3.5 Stars.

Like most, I've read quite a few of Radclyffe books. She always seems to be able to write good, solid, medical romance stories. Unrivaled is one of them reads, although it did seem to be a tad on the short side.
The story consists of two main characters, Zoey Cohen who has spent a lifetime learning how to hide her disappointment and the loss she suffered behind a mask of unshakeable calm and control. And Declan Black, who returns to Philadelphia Medical center when an accident costs her the life she's built and her career. She tries to protect herself from ever being put in a vulnerable situation again like her past mistakes, she builds up a new life around her new role as an ER attending, a life that doesn't include love.
It is a quick-paced storyline, Not too many characters, with a decent storyline, this isn't one of Radclyffe's better books, but it is still a good, entertaining read.

I was given a copy for an honest review.

Another good Radclyffe novel. This one might have more medical cases, treatment, situations then her other stories that take place in the hospital. I liked that. It was very interesting. She even allows us to have an insight into what a doctor goes through when they have to inform someone that their loved one is brain dead. And the benefits of organ donation. It was described very realistically and genuine.
Very good dialog. Interesting and smart characters. The mentor and teaching aspect was warm, calm and smart..
The attraction started on day one and was a surprise to me and I suppose it was supposed to be to the reader because Declan (one of the MC) was supposed to be grieving over a dead wife. But that all gets explained in the end. The relationship between Declan and Zoey is warm with lots of smart medical discussions. And then it ramps up pretty quickly to hot. And of course we have the bump in the road near the end but it all ends up fine.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The queen of medical lesbian romance strikes again with a hit. This story is part of the PMC Hospital series but like the others, it is a stand-alone but some past characters make an appearance. And like all PMC books, I absolutely loved this one.

We meet Zoey and Declan(Dec) in this romance, both with rich back stories and current struggles that Ms. Radclyffe weaves so well into the hustle and bustle of hospital life. From the first chapter the story is fast pace, I love the balance of giving us a look into hospital traumas along with the very human emotions of the nurses and doctors. Though the main story line is around Zoey and Dec, there is a wonderful reoccurrence of Quinn, Honor, Linda, Robin and all the kids (another great read if you have time, Fated Love-but I digress).

Zoey has trust issues and Dec struggles with guilt around her late wife, bring in the high pace trauma center and ER and it starts to bring them closer. I enjoyed the fact that they both had flaws, with a bit more self-doubt and that Zoey picked up on it and was there for her, even for just a shoulder at first. I found both these characters to be so soft and you just want them to be happy, if not together then individually-but you all know it would not be a Radclyffe book with out a HEA.

II highly recommend this book and if you have time, the other PMC books in the series if you like medical romances

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-Beautiful medical romance

Stop reading this review and buy the book , it’s by Radclyffe so no need to say more. You know with the Radclyffe book you’re going to get an intriguing storyline with well develop characters who you fall in love with, and sexual tension that flies off the page. In addition this book is part of the PMC hospital romance Collection. I have read all of the books in that collection and they are all five star plus books. This book is a standalone book however. What I especially liked about this book is that it brought back some beloved characters from previous books in the series.
The two main characters in this series Zoey and Declan are not looking for love for their own personal reasons. Zoey is a relentless go-getter who is always wanting to learn and get better as a surgeon and is always willing to help out where help is needed. She does this in part to help her over come her past. Declan on the other hand is an empty, but brilliant surgeon who initially trained at PMC and left years ago and is now back but she’s no longer a surgeon because an accident she was in left her unable to perform neurosurgery and also killed her wife. When these to meet there’s a spark that neither of them speak about both of them feel, the reasons this attraction could never develop more it’s quite understandable as you get to know these two characters . Is it?

Unrivaled, in the Philadelphia Medical Center series, was a fast moving medical drama featuring Declan Black who returns to the hospital after several years in Texas and Zoey Cohen, a surgical resident in her last couple of years. From the first moment Declan spots Zoey across the hospital parking lot there is immediate chemistry. Being a hospital based drama the book is filled with medical procedures. I wished that there was a little more balance between Dec and Zoey's romance and the medical portion of the book. Their romance and what happened after their first time together felt a bit rushed.

I enjoyed both of the characters and especially learning more about Dec's background. I thought that the conversation that she had with a co-worker's parents following a car accident was very poignant. 3.5 stars

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

The PMC universe was my first foray into Radclyffe's books and it was lovely being back there with, what feels like, old friends. I enjoyed this novel mainly due to the storyline featuring lots of medical events that, for me, kept it exciting and engaging.

I liked both Zoey and Declan as individual characters. Declan especially, mainly because Radclyffe shook up the atypical storyline of a heartbroken widow. The romance between Zoey and Declan was a bit too generic for me, especially because it felt underdeveloped slightly due to how quick it moved and how big their feelings became for each other. I would've liked more build up between them in regard to the romance, rather than the medical procedures that bought them closer throughout the novel.

I'm still rating this 4 stars due to the medical drama and my return to the PMC universe.

4.5*

I’ve been reading lesfic for just over one year now and this is only my second Radclyffe book (I know, what have I been doing etc etc)

I didn’t realise at first that the book is part of a series, but I found it completely fine to read as a stand-alone book. Some of the support characters have intrigued me and I hope to go back and read some of the other books in the series at some point.

I like the two main characters very much and like the depth given to their background stories and the reasons why they hold back on love. I wasn’t too sure on the pacing in some parts and it seemed that the two MC’s kissed within what seemed like a day or two?? But maybe that’s just the go go go of hospital life that seems to consume everyone?

Anyway, off to read more Radclyffe..

Dr Zoey Cohen is a surgical resident entering her final couple of years of training at PMC in Philadelphia. The first day of the new academic year brings in the new residents, along with a new ER attending, Dec Black. A massive trauma alert pairs Zoey with Dec and the connection is immediate. Can their pasts allow for a budding romance?

This one is hard to review. In all honesty, the above summary is really the reason for the 3 stars, and for me to not recommend this book. And I will say, it pains me to admit as much, since I’m the reader of 50 plus novels by the great Radclyffe. I also felt the same with the last Rivers’ novel-insta love is an understatement, and these are a couple of damaged souls. Rad has a formula that I have embraced and accepted, however, please give me some character development and eternal love that doesn’t happen in a day or week. The main chemistry and connection felt forced and simply not there.

Zoey was a friends with benefits with Emmet in the previous novel. This casual sex person with no strings attached changed with Dec, literally overnight. Even turning gossip away when historically, nothing is better than hospital gossip! Dec was painfully plain and quickly opened up to Zoey, which was very odd for how mysterious she acted with even her long time friend at the ER. I did appreciate Rad’s clarification that because Dec was an ER and not surgery attending, she had no bearing on evaluating Zoey. Therefore, at least attempting to clear any conflict of interest which seemed glaring at the beginning.

Now, why did I even finish this novel and why I would give it a 5 star rating: the PMC universe. One of my early lesfic reads and all time favorite novel is ‘Fated Love’. This is the first story in the PMC universe and Honor and Quinn’s tale. I had actually just finished listening to it (again, hey, I did say it was a favorite) before my friend Gaby pointed out this new release. Great to listen to a fantastic story, but unfortunately, it highlighted the shortcomings of the new novel. I absolutely loved the Quinn predicament having to change specialties because of a medical problem, same as Dec. However, the difference in the depth of the character was night and day. Dec’s handling of the toddler that needed sutures for example, seemed cold and as a parent, scared me. Please give me Quinn and her handling of Arly’s laceration in the first book of the series. Although there are some parallels between the stories, the outcome is vastly different. Gals, there is significant Quinn and Honor here. That’s all I’m going to say.

Another 5 star element was the medicine. This one is for the medical fans out there! Great situations in what seemed like every chapter. And let’s be real, no one beats Rad on this. She is simply brilliant when writing trauma medicine. As in on cue, Rad masterfully and effortlessly reactivated my pregnancy ptsd. The most enjoyable moments in this book were trauma related. Yes!

On a little side note, the cover by Tammy Seidick is eye catching and pleasing all at the same time.

Overall, another great medical tale with, unfortunately, weak mains that made the book better when they disappeared from the story. Honor and Quinn carry the romance as far as I’m concerned, but hey, that’s a good thing. 3 stars

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

This book focused a lot on medical procedure, which I liked, but it didn’t leave much left over for the characters to really get to know one another before they fell in love. I still love the series and seeing Linda, Robin and everyone made me so happy.

‘Unrivaled’ is the story of Dec, an attending, back at Philadelphia Medical Center after years away. Her recovery after an accident complete, she is determined to make work her top priority and leave love for other people. But she didn’t count on meeting resident, Zoey. She’s a breath of fresh air to Dec, but Zoey won’t ever consider coming second place with a woman. Will they be able to meet in the middle? Can love make them change?

There’s a wonderful family feeling to this story, with the other characters being such an integral part. The other doctors have interesting backstories that weave in perfectly with Dec and Zoey’s blossoming love story. I was as invested in them as I was the two main characters. The group dynamic was a huge part of this book. It worked perfectly and made me want to know what happens next for them all. I liked the slow burn between Dec and Zoey. We find out about each of them gradually, and I enjoyed getting to know them through their reactions to each other. It’s a passionate story with a perfectly crafted and paced romance at its heart.

I was given this ARC to review.

Unrivaled by Radclyffe is a lovely medical romance, and just the kind of book I was looking to read. I love an intense, fast-paced medical drama with gorgeous characters and a compelling tale. I can always count on Radclyffe to write a story that fits this description perfectly.

This novel takes place in the PMC Hospital universe so those of you who have read some or all of those books will recognize both the setting and some of the secondary characters. However, this book can be read as a standalone since it really focuses on the two main characters; Zoey Cohen, a third year resident, and Declan Black who is returning to PMC as an ER attending. Both women have things in their pasts that make them leery of romantic relationships, but they can’t deny the attraction they feel for each other.

Because this is a setting that the author has used in multiple books, it is obviously well made and realistic. The characters are also well-developed and fit their roles perfectly both in the hospital setting and as friends and family outside of the hospital. The love story between Zoey and Declan is a slow burn romance with a fair amount of angst involved. The story itself is exactly what you expect for a love story in an intense medical setting.

I really enjoyed reading Unrivaled, and recommend it to all who love to read medical romances.

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

Declan returns to PMC after being away in Texas for many years. Zoey is attending taking her turn in transplant medicine. Zoey has just needed her friends with benefits relationship and isn’t sure she wants to continue down that path. Declan’s wife is dead and she is not looking for a new relationship. Just wants to come back and work in the ER. Another great Radclyffe romance.
Goodreads

4 stars!

Starting this book I found my self being constantly smacked with strange feelings as though I had already knew some of these characters so I went to my book shelve and there it was- at the very back right under a Melissa Brayden book was Fated love by Radclyffe. To refresh my memory even more I intended to skim through the book but just ended up reading it over because that first book in the series is one of my favorite books.

However this book didn’t exactly match the admiration and love that I had for that one.

In this book we meet Declan Black, a friend of our pal Honor and a past student at the hospital. Now with a past behind her she’s back and sets her eyes on the previously mentioned in the series, Zoey Cohen.

Recently I’ve faced the problem of not enjoying the pace of relationship development in books and unfortunately this book hit that same nerve. In my opinion it happened way too fast. Much like Quinn and Honor, Declan and Zoey’s relationship faced the same instant attraction slap but in the end it just wasn’t as exciting.

Now I did like this book and I do recommend it however I couldn’t help but feel like so much more could’ve been done to make this book more.... interesting.

4 stars because Declan and Zoey were likable characters and you definitely do feel the chemistry which is something I admire the author for. They managed to make me feel the heat of this couple using such compelling writing even though I didn’t like the pacing.

Could’ve been five stars with only a bit more exciting plot.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in return for an honest review

Back to PMC it is in this latest book by Radclyffe and I follow along excitedly. I love Radclyffe's medical romances and this one had a lot of ER action in it which made my medical heart do a little happy dance. Ofcourse the PMC needs a new lesbian to arrive (where do they find all that hot lesbian doctors one might wonder with a little eye roll) and it arrives in the form of Declan Black. She used to be a rising star in the hospital until she followed her wife to Dallas, but she's back now after a traumatic accident.
Immediately getting into the thick of things on her 1st day she gets to work with Zoey Cohen and an immediate connection is formed yet both are trying to protect their hearts and focus on work.

Radclyffe never writes a book that disappoints, I liked this one because the previous couples in the PMC series made an appearance, but you can also read it as a stand alone novel. Downside to doing that in my opinion is that it takes away some of the enjoyment since I have to say that even though I liked the pairing between Declan and Zoey I would have liked more time with them. This was not the best romance as it went from meeting to lifelong commitment in a very fast pace and I couldn't really submerge myself in the budding relationship.

So I think I have to go with 4 stars if you've read the other books and are happy being back in the Philadelphia Medical Center and 3,5 if this is the first book you are reading and are focusing completely on the romance.

*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***

This book missed the mark with me. I typically enjoy most of what Radcylffe writes, but in this case, I don't think it lives up to her standards. The plot is lacking and the love story felt very uhauly. A new doctor rolls into town and falls for a senior resident. Both have a deep seated fear of relationships, which initially creates a road block between the two. Once the two main characters finally open up to each other there is basically a life commitment on the table. I still have to give the book a solid 3 stars. As odd as the love story was, or lack there of in this case, I always love the background of the emergency and trauma unit that surrounds the plot. I also really love how Radclyffe pulls in characters from her previous books in the series and continues with their story lines.

Caveat, as is the case with most Radclyffe books, most of the female characters are gay, which is always eye roll inducing for me.

Honor, Quinn, Syd, Emmett, and the rest of the PMC crew are back in this latest Radclyffe novel. Zoey has always been on to make others happy, never stopping to worry about herself and what she wants. That is until Dr. Declan Black returns to PMC after an accident has pushed her to re-think and change her career. On her first day back she works closely with Zoey. Both Zoey and Declan are carrying emotional baggage that isn't immediately clear to the reader but draws you in and will have you flipping pages until the end. For a short book, this packs quite a punch!

4.25 stars. I always enjoy books by Radclyffe and I was happy to see a new release in the PMC series and just had to move this to the top of my arc list. Radclyffe’s excellent medical knowledge makes medical romances shine and this is again a winner. I love all the jargon that was thrown my way and while I do not understand the exact meaning of everything I think it adds authenticity to a medical novel. Then there is the high pace, high adrenaline opening of the book, starting with a huge multiple car accident that’s flooding the ER with patients and you know you’re hooked.

This is the fifth installment in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. In fact, I haven’t read all books in the series myself yet and had no problems. However, I think you will enjoy this best if you have read the first book in the series “Fated Love” as the main couple, Honor and Quinn, has a quite prominent role in this book as well, the couples from the other books not so much but they do make an appearance.

The mains in this book are Declan and Zoey, and in true Radclyffe style Declan is tall, dark and handsome and has brooding down to perfection. She’s a new ER attending transferring from Dallas, but clearly familiar with the PMC and with Honor, so what’s her story? Zoey is a senior resident at the PMC and has a carefree player status that she carefully tries to maintain. However, after just losing the benefits part of her friend with benefits she is secretly longing for something more, she’s getting tired of pretending.

Immediately you know there is more to the two mains, but their backstories are kept a secret for a while, which is something I like, this slow discovery. The attraction and chemistry between Declan and Zoey is immediate and the first moves are also pretty fast as this is not the longest book. I enjoyed the romance, but they understand and read each other almost naturally from the start and for two people that are used to wearing masks I think it would take a bit more time to get to know each other that well and develop these skills, so I wouldn’t have minded some extra time for them to get to know each other. That said, their emotions are raw, their stories heartbreaking and all you want is to see them together.

In short, a book full of medical action, we get to see some of our beloved characters from previous books and there is a passionate and emotional romance. Recommend!

We first meet senior resident Dr.Zoey and Dr. Dec when there a rush of patients from car pile up comes into PMC hospital and they both leapt into actions. Dr. Dec use to train at the hospital which mold her into neurosurgeon and have comeback after a tragic loss.

As they worked together their obvious attraction between them that leapt off the pages and romance is form. I enjoy both characters they both are devoted to their jobs and you can feel the emotions they both have. I also love that it was a reunion of characters from previous books that you got a glimpses into their lives. I would love to read more about theses characters I didn’t know I miss so much.






I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Radclyffe is back and better than ever! I was excited to see another installment in one of my favorite series ever.

Unrivaled takes us back to PMC where senior resident Dr. Zoey Cohen meets Dr. Declan Black on Dec’s first day back at the hospital where she trained years ago, the hospital that moulded her into a superstar neurosurgeon. Following a personal tragedy, Dec is not there as a neurosurgeon but as an ER doc instead. The attraction and connection between Zoey and Dec are instant and I found myself rooting for this couple only a few minutes in. After what happened to Zoey in the previous PMC book (no spoilers) I really wanted her to be adored, appreciated and be somebody’s number one. It’s wonderful to see some of our old friends from other PMC novels return. Honor and Quinn are still two of my favorite fictional characters ever.

The book is well-paced, and the characters are well-formed and relatable. It did (for a change) not bother me that the characters got together relatively fast because, by the time they did, they have shared so many deep, intense and emotional moments already. The medical scenes are often fast-paced and feel realistic. I really appreciated some of the more emotional medical processes depicted in this book. So many books that form part of a series can become formulaic and unoriginal but, in this book, Radclyffe managed to make the story fresh and intriguing. I hope to see many more PMC romances in the future. That hospital really is choc-full of gorgeous lesbians that need to have happy endings! Not that any of us are complaining!

This reads like a exciting episode of the tv show ER. The first ten chapters (39%) literally covers the first day at the busy hospital. Declan Black is returning to the hospital where she did her residency. She is the new ER attending physician. As she arrives the ER is slammed with patients from an eight car pile up. Zoey Cohen is a fourth year resident. Together they work to triage patients and see to their care. Zoey has an emotional subplot dealing with preparing a family for loss and suggesting organ donation.

Radclyffe has a medical background and lets you see how the hospital departments and teams work in a believable way. I like both Dec and Zoey but the attraction feels too instant. The first kiss is after knowing each other three days. They both can see each other’s emotions in their eyes a bit too much. Both MC’s have some darkness in their past that makes them not want to trust others to see who they are inside. For an action medical drama I rate it a 5, for a romance a 3, averaging to 4 stars.

This is part of the PMC Hospital romance series, but I read easily as a stand alone. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.