Amy Spencer and Ellis Hall meet on line and decide to meet up for no strings attached sex. No questions, no information shared, just physical contact that helps each other keep sane in their busy lives. That is until they find themselves connected outside the bedroom. Once they find their paths cross day to day they have difficult decisions to make, should the continue to dabble or walk away. I found this book such an easy read. Very enjoyable and the plot was interesting and different.

Fantastic chemistry between the main characters and very realistic and well-written social issue of medical services/hospitals, their roles in communities and their funding. Richardson balances these elements of the story perfectly, maintaining erotic tension between Ellis and Amy the whole way through. Thursday Afternoons is in my Best Lesfics list.

I enjoyed the concept of this book and even more so that the first meeting between the main characters is continued rather than being a one night stand. Dr Amy Spencer connects with Ellis Hall on a dating site where they both want a no strings hook up to relieve some sexual tension. After their first meeting in a hotel it’s good enough that they do it again. And then some more. They’re both professional woman with demanding jobs and a relationship holds no interest for either of them. They’ve agreed to no personal questions but fate seems to want to have a little dig at their expense.

The way Richardson creates her characters appeals to me. Their interactions are mature for the most part and when they’re erratic it’s backed up by the circumstances. Amy and Ellis are both likeable characters with behaviour in they pasts that they regret. It makes them more human that they haven’t made the best decisions in the past and aren’t necessarily making the best decisions in the present.

Hospital dramas always call to me. Surgery, budget cuts and streamlining of the healthcare system inspire high emotions no matter where you are in the world and in Canada it’s no different. This novel has great tension which is sustained throughout and well balanced with some wonderfully well written sex scenes.

[It’s taken me so long to get to this ARC that I ended up listening to the audio book, narrated by Abby Crayden. This is my first audio book by Crayden and I’m well on my way to becoming a fan.]

Book received from Netgalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read - the two leads were both very relatable and had great chemistry. I liked how the romance developed in a slightly unusual way compared to the average romance - the book basically started out with the two main characters meeting up for sex, which could have been awkward, but the author managed to build the chemistry and the attraction right from the beginning. I liked how the leads were later reintroduced as rivals, and then got to truly know one another and build a relationship. The supporting characters, like Mia, were also well developed. The level of angst was just right, without drama added in just for the sake of it. My only negative feedback is the fact that the book was written in the present tense, which I found distracting.

If you can suspend your disbelief (or my disbelief) for long enough to get past how these two meet, the story is actually engaging and interesting and is about a lot more than just two women hooking up. If you squint you can see the similarities with Pretty Woman in how someone comes into re-evaluate a company/hospital and drive efficiencies. Along the way the relationship between Ellis and Amy develops, halts, kickstarts again and ultimately bumps along for a fun journey.

Hmmm... I'm very confused about this book... It had everything to be 5 stars, according to the plot and previous work of the author, but somewhere on its way, the book lost its intensity and chemistry between Amy and Ellis. Everything started perfectly, but Amy's rudeness throughout the half of the book just killed the mood somehow...

This claims to be a sizzling and erotic book and let me tell you it fails. The sex is poorly written (by an author I usually like for a bit of escapism) and I just couldn't warm up to either character. Of course, I'm not exactly spoiling anything, the two anonymous sex partners get to know each other better after a plumbing problem is all things and discover that they actually like each other...cue massive stereotypical drama! Oh my god I can't believe that's who you are in real life cringey shite.

I will not be recommending this book to anyone.

The synopsis of this book hooked me immediately and I absolutely loved the first 1/4 of this book. Once Amy and Ellis started working together, I found that I was no longer interested. Amy was downright mean and rude to Ellis, and yet Ellis still wanted her. I did find the addition of Ellis's former step-daughter to be an excellent dynamic and this subplot because my favorite part of the book. I always enjoy a good Tracey Richardson novel and while this book wasn't my favorite of hers, it was still an entertaining read.

This is a good romance although I think that the behavior or personality of the two protagonists that the author has intended at the beginning of the book does not fit much with their demeanor in the subsequent development. However, I have not disliked that change since I enjoyed the story as a whole and the result for me is good.

The story begins with two women who go to a contact website to have sex, not a relationship, only sex with another woman, basically because they don't want more complications in their lives. They do not explain to each other anything about their personal life, or what they do, or even their real name. And this sex-only formula works well for them. Until their personal lives intersect.

Amy / Abby is a surgeon in a hospital in a small town, she has her life in order except because she doesn't want to complicate herself in love for fear of suffering, as happened in her only love relationship. Living in her hometown is good for her, because she can also take care of her parents, already elderly and with physical difficulties. Ellis / Ellen resolves complicated situations in the world of healthcare, wants to correct a mistake she made in her only serious relationship and, therefore, is dealing with a problematic teenager while starting a new professional challenge in a new town.

The development of the story has the complication of the two women knowing each other before having to work together in some way, having to hide that they know each other and facing an attraction that they cannot avoid, although neither of them wants it, apparently. And although they are not very consistent in their behavior, considering that they are very firm at first that they do not want a relationship and then it seems that everything suddenly changes, the development of the events that the book tells and the way they open to each other and help themselves and others, it has been very nice for me.

What another great story from Ms. Richardson. She is one of my favorites so I was happy to pick this book up and start reading. This one had a bit of an twist right from the start, it was not a slow burn, the 2 characters just jumped right into bed, BUT for a reason that worked on how the book progressed-I loved it.

The story line is well written and they way Ms. Richardson describes the world of a small town hospital I could just image the small hospital in my own home town I grew up in. I loved the characters of Amy and Ellis, and was glad when they finally found out who each other was (and the use of their real names :-)-all very believably and I liked both right away. Both had enough baggage to bring the issue to a relationship, but no so bad that made you want to not cheer for their HEA.

I believe this book also brought some characters over from her other book, I'm Gonna Make You Love Me, which I have not read yet, but now plan to pick that book up and read next.

I look forward to more from this author, and hope maybe get a glimpse in future books as to how Amy and Ellis are doing

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-Another great story

Another super-solid romance from Tracey Richardson. Thursday Afternoons felt anything but standard with three stories interwoven. First, kudos to Ellis and Amy, who are busy corporate types with zero time for relationships, but each realizes she's missing something in her life. Second, the lovers-to-enemies theme where they come up against each other in an adversarial workplace situation. And third, the background stories that depict all the different types of families there are out there and how Ellis and Amy each step up to do the right thing. Add a scorching hotness factor, and this one was tough to put down over the holiday break!

Light, fun, sexy, and entertaining. Should I or should I not. Ellis Hall, hospital fix-it person not looking for a relationship and does not care about much until she meets Amy. Amy Spencer, surgeon with not much time for relationships. Amy cares about her hospital, patients, parents, family, and friends. Although a light and entertaining read with little if any angst, the focus on family and health caught my attention. Family can take on different shapes. There is no right and wrong family. Being and feeling apart of family is what is most important. Health care is expensive. Health care can be limited in small towns. Quality health care providers are in high demand and are not always interested in practicing in small towns. A read that makes you smile.

This was a well written book. It started off interesting right from the get-go, so I wan invested right away. The two main characters were HOT, and I appreciated that they were also a bit older. The chemistry was sizzling.

Another thing that was unique in the book was that Ellis admits to being kind of an a-hole in a previous relationship, so she spends part of the book trying to rectify that with her stepdaughter Mia. It's always nice when the MC's aren't these perfect specimens.

Great read, and would definitely recommend.

I’ve read a several of Tracey’s books and I’ve always enjoyed them. This one was no different. She is a solid writer, and always produces a satisfying story.

The the two leading ladies were interesting. Ellis audited and reviewed hospital budgets and made recommendations to keep them in the black. Amy was surgeon and department head at a small hospital. Their perfect Thursday afternoon rendezvous comes to a screeching halt when they find themselves in the middle of a budget review headed by Ellis.

The storyline was a bit predictable at times, but none of the characters’ actions or motives were unrealistic for the general theme of the story. The writing style created a nice flow and was easy to read. The story arc was nicely paced and plotted. The middle held my interest as well as the beginning, and the end was a satisfying conclusion.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick light read. It is a perfect book to lose yourself in and escape from the world for a few hours.

The sexy book description of Thursday Afternoons pulled me in, but it was content and beauty of Amy and Ellis’ story that won me over in ways I didn’t expect. I didn’t expect the complexity of their lovers to enemies story, or the subtlety of multiple forces at play nudging their struggle this way and that. The plot is intricate and complex but flows beautifully and creates multiple layers of suspense I wasn’t expecting not knowing if they were going to survive each other from one moment to the next. Coupled with their insanely hot attraction and sexy escapades this story quickly topped my read-it-again list. I look forward to revealing more layers to this marvelous story. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday Afternoons by Tracey Richardson is an absolutely wonderful novel. This is a lovely and tender romance, but it also tells a very serious and real story about the health care system in Canada.

The two main characters, Amy and Ellis, have met online through a dating app, and have decided to meet each other every Thursday afternoon in a hotel in Windsor for sex. Both women have had bad experiences with relationships in their past, and neither wants to start an emotion filled relationship now. Things work out very well for several weeks. The sex is fabulous, and both try to keep their real lives separate from each other. All that ends, though when their real life work collides. Amy is the head surgeon in a community hospital. When she finds out her hospital is being audited to try and cut costs, she becomes concerned. Then she finds out the auditor is Ellis. This not only ends their Thursday afternoons, it could end what was starting to become more than just sex between them. Not only could her hospital be hurt by the audit, two hearts could be hurt as well.

This is a beautiful romance between the two main characters, but it is much more than that. The story itself covers a very serious conversation about the availability and equality of the healthcare system in Canada. Don’t get me wrong. I think healthcare for all is a wonderful thing, but in reality it is hard to make sure it works for everyone, as this story shows. My own mother-in-law had to be flown far from home to have surgery when she had a heart attack several years ago. She was well taken care of and fully recovered, but it was hard for her and for us being so far away from home and family. So I understand the challenges faced by those with an unequal health care system, as the author demonstrates in this novel.

The book flows well, and kept my interest throughout, especially since the subject matter is so dear to me. The characters are well-developed and easy to connect with. This novel is definitely one of my favorites. I really loved this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

Surgeon Amy Spencer and financial consultant Ellis Hall have a simple Thursday afternoon arrangement. They met online and under false names, arranged to meet once a week for sex. Soon, simple turns into complicated as their worlds collide outside the hotel room they both shared to escape stress and past hurts. Can they keep their relationship on the physical level or risk everything for love?

I liked the fake name concept. Abby and Ellen transform into their real names according to the story’s point of view as the time passes. Sex turns into making love as well. Perhaps a little bit of instalove early on, but the author managed to put the brakes on the physical to develop everything else and make it a sustainable relationship. This is one of those start in bed then fall in love stories.

This novel reminded me of Radclyffe’s ‘Against Doctor’s Orders’ from the Rivers Family Romance Series. Amy is a surgeon in a small hospital. Ellis is the consultant brought in to make recommendations to make the hospital financially sound. The health care system is fascinating and scary at the same time. For me, it falls in the investment and insurance category of it is too much for my brain to understand and hey, many, brighter people have tried to come up with a solution without universal success. The author did a great job at explaining both sides of the debate, keeping services vs cutting back to achieve sustainability. The answer came by a little too easy in a way and paralleled Radclyffe’s. In the end, it was satisfactory for me and the tension served the story well.

I also liked Ellis’ back story. She seeks redemption for how she finished her one serious relationship by trying to be back in the life of her once stepdaughter. I feel that was well handled and yes, I’ll say heartwarming. Along those lines, the story of Amy’s parents was a greater addition and further exemplified their ties to the town. Amy’s best friend also had her very cute love story in the background.

On a little side note, great cover by Sandy Knowles. Readily caught my attention and definitely fit the storyline.

Overall, a good medical romance that will please fans of the trope. 4.5 stars

ARC generously provided to me by BB via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really looking forward to reading this book when I first read the summary description on the Bella Books web site. I thought that the concept of the story, how the main characters were to meet, and a twist that was alluded to in that summary would be interesting. The actual book did not disappoint. From the first meeting in a hotel room on a Thursday afternoon for sex, to their first meeting in their daily life, the story and the characters of Amy and Ellis, kept me engaged. They were two passionate people who displayed that passion in their work roles as well as the bedroom.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters of Mia, Kate, and Erin, and their stories could likely be expanded to other books.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I needed this :) with all its angst, the connection between the characters, the amazing sex scenes! So that’s the short summary:)
Now getting a bit into details : the MCs have this incredible chemistry that starts off with a sex scene! I would’ve never expected to really like a book that has the MCs’s first encounter in a sex scene! But the author pulled this off incredibly! The whole idea of letting go and getting outside your comfort zone was brilliant for me..
While I thought this would be a medical/romance/drama read, let me warn you that it’s mainly the last 2 parts. But don’t let this get to you, there’s still bits and pieces of medical stuff there :)
What I really also enjoyed in this read is the supporting characters with their own very interesting storylines! The best friend, the doctor and even the troubled teenager I think added a lot to the whole experience.
I would highly recommend this book ! And my rating is a 4.25..
“I received an ARC for an honest review.”

Amy is a small town surgeon looking for a little no-strings action. She agrees to meet a woman at a hotel one Thursday afternoon. There she spends some time with Ellen (*Ellis), a beautiful woman that looks like an actress from the television show 'Nashville.' Since they get along so well, they agree to meet up again. And again.

Of course things have to get complicated, because what type of book would this be without any type of conflict? Richardson delivers plenty. First of all, Ellis is the cleaner of healthcare. She comes in and cuts departments and staff so hospitals can stay afloat. She is also a big time commitment-phobe. She bailed on a girlfriend and a daughter because they were cramping her style. Now she is trying to assuage her guilt by making amends with that same daughter a decade later.

Amy just feels sorry for herself and lives a miserably lonely life because she can't get over the trauma of having to leave the med school love of her life.

For two women with a healthy fear of relationships, they certainly become quite dependent of one another quickly. But I'll admit their chemistry was quite strong and I did feel that they had a connection that they had never experienced before. And those were the parts I liked the most. The moments where Ellis was tearful and vulnerable while she was with Amy. How they had their own little existence where they were getting exactly what they needed separate from their realities. They could shed their professional personas and just be seen.

I became a little bored with the business dealings. I'm just not really into healthcare, numbers, budgets, etc. It did provide that element of 'forbidden relationship' I like so much. A serious conflict of interest and major difference of opinions. It was hard to see how things could ever work out for them. Thankfully their mutual attraction made the impossible decisions for them.

This is also a universe where pretty much everyone is gay or turns gay. That usually bothers me, but it didn't in this story for some reason. The frequent use of 'lover' and 'lovers' did bother me, however. I wish we could close the door on that term for the rest of eternity.

Overall, this was a fun love story with a salacious beginning. It was my first Tracey Richardson book. I looked her up and see that she is not new at this. So I'm not really certain how I have never read her before. I'll definitely be giving some of her others a try.

I recommend this book to those who love to read about online hookups, doctors, healthcare, business, surly teenagers, ailing parents, romance, forbidden relationships, jealousy, and Canada.