Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Romancing Dr. Love by Rebecca Heflin – Book Review


Book: Romancing Dr. Love
(Book 1 in the Sterling University series)
Author: Rebecca Heflin
Publisher: Rebecca Heflin Books, LLC
ISBN: 9780997181203
ASIN: B01NCJL5SZ

"What, or should I say who, Dr. Love, has made you so cynical when it comes to matters of the heart?"

Romancing Dr. Love by Rebecca Heflin is the first novella in the Sterling University series. As with most Heflin books, Romancing Dr. Love is a standalone.
Samantha 'Sam' Love is a psychology professor at Sterling University. From the beginning of the book, we meet the university 'hottie', literature professor Ethan Quinn and learn that he has liked Sam from a distance for some time.

As the daughter of renowned sex therapists, Sam seeks to get out of their shadow, while at the same time preserve her reputation, as men have followed her all her life, thinking that because of her parents' work, she is good in the bedroom. In truth, Sam has never looked at sex as something to be enjoyed. She has also been recently dumped by her ex who had called her 'frigid'.

“Have dinner with me this weekend.” Well, that just popped out.
Her eyes flew open as she shot him a confused look. “What? Why?”
“Why? Why does a man ask a woman out? I like you.”

At Sterling University, Sam is working on a patent that would enable couples to find their matches through science rather than love. Sam is looking to get her work patented through the university to prove to herself.

Sam is quite a flawed character and I like how Helfin drew her, made the reader connect with her and sympathise with her.

I liked the theme of family and relationships in Romancing Dr. Love. Because of her parents' work, Sam has never had roots anywhere, and is accordingly planning to just stay for some time in Sterling for work then move on to advance her career. When she goes to Ethan's home and sees the family photos, she can't help but feel a pang of jealousy that she didn't have that with her parents.

There are other characters in the book such as creative writing professor Delaney Driscoll, whom Heflin is focusing on in the third book in the series.



Heflin often creates perfect men and Ethan tops the list. It's easy to fall in love with him and Sam realises that Ethan's presence is making experience new feelings but also threatening her research; especially, when he signs up as a subject in her study.

Something about his kisses switched off all higher-functioning parts of her brain, leaving only her reptilian instinct in control—a little like leaving a teenager at home without adult supervision. For an entire weekend. With a cabinet full of liquor.

I liked Sam's character development. It was slow, jittery; even Sam was feeling it. However, there wasn't much for Ethan. Felt he was too perfect. I think he'd put Austen's Mr. Darcy to shame.

The imagery, dialogue, description, and overall word choice throughout Romancing Dr. Love were beautifully written. There were sections I wish I could quote whole.

I like how Heflin included scientific bits in the novel. I was worried it wouldn't hold out till the end. Then I realised the problem wasn't with the theory but with Sam herself, whose thinking was a bit flawed because she had never experienced love and therefore doesn't believe in it. Also because of her flawed thinking, Sam believes that Ethan's parents' marriage failed because it was built on respect.

“You’ve taken love, with all its mystery and beauty, and reduced it to something as romantic as a cholesterol test.”

Heflin often also builds stories around writers, or in this case, in this case a psychology and literature professor and the world of academia, where Heflin herself has experience. 

Overall, Romancing Dr. Love is a beautiful and exciting romantic novella. Easily read in a day or two tops. I highly recommend it.

Generally, kissing for her held the same level of interest as vanilla ice cream—she could take it or leave it. But kissing Ethan was like indulging in cookies ’n cream ice cream with extra chocolate sauce on top. And white chocolate sprinkles. Decadent. Sinful.


Overall rating: 5 stars


Note: I received a free copy of Romancing Dr. Love in exchange for an honest review.
Note II: The book contains a couple of bedroom scenes.

Check out Nadaness In Motion's other book reviews for Heflin's books:


About the Author:

Rebecca Heflin is an award-winning author who has dreamed of writing romantic fiction since she was fifteen and her older sister snuck a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss' Shanna to her and told her to read it. Rebecca writes women's fiction and contemporary romance. When not passionately pursuing her dream, Rebecca is busy with her day-job as a practicing attorney.
Rebecca is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Florida Romance Writers, RWA Contemporary Romance, and Florida Writers Association. She and her mountain-climbing husband live at sea level in sunny Florida.

Connect with Rebecca Heflin via her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

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