Lauren Taylor isn’t thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over. He’s out of her league and she’s focused on finishing her oncology pharmacy residency. She’s sworn off men who are too handsome for their own good, anyway. Andrew Bishop can’t stop thinking about the gorgeous redhead who crashed into him and then disappeared, even … disappeared, even though he should have way more on his mind – like dealing with his Hodgkin Lymphoma diagnosis and finishing out his last year in law school. When Andrew and Lauren run into each other at the cancer center where she’s working and he’s being treated, they try to keep it professional. They can be friends, and nothing more.
But sometimes life has other plans…
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This is the first book i have read by this author and I just saw that its her debut? Well if this is the case then we have an amazing author in our midst as this book was just amazing.
If all you want from a book is the hot sex then this is not for you, but seriously you will not even miss it as the book is so filled with so much greatness.
Wholesome
Sweet
Funny
Romantic
Heartbreaking
Chemistry
Friendship
Lauren and Andrew literally bumped in to each other in 2 different situations, one of which meant they probably shouldn’t be together. I believe things definitely happen for a reason and their chance encounter was meant to be. Meeting each other really did change their lives and having Lauren in his especially. really helped Andrew through a really difficult time in his own life. Meant to be 100%.
This book has so much fun in it, the puns were hilarious and I’m not even someone that uses them, but they really helped set the tone for this book.
This book had great characters, a great setting and a brilliant storyline.
I will definitely be reading this author again in the future.
Thats for a great read.
I absolutely devoured Perfect Distraction. The writing in this book is a breeze. I loved it from the first sentence. It’s relatable and realistic. Andrew and Lauren are adorable and complex, and I rooted for them the whole time. Maybe I screamed at them do it already a time or two.
While a book with cancer can be heavy, this one manages to be realistic without being overly heavy.
If you are looking for a sweet romance with relatable characters and a hero to make you swoon, check this one out today!
Lauren is a Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at a hospital in Kansas City. One day, she’s running late for a meeting and grabs a quick cup of coffee at local coffee shop when she literally runs into Andrew, spilling coffee all over him. From that first glance, Lauren finds Andrew to be one of the most handsome men she’s ever met. Imagine her surprise later, when she walks into a patient’s room to discuss his cancer treatment and finds Andrew there. Despite the uncertainty of Andrew’s cancer diagnosis and her position at the hospital where he’s being treated, they inevitably start to fall for each other.
While this book is about a heavy subject—anything that has to do with cancer is pretty tough to take in—that hits pretty close to home with me, I found myself smiling throughout this book a lot more than I expected. Lauren and Andrew has such a sweet, natural connection and each of them were equally crazy about the other one. I admire Lauren for being so dedicated to her job and not wanting to interfere with Andrew’s treatment, and Andrew was absolutely incredible going through chemo while still attending Law school and holding a job. And, despite his diagnosis, he’s not overly broody and really doesn’t try to push Lauren away which is also a reason I loved him.
Overall, I thought it was a really beautiful book that showcased a more hopeful view of cancer than what you needed normally see.
I really liked this story and Lauren and Andrew were so sweet and relatable. Their romance was adorable and grew through a mutual understanding of both of their situations.
Andrew is diagnosed with cancer in the treatable stage but there is always an uncertainty.
Lauren is studying to be a pharmacist in the oncology ward where she hopes to get hired after her graduation.
She has to tell him about the treatment and what is going to happen during while his mother and his three sisters are in the room with them.
They become friends while the ordeal is going on and she kind of becomes the person he leans upon when things get though! But is it smart to admit their feelings for each other when he might not survive and when she is not allowed to date patients especially not when she is still a student and applying for a job there after graduation?
This story tells us how it is going through a cancer diagnosis and what the treatments can be and it was really hard to read at times. She has one patient were the cancer returns and his reactions was so though to read through but so understandable. All this frustration goes through his system and it’s out of his control wether he lives or dies. So just be aware that there might be a lot of triggers in this book if you or a loved one has been through a cancer treatment.
But the romance was so sweet and heartwarming and I loved the characters both main and side.
I can definitely recommend this book and this Is a voluntary review.
A romance that has a hero with cancer may be a little too realistic for some people, but I loved this warm, emotional romance about two people trying the best they can to get to the other side of a lousy situation.
This was a new author to me and I’m so glad I had the chance to read this book. I don’t usually like reading books that have characters in the medical field because I am usually disappointed. It ruins the book for me when the authors don’t do the research to write correct facts. But this book was awesome! The author’s bio said she was an oncologist pharmacist and her knowledge showed through in the book. I loved the characters and how the author handled the sensitive area of cancer and the fears a patient going through chemo would face. The book was well written, easy to read, and very emotional. I highly recommend this book and look forward to future books from the author.
Such a great book. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one day. It was funny and sad and had all the feels.
4.5
Loved it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.
A heartfelt debut! With her first novel, Allison Ashley wasn’t afraid to go big! It’s rare the taboo subject of cancer is front and center in a romance novel because let’s be honest, there’s not a lot of laughter surrounding it, but Ms. Ashley delights with a fresh voice who not only shares a touch of what a day in a life is like, but also proves that life isn’t over just because of a diagnosis. I felt the new authorness slightly in the lack of development here and there, but overall, it was a stellar kick off and I look forward to seeing more from this author!
Lauren’s character is easy to like. She’s steps away from the job she’s been dreaming of as an oncology pharmacist when she accidentally falls for an almost patient. Her turmoil is sincere, but their connection is hard to resist.
Andrew is such a down-to-earth likable guy. He’s at the prime of his life and almost to achieve the law degree he’s been working hard towards for years when he receives the devastating news that he has cancer. Meeting Lauren on his first day of treatment gives him the distraction to deliver the strength needed to make it through.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an instant connection and perseverance to let love win. It’s a touchy subject, but it’s written really well and it’s not portrayed as a huge book of sadness. It brings realness to a sensitive time and brings out the beauty of human connection. Really enjoyed Lauren and Andrew!
New Author and new read but one that was such a delight so glad came across and did not miss. That title it has is also apt to what the author does to us is so much she gives us one. Lauren whom will seem not to have a very good opinion of her self but has a path layed out. Not giving good looking a break either is just like saying do not judge by the cover as in the case of Andrew it would seem. He will have our hearts in no time also. When they come together again I do so like where it takes them having it fill me up with warmth. Boundaries will be pushed but I do so like where they land.
Allison Ashley is a new-to-me author but I usually love Entangled Publishing’s authors, and I’m a nurse who loves romance stories, so I was happy to jump into this one with both feet. And I’m oh so glad I did!
Lauren isn’t looking for love, and she’s especially not looking for love with a patient from the clinic she’s finishing her pharmacy residency in. And Andrew isn’t looking for love while fighting cancer and trying to finish law school. So when they quite literally bump into each other and sparks fly, will they be able to stick to their resolve or will they give in and see where a relationship will go?
Fans of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green will love this story. Especially if teen/YA romance isn’t your thing. Teen romance isn’t always my thing but I loved Hazel and Gus’s story so much. But I digress…
So what did I love about this story? First of all, it’s an adult/NA romance rather than YA so that was the first thing that I loved. Secondly, I really enjoyed these main characters. Both Lauren and Andrew are focused on their careers and they have big career and life goals. They aren’t searching for love, but isn’t that when it usually finds us? And the author did a great job with unfolding this plot in a way that was sweet, then steamy, then a bit conflicting, and finally, rounding it out with a wonderful HEA.
NICUnurse’s Rating: Loving someone with acute or chronic disease isn’t easy. I live with a chronic illness and can speak to that from personal experience. I’m also a nurse so I tend to really pick apart stories that have to do with medical issues and challenges. And Ms. Ashley did a great job keeping it real with the struggles that life will illness brings not only to the patient but to all those that love the patient, as well as the medical aspects of the book. Her writing was easy to read, easy to follow, and I was hooked by the first sentence in chapter one! With that sentence, who wouldn’t want to keep reading?! So for an emotional romance that thankfully ends with a HEA, pick up your copy of this book today!
I give Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley 5 out of 5 stars!
I’m told this is a debut novel by this author – well, if that’s true, I can guarantee she’s going to have a long and prosperous career as a writer.
This story was so multileveled, emotionally and educationally, that I don’t know where to start. Suffice it to say, this author know how to write emotion, educate about intense medical conditions, and elicit a wide range of emotions from the reader.
Oncology Pharmacist Lauren never thinks the big, handsome guy she just spilled hot coffee on in the coffee shop is going to be someone who will change her life and force her to make decisions she never even considered. Law student and cancer patient Andrew wants to get through his chemo and get on with his life. WHen these two meet, it’s not a cliche to say sparks fly and their lives are forever changed.
While reading this story I was struck by the ethical dilemma Lauren found herself in. While not a Physician, she is still a clinician and even though she only has Andrew as a patient very briefly, she thoughts that starting a relationship with him was somehow morally and professional wrong were profound and struck me as one of the most intense conflicts I’ve read recently in a romance story.
I hate spoiler so I won’t tell you what happens, but suffice it to say I think this book is going to be on a number of must read and bestseller lists this year,
Thank you to netgalley for a sneak peek.
5 exceptionally well deserved stars from me.
Good read. Lauren and Andrew were such a great couple together. They first met when she ran into him at a coffee shop and then again when she went to work at the Cancer Center and she found out he was there for treatment. This is a slow burn romance that will have you falling in love as the characters to. Great storyline. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A poignant and gut wrenching story of a deep and abiding love. Lauren is a caregiver of some of the sickest patients. She is compassionate and dedicated to her job and the people under her care. She is a great friend and a loving daughter. Andrew is a loving son, brother and friend. He is a final year law student with a cancer diagnosis. All he wants to do is be able to help people get justice. These two meeting set of a chain of events that will bring tears to your eyes and sometimes a smile to your face. I especially enjoyed the pun game they played and his big boisterous family. This is a great first book for the author and I can see her doing great things in the future.
This book was so good and super cute. It was also hard a little too, the reason I say that is because the main character has cancer and it deals with the journey through that the author held nothing back while telling this story. But one thing was clear through out life is precious and you don’t want to take it for granted. Why this story is fiction it felt like it was very much real. I love Jeni and I hope she gets her own story she was one sister I think we all wish we had. I loved Lauren and her big heart. This book was full of puns so you are guaranteed to laugh regardless. There are a few curse words but overall this is a clean read. So worth the read.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
Out of a life threatening disease, two people find love and happiness. This had a lovely feel good element (helped by the puns) despite the ups and down of both Andrew’s treatment and their relationship. Thoroughly recommended.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Romance with a tissue!
Lauren Taylor was in her final year of her oncology pharmacy residency when she ran into the cutest guy in Kansas City at the local coffee shop spilling her cup of coffee on him on her way to work at the hospital. She was surprised he was one of her patients that she was giving information about his treatment for cancer.
Andrew Bishop was in his third and final year of law school when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and the treatment would be difficult but meeting the red haired girl that spilled coffee made him realize that he could possibly have a future with someone after his last girlfriend left him.
Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley is a book that you will need a few tissues reading but there is a few times of the book that you will want to smack one of them on the head but you need to read this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley a five-star read that will leave you perfectly distracted. This is my first read from this author, but I will be looking for more as the puns make it all worth it. I love a good pun, and this was inspiring, its not the only fantabulous aspect to this story though, as the romance is top notch and the meet cute delightful as its not as perfect as it could be, its real. The main subject of this story isn’t an easy one for most and I will be honest right now it probably isn’t the best subject for me personally as Cancer affects one in three of us in some way, and right now I am that one. That being said I am so glad I didn’t pass this one up and decided to see the other side as it showed me there can be positivity even in the darkest of moments. Such as when a girl with the name of a pretty flower blooms for the last time, colour and beauty can still be seen. Andrew Bishop faces his greatest challenge, but he faces it with his best side and what a side it is. I will be keeping a big eye out of Allison Ashley as the writing is funny and honest and will warm you from the inside out as its an eggcellent read.