Crossroads

PMC Hospital Romance #3

by Radclyffe

Dr. Hollis Monroe specializes in short-terms relationships, typically eight months or less. As an obstetrician dealing with high-risk pregnancies, she spends all her time and energy in caring for women at a nice, comfortable professional distance until she delivers their babies and can walk away. They're happy, she's satisfied, and no one gets hurt. The perfect relationship.

Pregnant mother-to-be Annie Colfax is alone and barely making ends meet—she didn't plan on starting a family by herself, but she's determined to succeed. All she had to do is survive.

Neither woman wants a relationship, but fate brings them together at a crossroads that will change their lives forever.

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, Medical, Lesbian Romance, Audiobook, Fiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Radclyffe has written over forty-five romance and romantic intrigue novels, dozens of short stories, and, writing as L.L. Raand, has authored a paranormal romance series, The Midnight Hunters. She has also edited Best Lesbian Romance 2009 through 2015 as well as multiple other anthologies. She is an eight-time Lambda Literary Award finalist in romance, mystery, and erotica—winning in both romance and erotica. A member of the Saints and Sinners Literary Hall of Fame, she is also an RWA Prism, Lories, Beanpot, Aspen Gold, and Laurel Wreath winner in multiple mainstream romance categories. In 2014, she received the Dr. James Duggins Outstanding Mid-Career Novelist award from the Lambda Literary Foundation. In 2004, she founded Bold Strokes Books, an independent LGBTQ publishing company, and in 2013, she founded the Flax Mill Creek Writers Retreat offering writing workshops to authors in all stages of their careers.

She states, “I began reading lesbian fiction at the age of twelve when I found a copy of Ann Bannon’s Beebo Brinker. That book and others like it convinced me that I was not alone, that there were other women who felt like I did. Our literature provides support and validation and very often, a lifeline, for members of our community throughout the world. I am proud and honored to be able to publish the many fine authors at Bold Strokes Books and to contribute in some small way to the words that celebrate the LGBTQ experience.”

Radclyffe lives with her partner, Lee, in New York state.

Reviews

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pregnancies.

This is the third book of A PMC Hospital Romance series and in my opinion, this is a lot better than Night Call (Book 2).

The circumstance that brings Hollis and Annie together is devestating but it's an interesting connection that they have. They meet again four years later in a professional setting - Hollis as a obstetrician and Annie as a midwife - and they are both forced to set aside personal issues and develop a cordial work relationship. And I really like how their friendship develops after that too. The romantic chemistry they have is steady and sweet too and I really like Hollis in particular.

As usual, Honor and Quinn, the main characters of Fated Love (Book 1) appear in half the chapters and they have such a beautiful family. Their constant appearance gives the series a real boost.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is odder than I expected. First, I applaud Radclyffe for exploring a non-MD part of childbirth: mid-wives. But, the first 20% of the book annoyed me. I felt like I was expected to respect the World View of anti-vaccine folks as just another alternative yet valid form of modern medical care. Extreme pain in ER? Sure...skip modern medicines and just endure it. NOT! I felt like Radclyffe was experimenting with mind-altering drugs...."what if the world is really whatever I want to imagine it to be?" It was like when you see women that are nine-months pregnant playing aggressive tennis because "hey, what could go wrong?". It just felt like watching a train wreck unfold.

Further along, the story softened the "Let's all live as hippies on a commune" approach, and I began to like Annie and to appreciate Hollis' developing respect for midwives. But then Annie began to annoy me (REALLY annoy me!) with her insipidness. Hollis kept admiring a strength I just never saw. The level of "but I made a bad choice in the past and now I can never ever trust my feelings" was just painful to listen to. Hollis, btw, had her own issues with the past of course, but....oh my did I want to meet her!!

The last part of the book was just unbelievable. It was like Hollis earning a toaster and Annie not just renting a U-Haul, but buying a fleet of them. I mean really...they both walk away from each other rather than exploring what might develop, and then after a month not even speaking to each other declare mutual love, pledging a devotion that will last a lifetime, and decide to become a family with Annie's daughter and move in together. Huh? I'm not sure they even had a real first date to qualify this as the lesbian 2nd date U-Haul event.

Normally, Radclyffe provides enough spicy sex that I bump up the rating at least 1/2 point....but not so much here. Seeing characters from other books was nice, but it made me realize how little I cared to see Hollis and Annie themselves in future books.

The book started as a 2*....moved close to a 4*....and then collapsed to the point that I just looked forward to it ending and wishing I hadn't spent another $10 on a book that pissed me off. GR friends have rated this in a wide range 2-5*. I suspect there was lots of alcohol involved in the 5* ratings, so I'll overlook those. For me I'm enjoying wine while writing this review more than I did the book. I'm thinking 2.5*, and in keeping with Lexxi Kitty's recent multiple confidence point ratings, I'll make it a 2.503506* rating, which rounds up I guess to 3*.

This is the first review I've tagged as spoilers, because I just had to rant a bit more than I normally do, and needed to include a few plot details. I feel badly though, because that probably means that anyone thinking of reading the book won't read my comments.

[Elske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great third book.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Radclyffe writes: medical romances are a niche within a niche... and the greatest writer of them is Radclyffe. Just superb class. Thank you,

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable classic Radclyffe novel.

[Dide · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 star ratings
The few books I have read on medical romance, Radclyffe does perhaps the best job getting me invested not only in the romance but quite surprisingly in the whole clinical mumbo-jumbo.
This is another enjoyable read and I won't be surprised my upcoming dream has me inbetween scrubs.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how Hollis and Annie are thrown together years after meeting to head up a joint project. When they first meet Annie was lonely and hurting after losing her family and Hollis having to perform an emergency surgery to save her live only makes her feel more out of control. She blames Hollis, but being able to to talk and unload her side years later, helps her to move forward. Plus she had her beautiful daughter, Callie, to thank Hollis for. Annie also helps Hollis move past old haunts and loses. They make a beautiful family. It made my heart melt when Hollis was the first to see and hold Callie, and that she can remember the day years later when meeting them again. I couldn’t get enough of these two. Through in some Honor and Quinn loveliness, and Linda and Robin having another little one, makes this book extra special.

[Calliope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars for a few different reasons. First of all, being a surgical nurse, I appreciated the accuracy of the setting and terminology. The book was an awesome slow burn for me. I enjoy Radclyffe’s style of story telling, and this medical romance did not disappoint. I read this via audible and I can say, I’ll definitely purchase the written copy. I enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads, Hollis and Annie. Hollis is an OB/Gyn and Annie is a midwife, so of course that creates the juicy love/hate chemistry between the two. I think I knew before they did that something special was brewing between them. This is the first novel in the series that I’ve read, but I’m intrigued and will download the others in the PMC series. I’m especially interested in Harley and Quinn’s story. Interestingly, the most romance in the novel happens between them, and the main characters don’t get down until the end..lol. I felt that made the story even more enjoyable. The narrator did a wonderful job and it was easy to distinguish between the characters. I would have loved for the story to get more detailed at the end, and maybe elaborate a bit more into the relationship of Hollis and Annie. That’s probably the main reason I didn’t give 5 stars... I wanted more. I feel like I got to know them, but I’m not rewarded with knowing what their relationship is like and how they are getting along as a new family.

[mili · Rating 2 out of 5]

3/10

i dont know whats up

the first book in the series was sooo good

this one though? much better than the second one for sure

well i was kinda excited for it but then everything felt weird from start to finish

didnt like annie for a second like really all the characters (but the ones in the first book) werent much likable

even some of the characters i loved there annoyed me here a lot

and im not super into pregnancies or at all really

which this book was entirely about

no but the story is very 2d and characters dont really have real depth even with all the backstory we get because it feels too fake

i wanted to go through the whole series and ill keep going towards that goal tho

hopefully theres gonna be another story here thats as good as the first book

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just received this book yesterday and already finished it. Radclyffe doesn't disappoint with another romance. I loved the recurring characters that are still as recognizable as when they were first introduced. What was even more compelling is the intimacy that Radclyffe built throughout the book between these two new characters. You can write good sex but when it is partnered with passion and family it makes the whole story so much more compelling. I have read every one of Radclyffe's books and use her as an inspiration when I write. No one is better at building full, robust characters that you would recognize if you saw them in person. A wonderful read that celebrates family at it's best.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very good read.

Well Radclyffe has done it again. Kept me hooked from the first to the last word. I think this is turning into another series like Honor and Justice series but medical. It's nice to read a new plot but the way Radclyffe involves previous characters makes it more complete. You feel you really know the characters and get an insight into their lives. It's like a continuing saga. The introduction of new characters being the focal point but also carrying on with previous characters making for a very well rounded story. However the book is just as good as a stand-alone novel as its entertaining, funny and compelling. Thanks look forward to the next one.

[Felicia Severn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another classic Radclyffe novel. I loved the setting being in a hospital/home environment. The characters were well developed and had excellent dialog. I would read this book again so that says something about the readability of the novel. Job Well Done!

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because it was next in the series, but I was highly conscious of the fact it was full of pregnancy and babies and I don't have a motherly bone in my body, not even in my little toe. So where I was supposed to feel all mushy and warm over babies and pregnancy (which was pretty much most of the book), I was thinking, 'blah, blah, blah...yeah, screaming things that poop'. It was well enough written, it just wasn't for me at all, which is probably why it took me 6 days to read it rather than my usual 1 or 2.

[Ummi Shedd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book beat passionate rivals and night call it becomes my second favourite book in the series right after fated love. I barely connect with the last two books that I lost faith in continuing the series, but Crossroads just made me want to read the final book in the series now lol

Hollis and Annie are such a perfect match sweet couple. I love that Hollis is a self-assured brilliant doctor who isn't afraid of doing the right thing. She has a healthy ego that doesn't get in a way of her personality. She has a no bullshit attitude which I find endearing.

Annie's a little naive half the time I couldn't even figure out what she was mad about and the other half I'm like, come on baby girl! but she's also a very cool character.

This is a very sweet story with very little angst

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crossroads brought us two new characters intertwined in the lives of characters that have previously appeared in Radclyffe's medical stories. Hollis and Annie share a painful past that creates a challenge when they meet again after being assigned to work together to determine how their professions can collaborate. I always think it is fascinating how Radclyffe brings in her own medical exposure and knowledge to her stories- giving the readers the intense experience of being in an operating room, dealing with a medical crisis, and the weight of responsibility that lies so heavily on the medical professionals and she did not disappoint with Crossroads in this area. Her wonderful writing doesn't only bring us into the hospital it brings us into the hearts of both Hollis and Annie as they learn to trust themselves in order to trust the love between them. In addition to having a wonderful love story, I think I liked best the hobby of cycling being brought into the story as a way to connect new characters with old, find an outlet for stress, and create a bonding experience between generations. Being an active cyclist, it made the characters that much more personable and allowed me to get sucked into the story that much further. Overall, Crossroads is another great read by Radclyffe that I would not hesitate to recommend.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the characters, especially Monroe, however I felt like the love story was a little boring and it moved very very slow. Everytime Monroe answered her off duty call, I wanted some actions, something exciting to happen, but it never did. And then, they were saying I love you's at the end of the book without even a proper relationshio at first.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this one and really enjoyed it! Annie and Hollis had such strong chemistry, and Hollis was a total standout — so gentle and caring, she didn’t deserve any of the pain she went through 😭 I really loved her.

Annie’s story was emotional, especially what she experienced during Callie’s birth, though her back-and-forth with Hollis got a bit frustrating. Still, the story flowed so well, and I loved seeing Quinn, Honor, Arly, and Linda pop back in 💙

[Neen Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. I loved the focus on midwifey and the inclusion of kids in this story. I love reading about people overcoming their pasts and discovering the strength they never believed they possessed. The two main characters are wonderful and flawed and human and real. I love Radclyffe's way with words and how the story could make me smile even when it discussed such heartbreak and loss.

[Sílvia Poço · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars.
Easy read, but I couldn't really connect with MC's. Very light read, although it didn't really make me live the story, like I was really there. Would recommend 'cause was a nice read, but I wouldn't read this again.
This was my second Radcliffe's book, and although this story didn't work for me, I have more of her books on my to read list.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wished it was longer but totally loved it!

[HungryVampire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished reading the book, "Crossroads," written by Radclyffe. It was one of those page-turners where you just can't put the book down. I first read one of Radclyffe's paranormal books, which she pens under the name L.L. Raand. I loved the way she wrote and how she really spent time developing her characters. My thinking was that writing a paranormal book was a little different than writing something that is more real-life. Since I really enjoyed her paranormal series (and can't wait for the next in that series to be released), I figured I'd try reading something that, although fiction, was more real-to-life drama and romance.

To start off, I'll write what you'll see on just about every website that sells this book, because I think it best describes the book.

The book description from Amazon.com reads,

"Dr. Hollis Monroe specializes in short-terms relationships, typically eight months or less. As an obstetrician dealing with high-risk pregnancies, she spends all her time and energy in caring for women at a nice, comfortable professional distance until she delivers their babies and can walk away. They're happy, she's satisfied, and no one gets hurt. The perfect relationship.

Pregnant mother-to-be Annie Colfax is alone and barely making ends meet—she didn't plan on starting a family by herself, but she's determined to succeed. All she had to do is survive.

Neither woman wants a relationship, but fate brings them together at a crossroads that will change their lives forever."

The book starts with Dr. Monroe performing a cesarean section on a young mother who, although she's bleeding out and very likely to lose her baby and her own life, pleads to this emergency doctor to not take her baby. The baby was still too immature to be born. The mother was more concerned for the maturity of her baby then her own life. However, Dr. Monroe is not used to losing any patient and this mother and her baby were not going to be the first. As with all deliveries, Dr. Monroe saves both mother and child, but the outcome of the delivery builds a deep seeded hatred within the mother.

As the story continues, Dr. Monroe is faced with the task of pulling together a committee of both obstetricians who deal with high-risk pregnancies and midwifes who deliver babies at home. She must build camaraderie between the two groups, when both groups are on either end of the spectrum, fighting for their own cause. In walks Annie Colfax, midwife, tasked with the same goal to bring both professions together to work together. Before Annie and Hollis (Dr. Monroe) can work at getting their “sides” together in this professional camaraderie, they must first figure out how to work out their personal differences between the two of them.

As they begin to build their relationship, and each try to understand the other, they begin to see that they can't stand being apart.

Radclyffe builds so much emotion in this story that you find yourself crying, laughing, and swooning for what might develop. I truly enjoyed and recommend this book, "Crossroads." You won't be disappointed.

I hope to get the chance to delve into more of her books. I know for certain I’ll be reading the next in her Midnight Hunters series, "The Lone Hunt," under her pen name, L. L. Raand. It releases March 19, 2013. I’ve also heard excellent reviews of Radclyffe's First Responders series and Honor series of which I hope to read someday soon. No matter which pen she uses, Radclyffe has a writing style I like.

You can purchase this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bold Strokes Books.

[Miriam Cortez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this book a year ago and actually read it for the first time today. At first i didn't like it because it had so many side stories i didn't know what was going on. But after reading Fated Love and Night Call i finally took my time to understand it. Not only was i able to see a new relationship developed between Annie and Hollis and have a glimpse at Linda's and Robin's relationship but also see another part of Honor and Quinn's story after having their second child. I actually really enjoyed these books but every time i read another one i get hooked on them. i love how things build up to the point where both Annie and Hollis can fianly trust one another and be open about them self's, in the end these books always help me feel happy and see that some time love comes in very unexpected moments.

[Chand · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much ado about nothing, that's what I think about this book. Manufactured problems - one in Annie's life and one in Hollis'. They haven't talked about these with anyone, though if you ask me the problems didn't seem like anything they couldn't talk about. Anyway, they tell each other their respective closely guarded secrets and promptly fall in love. They're single, lesbian and independent. So no issues there. But don't we have to move the story forward? So let's just find some ridiculously unconvincing scenario to keep them apart and an equally ridiculous reason to get them together.
A really bad plot. Not something one would expect from the author who can otherwise tells such passionate and gripping stories.

[FSH78 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's another Radclyffe medical story...what's not to love!

[Mirtha Siblesz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I have read all of what I affectionately call the "PMC" series of novels by Radclyffe. Each story builds up to the next in a very effective manner. This story was equally as effective as the previous two. The story of Hollis and Annie is a compelling one which builds up to the final culmination of their story. Very well done. It would be nice to have another PMC story to find out how all the characters are doing these days, particularly Honor and Quinn. Perhaps a story about Linda and Robin and how they came to be the loving couple that make their presence known in all the stories.

Like usual, very well done!

[Adam Windsor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely one of Radclyffe's weaker offerings. It's still readable, but the central romance is not terribly convincing, progressing more or less by author fiat. Which is a shame, because I think the premise of a clash of cultures and burgeoning relationship between a surgeon and a midwife is an interesting one that deserved better service than it got here. Honestly, given the page count Radclyffe devotes to re-visiting old characters rather than developing the new pairing presented here, I wonder if she knew that it wasn't really up to scratch.

[Rashika · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the recurring characters in the book. personally for a non medical person i shy away from most medical themed books. but this one did not scare you with the facts. the scene was one of facts, that was nice to learn. the main characters where real and ones who i would have slapped myself if i was not caught up in what was going on in their journey. these two were scared, interested and strong characters. thanks for a well written book. to help me escape the daily sludge of life.

[Serene Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice read. I haven’t read the first 2 books so the scenes of the other couples has been kind of distracting for me but it was still nice.

The characters has been relatable. Being undecided and coward when it comes to love. It was just such a shame that the story didn’t progress the way I expected. It felt like it happened way too soon. It felt like it developed prematurely —pun intended. Maybe I was looking for the yearning, the development of a slow burn romance, the realizations and emotions when they become together. The hate to love transition too felt underwhelming. Or maybe that’s just what the whole story felt, that it was underwhelming. That it didn’t bloom.

But that doesn’t stop the book from being enjoyable. I just wish I saw more moments of Annie and Hollis, also them with Callie. I want to feel the love more.

[Lindsey Wallace-Galli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t stop. Won’t stop. Book 3/6 of the PMC hospital series and Radclyffe does it again with a great book of opening yourself up to someone and letting your guards down. Hollis, a OBGYN never does relationships as of recent until she runs into a previous patient of hers, Annie.
Annie, a shunned woman from her previous commune when she gets pregnant from a man she thought she loved. After having an emergency c-section by Hollis, and fired her all in one day, she hasn’t let anyone in to care for her in 4.5 years. Until she gets reacquainted with Hollis.
Annie and Hollis do not see eye to eye when they have to work on a joint project of merging the two specialties but in the end, love wins all.

Probably not my favorite out of the series but of course I had to read it to see what was going on with the other characters in the first two books!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollis and Annie run into each other in this book in the beginning as Annie on the table needing emergency c-section. Now they are together as Dr. Hollis Monroe and Annie the midwife on a collaboration for an integrating system.

The romance is slow and building. It is still interesting to read but not too much excitement on the main couple yet we do have glimpses of other couples, apparently from other series of Radclyfee's other works.

I liked it enough to read but not to keep in my collection of books.