The Doctor’s Secret by Heidi Cullinan
Review by Lauren
Source: copy from Dreamspinner Press; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Dr. Hong-Wei Wu has come to Copper Point, Wisconsin, after the pressures of a high-powered residency burned him out of his career before he started. Ashamed of letting his family down after all they’ve done for him, he plans to live a quiet life as a simple surgeon in this tiny northern town. His plans, however, don’t include his outgoing, kind, and attractive surgical nurse, Simon Lane.
Simon wasn’t ready for the new surgeon to be a handsome charmer who keeps asking him for help getting settled and who woos him with amazing Taiwanese dishes. There’s no question—Dr. Wu is flirting with him, and Simon is flirting back. The problem is, St. Ann’s has a strict no-dating policy between staff, which means their romance is off the table… unless they bend the rules.
But a romance that keeps them—literally—in the closet can’t lead to happy ever after. Simon doesn’t want to stay a secret, and Hong-Wei doesn’t want to keep himself removed from life, not anymore. To secure their happiness, they’ll have to change the administration’s mind. But what other secrets will they uncover along the way, about Copper Point… and about each other?
Review: I love Heidi Cullinan, but while I enjoyed The Doctor’s Secret, I didn’t love it. However, that is not going to stop me from reading the next two books in the Copper Point Medical series as they focus on characters we’ve already met, and I’m so curious about their stories!
One thing that I really loved about this book is that it’s so diverse. Yes, Hong-Wei and Simon are both gay, but Hong-Wei is also originally from Taiwan and that plays a really large part in the book. Simon is someone who has always loved and appreciated Asian pop culture – the music, the movies, etc. and while it’s not something that Hong-Wei really loves (he’s a classical music fan), it’s obvious that Simon’s enthusiasm makes him happy. I liked the conversations that they had about Asian culture and how the things that Simon loved were truly passions for him – they made him happy and content.
I think my biggest issue with the book is that it felt a bit slow, and while there’s the “drama” of trying to secretly date while working together, the stakes just never really felt high. I guess you could say it’s mostly a feel-good romance, which is nice! If you aren’t someone who likes a lot of sex in your romance, this might be a good fit for you too, as it’s really only “shown” one time – the rest is a bit “fade to black” if that makes sense.
Finally, I loved the secondary characters, especially Simon’s best friends, Jared and Owen, who will be getting their stories in the next two books. I cannot wait!
Great review, I like that you mention the sex thing. I used to be weird about this, but I’ve been reading a lot more romance now and I’m kind okay with a lot of book sex now. LOL.
Sometimes secondary and side characters really make a book. I love it when they’re written well!!
I’m the same- even if I don’t LOVE a book, I can’t help myself and have to finish out the rest of the series. It’s just a weird compulsion. Ha!
Secondary characters have to be one of my faves things about a book!
wonderful review. It’s nice that the secondary characters made the book and kept you interested enough in the next books
Even though it didn’t wow you, it still seemed like a decent romance and I love the sound of the characters. Hopefully the next has the tension you want! 🙂
I prefer books with a quicker pace, so I can understand how that would be a negative for you. It’s great that you enjoyed it overall! I always love it when books have awesome secondary characters. It makes the story feel more authentic and interesting.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Secondary characters who develop their own stories in later books are always nice! And nice that one of the characters is from Taiwan as well. Glad this turned out good in spite of being a bit slow. And hopefully the next books are great!
Oh my goodness, I really like the sound of this one! I’m not familiar with Cullinan but I’m intrigued by the story and the situation these two guys find themselves in.
It sounds like this was both a bit of a hit and a miss of a read for you. Whilst there are certainly aspects of the book that I feel I’d enjoy (how diverse it is & the Asian culture) I feel the issues that you had with the book may far outweigh the positives so its probably not a series for me.
Even if it’s slow it looks good to have a good time
Ah, I just read a feel good romance. It was good, but I do kind of like to have a little more of the sexy times in my stories. 🙂 Great review!
It’s a bummer when a favorite author has a book or two that doesn’t live up tot he rest but it happens and hopefully you’ll like the next one more.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I like your review…succinct and informative. Your review gives enough to let me know if I’d fancy reading The Doctor’s Secret, but not so much that it gives the plot away. Nicely written.
This actually sounds intriguing! I love any soap opera type that has to do with hospitals/doctors/medical anything!
xx
Sorry it was slow for you. Glad the secondary characters made up for it.
Sorry this one wasn’t better for you. Feel-good romance is nice sometimes though, and hopefully the other books will hook you a bit more!
Not seen this one about but it sounds interesting and even if this one wasn’t your favourite, the fact you want to read the other books in the Copper Point series says good things.
Sounds like a good read!
Slow books are hard for me. I am OK if it is slow and there is a major build-up, but slow and slower books are not my favorite!
It sounds like this was just a good escape read or a great weekend read, which are always nice.
That always seems to happen with an author you love. Every once in awhile you get a book that is good but not up to par with what you expect. Still it is nice that you got diversity with this one.
While you didn’t love it I am glad to see the secondary characters have you wanted to read the next few books in the Copper Point Medical series.
Yeah, if the reasons behind keeping secrets seem stupid it’s a little frustrating. Glad you still enjoyed the story in spite of some niggles. Great review, Lauren! 🙂
Sometimes secondary characters are what makes a book. This one looks cute, thank you for sharing.
I like that this book has so many references to Asian culture. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one enough to continue the series
This reminds me of a television series herein Australia called Doctor Doctor, where this one is more diverse and with a MM relationship. I’d be a little worried that Simon’s character might fetishisise Asian men which is always risky when you have a white woman writing about experiences outside of her own. It sounds well written though and I love that the focus isn’t on the sexual relationship but more so a feel great romance. Great review Lauren and thanks for putting this one on my radar!
This is one that I’ve had my eye. It looks fun, but good to know that it has slow spots.