This was my introduction into medical Sapphic romances and all in all it was a quick fun read.

Being an nurse with a background in ortho I did like the parts of the book that discussed why Renna chose nursing and that nurses play just as necessary of a role in patient care as doctors do.

Some parts of the novel got a little choppy with the time changes between scenes and switching between POVs, but I believe some of that may be due to the fact I was reading an advanced copy and some editing things may have been lost using the native reading app for netgalley.

I do think some the book could have benefited from a little more dramatic tension at points but did appreciate that we got a HEA ending, which is what I prefer in my quick, lighthearted romance reads.

This is part of a series and I don't know that I care enough about the characters to continue on but did enjoy my time spent with this first installment well enough.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book!

Cast Aside by Cassidy Langue is a quick but thoroughly enjoyable read, delivering a perfect blend of tension, romance, and emotional depth. Dr. Mel Hardy’s icy exterior meets its match in surgical nurse Renna Lee, whose dedication and quiet strength challenge Hardy’s rigid control. Their slow-burning chemistry is captivating, with sharp, compelling dialogue and high-stakes medical drama adding to the intensity of their growing connection. As they navigate trust, vulnerability, and the fine line between professional respect and personal desire, Langue crafts a story that is both heartfelt and engaging. With its fast pace and satisfying emotional payoff, *Cast Aside* is a great pick for fans of workplace romances and strong-willed protagonists learning to let down their walls.

Review Release: 11/02/25
Review Platform: Goodreads/Amazon
Review: A lovely, high tension, slow burn romance between a doctor and her nurse. If you want an interesting sapphic romance with a HEA, this is for you.

Cassidy Langue is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books are fun to read, I enjoy the chemistry and tension she builds with her characters.
I hope this medical romance is part of a series. I enjoyed reading it so much.
I will continue to follow her and look forward to more books by this author.

This is a perfect fit for readers who crave a romantic and intense medical drama with a strong focus on a same-sex relationship, particularly those who enjoy stories featuring women of color and are looking for a spicy, emotionally charged love story.

would like to thank netgalley and the pubilisher for letting me read this book

a hospital drama with a twist....

a nurse and a doctor butting heads its a great storyline...

finished this book within a day as it was a quick read but also entertaining... its full of drama with a bit of a twist

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!

I fell in love with this story and devoured it in a day. Cast Aside tackled some hard topics, like grief, coming out later in life, estrangement, poverty, family expectations, abandonment issues, etc.

The book was different in the way that the love story unfolds. Mel has never had a romantic attraction to anyone. We never get a full answer as to why this was, trauma, being on the aromantic spectrum, it’s never really explicitly said. Which, it doesn’t have to, sometimes we don’t know the why behind things, but I think if it was for or because any of the reasons mentioned above, it would have been a nice segue in spreading some representation or awareness in one or all of those areas. But it’s a minor thing for me. It was refreshing to read about a 35 year old virgin. I don’t believe there is enough representation when it comes things like that in romance novels. Sex is usually not an issue for characters. It’s nice to see characters be human when it comes to sex and have the insecurities or inexperiences that a lot of people probs have but don’t read or talk about.

I feel like Mel was neurodivergent-coded but it was never explicitly said. I would be interested if anyone else feels the same way.

The FWB situation with Tilly and Renna was surprisingly not toxic, dare I say healthy? There are different forms of love out there and their friendship shows that. The way Mel, Renna and Josie handled the situation with Josie having feelings for Mel and the guilt that Mel had for finally having romantic feelings but not for Josie, was incredibly respectful and thoughtful. I liked how Renna would think of how things would be hurtful and would give Mel little reminders. It also showed that Mel didn’t intend to hurt Josie but sometimes doesn’t think about certain things.

Overall, this was an amazing tale of finding yourself, finding your people and ultimately finding freedom.


🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻Fingers crossed for a Tilly and Minnie story, even though I thought for a second maybe Tilly and Josie would get together.

I enjoy medical romances and happily read an ARC of this novel. The story is engaging. A skilled orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Mel Hardy crosses paths with surgical nurse Serenity (Renna) Lee. Mel doesn’t have the best interpersonal skills and doesn’t like her actions questioned. Renna has advanced training and perceives Mel as seeing her as “less" because she is a nurse. That issue comes up a lot until Mel gets to know Renna better. Mel has never felt the need for a romantic relationship but Renna sparks her interest.

I don’t want to give away more of the plot but both have suffered from losses in the past. They also both have BFF’s they confide in that work at the same hospital with them. I like the medical aspects of the story. It took me longer than it should have to get the characters straight in my mind. I think it was because friends referred to each other by first names and at the hospital it was all last names. I liked Renna trying to be extra careful with Mel as her feelings are new to her. And I thought there was the right amount of heat.

One thing that made the book choppy or harder to follow is changing viewpoints or scenes abruptly. Chapters begin by identifying whose POV is telling the story but it will switch mid chapter. I don’t usually comment on format issues as my copy is an advanced copy and I assume in the final product issues will be fixed. I had a PDF version and it came through aligned to the right on my reader without any separation between paragraphs and scenes. So between POV switching and my copy not having normal breaks it made it much more difficult to read. I would have to pause to think about who is speaking and how much time has passed. I am not marking the book down because of the alignment in my copy but transitions should be smoother. I think the cover is beautiful and fit the characters.

I enjoy f/f romances and this one works for me story wise. It was interesting medically and didn’t get too technical. (3.5 Stars)

The was a quick read but the characters played off of each other well. They were easy to root for.

But there was something missing from the book. I could have used some extra drama but it was still enjoyable but I’m just not sure it has reread ability. I’d still recommend giving this one a read.

Here’s a reworked review incorporating the fact that you’re not typically a fan of LGBTQ+ books and haven’t read many of them before:

I’ll admit, I don’t usually read LGBTQ+ books, and they’re not really my go-to genre. This was my first dive into a story like this, and while it had its moments, I wasn’t completely won over.

The book starts off with an unexpected level of spice—right in chapter one! While it caught me off guard, I have to say the writing itself was solid. The dialogue felt natural, and the plot kept moving at a decent pace. What really stood out was the effort put into representing diverse relationships and professional fields.

The relationships were layered and realistic, dealing with everyday issues in a way that felt genuine. It was refreshing to see complex dynamics presented with happy resolutions. However, as someone new to this type of story, the sheer volume of LGBTQ+ representation (particularly wlw relationships) felt overwhelming at times—almost like too much packed into one book.

The author clearly did their homework, especially in detailing the medical and athletic fields. Everything was explained well without being overly technical, which kept me engaged. That said, the frequent time jumps and dual perspectives occasionally disrupted the flow, and some parts felt rushed. I wished for deeper exploration of certain plot points instead of jumping ahead too quickly.

Overall, this was a decent read, but it didn’t fully connect with me. If you’re someone who loves LGBTQ+ stories and well-researched settings, this might be your cup of tea. For me, as someone unfamiliar with the genre, it was an okay experience but didn’t leave a lasting impression. Giving it 2 ⭐.

When Grey's Anatomy meets people from the LGBTQIAP+ community as the main characters or when a very smart and empathic nurse advocating for her patients' rights and her attending doctor stubbornly ignoring every single opinion of hers leads to a lot of (sexual) tension between them too.

That being said, I was not expecting the level of spice in this book right at the beginning, in chapter one. hahahaha I did enjoy the writing a lot, from the plot to the dialogue. Plus, as a social worker, it was nice to feel valued for once. The view of the importance of all the different professions was a breath of fresh air.

The relationships were complex and dimensional like in real life, which captivated me. Those were real-life daily problems presented to us with a great resolution, and a happy ending. The representation and diversity are on point, maybe a little too many wlw, or maybe it's like neurodiversity that has a pull for more people like them.

Finally, it's worth noting how much research (or knowledge) was put into the making of this book. From the medical field to the athletic field, it was all explained in great detail but without making it hard to understand. I could mostly follow the idea without getting lost in what they were talking about, which was great in keeping me hooked!

Nevertheless, I sometimes felt like everything was happening too quickly and I didn't see it coming at all. And I didn't love the constant jumps in time in the middle of a chapter, we don't really need to know what both are thinking about all the time. Additionally, I feel like some parts could have been explored more.

In conclusion, it was a nice read, especially assomeone who's been reading a lot of heterosexual romance lately. I've read a lot about the medical romance field in the last couple of months, not sure if that's a new niche coming up but who doesn't love to get a look into the lives of our heroes? Also, they had such busy days and schedules but still managed to make the hours double somehow!??!?! I wish I could do that. Please teach me, I have one busy day and crash the next three.

Cassidy Langue’s Cast Aside is an engaging and unapologetically steamy LGBTQIA+ romance that stands out for its blend of passion, personal growth, and nuanced storytelling. This novel isn’t just about the sparks of physical attraction but also delves into the complexities of love, self-confidence, and the journey toward vulnerability.

The story centers on two accomplished women who are thriving in their respective professional fields yet find themselves struggling when it comes to matters of the heart. Their confidence at work contrasts beautifully with their initial inability to connect romantically, creating a dynamic that feels refreshingly authentic. Their clashing personalities and differing approaches to handling life and love lead to plenty of heated exchanges, which Cassidy Langue skillfully transforms into opportunities for character growth and emotional depth.

The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their fiery disagreements make the resolution of their romance all the more satisfying. Langue also weaves in a meaningful message about self-acceptance and the courage it takes to open yourself up to love, elevating the story beyond its steamy surface.

For readers who appreciate well-rounded characters, LGBTQIA+ representation, and a blend of drama and intimacy, Cast Aside is a must-read. With this novel, Langue proves herself to be a talented storyteller with a lot to offer, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what she brings us next. Highly recommended!

Mel and Renna work in the same hospital. Renna feels Mel is always critical of her and finds it hard going when they have to work together.. Things come to a head when, after one operation, Renna thinks Mel has been badgering her. Mel and Renna have a showdown with each other. After this things become less hostile and more complicated. The story is about Mel and Renna navigating the various pitfalls that arise as the relationship progresses.
I quite enjoyed this book. Mel and Renna had their ups and downs, disagreements and misunderstandings which made for a likeable story.

Serenity (Renna) Lee is the best surgical nurse at Delmont University Hospital—meticulous, level-headed, and deeply dedicated to her patients. She’s also one confrontation away from walking off Dr. Hardy’s surgical team for good.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mel Hardy suffers no fools. She's learned the hard way that the world is a harsh place, and nowhere is there room for weakness or mistakes. She's brilliant and captivating, but also demanding, and as relentless with herself as she is with her team.

When a nerve-wracking case forces Hardy to rely on Renna’s expertise, the dynamic between them shifts—and suddenly, the boundary between respect and something far more dangerous begins to blur.

I loved the nuance of both these main characters. Renna was a gymnast in college, and her athletic experience shapes the way she approaches medicine. Mel and her inexperience were hilarious sometimes, and Renna's understanding and patience with her was adorable. The side characters were fun, too—especially Josie and Tilly. I thought the dynamic between Tilly and Renna was very well done, showing how detached Renna was at the beginning. Overall, this was a great story with a sweet ending! It made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time! 5 ⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.