Dr. Jane McGill Series (Book 1 & 2) by Frieda McFadden

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Print, Paperback 

BOOK 1

Pages: 279
Start Date: June 25th, 2023
End Date: June 27th, 2023

BOOK 2

Pages: 355
Start Date: June 26th, 2023
End Date: June 28th, 2023

My Ratings
Overall: ★★★★
Character Development: ★★★★★
Ending: ★★★
Pace: Quick
Recommend: Yes

🚨 Contains Spoilers, Continue at Your Own Risk 🚨

Yep, let's talk about it . . . A Frieda McFadden book that isn't a thriller?! I was just as shocked as you are (or will be, if you haven't read it yet) I guess you could say I went in a little blind thinking it was going to be a thriller, but was surprised to find it wasn't. Okay now that we've got that squared away, let's talk about the book!
I felt like these books couldn't be talked about individually, after finishing the first. To be completely honest I wasn't even sure of the point of the first book other than to REALLY plant the ground work for what would happen in the second book with Jane & Ryan. I liked how the author slowly built their relationship over the course of the book. I actually got very strong early Grey's Anatomy vibes from this book, eerily similar to be honest. I would have liked more interaction with the roommate for the friend Nina, I felt like they took a backseat to the repetitiveness of the "intern work" or "scut" as it's referred in GA. The little "about the author" note gave me the idea that McFadden wrote this loosely on her experience in the medical field & if they don't even get a chance to eat, I've never been more happy that I didn't try to be a doctor - I'd be awfully grumpy if I couldn't even eat a popscicle (I mean, I'd be mad that I'm having to eat the damned popscicle in the first place instead of actual food, but you get it). The author leaves the book on a bit of a cliff hanger, but being that I had the next book locked & loaded I wasn't bothered too much!
The next book through me for a loop, I had the idea that Ryan & Jane would end up together. So I was shocked when in the first chapter Jane "leaves" (if you can call it that when you're casual) Ryan. We follow Jane living her life, marrying Ben, having her daughter Leah, & figuring out life as a working mom. Firstly, can we talk about how fucking RELATABLE her experience as a mother is? I'm sorry for swearing, but MAN DID I FEEL SEEN! 100% my kids add "mommy" into songs where it doesn't belong, 200% potty training is fucking hard & I get why people sometimes wait it out on that one, & I'll be damned if every mother hasn't experienced their child being a literal angel for other people (like a daycare provider or teacher) & being a wild animal at home. I know, I know - we're their safe space - BLAH BLAH BLAH Patricia, it still sucks. This whole book though, I was convinced that Jane & Ryan were enevitably going to end up together, I'll just shatter your dreams right here - they don't. You're probably wondering why I'm rooting for the guy when he seemed kinda like a jerk, was unwilling to test for that genetic disease, & so forth. Maybe I'm secretly a romantic? I don't know, the jury is still out on that one. Ben is a cool guy I guess, although the description of his love for peanut butter made me gag - no one should like peanut butter as much as this dude. I still thought that at the reveal of Ryan being positive for Huntingtons that it may have been a lie for Jane's behalf, so she didn't feel like she should leave her husband & I was like "awe, he is a good guy". Nah, he's still an asshole - HA! But I do question Jane, I think if I had felt that strongly about a person I'd stick by their side. Even if that meant maybe adjusting my life a little, reassessing the things I wanted. With that said, it didn't happen & well isn't that real life. 
Overall, I'm shocked that I enjoyed this book so much considering I don't think it was that remarkable. I don't mean that in an insulting way either. Just that it was truly & honestly relatable as hell & I don't find my own life to be that exciting. My one complaint is the title, I just don't think it's fitting. I know that the devil they are referring to is Alyssa - but she played such an insignificant role in the second book & in my opinion, was present, but not the point of the book, titling it after her character feels weird? I guess unless you're really hanging on those Dr. Reily one liners. ANYWAY, I'll stop boring you - go get the book! It's on kindle unlimited if you're too lazy to order it. Did I mention I got a kindle? I know it did - sorry I'm not sorry. Be like me & get what I got HERE

I'm Curious

1. What did you think about Jane, did you like her as a person?
2. How about Ryan? Did you swoon for him the way Jane did?
3. If you're a parent, did you find book 2 as relatable as I did?
4. Were you shocked by the ending? What was the most shocking part to you?

Next Book: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score