A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. The edition I have is from Harlequin's Medical line--a line I didn't even know they have/had. It is set in Australia, so some of the expressions didn't translate well for me (particularly "stuffed" for goofed up/failed.)

For me, it was interesting reading about a doctor who accepted temporary assignments and travelled a lot. I also liked the smallish town of Skye where this novel is set. I say smallish because it's apparently small enough that most people know each other and help each other out, yet large enough to have a hospital within a half-hour drive.

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ ON AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

*****

Both James and Helen have been hurt in the past. James's parents weren't happy with each other and apparently stayed together only because of James. He grew up feeling unwanted, trapped, etc. He's vowed to never feel trapped again and thinks the way to avoid that is to keep moving and not settle anywhere.

Helen's father doesn't seem to want to face his memories and spends lots of time traveling, leaving Helen to be raised by Elsie, a family friend, after Helen's mother dies.

I enjoyed the book up until Helen and James slept together--something that occurs outside of a committed relationship. They aren't really sure what they are to each other at that point.

We also never find out what happens with James's locum contract that he signed up for for a period of 4 months (where he was supposed to be going after he left Skye). Did he go, serve his time there, returning to Skye on weekends or only seeing Helen in his time off? Did he convince Helen to go with him part of the time he was there? Did he renege on the contract--and if so, what effect did that have on his relationship with the company that has found him locum work? Was the company able to get a different locum doctor to take on the contract at the last minute? The epilogue only tells us that they got married 3 months later (so did he still have a month to go on his last locum contract?)

And also, this means that they're married 7 months after they met. Probably not a blueprint for a lasting marriage if followed in real life. (Can it happen? Yes. Does it always happen? No.) ( )