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
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:
Dreams of Perfection (5 stars)
Dreams of Her Own (5 stars)
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.
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