What do you think?
Rate this book
Anatomy of a Meet Cute
Sparks fly when an ob-gyn butts heads with a doctor at her new hospital in this delightfully charming romance about bad timing, good friends, and fresh starts. The last thing I ever expected was to insult a colleague before I even started a new job. But here I am, already on thin ice after I mistook a fellow doctor for a patient on a bad drug trip. Oops. No matter how handsome or infuriatingly aloof he is, Grant Gao isn’t going to spoil my fresh start. Instead, I’m going to keep myself (maybe too) busy with my roommates, work, and starting a new program to improve pregnancy care in the community. But getting the hospital bigwigs on board with my idea is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated, and I may be forced to swallow my pride and ask Grant for help. But will working with Grant bring us closer, or will I be crushed under my ever-growing list of responsibilities?
331 pages, Paperback
First published March 7, 2023
397 people are currently reading
8352 people want to read
About the author
Addie Woolridge
7 books205 followersBorn and raised outside Seattle, Washington, Addie Woolridge is a classically trained opera singer with a degree in music from the University of Southern California, and she holds a master's degree in public administration from Indiana University. Woolridge's well-developed characters are a result of her love for diverse people, cultures, and experiences.
Woolridge currently lives in Northern California. When she isn't writing or singing, Woolridge can be found baking; training for her sixth race in the Seven Continents Marathon Challenge; or taking advantage of the region's signature beverage, wine.
Woolridge currently lives in Northern California. When she isn't writing or singing, Woolridge can be found baking; training for her sixth race in the Seven Continents Marathon Challenge; or taking advantage of the region's signature beverage, wine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
April 7, 2023
DNF
Anatomy of a Meet Cute is suppose to be a rom com. But Miss Wollridge focusing with too much aspect into her story that I got really confuse. The writing is also all over the place abd draging. So draging that I bored with it.
I give up. I really want to continues but I give up.
2 stars
Anatomy of a Meet Cute is suppose to be a rom com. But Miss Wollridge focusing with too much aspect into her story that I got really confuse. The writing is also all over the place abd draging. So draging that I bored with it.
I give up. I really want to continues but I give up.
2 stars
March 19, 2023
This was a really cute and charming slow burn romance
September 22, 2022
This is the first time I'm reading anything written by this author and it was a pretty good book. Sam & Grant's meet cute takes place on an airplane when they run into an emergency situation. Later they find out that they are going to be working at the same hospital. At first, Sam thinks that Grant feels like she's incompetent and that he's always right but what will happen when they are roped in to work on a project together? There were definitely some amusing moments in the book and I liked Sam's friends Duke and Jehan. While Grant was organised, clearheaded and thoughtful, Samantha was a mess. She struggled to juggle between her hectic job and maintaining a good relationship with her demanding mother. I liked her in the beginning but after that, she made some irrational decisions and messed up everything that was going on in her life, though she apologized and it made me like her a bit more. It was a very quick book and I finished it in a matter of a few hours. It was enjoyable but definitely forgettable tbh.
I received an ARc from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
I received an ARc from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
March 16, 2023
Thank you, Montlake, for the advance reading copy.
I expected so much from the blurb I guess. It felt like I was going to read about an intense enemies to lovers kind of romance. However, it turned out to be a rather cool and calm read.
I wanted much more from the writing, the interaction between the main characters and some chemistry to keep me interested.
It was a slow read for me which I feel is what I prefer from such books if it is going to be a slow burn romance.
The story feels familiar and I really wanted a lot more from the characters. It’s a me problem for expecting too much!
All’s well that ends well is what I would say for this read.
I expected so much from the blurb I guess. It felt like I was going to read about an intense enemies to lovers kind of romance. However, it turned out to be a rather cool and calm read.
I wanted much more from the writing, the interaction between the main characters and some chemistry to keep me interested.
It was a slow read for me which I feel is what I prefer from such books if it is going to be a slow burn romance.
The story feels familiar and I really wanted a lot more from the characters. It’s a me problem for expecting too much!
All’s well that ends well is what I would say for this read.
October 13, 2022
*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC*
3.9🌟
Before I start this review:
1. Chapter 18 🥵
2. “If she was going to burn a bridge, she was going to do it so thoroughly and completely that even the ashes would be unrecognizable.” slay girlboss
3. Yes, I cried multiple times on a plane while reading this
TLDR; if Grey’s Anatomy was a romcom
This was a super fun book that was simultaneously quite emotional and I had a great time reading it.
Before I started reading the book, I saw that a few of the existing reviews mentioned how they didn’t like the way Sam was so defensive and combative about everything but I kind of feel like that was the point of her character? There’s a reason she’s like that and reacts the way she does, especially when people offer advice or help. It’s clear from what we learn about her relationship with her mother and her family background that she always feels like she has something to prove and feels a need to achieve it independently. Of course I agree and admit that it can get repetitive at times, but I personally had no qualms with the way her character was written or developed - maybe because I wish I could clap back as much and as often as she does lol
There were some consistency issues with the male protagonist’s personality as well as the writing style sometimes, which would throw me for a mini loop a tad bit, but didn’t affect the overall reading experience too harshly.
I wish we got to see a bit more of Sam and Grant’s relationship towards the end of the book (maybe an epilogue??)… Nonetheless, I think it was wrapped up well and recommend this book to people interested in medical/BIPOC/introspective romcoms!
3.9🌟
Before I start this review:
1. Chapter 18 🥵
2. “If she was going to burn a bridge, she was going to do it so thoroughly and completely that even the ashes would be unrecognizable.” slay girlboss
3. Yes, I cried multiple times on a plane while reading this
TLDR; if Grey’s Anatomy was a romcom
This was a super fun book that was simultaneously quite emotional and I had a great time reading it.
Before I started reading the book, I saw that a few of the existing reviews mentioned how they didn’t like the way Sam was so defensive and combative about everything but I kind of feel like that was the point of her character? There’s a reason she’s like that and reacts the way she does, especially when people offer advice or help. It’s clear from what we learn about her relationship with her mother and her family background that she always feels like she has something to prove and feels a need to achieve it independently. Of course I agree and admit that it can get repetitive at times, but I personally had no qualms with the way her character was written or developed - maybe because I wish I could clap back as much and as often as she does lol
There were some consistency issues with the male protagonist’s personality as well as the writing style sometimes, which would throw me for a mini loop a tad bit, but didn’t affect the overall reading experience too harshly.
I wish we got to see a bit more of Sam and Grant’s relationship towards the end of the book (maybe an epilogue??)… Nonetheless, I think it was wrapped up well and recommend this book to people interested in medical/BIPOC/introspective romcoms!
March 12, 2023
#FirstLine - “If there is a doctor or a nurse on board, will you please ring the call button?”
This book is a delight, a sheer delight! You will be sucked into this hilarious, romantic and entertaining story. You will have all the feelings! It is a slowly building story that will keep you guessing. A must read!
This book is a delight, a sheer delight! You will be sucked into this hilarious, romantic and entertaining story. You will have all the feelings! It is a slowly building story that will keep you guessing. A must read!
September 26, 2022
I DNF’ed this at 47%.
Before i start this, i’ll just put it out there that i generally enjoy reading books with inclusivity of all kinds, and this is written by a POC herself. I’ve read many books that strive to include people of all races, religions and sexualities. Which is why-
I could not stand the main character, Sam. If insufferably overbearing was a person it would be her. She’s horrifically snarky to nearly everyone and is constantly on the defensive. Aside from her annoying personality, the author really tried to make this book very very inclusive. While it’s commendable and nice to see- it becomes very obvious early on that the author is REALLY trying to make it inclusive. People don’t generally go out of their way to specifically look for POCs or Trans people in their hunts to employ people. People that want to be inclusive are simply gravitated towards people of all backgrounds irrespective of race or sexuality. They don’t think, i’m going to employ someone specifically like that constantly- they JUST DO IT! The language used to make the FMC seem super inclusive got very heavy after a while, she couldn’t go through a single scene without mentioning it. Other than that- there was a middle eastern character that was oddly presented to have an overbearing family and was swamped with marriage issues lol (very stereotypical).
Other than that, the plot in itself wasn’t very inviting. The title suggests a rom-com sort of book, with the premise being a meet-cute but there isn’t a lot of romance, at least not any that’s good. The characters had no chemistry and the FMC’s only form of “communication” (under the guise of romance i think) was being snarky and rude. When her friends ask her why she hates the MMC, Grant- she literally says “he’s too handsome and smart”…? I can’t stand enemies-to-lovers that are situated around the characters being bullied. Grant, an East-Asian Doctor, was actually not all that bad. I could’ve tolerated reading more if the book wasn’t entirely about the main characters and her friends/roommates.
This book just wasn’t for me.
Before i start this, i’ll just put it out there that i generally enjoy reading books with inclusivity of all kinds, and this is written by a POC herself. I’ve read many books that strive to include people of all races, religions and sexualities. Which is why-
I could not stand the main character, Sam. If insufferably overbearing was a person it would be her. She’s horrifically snarky to nearly everyone and is constantly on the defensive. Aside from her annoying personality, the author really tried to make this book very very inclusive. While it’s commendable and nice to see- it becomes very obvious early on that the author is REALLY trying to make it inclusive. People don’t generally go out of their way to specifically look for POCs or Trans people in their hunts to employ people. People that want to be inclusive are simply gravitated towards people of all backgrounds irrespective of race or sexuality. They don’t think, i’m going to employ someone specifically like that constantly- they JUST DO IT! The language used to make the FMC seem super inclusive got very heavy after a while, she couldn’t go through a single scene without mentioning it. Other than that- there was a middle eastern character that was oddly presented to have an overbearing family and was swamped with marriage issues lol (very stereotypical).
Other than that, the plot in itself wasn’t very inviting. The title suggests a rom-com sort of book, with the premise being a meet-cute but there isn’t a lot of romance, at least not any that’s good. The characters had no chemistry and the FMC’s only form of “communication” (under the guise of romance i think) was being snarky and rude. When her friends ask her why she hates the MMC, Grant- she literally says “he’s too handsome and smart”…? I can’t stand enemies-to-lovers that are situated around the characters being bullied. Grant, an East-Asian Doctor, was actually not all that bad. I could’ve tolerated reading more if the book wasn’t entirely about the main characters and her friends/roommates.
This book just wasn’t for me.
October 31, 2022
I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was when I received the arc of this book. I have been passionately searching for a book just like this and I am so happy to say that I was not disappointed. If you love Grey’s Anatomy, you’re going to love this story.
Sam and Grant’s interactions left me giddy and had me wanting to kick my feet and squeal as if it was actually happening to me, that’s how you know it’s good writing.
Sam, Duke and Jehan have the cutest friendship and it really was the highlight of this story for me. I loved every moment between the three of them. There’s something so special about found family tropes, especially in a doctor/hospital setting. This was everything I was searching for and wanted.
”If you want to kiss me, this is your moment.”
I am not proud of the sound that left my body when I read this line but I couldn’t help myself.
The important lesson that this book explored is that it’s okay to be selfish. It’s okay to ask for help when you need. I think that’s really important and I’m really happy that it was something that was addressed and shown in the story. I loved being able to see Sam learn how to set those boundaries and stand up for herself.
I really enjoyed this story and I can happily say that I would definitely revisit it in the future.
Thank you to the Publisher, Montlake for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sam and Grant’s interactions left me giddy and had me wanting to kick my feet and squeal as if it was actually happening to me, that’s how you know it’s good writing.
Sam, Duke and Jehan have the cutest friendship and it really was the highlight of this story for me. I loved every moment between the three of them. There’s something so special about found family tropes, especially in a doctor/hospital setting. This was everything I was searching for and wanted.
”If you want to kiss me, this is your moment.”
I am not proud of the sound that left my body when I read this line but I couldn’t help myself.
The important lesson that this book explored is that it’s okay to be selfish. It’s okay to ask for help when you need. I think that’s really important and I’m really happy that it was something that was addressed and shown in the story. I loved being able to see Sam learn how to set those boundaries and stand up for herself.
I really enjoyed this story and I can happily say that I would definitely revisit it in the future.
Thank you to the Publisher, Montlake for providing me this arc!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 24, 2023
I think I am being quite generous in giving this a 2-star review. Honestly, I am proud that I even completed this book as I was really debating DNF-ing this. . . This book is marketed as a romance novel but romance takes a backseat in this book. I found the main character, Sam unrelatable and unlikable. Other characters were also not likable as I discovered their backstories unfleshed out. Transitions between chapters were often abrupt. I would avoid this book like I avoid TB working as a clinician.
March 9, 2023
3,5 stars
After reading some books about serious topics, I decided I need to pick up a cute little romance. I settled on this one because I still had the e-arc of it and the title was cute. Again I didn‘t know anything before reading, which to me is then best way to start a book.
The writing was fine, didn‘t like the third person perspective, would‘ve liked it more in the first person of Sam but at the end it didn‘t bother me to much. The story was the perfect inbetween read when you need something light and easy between books with heavier topics. I actually liked Sam as the main character a lot. The romance as cute, nothing special but a cute read anyway. It wasn‘t the best romance novel out there since I actually like a little more depth to the characters but like I said before it‘s a book that might not need it that much. I enjoyed reading it and am glad that I picked it up.
Description:
The last thing I ever expected was to insult a colleague before I even started a new job.
But here I am, already on thin ice after I mistook a fellow doctor for a patient on a bad drug trip. Oops.
No matter how handsome or infuriatingly aloof he is, Grant Gao isn’t going to spoil my fresh start. Instead, I’m going to keep myself (maybe too) busy with my roommates, work, and passion: starting a new program to improve pregnancy care in the community.
But getting the hospital bigwigs on board with my idea is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated, and I may be forced to swallow my pride and ask Grant for help.
But will working with Grant bring us closer, or will I be crushed under my ever-growing list of responsibilities?
After reading some books about serious topics, I decided I need to pick up a cute little romance. I settled on this one because I still had the e-arc of it and the title was cute. Again I didn‘t know anything before reading, which to me is then best way to start a book.
The writing was fine, didn‘t like the third person perspective, would‘ve liked it more in the first person of Sam but at the end it didn‘t bother me to much. The story was the perfect inbetween read when you need something light and easy between books with heavier topics. I actually liked Sam as the main character a lot. The romance as cute, nothing special but a cute read anyway. It wasn‘t the best romance novel out there since I actually like a little more depth to the characters but like I said before it‘s a book that might not need it that much. I enjoyed reading it and am glad that I picked it up.
Description:
The last thing I ever expected was to insult a colleague before I even started a new job.
But here I am, already on thin ice after I mistook a fellow doctor for a patient on a bad drug trip. Oops.
No matter how handsome or infuriatingly aloof he is, Grant Gao isn’t going to spoil my fresh start. Instead, I’m going to keep myself (maybe too) busy with my roommates, work, and passion: starting a new program to improve pregnancy care in the community.
But getting the hospital bigwigs on board with my idea is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated, and I may be forced to swallow my pride and ask Grant for help.
But will working with Grant bring us closer, or will I be crushed under my ever-growing list of responsibilities?
Want to read
September 23, 2022A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 9, 2023
Pretty adorable but also empowering
October 23, 2022
I picked this book because the cover was pretty and showed characters of color in the medical field. The title had all the makings of a romantic comedy. I thought it would be perfect for me. In realty, I found myself questioning if I should just give up on it.
I’ll start with my own bias. I work in medicine. I spend 5 or more days a week for the last ten years in teaching hospitals, working alongside physicians in every stage of their learning process. I needed this book to live a little more in medical reality. The main character was a fellow and stated she was on ob/gyn early on - except later her only reference was medical school. A fellow would have already completed residency, so the main characters “awwww shucks this is what a hospital is really like” mentality made no sense for someone who should have already worked in a hospital as a physician for three years. I was willing to suspend reality for a great rom com, but the characters did not have a lot of noticeable chemistry and there was very little comedy. The last few chapters of the book were my favorite and if the rest of the book had more of that vibe, I would have liked it so much more.
Sam is starting her fellowship at the underfund SF Central. Relocating from Ohio to San Fransisco and managing a toxic relationship with her mother has her on edge when she has a “meet cute” with a pretentious physician on a flight. No surprises here, but he turns out to be one of her new co-workers. As she takes on an overly ambitious schedule, while trying to help her roommates, and navigate a possible romantic relationship she learns how her own trauma has shaped (and in some cases potentially sabotaged) her relationships with those who care for her the most.
***I was provided this e-ARC for free from Montlake via NetGalley for my honest review***
I’ll start with my own bias. I work in medicine. I spend 5 or more days a week for the last ten years in teaching hospitals, working alongside physicians in every stage of their learning process. I needed this book to live a little more in medical reality. The main character was a fellow and stated she was on ob/gyn early on - except later her only reference was medical school. A fellow would have already completed residency, so the main characters “awwww shucks this is what a hospital is really like” mentality made no sense for someone who should have already worked in a hospital as a physician for three years. I was willing to suspend reality for a great rom com, but the characters did not have a lot of noticeable chemistry and there was very little comedy. The last few chapters of the book were my favorite and if the rest of the book had more of that vibe, I would have liked it so much more.
Sam is starting her fellowship at the underfund SF Central. Relocating from Ohio to San Fransisco and managing a toxic relationship with her mother has her on edge when she has a “meet cute” with a pretentious physician on a flight. No surprises here, but he turns out to be one of her new co-workers. As she takes on an overly ambitious schedule, while trying to help her roommates, and navigate a possible romantic relationship she learns how her own trauma has shaped (and in some cases potentially sabotaged) her relationships with those who care for her the most.
***I was provided this e-ARC for free from Montlake via NetGalley for my honest review***
Read
March 27, 2023The main protagonist is an MD community health research fellow at an under resourced public hospital in SF. She has a Master in Public Policy and is trying to building a doula program for the pregnant population her hospital serves. The advocacy for doulas to be recognized and legitimized by a large medical institution? Perfect. The gender neutral language used when talking about pregnant people/populations? Gorgeous. The homage to Love and Basketball? Spectacular. Is this a romance book? Sure! But more importantly, is this (hopefully) a future life/career plan for a Jing Murray? God let's hope so.
Essentially what I'm realizing is that I just want to be Dr. Sam Holbrook but not do any of the work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Essentially what I'm realizing is that I just want to be Dr. Sam Holbrook but not do any of the work ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
January 16, 2023
I wanted to really like this book,
Sounded like Greys' anatomy meets a rom com.
It was more Grays Anatomy meets Love and Basketball meets A Hallmark movie.
Or rather, more...our main character has this research project and here is her side romance.
I didn't mind the main character being prickly like some of the reviewers did.
I just wanted more from the book and romance as a whole , and didn't get it.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Sounded like Greys' anatomy meets a rom com.
It was more Grays Anatomy meets Love and Basketball meets A Hallmark movie.
Or rather, more...our main character has this research project and here is her side romance.
I didn't mind the main character being prickly like some of the reviewers did.
I just wanted more from the book and romance as a whole , and didn't get it.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2023
When she responds to an on-call request for medical expertise while travelling to her new home, Sam could be forgiven for being a little nervous. After all, her expertise is in community medicine so responding to an on-board emergency is a little out of her comfort zone. Her embarrassment at mistaking another doctor for her intended patient could be overlooked…only when she turns up to her new role and discovers her senior advisor is that doctor it’s a bit harder to ignore.
Watching Sam settle into her new role we’re shown a driven young woman, someone who wants to make a difference. Sam sees the need for some community support and is determined to find a way to get it. However, it involves having to swallow her pride and ask Dr Grant Gao (the thorn in her side) to support her.
From the outset we see where this is headed. We get to learn a little more about Sam and her approach to life. There’s some entertaining side-stories focusing on her family and friends, but the primary focus is on the developing relationship between Sam and Grant.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
Watching Sam settle into her new role we’re shown a driven young woman, someone who wants to make a difference. Sam sees the need for some community support and is determined to find a way to get it. However, it involves having to swallow her pride and ask Dr Grant Gao (the thorn in her side) to support her.
From the outset we see where this is headed. We get to learn a little more about Sam and her approach to life. There’s some entertaining side-stories focusing on her family and friends, but the primary focus is on the developing relationship between Sam and Grant.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
July 25, 2023
3.5 rounded up ⭐️ I enjoyed this book once the romance began and I enjoyed seeing Sam and grant's relationship develop. butttttt I really didn't enjoy the main plot of the book; reading sam think abt her potential business was kinda boring and I wasnt all that invested (it's kinda obvious that everything works out in the end) also this book isn't a romcom like at all. the romance felt very background. and finally, Sam is the most annoying character. she always thinks everyone is coming after her and everyone is attacking her. like no. they're not. please calm down. but otherwise, the romance was cute and this book was solid :)
December 2, 2023
This was a nice story but it tries to do so many things at once which makes it kind of all over the place.
I really adore the friendship between the main character and her two roommates.
I really adore the friendship between the main character and her two roommates.
April 21, 2023
Tus was a super cute read. I really liked it- I was a bit disappointed that after a really strung out slow burn, it was fade to black, but the characters are great and their development was enough to keep me interested. A good rom com read
March 1, 2023
I read the description and I couldn't wait to read this book! It has so many things that I love right in one story! I really enjoyed the story of how Sam wanted to start a family center at her hospital and include doulas. This part of the story hit so close to home and seeing how the doctors talked about midwivery and doulas was really close to how I have heard doctors talk about them and I think these people are needed so incredibly much. I loved that Sam wanted more for her community and her mothers.
The issue I had with this book was that I could see that Sam took on entirely too much and I was just waiting for the shoe to drop the whole book. I knew that it would come crashing down on her. She was a new doctor, planning parties, taking on starting a new program; it was just too much for her and I couldn't see how she was going to survive.
Grant did his best to help her and was nothing short of a miracle in man form. Since the book was written only with Sam's POV, we don't get to see as much of Grant as I would have liked. There were so many times I wondered why she had the issues with him she did, but I'm glad we did get to see how much he cared about Sam and how she finally accepted he was one of the good ones.
I loved how much Sam grew and learned that she needed to ask for help and set boundaries for her own mental health. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Montlake, Netgalley and Addie Woolridge for an early copy!
The issue I had with this book was that I could see that Sam took on entirely too much and I was just waiting for the shoe to drop the whole book. I knew that it would come crashing down on her. She was a new doctor, planning parties, taking on starting a new program; it was just too much for her and I couldn't see how she was going to survive.
Grant did his best to help her and was nothing short of a miracle in man form. Since the book was written only with Sam's POV, we don't get to see as much of Grant as I would have liked. There were so many times I wondered why she had the issues with him she did, but I'm glad we did get to see how much he cared about Sam and how she finally accepted he was one of the good ones.
I loved how much Sam grew and learned that she needed to ask for help and set boundaries for her own mental health. 3.5 stars!
Thank you to Montlake, Netgalley and Addie Woolridge for an early copy!
June 23, 2023
1.5 stars
There was nothing remarkable about this book. I finished it to just finish it
There was nothing remarkable about this book. I finished it to just finish it
February 15, 2023
2.5 🌟 rounded up. Let me start off by saying the premise was great, but the execution was not. This was more of a story about helping expectant and new families get the help they needed rather than a romance.
Sam was truly a doormat for everyone in her life to walk over - and it took her way too long to figure it out. The only sensible people in this book were the two male characters, which bothered me in a lot of ways too. While I do think it gave an example of how to set healthy boundaries and not overcommit yourself, I don’t think it was done in a healthy way. Until 80% Sam’s life was a cakewalk and she was superwoman completing a million tasks that no normal person would be able to do with only 24 hours in a day. And in one day that all comes crashing down and she reevaluates her choices. It just seemed rushed but also I ended up skimming? Not sure what to make of that.
The romance was a side-plot at best and was not developed well at all. And the scene with Sam and Grant at his house? Cringey. This one was definitely not for me, but would be a good easy read for anyone who likes perfectly wrapped in a bow endings for a romcomy-ish story!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest review!
Pub Date - Mar 7
Sam was truly a doormat for everyone in her life to walk over - and it took her way too long to figure it out. The only sensible people in this book were the two male characters, which bothered me in a lot of ways too. While I do think it gave an example of how to set healthy boundaries and not overcommit yourself, I don’t think it was done in a healthy way. Until 80% Sam’s life was a cakewalk and she was superwoman completing a million tasks that no normal person would be able to do with only 24 hours in a day. And in one day that all comes crashing down and she reevaluates her choices. It just seemed rushed but also I ended up skimming? Not sure what to make of that.
The romance was a side-plot at best and was not developed well at all. And the scene with Sam and Grant at his house? Cringey. This one was definitely not for me, but would be a good easy read for anyone who likes perfectly wrapped in a bow endings for a romcomy-ish story!
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my honest review!
Pub Date - Mar 7
October 1, 2022
I went in totally blind since there was no synopsis on NetGalley but the cover and the name were so cute I HAD to try to request it.
It was a quick read and I can’t say I didn’t like it, It was good I just expected more romance since the title pointed at more of a rom-com kinda book, but it isn’t. I was more invested in Sam’s big project (and I know nothing about hospitals and obstetrical stuff) than in their relationship and I really wanted to be invested in the relationship 😭 They’re okay, but I feel like we weren’t able to know Grant as much as we knew the secondary characters, and that’s probably why I couldn’t care THAT much about their relationship. Also probably because I hated that according to Sam Grant’s problem is that he’s smart and handsome. Like… girl sorry what? Why is that a big deal 😭😭
The supporting characters are really well written tho, from Duke to Jehan to Kaiya… I think they were the highlight of the whole book.
But a 100% positive note is that this book really helps understand that it’s okay to ask for help or to accept it when people offer it and that sometimes setting boundaries in life (with your family, friends or whatever) is something necessary.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me this eARC in exchange of an honest review.
It was a quick read and I can’t say I didn’t like it, It was good I just expected more romance since the title pointed at more of a rom-com kinda book, but it isn’t. I was more invested in Sam’s big project (and I know nothing about hospitals and obstetrical stuff) than in their relationship and I really wanted to be invested in the relationship 😭 They’re okay, but I feel like we weren’t able to know Grant as much as we knew the secondary characters, and that’s probably why I couldn’t care THAT much about their relationship. Also probably because I hated that according to Sam Grant’s problem is that he’s smart and handsome. Like… girl sorry what? Why is that a big deal 😭😭
The supporting characters are really well written tho, from Duke to Jehan to Kaiya… I think they were the highlight of the whole book.
But a 100% positive note is that this book really helps understand that it’s okay to ask for help or to accept it when people offer it and that sometimes setting boundaries in life (with your family, friends or whatever) is something necessary.
Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing me this eARC in exchange of an honest review.
April 18, 2023
So I won this book from a GoodReads giveaway-- yay finally won one! So I was excited to read this.
I didn't love this as much as I thought I would, it was kind of boring and I didn't really care about the characters too much. I almost DNF'd this one.
Third person, single (FMC) POV, behind closed doors/no spice.
I didn't love this as much as I thought I would, it was kind of boring and I didn't really care about the characters too much. I almost DNF'd this one.
Third person, single (FMC) POV, behind closed doors/no spice.
March 6, 2023
Samantha Holbrook is a young doctor, starting a research fellowship at a hospital in San Franciso. Flying back to SF from her family home in Ohio, she responds to a call for a doctor to respond to an onboard emergency. Her specialty is obstetrics, not emergency medicine, but no one else is responding, so she does.
Turns out there's another doctor on board, who had headphones on and didn't hear the call. He also matches the totally inadequate description the flight attendant gave her, and it takes a few moments to figure out the patient is another guy just a couple of seats away.
The other doctor, Grant Gao, is a little older, and definitely more experienced, and their joint effort to respond becomes very embarrassing for Sam, even though she's ultimately the one who works out exactly which "magic mushroom" the patient is high on.
Later, much to her distress, she discovers that he's the senior research fellow at the hospital she'll be doing her research fellowship. Not her boss, but embarrassingly close to it.
Sam is sharing an apartment with friends Duke Washington and Jehan, whose last name I can't find. Okay, no one cares as much as me, I get that. Just remember, if you are someone who cares as much as me what the characters' last names are, hers is omitted here only because I can't find it in the book.
So these three are sharing an apartment, all doing a research fellowship at the same hospital, and they're good friends.
Sam finds the idea for her research project when she has an obstetrics patient who had skipped her last two appointments, who was told to keep this one by a doula she just happens to know casually. The doula, Kaiya Owens, got concerned about her condition, and told her she really needed to keep her next appointment. She does, and it's good thing.
That's the germ of Sam's proposal--recruit experienced doulas, who are culturally connected to the very people most intimidated by the medical establishment, and have them provide more frequent contact with maternity patients, pregnancy and birthing classes, and the advice and support, such as lactation assitance, that nurses can provide--except that they're alreadybadly over scheduled. Start a real birthing center at the hospital, and track outcomes and patient response to determine if this should be a permanent program.
This is a major undertaking for a young research fellow, and Grant Gao, and Sam's friends, and the hospital director, Dr. Franklin, are all concerned she's taking on too much. Franklin agrees to let her give it a try, if she can get the funding.
It's here that we start to see what good friends Duke and Jehan are. They pitch in on helping her write her grant proposal, identify funding sources, and submit it to potential fuding sources. Sam gets the funding, and agrees, no, volunteers, to help Jehan plan for her engagement party by sending out the save-the-date announcements and the invitations.
Unfortunately, her mother chooses this time to ask her for "just a little favor." Do all the work of planning and organizing a reunion for her father's old Navy friends in San Franciso. Sam's brother will be doing the same in Los Angeles, where he lives now.
And no attempt on Sam's part to explain how busy she is, how demanding her schedule, the importance of what she's doing, produces anything but passive-aggressive guilt tripping and threats of going no contact. She shouldn't cave, but she does.
Oh, she also has to plan the launch day party for the birthing center, including being in a video to promote the program to the funder's fellow venture capitalists and NGOs. It's on the same date as the date her mother insisted on for the reunion party.
Yes, she should have said no to her mother. But, sorry, folks, I've been there, with a mother for whom nothing I did was good enough, and there was always another hoop to jump through to not-quite-manage to prove I was a good-enough daughter. It does terrible things to you, and it took therapy to stop giving in every single time.
So I really felt for Sam, her inablity to say no, and her completely unexamined belief that any help from anyone needed to be reciprocated immediately because nothing is ever "no strings attached."
Which bring us to Grant Gao. Who is handsome, smart, organized--and a lot kinder and more giving than is immediately obvious. Sam's very attracted to him, and absolutely convinced he can't really be attracted to her. Despite that, he manages to figure her out a little bit, and provide help in ways that really matter.
But he also has a tendency to make her play guessing games about his intentions, which is just about the worst thing he can do with Sam.
There's a lot going on here, and the characters, including the secondary characters, are interesting and well-developed. There's also a good look here at how hard it is to get the necessary services going in exactly the communities that need them the most.
I've seen complaints that this isn't really a rom-com, or isn't a good rom-com. I loved it. It's a rom-com with someone like me, and a family I recognize, in it.
I really enjoyed it.
I received a free eloctronic ARC from Montlake, via NetGalley.
Turns out there's another doctor on board, who had headphones on and didn't hear the call. He also matches the totally inadequate description the flight attendant gave her, and it takes a few moments to figure out the patient is another guy just a couple of seats away.
The other doctor, Grant Gao, is a little older, and definitely more experienced, and their joint effort to respond becomes very embarrassing for Sam, even though she's ultimately the one who works out exactly which "magic mushroom" the patient is high on.
Later, much to her distress, she discovers that he's the senior research fellow at the hospital she'll be doing her research fellowship. Not her boss, but embarrassingly close to it.
Sam is sharing an apartment with friends Duke Washington and Jehan, whose last name I can't find. Okay, no one cares as much as me, I get that. Just remember, if you are someone who cares as much as me what the characters' last names are, hers is omitted here only because I can't find it in the book.
So these three are sharing an apartment, all doing a research fellowship at the same hospital, and they're good friends.
Sam finds the idea for her research project when she has an obstetrics patient who had skipped her last two appointments, who was told to keep this one by a doula she just happens to know casually. The doula, Kaiya Owens, got concerned about her condition, and told her she really needed to keep her next appointment. She does, and it's good thing.
That's the germ of Sam's proposal--recruit experienced doulas, who are culturally connected to the very people most intimidated by the medical establishment, and have them provide more frequent contact with maternity patients, pregnancy and birthing classes, and the advice and support, such as lactation assitance, that nurses can provide--except that they're alreadybadly over scheduled. Start a real birthing center at the hospital, and track outcomes and patient response to determine if this should be a permanent program.
This is a major undertaking for a young research fellow, and Grant Gao, and Sam's friends, and the hospital director, Dr. Franklin, are all concerned she's taking on too much. Franklin agrees to let her give it a try, if she can get the funding.
It's here that we start to see what good friends Duke and Jehan are. They pitch in on helping her write her grant proposal, identify funding sources, and submit it to potential fuding sources. Sam gets the funding, and agrees, no, volunteers, to help Jehan plan for her engagement party by sending out the save-the-date announcements and the invitations.
Unfortunately, her mother chooses this time to ask her for "just a little favor." Do all the work of planning and organizing a reunion for her father's old Navy friends in San Franciso. Sam's brother will be doing the same in Los Angeles, where he lives now.
And no attempt on Sam's part to explain how busy she is, how demanding her schedule, the importance of what she's doing, produces anything but passive-aggressive guilt tripping and threats of going no contact. She shouldn't cave, but she does.
Oh, she also has to plan the launch day party for the birthing center, including being in a video to promote the program to the funder's fellow venture capitalists and NGOs. It's on the same date as the date her mother insisted on for the reunion party.
Yes, she should have said no to her mother. But, sorry, folks, I've been there, with a mother for whom nothing I did was good enough, and there was always another hoop to jump through to not-quite-manage to prove I was a good-enough daughter. It does terrible things to you, and it took therapy to stop giving in every single time.
So I really felt for Sam, her inablity to say no, and her completely unexamined belief that any help from anyone needed to be reciprocated immediately because nothing is ever "no strings attached."
Which bring us to Grant Gao. Who is handsome, smart, organized--and a lot kinder and more giving than is immediately obvious. Sam's very attracted to him, and absolutely convinced he can't really be attracted to her. Despite that, he manages to figure her out a little bit, and provide help in ways that really matter.
But he also has a tendency to make her play guessing games about his intentions, which is just about the worst thing he can do with Sam.
There's a lot going on here, and the characters, including the secondary characters, are interesting and well-developed. There's also a good look here at how hard it is to get the necessary services going in exactly the communities that need them the most.
I've seen complaints that this isn't really a rom-com, or isn't a good rom-com. I loved it. It's a rom-com with someone like me, and a family I recognize, in it.
I really enjoyed it.
I received a free eloctronic ARC from Montlake, via NetGalley.
March 9, 2023
I LOVE this book. I’ve read everything by this author and this might be my favorite?? Adorable meet cute, excellent banter, and SUBSTANCE. You’ll actually learn about the maternal health issues Black women face, while falling in love with this couple. A fabulous book 🧡
March 14, 2023
A slice of a life mixed with the flutters of a light romance, Sam’s story had just the right amount of spunk, drive, and real life perception. She was defensive and combative, and fuelled by passion and a desire to please. I admired her passion in action and the need she saw, and sought to fill, for her community, and I commend Woolridge on crafting a leading character that is so real in her personality and her flaws that sometimes you don’t know whether to pull your hair out or give her an encouraging pep talk!
Made up of all the right parts, I believe, with a bit more time and space taken to string it all together, this story could have been a strong contender with the heart to boot that would have readers readily demanding a second dose. I enjoyed the will-they-won’t-they dynamics at play with Sam and Grant as unresolved tensions and all the banter stemmed from that perfect not-so-meet-cute you’d expect from a medical drama. I loved the quiet ways in which Grant expressed love, and the slow burn building between them was a tasteful tease, culminating in that key fade to black that’ll have romancers demanding more. But, this said, I felt that it didn’t quite hit the mark on the Romance portion of its delivery.
While marketed as more of a rom-com, I personally felt this read was suited better to a medical drama with just a pinch of romance. The plot was largely geared towards Sam’s growth as she navigated her overbearing mother and their strained relations, a friends imminent wedding, and the needs of a community calling for change. Sam’s inability to say ‘no’, made for a conflict laden, at times exhausting, environment and the perfect setting for Sam to learn the importance of establishing boundaries, and respecting those in place. While these elements were important, and I enjoyed observing Sam’s tumultuous journey, I missed getting to watch she and Grant fall in, and explore, that promised love together. The romance just needed a bit more space to be throughly examined and unpacked, but otherwise, it was a good read that delivered on the promise of bad timing, good friends, and fresh starts!
Great for fans of Grey’s Anatomy, Anatomy of a Meet Cute is available now from major book retailers.
🤍 medical drama
🤍 closed door Romance
🤍 diverse cast
🤍 found family
🤍 Grey’s Anatomy vibes
I received an advanced copy thanks to Netgalley and Montlake, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. 3.5 stars.
Made up of all the right parts, I believe, with a bit more time and space taken to string it all together, this story could have been a strong contender with the heart to boot that would have readers readily demanding a second dose. I enjoyed the will-they-won’t-they dynamics at play with Sam and Grant as unresolved tensions and all the banter stemmed from that perfect not-so-meet-cute you’d expect from a medical drama. I loved the quiet ways in which Grant expressed love, and the slow burn building between them was a tasteful tease, culminating in that key fade to black that’ll have romancers demanding more. But, this said, I felt that it didn’t quite hit the mark on the Romance portion of its delivery.
While marketed as more of a rom-com, I personally felt this read was suited better to a medical drama with just a pinch of romance. The plot was largely geared towards Sam’s growth as she navigated her overbearing mother and their strained relations, a friends imminent wedding, and the needs of a community calling for change. Sam’s inability to say ‘no’, made for a conflict laden, at times exhausting, environment and the perfect setting for Sam to learn the importance of establishing boundaries, and respecting those in place. While these elements were important, and I enjoyed observing Sam’s tumultuous journey, I missed getting to watch she and Grant fall in, and explore, that promised love together. The romance just needed a bit more space to be throughly examined and unpacked, but otherwise, it was a good read that delivered on the promise of bad timing, good friends, and fresh starts!
Great for fans of Grey’s Anatomy, Anatomy of a Meet Cute is available now from major book retailers.
🤍 medical drama
🤍 closed door Romance
🤍 diverse cast
🤍 found family
🤍 Grey’s Anatomy vibes
I received an advanced copy thanks to Netgalley and Montlake, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review. 3.5 stars.
March 6, 2023
You read a book to enjoy and relax and this book gave me what I needed for the past weeks. Literally, a page turner for me. This book got my emotions in a roller coaster ride, funny roommates and a perfect romance. Everytime there is an interaction between Sam & Grant I can't stop myself from smiling. An emergency on a plane is how it all started.(definitely a meet cute 😆) Sam wanted a fresh start and landed on a new job but Grant turned out to be her senior at her new job. (Oh dear) Sam being new on the job also wants to take on a community project and she needs an advisor, will Grant help her with everything that she needs? will Sam be able to handle all the work and family pressures that comes along her way? You will look forward as to how will Grant affect Sam's life when she gets to know more about Grant. I really love Grant, such a soft and thoughtful man. 🥹 definitely a must read for rom-com lovers.
September 28, 2022
Anatomy of a Meet Cute
⭐️⭐️💫
📚 Romance
🎶 Bad Case of Loving You - Robert Palmer
🌟Publication Date: March 7, 2023
One sentence synopsis:
A first year medical research fellow takes on more than she can handle in this romance novel.
My review:
This book is like a Hallmark Channel romance movie. So if that’s your jam, I’d recommend this. Unfortunately, I rarely if ever will choose to watch a Hallmark movie over anything else. That’s not to say this was bad, just not my cup of tea. I need a little bit more grit or depth or something.
Didn’t really feel like you got a good sense of the main female character until maybe 60-70% of the way in. And the male character could have been any ole Joe for all we know about him.
I did like how this centered around two doctors and gave us a really in-depth explanation of healthcare access, cost issues, and pregnancy related issues for lower/middle class people.
⭐️⭐️💫
📚 Romance
🎶 Bad Case of Loving You - Robert Palmer
🌟Publication Date: March 7, 2023
One sentence synopsis:
A first year medical research fellow takes on more than she can handle in this romance novel.
My review:
This book is like a Hallmark Channel romance movie. So if that’s your jam, I’d recommend this. Unfortunately, I rarely if ever will choose to watch a Hallmark movie over anything else. That’s not to say this was bad, just not my cup of tea. I need a little bit more grit or depth or something.
Didn’t really feel like you got a good sense of the main female character until maybe 60-70% of the way in. And the male character could have been any ole Joe for all we know about him.
I did like how this centered around two doctors and gave us a really in-depth explanation of healthcare access, cost issues, and pregnancy related issues for lower/middle class people.
July 12, 2023
I had some mixed feelings about this one. I loved the meet cute (two doctors treating the same patient on a plane). I also loved the program Sam developed and her dynamics with her friends. I also found the story about a heroine who wants to over commit to people please very relatable. What I wasn't a huge fan of was that this was a book about someone in her late twenties (I don't think the book said her exact age but given she was a fellow at a hospital I guessed). How did the over committing and issues with her mom not cause problems in college, med school or residency? I would have liked this more if the characters were in their early twenties but that wouldn't have worked for the setting. I ended up feeling bad for Grant and feeling like Sam took advantage of his feeling for her. That being said I think it is a fun and relatable romance. Great for fans of Grey's Anatomy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews