What happens when a burnt out, high strung cancer researcher runs into an anxious, handsome, recovering boy bander with a private island and a elderly cougar? Shenanigans, wild animal attacks, a massive storm, run-ins with the law, and the complete abandonment of The Plan.
Zoey Fong already has an M.D., but she is in a prestigious doctoral program to be a cancer researcher so she can cure cancer in kids like her sister. She hates her program, her lab mate, and the mug collection she didn’t ask for, but what can she do? She has a Plan.
Davy Hsieh has come to the university for an appointment, but he gets lost, finds Zoey, and never makes it to his meeting.
He took in her snapping dark eyes and the soft body under the crisp shirt. She was fluffy and angry, like a delicious cake that would give him violent heartburn. He still wanted a bite.
He turned on his best smile.
“Why do cis men think I’m the happy helper booth around here? Tell me this? I mean, I’m working. I’ve got a microscope. I’ve got this whole-” she waved her arms at the empty hall “-I’ve got this whole setup. And these men, these men are forever wandering in asking me for things”
I love a good rant. Zoey and Davy have multiple good rants in them. I also love it when the sunshine one loves the prickliness of the grumpy one. Zoey accidentally gives an important slide to Davy, and the two spend time together trying to locate and recover it. They very quickly fall into like, lust, and love. Davey, though, isn’t quite the sunshiney handsome that Zoey initially takes him for. The two of them take on more responsibility than they should, and because they do it themselves, they recognize it in each other. They give each other permission to let go of the tight grip they have on themselves.
I enjoyed this so much. Opal Wei beautifully balances the madcap with the heartfelt. I’m going to need a physical copy of this one on my shelf.
The author provides a content warning: Some readers may find topics discussed in this book difficult. These include cancer and terminal illness, anxiety and mental illness, flawed family relationships, and the mistreatment of animals. Neither the cancer nor the mistreatment of animals happens on page.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Harlequin and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.