Major Surgery by Lola Keeley is a captivating enemies to lovers, workplace romance between two stubborn and insanely gorgeous women. This is also a story about taking a chance on love despite how unexpected or terrifying it may be.
Veronica Mallick is one of the top skilled surgeons at St. Sophia’s hospital and she makes sure that her department runs like a well-oiled train. Efficiency is essential in her world because her surgeries and her entire career depend upon it. Everything in Veronica’s world is going as planned until Cassie Taylor arrives and gets the enviable position of being the new Head of Trauma.
Cassie Taylor believes in the old adage of less talk and more action. Her plain talking and no nonsense approach may not be to everyone’s liking but that’s just who she is and she won’t apologize for it. She has spent a number of years serving as an army medic on the front lines and she is having a hard time with readjusting to civilian life. Cassie’s not too fond of rules and she really doesn’t care about all of the red tape that comes with running a hospital department. She has never been a people pleaser and she has no desire to even try to get on the good side of “we must do everything by the book” Veronica Mallick.
In the midst of their polite wariness, Cassie’s department gets caught up in a series of dodgy financial transactions. Will Cassie and Veronica be able to put their differences aside so that they could get to the bottom of who is behind the suspicious transactions? Will they be able to come to terms with the fact that they share a sizzling attraction but they don’t even like each other?
The Characters
Dr. Veronica Mallick is the head of the Acute Medical Unit department at St. Sophia’s hospital. Her department is her kingdom. She puts all of her time and energy into ensuring that her patients receive the best care possible and her junior staff get top-notch training so that they will have successful careers. Veronica is definitely my kind of woman because she is cool and calm on the outside but beneath the surface her passionate nature is piping hot!
Dr. Cassie Taylor is new to the job of running the Trauma Unit at St. Sophia’s hospital. She has spent many years in the army as a medic and she is trying to get back into the groove of civilian life. Cassie is a woman of action and her main focus is on saving as many lives as possible. I have so much love for Cassie because she is blunt and outspoken and she is willing to do unorthodox things in order to give her patients the quality of care they deserve.
The Writing Style
Lola Keeley has done it again! She has given me a novel filled with delightful characters, sarcastic comments paired with witty comebacks and beautiful descriptions of the London landscape. Thanks to this lovely story, I have my heart set on visiting the vibrant city of London and the other small towns that surround it.
The Pros
Hmmm, I really have a soft spot for medical romances and this story pushed all the right buttons for me! Doctors are next in line after women in uniform on my list of fictional love interests. I have so much respect for Cassie and Veronica because these awesome women save numerous lives every day. I was happy to tag along with Cassie and Veronica while they performed surgeries but I’ll leave the life-saving maneuvers to them and I’ll just admire their skills from the comfort of my bedroom.
The Cons
Zero complaints!
The Conclusion
I know that I’ve boldly admitted to the fact that I am a huge fan of stories that feature workplace romances between medical professionals and I do love a good bit of rivalry before the sparks fly. This story gave me those things and so much more because I got completely sucked into the joyful and heart-breaking moments in Veronica and Cassie’s lives. For me, nothing beats a story that has characters I could easily relate to and fall in love with because I’ll always treasure those stories.
Excerpt from Major Surgery by Lola Keeley
Buttoning her jacket, she’s just about to leave when the locker room door swings open.
Of course, it’s the woman from earlier. She doesn’t have a huge stack of files this time, but she does have that inscrutable “in charge” vibe that Cassie more readily associates with a general.
“Well, if it isn’t the gung-ho army medic. How’s your patient, Major?”
Is it a plus that she actually remembers the rank? Paying attention for hints of an accent, Cassie hears only that sort of BBC Home Counties polish so beloved of those in a certain social class. Cassie doesn’t fancy her chances in a war of words with this one, so she nods towards the operating theatre door instead.
“Yes, I came that way and a very competent registrar is closing,” the woman continues in the face of Cassie’s silence. “I can assume that means I’m not putting a plus one on the mortality rates for this quarter?”
A bureaucrat. Of course. Makes perfect sense, since they’re always the first to get squeamish at the prospect of someone actually taking action.
“He survived. And kept what I’d estimate to be forty percent of his spleen. Enough to spare him a life of drug regimens and avoidable infections.”
“Yes, well. I wouldn’t make a point of raiding the admission wards for stitching practice. We do actually have processes here. Ones that keep patients alive and people employed.”
Jean, bless her and her bustling, comes barging in at that very moment.
“Major Taylor, that was a wonderful job. We were expecting the theatre to be booked out another half hour at least, but I see they’re already clearing out. Ms. Mallick,” she adds in acknowledgment.
“Just lending a hand,” Cassie replies, trying to skirt around both women to get to the door. “It seemed like your other general surgeons were all busy.”
Jean gives a disapproving glance at the Mallick woman, confirming another suspicion.
“Ms. Mallick here doesn’t operate on Mondays unless it’s emergent. It’s not on the schedule.”
“Well, I don’t think our patient scheduled his bike being clipped by the number twenty-seven bus either, but I understand this was a hospital, not a spa.”
“I actually have an entire department to run,” Mallick cuts in. “Time in surgery is something that does have to be scheduled. I thought you would have known that, being up for Head of Trauma and all.”
“That might be how things run in… Sorry, what’s your department called again? Minor Injuries Unit?”
Well, that one lands. Mallick absolutely bristles at the condescension, dark eyes flashing under the stale fluorescent lights.
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Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9783963241468
- Publisher: Ylva Publishing
- Lola Keeley Online
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