Stitches

by Julie L. James

After an unpleasant experience getting stitches leaves her disenfranchised with doctors, Hero Atticus Taylor decides to be proactive. Capitalizing off of her literary-inspired name, she creates the Hero Atticus Taylor School of Manners for All Doctors, and uses both her prejudice toward doctors and her passion for Emily Post to educate medical students in all forms of etiquette. Her job has been a fulfilling and successful endeavor, until an agitating interaction with a former heart surgeon has Hero's manners betraying her.
Doctor Lee Taylor is interested in enrolling the surgical students he oversees in Hero's manners school, but he can't help himself from asking her on a date within minutes of meeting her. He is direct, decisive, and confident. Hero's refusal and assumption that he just like very other doctor who belittles her profession, only makes her more interesting to him, Even though he is completely smitten with Hero, Lee cannot seem to gracefully reveal his secrets as their courtship continues.

Genres: Romance, Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Brandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stitches is my second book by Julie James and I enjoyed it. After an unpleasant encounter with a rude doctor when she was 16, Hero decides to build her career in educating doctors in their bedside manner. She does this by establishing an etiquette school.

In one of her morning meetings at the office, Hero meets Dr. Lee Taylor and is put off by his comments and behavior. She has a meeting later that day at the hospital and is surprised to find out it’s also with Dr. Taylor. They smooth things over from their initial encounter but Hero remains surprised by Lee’s forwardness as their interactions continue.

Lee is decisive and charming though things aren’t exactly going how Hero envisioned they would. She also receives unexpected news in other parts of her life and has to deal with these challenges involving family and friends.

Stitches is a sweet story that got a little heavier as it progressed. As in Julie’s previous book, Paper Cranes, the dialogue was easy. Hero was a bit quirky but I found her likable, along with Lee.

I appreciate the original concept for this novel — Most of us have experienced an unpleasant healthcare encounter at some point. No, not all doctors are bad, I’ve been lucky with most of mine and have great respect for the work doctors and nurses do, always, but especially over the last 3 years. If anything, this story is a reminder to trust your gut instinct.

[Jesi Sarracino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute enemies to lovers romance! Maybe not even enemies as much as just not friends lol. I really did enjoy this, it took me longer than expected because weekends happen. (#momlife) I identified with Hero because our personalities seemed very similar. Lee pulled on your heart strings and I LOVED his “I’m a decisive guy” lines. I appreciate when people make decisions! And stick to them!! I loved the manners that were included in this, and probably my favorite line “Sometimes, no manners are the best manners” because in life there are always situations that being polite doesn’t count.

Thank you so much to Julie L James for gifting me this copy! Your books feel like home to me; very sweet, innocent in a way our world needs more of.

[Kira (the book belle) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5stars
Sweet romance with a unique premise

After a poor experience with a doctor's appointment post injury, Hero decides to start an etiquette school for Doctors. But her proper mannerisms are disrupted by a handsome heart surgeon.

Hero and Dr. Lee are super sweet together. Great chemistry. I think my favorite parts are the text message conversations. Fun witty banter.

As far as medical, I enjoyed the stitches piece and medical talk. And relatable since most of us have experienced poor bedside manner at some point.

This book started out funny and a little outlandish. Hero is definitely a quirky character. I did have trouble getting on board with her attitude and mannerisms. However, the book turned very serious the last half-emotional, sad situations which I wasn't expecting with how it started.

I think this book could have easily been 100 pages longer. More insight on Dr. Pepper, back story on Dr. Lee, and more school situations would help the plot flow.

Overall, love the romance. Very swoony and sweet.

[Nancy Holte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this "Stitches." It's the story of a woman named Hero who, as a teenager, had a horrible experience with a gruff doctor when she needed stitches. After college she decides to open a school of etiquette for medical students, where she meets the very handsome, Dr. Lee Taylor. Sparks fly during their first encounter and Hero hopes to never see him again, except she does she - that very same afternoon. I'll leave the rest of the story for you to discover. If you love sweet romances, you'll love "Stitches."

[Caris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stitches is my favorite novel by Julie L. James. I laughed and I cried while reading about Hero and her passion for her work: a charm school for doctors to learn manners. I found the premise to be extremely relatable, and easy to read. I finished this book quickly because I just had to know what happens. My favorite part (without spoiling it) is the scene where a character has to get stitches from one of the doctors.

[Nicole Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! It was so easy to read, heartfelt and charming. It’s very relatable in so many ways. If you love happy endings, this book is for you! ❤️ On another note, the cover of this book is so beautiful in person. Simple and classic and looks great on a shelf!

[Min Young Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
Thank you Julie for the gifted copy. I enjoyed this one so so much! It was such a unique story, and it kept on wanting to read more. Did enjoyed this one more that her other novel, Paper Crane. I love Dr. Lee and his determination to get the girl!

[Becky Mowery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, I really did. It's such a great premise but that's about it. The MMC spends the whole book trying to be with the FMC only to have a third act break up which completely went against the MMCs personality. It just fell really short for me.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, teared up, chuckled and cried while reading this book......that I could NOT put down! Looking forward to your next book release!!!!!

[Meg Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Lee is a treasure, so charming and funny. I was extremely emotional at the end, and cried very happy tears.

[Misty Wilson read.fine.print · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is @juliejames second book and it’s a cute romance!
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The premise is unique: Hero (that’s the main character’s name) starts a school of etiquette for doctors and takes a particular interest in one of her unruly students. I did not predict where the plot was going and that’s a good thing! The romance is very sweet and I loved the inclusion of Hero’s family in the story.
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No mature content. I don’t read a lot of romance, but this book reminded me of Katherine Center’s books because the tone is lighthearted at first and then it grows in depth.

[Sarah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author’s writing style. The story flows so nicely it made for a fast read. This author gives her character good depth. I loved Hero and Lee’s meet cute. It had me cracking up how Lee could get under Hero’s skin so quickly. I was not expecting the twist that happened, but I think it allowed them to connect faster. I really liked the idea of bedside manner class for doctors and the tea lessons for the children was a nice touch as well. I enjoyed this book!

Thank you @juliejameswrites for the gifted copy.