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PMC Hospital Romance #5
Unrivaled
Zoey Cohen spent a lifetime learning to hide disappointment and loss behind a mask of unshakeable calm and control, even when her longtime friend-with-benefits lover moves on for true love.
Declan Black returns to Philadelphia Medical Center after an accident costs her the life she'd built and her career. She's resolved to protect herself from ever being vulnerable to past mistakes by rebuilding her life around her new role as an ER attending, and that life does not include love.
Zoey will never accept second place in matters of the heart, even when her rival is a career, and Dec has nothing left to give of herself or her heart. Sometimes change is a force more powerful than will.
A PMC Hospital Romance; Book 5
Genre: Romance
Words 74,000
Declan Black returns to Philadelphia Medical Center after an accident costs her the life she'd built and her career. She's resolved to protect herself from ever being vulnerable to past mistakes by rebuilding her life around her new role as an ER attending, and that life does not include love.
Zoey will never accept second place in matters of the heart, even when her rival is a career, and Dec has nothing left to give of herself or her heart. Sometimes change is a force more powerful than will.
A PMC Hospital Romance; Book 5
Genre: Romance
Words 74,000
244 pages, Paperback
Published May 11, 2021
41 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
Radclyffe
142 books1,667 followersRadclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”
Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
May 16, 2021
This was another good book by Radclyffe. I’m always excited to read a new Radclyffe book. I have been reading her for a long time now and have read every single one of her full-length books. While her PMC series is not one of my favorite series by Rad, I still was excited to hear that a new book in that series came out. I’m a little late in reviewing this one. I noticed quite a few reviewers have remarked that the hospital scenes where better than the romance, and I do have to agree, but I still found the book to be very entertaining.
If you are new to the PMC medical-romance series, you could start on this book, which is book 5, if you really had to. I personally would suggest at least reading book 1, Fated Love, and book 4, Passionate Rivals, first. The main characters from those books play a good roll in this book. I don’t remember seeing any characters from book 2, in this book and book 3’s characters had such a small roll in this book that I don’t even know if they had any lines.
As I mentioned already, the medical scenes were just top notch. Due to Rad’s personal experience, mixed with her writing talent, she is one of the best medical romance authors period. I gave this book 4 stars because for me the entertainment factor was through the roof. I felt like I was there in the hospital, wondering which patient would be saved. Those scenes were so well written that they were completely gripping and the book flies by when you are reading it. I don’t know if Rad considered making this a covid book, but I’m glad she didn’t. While the USA seems to be turning a corner -I’m keeping every body part crossed- so many places are not and I think we still could use all the escapism and entertainment we can get right now.
I must admit that I was not big on the romance. I had expected this from the earlier reviews but I’m having more trouble pinpointing exactly why. I did find the insta-attraction a bit much and the “I love yous” came way too early for where they were in the relationship, but that wasn’t really my issue. I think it was that the characters chemistry didn’t really get there like I hoped. I liked both mains, but I found they were a little wooden together at times. I got that they connected in emotional ways, but I wasn’t feeling the sexual chemistry as much. I felt like we were more told that they have such a sexual connection then actually experiencing it. It wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me, but something didn’t quite click. What was really weird too is that I found myself wishing that I was reading a Rivers Community Romance instead. While I do like Quinn and Honor, I kept thinking how cool would it be if the Rivers clan suddenly appeared.
Even with the few romance bumps, this still was the kind of entertaining read I was hoping for. I love the medical in medical-romance and this book was just en pointe. Rad is such a great author that even when a book is what I would consider not her best; it was still an easy 4 stars.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
If you are new to the PMC medical-romance series, you could start on this book, which is book 5, if you really had to. I personally would suggest at least reading book 1, Fated Love, and book 4, Passionate Rivals, first. The main characters from those books play a good roll in this book. I don’t remember seeing any characters from book 2, in this book and book 3’s characters had such a small roll in this book that I don’t even know if they had any lines.
As I mentioned already, the medical scenes were just top notch. Due to Rad’s personal experience, mixed with her writing talent, she is one of the best medical romance authors period. I gave this book 4 stars because for me the entertainment factor was through the roof. I felt like I was there in the hospital, wondering which patient would be saved. Those scenes were so well written that they were completely gripping and the book flies by when you are reading it. I don’t know if Rad considered making this a covid book, but I’m glad she didn’t. While the USA seems to be turning a corner -I’m keeping every body part crossed- so many places are not and I think we still could use all the escapism and entertainment we can get right now.
I must admit that I was not big on the romance. I had expected this from the earlier reviews but I’m having more trouble pinpointing exactly why. I did find the insta-attraction a bit much and the “I love yous” came way too early for where they were in the relationship, but that wasn’t really my issue. I think it was that the characters chemistry didn’t really get there like I hoped. I liked both mains, but I found they were a little wooden together at times. I got that they connected in emotional ways, but I wasn’t feeling the sexual chemistry as much. I felt like we were more told that they have such a sexual connection then actually experiencing it. It wasn’t enough to ruin the book for me, but something didn’t quite click. What was really weird too is that I found myself wishing that I was reading a Rivers Community Romance instead. While I do like Quinn and Honor, I kept thinking how cool would it be if the Rivers clan suddenly appeared.
Even with the few romance bumps, this still was the kind of entertaining read I was hoping for. I love the medical in medical-romance and this book was just en pointe. Rad is such a great author that even when a book is what I would consider not her best; it was still an easy 4 stars.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
April 19, 2021
4.25 stars. I always enjoy books by Radclyffe and I was happy to see a new release in the PMC series and just had to move this to the top of my arc list. Radclyffe’s excellent medical knowledge makes medical romances shine and this is again a winner. I love all the jargon that was thrown my way and while I do not understand the exact meaning of everything I think it adds authenticity to a medical novel. Then there is the high pace, high adrenaline opening of the book, starting with a huge multiple car accident that’s flooding the ER with patients and you know you’re hooked.
This is the fifth installment in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. In fact, I haven’t read all books in the series myself yet and had no problems. However, I think you will enjoy this best if you have read the first book in the series “Fated Love” as the main couple, Honor and Quinn, has a quite prominent role in this book as well, the couples from the other books not so much but they do make an appearance.
The mains in this book are Declan and Zoey, and in true Radclyffe style Declan is tall, dark and handsome and has brooding down to perfection. She’s a new ER attending transferring from Dallas, but clearly familiar with the PMC and with Honor, so what’s her story? Zoey is a senior resident at the PMC and has a carefree player status that she carefully tries to maintain. However, after just losing the benefits part of her friend with benefits she is secretly longing for something more, she’s getting tired of pretending.
Immediately you know there is more to the two mains, but their backstories are kept a secret for a while, which is something I like, this slow discovery. The attraction and chemistry between Declan and Zoey is immediate and the first moves are also pretty fast as this is not the longest book. I enjoyed the romance, but they understand and read each other almost naturally from the start and for two people that are used to wearing masks I think it would take a bit more time to get to know each other that well and develop these skills, so I wouldn’t have minded some extra time for them to get to know each other. That said, their emotions are raw, their stories heartbreaking and all you want is to see them together.
In short, a book full of medical action, we get to see some of our beloved characters from previous books and there is a passionate and emotional romance. Recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the fifth installment in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. In fact, I haven’t read all books in the series myself yet and had no problems. However, I think you will enjoy this best if you have read the first book in the series “Fated Love” as the main couple, Honor and Quinn, has a quite prominent role in this book as well, the couples from the other books not so much but they do make an appearance.
The mains in this book are Declan and Zoey, and in true Radclyffe style Declan is tall, dark and handsome and has brooding down to perfection. She’s a new ER attending transferring from Dallas, but clearly familiar with the PMC and with Honor, so what’s her story? Zoey is a senior resident at the PMC and has a carefree player status that she carefully tries to maintain. However, after just losing the benefits part of her friend with benefits she is secretly longing for something more, she’s getting tired of pretending.
Immediately you know there is more to the two mains, but their backstories are kept a secret for a while, which is something I like, this slow discovery. The attraction and chemistry between Declan and Zoey is immediate and the first moves are also pretty fast as this is not the longest book. I enjoyed the romance, but they understand and read each other almost naturally from the start and for two people that are used to wearing masks I think it would take a bit more time to get to know each other that well and develop these skills, so I wouldn’t have minded some extra time for them to get to know each other. That said, their emotions are raw, their stories heartbreaking and all you want is to see them together.
In short, a book full of medical action, we get to see some of our beloved characters from previous books and there is a passionate and emotional romance. Recommend!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2021
This is book 5 of the PMC Hospital Romance series which started with Fated Love, one of my favourite lesfic books ever. So getting the chance to revisit the characters from that book is always a great idea.
Zoey Cohen is a surgery senior resident in the Philadelphia Medical Center absolutely dedicated to her career and guarded in matters of the heart. Declan Black returns to PMC after an accident that cost her career as a neurosurgeon and is still accepting the changes in her life and career. When a medical emergency brings them together, a mutual attraction starts to grow but will they give their hearts to each other?
All the books in this series can be read as standalone. However, this one, in particular, catches up extensively with the lives of Quinn and Honor, the protagonists of book one so I recommend you to read at least Fated Love to see how it all started. It’s not a hardship as Fated Love is still the best in this series.
Radclyffe writes wlw medical romances like no other and she’s still unrivaled in this subgenre (pun intended). As a retired surgeon, you can trust this author to write authentic representations of medical emergencies, life in hospital and the pressure of the medical profession. If you are looking for that, Unrivaled won’t disappoint you. The medical scenes and the descriptions of life as a doctor are among the best that she’s written and it keeps readers engaged and entertained.
Having said that, the romance was a bit disappointing for me. I couldn’t connect with the main characters and I felt their chemistry was a bit off. Maybe it was because my attention was grabbed by the medical aspects of the story, or the updates from Quinn and Honor’s lives but the romance felt as if it was a secondary plot in this book. In fairness, with so many things happening in this novel, the characters didn’t have that much time for normal interaction, let alone romance.
If you are interested in reading gripping medical scenes, this book is definitely for you. If you are a fan of this series and want to catch up with the lives of all the characters involved, then I recommend it too. But if you are looking for romance and all the feelings it involves, then you might be disappointed. 4 stars.
Zoey Cohen is a surgery senior resident in the Philadelphia Medical Center absolutely dedicated to her career and guarded in matters of the heart. Declan Black returns to PMC after an accident that cost her career as a neurosurgeon and is still accepting the changes in her life and career. When a medical emergency brings them together, a mutual attraction starts to grow but will they give their hearts to each other?
All the books in this series can be read as standalone. However, this one, in particular, catches up extensively with the lives of Quinn and Honor, the protagonists of book one so I recommend you to read at least Fated Love to see how it all started. It’s not a hardship as Fated Love is still the best in this series.
Radclyffe writes wlw medical romances like no other and she’s still unrivaled in this subgenre (pun intended). As a retired surgeon, you can trust this author to write authentic representations of medical emergencies, life in hospital and the pressure of the medical profession. If you are looking for that, Unrivaled won’t disappoint you. The medical scenes and the descriptions of life as a doctor are among the best that she’s written and it keeps readers engaged and entertained.
Having said that, the romance was a bit disappointing for me. I couldn’t connect with the main characters and I felt their chemistry was a bit off. Maybe it was because my attention was grabbed by the medical aspects of the story, or the updates from Quinn and Honor’s lives but the romance felt as if it was a secondary plot in this book. In fairness, with so many things happening in this novel, the characters didn’t have that much time for normal interaction, let alone romance.
If you are interested in reading gripping medical scenes, this book is definitely for you. If you are a fan of this series and want to catch up with the lives of all the characters involved, then I recommend it too. But if you are looking for romance and all the feelings it involves, then you might be disappointed. 4 stars.
May 17, 2021
I truly enjoyed reading about Honor, Quinn and their family and friends. I've said it before, it's great to catch up on what favourite characters are up to. My favourite parts would have to be the medical side of things... I'm obsessed with it.
The romance...? Meh.
I thought the time apart Declan and Zoey put themselves through was so unncessary but I suppose angst makes the story a tad more appealing for some? The romance fell a little flat for me. I bought the book simply 'cause it's by Radclyffe, but maybe if it were a little longer with more development between Zoey and Declan I'd have enjoyed it more.
The romance...? Meh.
I thought the time apart Declan and Zoey put themselves through was so unncessary but I suppose angst makes the story a tad more appealing for some? The romance fell a little flat for me. I bought the book simply 'cause it's by Radclyffe, but maybe if it were a little longer with more development between Zoey and Declan I'd have enjoyed it more.
May 11, 2021
One of Radclyffe's specialties is hospital novels. Since English is not my first language, nor do I work in healthcare, I sometimes struggle to understand all the terms, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the story. And the second feature in my eyes is that Radclyffe is exceptionally good at writing series.
That said, Unrivaled meets both criteria, this book is #5 in the PMC Hospital Romance series, it can be read well as a standalone, but I always prefer to keep the order as it always features some characters from previous books. Here we meet two of my all-time favorite MCs Honor and Quinn again. It's nice to sort of see old friends again and see how they are doing.
After a fatal accident that cost her usual life and career, Declan Black returns to the Philadelphia Medical Center as ER attending. Back to her old training school and back to her friend Honor from that time. She's trying to build a new life and she tries to protect her heart so she doesn't make the same mistake she made before. Zoey Cohen, a fourth-year surgical resident, is purposefully building her career. She has no time for matters of the heart and has no intention of changing that.
On Dec's first day on the job, all hell breaks loose right away after an accident involving nine cars. No time to take it easy, she finds herself in the middle of the turmoil and fighting for life side by side with Zoey in the ER. It's the first time after her accident that she even notices a woman. And that worries her more than the new job. And she is not alone, Zoey is drawn to the new Doc like a moth to the light, all resisting helps nothing.
Radclyffe's writing style always immediately draws me into the story. I can't put my finger on it, but within a few sentences, she has me hooked. Once again, the medical events are exciting, interesting, sad, and nerve-wracking, some with positive outcomes but also some with negative ones. I always feel like I'm right in the middle of it.
However, this time the romance was certainly not the highlight of the story, it was the events in the hospital. Zoey and Dec are lovely, strong, and interesting women but the romance and love for a lifetime happened a bit quickly. The two could hardly spend time together outside the hospital, which certainly corresponds to reality, with all the stress and long working hours in hospitals. But I missed the whole really getting to know each other. Of course, there can be an attraction from the first meeting, but I just prefer slow-burn more. And I always like to get to know the characters better, their background, and how they tick. I missed this here, and I’m sure their stories would have been very interesting.
My rating 4 stars
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review
That said, Unrivaled meets both criteria, this book is #5 in the PMC Hospital Romance series, it can be read well as a standalone, but I always prefer to keep the order as it always features some characters from previous books. Here we meet two of my all-time favorite MCs Honor and Quinn again. It's nice to sort of see old friends again and see how they are doing.
After a fatal accident that cost her usual life and career, Declan Black returns to the Philadelphia Medical Center as ER attending. Back to her old training school and back to her friend Honor from that time. She's trying to build a new life and she tries to protect her heart so she doesn't make the same mistake she made before. Zoey Cohen, a fourth-year surgical resident, is purposefully building her career. She has no time for matters of the heart and has no intention of changing that.
On Dec's first day on the job, all hell breaks loose right away after an accident involving nine cars. No time to take it easy, she finds herself in the middle of the turmoil and fighting for life side by side with Zoey in the ER. It's the first time after her accident that she even notices a woman. And that worries her more than the new job. And she is not alone, Zoey is drawn to the new Doc like a moth to the light, all resisting helps nothing.
Radclyffe's writing style always immediately draws me into the story. I can't put my finger on it, but within a few sentences, she has me hooked. Once again, the medical events are exciting, interesting, sad, and nerve-wracking, some with positive outcomes but also some with negative ones. I always feel like I'm right in the middle of it.
However, this time the romance was certainly not the highlight of the story, it was the events in the hospital. Zoey and Dec are lovely, strong, and interesting women but the romance and love for a lifetime happened a bit quickly. The two could hardly spend time together outside the hospital, which certainly corresponds to reality, with all the stress and long working hours in hospitals. But I missed the whole really getting to know each other. Of course, there can be an attraction from the first meeting, but I just prefer slow-burn more. And I always like to get to know the characters better, their background, and how they tick. I missed this here, and I’m sure their stories would have been very interesting.
My rating 4 stars
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review
December 6, 2021
The past.
I enjoyed this book more than some of the earlier books in A PMC Hospital Romance series. Honor and Quinn's story in Fated Love (Book 1) is still unmatched, of course, but this one isn't too far off. For some reason, I took a liking to Zoey in Passionate Rivals (Book 4) who was best friends with benefits with its main character, Emmett before Emmett found true love with Syd. But Zoey was sidelined when Syd came into the picture and we didn't get much of her, so I like that Zoey is at the centre now and I was rooting for her happy ending. I love how Zoey and Declan notices each other from the first time they laid eyes on each other and I could just feel the chemistry between them.
While Declan is new to us, readers, she isn't just PMC's newest Attending. She's also Honor's old friend and she has her own story to tell, one that appears almost similar to Honor's own history but I wish she could have opened up to Zoey a lot sooner so that they could work their way towards a solid relationship.
Of all the five books in this series, I think this one is my second favourite.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book more than some of the earlier books in A PMC Hospital Romance series. Honor and Quinn's story in Fated Love (Book 1) is still unmatched, of course, but this one isn't too far off. For some reason, I took a liking to Zoey in Passionate Rivals (Book 4) who was best friends with benefits with its main character, Emmett before Emmett found true love with Syd. But Zoey was sidelined when Syd came into the picture and we didn't get much of her, so I like that Zoey is at the centre now and I was rooting for her happy ending. I love how Zoey and Declan notices each other from the first time they laid eyes on each other and I could just feel the chemistry between them.
While Declan is new to us, readers, she isn't just PMC's newest Attending. She's also Honor's old friend and she has her own story to tell, one that appears almost similar to Honor's own history but I wish she could have opened up to Zoey a lot sooner so that they could work their way towards a solid relationship.
Of all the five books in this series, I think this one is my second favourite.
I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
Dr Zoey Cohen is a surgical resident entering her final couple of years of training at PMC in Philadelphia. The first day of the new academic year brings in the new residents, along with a new ER attending, Dec Black. A massive trauma alert pairs Zoey with Dec and the connection is immediate. Can their pasts allow for a budding romance?
This one is hard to review. In all honesty, the above summary is really the reason for the 3 stars, and for me to not recommend this book. And I will say, it pains me to admit as much, since I’m the reader of 50 plus novels by the great Radclyffe. I also felt the same with the last Rivers’ novel-insta love is an understatement, and these are a couple of damaged souls. Rad has a formula that I have embraced and accepted, however, please give me some character development and eternal love that doesn’t happen in a day or week. The main chemistry and connection felt forced and simply not there.
Zoey was a friends with benefits with Emmet in the previous novel. This casual sex person with no strings attached changed with Dec, literally overnight. Even turning gossip away when historically, nothing is better than hospital gossip! Dec was painfully plain and quickly opened up to Zoey, which was very odd for how mysterious she acted with even her long time friend at the ER. I did appreciate Rad’s clarification that because Dec was an ER and not surgery attending, she had no bearing on evaluating Zoey. Therefore, at least attempting to clear any conflict of interest which seemed glaring at the beginning.
Now, why did I even finish this novel and why I would give it a 5 star rating: the PMC universe. One of my early lesfic reads and all time favorite novel is ‘Fated Love’. This is the first story in the PMC universe and Honor and Quinn’s tale. I had actually just finished listening to it (again, hey, I did say it was a favorite) before my friend Gaby pointed out this new release. Great to listen to a fantastic story, but unfortunately, it highlighted the shortcomings of the new novel. I absolutely loved the Quinn predicament having to change specialties because of a medical problem, same as Dec. However, the difference in the depth of the character was night and day. Dec’s handling of the toddler that needed sutures for example, seemed cold and as a parent, scared me. Please give me Quinn and her handling of Arly’s laceration in the first book of the series. Although there are some parallels between the stories, the outcome is vastly different. Gals, there is significant Quinn and Honor here. That’s all I’m going to say.
Another 5 star element was the medicine. This one is for the medical fans out there! Great situations in what seemed like every chapter. And let’s be real, no one beats Rad on this. She is simply brilliant when writing trauma medicine. As in on cue, Rad masterfully and effortlessly reactivated my pregnancy ptsd. The most enjoyable moments in this book were trauma related. Yes!
On a little side note, the cover by Tammy Seidick is eye catching and pleasing all at the same time.
Overall, another great medical tale with, unfortunately, weak mains that made the book better when they disappeared from the story. Honor and Quinn carry the romance as far as I’m concerned, but hey, that’s a good thing. 3 stars
ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This one is hard to review. In all honesty, the above summary is really the reason for the 3 stars, and for me to not recommend this book. And I will say, it pains me to admit as much, since I’m the reader of 50 plus novels by the great Radclyffe. I also felt the same with the last Rivers’ novel-insta love is an understatement, and these are a couple of damaged souls. Rad has a formula that I have embraced and accepted, however, please give me some character development and eternal love that doesn’t happen in a day or week. The main chemistry and connection felt forced and simply not there.
Zoey was a friends with benefits with Emmet in the previous novel. This casual sex person with no strings attached changed with Dec, literally overnight. Even turning gossip away when historically, nothing is better than hospital gossip! Dec was painfully plain and quickly opened up to Zoey, which was very odd for how mysterious she acted with even her long time friend at the ER. I did appreciate Rad’s clarification that because Dec was an ER and not surgery attending, she had no bearing on evaluating Zoey. Therefore, at least attempting to clear any conflict of interest which seemed glaring at the beginning.
Now, why did I even finish this novel and why I would give it a 5 star rating: the PMC universe. One of my early lesfic reads and all time favorite novel is ‘Fated Love’. This is the first story in the PMC universe and Honor and Quinn’s tale. I had actually just finished listening to it (again, hey, I did say it was a favorite) before my friend Gaby pointed out this new release. Great to listen to a fantastic story, but unfortunately, it highlighted the shortcomings of the new novel. I absolutely loved the Quinn predicament having to change specialties because of a medical problem, same as Dec. However, the difference in the depth of the character was night and day. Dec’s handling of the toddler that needed sutures for example, seemed cold and as a parent, scared me. Please give me Quinn and her handling of Arly’s laceration in the first book of the series. Although there are some parallels between the stories, the outcome is vastly different. Gals, there is significant Quinn and Honor here. That’s all I’m going to say.
Another 5 star element was the medicine. This one is for the medical fans out there! Great situations in what seemed like every chapter. And let’s be real, no one beats Rad on this. She is simply brilliant when writing trauma medicine. As in on cue, Rad masterfully and effortlessly reactivated my pregnancy ptsd. The most enjoyable moments in this book were trauma related. Yes!
On a little side note, the cover by Tammy Seidick is eye catching and pleasing all at the same time.
Overall, another great medical tale with, unfortunately, weak mains that made the book better when they disappeared from the story. Honor and Quinn carry the romance as far as I’m concerned, but hey, that’s a good thing. 3 stars
ARC generously provided to me by BSB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2021
3.5 Stars.
Like most, I've read quite a few of Radclyffe books. She always seems to be able to write good, solid, medical romance stories. Unrivaled is one of them reads, although it did seem to be a tad on the short side.
The story consists of two main characters, Zoey Cohen who has spent a lifetime learning how to hide her disappointment and the loss she suffered behind a mask of unshakeable calm and control. And Declan Black, who returns to Philadelphia Medical center when an accident costs her the life she's built and her career. She tries to protect herself from ever being put in a vulnerable situation again like her past mistakes, she builds up a new life around her new role as an ER attending, a life that doesn't include love.
It is a quick-paced storyline, Not too many characters, with a decent storyline, this isn't one of Radclyffe's better books, but it is still a good, entertaining read.
I was given a copy for an honest review.
Like most, I've read quite a few of Radclyffe books. She always seems to be able to write good, solid, medical romance stories. Unrivaled is one of them reads, although it did seem to be a tad on the short side.
The story consists of two main characters, Zoey Cohen who has spent a lifetime learning how to hide her disappointment and the loss she suffered behind a mask of unshakeable calm and control. And Declan Black, who returns to Philadelphia Medical center when an accident costs her the life she's built and her career. She tries to protect herself from ever being put in a vulnerable situation again like her past mistakes, she builds up a new life around her new role as an ER attending, a life that doesn't include love.
It is a quick-paced storyline, Not too many characters, with a decent storyline, this isn't one of Radclyffe's better books, but it is still a good, entertaining read.
I was given a copy for an honest review.
April 21, 2021
4 stars!
Starting this book I found my self being constantly smacked with strange feelings as though I had already knew some of these characters so I went to my book shelve and there it was- at the very back right under a Melissa Brayden book was Fated love by Radclyffe. To refresh my memory even more I intended to skim through the book but just ended up reading it over because that first book in the series is one of my favorite books.
However this book didn’t exactly match the admiration and love that I had for that one.
In this book we meet Declan Black, a friend of our pal Honor and a past student at the hospital. Now with a past behind her she’s back and sets her eyes on the previously mentioned in the series, Zoey Cohen.
Recently I’ve faced the problem of not enjoying the pace of relationship development in books and unfortunately this book hit that same nerve. In my opinion it happened way too fast. Much like Quinn and Honor, Declan and Zoey’s relationship faced the same instant attraction slap but in the end it just wasn’t as exciting.
Now I did like this book and I do recommend it however I couldn’t help but feel like so much more could’ve been done to make this book more.... interesting.
4 stars because Declan and Zoey were likable characters and you definitely do feel the chemistry which is something I admire the author for. They managed to make me feel the heat of this couple using such compelling writing even though I didn’t like the pacing.
Could’ve been five stars with only a bit more exciting plot.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review
Starting this book I found my self being constantly smacked with strange feelings as though I had already knew some of these characters so I went to my book shelve and there it was- at the very back right under a Melissa Brayden book was Fated love by Radclyffe. To refresh my memory even more I intended to skim through the book but just ended up reading it over because that first book in the series is one of my favorite books.
However this book didn’t exactly match the admiration and love that I had for that one.
In this book we meet Declan Black, a friend of our pal Honor and a past student at the hospital. Now with a past behind her she’s back and sets her eyes on the previously mentioned in the series, Zoey Cohen.
Recently I’ve faced the problem of not enjoying the pace of relationship development in books and unfortunately this book hit that same nerve. In my opinion it happened way too fast. Much like Quinn and Honor, Declan and Zoey’s relationship faced the same instant attraction slap but in the end it just wasn’t as exciting.
Now I did like this book and I do recommend it however I couldn’t help but feel like so much more could’ve been done to make this book more.... interesting.
4 stars because Declan and Zoey were likable characters and you definitely do feel the chemistry which is something I admire the author for. They managed to make me feel the heat of this couple using such compelling writing even though I didn’t like the pacing.
Could’ve been five stars with only a bit more exciting plot.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review
May 22, 2021
3.5 Stars. Like most, I've read quite a few of Radclyffe books. She always seems to be able to write good, solid, medical romance stories. Unrivaled is one of them reads, although it did seem to be a tad on the short side. The story consists of two main characters, Zoey Cohen who has spent a lifetime learning how to hide her disappointment and the loss she suffered behind a mask of unshakeable calm and control. And Declan Black, who returns to Philadelphia Medical center when an accident costs her the life she's built and her career. She tries to protect herself from ever being put in a vulnerable situation again like her past mistakes, she builds up a new life around her new role as an ER attending, a life that doesn't include love. It is a quick-paced storyline, Not too many characters, with a decent storyline, this isn't one of Radclyffe's better books, but it is still a good, entertaining read. I was given a copy for an honest review.
May 23, 2021
Radclyffe being Radclyffe. The result? Another solid medical romance. And there are quite a few.
April 23, 2021
Unrivaled by Radclyffe is a lovely medical romance, and just the kind of book I was looking to read. I love an intense, fast-paced medical drama with gorgeous characters and a compelling tale. I can always count on Radclyffe to write a story that fits this description perfectly.
This novel takes place in the PMC Hospital universe so those of you who have read some or all of those books will recognize both the setting and some of the secondary characters. However, this book can be read as a standalone since it really focuses on the two main characters; Zoey Cohen, a third year resident, and Declan Black who is returning to PMC as an ER attending. Both women have things in their pasts that make them leery of romantic relationships, but they can’t deny the attraction they feel for each other.
Because this is a setting that the author has used in multiple books, it is obviously well made and realistic. The characters are also well-developed and fit their roles perfectly both in the hospital setting and as friends and family outside of the hospital. The love story between Zoey and Declan is a slow burn romance with a fair amount of angst involved. The story itself is exactly what you expect for a love story in an intense medical setting.
I really enjoyed reading Unrivaled, and recommend it to all who love medical romances.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
This novel takes place in the PMC Hospital universe so those of you who have read some or all of those books will recognize both the setting and some of the secondary characters. However, this book can be read as a standalone since it really focuses on the two main characters; Zoey Cohen, a third year resident, and Declan Black who is returning to PMC as an ER attending. Both women have things in their pasts that make them leery of romantic relationships, but they can’t deny the attraction they feel for each other.
Because this is a setting that the author has used in multiple books, it is obviously well made and realistic. The characters are also well-developed and fit their roles perfectly both in the hospital setting and as friends and family outside of the hospital. The love story between Zoey and Declan is a slow burn romance with a fair amount of angst involved. The story itself is exactly what you expect for a love story in an intense medical setting.
I really enjoyed reading Unrivaled, and recommend it to all who love medical romances.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
April 19, 2021
Well Radclyffe has done it again. She’s given us another PCM Hospital Romance that not only tells us the story of Drs Declan Black and Zoey Cohen while visiting the other MC’s from her earlier books starring the PCM as the backdrop.
Declan Black had worked at the Philadelphia Medical Center ten years ago, training to become a surgeon but love had got in her way when she met and fell in love with Annabelle. Annabelle wasn’t a doctor but a business woman who along with her father owned and ran hospitals out west. But after ten years Declan was ready to move on but before she could make her move she, along with Annabelle were in a car accident, leaving Annabelle dead and Declan so injured she’d have to give up on her dream. Now she was back to her beginnings starting to work again in the Emergency Department at PCM.
Zoey had a rough childhood after her mother left her with her aunt and uncle. She was treated ok but she never felt like she belonged. So studying hard brought her to PCM to train as a surgeon. She’s had her fair share of not too serious relationships but has always held back, mainly not wanting her co-workers to know about her childhood. Now Declan arrives and it quickly becomes clear that both felt drawn to each other.
Radclyffe has always told a good story and this has proven to be another page turner that you won’t want to put down. Now there are a few new characters whose stories haven’t been told yet so one can only hope, fingers crossed. Very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books.
Declan Black had worked at the Philadelphia Medical Center ten years ago, training to become a surgeon but love had got in her way when she met and fell in love with Annabelle. Annabelle wasn’t a doctor but a business woman who along with her father owned and ran hospitals out west. But after ten years Declan was ready to move on but before she could make her move she, along with Annabelle were in a car accident, leaving Annabelle dead and Declan so injured she’d have to give up on her dream. Now she was back to her beginnings starting to work again in the Emergency Department at PCM.
Zoey had a rough childhood after her mother left her with her aunt and uncle. She was treated ok but she never felt like she belonged. So studying hard brought her to PCM to train as a surgeon. She’s had her fair share of not too serious relationships but has always held back, mainly not wanting her co-workers to know about her childhood. Now Declan arrives and it quickly becomes clear that both felt drawn to each other.
Radclyffe has always told a good story and this has proven to be another page turner that you won’t want to put down. Now there are a few new characters whose stories haven’t been told yet so one can only hope, fingers crossed. Very, very nice read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books.
April 20, 2021
This book missed the mark with me. I typically enjoy most of what Radcylffe writes, but in this case, I don't think it lives up to her standards. The plot is lacking and the love story felt very uhauly. A new doctor rolls into town and falls for a senior resident. Both have a deep seated fear of relationships, which initially creates a road block between the two. Once the two main characters finally open up to each other there is basically a life commitment on the table. I still have to give the book a solid 3 stars. As odd as the love story was, or lack there of in this case, I always love the background of the emergency and trauma unit that surrounds the plot. I also really love how Radclyffe pulls in characters from her previous books in the series and continues with their story lines.
Caveat, as is the case with most Radclyffe books, most of the female characters are gay, which is always eye roll inducing for me.
Caveat, as is the case with most Radclyffe books, most of the female characters are gay, which is always eye roll inducing for me.
June 4, 2021
4.3 stars.
Great new book from Radclyffe in the PMC-series. Well written as you get to expect from Radclyffe, nice characters, a good storyline and lovely romance. I admire how Radclyffe keeps writing these new and different stories and how she is able to make me feel connected with the characters in these stories. Recommend.
Great new book from Radclyffe in the PMC-series. Well written as you get to expect from Radclyffe, nice characters, a good storyline and lovely romance. I admire how Radclyffe keeps writing these new and different stories and how she is able to make me feel connected with the characters in these stories. Recommend.
June 1, 2021
3.5 stars. I thought this was a good read with smooth writing and lovely characters. While this is only my second Radclyffe read, Fated Love was my very first lesfic read back in 2018, and it was lovely getting to spend time with Honor and Quinn again.
Declan Black is back at PMC after many years away, and she’s still healing from the circumstances surrounding her wife’s death. She’s gentle and calm with both her patients and her coworkers, she always knows the right things to say, and I just adored the hell out of her. Fourth-year surgical resident Zoey Cohen is a master at hiding her insecurities and hesitates to open up her heart. I didn’t think her personality shone through as much as Dec’s, but I found her admirably ambitious and generally likable. I liked the depth of connection Zoey and Dec shared, and I felt the magnetic pull between them. I did find their relationship heavy on the insta-love though, which didn’t quite work for me.
Dec and Zoey aren’t the only POV characters — we also get POVs from Honor and Quinn (two other PMC employees who are in an established relationship), causing this to read like a romance-heavy ensemble cast medical drama rather than a straight-up romance. I liked this aspect as I enjoyed getting an update on the pairing from my very first lesfic, but I’m not sure I would recommend this book to those looking for a more conventional romance storyline, especially not without having first read Fated Love (or another PMC Hospital Romance). There’s also quite a bit of POV-switching within scenes, which didn’t feel omniscient. I hesitate to condemn this as head-hopping, because Radclyffe has been in the business a long time and obviously knows what she’s doing, but I’m not sure if this POV-switching worked for my personal reading tastes.
Since it’s set in a hospital, this book heavily features difficult medical scenarios. I don’t think all the medical stuff took away from the romance at all, though — rather, I thought each medical scene helped to give depth to the characters. I especially loved when Dec and Zoey bonded over the complicated relationship they sometimes have with their profession:, reassuring each other that it’s okay to feel simultaneously elated by your work and devastated for your patients and their families.
My main complaint about this book is the conflict. I understand why it happened, but it was so sudden and it wasn’t clear to me what was happening. I found myself thinking: “Wait is this the 80% conflict? Is that what’s going on?” There was also an awkward month-long time jump mid-conflict, whereas everything else in the book happened within…a little more than a week, I think?
Overall, I liked the characters in this book as well as the polished feel of the writing, so maybe this is a sign I need to read more Radclyffe!
content warnings: absent parent (past), blood, gore, injuries, car accident, death, mentions of divorce, guilt, hospitalization, loss of a loved one (past), toxic relationship (past), medical stuff, needles, pregnancy, semi-graphic sex, suicide attempt (mention), trauma, gunshots/gun violence (mention)
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Declan Black is back at PMC after many years away, and she’s still healing from the circumstances surrounding her wife’s death. She’s gentle and calm with both her patients and her coworkers, she always knows the right things to say, and I just adored the hell out of her. Fourth-year surgical resident Zoey Cohen is a master at hiding her insecurities and hesitates to open up her heart. I didn’t think her personality shone through as much as Dec’s, but I found her admirably ambitious and generally likable. I liked the depth of connection Zoey and Dec shared, and I felt the magnetic pull between them. I did find their relationship heavy on the insta-love though, which didn’t quite work for me.
Dec and Zoey aren’t the only POV characters — we also get POVs from Honor and Quinn (two other PMC employees who are in an established relationship), causing this to read like a romance-heavy ensemble cast medical drama rather than a straight-up romance. I liked this aspect as I enjoyed getting an update on the pairing from my very first lesfic, but I’m not sure I would recommend this book to those looking for a more conventional romance storyline, especially not without having first read Fated Love (or another PMC Hospital Romance). There’s also quite a bit of POV-switching within scenes, which didn’t feel omniscient. I hesitate to condemn this as head-hopping, because Radclyffe has been in the business a long time and obviously knows what she’s doing, but I’m not sure if this POV-switching worked for my personal reading tastes.
Since it’s set in a hospital, this book heavily features difficult medical scenarios. I don’t think all the medical stuff took away from the romance at all, though — rather, I thought each medical scene helped to give depth to the characters. I especially loved when Dec and Zoey bonded over the complicated relationship they sometimes have with their profession:, reassuring each other that it’s okay to feel simultaneously elated by your work and devastated for your patients and their families.
My main complaint about this book is the conflict. I understand why it happened, but it was so sudden and it wasn’t clear to me what was happening. I found myself thinking: “Wait is this the 80% conflict? Is that what’s going on?” There was also an awkward month-long time jump mid-conflict, whereas everything else in the book happened within…a little more than a week, I think?
Overall, I liked the characters in this book as well as the polished feel of the writing, so maybe this is a sign I need to read more Radclyffe!
content warnings: absent parent (past), blood, gore, injuries, car accident, death, mentions of divorce, guilt, hospitalization, loss of a loved one (past), toxic relationship (past), medical stuff, needles, pregnancy, semi-graphic sex, suicide attempt (mention), trauma, gunshots/gun violence (mention)
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 19, 2021
We first meet senior resident Dr.Zoey and Dr. Dec when there a rush of patients from car pile up comes into PMC hospital and they both leapt into actions. Dr. Dec use to train at the hospital which mold her into neurosurgeon and have comeback after a tragic loss.
As they worked together their obvious attraction between them that leapt off the pages and romance is form. I enjoy both characters they both are devoted to their jobs and you can feel the emotions they both have. I also love that it was a reunion of characters from previous books that you got a glimpses into their lives. I would love to read more about theses characters I didn’t know I miss so much.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
As they worked together their obvious attraction between them that leapt off the pages and romance is form. I enjoy both characters they both are devoted to their jobs and you can feel the emotions they both have. I also love that it was a reunion of characters from previous books that you got a glimpses into their lives. I would love to read more about theses characters I didn’t know I miss so much.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
May 16, 2021
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a continuation of the PMC series that revolves around Quinn and Honor and their hospital. This one features Dec, a doctor who trained and used to work at PMC and is friends with Honor and the other MC is Zoe, who featured in the last book as Emmett’s friend with benefits.
Dec is returning to PMC after losing her wife in an accident and moving to another medical specialty (there’s a lot of parallels to Fated Love here, she’s lost her wife like Honor did but has a medical issue that’s caused her to have to change specialty like Quinn).
Anyway these two meet during a trauma event at the hospital and are instantly aware of each other, and over the course of the next week have a series of meet ups and conversations, and then, sex. As with most of Rad’s books, the timeframe is tight and the relationship relatively superficial. Both characters are interesting, but there just wasn’t enough time to develop them properly or flesh out the relationship. There’s a sort of breakup around the 80% mark that then advances the time frame a few more weeks, but they don’t interact during this time and then reconcile and we’re done. If you’re looking for a book where the leads get to know each other and the relationship is the focus, this isn’t the book for you.
Because it’s a hospital book there’s quite a few medical storylines, and at least two of them could have been cut to allow for more time to be spent on the leads. Dec honestly spends about the same amount of time talking to Honor and various members of her family as she does with Zoey.
On the flip side, fans of the PMC series will enjoy catching up with various characters from past books. Honor, Quinn and Arly all feature quite a bit on Dec’s side, with Emmett and Dani from the last book featuring with Zoe, and there’s a side storyline that features Linda and her wife Robin as well. Those were really my favourite parts. 3 stars
This is a continuation of the PMC series that revolves around Quinn and Honor and their hospital. This one features Dec, a doctor who trained and used to work at PMC and is friends with Honor and the other MC is Zoe, who featured in the last book as Emmett’s friend with benefits.
Dec is returning to PMC after losing her wife in an accident and moving to another medical specialty (there’s a lot of parallels to Fated Love here, she’s lost her wife like Honor did but has a medical issue that’s caused her to have to change specialty like Quinn).
Anyway these two meet during a trauma event at the hospital and are instantly aware of each other, and over the course of the next week have a series of meet ups and conversations, and then, sex. As with most of Rad’s books, the timeframe is tight and the relationship relatively superficial. Both characters are interesting, but there just wasn’t enough time to develop them properly or flesh out the relationship. There’s a sort of breakup around the 80% mark that then advances the time frame a few more weeks, but they don’t interact during this time and then reconcile and we’re done. If you’re looking for a book where the leads get to know each other and the relationship is the focus, this isn’t the book for you.
Because it’s a hospital book there’s quite a few medical storylines, and at least two of them could have been cut to allow for more time to be spent on the leads. Dec honestly spends about the same amount of time talking to Honor and various members of her family as she does with Zoey.
On the flip side, fans of the PMC series will enjoy catching up with various characters from past books. Honor, Quinn and Arly all feature quite a bit on Dec’s side, with Emmett and Dani from the last book featuring with Zoe, and there’s a side storyline that features Linda and her wife Robin as well. Those were really my favourite parts. 3 stars
May 1, 2021
Another good Radclyffe novel. This one might have more medical cases, treatment, situations then her other stories that take place in the hospital. I liked that. It was very interesting. She even allows us to have an insight into what a doctor goes through when they have to inform someone that their loved one is brain dead. And the benefits of organ donation. It was described very realistically and genuine.
Very good dialog. Interesting and smart characters. The mentor and teaching aspect was warm, calm and smart..
The attraction started on day one and was a surprise to me and I suppose it was supposed to be to the reader because Declan (one of the MC) was supposed to be grieving over a dead wife. But that all gets explained in the end. The relationship between Declan and Zoey is warm with lots of smart medical discussions. And then it ramps up pretty quickly to hot. And of course we have the bump in the road near the end but it all ends up fine.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Very good dialog. Interesting and smart characters. The mentor and teaching aspect was warm, calm and smart..
The attraction started on day one and was a surprise to me and I suppose it was supposed to be to the reader because Declan (one of the MC) was supposed to be grieving over a dead wife. But that all gets explained in the end. The relationship between Declan and Zoey is warm with lots of smart medical discussions. And then it ramps up pretty quickly to hot. And of course we have the bump in the road near the end but it all ends up fine.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2021
The first pages of Unrivaled will hook you with its pace and excitement. A major traffic accident involving multiple vehicles sends a flurry of ambulances to the PMC emergency center. Life and death decisions are being made as the emergency and surgical rooms fill up quickly.
Declan Black is returning to PMC hospital after ten years. She would like to keep a low profile however gossip swirls around the hospital as to why she left and why she has returned.
Fourth year surgery resident Zoey Cohen has aways kept her emotions hidden behind her veil of calm and control to mitigate personal loss and disappointment. Zoey finds herself intrigued with Declan and is willing to let her guard down as they work together.
Radclyffe brings the reader into the adrenaline rush of emergency response medical care. She is a master at this genre. Combine this with a quick pace romance and you have a book you just cannot put down.
Although Unrivaled is book five in the popular PMC Hospital series it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
5⭐️
Declan Black is returning to PMC hospital after ten years. She would like to keep a low profile however gossip swirls around the hospital as to why she left and why she has returned.
Fourth year surgery resident Zoey Cohen has aways kept her emotions hidden behind her veil of calm and control to mitigate personal loss and disappointment. Zoey finds herself intrigued with Declan and is willing to let her guard down as they work together.
Radclyffe brings the reader into the adrenaline rush of emergency response medical care. She is a master at this genre. Combine this with a quick pace romance and you have a book you just cannot put down.
Although Unrivaled is book five in the popular PMC Hospital series it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
5⭐️
May 25, 2021
The first pages of Unrivaled will hook you with its pace and excitement. A major traffic accident involving multiple vehicles sends a flurry of ambulances to the PMC emergency center. Life and death decisions are being made as the emergency and surgical rooms fill up quickly.
Declan Black is returning to PMC hospital after ten years. She would like to keep a low profile however gossip swirls around the hospital as to why she left and why she has returned.
Fourth year surgery resident Zoey Cohen has aways kept her emotions hidden behind her veil of calm and control to mitigate personal loss and disappointment. Zoey finds herself intrigued with Declan and is willing to let her guard down as they work together.
Radclyffe brings the reader into the adrenaline rush of emergency response medical care. She is a master at this genre. Combine this with a quick pace romance and you have a book you just cannot put down.
Although Unrivaled is book five in the popular PMC Hospital series it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
5⭐️
Declan Black is returning to PMC hospital after ten years. She would like to keep a low profile however gossip swirls around the hospital as to why she left and why she has returned.
Fourth year surgery resident Zoey Cohen has aways kept her emotions hidden behind her veil of calm and control to mitigate personal loss and disappointment. Zoey finds herself intrigued with Declan and is willing to let her guard down as they work together.
Radclyffe brings the reader into the adrenaline rush of emergency response medical care. She is a master at this genre. Combine this with a quick pace romance and you have a book you just cannot put down.
Although Unrivaled is book five in the popular PMC Hospital series it can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
5⭐️
October 16, 2024
A good book - lovely to be back with old friends - though close to a Brick wall ending and surprisingly two dimensional. Due to order mix up arrived as a book (Not kindle!) So odd to read. Now on Kindle!
May 9, 2021
If you’ve ever read a lesfic book or start looking into reading it chances are you will read Radclyffe. With a Rad book you can’t really go wrong.
Unrivaled is the latest instalment of the PMC Hospital Romances series. As with the previous books in this series it isn’t strictly necessary to read the other books, but you would miss some background information and a little character information that comes in handy to fully understand the story. But if you decide to read it without having read the previous books you will be fine as well.
Dec returns to PMC after her life in Dallas comes to an end by way of an accident. Honor hires her old friend as an ER attending. Her first day back a mass casualty accident kicks her right into gear and she meets the very enticing Zoey. Both masters at hiding their true feelings they see something in the other that is some sort of recognition and they are able to read each other rather effortlessly. The ability to read each other is what brings the together and it’s sweet. In standard Rad fashion Dec is a bit butch and Zoey femme, I don’t care about these standard roles and portrayals but Rad doesn’t make them too obvious and too standard, that’s always a plus.
This book feels rather short, my reader doesn’t give any pages but it feels short. It’s not like the story is being rushed, but I would have liked at least 50 pages more, also to see them together more, more dating, more relationship. I feel like we got that more in the previous books. Something else that annoyed me a bit is how much of Honor and Quinn we see in this book, it would have been fine if the book were a little longer. I almost feel like we get more of them than we do of Dec and Zoey.
I’d say this is a standard Rad book, great medical insights, good characters and well written enjoyable story.
3.5 stars for this bit of escapism.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
Unrivaled is the latest instalment of the PMC Hospital Romances series. As with the previous books in this series it isn’t strictly necessary to read the other books, but you would miss some background information and a little character information that comes in handy to fully understand the story. But if you decide to read it without having read the previous books you will be fine as well.
Dec returns to PMC after her life in Dallas comes to an end by way of an accident. Honor hires her old friend as an ER attending. Her first day back a mass casualty accident kicks her right into gear and she meets the very enticing Zoey. Both masters at hiding their true feelings they see something in the other that is some sort of recognition and they are able to read each other rather effortlessly. The ability to read each other is what brings the together and it’s sweet. In standard Rad fashion Dec is a bit butch and Zoey femme, I don’t care about these standard roles and portrayals but Rad doesn’t make them too obvious and too standard, that’s always a plus.
This book feels rather short, my reader doesn’t give any pages but it feels short. It’s not like the story is being rushed, but I would have liked at least 50 pages more, also to see them together more, more dating, more relationship. I feel like we got that more in the previous books. Something else that annoyed me a bit is how much of Honor and Quinn we see in this book, it would have been fine if the book were a little longer. I almost feel like we get more of them than we do of Dec and Zoey.
I’d say this is a standard Rad book, great medical insights, good characters and well written enjoyable story.
3.5 stars for this bit of escapism.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
January 22, 2022
Thank you @pipsqueakreviews for encouraging me to read this book, if it weren't for your words I wouldn't go back to finish this series at all lol
Even though I expected this book to be good I didn't think it would exceed my expectations which is exactly what it did
I was first introduced to the Zoey character in the passionate Rivals book all I wanted was HER (Zoey) out of the way, she came across as someone who was after games And doesn't have the desire for more than some good times. I was like, move your butt out of the way Zoey!
In this book, I got to see the woman behind the veneer of nonchalance, with a carefree persona beneath all that Zoey is a sensitive guarded woman who cares a lot, hurt a lot. She loves more than she wanted to show or admit, she's strong independent, capable with a big heart. She craved love but she refused to let anyone in because she feared getting hurt. She thought if she didn't show how she felt no one is going to just up And leave her as her mother did. She's so soft-hearted ❤️ I'm happy I got to see this Zoey she quickly become my fourth favourite character in all of the series.
Dec is like A Rey of sunshine, she's gentle, kind and so down to earth she's the type of character that I fall in love with the moment they appear. On the plus side, She's confident romantic and perfect for Zoey because Zoey deserves someone like her someone who'll love her completely.
The book roared up and beat crossroads from second place for me. While I felt like some of the books were a bit long, this one is too short, I wish it was longer. I get to meet every couple from the series And it makes my heart happy 💜 the only thing I didn't get from this book was Emmett and Syd moments together which i hoped for going into the book, but I get to meet them regardless so yayy!
Even though I expected this book to be good I didn't think it would exceed my expectations which is exactly what it did
I was first introduced to the Zoey character in the passionate Rivals book all I wanted was HER (Zoey) out of the way, she came across as someone who was after games And doesn't have the desire for more than some good times. I was like, move your butt out of the way Zoey!
In this book, I got to see the woman behind the veneer of nonchalance, with a carefree persona beneath all that Zoey is a sensitive guarded woman who cares a lot, hurt a lot. She loves more than she wanted to show or admit, she's strong independent, capable with a big heart. She craved love but she refused to let anyone in because she feared getting hurt. She thought if she didn't show how she felt no one is going to just up And leave her as her mother did. She's so soft-hearted ❤️ I'm happy I got to see this Zoey she quickly become my fourth favourite character in all of the series.
Dec is like A Rey of sunshine, she's gentle, kind and so down to earth she's the type of character that I fall in love with the moment they appear. On the plus side, She's confident romantic and perfect for Zoey because Zoey deserves someone like her someone who'll love her completely.
The book roared up and beat crossroads from second place for me. While I felt like some of the books were a bit long, this one is too short, I wish it was longer. I get to meet every couple from the series And it makes my heart happy 💜 the only thing I didn't get from this book was Emmett and Syd moments together which i hoped for going into the book, but I get to meet them regardless so yayy!
May 7, 2021
A Wonderful Visit to See Old Friends
Seemingly happy go lucky, Zoey hides her pain, disappointment and loss deep within herself where no one can ever see. She wants love like all those around her and isn’t willing to settle anymore. She has new challenges at work and that is where she has decided to focus her attention. Declan has returned to PMC after being gone for years. She is the source of speculations, having returned a widow and working in the ER when she left as a neurosurgeon. She is determined to keep her secrets close to the vest but when she meets Zoey, their hearts begins to heal…. They are so injured yet they gain strength from each other. I loved watching Zoey and Dec face their demons while they grew closer and fell in love with each other. I loved the writing in this book, it was so easy to tell it is a Radclyffe creation. It was warm and emotional, easy to read and even easier to fall in love with the characters.
When I found out about this book I did a happy dance!! I was SOOOO EXCITED! The PMC series is my all-time favourite Radclyffe stories! This one picked up right where the last one left off. Linda is still pregnant, but the baby is on the way, YAY! Honor and Quinn are still so perfect, the kids are great and Emmet and Syd are happy as ever. This a beautiful story and I am so happy I got to read it!!
Seemingly happy go lucky, Zoey hides her pain, disappointment and loss deep within herself where no one can ever see. She wants love like all those around her and isn’t willing to settle anymore. She has new challenges at work and that is where she has decided to focus her attention. Declan has returned to PMC after being gone for years. She is the source of speculations, having returned a widow and working in the ER when she left as a neurosurgeon. She is determined to keep her secrets close to the vest but when she meets Zoey, their hearts begins to heal…. They are so injured yet they gain strength from each other. I loved watching Zoey and Dec face their demons while they grew closer and fell in love with each other. I loved the writing in this book, it was so easy to tell it is a Radclyffe creation. It was warm and emotional, easy to read and even easier to fall in love with the characters.
When I found out about this book I did a happy dance!! I was SOOOO EXCITED! The PMC series is my all-time favourite Radclyffe stories! This one picked up right where the last one left off. Linda is still pregnant, but the baby is on the way, YAY! Honor and Quinn are still so perfect, the kids are great and Emmet and Syd are happy as ever. This a beautiful story and I am so happy I got to read it!!
October 12, 2025
I love that this picks up right where book 4 left off. The excitement continues.
Declan and Zoey meet for the first time amongst all the chaos and seemingly drawn to each other after it all settles. Declan is new(-ish) and mysterious. Zoey is young and impressive with her skills. The attraction is palpable and these two can hardly fight it... it's hot!
It's another slow burn but you really don't feel it because there is so much else going on. Really keeps you invested. Also, I love that we continue to catch up with the other couples, especially Honor and Quinn who have been present throughout the series.
Declan and Zoey meet for the first time amongst all the chaos and seemingly drawn to each other after it all settles. Declan is new(-ish) and mysterious. Zoey is young and impressive with her skills. The attraction is palpable and these two can hardly fight it... it's hot!
It's another slow burn but you really don't feel it because there is so much else going on. Really keeps you invested. Also, I love that we continue to catch up with the other couples, especially Honor and Quinn who have been present throughout the series.
May 24, 2021
Radclyffe's Quinn and Honor from Fated Love are one of lesfic's most popular couples, and we see quite a bit of them in this installment of the PMC series. Unrivaled can be read as a standalone, but the characters and backstories would be much clearer by reading the series, as least books One and Four. This is a slow burn slight age age romance featuring Declan and Zoey, both main characters bringing big issues to their relationship. Radclyffe is a master at divulging backstories without using the dreaded info dump, and I found myself inhaling every crumb of especially Declan's story. However, there is almost TOO much medical storyline for me here. I found myself skipping paragraphs of the most graphic scenes, and I would've liked a few chapters at the end after they committed to each other to see how they enjoyed their life together. But it's always a good decision to read a Radclyffe story.
May 13, 2021
One thing I can say about Radclyffe is that she knows how to write a romance. They are not always perfect, but the recipe she uses always works. Plus who doesn't love a hospital romance!
Declan Black returns to Philly after she recovers from a serious accident that claimed her wife and injured her. There is a mystery surrounding her return and no one really know what happen that night of the accident. Zoey Cohen is head surgery resident. She keeps everyone at arms length because she doesn't want to be disappointed. She has settled for "friends with benefits" but now she doesn't even have that. The beginning of this romance starts with a BANG. Lots of action in the ER on Declan's first day back as she jumps into help and meets Zoey.
There is an instant attraction between the two. Everything moves so fast in this romance and I liked how everything played out. I do wish the love took a little more time to develop. In many ways it goes with the theme of the book. FAST. Yes everything happens so quickly in the book that it sorta makes sense that these two fall for each other quickly. You should know that even though even though things play out quickly, The first day at work for Declan takes quite some some to take place. So it makes is seem that it takes much longer for things to happen between the mains. Either way you look at it, Radclyffe has a sure receipe on how to put out a romance that will keep you entertained.
4.25 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
Declan Black returns to Philly after she recovers from a serious accident that claimed her wife and injured her. There is a mystery surrounding her return and no one really know what happen that night of the accident. Zoey Cohen is head surgery resident. She keeps everyone at arms length because she doesn't want to be disappointed. She has settled for "friends with benefits" but now she doesn't even have that. The beginning of this romance starts with a BANG. Lots of action in the ER on Declan's first day back as she jumps into help and meets Zoey.
There is an instant attraction between the two. Everything moves so fast in this romance and I liked how everything played out. I do wish the love took a little more time to develop. In many ways it goes with the theme of the book. FAST. Yes everything happens so quickly in the book that it sorta makes sense that these two fall for each other quickly. You should know that even though even though things play out quickly, The first day at work for Declan takes quite some some to take place. So it makes is seem that it takes much longer for things to happen between the mains. Either way you look at it, Radclyffe has a sure receipe on how to put out a romance that will keep you entertained.
4.25 stars
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
December 12, 2023
I seem to have a habit of reading the last book of a series. So, I didn't know the back story about all the other characters. (Looks like I'll be buying the series!) Yes, based on this book. That's how good it is! 5 stars!!
May 13, 2021
Fantastic
As always, I rely on Radclyffe to take me away from a humble existence. Her writing is superb. I want to read everything she writes and can't wait until the next release. I own everything and want more and more.
As always, I rely on Radclyffe to take me away from a humble existence. Her writing is superb. I want to read everything she writes and can't wait until the next release. I own everything and want more and more.
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