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Perfect Distraction

Allison Ashley (Goodreads Author)

4.06 · Rating details · 692 ratings · 192 reviews

Lauren Taylor isn't thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over. He's out of her league and she's focused on finishing her oncology pharmacy residency. She's sworn off men who are too handsome for their own good, anyway.

Andrew Bishop can't stop thinking about the gorgeous redhead who crashed into him and t ...more

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ebook, 400 pages

Published March 23rd 2020 by Entangled: Amara

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Average rating 4.06 ·

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· 692 ratings · 192 reviews

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Mar 17, 2020 lazybookconqueror rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, forbidden-romance, 2020books, friends-to-lovers, so-cute

This book is the Perfect Distraction to everything going on with the world right now. Absolutely heartwarming and wholesome, I had a constant grin on my face while reading it.

Lauren Taylor is doing her oncology pharmacy residency. First of all, I thought this was so original. I never read anything about this profession before and it was not only a great setting but it provided a lot of material to develop a deeper emotional side to this story.

On a day she's running late she bumps into Andrew Bis ...more

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Apr 27, 2020 Anne OK rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reads

“We be-lung together.”

A new-to-me author with a big-hearted story.

Allison Ashley skillfully builds a gripping emotional arc that goes along with a harsh dose of reality, while capturing the excitement, fun and joy of new love. I was mesmerized by the bantering dialogue between Andrew and Lauren as they got to know each other.

Fun-pun word battles between the two lead to sparkling wit and an added dose of delightful sweetness and adorableness. The chemistry between these two is undeniably sizzli ...more

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Feb 24, 2020 Peggy Jaeger rated it it was amazing

I'm told this is a debut novel by this author - well, if that's true, I can guarantee she's going to have a long and prosperous career as a writer.
This story was so multileveled, emotionally and educationally, that I don't know where to start. Suffice it to say, this author know how to write emotion, educate about intense medical conditions, and elicit a wide range of emotions from the reader.

Oncology Pharmacist Lauren never thinks the big, handsome guy she just spilled hot coffee on in the coff ...more

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Feb 11, 2020 Anna Kaling rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance

A cute contemporary romance with PUNS? All my dreams have come true. Andrew and Lauren are so cute together, and I was so invested in their HEA.

There was a cast of well-developed side characters (and I don't just mean Emma, wink wink) and the hero and heroine's feelings and reactions always felt authentic, not like they were doing things for plot purposes. They feel like real people, and it was like watching two of my friends fall in love and work things out.

Perfect Distraction made me laugh and ...more

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Mar 25, 2020 Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: didi-reviews

4.5 stars

Allison Ashley delivers the perfect blend of sweet, heartfelt, and emotion in Perfect Distraction. Two people have a bit of a “meet cute” then later meet under unusual circumstances. There is immediate attraction but a bit of an ethical dilemma.

It was easy to see that this author has knowledge of the medical field and cancer clinics which made this story believable. As a clinical pharmacist Lauren sees Andrew on his first day of chemo treatment and while she only sees him for one day, s ...more

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Mar 11, 2020 Myria rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I finished this sweet, little nugget of a book yesterday. Y’all, I laughed and cried and laughed some more and then cried some more and felt all the gushy feels.
🩺
It’s got a meet cute. It’s got “we need to stay professional, but I wanna rip your clothes off.” It has puns. So. Many. Puns. It’s really punny, guys. 😂 It has amazing family, wonderful friends, and real love.
💊
I definitely recommend Perfect Distraction ❤️.

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Sep 12, 2020 E-Reader Addict rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 Stars!

Perfect Distraction is the perfect example of how to write a sweet, touching, heartwarming romance story - goes to show you don’t need all kinds of steamy in order for a book to be all kinds of swoony.

Andrew Bishop meets Lauren Taylor at the beginning of his treatment for cancer. He’s immediately smitten, but because she’s initially part of his treatment team as an oncology pharmacist, Lauren is hesitant to get involved with him. But Andrew is determined to have her in his life, ev 4.5 Stars!

Perfect Distraction is the perfect example of how to write a sweet, touching, heartwarming romance story - goes to show you don’t need all kinds of steamy in order for a book to be all kinds of swoony.

Andrew Bishop meets Lauren Taylor at the beginning of his treatment for cancer. He’s immediately smitten, but because she’s initially part of his treatment team as an oncology pharmacist, Lauren is hesitant to get involved with him. But Andrew is determined to have her in his life, even if it means they can only be friends at first. Between his charm and a little help from his twin sister, Andrew and Lauren find love when they least expect it.

There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t like about this story. Andrew is a kind, completely swoony hero who dealt with his illness with strength and humor. He was open about his feelings, even the less-than-pleasant ones, and apologized when he made mistakes. Lauren is compassionate and clever, and I loved her dedication to her career. So often we get heroines who get stupid at the sight of a good looking, charming man, and I appreciate an author who gives us a full description of the hot guy but doesn’t fill paragraph upon paragraph of the heroine waxing eloquent about his hawt bod. LESS PECS MORE PLOT is my motto, and Ms. Ashley nailed it in this story!

But my favorite thing about this book is the relationship development. I love a story where the hero and heroine have a meet cute and their relationship develops organically, at a realistic pace. Insta-love is fun and all, but give me a story where I get to watch the couple get to know each other and work through realistic challenges and conflict (and with maturity!), and I’m sold. Add in a hero who’s willing to be patient and play the long game to get the girl, and I'm a goner!

Allison Ashley is going on my “New Authors to Watch” list. Well, she will be after I create one.😄 It isn’t often you come across a new author who gives a fresh voice to a story with unique characters and an original plot. It’s exciting when you find an author who steers clear of the tired and cliched that’s so prevalent in today’s romances, so I can’t wait to read more from Ms. Ashley! ...more

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Mar 03, 2020 Belle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, kindle, 2020-reads

There are so many things I loved about this book I'll try not to write a paper about it, but no promises.

So I really loved the plot of this book, Lauren is a oncology pharmacist, do you know how refreshing it was for her not to be a doctor or nurse? Those professions are so over done in romance novels, so having something different already made me partial to this book. Andrew, honey there is no not loving Uncle Andy, he's just been diagnosed and is going through chemo. He's in law school and ha There are so many things I loved about this book I'll try not to write a paper about it, but no promises.

So I really loved the plot of this book, Lauren is a oncology pharmacist, do you know how refreshing it was for her not to be a doctor or nurse? Those professions are so over done in romance novels, so having something different already made me partial to this book. Andrew, honey there is no not loving Uncle Andy, he's just been diagnosed and is going through chemo. He's in law school and has his entire life in front of him, plus he's absolutely gorgeous. Did I whole-hardheartedly imagine him being Chris Evans? Yes and it made the book all that much better. So when Andrew and Lauren meet they are not expecting to get all caught up in each other. Obviously there are crazy and heartbreaking twist and turns, but no spoilers of course.

I'm honestly in shock that this was the authors debut novel, it was incredible, So well written, I've read authors who have written so many romance novels and they don't even touch Perfect Distraction. It had it's predictable stuff but in this genre that's not surprising. What was surprising is how much this book traps you in it's grasps and refuses to let go until that last page. It is such a good balance of comedy and romance and heartbreak. I highlighted the heck out of my arc and will probably re-read before the year ends. I wrote down so many notes that I almost re-wrote a fanfiction about how much I loved this book. I loved the puns and subtle comedy because they paired so well with the balance of the fact this book was still about a guy with cancer. The banter was perfectly timed with every single character. I loved every bit of the dialogue and those text were beyond perfect, possibly my favorite part. I like that the book was written in third person split POV, it made the book feel very well-rounded,

The attention to small details is what truly sold me on this book, some seasoned authors often over look those little things. Getting these peeks into Lauren and Andrews lives made me feel like really knew them. It helped my not only connect with the story but also the characters and secondary characters. The way Lauren didn't cuss and instead used pop culture references could have been so cheesy but it never felt that way. And how you knew she meant business when she finally did cuss. How Andrew cared so deeply for not only Lauren but his family and how only his niece calls him Andy. It was that attention to detail that will make this author soar. Plus her ability to write romance that makes me feel butterflies and blush but she doesn't over due it. Everything in Perfect Distraction just felt perfect, so well written and so well orchestrated.

There is no way I would ever give this book anything less than five stars because it was brilliant. The first romance novel in SO LONG I wanted to tell everyone I know about. I'll stop gushing about this book now, but I can't wait to read more from this author. Thanks for my arc NetGalley! ...more

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Mar 08, 2020 Maria rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, sexy-hero, various

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Excellent story with a different kind of wounded hero.
A lovely story dealing with a serious issue, “Perfect Distraction”, by Allison Ashley (Entangled: Amara), features a delicious, wounded yet balanced, hero and a confident, giving heroine.
The slow burn romance is sweet, the chemistry and sensuality sizzling, the main characters well fleshed out and relatable, the secondary characters vivid and o ...more

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Feb 22, 2020 Cláudia rated it really liked it

I recieved an ARC through NetGalley, and as usual all thoughts and opinions are my own.

February is the month of contemporary, and what a perfect time it was to read this one. I didn’t expect to love another cute romance story, but I did really liked our main characters and how the story unfolded, the characters are really well built and really interesting, and real, this is the most important part for me. When characters are able to react to something and it feel authentic and not forced.

There w ...more

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Apr 13, 2020 Christine rated it did not like it

Let me preface this by saying as a clinical pharmacist who works with oncology patients AND a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor, I wanted to love this book.

But it was just too unrealistic to me. The whole relationship between the main characters seemed forced and repetitive. Maybe I was just expecting the book to reflect more really life experiences, but it just missed the mark completely for me.

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Sep 11, 2020 RateTheRomance rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-star-romances, physically-diverse-illness-romances, best-of-2020, smart-females-in-romance, rated-g-romances

Oh, my heart! ♥️ I am feeling ALL THE FEELINGS.

My 5yo daughter has Leukemia so I was interested in the premise of this romance in which the Hero (Andrew) has cancer and the heroine works in oncology as a pharmacist. I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it manage to be realistic without being a total downer to read? Would the author really capture cancer life accurately? What it be a good romance aside from my tie to cancer?

Yes. Yes. And YES. Gah! This book was so good.

First things first. As to th ...more

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Apr 04, 2020 Megan rated it really liked it

I actually flip flopped between 3 & 4. Honestly there was a lot in this book that made me roll my eyes! But I must also acknowledge that it brought me out of a reading slump.
It was surprisingly light and sweet considering the subject manner!

I found a lot of stuff was over explained, like actions. I don't think we need a full explanation of how someone maneuvered their hands in order to do something... Unless of course they have very unique methods!

The puns were fun and the romance was beautiful ...more

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Mar 30, 2020 Elizabeth Neal rated it really liked it

Shelves: entangled-arc-review

Lauren is focused on finishing school. (I love that she's an oncology pharmacy resident.) Maybe too much so as she's just spilled coffee on a stranger. Or it could be that he's so striking she got distracted. But it's okay, she's on a self-imposed embargo, done with attractive men. The best thing to do is make her getaway and force herself to forget about him.

Andrew can't do the same, though. She made quite an impression on him, one he can't let go of. Even if he has things going on that require ...more

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Mar 02, 2020 Linda rated it it was amazing

Wow. Couldn’t believe that this is a debut author. The writing is impeccable and a totally wonderful story and characters. The story touches on quite a few social mores including harassment at work (Lauren’s co-worker who works his way thru all the female staff and can’t handle that Lauren isn’t interested), both Lauren’s and Andrew’s strained relationship with their respective fathers, and of course cancer and the impact it has on a relationship and life; both the patient and the caregivers. So Wow. Couldn’t believe that this is a debut author. The writing is impeccable and a totally wonderful story and characters. The story touches on quite a few social mores including harassment at work (Lauren’s co-worker who works his way thru all the female staff and can’t handle that Lauren isn’t interested), both Lauren’s and Andrew’s strained relationship with their respective fathers, and of course cancer and the impact it has on a relationship and life; both the patient and the caregivers. So much all wonderfully bundled in the romance that is Lauren and Andrew.

L & A have a rather inauspicious 1st meeting when she accidentally spills her coffee over him. That introduce us to L’s cute way of “non” swearing – which instantly charms A, of course. Volunteering at a children’s hospital, L has the most amusing way of watching her words.

When they meet again at the cancer center where L works, A is so distracted by L that he hardly hears all the instructions she gives him on his upcoming chemo and the possible side effects. Both are attracted but after a bad experience during college with a handsome jock who only used her to pass his chemistry paper while pretending to be interested in her, L is understandably wary of good looking men, A being a prime example of one who is drop dead gorgeous. A is determined tho (love that in a guy) and perseveres and a friendship quickly blossoms between the two. Both agree to keep things platonic while A is still undergoing therapy but of course... *winks*.

Love the sexual tension – this is a clean story (kisses only) but intensely romantic, all the more so IMHO without any explicit sex which would have spoilt the whole book – which wasn’t angsty or over done in any way.

And mygosh the humour – L is a pun extraordinaire & every so often they get into a battle of puns. And yes, it definitely has a happy ending, wonderfully poignant all the way through and I cried buckets.

This book has all the feels. I can’t wait to read this author’s next book. ...more

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Mar 13, 2020 Donna Hines rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, arc

Cute, Quirky, and Fun!
When a relationship blossoms in the most unlikely of places -A Cancer Center- all blooms are eternal!
However, the plan was to finish the oncology pharmacy residency not fall head over heels in love with a handsome gentleman that just spilled his coffee all over you.
Girl-Come on Now!...
You know the good ones are always -taken-or too much trouble!
Surely, they can both just be friends. Friends and nothing more!
Do you hear me -Just friends...
Right.....
I love when romance is in ...more

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Mar 08, 2020 Tami rated it really liked it

Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley comes out next week and is sooo good! It is set mostly in a chemo infusion center and is such a sweet story about choosing love and happiness. It was emotional and such a beautiful story.
-

Lauren clumsily meets a gorgeous man at a coffee shop, spilling her hot drink all over him. She goes on with her day and gets to her job as a pharamcy resident in a cancer ward and what do ya know... hot guy is a patient there, getting his first round of chemo. They can't h ...more

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Dec 06, 2020 Rachel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is a must read! Would definitely recommend! Loved the characters and the plot!

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Mar 02, 2020 Sara Oxton rated it it was amazing

Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley a five-star read that will leave you perfectly distracted. This is my first read from this author, but I will be looking for more as the puns make it all worth it. I love a good pun, and this was inspiring, its not the only fantabulous aspect to this story though, as the romance is top notch and the meet cute delightful as its not as perfect as it could be, its real. The main subject of this story isn’t an easy one for most and I will be honest right now it ...more

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Feb 11, 2020 Samantha Verant rated it it was amazing

This beautiful book swept me away. Funny, romantic, and hot (but clean!)–– despite the serious subject of cancer. I fell in love with both Lauren and Andrew, both characters developed in such a way I felt like I knew them and could relate to their journeys. When the book ended, I cried-- tears of happiness, and also because I wanted to read more. Alas, I'll just have to wait for this up and coming author's next book...

Olive this story. It was egg-cellent! (puns intended)

Disclaimer: I received an ...more

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Apr 05, 2020 Celeste rated it liked it

It was short. It was sweet.

A little too sweet and cheeseball in the second half. I enjoyed the first half much more.

The characters were a little too cookie-cutter and lacked relatable flaws. But it was a cute little read if a little too forgettable.

2.5 stars.

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Mar 10, 2020 Kris Reads Romance rated it really liked it

I got an early sneak peek at this sweet gem of a story! Thank you to Allison Ashley for sharing an ARC with me!
We start out with a semi-mortifying meetcute involving a rushed morning and a cup of coffee, and I mean, relatable, right?
Although there’s instant attraction and a smidge of forbidden romance, there’s a slow burn feel to Lauren & Andrew’s story.
Can I just say that I love that she is an oncology pharmacist? The doctor or nurse thing can be overdone in novels, but the fact that our heroin ...more

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Mar 24, 2020 Living My Best Book Life rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance

Perfect Distraction is a gripping romance that gave me all the feels. I loved this book from start to finish.

The story follows Lauren Taylor and Andrew Bishop. Lauren is a resident oncology pharmacist who is solely focused on work. That is until she meets a handsome man at a coffee shop. He is absolutely gorgeous but hasn't always had good luck with "the good looking guys." Andrew is taken aback when he meets Lauren. She is beautiful and the total opposite of his ex-girlfriend.

They never though ...more

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Mar 18, 2020 Justine rated it really liked it

Firstly, I would like to thank author Allison Ashley, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This book was so, so sweet. It grabbed my heart from the very beginning and held it the whole way through.

You will find yourself following a young couple, Andrew and Lauren, who start a very fragile and delicate relationship. I can tell you right now, I was rooting for them so hard. 😂 This story really touched upon so many aspects that I have experienced in my life ...more

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Mar 22, 2020 Rachel rated it it was amazing

4.5 ⭐️
⁣
Lauren can’t believe she’s met the most beautiful man she’s ever laid eyes on at the coffee shop on her way to work. She’s a pharmacy resident with a passion for oncology, and the patient she is set to council on chemotherapy happens to be the guy she saw at the coffee shop. Andrew. Attraction? Yes. Distraction? Maybe. But, how about fate? Love?⁣
⁣
What a down to earth, realistic, and just all-around heartfelt debut novel! It picked up on the challenges of cancer, all the empathy, risk, wo ...more

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Mar 19, 2020 Come_read_with_me_ rated it it was amazing

Loved loved loved this book. This has to be the most sweetest, vunerable and real book I have ever read! Genuinely I laughed and "ugly'' cried throughout. The pace is perfect and a real page turner.

Lauren works in a Cancer Center, the last person she thought would be her next patient would be the handsome stranger she literally bumps into at the coffee shop that morning. During their "pun wars" and banter they become friends. Will a relationship work when their careers get in their way?

I can't e ...more

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Mar 22, 2020 Shari Nagy rated it it was amazing

A full 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 five stars to this amazing debut novel! The story begins with a meet cute at a local coffee shop. Lauren spills coffee on “the hot man”, Andrew. Little do they know, they’ll be meeting again shortly.
Lauren works as an oncologist pharmacist at the local hospital. Andrew was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. He was there for his first meeting with the doctor. You’ll never guess who the pharmacist is that explains all of the drugs to him? It’s Lauren!
Andrew and Lauren have a special re ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book lives up to the title; it was a perfect distraction when I was forbidden to see and be around my children. You guys know how tough that was. Anyway, I love that this book was entertaining and educational in tackling lymphoma, which was not that known to many. The characters are likable, and the author gave us characters that will inspire us and make us laugh and cry simultaneously. The story is delightful and refreshing, and overall adorable. I highly recommend it.

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Mar 23, 2020 Rochelle rated it really liked it

Good read. Lauren and Andrew were such a great couple together. They first met when she ran into him at a coffee shop and then again when she went to work at the Cancer Center and she found out he was there for treatment. This is a slow burn romance that will have you falling in love as the characters to. Great storyline. Can’t wait to read more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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Mar 09, 2020 Mirtha rated it it was amazing

Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley

I. AM. IN. LOVE. With this book!!!!!
Seriously one of my ULTIMATE favorite stories!
EPIC ROMANCE! LOVEL LOVED LOVED every beautiful detail. MUST READ BOOK of 2020

To say that I loved Perfect Distraction is a understatement.

"Lauren isn't thinking about love, especially not with the impossibly attractive man she accidentally spilled coffee all over and Andrew Bishop certainly is not thinking about the gorgeous redhead that spilled said coffee all over his shirt. ...more

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About Allison Ashley

Allison Ashley

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Allison Ashley is a music-loving, coffee-drinking mom of two who loves love stories. She's an oncology pharmacist and spends her days focused on helping patients through the hardest thing life can throw at them. Her escape has always been books—specifically reading books about happiness, love, and laughter—and it was inevitable that she'd eventually write her own. She promises to always write stor ...more