She thought she had all the answers. Brilliant Neurologist Cynthia Haywood is a rising star at Baltimore’s most prestigious hospital just one step away from the coveted department chair. Everything she thought she wanted was within reach.
A family tragedy forces her to rush off to her sister’s home in Eastport Rhode Island, where she is thrust into a mysterious small-town world and the added responsibility of caring for her eight-year-old niece. But that's not her biggest challenge - it's him, Simon. He's the problem.
The dreamy next-door neighbor with the adorable puppies becomes an immediate distraction. She should be focused on her family. She should be concerned with returning to her medical career back in Baltimore.
Yet, she feels the pull of the kind neighbor who whispers words she never knew she needed to hear and has her heart racing. He's the calm she never knew she needed.
She knows she should keep her distance. She knows she didn’t rush to Rhode Island for a love connection. She knows a lot of things - but one kiss from Simon jeopardizes everything she ever thought she knew.
Will the attraction be enough for her to jeopardize her big-city dreams? She doesn't know.
Mel Walker is an award-winning rare bird, the male romance author. Specializing in heartfelt small-town romance, he enjoys telling compelling romances with all the feels. A native New Yorker and life-long frustrated NY Mets fan, he enjoys baseball, reading, bike rides, and writing outdoors where he absorbs the energy of the city.
When the story began and Dr Haywood was doing her thing at one of Baltimore’s premiere hospitals I thought the story would go one way, and low and behold it went another. I am not complaining with the direction as this storyline had more to work with. The incident to send Cynthia to Rhode Island was tragic. The way Dr. Haywood’s supervisor handled her early one was a sign I would not like his sleazy, research stealing behind. I was elated when Cynthia found her niche and her man in small town USA. The story was insinuated intimacy but this does not detract from love I could feel between Simon and Cynthia. I noticed the author describes the eye color of non black characters frequently. I guess there is a point to this narrative. Overall, I enjoyed this story with the medical side leading the charge in this undertaking.
What do you do when your entire world turns upside down? Going through the motions is all Dr Cynthia Haywood can do. She is displaced, living a life she never thought she'd have. Becoming a parent overnight, she is lost the only thing she knows is being a doctor. Her niece is the ray of light she needs to get through the worst of her grief. Her niece and the hot next door neighbor. Simon is understanding and patient. He lets her be what she needs to be. I loved this book . Cynthia goes through so many emotions learning what her future now looks like. She could have never planned for all that has been placed in front of her. Her high profile job in a huge city is the total opposite of the small town she finds herself in. The people she finds herself working with are like no others she's ever encountered. Team is not only an idea at this hospital, it's a way of doing everyone's best. I have worked in both environments myself so I could totally relate. Having Cynthia's eyes open to both ways is amazing. The way she navigates it all can be heartbreaking at points.
The doctor and the awesomely wonderful and swoon worthy neighbor. One point deducted for the swear words sprinkled thru the novel. Fast moving story, with very likable characters. Very low drama. But don’t like Cynthia in blonde hair. Just Rick your own natural color. But the neighbor likes it. For whatever reason, his heart is just in sync with Cynthia from day 1. He adores her niece, Augusta. So why not stick around to see what will work out by way of a new career ?..-and new daughter, and work man that helps with bring her delight and peace-Simon is worth changing plans for.
In spite of a good premise, this book missed a lot. There was so many missing words that I often had to re-read a sentence to understand what was being said. This pulled me out of the story and was very distracting. It was obvious that an editor was desperately needed.
Dr. Cynthia Haywood and Simon Baxter were the main characters with lots of supporting characters. Most were flat and undeveloped with backstories that were glossed over; making them unrealistic. For a love story, there was no real steam between Cynthia and Simon. For Simon to be suffering from past tragedies, how could he help anyone. He was just to real to be true. Cynthia was a self-assured, confident African American, neurologist who was Assistant Chair of Neurology in a famous D. C. hospital; yet she allowed the Chair, Dr. Hoskins, take credit for her research for years. She came off as rude and condescending. I still don't know who Simon was, just knew a few things that happened to him. Still be loved Cynthia and allowed her all the time She needed to heal. He was whatever she needed him to be - Why?
She was in Eastport, R. I. because of the death of her sister who left her guardian of her adopted niece and Simon was the next door neighbor. She was staying there for a couple of months to allow her niece to adjust to her Mom's death. The descriptions of her parents made no sense and gave no indication of who they really were, other than her Dad was her hero.
Her parents returned home after three weeks. Cynthia got a temporary job at the local hospital because of her networking. The doctors and nurses immediately embraced her because they were so caring and had much to share. The community was so loving and helpful, yet there was no real sense of who they were.
The writing was awkward with words with obscure meanings, i.e. Simon dogs were named Beta and Max. The ending was rushed with everything tied up too neatly. I was disappointed in this book which left me wanting...
This is the first book that I have read by this author. I will definitely have to look into his catalogue of work. This was not a quick read, but I devoured it in one sitting.
Cynthia was not my favorite person at the beginning. Unpleasant people irritate me. Gender doesn't matter. I have no patience for unpleasant people. I could understand her lack of trust based on the environment in which she worked. The sharp responses to simple comments was unnecessary, but that's my issue, lol.
I was surprised at her reaction to the phone call and the events she subsequently had to endure. I really expected her to be calm, cool, collected, and clinical. I thought her vulnerability was a nice touch.
I loved Simon's character. He had a gentle air that did not diminish his masculinity in the least. It only served to enhance his strength, calm, and inner peace.
I did like Simon and Cynthia together. It felt like they were healing one another. There was a sensual aspect to their relationship that seemed to be an underlying factor almost from their first meeting.
I also appreciated the boss move Cynthia pulled at the hospital. She made one statement that was a dead giveaway as to what she was planning to do. Kudos! I thought that was impressive.
I liked the way Cynthia seemed to come into her own once she left Baltimore. I would have been interested to read about her mother's reactions to the changes in her life. I would give this book 4.5 stars.
Doctor Know by Mel Walker is part of the Doctors of Eastport General series. Doctor Cynthia Haywood is a focused Neurosurgeon and Assistant Chair at the hospital in Baltimore, that would rather be attending to her patients and researching the newest and best practices than dating or having a family. But when tragedy strikes, she finds herself in Rhode Island and the guardian of her eight year old niece Augusta. The next-door neighbor Simon Baxter turns out to be a big help with Augusta and the fact that they have so much chemistry has nothing to do with it.
This book is very well written and has everything you want in a romance book. A beautiful, intelligent female main character, a very handsome, smart and romantic male main character. There’s also a little mystery to him plus there’s romance, angst, some fade to black heat and of course a happily ever after. If you’ve read any of the other books in the series you will be reunited with other doctors at the hospital. All in all a great book.
This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up by him. I enjoy his writing skills as well as his ability to pull me into the story with ease. This book is no different and is one of my favorites yet. This is a well written story about Cynthia and her determination to get her career back on track after a family tragedy. The only problem she has now is her steamy next door neighbor. She never expected to have to make a choice between her big city dreams or love. What will she choose? I enjoyed her character and what she brought to the story. She is a strong character that knows what she wants until fate steps in. I enjoyed watching the growth of these two characters which made the story easy to read. I also found this book to be fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. You don't want to miss what happens in this great romance story. I highly recommend this book.
I LOVE me some Mel Walker as every book is fantastic in my opinion so of course Doctor Know was amazing. Dr. Cynthia Haywood is on track to become the best Neurologist around as her brilliance has her career on the rise so it's only a matter of time before she runs the department. Life has a funny way of throwing a wrench in our best laid plans, and a family tragedy left her taking care of her niece in Eastport, Rhode Island, which is like a whole different world. It doesn't help that she ends up drawn to her neighbor, Simon, despite her best efforts but the sparks are flying between them plus he's just a great guy. She is struggling with everything in her personal life, not to mention her new job is different from what she knows so the emotions are high in this book, and I loved how realistic it all felt with Cynthia's new journey. Honestly, everyone needs Mel Walker in their lives, so yeah, y'all need to hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Mel Walker - this isn't the first book I have read of his, but let me say that it might just be my favorite. I love that his depiction of female narrative is believable and relatable. The things that go through our heads... our struggles...
Now about the characters: Simon is hands down a book boyfriend. He is a man that any (unless crazy) woman would be ecstatic to settle down with - and the way he listens, understands, its just so..... chef's kiss to make you swoon for him...
Augusta, poor babygirl, was just trying to make sense of life without her mother around, but she did such a good job stepping onto the role, with a little help from Simon.
This was a 5 star read, for sure. I can't wait to meet the author someday. Great job holding my attention throughout the entire book to see how this trio would go..
Cynthia was strong and driven but I loved how she was willing to put it all on hold for family. Family came first for her, even if it meant putting on hold the life she had chosen. Simon was amazing. I loved his character. He was real. The kind of guy everyone wishes they had in their life. He listened and always put other people first. I think Simon and Cynthia completed each other perfectly. I loved seeing Reggie and Angie again too. I still love Reggie and am still waiting for his HEA. I loved the story. It was well written and flowed, keeping me interested the whole time. It was wonderfully written and the characters were very relatable. Well done on another amazing read.
I was given a complimentary copy but voluntarily chose to review
Cynthia thought she had her life mapped out as she was focused on her career as a successful doctor and a promotion was within her reach until one call changed everything. She now finds herself with different priorities and that includes being the mother that her niece needs.
Simon is Cynthia’s neighbor, and he turns out to be her biggest support system. He is right by her side not only when it comes to her niece but helping her realize that the future she was planning might not be the one she is destined to have.
Simon is so encouraging and understanding while Cynthia tries to deal with all the challenges she is facing and they prove that as long as they have each other they can handle anything life throws at them.
Title: Doctor Know: Part of: Doctors of Eastport General Author: Mel Walker Publisher: M. W. Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: Five Review: "Doctor Know" by Mel Walker
My Sentiments:
'Doctor Know' was a good read, especially if you like contemporary romance. There'll be a little bit of it all, from heartbreaking to heartwarming. We see a lot of Cythina Haywood, a neurologist, as the story goes from 'forgiveness, healing, and finally finding love.' The characters from the novel, especially Augusta and Simon, were all well-developed and fascinating to read about. It was good to see Cythnia finally see her work in a new way and meet Simon, who put the icing on the cake. To get all this good story, pick up Doctor Know and see what it is all about.
Part of a multi author interconnected series. Some of the characters overlap as they all are connected through the hospital. For the most part this book could be considered clean. There's a couple of mild curse words and insinuation. It is a closed door/fade to black book. She was working at one of the best hospitals under one of the best neurologist. When tragedy strikes, in the middle of what should have been a great night,she rushes to her sister's. Now faced with life altering choices that affect more than just her she needs to adjust priorities. Will she return to her former life or start a new path? How does she handle her mentor?.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Doctor Cynthia’s whole world is turned upside down in what feels a matter of seconds and even though she feels lost and struggling she never hesitates to step up for family. Becoming a somewhat mother figure to her niece overnight isn’t where she thought she would be, but as she tries to navigate this new role everything from her actions to thoughts are so relatable that you feel exactly what she is going through. Simon is absolute perfection always being there, lending a helping hand, listening, and just so caring you can’t help but adore this man. This story was so full of heart and emotions that you end up falling in love with the characters and wishing you had more time with them.
Can we really do it alone? This is a good read that challenges the thoughts that some women especially black women are told is the road to success, trust no one and go it alone.
Doctor Love has kept her head down and given up her due glory on the hopes of a promise that she will be rewarded later. Later becomes sooner than she had planned and in such a different way than she ever thought possible when a family tragedy changes the trajectory of her life.
Oh but there is a very special neighbor who has gone through his own tragedy, waiting to assist Doctor Love through her grief process. Oh but to be healed in this way is a dream in the making.
A big city girl finds small town love in a big way. Cynthia is placed between a rock and a hard place when she has to decide what’s right for her and her niece. I loved the patience that Simon had for both Cynthia and Augusta. He was solid and consistent. I also loved the way Eastport came together multiple times in the book. It reminded me of real life when people come together through hope and love. It truly did invoke that same emotion.
I think this is a definite read for anyone who likes romance books. Mel Walker does a great job!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dr. Cynthia Haywood is a rising star in a Baltimore hospital, as she gets closer to her dream role, a family tragedy sends her to Rhode Island and a niece to raise.
Enter her sexy neighbor, Simon Baxter, who ends up being a great resource for Cynthia who has to balance her temporary hospital assignment along with school buses, weeknight dinners, and homework.
Simon and Cynthia form a real friendship before intimacy enters the picture. But they both have a past to overcome before moving forward.
I enjoyed this journey with Cynthia into parenthood, a real relationship, and a happy ending.
I loved this. Cynthia has her world turned upside down she has to leave Baltimore where she's worked her butt off to be established and where she is. An unexpected circumstance has her traveling to Rhode Island to be with her niece. A perfect neighbor Simon who's attentive, loving, and super caring. She falls for the small state and starts to enjoy the colleagues as well as the community feeling. Cynthia has a choice to make a hard one. I Loved the slow-burn chemistry between Simon and Cynthia. I loved everything about this book, to be honest.
This story is bursting with character, emotion, hope, and heart. Cynthia and Simon were the best characters. Simon stole my heart from the start, he was so caring and giving…swoon worthy material for sure. These two just seem to fit together perfectly and made a perfect couple. Engaging, riveting, wonderfully written, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s an extraordinary read and one I highly recommend to everyone.
What was there not to love about this book? Cynthia is a strong, goal oriented woman who has had her world rocked, personally and professionally. With the help of an amazing team, an extraordinary neighbor and a sweet niece, she sees her dreams shift and a future she never expected. This was a well written story that kept me engaged and wanting more. I enjoyed the little twist toward the end that led to a happy ending.
Doctor Know is a delightful book about the changes in life’s journey. It is warm and caring, tearful and funny and quite an honest look at how things and people can change your life forever.
A wonderful quote from this book is now written on my wall of positivity: As you rise, you clear the obstacle and reach back to pull up the next person. Words we need to take to heart and practice everyday.
This book was what I needed to kick start my summer reading with a light romance novel. I was able to pick it up and put it down with ease, which was a pleasant experience. I have a love/hate relationship with books I can't put down until I have stayed up irresponsibly late. I also don't like when I can lay a book down with no real interest of picking it back up. This experience was nice.
I loved Cynthia and Simon’s love story but more importantly, I liked Cynthia figuring out what she wanted and who she wanted to be. We meet her as she learns of a tragedy that makes her an instant parent. She also meets her neighbor who becomes a lot more to her and was the nicest guy. I enjoyed her evolution and how her priorities changed. I wish there had been more closure for Simon with his former friends though. Overall, it was a good book.
Wow. That was an emotional roller-coaster, and I kind of don’t have any words left at the end of it. Cynthia’s entire life changed on a dime and the orderly world where she was in charge of her domain was shaken to its foundations. I loved seeing the growth both Cynthia and Simon go through, but it broke my heart to witness the tragedies that sparked their learning. I adored the little family I saw them becoming and I kind of hate that the book’s over already and I have to let them go now.
Holy moly! This book is soooooo good & will tug at your heartstrings. It was such a deep and beautiful story full of healing, hope, trust & taking a chance on love & a new path in life. It will make you laugh, cry, think, hold your breath, scream, and laugh again. The pull between Cynthia & Simon is so magnetic. It’s one that you won’t want to put down until the end and then you’ll want more.
In Doctor Know we see Cynthia who is a rising neurosurgeon but when an tragic leaves her rush to her niece. With the help of her new hot neighbor Simon, she works through so much emotions and try to plan for unknown future. Her life takes a drama turn but she never gives up on anything. Another remarkable story for this series.
This story was so heartwarming. I loved Augusta "Auggie" and how she warmed her way into Cynthia's heart. Simon was just what Cynthia needed but she has to decide the future and is unsure. I loved how the healing wasn't one-sided in this story. So much pain and grief but it was how Mel Walker told it that enthralled me.
This is an awesome lovable book. Dr./Auntie Cynthia was thrown into a situation that was devastating yet a must for the advancement in her life. This is a good read showing how difficult but rewarding life’s decision can be. Great book to read. No drama, no extreme sex, no foul language😊
This book is a fine work of literary Art. It is one of the best reads I've ever experienced. Full of real life issues, real life struggles. It has one identifying with the characters. Can make you laugh, cry, pulls on the heartstrings and is full of valuable life lessons. Thank You Mel Walker.
This was my first book by this author and I loved it. I really enjoyed the characters in this book. And look forward to treading more of his books. Mel tells a wonderful romantic story that I find myself wanting to live. Thank you Mel for taking the chance on me as an arc reader.