Review: Critical Condition by Nicki Edwards

At Last!

I’ve been waiting to read Liam’s story since the release of Life Support , and was more than disappointed when I discovered Nicki’s last release, The Peppercorn Project, was a new series. I was waiting to find out if Liam would meet his perfect match, thank you very much.

Well, Liam’s story was worth waiting for. It took a while for him and Poppy to get together, but it was definitely worth the wait. I was left with a soppy smile on my face, so the romance definitely hit the right spot.

There wasn’t so much medical stuff in Critical Condition as in Life Support, which is great for those of us who get a little queasy at the sight or mention of blood. For those who enjoy medical romances—don’t worry. There should still be enough medical content to keep you interested, drawing on Nicki’s own experiences as an ED nurse. Just not as much blood.

Liam will need no introduction for those who have read the earlier books in this series. If you haven’t, don’t worry, as this is a standalone novel (although we are reintroduced to the lead characters from the earlier novels).

But Poppy was the standout character for me. She’s likeable and intelligent and beautiful … but the outward perfection hides a woman who is paranoid she’ll develop bipolar disorder and turn into her basket case of a mother. Critical Condition did an excellent job of portraying the difficulties of growing up with someone with an unmanaged mental health condition—a sad state of affairs, and one too many children grow up in.

One note to my Christian readers: while Nicki Edwards is a Christian, her novels are written for the general market. As such, they do include language and scenes you wouldn’t find in a Christian novel.

Recommended for those who enjoy a good general market medical romance. Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

You can find out more about Nicki Edwards at her website.

Review: Life Support by Nicki Edwards

Great Next Installment to Medical Rural Romance Series

Nurse Emma Chirnside’s marriage is over, but her husband dies before they can get a divorce. She finds he’s left her a house in her rural home town of Birranagulla . . . only it turns out to be more mansion than house. And it’s managed by her high school crush, Tom Henderson. Meanwhile, Tom seems to have picked up some baggage of his own, including a sick mother, and a daughter.

First up, Life Support isn’t Christian fiction, although there are references to prayer and heaven. It is a clean read (there is an extremely vague sex scene, I don’t recall any bad language, and the only violence and gore is related to the fact Emma works in an Emergency Department. It seems even small-town Australia gets more than their share of car accidents and other medical emergencies. (No, not a book for those who don’t like medical drama.)

I liked both Emma and Tom as characters. Emma, because she works in the Emergency Department even though she’s financially independent. Tom, because he’s a man of true character, in that his decision to pursue a relationship with Emma is about Emma—her inheritance doesn’t come into it. The minor characters are also good, especially the loveable Ruby. And Liam.

Life Support is a sweet, well-written romance with plenty of conflict in all the right places, and a fabulous setting (which is based on the real life Mt Mitchell Homestead, in case you're looking for a wedding venue in Victoria, Australia). It’s the fourth book in the series, but easily read as a standalone novel. Now I’m hoping this isn't the last in the series, because I'm really looking forward to Liam's story . . .

Thanks to Momentum Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.