Love and Other Side Effects by: Deidra Duncan

Love and Other Side Effects
Author: Deidra Duncan
Published: April 2026
Publisher: Mira
Format: ARC eBook/ARC Audiobook
Pages: 400
Rating: 4/5
Summary:
Asher Foley is an imposter. Or rather, he feels that way sometimes. The "MD" after his name should mean he's got his life together, that people take him seriously, but as a lover of practical jokes, he can't shake the feeling he'll never lose his reputation as a jokester.

Jocelyn Maddox is a paradox - a confident, affectionate woman who refuses to love. After losing almost everyone she loves to tragedy, she's unwilling to open her heart and risk being hurt again. An anesthesiologist with zero pain tolerance. Who'd have thought? But that's why Asher's the perfect best friend. He's far too lighthearted to be a threat to her walls.

When a surgical complication compels Asher to confide his insecurities to Joss, she uncovers a whole new side to him. A deeper, more fascinating side. In soothing him through his self-doubt, Joss realizes Asher has struck a crack in her walls. With a storm brewing in the Caribbean and their friendship evolving into something else, she must face her demons head on, but the fortress around her heart may be too sturdy for even a hurricane to break.

Review:
First, I'd like to thank Mira for sending me a copy in exchange for a review. I did a hybrid read of both audio and eBook, and I have to say I was absolutely HOOKED from the start, although it did fall a little for me towards the second half.
Straight from the beginning, you're absolutely addicted to the quick witty banter between Jocelyn and Asher. 

They're best friends, but clearly anyone with two eyes can see they're destined to be together... except the both of them? They had this kind of easygoing banter between two friends that have known one another long enough to be able to tell it to you straight. Yet when true feelings get involved, suddenly things are a bit harder to joke about or brush off.

I do have to say I felt like there were moments where Jocelyn felt like she was just a bit too much in the sense of her banter, throwing anything over he shoulder kind of blasé emotion. They're both clearly in denial over their feelings, even when others can see that they're basically in a relationship without the screwing. Since Jocelyn only deals with one night stands and Asher wants something more serious, there's this impasse between the two of them for some time. I found myself frustrated over this aspect, like I wanted to reach in and shake them both to open their eyes!

The way that Jocelyn rejected Asher had me so mad. I don't care what you want to say that it helped her find herself, but that woman made this cinnamon roll of a hero sad and rejected and I'm not here for it! I get her back story played a MAJOR role into who she is, and I'm not saying she doesn't deserve to not feel all those feelings, but she very much needed some major therapy to get over, or at least to get a better handle on it all. Asher had his faults too, but he was there to pick up all the pieces of Jocelyn, only for her to go around and do what she did... damn.

Of course with this kind of dynamic, it was for sure a slow burn. I was anticipating for it to finally happen, because the author seriously teeters you on the edge waiting for them to finally get together, and when they do... wow!

Overall though it was an entertaining read, the narrators were great and I found it so easy to fall in love with Asher from the beginning of the story! If you're a fan of Greys Anatomy, you'll totally love this one!

That's all for my review, I hope you enjoyed it and be sure to grab your copy today!

So until the next time, keep reading!

Your Graduated Bookworm!! :)