Title: Love, Lies & Lab Coats—Volume 1
Author: Dee Bostic
Publisher: Readers Magnet, LLC
ISBN: 979-8-89091-266-4
Pages: 360
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Candace L. Barr
Pacific Book Review
Author Dee Bostic’s Love, Lies, & Lab Coats follows a large cast of characters connected to Spokane, Washington’s, South Hill Medical center after the arrival of the hospital’s new Director of Cardio-Thoracic Services. The hospital is a tight-knit community, and there’s a lot of respect among the different levels of staff. However, Brent Jamison’s arrival causes a lot of conflict, especially with his former best friend and the hospital’s Chief Medical Technologist, Travis Bremerton. Most of the narrative focuses on Brent and Travis, as Travis tries to protect his mental health and stay out of Brent’s way. Unfortunately, Brent has no intention of leaving Travis alone.
While Travis does his best to maintain his peace, he gets closer to another technologist, Cindy Connors, a lover of self-help books (who shares a lot of similarities with the author). While Cindy becomes more confident with her work thanks to Travis’s encouragement, Travis begins to open up to her. Outside the lab, Dr. Jeanne Henry is trying to get a research project off the ground and get treatment for Bo, a young boy whose accidental gunshot wound leads to the discovery of his leukemia. Jeanne does her best to help Bo and his mother manage their economic disadvantages and home life so he can enjoy his childhood once he recovers. Outside the hospital, the parking attendants, Ray and Jeff, are inspired to live healthier lifestyles with some encouragement from the medical staff – and some insults from Brent. Then there’s Danielle, an escort whose only connection to the hospital is through Travis and Brent, whom she grew up with. She’s glad to see Brent is back and tries to get closer to him, but a terrifying night with the arrogant cardio-thoracic surgeon causes her to leave town and think about what she will do with her life next.
Bostic does a good job of intertwining the subplots and building up the characters. It was nice to see the interactions among doctors, techs, patients, and parking attendants. I especially liked seeing how different doctors dealt with their home lives and careers. However, there are some areas where there’s unnecessary telling after showing. One thing that stands out is multiple references to Brent being “pissed off” after his emotional state has been made clear in the narrative. The same goes for the references to Brent’s arrogance. In addition, some of the conversations characters have outside the hospital seem a little stiff despite the rapport between the characters.
That said, the book is an excellent read overall, and I found myself wanting to know more at the end. What does Brent have planned for Travis? Will Bo make it through his treatment? Will Jeanne be able to defend her research proposal against Brent’s scheme? Where will Danielle end up? Will Brent’s spiral upend all his plans? Hopefully, Volume 2 will satisfy some of these questions and be as intriguing as Volume 1.
Love, Lies & Lab Coats—Volume 1 by Dee Bostic is a fantastic portrayal of modern day people—unconventional, rife with messy secrets, but teeming with love. The quirky characters added another layer of intrigue to the already-engrossing storyline. For readers who love books about identity, forgiveness and self-discovery, this one will top your list! It is wonderful to know that, once you close the book, there is still more to come by author Dee Bostic and in the next installment.
