The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin– 368 pages
Book Blurb:
Zadie Anson and Emma Colley have been best friends since their early twenties, when they first began navigating serious romantic relationships amid the intensity of medical school. Now they’re happily married wives and mothers with successful careers–Zadie as a pediatric cardiologist and Emma as a trauma surgeon. Their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina are chaotic but fulfilling, until the return of a former colleague unearths a secret one of them has been harboring for years. As chief resident, Nick Xenokostas was the center of Zadie’s life–both professionally and personally–throughout a tragic chain of events in her third year of medical school that she has long since put behind her. Nick’s unexpected reappearance during a time of new professional crisis shocks both women into a deeper look at the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. As it becomes evident that Emma must have known more than she revealed about circumstances that nearly derailed both their lives, Zadie starts to question everything she thought she knew about her closest friend.
My Review: 3.5 stars
The Queen of Hearts drew me in by the beautiful cover and expressive title that could hold so many different meanings. For those looking for a book about friendship, motherhood, secrets and medicine, this one is for you.
I love medical shows, all the way back from Quincy M.D. to Grey’s Anatomy. This book felt like it could fill a whole season of episodes. Two female doctors, best of friends since medical school, still hold secrets from one another. These secrets bubble to the surface as Dr. X., think Dr. McSteamy, surprisingly shows up. Martin used past and present chapters, which worked exceptionally well in this storyline. It allowed the reader inside the character’s heads as these relationships were built years ago, and now, how the present rolls out.
I loved the medical setting, the terminology used and ultimately, showing the humanity of doctors. Overall, this was an easy read that fans of contemporary fiction, friendship a good love triangle will enjoy.
Quotes I liked:
It’s the choices we make when we ignore our scornful intellects and follow our thumping hearts.”