The Physician's Dilemma

 

About the Book:

A female surgeon must navigate society’s restrictions in this fun and courageous tale about finding love where you least expect it.

A physician seeking love
Julian Grey has led a charmed life. His every endeavor has been easily achieved, and he doesn’t want for much. Freedom from the females in his family. A man-sized scone. A bride so he might join his friends in wedded bliss. He’s even found the perfect lady to court. But first, he needs to hire a surgeon for Heloise Manor, London’s newest foundling home.

If only it weren’t for the annoying Miss Grace, whose brash manner and freakishly accurate memory irritate him like a pebble in his boot.

A surgeon seeking employment
Charlotte Grace wants nothing more than to be a surgeon, but she’ll be content helping her father treat his patients. Until he retires, that is.

Set adrift, Charlie goes to London to further her studies and seek like-minded doctors for intelligent discourse. Instead she encounters small minds and Dr. Julian Grey, a physician who studied with her father years ago. Life is too easy for Dr. Grey—even London’s stubborn traffic parts for him. With little effort he’s gained the entrée into the medical world that she desperately longs for. But she’s willing to overlook his failings if he’ll hire her on as surgeon at Heloise Manor.

When an impossible choice demands courage, will Julian and Charlie find their way to love?

My Review:

Charlotte (Charlie) Grace wants one thing in life and that is to be a surgeon. She has studied for years, has gone with her doctor father on calls, and is progressive in her treatment plans. She is an excellent physician, but there is only one problem, she is a woman living in 1819. 

Brash and outspoken, Charlie hides behind her gruff exterior in order to guard her heart and hide her disappointment in not being accepted in the medical field. Her tenacity and perseverance made me root for her and want to see her succeed. I loved seeing her go from being brusque and somewhat of a know-it-all, to transforming into a surgeon with compassion for the children at the orphanage. 

Julian Gray and Charlie were a perfect fit. As both of them let down their defenses, they could see the possibility of a lifetime of love. When Julian allowed Charlie to try some innovative medical treatments and pursue her dream of being a surgeon, I couldn’t wait for them to discover that two are better than one. Hats off to Julian when he gave Charlie credit and recognition for her medical practices in front of a room full of male physicians.

If you love historical fiction, this is a book you will want to read. I learned so many interesting things about the medical practices of that time. Ms. Smith has written a story with such detail that I really felt I was there with Charlie and Julian and the children at the foundling home. This is part of the Something Wonderful series, but can be read as a standalone. 

I was given a copy of the book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Scarlet Bergamot pictured here on the left is an herb that has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes.