Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 416 pages
Author: Shirlene Obuobi
Publisher: Penguin Books
Release Date: July 14th, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Sean’s not in the market for love. The only female, let alone Black, interventional cardiologist at her hospital, she’s watched too many of her male colleagues divorce their first wives to marry younger models-and then there’s the abusive relationship she’s spent the better part of her early 30s healing from. Her passions are reserved for her best friend, her goddaughter, and her job.

Then she meets Julian. Brooding, beautiful and eleven years her junior. In A bad idea.

Julian pursues her in a way that sets off alarm bells in her mind, but she finds herself unable to resist their undeniable chemistry-even starts fantasizing about him in dreams that feel altogether too real. They also have a lot in common despite their age gap. So, to hell with If men can date younger, why can’t she? But the more Sean gets to know him, the more impossible Julian He has a depth and sorrow to him that’s beyond his years, and sometimes there’s a look in his eyes that’s less than human, and leaves her feeling more like prey. Plus, Sean herself has been exhibiting odd symptoms-memory lapses, a lack of restraint that’s unlike her, persistent exhaustion-that all trace back to Julian, making Sean feeling more than a little afraid. Who-or what-is she falling, irrevocably, in love with?

THIS WAS *SOMETHING.*

This was a read purely decided upon because a friend recommended it and I said sure why not??

I really want to tell you what is happening in this book but I honestly think that would take away from it. It’s not clear in the synopsis and I like that. Just know that when the reveals came out I loved it and thought it was unique and helped me enjoy the overall story even more.

My main issue was the lust factor. I know it plays into the plot (with reasoning) but it’s not something I love in romance books. That was my only standout issue though. Anything else was minor enough that I don’t even remember at this point.

I liked all of the medical content (I believe the author is a doctor in real life so love that even more). It was woven in well with the story line and added another complex angle. The romance grew on me and I think the way everything came together worked for me. It all made sense and wrapped things up well. Not mad I read this at all and perfect for the autumn season!

Overall audience notes:

• Paranormal Romance
• Language: moderate+
• Romance: lust/innuendo throughout; multiple open door
• Violence: moderate – high
• Content warnings: loss of life, discussions of losing patients, miscarriage (recounted) but very much on page with complications, previous emotionally abusive relationship, mass shooting

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