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Meryton Medical Romances #2
Second Opinions
Lizzy Bennett has it all – a promising career, supportive friends and family, and a growing relationship with handsome and successful doctor William Darcy. When Will’s estranged grandfather dies, Lizzy accompanies him to the funeral and encounters opponents old and new as she struggles to find her place within the close-knit group. The disdain of his iron-willed aunt, coupled with unanticipated life changes puts a strain on Lizzy and Darcy’s once stable relationship. Soon, her life seems to crumble around her and the outcomes of her family, her job, even her bond with the love of her life are uncertain.
In this sequel to First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lizzy begins to question whether Darcy is truly her happily ever after.
You can’t help whom you love, but sometimes, love just isn’t enough.
For mature teens and adults. Contains some profanity and mild sexual situations.
In this sequel to First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lizzy begins to question whether Darcy is truly her happily ever after.
You can’t help whom you love, but sometimes, love just isn’t enough.
For mature teens and adults. Contains some profanity and mild sexual situations.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2016
18 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Cruz
13 books9 followersRuby Cruz has a masters degree in Chemical Biology and worked in the pharmaceutical industry before switching gears and obtaining her bachelors in nursing degree. In addition to her interests in science and healthcare, she's always had a passion for writing, scribbling short stories and novellas into spiral notebooks she would pass to her classmates in high school.
More recently, she has refocused her energies to incorporate her love of Jane Austen and her experience in healthcare into her first novel, First Impressions: a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Ruby is currently writing a sequel to First Impressions as well as developing other projects in the young adult and romance genres.
Ruby currently lives in West Virginia and is married to a wonderful husband who begrudgingly tolerates her love of Jane Austen and is the mother to two young girls who graciously allow Mommy to "play on her computer."
More recently, she has refocused her energies to incorporate her love of Jane Austen and her experience in healthcare into her first novel, First Impressions: a modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Ruby is currently writing a sequel to First Impressions as well as developing other projects in the young adult and romance genres.
Ruby currently lives in West Virginia and is married to a wonderful husband who begrudgingly tolerates her love of Jane Austen and is the mother to two young girls who graciously allow Mommy to "play on her computer."
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 15, 2019
Debbie Brown's review is excellent.
Lizzy and Will are basically living together even though she has rented an apartment. Lydia's moving in after her debacle with Wickham makes for crowded quarters but Lizzy is not usually there so it works. Lizzy has decided to go back to school and become a nurse practitioner so she is busy. Will's grandfather dies (Lizzy didn't even know about his existence.) and he is caught up in not only the whole viewing and funeral "show" but also in the family business of which he never wanted any part. But it is a "family" business and he cares enough about his aunt, Dr. DeBourgh, who is heart broken at her father's death, who struggles with a board member who doesn't want her in control and then also becomes very ill with "broken heart syndrome".
Over and over again we read of Lizzy's frustration with things happening of which she has no clue, things she believes that Will should have told her and her conclusion is that she doesn't really know him. She argues and rants and even leaves him when he can't seem to "get it". He just keeps his history and the plans for his future to himself.
His sister, Ana, becomes closer to Lizzy but she too seems to have some secret history with a Chase Hammond who is just enough like Wickham to raise a red flag for Lizzy. Will also shows signs of jealousy if she so much as talks to Chase.
There is a lot of angst in ODC's relationship and their brief times together seem to be mostly when they are falling into bed together. (Don't worry, there are really no graphic sex scenes.) Their families' and their professions seem to give them little alone time to just sit and talk but even when they do have time Will seems to have little to say about his plans for the future either in business or together.
I enjoyed this story even though Will is not the same "Mr. Darcy" as in canon. Mr. Darcy certainly had no problem letting Elizabeth know where she stood and his opinions. Not so much so with Will Darcy in this story. Although he continues to say he loves her he just can't seem to make her his partner by letting her in on what is happening and why in his life.
There is a third book which I am hoping will give us a more cordial and unified togetherness for ODC.
Lizzy and Will are basically living together even though she has rented an apartment. Lydia's moving in after her debacle with Wickham makes for crowded quarters but Lizzy is not usually there so it works. Lizzy has decided to go back to school and become a nurse practitioner so she is busy. Will's grandfather dies (Lizzy didn't even know about his existence.) and he is caught up in not only the whole viewing and funeral "show" but also in the family business of which he never wanted any part. But it is a "family" business and he cares enough about his aunt, Dr. DeBourgh, who is heart broken at her father's death, who struggles with a board member who doesn't want her in control and then also becomes very ill with "broken heart syndrome".
Over and over again we read of Lizzy's frustration with things happening of which she has no clue, things she believes that Will should have told her and her conclusion is that she doesn't really know him. She argues and rants and even leaves him when he can't seem to "get it". He just keeps his history and the plans for his future to himself.
His sister, Ana, becomes closer to Lizzy but she too seems to have some secret history with a Chase Hammond who is just enough like Wickham to raise a red flag for Lizzy. Will also shows signs of jealousy if she so much as talks to Chase.
There is a lot of angst in ODC's relationship and their brief times together seem to be mostly when they are falling into bed together. (Don't worry, there are really no graphic sex scenes.) Their families' and their professions seem to give them little alone time to just sit and talk but even when they do have time Will seems to have little to say about his plans for the future either in business or together.
I enjoyed this story even though Will is not the same "Mr. Darcy" as in canon. Mr. Darcy certainly had no problem letting Elizabeth know where she stood and his opinions. Not so much so with Will Darcy in this story. Although he continues to say he loves her he just can't seem to make her his partner by letting her in on what is happening and why in his life.
There is a third book which I am hoping will give us a more cordial and unified togetherness for ODC.
February 9, 2016
This is a pleasant sequel to Ms. Cruz's first book in this series, First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (to which I gave 5 stars). It appears that there is at least one more book to come in this series that will be called Broken Heart Rehab: A Modern Georgiana Darcy Story.
The writing here is quite good. We are firmly in Lizzy's head the entire time and are given a clear sense of her character as well as that of all the people with whom she interacts. Dr. Catherine DeBourgh, as anticipated, turns out to be quite the antagonist. She is also a sympathetic one, as she sincerely grieves the death of her father, Darcy's grandfather, and is in the middle of a power struggle within the family's corporation. One of the company's most influential board members is sexist and does not allow her to assume control in her father's place without a fight. The corporation is also in the midst of negotiations to merge with a major pharmaceutical company. Consequently, Darcy is dragged into the fray since he is also on the board. This requires him to take a leave of absence from his medical practice and spend most of his time on the West Coast. His time away is extended when Dr. DeBough has a medical emergency and is unable to participate in some of the negotiations personally.
Darcy and Lizzy have moved in together only recently as this story begins, so they struggle with the separations this situation forces upon them. It's especially difficult for Lizzy because Darcy doesn't share much information about all these business meetings, citing strict confidentiality, and she realizes how little she actually knows about him. She doesn't even know anything about his grandfather or Darcy's difficult relationship with him until his death. Lizzy also has to deal with an unpleasant new boss at work as well as classes and classwork towards a degree that will allow her to become a nurse practitioner.
As the emotional distance between Lizzy and Darcy becomes more strained, Lizzy's path repeatedly crosses Chase Hammond, whose family are friends of the DeBoughs. Neither Darcy nor especially Ana trust him, but Lizzy is drawn to his artistic talent. And, of course, Dr. DeBourgh herself manages to throw as many obstacles in Lizzy's way as she can.
I think the story itself and the dramatic tension that builds within it is very well done. Unfortunately, I have trouble both with Darcy's character and with Lizzy's as the book progresses.
For someone who is always, ALWAYS portrayed with "disguise of every sort is my abhorrence" as his motto, this Darcy hides way too much of significance from Lizzy. When she calls him on it, he's also too dense to understand her objection. They have the same argument repeatedly, and he never "gets" it until a medical emergency in the Bennet family reunites them. If he just wants somebody to have sex with and not have to worry her little head about things that concern him, then why on earth is he attracted to Lizzy to begin with? He's got a great point when he says it's because he's so stressed and overwhelmed, so he wants to forget about about those things when he's with her, but he should be smart enough to recognize that she ought to have some idea of what it is that he's dealing with. And when he just makes unilateral decisions about his future with the family company without talking it over with her, then tells her it's none of her business.... WTF????
And before the climax that reunites them, I am annoyed with Lizzy, who is actually ready to go back to him and apologize even before he comes flying back to Meryton. Much is made about her "running away" instead of staying to work things out. Baloney! She expresses her concerns to him many times, and he doesn't seem to recognize the importance of jointly making decisions that affect both of them. Instead, he just clams up. I don't think she's running away. I mean, true to all romance novels, the sex between them is fantastic so she's always ready to forget all their problems and take him back as soon as he touches her regardless of what problems they're having. Run, Lizzy, run!
By the end of the book, I am happy with both of them again. Darcy confers with Lizzy about what they'll do regarding their future. It is especially heartening that they're both willing to change for the other, which is what should happen in a healthy relationship. Hopefully, the next book in the series will prove that Darcy has also learned to share more of his personal history with her.
The writing here is quite good. We are firmly in Lizzy's head the entire time and are given a clear sense of her character as well as that of all the people with whom she interacts. Dr. Catherine DeBourgh, as anticipated, turns out to be quite the antagonist. She is also a sympathetic one, as she sincerely grieves the death of her father, Darcy's grandfather, and is in the middle of a power struggle within the family's corporation. One of the company's most influential board members is sexist and does not allow her to assume control in her father's place without a fight. The corporation is also in the midst of negotiations to merge with a major pharmaceutical company. Consequently, Darcy is dragged into the fray since he is also on the board. This requires him to take a leave of absence from his medical practice and spend most of his time on the West Coast. His time away is extended when Dr. DeBough has a medical emergency and is unable to participate in some of the negotiations personally.
Darcy and Lizzy have moved in together only recently as this story begins, so they struggle with the separations this situation forces upon them. It's especially difficult for Lizzy because Darcy doesn't share much information about all these business meetings, citing strict confidentiality, and she realizes how little she actually knows about him. She doesn't even know anything about his grandfather or Darcy's difficult relationship with him until his death. Lizzy also has to deal with an unpleasant new boss at work as well as classes and classwork towards a degree that will allow her to become a nurse practitioner.
As the emotional distance between Lizzy and Darcy becomes more strained, Lizzy's path repeatedly crosses Chase Hammond, whose family are friends of the DeBoughs. Neither Darcy nor especially Ana trust him, but Lizzy is drawn to his artistic talent. And, of course, Dr. DeBourgh herself manages to throw as many obstacles in Lizzy's way as she can.
I think the story itself and the dramatic tension that builds within it is very well done. Unfortunately, I have trouble both with Darcy's character and with Lizzy's as the book progresses.
For someone who is always, ALWAYS portrayed with "disguise of every sort is my abhorrence" as his motto, this Darcy hides way too much of significance from Lizzy. When she calls him on it, he's also too dense to understand her objection. They have the same argument repeatedly, and he never "gets" it until a medical emergency in the Bennet family reunites them. If he just wants somebody to have sex with and not have to worry her little head about things that concern him, then why on earth is he attracted to Lizzy to begin with? He's got a great point when he says it's because he's so stressed and overwhelmed, so he wants to forget about about those things when he's with her, but he should be smart enough to recognize that she ought to have some idea of what it is that he's dealing with. And when he just makes unilateral decisions about his future with the family company without talking it over with her, then tells her it's none of her business.... WTF????
And before the climax that reunites them, I am annoyed with Lizzy, who is actually ready to go back to him and apologize even before he comes flying back to Meryton. Much is made about her "running away" instead of staying to work things out. Baloney! She expresses her concerns to him many times, and he doesn't seem to recognize the importance of jointly making decisions that affect both of them. Instead, he just clams up. I don't think she's running away. I mean, true to all romance novels, the sex between them is fantastic so she's always ready to forget all their problems and take him back as soon as he touches her regardless of what problems they're having. Run, Lizzy, run!
By the end of the book, I am happy with both of them again. Darcy confers with Lizzy about what they'll do regarding their future. It is especially heartening that they're both willing to change for the other, which is what should happen in a healthy relationship. Hopefully, the next book in the series will prove that Darcy has also learned to share more of his personal history with her.
June 15, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up for good writing. I enjoyed this sequel. My problem is that Darcy is really stupid in this book. He is totally closed off and Elizabeth just puts up with it. Then when she does stand up for herself she keeps going back to him even though his behavior has not changed. Also, for me, the "chemistry" is just not on the page. I read that it's supposed to be there but I felt no heat and no passion the way it was depicted. So, for me this book was a disappointment. Also, 2 books in and I'm still waiting for my full HEA! What gives. Sigh. Well, maybe i will read book 3 but we'll see. I've enjoyed other modern variations more. I will also say that in this book Darcy doesn't seem as wealthy as Bingley which is weird for me. So many things are not completely explained. But i do enjoy Lizzy and being in her head as the narrator.
February 3, 2016
Second Opinions: A Lizzy and Dr. Darcy Story (Meryton Medical Romances Book 2)
Whether the author writes a Recency version of Elizabeth and Darcy or modern version, these two always have mountain of misery and misunderstandings. But we have our usual hateful characters: Clingy Caroline, Wicked Wickham, and Demonic Dr. De de Bourgh. Elizabeth has moved to Dr. Darcy's residence and they are very much in love. Just before his estranged grandfather de Bourgh dies, she's heard of Nurse Bennet, and decides to get rid of her. All that's left of the family is Dr. de Bourgh, Darcy, and Ana. His Aunt has other things on her mind about Darcy. She wants to have him take over his grandfather's position of the family's business. She tries many things to remove Elizabeth from Darcy. Caroline Bingley to seduce him! She may be a brilliant research doctor, but she's an IDIOT aunt. Tries to have seduced by other men, but they weren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she was. She moved Darcy to the California office and created a riff between them that seemed like the breaking point, but her last method was paying her off to leave Darcy. The check was still on the table where Dr. de Bourgh put it when Lizzy refused. When she traveled to New York to be with Darcy, he informs her that he has a meeting tomorrow morning and that the
Whether the author writes a Recency version of Elizabeth and Darcy or modern version, these two always have mountain of misery and misunderstandings. But we have our usual hateful characters: Clingy Caroline, Wicked Wickham, and Demonic Dr. De de Bourgh. Elizabeth has moved to Dr. Darcy's residence and they are very much in love. Just before his estranged grandfather de Bourgh dies, she's heard of Nurse Bennet, and decides to get rid of her. All that's left of the family is Dr. de Bourgh, Darcy, and Ana. His Aunt has other things on her mind about Darcy. She wants to have him take over his grandfather's position of the family's business. She tries many things to remove Elizabeth from Darcy. Caroline Bingley to seduce him! She may be a brilliant research doctor, but she's an IDIOT aunt. Tries to have seduced by other men, but they weren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but she was. She moved Darcy to the California office and created a riff between them that seemed like the breaking point, but her last method was paying her off to leave Darcy. The check was still on the table where Dr. de Bourgh put it when Lizzy refused. When she traveled to New York to be with Darcy, he informs her that he has a meeting tomorrow morning and that the
November 6, 2024
Status: Read September 22-October 5, 2016
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Edition Read:
Second Opinions: A Lizzy and Dr. Darcy Story (Meryton Medical Romances, #2)
by Ruby Cruz
Kindle Edition, First Edition, 331 pages
Published January 23, 2016
ASIN: B01B05MZLA
[ kindle unlimited ]
Lizzy Bennett has it all – a promising career, supportive friends and family, and a growing relationship with handsome and successful doctor William Darcy. When Will’s estranged grandfather dies, Lizzy accompanies him to the funeral and encounters opponents old and new as she struggles to find her place within the close-knit group. The disdain of his iron-willed aunt, coupled with unanticipated life changes puts a strain on Lizzy and Darcy’s once stable relationship. Soon, her life seems to crumble around her and the outcomes of her family, her job, even her bond with the love of her life are uncertain.
In this sequel to First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lizzy begins to question whether Darcy is truly her happily ever after.
You can’t help whom you love, but sometimes, love just isn’t enough.
For mature teens and adults. Contains some profanity and mild sexual situations.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Edition Read:
Second Opinions: A Lizzy and Dr. Darcy Story (Meryton Medical Romances, #2)
by Ruby Cruz
Kindle Edition, First Edition, 331 pages
Published January 23, 2016
ASIN: B01B05MZLA
[ kindle unlimited ]
Lizzy Bennett has it all – a promising career, supportive friends and family, and a growing relationship with handsome and successful doctor William Darcy. When Will’s estranged grandfather dies, Lizzy accompanies him to the funeral and encounters opponents old and new as she struggles to find her place within the close-knit group. The disdain of his iron-willed aunt, coupled with unanticipated life changes puts a strain on Lizzy and Darcy’s once stable relationship. Soon, her life seems to crumble around her and the outcomes of her family, her job, even her bond with the love of her life are uncertain.
In this sequel to First Impressions: A Modern Retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lizzy begins to question whether Darcy is truly her happily ever after.
You can’t help whom you love, but sometimes, love just isn’t enough.
For mature teens and adults. Contains some profanity and mild sexual situations.
March 2, 2016
A wonderful adaption
I decided to read this book because I had read her first book in the series and loved this modern version of the tale. This book contains some of the elements left out in the first book as well as give us a look into possible ever afters for Lizzy's sisters.
I would definitely recommend this to any Austen lover who wants a modern take.
I decided to read this book because I had read her first book in the series and loved this modern version of the tale. This book contains some of the elements left out in the first book as well as give us a look into possible ever afters for Lizzy's sisters.
I would definitely recommend this to any Austen lover who wants a modern take.
September 14, 2016
Great continuation...
This was a great continuation of First Impressions... I cannot wait for the story for Georgiana Darcy. This will make a great trilogy!!!
This was a great continuation of First Impressions... I cannot wait for the story for Georgiana Darcy. This will make a great trilogy!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews