Review: Doctor Playboy by J. Saman

Rating: 5/5  PoP: 9% Boston’s Billionaire Bachelors #4

Oh, Luca. We have seen him a few times in the past books and he never comes off as being completely serious but he really is. Four years ago during his neurosurgery residency he sustained an injury that could have been life changing. In it was, just not in the way Luca feared. While rehabbing his injury he is reintroduced to Raven Fairchild, the only daughter of the Abbot-Fritz house manager. Raven is young but Luca is drawn to her in a way he has never been with anyone else. They both fall fast and deep, but when the future approaches Luca takes matters into his own hands. Luca knows how difficult it is to be faced with the possible end of a dream and he does not want that for Raven. However, the way he lets her go makes life difficult for both of them. Four years later, they are each dealing with the time apart in different ways. Luca continues to be devoted to Raven fully. While Raven grapples with what is real and what is a lie. The way Luca left her had lasting effects on all the relationships she has since developed. 

I knew this book would be a bit different than the other Boston’s Billionaire Bachelors books. And as always, J. Saman surprised me in a good way. The layers of Raven and Luca and therefore their relationship was flawlessly carried out. Raven is younger and therefore a bit more innocent than Luca in Part I. She is not immature as she has experienced heartbreak and knows what dedication is as a musician. However, she has trouble understanding Luca’s actions and creates her own narrative that Luca must find a way to correct. Luca woos with the best of the Abbot-Fritz men. He knows what he is up against and is fully dedicated. I love that we got to see their relationship grow the first time before diving right into the current separation. I enjoy the mystery of a second chance but this was a slight variation that really allows for the reader to feel and respect both of the characters from the start. 

Also, the side characters in the story were very important to the plot without over taking it. Raven’s father is an interesting character with a secretive past and an amazing role model. Kaplan made my chest ache with his love for his family and his own most likely broken heart. Octavia’s continued health struggles are very relatable for me, the struggle of the Abbot-Fritz children seeing their mother ill is portrayed in a realistic way. I am going to be sad to see the Fritz brothers go but I am so ready for Kaplan’s story.