle. Thankfully, lead Pulse Point orthopedic surgeon, Dr Zac Sterling, is the best at his job.
Another unfortunate incident with his boss later, Dr Zac lands himself as Hannah's personal care to make sure filming can resume smoothly. So some forced proximity later....and we're off on another bookish romance adventure! With choc chip cookies and some *spice* too!
Another great read from Sharon! This is book 4 in her Pulse Point Series, so the other 3 are already available to read today! Each in the series can be read as an independent standalone, all set in an adorable small town.
Thanks Sharon for always having me on your ARC team & @theauthoragency
A doctor × celebrity romance that surprised me with how emotionally immersive it became.
The beginning was a little slow for me, and I had to speed-read some parts, but from around chapter 17, I was completely invested.
I loved how Zac and Hannah were both trying to break out of the boxes society had placed them in. They saw through each other so clearly, acknowledged their feelings, and still remained resolute about not crossing the doctor-patient boundary.
What stayed with me most was the emotional intimacy. The way Hannah gave Zach space to understand his feelings, the struggles with his father's legacy, their quiet comfort together, and those cozy everyday moments made their relationship feel incredibly warm and genuine.
I also loved how the book explored identity, ambition, family expectations, and how difficult it can be to establish yourself when everyone already has an idea of who you should be.
Ultimately, this was a comforting and emotionally rich read, and I loved the way it captured feelings that aren't always easy to put into words.
Thank you to the author agency for gifting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Allllllll the 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻-𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀! YES! Oh, I loved this. 😍
Zac Sterling is the top orthopedic surgeon at Pulse Point. He’s grumpy, a tiny bit angry at the world, and deep down, he just wants someone to see the real him. 𝙷𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚐𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜. So… that’s a win all on its own. 😂
Hannah is a clutz. She’s a little chaotic, completely unorganized, and even more 𝓪𝓫𝓼𝓸𝓵𝓾𝓽𝓮𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓭𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓫𝓵𝔂 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮. Then she has a very unfortunate encounter with a raccoon that inevitably makes her Zac’s number-one pain in the ass. 😂
I loved their chemistry. The connection between them was so intense, and the fact that they definitely, 100% sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ NOT ᴀᴄᴛ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢs made everything so much more rewarding. There’s just something about wanting someone you absolutely shouldn’t have that makes the tension hit differently.
I also really loved that the ending 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚕𝚢-𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛-𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛. They actually had to put in the work and effort to make their relationship work, which made the ending feel so much more genuine and satisfying.
Doctor’s Forbidden Match was a cute, easy read, but unfortunately it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me the way I was hoping it would.
I really liked Zac and Hannah individually, and I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine dynamic and the forbidden doctor/patient setup. Hannah’s chaotic, clumsy personality brought some fun moments, and Zac definitely had that protective, grumpy exterior with a softer side underneath. Their story had plenty of potential, and I did enjoy watching their relationship develop.
That being said, the romance felt a little too slow for me, and I struggled to really connect with their chemistry. I kept waiting for that moment where everything would just click for me, but I never quite got there. There were definitely sweet moments, and I liked the overall storyline, but I found myself wanting a little more tension and emotional connection between Zac and Hannah.
I also enjoyed the ending and how they were able to find a way to have both their relationship and their careers without either one having to completely give up what they wanted.
Overall, this was a solid read, just not a favorite for me. I’ll definitely continue reading Sharon Woods because I enjoy her writing, but this one fell a little short compared to some of her other books.
A grumpy small-town doctor + big-city celebrity, a little opposites attract, a LOT of forbidden tension, and the ultimate question… will they actually cross the line?! 👀🔥
I loved watching these two fight the attraction between them because, let’s be honest… we all knew that line was going to get crossed eventually! 😂 The chemistry, the push and pull, and the “we absolutely should NOT be doing this” energy had me hooked.
And then there’s the biggest problem of all… what happens when she has to go back to LA? Can a small-town doctor and a big-city celebrity actually make a relationship work?
Spoiler: YES. YES THEY CAN. 🥹❤️
When they finally stopped fighting it and gave in, I was ALL IN. I loved their journey to their HEA and how everything came together in the end.
✨ Tropes I loved: 🩺 Doctor/Patient 😠☀️ Grumpy Sunshine 💕 Opposites Attract 🚫 Forbidden Romance 🏡 Small-Town Doctor 🌆 Big-City Celebrity 🔥 The “Will They? Won’t They?” Tension 💖 HEA
If you love forbidden romance, undeniable chemistry, grumpy/sunshine, and a couple you’re desperately rooting for to figure it out, add this one to your TBR! 📚💕
Sharon Woods definitely knows how to make you root for the HEA! 🥰
This follows Hannah who is trying to make a break in her acting career to show people she’s more than just an influencer or someone who can play small acting roles, that she can host a show and do more.
But when she breaks her foot on the first day on set and has surgery and had to take it easy, it puts her career on the line. So, they assign her doctor to keep an eye on her and take care of her to ensure she doesn’t get hurt and gets through the takes on set.
Easier said if he wasn’t so attractive and she keeps getting distracted.
This was a cute romance. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a contemporary romance, and I’m glad I read this one. It was a very refreshing read.
I love a grumpy/sunshine romance, one of my favorites, and then tie in a forbidden one, even better. It makes the draw and pull even better between the characters and when they finally come together, it’s worth the wait and explosive.
I also enjoyed the growth of the relationships between Zac and his friends and family, he has the difficult past and I love how he stands up for himself and clears up misunderstandings, especially with his dad. He’s also just wonderful because he’s a doctor and a baker and a cook? I mean, he has the whole package.
I really enjoyed the overall story. A nice easy and sweet read. I need to read the rest of the series, which I never felt like I missed anything from the prior books!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When actress Hannah arrives in Pulse Point to host a reality TV show, she has something to prove. She is trying to make a name for herself and prove that she is more than just a reality competiotion winner. But in day 1 of the shows shoot she falls and breaks her ankle. Enter Dr Zac Sterling, a laser focused surgen with a grumpy personality. Sparks immediately fly when they meet but they both keep things strictly professional. However after a second accident on set, the powers at be decide Hanna needs a full time medical babysitter and that job is forced upon Zac. Although they both have strong feelings for eachother, they manage to keep their relationship mostly professional until someone leaks a photo and implies otherwise, and Zac's whole career is put in jeopardy. Will they be able to clear Zac's reputation and will they fine their happily ever after or will they both end up alone? A romantic, slow burn forbidden romance.
Doctor’s Forbidden Match by Sharon Woods was a steamy romance with great chemistry and plenty of tension. I enjoyed the forbidden doctor-and-patient setup and the way the relationship slowly developed despite the complications. The MMC Zac was a great grumpy, protective hero, and I liked seeing his softer side emerge as he got closer to the heroine. The story had a nice mix of romance, humor, emotional moments, and drama that kept me interested. The heroine’s clumsy moments added some fun, while the attraction between her and Zac made their scenes especially enjoyable. If you like forbidden romances featuring a grumpy doctor, protective hero, forced proximity, and plenty of chemistry, this is a quick and entertaining read. Overall, Doctor’s Forbidden Match is a nice addition to the Pulse Point Doctors series.
I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency. Thank you for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel
ARC Review Book: Doctor’s Forbidden Match Author: Sharon Woods ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
This is a slow burn, forbidden romance between a doctor and his patient.
Zac Sterling is the grumpy surgeon at Pulse Point. Hannah Morgan came to Pulse Point to host a TV show.
When Hannah has to go to the emergency room because she broke her ankle on her first day on set, she finds herself falling for him. Zac is currently on probation and has been assigned to Hannah to make sure that she is safe and to prevent further damage to her injury.
They know that giving in to their attraction is forbidden. Will they ignore the pull that they have to each other, or will they give in to the attraction that neither of them can deny?
If you enjoy a forbidden romance, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, this book is for you!
Thank you @sharonwoodsauthor and @theauthor.agency for this amazing ARC!
This is the third book in the series, and unfortunately, it was my least favourite of the three.
I really do enjoy Sharon Woods’ writing style, but this one just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Hannah and Zac were likeable enough as the main characters, but sadly, I didn’t connect with them in the way I had hoped I would.
I also struggled to feel much of a spark between them. The romance was a very slow burn, which may work well for some readers, but for me, it made the relationship feel like it was missing that little something. I also found it difficult to picture Zac as 45 years old, as he came across as much younger to me.
That said, I’m sure this story will resonate with other readers, and there’s still plenty to enjoy if you’re a fan of Sharon Woods and the series. It just didn’t work quite as well for me as the previous books.
Review of advance copy received from the author and the author agency
Doctor’s Forbidden Match by Sharon Woods Book 3 in the Pulse Point Doctors series
Tropes Forced proximity Grumpy X Sunshine Fish out of water Secret feelings Forbidden romance Doctor X Patient Slow burn romance
Zac is forced to stay home from his vacation to operate on an actress with a really bad break. He is not happy about it at all but his boss really hates him and forces his hand. Hannah is a reality show host that falls, because she is really clumsily. Hannah is forced to go back to work too soon and falls again. Zac is hired to be with her until she is completely healed to prevent further injuries. The more time that they spend with each other they become friends. Zac falls for Hannah first but she does catch up. This was a sweet story with both of them being able to be in love without giving up things that are important to them.
I love doctor romances, and this one was such a good one! The tropes were absolutely delicious: forbidden romance, forced proximity, grumpy MMC and clumsy sweet FMC, risking it all… Give me all of it!
It’s definitely a slow burn, but you can feel the lingering tension between them. I loved watching their relationship develop and seeing that tension slowly build. The spice was really good, the love between them felt genuine, and the HEA was absolutely wonderful!
I really love this series and the world the author has created. The only thing that would make me love it even more would be having more connections between the main characters from the different books. I always love when characters from previous books pop up regularly or when their stories intertwine a little more.
But nevertheless, I really enjoyed this one and I’m already looking forward to the next book!
Hannah is a reality tv star trying to make her name as the host on a home renovation show. On her first day she breaks her ankle and finds herself in the care of Dr. Zac Sterling. Zac is less than happy at first not really wanting to treat a VIP patient but his boss insists. Hannah is desperate to get back to work as she does not want to be replaced on the show. But she ends up in hospital again when she faints on set. This results in Zac being allocated to personally take care of her at work and at home for the two months that the show is being filmed. As they spend more time together they both find it impossible to ignore the chemistry between them. When some adverse publicity means Zac is suspended, he has time to re-evaluate his career and how he and Hannah can navigate a future together once she has returned to LA.
I enjoyed this one SO much! This is the third book in the Pulse Point Doctors series, and I’ve honestly loved every book in this series so far.
Hannah was such an adorable, clumsy, kind-hearted, and hardworking heroine, while Zac was the perfect grumpy, protective, and ridiculously sexy doctor. Their chemistry was SO good, and I loved the progression of their relationship. They were just so sweet together
I especially loved Hannah’s journey, watching her realise that the bar had been set so fucking low in her previous relationship and that she deserves so much more. Seeing Zac recognised that too was one of my favourite parts. Another great addition to the series, and I seriously cannot wait for the next one!
Thank you The Author Agency and Sharon Woods for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
These two are definitely at odds in the beginning, and then the drama just keeps piling on. Between the scandal, both of their bosses being out to get them, and the exes trying to make a comeback, there’s plenty of drama to go around.
It’s a slow, slow burn, but the pacing worked well. There’s a little bit of ahem… mutual benefit along the way, but the actual relationship and real steam don't arrive until fairly late in the story, so it didn’t take over too much.
I really enjoyed their friends too. Such a great group of secondary characters who added plenty of fun along the way.
And that ending? So sweet! Overall, I really enjoyed Zac and Hannah and the way their relationship slowly developed underneath all the drama.