Diana Petrell is a new intern under the mentors hip of Dr. Emily Barnes. Diane is returning to pre-med after a hiatus of nine years and is keen on doing it right. Not that Emily makes it say for her. But then, Emily is equally professional and curt with everyone else. Despite her prickly exterior, Diane is drawn to Emily. Both have their own secrets / baggage that takes careful handling and navigation as they get closer to each other.
The chemistry in this is good and the romance steady. Diane quickly establishes herself as a mature, amiable and likeable person. Emily is more challenging. And also where Zett really creates an impression.
Most people are somehow messed up in or damaged while growing up. One of the most insidious and invisible chipping is by polite distance, emotional neglect and lack or love from a parent. The damage this causes can be different for different people, but Emily is clearly what is now recognised as a 'sensitive child'. Zett draws Emily in great detail with sympathy and understanding and then get invested in her a whole character arc and trajectory as love enters her life in form of Diane.
Yes, this is slow burn. Yes, there was one (note, just one) point where we thought Emily's pull Diana close and feint away from her was unjustified. But otherwise, this is a wonderful commentary on the power of the love and patience from the right person which makes a person transform from a tightly closed bud to a fresh, dancing bloom.
Abby Craden does a competent job and kept us hooked for the entire duration of the fairly long book.
Yes, we'd surely recommend this one.
⭐⭐⭐☆★
