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Doc Showmance
From USA Today bestselling author Zoe Forward comes a new enemies-to-lovers veterinary RomCom.
I would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we haven’t done since we graduated veterinary school.
He’s famous. As in, he’s the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends.
I’m infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm.
Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
I would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we haven’t done since we graduated veterinary school.
He’s famous. As in, he’s the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends.
I’m infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm.
Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
361 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2023
15 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Forward
36 books1,129 followersUSA Today bestselling author, parent, wife, veterinarian, chocolate lover. Author of spicy paranormal and contemporary romances. Zoe Forward brings readers the perfect combination of action adventure, romance, humor and a bit of magic.
Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers' Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers' Best Award.
You can find her residing in the South with a menagerie of four-legged beasts and two wild kids.
[Note: Many apologies, but I'm terrible at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Instagram or FB)
See the latest on Zoe's website: http://www.zoeforward.com
Don't miss the newsletter: http://www.zoeforward.com/contact/
Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers' Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers' Best Award.
You can find her residing in the South with a menagerie of four-legged beasts and two wild kids.
[Note: Many apologies, but I'm terrible at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Instagram or FB)
See the latest on Zoe's website: http://www.zoeforward.com
Don't miss the newsletter: http://www.zoeforward.com/contact/
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April 12, 2023
edit february 2023: 🔴I might be reading too much into it, but I was listening to From Lukov with Love and came across this dialogue⬇️ and thought it sounded familiar, so I went back to my old reviews and...it might be a coincidence but don't they sound suspiciously similar? 👀🔴
FROM LUKOV WITH LOVE
DOC SHOWMANCE
NOW, BOTH, SIDE BY SIDE
Draw your conclusions, your honor.
______________________________________
🐶𝗗𝗢𝗖 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 - 𝗕𝗬 𝗭𝗢𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗🐶
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐½
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔 🅽🅰/🅰️
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙲𝙾𝙼 - 𝙷𝚄𝙼𝙾𝚁 - 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙺𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
★𝗣𝗢𝗩 𝙳𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴-𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙸𝙽𝚈 - 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴 𝙶𝚁𝚄𝙼𝙿𝚈/𝚂𝚄𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙴 - 𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙴𝚂𝙴𝚂 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙵𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 - 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙳-𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚂 - 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙵𝚄𝙽𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙼𝙰𝙻𝚂 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴 - 𝙼𝙸𝚂𝚄𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥👥/5 (𝟸 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙸𝙰𝙽, 𝟷 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙰𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁)
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜/5
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦:💀/5 (𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝙷𝚄𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 - 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙸𝚃 𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙺 𝙾𝙵 𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙼𝙰𝙻 𝙻𝙾𝚂𝚂/𝙱𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙳/𝚆𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴/𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙰𝚂𝙴𝚂/𝚆𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳𝚂)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🔥 🔥/5
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 & 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🚒🚒/5
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐/5 (𝙼𝙴𝙳𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙼𝚂 - 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴 𝚅𝙰𝙶𝚄𝙴 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙴𝚇)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🌹🌹/5
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗥𝗘𝗣: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚅𝙰𝙽𝚃
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/5
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
Two things I understood from this book are:
-I should definitely wait until I've reached a quarter of the book before parading around how good I find it;
-Amber Hardin is short.
Because she is. Very. And people don't waste any occasion to remind the reader of this.
Basically Amber Hardin is short is this book's Adam Carlsen is big. If you know you know.
Doc Showmance could have been a wonderful story and a funny rom-com, and mind it, it almost was.
I read a couple chapters of this ARC and thought "okay, I can see this going somewhere" and I was so pumped I couldn't stop reading and smiling, because Amber seemed like a cool lady who cares for her family, loves animals more than people and has a potty mouth, and nothing screams relatable more than this. But then, MMC made an apparition and everything that made her interesting and quirky, was used against her, and she turned into a rude monster who changed her mind about things every other second and was sulky like a little baby who didn't get the treat they wanted at the candy shop every time someone didn't agree with doing things her way.
Ian was only slightly better because there was not much to him to start.
One thing I must say in Amber's defense, though. She's a good doctor and would do anything for animals and has a great heart when it comes to her foster siblings.
Unfortunately, this is a rom-com, and while animals and families are mentioned and appreciated, romance should be the main character, and in this one, it's a very weak one.
The switch between enemies to lovers is so quick you don't feel it coming, and it loses 70% of its magic because you miss the best part of the internal struggle ETL romances come with.
Again, I feel like this was mainly Amber's fault, as she was the one whose messy emotions were a rollercoaster I would never want to ride on.
[image error]
The writing was okay, but I found the dialogues a little forced; kinda interesting the reality show subplot, but I didn't care much about it, in the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
FROM LUKOV WITH LOVE
“What? You don’t think you could hurt me?”
“You need a heart for it to hurt.”
“Ouch, Jasmine. Really. I have a heart.”
“It doesn’t count if it’s made out of sticks and stones and painted red.”
“I made it out of clay, Meatball. Give me some credit.”
VS
DOC SHOWMANCE
"You don't think you can hurt me?"
"You'd need a heart for it to hurt."
"That hurts, Amber. Seriously. I have a heart."
"It doesn't count if it's made of stone."
"It's made out of Play-doh. Give me more credit than that."
NOW, BOTH, SIDE BY SIDE
“What? You don’t think you could hurt me?”
"You don't think you can hurt me?"
“You need a heart for it to hurt.”
"You'd need a heart for it to hurt."
“Ouch, Jasmine. Really. I have a heart.”
"That hurts, Amber. Seriously. I have a heart."
“It doesn’t count if it’s made out of sticks and stones and painted red.”
"It doesn't count if it's made of stone."
“I made it out of clay, Meatball. Give me some credit.”
"It's made out of Play-doh. Give me more credit than that."
Draw your conclusions, your honor.
______________________________________
"You don't think you can hurt me?"
"You'd need a heart for it to hurt."
"That hurts, Amber. Seriously. I have a heart."
"It doesn't count if it's made of stone."
"It's made out of Play-doh. Give me more credit than that."
🐶𝗗𝗢𝗖 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 - 𝗕𝗬 𝗭𝗢𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗🐶
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐½
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔 🅽🅰/🅰️
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙲𝙾𝙼 - 𝙷𝚄𝙼𝙾𝚁 - 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙺𝙿𝙻𝙰𝙲𝙴 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
★𝗣𝗢𝗩 𝙳𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴-𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙸𝙽𝚈 - 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴 𝙶𝚁𝚄𝙼𝙿𝚈/𝚂𝚄𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙴 - 𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙴𝚂𝙴𝚂 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙲𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙵𝙰𝙺𝙴 𝙰 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 - 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙳-𝙲𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴𝚂 - 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙵𝚄𝙽𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙼𝙰𝙻𝚂 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙴 - 𝙼𝙸𝚂𝚄𝙽𝙳𝙴𝚁𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶𝚂
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥👥/5 (𝟸 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙸𝙰𝙽, 𝟷 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙰𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁)
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜/5
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦:💀/5 (𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝙷𝚄𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙸𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 - 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙸𝚃 𝚃𝙰𝙻𝙺 𝙾𝙵 𝙰𝙽𝙸𝙼𝙰𝙻 𝙻𝙾𝚂𝚂/𝙱𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙳/𝚆𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴/𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙰𝚂𝙴𝚂/𝚆𝙾𝚄𝙽𝙳𝚂)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🔥 🔥/5
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 & 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🚒🚒/5
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐/5 (𝙼𝙴𝙳𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙼𝚂 - 𝚂𝙾𝙼𝙴 𝚅𝙰𝙶𝚄𝙴 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚂𝙴𝚇)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🌹🌹/5
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗥𝗘𝗣: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚅𝙰𝙽𝚃
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/5
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
Two things I understood from this book are:
-I should definitely wait until I've reached a quarter of the book before parading around how good I find it;
-Amber Hardin is short.
Because she is. Very. And people don't waste any occasion to remind the reader of this.
Basically Amber Hardin is short is this book's Adam Carlsen is big. If you know you know.
Doc Showmance could have been a wonderful story and a funny rom-com, and mind it, it almost was.
I read a couple chapters of this ARC and thought "okay, I can see this going somewhere" and I was so pumped I couldn't stop reading and smiling, because Amber seemed like a cool lady who cares for her family, loves animals more than people and has a potty mouth, and nothing screams relatable more than this. But then, MMC made an apparition and everything that made her interesting and quirky, was used against her, and she turned into a rude monster who changed her mind about things every other second and was sulky like a little baby who didn't get the treat they wanted at the candy shop every time someone didn't agree with doing things her way.
Ian was only slightly better because there was not much to him to start.
One thing I must say in Amber's defense, though. She's a good doctor and would do anything for animals and has a great heart when it comes to her foster siblings.
Unfortunately, this is a rom-com, and while animals and families are mentioned and appreciated, romance should be the main character, and in this one, it's a very weak one.
The switch between enemies to lovers is so quick you don't feel it coming, and it loses 70% of its magic because you miss the best part of the internal struggle ETL romances come with.
Again, I feel like this was mainly Amber's fault, as she was the one whose messy emotions were a rollercoaster I would never want to ride on.
[image error]
The writing was okay, but I found the dialogues a little forced; kinda interesting the reality show subplot, but I didn't care much about it, in the end.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 18, 2022
A reality tv vet show that forces two college enemies into a fake romance? And she’s the grump and he’s the sunshine? SIGN ME UP ✨
I requested this book on a whim because the blurb intrigued me (and because the cover had a dog on it) and boy am I glad that I did! I loved this book and the heroine to pieces. Amber is a no nonsense ER vet and a fan favourite on a reality tv show despite not loving the spotlight. She’s fiercely protective of her clients and her family and she goes above and beyond to take care of her siblings. Enter Dr. Ian Todd, Amber’s enemy from vet school, who’s successful wildlife vet show is in jeopardy. Ian’s agent’s scheming leads to him joining Amber’s show and much to her dismay, the pair are forced to fake date on-screen to boost ratings.
Ian is everything that I love in a hero. He’s charming, protective, and he’s been pining for the heroine since vet school… yes it’s BOY FALLS FIRST. Ian and Amber were the perfect opposites attract couple and the forced proximity and pent up pining since college made the slow-burn between them so steamy and angsty. This is a fun, light read that’s perfect for fans of the second chance romance and enemies to lovers tropes.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
I requested this book on a whim because the blurb intrigued me (and because the cover had a dog on it) and boy am I glad that I did! I loved this book and the heroine to pieces. Amber is a no nonsense ER vet and a fan favourite on a reality tv show despite not loving the spotlight. She’s fiercely protective of her clients and her family and she goes above and beyond to take care of her siblings. Enter Dr. Ian Todd, Amber’s enemy from vet school, who’s successful wildlife vet show is in jeopardy. Ian’s agent’s scheming leads to him joining Amber’s show and much to her dismay, the pair are forced to fake date on-screen to boost ratings.
Ian is everything that I love in a hero. He’s charming, protective, and he’s been pining for the heroine since vet school… yes it’s BOY FALLS FIRST. Ian and Amber were the perfect opposites attract couple and the forced proximity and pent up pining since college made the slow-burn between them so steamy and angsty. This is a fun, light read that’s perfect for fans of the second chance romance and enemies to lovers tropes.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars
January 8, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Enemies to lovers romance! Set in sunny San Diego at an emergency veterinary clinic. Forced proximity via reality TV show taking place at the ER hospital.
What I liked!
- I really liked the animal/vet clinic aspect of the book. I think I may have liked veterinary medicine more than I liked the romance.
- Grumpy girl/sunshine guy
What I didn’t like
- how many times Amber was described as short. I feel like that’s such a romance novel thing to do and I don’t like it.
- Ian said some dumb shit. Like he would tell Amber to “chill,” when she was upset. And when he said he “liked how she didn’t eat like other girls,….and wasn’t afraid to eat fried food.” Man shut up
There was also a couple plot holes (did Ian or Amber punch Brock?), and some general writing edits that needed to happen. I started skimming the last 40% of the book so 2 stars from me.
What I liked!
- I really liked the animal/vet clinic aspect of the book. I think I may have liked veterinary medicine more than I liked the romance.
- Grumpy girl/sunshine guy
What I didn’t like
- how many times Amber was described as short. I feel like that’s such a romance novel thing to do and I don’t like it.
- Ian said some dumb shit. Like he would tell Amber to “chill,” when she was upset. And when he said he “liked how she didn’t eat like other girls,….and wasn’t afraid to eat fried food.” Man shut up
There was also a couple plot holes (did Ian or Amber punch Brock?), and some general writing edits that needed to happen. I started skimming the last 40% of the book so 2 stars from me.
December 19, 2022
Amber is a passionate emergency vet with a specialization in surgery, who is completing her residency while simultaneously starring in reality TV. When her veterinary college rival, Ian, is invited to come on the show as Amber’s love interest, the two must juggle the aspects of “fake dating” while acknowledging their rocky past. Amber is a soft-hearted but down-to-earth FMC who truly loves animals and her career saving them. Not everyone is in the business with a compassionate mindset though, and Amber finds herself navigating the tricky waters of a complicated home life, backstabbing co-workers, and a cut-throat reality TV company that will do anything for five minutes of drama. Ian’s rich and snobby family wants him to settle down with a “nice” (rich) woman, but what happens when his feelings become real, and he wants more than a phony contract with the feisty woman who will do anything to advocate for who she loves?
I loved everything about this book, and yes, the cover was what initially drew me in! The veterinary fact "brain snacks" were fascinating to read about alongside a dynamic romance (and plenty of adorable animals as well). If this book ever becomes a movie or a show, I will binge-watch it into oblivion. Reading it made me realize that we need to cultivate a microgenre of romance where veterinary love stories have their own shelf at the bookstores! I am hoping that the author makes a sequel or some sort of loose follow-up book. It will be amazing if Doc Showmance develops a lineage in the same vein as The Heart Principle and The Kiss Quotient where a series has a common theme, but with each book expressing its own distinct personality.
The point is that I was addicted from start to finish and I can see this being one of the more popular romance reads of 2023. I feel so lucky to have been able to read it before everyone else! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for a review!
I loved everything about this book, and yes, the cover was what initially drew me in! The veterinary fact "brain snacks" were fascinating to read about alongside a dynamic romance (and plenty of adorable animals as well). If this book ever becomes a movie or a show, I will binge-watch it into oblivion. Reading it made me realize that we need to cultivate a microgenre of romance where veterinary love stories have their own shelf at the bookstores! I am hoping that the author makes a sequel or some sort of loose follow-up book. It will be amazing if Doc Showmance develops a lineage in the same vein as The Heart Principle and The Kiss Quotient where a series has a common theme, but with each book expressing its own distinct personality.
The point is that I was addicted from start to finish and I can see this being one of the more popular romance reads of 2023. I feel so lucky to have been able to read it before everyone else! Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for a review!
January 6, 2023
A veterinarian enemies to lovers story who has to fake date while being on a reality TV show? Count me in! In all honesty, this book was good. There aren't nearly enough good vet-based romance stories available. So, thank god for this one.
They first met in college, but after what he did to her on Valentine's Day, Amber rapidly grew to despise him. He tried to apologize, but she was having none of it. When the reality TV show enters the picture, it throws everything off since they now have to collaborate.
Due to her passion for her work, Amber doesn't hesitate to express her opinions. She becomes a TV show fan favorite as a result of this. However, she firmly believes that Dr. Kovac is the actual reason people watch the show, not her. To protect her patients and ensure they receive the finest care possible, Amber is constantly going after Dr. Kovoc, so let's say he is incompetent.
Although Ian has appeared on television for a while, his agent's plans have caused him to appear on Amber's reality television program. Amber is baffled by this because Ian favors exotic animals. His television program revolves around a wildlife veterinarian, so she does not understand why he would go to a clinic where most patients are dogs and cats. Additionally, she just doesn't want him there.
They are forced to start a fake relationship to boost the reviews, much to their dismay. Amber doesn't really want to do it, but the money she would earn would be nice because her brother needs to pay $30,000 for a gambling debt and cannot obtain that amount of money promptly. She agrees to the fake dating after the show offers to pay her that sum up front, but she specifies that there will be no kissing involved.
Due to their dislike for one another, they initially chose to hang out after work without any cameras present to learn how to all accomplish this. As the story progresses, sentiments begin to arise genuinely, but they are both unwilling to acknowledge them, claiming that everything is only for the show and not real. They both understand that they are deceiving themselves, but they feel it would be better because Ian would be going soon if they didn't feel anything.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷����𝘦𝘸💋
They first met in college, but after what he did to her on Valentine's Day, Amber rapidly grew to despise him. He tried to apologize, but she was having none of it. When the reality TV show enters the picture, it throws everything off since they now have to collaborate.
Due to her passion for her work, Amber doesn't hesitate to express her opinions. She becomes a TV show fan favorite as a result of this. However, she firmly believes that Dr. Kovac is the actual reason people watch the show, not her. To protect her patients and ensure they receive the finest care possible, Amber is constantly going after Dr. Kovoc, so let's say he is incompetent.
Although Ian has appeared on television for a while, his agent's plans have caused him to appear on Amber's reality television program. Amber is baffled by this because Ian favors exotic animals. His television program revolves around a wildlife veterinarian, so she does not understand why he would go to a clinic where most patients are dogs and cats. Additionally, she just doesn't want him there.
They are forced to start a fake relationship to boost the reviews, much to their dismay. Amber doesn't really want to do it, but the money she would earn would be nice because her brother needs to pay $30,000 for a gambling debt and cannot obtain that amount of money promptly. She agrees to the fake dating after the show offers to pay her that sum up front, but she specifies that there will be no kissing involved.
Due to their dislike for one another, they initially chose to hang out after work without any cameras present to learn how to all accomplish this. As the story progresses, sentiments begin to arise genuinely, but they are both unwilling to acknowledge them, claiming that everything is only for the show and not real. They both understand that they are deceiving themselves, but they feel it would be better because Ian would be going soon if they didn't feel anything.
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷����𝘦𝘸💋
January 15, 2023
✔️ one bed trope
✔️ reverse grumpy x sunshine
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ fake dating
This freaking book is so good! My first 5⭐️ read of the year!
Love this couple so much. Love the family dynamic of the female character. Not perfect but they are always there for each other. Love that Ian found a real “family”
This guy is so smitten that he has the “touch her and i’ll kill you” vibes.
Amber is a veterinarian who is always ready to help animals in need, even if she has to endure being filmed for a reality show. The production team came up with a plan to increase the rating of the show by having Ian and Amber pretend that they are in a relationship. However, they had a misunderstanding that led them to enemies. She hated what happened when they were still in vet school.
Amber is such an independent, strong and very likable person! Love that she’s very passionate about her job.
✔️ reverse grumpy x sunshine
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ forced proximity
✔️ fake dating
This freaking book is so good! My first 5⭐️ read of the year!
Love this couple so much. Love the family dynamic of the female character. Not perfect but they are always there for each other. Love that Ian found a real “family”
This guy is so smitten that he has the “touch her and i’ll kill you” vibes.
Amber is a veterinarian who is always ready to help animals in need, even if she has to endure being filmed for a reality show. The production team came up with a plan to increase the rating of the show by having Ian and Amber pretend that they are in a relationship. However, they had a misunderstanding that led them to enemies. She hated what happened when they were still in vet school.
Amber is such an independent, strong and very likable person! Love that she’s very passionate about her job.
February 1, 2023
Doc Showmance
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/9/23
Author: Zoe Forward
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 361
GR: 3.80
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Zoe Forward and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: The very adorable cover drew me to this story. The story is narrated in the first person POV in both the past and present tense timeline. This follows a classic trope of second chance romance, one of my favorites and a touch of enemies to lovers, and fake dating, also one of my favorite. Amber is a vet that absolutely loves animals. She is forced into doing a reality TV show for financial reasons with her nemesis, Ian. The grump v sunshine is a little reversed in this story, where Adam is the sunshine and Amber is the grump, which I adored.
The characters were developed well with depth, witty banter, fantastic chemistry, and creatively built up. Amber is independent, fierce, opionated, and is very passionate about animals. Ian carries the facade of sexiest vet, but deep down he is caring, passionate, and loving. The message that the characters give is important, that you need to get to know the person for the person and not the persona they portray. The author’s writing style was complex, steamy, a little spicy, definitely swoony, and keeps you engaged.
Overall this was a cute and fun read. Very lighthearted and easy flowing. This would make a great show and/or movie. I would also love to see this author expand out on a few books with the common theme of vet romance. If you love books with animals, vets and romance, this would be the book for you! I would recommend picking up today.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/9/23
Author: Zoe Forward
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 361
GR: 3.80
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Zoe Forward and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: The very adorable cover drew me to this story. The story is narrated in the first person POV in both the past and present tense timeline. This follows a classic trope of second chance romance, one of my favorites and a touch of enemies to lovers, and fake dating, also one of my favorite. Amber is a vet that absolutely loves animals. She is forced into doing a reality TV show for financial reasons with her nemesis, Ian. The grump v sunshine is a little reversed in this story, where Adam is the sunshine and Amber is the grump, which I adored.
The characters were developed well with depth, witty banter, fantastic chemistry, and creatively built up. Amber is independent, fierce, opionated, and is very passionate about animals. Ian carries the facade of sexiest vet, but deep down he is caring, passionate, and loving. The message that the characters give is important, that you need to get to know the person for the person and not the persona they portray. The author’s writing style was complex, steamy, a little spicy, definitely swoony, and keeps you engaged.
Overall this was a cute and fun read. Very lighthearted and easy flowing. This would make a great show and/or movie. I would also love to see this author expand out on a few books with the common theme of vet romance. If you love books with animals, vets and romance, this would be the book for you! I would recommend picking up today.
January 11, 2023
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours.
Amber would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we have not done since we graduated veterinary school. He is famous. As in, he is the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends. I am infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest should not be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm. Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
What intrigued me to read this book was the blurb on the book. The book started off a little slow, but reeled you in right after that. There was enough burn, lots of chemistry between the two. Amber is such a strong character and that she could defend herself on her own. I also appreciated that Amber's fierceness and loyalty to her patients stayed throughout the story. She is not soft, she is a badass, she can kick someone if she thinks it is needed and she would do anything for the safety of her patients. The banter between Ian and Amber was the perfect back and forth. It was not the type of love that you get bored of it was an easy read and everything just melded together perfectly. They also demonstrate the importance of getting to know someone for who they are not just the persona they put forward when in front of other people - or a camera! Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals, enemies to lovers’ tropes, and reality tv.
Rating: 3.5/5
Amber would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we have not done since we graduated veterinary school. He is famous. As in, he is the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends. I am infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest should not be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm. Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
What intrigued me to read this book was the blurb on the book. The book started off a little slow, but reeled you in right after that. There was enough burn, lots of chemistry between the two. Amber is such a strong character and that she could defend herself on her own. I also appreciated that Amber's fierceness and loyalty to her patients stayed throughout the story. She is not soft, she is a badass, she can kick someone if she thinks it is needed and she would do anything for the safety of her patients. The banter between Ian and Amber was the perfect back and forth. It was not the type of love that you get bored of it was an easy read and everything just melded together perfectly. They also demonstrate the importance of getting to know someone for who they are not just the persona they put forward when in front of other people - or a camera! Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals, enemies to lovers’ tropes, and reality tv.
Rating: 3.5/5
January 6, 2023
first of all thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC.
this book is about tv vet show that literally forced two college enemies into a fake romance. AND he’s the sunshine and she’s the grump. THATS IT.
i literally read this book without any thoughts. i just want some cute and wholesome plot and I DID GET THAT. i absolutely ate this book up. it has a lot of entertaining story and characters which is why i can’t stop reading it.
amber. who is a veterinarian and specializes in surgery and has a reality tv show about the emergency vet. she’s so badass. i love her personality so much. she’s strong and has a big ego. i love her so much.
ian. amber’s college nemesis. people called him “sexiest vet” NGL I AGREE SO MUCH. he has a job to fake dating amber on her show. amber hated ian for what he did to her back in Valentine’s Day during their time at vet school. SO IF YOU GUYS WANT TO KNOW MORE PLS READ IT. bcs i’m obsessed with this book.
what i love about the plot is we got to see the dual pov. so i can know what they thought about each other and what they misunderstood about each other. the writing was perfect. the side characters and adorable animals are just so fascinating to read more. they are incredible. they’re also have some of difficult topics such as foster system, gambling addiction, loss of a family member, mention of loss pet, parental manipulation and more. BUT somehow this book managed to get and keep the contemporary romance aspect. like i still got the fluffy and wholesome and sexy romance in this book.
this book will be release on 9th January so PLS BUY OR ADD THIS BOOK ON YOUR TBR!
this book is about tv vet show that literally forced two college enemies into a fake romance. AND he’s the sunshine and she’s the grump. THATS IT.
i literally read this book without any thoughts. i just want some cute and wholesome plot and I DID GET THAT. i absolutely ate this book up. it has a lot of entertaining story and characters which is why i can’t stop reading it.
amber. who is a veterinarian and specializes in surgery and has a reality tv show about the emergency vet. she’s so badass. i love her personality so much. she’s strong and has a big ego. i love her so much.
ian. amber’s college nemesis. people called him “sexiest vet” NGL I AGREE SO MUCH. he has a job to fake dating amber on her show. amber hated ian for what he did to her back in Valentine’s Day during their time at vet school. SO IF YOU GUYS WANT TO KNOW MORE PLS READ IT. bcs i’m obsessed with this book.
what i love about the plot is we got to see the dual pov. so i can know what they thought about each other and what they misunderstood about each other. the writing was perfect. the side characters and adorable animals are just so fascinating to read more. they are incredible. they’re also have some of difficult topics such as foster system, gambling addiction, loss of a family member, mention of loss pet, parental manipulation and more. BUT somehow this book managed to get and keep the contemporary romance aspect. like i still got the fluffy and wholesome and sexy romance in this book.
this book will be release on 9th January so PLS BUY OR ADD THIS BOOK ON YOUR TBR!
April 8, 2023
Two talented veterinarians reunite in “Doc Showmance”. The enemies to lovers is a common trope but has a reality TV twist in this modern day romance.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 20, 2023
This book offers us a funny and fabulous view inside a profession we don’t often see. Add a dose of dramatic reality TV, and you have story telling gold.
Move over Kardashians, here come the Veterinarians!✨
Move over Kardashians, here come the Veterinarians!✨
December 22, 2022
After reading a lot of thrillers and a few children's books, I needed something light and funny to break up the reading feelings. Doc Showmance was one of those laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a geeky side to it. You know the ones where the female or male are into their careers and blunt and don't fit into anyone's boxes. I loved the main female of this book and clicked with her straight away. Doc Showmance introduces us to Amber who is busy working her residency as an emergency vet. The vet clinic also happens to currently be part of a reality TV show which Amber isn't keen on but the money helps pay the bills as she is the main breadwinner for her house of misfits which includes three of her foster siblings - Bruno who is studying to be a lawyer, Marino - the trouble one who is a gambling addict and Joley - a sexy ex-stripper now studying to be a dental hygienist. The reality TV producer wants more drama and romance so what better than having Dr. Amber Hardin having a fake romance with a newcomer Dr. Ian Todd? What the TV producers and public don't realise is that these two have a history and it's a love/hate relationship as in Vet School they were in competition with each other and study buddies and Amber fell for Ian and all was good until he humiliated her in a Valentine’s Day Prank that went viral online. These two still have the chemistry and it's sizzling, can they work over their differences and work together to make great TV? Of course, what happens when the lines get blurred, and then just as everything is handy dandy, Ian finds out he is leaving sooner than later and now there are feelings involved? Find out in this fun romantic comedy "Doc Showmance" an opposites , enemies to lovers, Ms. Grump to Mr. Sunshine romance.
January 3, 2023
⭐️Rating: 5/5
✍🏼Author: Zoe Forward
📖Genre: RomCom
This story is about successful emergency veterinarian Amber who is known for her strong demeanor and no bullshit personality. The vet ER she works at also happens to be the focus of a reality show. The producers of the show want to add some spice to the show and recruit a very handsome Dr. Ian Todd (who also has his own reality show) to join the team of veterinarians. They push Ian and Amber to have a fake showmance in effort to increase ratings—- come to find out these two have history with one another and faking a relationship won’t be easy, for either of them.
What I loved most about this book was Dr. Ian Todd (jk- although he is getting added to my book boyfriends list)... I appreciated these two characters coming from very different worlds and not letting that stop them, I also loved the found family aspect and Ambers circle of people that truly cared about her. The reality tv trope was also my fave since im a reality tv junkie!! The spicy-ness was also a lovely bonus. I really really liked this book and highly recommend! Can’t wait to purchase the hard copy✨
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
✍🏼Author: Zoe Forward
📖Genre: RomCom
This story is about successful emergency veterinarian Amber who is known for her strong demeanor and no bullshit personality. The vet ER she works at also happens to be the focus of a reality show. The producers of the show want to add some spice to the show and recruit a very handsome Dr. Ian Todd (who also has his own reality show) to join the team of veterinarians. They push Ian and Amber to have a fake showmance in effort to increase ratings—- come to find out these two have history with one another and faking a relationship won’t be easy, for either of them.
What I loved most about this book was Dr. Ian Todd (jk- although he is getting added to my book boyfriends list)... I appreciated these two characters coming from very different worlds and not letting that stop them, I also loved the found family aspect and Ambers circle of people that truly cared about her. The reality tv trope was also my fave since im a reality tv junkie!! The spicy-ness was also a lovely bonus. I really really liked this book and highly recommend! Can’t wait to purchase the hard copy✨
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 21, 2022
✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Fake dating
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Bossy girl
✔️ Animal lovers
This was a really good read! This book marked off a lot of check boxes for me. Amber is a vet who tell people how she feels. She is in her residency and really knows her stuff when it comes to animals. She is an on television vet and she runs into her college nemesis Ian. Ian made fun of Amber all throughout school. Ian is on another television show, but will now be working in the same clinic she is. Amber and Ian are told they must date to get the TV ratings up. The best part is, Ian has had a crush on Amber since school, but his friend messed up his chance in school. Check out this book to see what happens next!
Thank you Netgalley, and the publisher, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
✔️ Fake dating
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Bossy girl
✔️ Animal lovers
This was a really good read! This book marked off a lot of check boxes for me. Amber is a vet who tell people how she feels. She is in her residency and really knows her stuff when it comes to animals. She is an on television vet and she runs into her college nemesis Ian. Ian made fun of Amber all throughout school. Ian is on another television show, but will now be working in the same clinic she is. Amber and Ian are told they must date to get the TV ratings up. The best part is, Ian has had a crush on Amber since school, but his friend messed up his chance in school. Check out this book to see what happens next!
Thank you Netgalley, and the publisher, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2023
"Doc Showmance" is a funny and cute romance, perfect for Fans of Ali Hazelwood!
The first reason I requested the book was the cover, because I am a big fan of ilustrated covers and the dog was just to adrorable to pass. And than I saw that it's a spicy rivals to lovers book with fake dating. I was completly sold when I read that it all plays on live tv.
I really liked that Amber is a tough and confidend main character who's not afraid to stand up for herself.
The book had a very nice pace but the end felt a bit rushed. I think I would have liked it even more if the book had one or two chapters more.
The whole story was really entertaining and I couldn't put the book down. It was really easy and fun to read.
The only thing that annoyed me was that the producer didn't care for anyhting than herself and that the series has enough interesting moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zoe Forward for this ARC! I really hope to read more of her works in the future.
The first reason I requested the book was the cover, because I am a big fan of ilustrated covers and the dog was just to adrorable to pass. And than I saw that it's a spicy rivals to lovers book with fake dating. I was completly sold when I read that it all plays on live tv.
I really liked that Amber is a tough and confidend main character who's not afraid to stand up for herself.
The book had a very nice pace but the end felt a bit rushed. I think I would have liked it even more if the book had one or two chapters more.
The whole story was really entertaining and I couldn't put the book down. It was really easy and fun to read.
The only thing that annoyed me was that the producer didn't care for anyhting than herself and that the series has enough interesting moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zoe Forward for this ARC! I really hope to read more of her works in the future.
February 19, 2023
This steamy, swoony, slow burning enemies-to-lovers romance has real world veterinary ER antics that'll make you laugh. Hope you enjoy ❤️
December 31, 2022
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I put in a request to read Doc Showmance because romance novels set within the medical field are incredibly rare. Add in the subgenre of veterinary science and a reality show background, you’ve practically got yourself a unicorn! Doc Showmance did work on some levels for me but on other levels it crashed straight to the ground. I often complain that the Enemies to Lovers trope is more than sniping at your coworker and playing harmless pranks around the office. Doc Showmance took that dynamic and cranked it to 11. Our couple was practically spewing venom at each other and they somehow had to engage in a fake relationship for television ratings? Good luck with that. It was difficult to root for our protagonists being so hateful and realistically accept their abrupt transition to dating. The heroine featured many of my major turn offs and I had to do a mental Wooly Willy to erase her character description. The multicolored hair, nose piercing, and sour attitude had to go. I disliked many things about Dr. Amber, but her dedication to animals was commendable. I imagined her as Dr. Callie from Grey’s Anatomy who suddenly made the switch from orthopedics to emergency veterinary medicine and crash landed in a tattoo parlor.
While the couple’s dynamic was less than inviting, I was more than impressed with the veterinary care. Although I may not be the biggest fan of animals and I worked at a zoo for 4 years, I can still spot expertise. The author herself is a professional veterinarian and her knowledge of the field was well documented in the novel. From the terminology to the medical procedures, it was evident the author knew what she was talking about in Doc Showmance. This was my favorite feature of the book and I wish it was more prominently showcased than the reality show drama. It’s unfortunate when a reader is more invested in surgery than the romance in a love story.
Doc Showmance didn’t quite bump up my heart meter or affect my oxygen levels, but I managed to find some enjoyment. I would have preferred to be invested in the romance, but my interest took a detour to the surgery theater. I never thought I’d choose animals over a love story, but here we are. After reading Doc Showmance, I learned that I’d like an increase in medical romances and a severe decrease in reality show/ mean Enemies to Lovers plotlines. I know I can’ cherry pick tropes, but I may have more control when directing my own Doc Showmance.
I put in a request to read Doc Showmance because romance novels set within the medical field are incredibly rare. Add in the subgenre of veterinary science and a reality show background, you’ve practically got yourself a unicorn! Doc Showmance did work on some levels for me but on other levels it crashed straight to the ground. I often complain that the Enemies to Lovers trope is more than sniping at your coworker and playing harmless pranks around the office. Doc Showmance took that dynamic and cranked it to 11. Our couple was practically spewing venom at each other and they somehow had to engage in a fake relationship for television ratings? Good luck with that. It was difficult to root for our protagonists being so hateful and realistically accept their abrupt transition to dating. The heroine featured many of my major turn offs and I had to do a mental Wooly Willy to erase her character description. The multicolored hair, nose piercing, and sour attitude had to go. I disliked many things about Dr. Amber, but her dedication to animals was commendable. I imagined her as Dr. Callie from Grey’s Anatomy who suddenly made the switch from orthopedics to emergency veterinary medicine and crash landed in a tattoo parlor.
While the couple’s dynamic was less than inviting, I was more than impressed with the veterinary care. Although I may not be the biggest fan of animals and I worked at a zoo for 4 years, I can still spot expertise. The author herself is a professional veterinarian and her knowledge of the field was well documented in the novel. From the terminology to the medical procedures, it was evident the author knew what she was talking about in Doc Showmance. This was my favorite feature of the book and I wish it was more prominently showcased than the reality show drama. It’s unfortunate when a reader is more invested in surgery than the romance in a love story.
Doc Showmance didn’t quite bump up my heart meter or affect my oxygen levels, but I managed to find some enjoyment. I would have preferred to be invested in the romance, but my interest took a detour to the surgery theater. I never thought I’d choose animals over a love story, but here we are. After reading Doc Showmance, I learned that I’d like an increase in medical romances and a severe decrease in reality show/ mean Enemies to Lovers plotlines. I know I can’ cherry pick tropes, but I may have more control when directing my own Doc Showmance.
December 18, 2022
Slight TW (rape, violence), some spoilers.
I really, really wanted to like this book. It had everything I thought I’d like: the enemies to lovers trope, two people forced to be together/be nice to each other, a lot of animals involved. Instead I found myself barely tolerating the book until towards the end where I read a line that completely turned me off.
“‘When he discovered I wouldn’t allow him to rape me, he decided to kill me. Pulled a knife.’”
Amber wouldn’t allow a stalker/intruder rape her? As if anyone in that situation just goes “Ah well yes, you’ve gone though a lot of trouble to break in, I will allow you to rape me now!”
To put a traumatic experience in those kinds of words is disgusting to me. I understand the author’s intent, to further showcase Amber’s fiery attitude, how strong she is. But I thought that choice of words were terrible and completely turned me off the book entirely. Not to mention that one of the next sentences goes “‘Turns out the self-defense I learned growing up in a gang neighborhood came in handy when some motherfucking stalker tried to kill me. Little insight for you: When you have to fight for your life, fight dirty.’” Like really? That’s something someone says to their (fake) boyfriend’s mom?
The whole book felt like it wanted to be a dramatic tv show, with over-the-top evil villains (to include an older vet, the show producer, Ian’s mom…the list goes on and on…). I couldn’t stand the back and forth of the characters, either. One second they were both hot and heavy and kissing, and the next, one of them had doubts and thought “nope, this is fake! This is fake!” Do you know how many times I had to read that everything was fake??
The premise for this book was good. This could’ve been a really good book. But the writing style, the characters, and the awful quotes about rape turned me off and made me skip through the last 1/4 of the book without caring what happened and just wanting it to end.
I really, really wanted to like this book. It had everything I thought I’d like: the enemies to lovers trope, two people forced to be together/be nice to each other, a lot of animals involved. Instead I found myself barely tolerating the book until towards the end where I read a line that completely turned me off.
“‘When he discovered I wouldn’t allow him to rape me, he decided to kill me. Pulled a knife.’”
Amber wouldn’t allow a stalker/intruder rape her? As if anyone in that situation just goes “Ah well yes, you’ve gone though a lot of trouble to break in, I will allow you to rape me now!”
To put a traumatic experience in those kinds of words is disgusting to me. I understand the author’s intent, to further showcase Amber’s fiery attitude, how strong she is. But I thought that choice of words were terrible and completely turned me off the book entirely. Not to mention that one of the next sentences goes “‘Turns out the self-defense I learned growing up in a gang neighborhood came in handy when some motherfucking stalker tried to kill me. Little insight for you: When you have to fight for your life, fight dirty.’” Like really? That’s something someone says to their (fake) boyfriend’s mom?
The whole book felt like it wanted to be a dramatic tv show, with over-the-top evil villains (to include an older vet, the show producer, Ian’s mom…the list goes on and on…). I couldn’t stand the back and forth of the characters, either. One second they were both hot and heavy and kissing, and the next, one of them had doubts and thought “nope, this is fake! This is fake!” Do you know how many times I had to read that everything was fake??
The premise for this book was good. This could’ve been a really good book. But the writing style, the characters, and the awful quotes about rape turned me off and made me skip through the last 1/4 of the book without caring what happened and just wanting it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
Thank you to the Netgalley and the publisher, Xpresso Books, for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. This honest review was based off my experience reading this eARC, which in no way biased me. All opinions are my own.
CW: FMC was in the foster system, gambling addiction, loss of a family member due to gun violence, mention of loss of a pet in the past, blackmail, mention of MC getting drugged and framed for an affair, mention of past stalking/ attempted SA/murder, parental manipulation
Long story short, HELL YES.
This somehow managed to get the contemporary romance aspect while also bringing some difficult topics into the storyline, and it did it well.
This has a beautiful blend of tropes:
- former academic friends/friendly rivals to enemies
- Enemies to lovers (one sided)
- Obsessed Boy
- Fake dating
- Celebrity romance
- Reality TV Veterinary Medicine Show
- Coworker/Workplace romance
- Dual POV
- Grumpy Girl / Sunshine Guy
- THE BANTER
I absolutely ate this book up, I struggled many times PUTTING IT DOWN. I wanted to know more. It also has a very entertaining cast of side characters. Amber’s foster siblings, I’d love to see stories for each of them.
I would have liked to see more development for Marino’s gambling addiction.
Having this book be dual POV made it that much better. Being able to see in both of their heads at any given time, especially during jealousy scenes was *chef’s kiss*.
I love Amber and Ian. I had a great time reading this. 4.5 stars overall, rounding down for GoodReads.
This is my first book by this author and definitely will be picking more of their stuff up.
CW: FMC was in the foster system, gambling addiction, loss of a family member due to gun violence, mention of loss of a pet in the past, blackmail, mention of MC getting drugged and framed for an affair, mention of past stalking/ attempted SA/murder, parental manipulation
Long story short, HELL YES.
This somehow managed to get the contemporary romance aspect while also bringing some difficult topics into the storyline, and it did it well.
This has a beautiful blend of tropes:
- former academic friends/friendly rivals to enemies
- Enemies to lovers (one sided)
- Obsessed Boy
- Fake dating
- Celebrity romance
- Reality TV Veterinary Medicine Show
- Coworker/Workplace romance
- Dual POV
- Grumpy Girl / Sunshine Guy
- THE BANTER
I absolutely ate this book up, I struggled many times PUTTING IT DOWN. I wanted to know more. It also has a very entertaining cast of side characters. Amber’s foster siblings, I’d love to see stories for each of them.
I would have liked to see more development for Marino’s gambling addiction.
Having this book be dual POV made it that much better. Being able to see in both of their heads at any given time, especially during jealousy scenes was *chef’s kiss*.
I love Amber and Ian. I had a great time reading this. 4.5 stars overall, rounding down for GoodReads.
This is my first book by this author and definitely will be picking more of their stuff up.
February 5, 2023
First of all, thank you so much NetGalley, publisher, and author, for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Synopsis: I would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we haven’t done since we graduated veterinary school.
He’s famous. As in, he’s the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends.
I’m infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm.
Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
Opinion: I've requested this book because I loved the synopsis with all the veterinary show and the enemies to lovers fake dating trope. Amber is passionate but also caring to her foster siblings and all her patients and there was a high probability that I love her. However, sometimes I didn't connect with her or with Ian. I didn't understand some interactions and sentences they have to each other which I didn't enjoy or were like a cold glass of water. Finally, I was more interested in the vet clinical cases than the romance.
Synopsis: I would say Dr. Ian Todd is my archenemy. But that would require us acknowledging each other, which we haven’t done since we graduated veterinary school.
He’s famous. As in, he’s the world’s “Sexiest Veterinarian Alive” with his own wildlife TV show and a string of glamorous girlfriends.
I’m infamous as a reality TV emergency veterinarian with a snark mouth, take-no-crap attitude, and zero dating life.
When asked to fake a romance with him on TV to boost my ER show’s ratings, I want to say no-way, but the extra money will pay off my brother’s loan shark debt. Even though Ian broke my heart, playing his love interest shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means getting to watch him squirm.
Lines get blurred when the TV setups stop feeling fake. Can I chance this might be real love?
Opinion: I've requested this book because I loved the synopsis with all the veterinary show and the enemies to lovers fake dating trope. Amber is passionate but also caring to her foster siblings and all her patients and there was a high probability that I love her. However, sometimes I didn't connect with her or with Ian. I didn't understand some interactions and sentences they have to each other which I didn't enjoy or were like a cold glass of water. Finally, I was more interested in the vet clinical cases than the romance.
May 31, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Any one that follows me knows that I love enemies to lovers. I should just get it tattooed on me at this point. It is my absolute favorite trope so having the opportunity to read about two rivals who work with my favorite things in the world, animals? HELL YEAH I'M IN!!
Though this book was a bit slow at times (I also lost my Kindle during this time frame and hit a major reading slump), I enjoyed the book. I loved the banter between the two main characters. Though if I am being honest and the reason I couldn't rate it a full 5/5, is that the characters were a bit forgettable. I can't even remember the MC and our love interest's name. I think his was Ian Todd but her's? I can't remember at all. It's like the characters were just two dimensional. Nothing that just jumped out at you to remember them by.
I love the actual clinical verbiage that was used throughout the book when dealing with patients. I greatly appreciate that. Some people don't realize how difficult the vet field is. I wish there had been just a little bit more description on that but that's not what our story was about. The love story between the two was very well developed but did happen very fast. I wish there was just a bit more buildup but at this point, I am just being nitpicky.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. I would definitively recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good enemies to lovers. Or anyone that loves the Irwins and wonder what it would be like if a rival conservation team came in to work with them.
Any one that follows me knows that I love enemies to lovers. I should just get it tattooed on me at this point. It is my absolute favorite trope so having the opportunity to read about two rivals who work with my favorite things in the world, animals? HELL YEAH I'M IN!!
Though this book was a bit slow at times (I also lost my Kindle during this time frame and hit a major reading slump), I enjoyed the book. I loved the banter between the two main characters. Though if I am being honest and the reason I couldn't rate it a full 5/5, is that the characters were a bit forgettable. I can't even remember the MC and our love interest's name. I think his was Ian Todd but her's? I can't remember at all. It's like the characters were just two dimensional. Nothing that just jumped out at you to remember them by.
I love the actual clinical verbiage that was used throughout the book when dealing with patients. I greatly appreciate that. Some people don't realize how difficult the vet field is. I wish there had been just a little bit more description on that but that's not what our story was about. The love story between the two was very well developed but did happen very fast. I wish there was just a bit more buildup but at this point, I am just being nitpicky.
Overall, I did enjoy the book. I would definitively recommend it to anyone that enjoys a good enemies to lovers. Or anyone that loves the Irwins and wonder what it would be like if a rival conservation team came in to work with them.
December 11, 2022
Thank you so so much to the author for sharing an e-ARC of this book with me on NetGalley!!
Trigger warning: gambling addiction
“Us faking interest in each other might be the most fun I’ve had in years”
“I could handle Mr. Sexiest Vet Alive for a few months, right?”
I didn’t comply love this book … I thrived on it !!!! I think I just developed a new personal addiction to hot, frustrating, sexy vets who have an obsession for their college crush !!! I can’t believe what I just read !!! Amber and Ian’s story had almost each and every one of my favourite tropes: forced proximity, fake dating, college crush to enemies to lovers, one bed and even a very possessive man who is more than happy to make everyone who speaks ill of her, pay … even her brothers !!!
I absolutely loved the plot and the romance between the two main characters !!! I felt like the book was so well written, it was impossible to get lost. And the spicy times made you feel every goosebumps and chills of an amazing romance. But there was nothing like the way I screamed and lost it when I read about a banter between Amber and Ian or when their tension broke every limit of the imaginable!!!
They clicked together and fit in a way that felt almost surreal. But after all … what can you expect from a foster child and a spoiled player who are forced to work in the same veterinarian hospital for a tv show???
There are bound to be some sparks somewhere !!!
I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book and I so hope the author will explore this story more with some other side characters that caught my attention in more than one way !!!
“You want me. It’s why you’re spitting mad”
“I like when you say my name. It’s almost better than Dillweed, but you say it with such passion”
“I’m going to make you forget anyone who’s tasted you before”
Trigger warning: gambling addiction
“Us faking interest in each other might be the most fun I’ve had in years”
“I could handle Mr. Sexiest Vet Alive for a few months, right?”
I didn’t comply love this book … I thrived on it !!!! I think I just developed a new personal addiction to hot, frustrating, sexy vets who have an obsession for their college crush !!! I can’t believe what I just read !!! Amber and Ian’s story had almost each and every one of my favourite tropes: forced proximity, fake dating, college crush to enemies to lovers, one bed and even a very possessive man who is more than happy to make everyone who speaks ill of her, pay … even her brothers !!!
I absolutely loved the plot and the romance between the two main characters !!! I felt like the book was so well written, it was impossible to get lost. And the spicy times made you feel every goosebumps and chills of an amazing romance. But there was nothing like the way I screamed and lost it when I read about a banter between Amber and Ian or when their tension broke every limit of the imaginable!!!
They clicked together and fit in a way that felt almost surreal. But after all … what can you expect from a foster child and a spoiled player who are forced to work in the same veterinarian hospital for a tv show???
There are bound to be some sparks somewhere !!!
I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book and I so hope the author will explore this story more with some other side characters that caught my attention in more than one way !!!
“You want me. It’s why you’re spitting mad”
“I like when you say my name. It’s almost better than Dillweed, but you say it with such passion”
“I’m going to make you forget anyone who’s tasted you before”
January 17, 2023
This book features an enemies to lovers, almost second chance romance, between two veternarians. Obviously adorable animals were on my mind after reading this amazing story.
The protagonists were classmates in Veternary School, but an ill timed prank made Dr. Ian Todd enemy no. 1 for Dr. Amber Hardin. They are paired up again when Ian joins the Emergency Hospital where Amber works at, as a part of the reality show shot in the hospital.
I love how this book is an ode to committed veternarians who advocate for their vulnerable patients and their families, it doesn't white wash the profession, the hardships, the emotional stress and the conflict with colleagues who are outdated and might not give the best care to the animal.
I loved how the author has focussed on found family and how love and loyalty doesn't necessarily need blood relations. It's also great to see the hero, coming from a toxic family, but he's already healing himself and trying to break the generational curse. I found myself laughing out loud at so many points in the book, the humor was just what I needed! I'm hoping to see spin offs based on Amber's siblings, let's see if the author is in the mood🤭
The protagonists were classmates in Veternary School, but an ill timed prank made Dr. Ian Todd enemy no. 1 for Dr. Amber Hardin. They are paired up again when Ian joins the Emergency Hospital where Amber works at, as a part of the reality show shot in the hospital.
I love how this book is an ode to committed veternarians who advocate for their vulnerable patients and their families, it doesn't white wash the profession, the hardships, the emotional stress and the conflict with colleagues who are outdated and might not give the best care to the animal.
I loved how the author has focussed on found family and how love and loyalty doesn't necessarily need blood relations. It's also great to see the hero, coming from a toxic family, but he's already healing himself and trying to break the generational curse. I found myself laughing out loud at so many points in the book, the humor was just what I needed! I'm hoping to see spin offs based on Amber's siblings, let's see if the author is in the mood🤭
January 10, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Zoe Forward and Xpresso Book Tours. I'm excited to be a part of this tour.
This is my first book by this author and definitely not my last. I loved every minute of this fast-paced thoroughly hilarious Rom Com. In this book a reality tv show revolves around two college enemies who are forced into a fake romance. What could possibly go wrong?
What ensues is one engaging story as Ian and Amber’s fake relationship plays out on tv. This book is fast paced and will keep you guessing as these polar opposites do their best to increase the show’s ratings.
The characters are likeable, realistic, and well-written. The chemistry between Ian and Amber was palpable and I love how they interact with one another. The supporting characters added depth to this story. Many of the antis were so outrageous, I literally laughed out loud!
Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals, enemies to lovers’ tropes, and reality tv! I look forward to reading more from this author.
This is my first book by this author and definitely not my last. I loved every minute of this fast-paced thoroughly hilarious Rom Com. In this book a reality tv show revolves around two college enemies who are forced into a fake romance. What could possibly go wrong?
What ensues is one engaging story as Ian and Amber’s fake relationship plays out on tv. This book is fast paced and will keep you guessing as these polar opposites do their best to increase the show’s ratings.
The characters are likeable, realistic, and well-written. The chemistry between Ian and Amber was palpable and I love how they interact with one another. The supporting characters added depth to this story. Many of the antis were so outrageous, I literally laughed out loud!
Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone who loves animals, enemies to lovers’ tropes, and reality tv! I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 4, 2023
I am a sucker for the fake dating trope AND second chance romance so I was super excited for this book, but sadly it really missed the mark for me. I thought there was a lot of cheesy dialogue poorly disguised as back-and-forth, and the agonizing ‘you’re sooooo short!’ moments stuck out to me because of the otherwise rather lackluster plot. I felt like the two main characters were never explored at a deeper level so by the time there was real conflict at the 77% mark but I honestly didn’t really care what happened because they both felt surface level and rather cliche. This apathy towards the characters was the real sticking point for me which sadly led to me not enjoying this book, which is disappointing because the premise sounded truly inviting!
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#DocShowmance
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#DocShowmance
January 9, 2023
I requested for this ARC on NetGalley on a whim because of the cute cover and the intriguing blurb! Safe to say I really enjoyed this one. Enemies to lovers will always remain one of my favourite tropes and this was just adorable. I especially enjoy stories where the FMC is grumpy and MMC is a sunshine character and to top it off, Doc Showmance has also got fake dating. So there were plenty of reasons to love the book! Ian was an absolute charmer and Amber was a total bad**s who perfectly fit together and I thoroughly enjoyed their banter! At times I did feel like something was missing but overall it’s a quick, cute romance that you simply can’t hate. If you love any of the tropes I mentioned or are an animal lover, give this book a read 💕
December 17, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Doc Showmance is about faking for the camera, school nemesis and veterinarians.
I particularly liked the girl main character, Amber, because she was unusual. She isn’t soft, she’s a badass, she can kick someone if she thinks it is needed and she would do anything for the safety of her patients.
Ian completely supports every aspect of her and particularly likes her tenacity. He also is a good character but I think he isn’t described in all his faces.
Generally I liked this book, I thought it was cute and easily readable.
There were some parts that didn’t make it feel real and it made me give 3,75⭐️
Doc Showmance is about faking for the camera, school nemesis and veterinarians.
I particularly liked the girl main character, Amber, because she was unusual. She isn’t soft, she’s a badass, she can kick someone if she thinks it is needed and she would do anything for the safety of her patients.
Ian completely supports every aspect of her and particularly likes her tenacity. He also is a good character but I think he isn’t described in all his faces.
Generally I liked this book, I thought it was cute and easily readable.
There were some parts that didn’t make it feel real and it made me give 3,75⭐️
January 5, 2023
Unfortunately, I got to 25% and DNF. I had to put the book down. Here's why: the way that they spoke to each other was so aggressive, rude, and honestly annoying and then in their POV it would shoot back to, "he's so cute" or "she's adorable when she's mad" and it made my brain want to scream. I totally like enemies to lovers genre but this was just too aggressive.
I will say though, that this plot had so much potential and I did like how much she cared for the animals she was working with. But, once they got to the diner scene and she was calling him names, I had to stop.
I will say though, that this plot had so much potential and I did like how much she cared for the animals she was working with. But, once they got to the diner scene and she was calling him names, I had to stop.
January 14, 2023
This book is set in a veterinary office that also is in the midst of a reality tv contract and it is everything I could’ve asked for! It had me laughing from the first page with just a description of a tattoo. I couldn’t have been more happy with the tropes either! Do you like enemies to lovers? Fake dating? What about the one bed trope or a generous tablespoon of some delicious spice? Throw in a badass female main character and that’s a five star recipe to me!
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC I had a wonderful time with it! #Docshowmance #Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC I had a wonderful time with it! #Docshowmance #Netgalley
October 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Zoe Forward for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This review is way overdue, but here it is.
I enjoyed this half-half. The first half was nice, but didn't enjoy as much with the second half. I liked the premise: college "enemies" who later on meet years later because they have to do this fake romance, but then it turned real. I actually remember the reason I requested for this was because of the dog in the cover lol, can't remember if I even read the description. Anyway, I don't think I would really call this an enemies-to-lovers book since it didn't really feel like they were enemies. Also, the writing's okay, I guess. If you're looking for an easy read then this one's an okay place to start.
This review is way overdue, but here it is.
I enjoyed this half-half. The first half was nice, but didn't enjoy as much with the second half. I liked the premise: college "enemies" who later on meet years later because they have to do this fake romance, but then it turned real. I actually remember the reason I requested for this was because of the dog in the cover lol, can't remember if I even read the description. Anyway, I don't think I would really call this an enemies-to-lovers book since it didn't really feel like they were enemies. Also, the writing's okay, I guess. If you're looking for an easy read then this one's an okay place to start.
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