Kimmery Martin's second novel is even better than her debut. This emotional, timely story tackles big societal and medical care issues, but it's not "lesson heavy". The friendship between Georgia and Jonah is excellently portrayed. Whereas the author's first book drew lots of Grey's Anatomy comparisons, this one is less soapy. While the author's obvious knowledge of medicine and science is clear, everything is comprehensible and well explained for laypeople.

I wanted to love this one b/c I loved Queen of Hearts but unfortunately this one wasn't for me. It started strong but I felt like it REALLY dragged and took forever to find an ending... I think the overall message got lost along the way... I almost DNF'd a few times but decided to just finish it. I don't think I'll be recommending this one.

The second book by Kimmery Martin and I am officially a fan of her writing. Both of her books center around the medical community and both handle some hard topics. They are not a series, but I would high suggest reading both of them.

This book centers around a man and a woman who have an intense friendship - enough to make each other their healthcare power of attorney. Georgia Brown is a female urologist which is unique (something I learned), she has been in her field for a long time and prides herself on being a good doctor for each of her patients. Jonah Tsukada is a primary care physician who is willing to treat all sorts of patients, he has many who are transitioning or are queer and being a gay man himself can provide an extra dose of empathy when treating them.

These two and their friendship really made the book for me. I love how they played off of each other and how they supported each other. I wouldn't mind another book about this pair. They reminded me of a few friendships that I have where you can support one another but also push each other to become better people.

The other thing that made this book for me was the topic that she tackled - private medical care being able to make decisions about who they do and who they don't treat. I knew before reading this book that this was a fact, but to read about it just really made it real and heartbreaking. I can't imagine having hospital executives tell me a doctor who I can and can't treat due to social decisions that the patients make - that just blows my mind.

I love Kimmery Martin's writing, characters and plot. It also helps that her books have been set so far in cities that I love - Charlotte and Charleston. She is definitely worth picking up and spending some time with.

BRAVA! BRAVA! BRAVA!

This is powerful, provocative, brave book questions one of the most important and sensitive subjects of our modern world and it handles it meticulously. The objectivity of the thoughts balanced with the emotional progression of story-telling. It was one of the greatest works that I’ve read so far with well rounded, impeccably developed characters.

Georgia, smart, sarcastic, unique, tough, brave doctor. I really adored her personality and wished to befriend her. Alas there are not much strong, crazily straightforward and original people in this world. And of course you also want some best and loyal friend like Jonah in your life. His story perfectly told, not with any over exaggeration or over imposing, so naturally and poignantly described and stole my heart.

And hello, hello look who’s back! I hope you read the “Queen of Hearts” because two of my fave characters made cameo in this book. Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about: Emma and Zadie.
And of course we took an amazing European tour including Germany and Netherlands which are pros of the story.

I have complex feeling about romance parts. Maybe Georgia was so independent, direct and unique soul to form a bounding with a guy but I have to admit it’s impossible not to resonate with Martin.
This is story of equal rights, sexually, legally, humanly…It is about friendship. It’s about change and adaption. It’s about freedom and respect! It’s about awakening! It’s about real nature of true friendship!
In our modern world we have some shameful, disgraceful facts show us 10 US states still discriminate in public employment only based on either sexual orientation or gender identity. And when it comes to the loves about fully protection LGBTQ Americans aren’t fully protected from discrimination in 30 states! These numbers are disturbing, frustrating acts against the human rights.

So I’m happy this fantastic author chose a very crucial and effective subject and presented us a modern, realistic approach. Writing, characterization are good and capturing your attention from the beginning and you never get bored for a second, enjoying your reading.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.

It's tough to rate this book because I have pretty conflicting feelings. Do I love reading a book about whose central plot point is discrimination of the LGBTQ community from the point of a cis, straight woman? It's not my favorite. But the reality is that it will probably make the message more relatable to the people who really need to hear it, so I can accept that. Would it also be nice to see more than one developed character who was queer in a story about discrimination against queer people? Without a doubt.
As far as the romance element, this novel basically had two love stories. One, the friendship between Georgia and Jonah, and one, the romance between Georgia and Mark. This felt unnecessary and like it kept Martin from being able to fully develop either. Mark felt extraneous, and that whole plotline felt irrelevant to the rest of the story. The book would have been a lot stronger had Martin focused on Jonah and Georgia's relationship without feeling the need to throw in a random hetero love story.
In spite of these criticisms, I did overall like the book. I appreciate the intention and message, although I believe it could have been done better. I would still recommend it to others.

What an incredible voice Ms. Martin has through her writing. I was captivated literally from page one. Georgia, the female urologist, is quite a fiery and feisty character. Her best friend, Jonah, who is a very caring family physician, combines with all that she is to fight for their patients' rights to have access to health care. Martin displays wit and engaging plot details throughout and highlights those unsung heroes in our lives who fight to make our world whether locally or globally, better, every day. The friendship of these two is a focus of the novel and carries lovely plot events throughout a lovely story. I felt the gambit of emotions, but most often felt restored and renewed with hope. This is so much appreciated and enjoyed.

Georgia, a urologist, and Jonah, a GP, are best friends and are employed at a medical facility in SC affiliated with a church. Someone there has decided that Jonah, who is gay, biracial, and treats transgender patients, does not fit the ideal "moral" profile, so there is a plan to "encourage" him to resign. What it means to be a friend (or even a decent person with a conscience) honesty (and its many nuances), and fairness are some of the themes the author, who is herself a physician, explores. The characters are finely drawn and the plot is current and compelling--an all-around satisfying read. Highly recommended. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC.

When hospital practices start challenging personal beliefs and patients' rights, the bonds of professionalism and friendship are put to the test. With THE ANTIDOTE FOR EVERYTHING Kimmery Martin delivers another emotionally charged novel set in the medical world. Fans of Grey's Anatomy, get ready!

What I love about Kimmery Martin's writing is how much fun she seems to have with words. She's clever, witty, smart, well-read...sensing a theme here? She's also thoughtful. And the combination of her facility with words and her social awareness make for a book that can sweep the reader away and spark introspection and dialogue. In "The Antidote for Everything," Martin brings us the story of two doctors who face a pivot point in their careers, one forced upon them by discriminatory laws that threaten both access to health care and the livelihood of health care providers. But there's so much more. It's a story of friendship and loyalty, with deep dives into honesty, integrity, and love, among richly drawn and memorable characters. Should be a top book club pick.

All the sudden Georgia's best friend Jonah's patients are all leaving the clinic. He can't figure out why, and why they seem unhappy about it when they are leaving. Come to find out, the clinic has decided it will no longer treat transgender patients, and quickly let those patients know they are no longer welcome. Jonah is heartbroken and while fighting for his patients, loses his job. Georgia knows this is ridiculous and that they have no grounds for firing Jonah, and turning away their patients is insanely wrong. Knowing that that Jonah could easily slip into a depression, Georgia decides to take matters into her own hands.

I really enjoyed this book. This was not an easy topic to take on, and I give Martin all the props for doing so. I think it was just missing something to make it 5 stars for me. Overall I still really loved it and I think it is a very important discussion book right now. Many have compared it to Greys Anatomy in book form, which I completely agree with. All the drama and all the surgeries!

Thank you to Berkley Pub for my advanced copy of this book.

Martin again delivers a warm and compelling story about friendship as two Southern doctors are faced with the dilemma of being told which patients they are allowed to treat. Georgia, a dedicated urologist, has been unlucky at love but she has a friend who is like family, Jonah, a practitioner who works with her in Charleston. Someone has targeted Jonah for being gay and treating transgendered patients. Georgia has to decide how to defend her friend, whether to protect her job, what the motives are of her coworkers, and (luckily) gets to squeeze in a little romance. The hero is dishy even if he doesn't quite seem to fit within the context of the story.

Those like me who enjoyed Kimmery Martin's first book will rejoice that this author seems to have plenty of and is writing on a regular schedule.

I was fortunate enough to snag the ARC for Martins first book, Queen of Hearts, I had high expectation for this one and she did not disappoint! As usual, characters were deeply flawed, yet layered in a way that you got to know each one with their flaws and love them anyway (aside from the director of the medical practice, maybe ;)) there was one twist I definitely saw coming, but when I feel smug and comfortable, BAM she hits me with a couple more.

The romances in the book we’re very cute, slightly hard to believe as they develop quite quickly but still worth investing in.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Georgia and Jonah are friends and coworkers in a Carolina medical practice. Homophobia and drug addiction is at the heart of the novel's plot. Interesting read.

I really liked her first book but I did not vibe that well with this book. I will probably try this author again though.

This story is terrifying in it’s timeliness. Georgia Brown and Jonah Tsukada are both doctors at a hospital in Charleston and very close friends. While Georgia is away at a conference, Jonah calls to give her ominous news, the hospital has told them that they can no longer treat transgender patients. Jonah, himself gay, refuses to meet the edict and is fired. Georgia rushes to her friend’s side to take up the cause and fight by his side for what they know to be right, but in the fallout, they inadvertently take things a step to far. In an era when anyone who isn’t a white American male is under fire, this story had my stomach in knots. An unforgettable read

I was a big fan of Kimmery Martin's smart, witty debut, THE QUEEN OF HEARTS, and this follow-up does not disappoint. Her characters are fascinatingly brilliant, authentically human, and complicated in ways equally maddening and endearing. In other words, they could be your friends—and by the end of the story, they certainly feel that way. THE ANTIDOTE FOR EVERYTHING has a ripped-from-the-headlines hook: Martin's take on how doctors and corporations face down all too real stances on discrimination will make you think, feel, and ultimately stand up and cheer.

This is a wonderfully crafted book. It covers a genre of issues. It also has two super delicious, hilarious characters. Not to stop there it also cover some serious issues regarding discrimination in healthcare. I don't want to give the story away. You just have to read this book. It has intrigue, love, loyalty, body guards, hot businessmen, doctors, nurses, friendship, and being honest. Most importantly about standing up for what is right in today's society. People are people, we all need love, acceptance and understanding.

The beginning of this book was a rough go for me. The very beginning was interesting, and then it all quickly escalated with secrets and romance, and it felt like the author was trying to do to much. In the second half, this book really hit it's stride, and I enjoyed the story and what it was trying to accomplish. I think the mishmash of things at the beginning was a rushed attempt at character building, and could have been done better. I think the budding romance would have been better off having been established before the book starts, as it takes up too much space in the story for my tastes. I'm not sure this book was really for me, but I have no doubt that other readers will absolutely love this.

I was very intrigued by this book after reading Kimmery Martins' debut novel The Queen of Hearts. While I enjoyed a lot of the storyline, I struggled with some of the stereotypical language the author chose to include when describing some of the patients and it was off-putting as the reader.

When I read the premise of The Antidote for Everything I was very curious to see how she would handle a topic that is important but also something that I hoped would be spoken about with compassion and understanding. The Antidote for Everything takes on the issue of discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community specifically in the healthcare world.

I applaud Martin for taking on this highly relevant and important topic and it did seem as though she did her research to connect with people who are actually living this (because yes, this does still happen and without legal ramifications in place!)

This is a medical drama written by someone who obviously knows her stuff as she is a medical doctor herself. There is a certain amount of medical jargon throughout the book but not so much that someone that doesn't work in this field would feel completely confused.

As far as the connection with the characters, that is where it got a little lost for me. I often long for more backstory and I just wanted a little more and to feel more of an understanding of who they were as individuals and in relation to one another. I felt strongly about the topic but unfortunately, things feel a little flat with the actual plotline because I felt I was analyzing things more than getting fully pulled into the writing.

So I have mixed feelings about this one. It was an intriguing storyline that just lacked a strong connection with the characters for me. I do appreciate that she took on this highly relevant and timely topic that hopefully will help raise awareness of something that is still going on right now in our non-fictional world. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

3 to 3.5 stars. This topic is timely and important. I wanted to like this novel more than I did. The heroine of this novel is a doctor, so Georgia analyzes everything through a scientific lens. The problem is, that I, the reader, am now analyzing her feelings of lust and attraction toward Mark, because that’s how the story is being told to me. Whatever novel I’m reading, I want to feel something. I want to laugh, cry, fall in love with the hero along with the heroine, or feel so filled with suspense I can’t wait to find out what happens next and actually get stressed out until I’m sure the hero is all right. The only emotion I felt reading this was anger toward the fact that it’s still legal to discriminate against members of the LGBTQ community in jobs and healthcare and housing in many states.

Holy cow, I just checked the ACLU website and it said that in 38 states it’s still legal to discriminate against LGBTQ folks. That seems wrong, statistically, and is obviously grotesquely wrong morally.

There were some nice plot twists, but all in all, this just didn’t do it for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES FEBRUARY 18, 2020.