Joe and his son Regan need to escape Scotland, his wife died 3 years ago and the past is everywhere he looks. His parents buy him and Regan plane tickets to Vietnam where Joe will be working as a doctor in a community hospital in Hanoi

He meets local doctor Lien, a Hanoi native, who grew up in one of the poorer areas. Lien has had people look down their noses at her because of where she came from and where her family still live, even though she would like for them to move!

Lien looks after Joe and Regan taking them to some of her favourite places in Vietnam, many of which I now want to visit as they were so fantastically described!

I liked Lien, her backstory made her feel more human and explained her motivations and how she behaved towards Joe, especially when he invited her to come to Scotland. He seemed to be oblivious to her feelings throughout most of the story however which made me really annoyed. He seemed to be quite self centered when it came to emotions and he doesn't ask what is troubling her, it very much me, me, me. There were times when she felt more like an agony aunt that a doctor!

My favourite character is Regan, he accepts Lien for who she is, doesn't care about her background and loves the stories of pirates and dragons that she tells instead of dads boring old usual ones. He misses his mum and Lien helps Joe to understand what might be affecting Regan and that his behavior is ok, Regan talks to stars because he thinks his mum is up there and that there is a special star for her

I'm not sure why but I struggled with this book, I did like the split of narrative (quite a favourite of mine if you have read my other reviews!) but something just didn't gel in my head, maybe it was my annoyance with Joe!

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy a medical romance in an interesting location or who wants to travel the world from their armchair (like me!)

Healing The Single Dad’s Heart is written by Scarlet Wilson, part of her Good Luck Gospital mini series and published by M&B Medical. Dr Joe Lennox, a GP working in a surgery situated in a deprived area of Glasgow, has brought his little boy, Regan to Hanoi as he has got a new job at May Man Hospital. His wife has died of myeloid leukaemia and Joe wants a new start to recover and mend his heart. The first person he meets when he enters the hospital is Dr Dang Van Lien, who becomes their unofficial tour guide. Slowly Joe recovers from the loss of his wife and love blossoms but can both Joe and Lien overcome their pasts to find their future HEA?

This book is extremely well researched, lots of descriptive paragraphs about Hanoi which draw the reader in plus lots of medical jargon. I feel that these combined actually take away from the story and the characters because there is such a lot for the reader to take in. I enjoyed this book but wouldn’t rush to reread it.

received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley

Scarlet Wilson's books have been an autobuy for me for some time and this lovely romance was written to her usual high standards. Well rounded characters, believable drama, and a breathtaking setting lifts this medical romance well out of the ordinary.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Mills & Boon Insiders for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This romantic story was very much a dr, medical based one.

Lots of explanations of how things worked, the why's etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

A nice enough story but needed more romance.

Captivating, Must Read, 5 Stars 🌟

Dr Joe Lennox and his 4-year-old son Regan arrive in Vietnam for a six month working sabbatical at the Humanitarian Hospital, May M n Hospital, looking for a new beginning away from the heartbreak and memories of his deceased wife back in Scotland.

Upon his arrival at the hospital, he is met by Dr Dang Van Lien, the resident doctor and Joe's unofficial tour guide. From the beginning, the interactions between Joe, Regan and Lien are honest and authentic, as they bring out the best in each other. But as Hanoi becomes Joe and Regan’s home away from home, can Lien overcome her past insecurities to embrace Joe and Regan and grab a second chance at HEA.

This is my first book by Ms. Scarlet Wilson and it won't be my last; Healing the Single Dad's Heart is a beautifully written poignant story of a single Dad finding a second chance at love and happiness, when least expected. The exquisitely written descriptions of Vietnam and its culture are so vibrant they bring an added dimension to the book, especially the descriptions of Hoan Ki M Lake, Ngon Son Temple and H Long Bay. Although Primarily a medical romance, the medical theme is an enjoyable addition, even for those who do not favour the genre as it is covered in a sensitive and informative way, including the details of the struggles faced by the underprivileged population of Vietnam, which adds to the story making it more than just another medical romance and an educational captivating must read for all.

If you enjoyed Joe and Lien’s story and would like to read more about May M n Hospital and it’s staff then book two of Ms. Scarlet Wilson’s new miniseries The Good Luck Hospital, Just Friend’s to Just Married? Duc’s story, is not to be missed.

For your information, I received my copy from Netgalley and Mills and Boon via Mills and Boon Insiders however, this does not influence my opinions as all opinions are my own.