Island Doctor

Title: Island Doctor (Island Medics: Book One) An Isle Novel
Author: Sue Brown
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: January 11, 2015
Genre(s): M/M Romance; Contemporary
Page Count: 214 pages
Reviewed by: Alissa
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Blurb:

Dr. Jeff Martin has spent five years as a rural general practitioner on the Isle of Wight hiding the fact he’s gay. He travels in secret to see his partner, Tris, but when he discovers Tris has been cheating on him, he ends their relationship. Then Jeff meets island native Cameron Gillard. Cameron is down to earth, lively, and treats Jeff like he’s the most important person in Cameron’s life. Jeff blooms under Cameron’s attention, and he decides to come out to his colleagues and friends.

Just when things are going well, Tris reappears out of the blue. Jeff is no longer interested in Tris, but it seems he has two men to convince. Tris, who can’t believe Jeff is serious about wanting to end their relationship, and Cameron, who can’t hide his jealousy of Tris. Jeff is certain about one thing—the only man he wants in his life is Cameron. Now he just needs to prove it to Cameron.

I have been a fan of Sue Brown and her Isle of Wight series forever. Sam and Liam’s story along with the other Owens and their friends hold a special place in my heart. So when I heard that Ms. Brown was writing a new series in the Isle of Wight universe … needless to say I was all over that.

And although these are new characters, old favorites play a key role. Now not so much as to take over the story but enough for my heart to go pitter-patter. In fact, my favorite parts of Island Doctor were when Jeff and Cameron were hanging out with Sam, Liam, Paul, and even Olaf. Their banter was ridiculously amazing.

Jeff Martin has been a doctor on the Isle of Wight for around 5 years. But he’s really not living there just existing. He works at his practice during the week and meets his long time boyfriend of ten years in Manchester on the weekends. Something has got to give and it does when Jeff finds out his boyfriend has been cheating on him. And I was quite put out that this was not the first time. But when Tris blames Jeff for the fact that he cheats, Jeff walks out and goes back to the Isle.

Cameron Gillard a local mechanic on the Isle of Wight is the classic “boy next door” type. He cares for his ailing great grandmother and when he goes to pick her up from her latest doctor’s appointment he meets Dr. Martin. And let’s just say the sparks fly. But at this time, Jeff is not out and is still in a relationship. But the moment Jeff is free, Cameron befriends the doc hoping it will become more.

I would describe the pacing and the events of this book as lightning fast. I felt I was in a race to a finish line. All the “instas” come to play in this book … instalove, instalust, insta lets forget I was in a relationship for ten years and commit ourselves to one another and oh here’s a key move in. I’m not exaggerating. I wanted this story to slow down. I wanted to savor every word. And then all of a sudden the book does slow down at just the point you think it’s going to end but no “the big misunderstanding” must come into play. And I hate that.

I guess what I’m trying to say is while I liked the idea of this story, I just didn’t see anything new here. It’s almost as if a very tightly knit script was being followed with no room for improv. I became frustrated with Cameron and his controlling tendencies and for Jeff accepting them. By the end of the book things have worked out between the two in what I would describe as HFN. The sex scenes were scorching hot but the one scene I really wanted to read was only alluded to on the last page of the book! Dammit.

Will I be reading the next installment? Am I invested enough to go on? Yes and yes. I do hope that next book is about Logan, Liam’s new therapist. I liked him very much.

Recommend if you’re looking for a quick paced read with some mild angst and hot loving. If you’re a fan of the previous series you will be delighted with the cameos from the Owens clan.

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