Is coming to work at Palmetto Regional Medical Center the trifecta for Dr. Julian Jacobs–work, family… and love?
Dr. Julian Jacobs is moving back to South Carolina, the opportunity will not only bring him closer to family but the chance to work with his surgical mentor. He is no stranger to dedication and hard work, but his newest position at Palmetto Regional may be his biggest challenge yet and it has nothing to do with his surgical endeavors. A chance encounter with a woman in a coffee shop tips his world on its axis, making Julian believe love at first sight may actually be possible. That is until he finds out his mystery girl is his coworker who has a strict rule against mixing business with pleasure.
Leena Cavalli has worked hard to get where she is as a nurse and clinical supervisor at Palmetto Regional, and she’s not about to break her rule for the insanely attractive surgeon who puts all thoughts of McDreamy to shame no matter how instantaneous their connection is. But between quiet, stolen moments in the OR, flirty text banter, and utterly filthy rendezvouses, Julian is determined to show her their connection means something. With each unwavering action, he steadily chips away at the walls Leena’s built until she starts questioning if she can trust Julian to take care of her heart without ruining everything she’s worked for.
Dr. Julian Jacobs is scrubbing in for the most important case of his life, and Leena Cavalli may just bend her rules for the chance at true love.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about a romance hero who knows exactly what he wants and then quietly, consistently, and respectfully does everything he can to earn it. No games. No unnecessary angst. Just unwavering devotion. Dr. Julian Jacobs is that kind of hero, and by the time I reached the final page, he had firmly cemented himself as a top book boyfriend contender.
“Pretty girl, you have no idea the power you hold over me.”
For a debut novel, Scrubbing In genuinely impressed me.
Julian returns to South Carolina for what he believes are two important reasons: to be closer to his family and to work alongside the surgeon who inspired his career. Falling head over heels for a stranger he meets in a coffee shop wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was discovering that his mystery woman is actually Leena Cavalli, the clinical supervisor at his new hospital and someone with an unwavering rule against dating coworkers.
From the moment Julian and Leena meet, their chemistry is undeniable, but what I appreciated most was that their relationship never relied solely on instant attraction. While the sparks were certainly there from the beginning, their romance was built through patience, trust, consistency, and countless small moments that slowly chipped away at Leena’s carefully guarded heart.
“Leena, please. Give me a chance to show you how good we could be together.”
Julian was easily the standout of the novel for me. This man was down bad from page one, and I was here for every second of it. He respected Leena’s boundaries, never tried to rush her, and somehow managed to be patient while making it obvious she was the only woman he wanted.
But my favorite thing? He absolutely lived for her attitude. Leena gave him plenty of sass, wasn’t afraid to put him in his place, and challenged him every chance she got… and he loved every second of it. You could practically see him trying not to smile whenever she fired back at him. He never wanted her to tone herself down. If anything, her fire just made him fall harder. And honestly? Watching him fall for her over and over again because of who she was, not in spite of it, made me love him even more.
“Baby, you know I think it’s actually romantic when you sass me, right?”
Leena was equally compelling, even if there were moments I wanted to reach into the pages and gently tell her to stop overthinking and let herself be happy already. Her hesitation never felt manufactured for the sake of drama. She’d worked incredibly hard to build her career and carried emotional baggage that made her cautious about risking either her heart or her professional reputation. Her fears felt believable, which made watching her slowly lower her walls all the more rewarding.
One aspect of the novel that deserves special recognition is the hospital setting. Too often, workplace romances simply use a profession as scenery, but that wasn’t the case here. The hospital felt like a fully realized part of the story. The demanding schedules, workplace politics, friendships, and professional responsibilities all influenced the relationship in meaningful ways. Alana Reese’s own medical background clearly shines through, giving the setting an authenticity that made the entire story feel grounded and immersive.
The supporting cast added another layer of charm, particularly Charlie. Every great romance benefits from that one friend who offers equal parts honesty, encouragement, and comic relief, and Charlie fit that role perfectly. I also appreciated how naturally Reese introduced other characters throughout the novel, planting just enough intrigue to leave me excited about where this series could go next.
“Sad boy eye-fucking?”
“Yes! He looked like you stole his fucking puppy but he still wants to dick you down. Hard.”
Another strength of Scrubbing In was the communication between Julian and Leena. The conflict felt rooted in realistic concerns rather than avoidable misunderstandings. They weren’t perfect, but they talked through difficult situations, respected each other’s perspectives, and worked toward solutions together. It made their relationship feel mature and believable, and I found myself even more invested because of it.
And yes…when the romance finally turned up the heat, it absolutely delivered. Julian may be one of the sweetest heroes I’ve read recently, but don’t let that fool you. Beneath all those green flags is a man with a filthy mouth who knows exactly how to leave both Leena, and the reader, completely flustered.
“Pretty girl,” he growls, his lips and beard tickling my temple, “you are playing with fire.”
“Maybe the burn will be worth it.”
My only minor criticism is that the push-and-pull surrounding Leena’s reluctance occasionally lasted a little longer than I would have preferred. There were a few moments where I found myself eager for the relationship to move forward. Even so, the emotional payoff felt earned, and by the end I understood why Reese chose to let their relationship develop at its own pace.
Overall, Scrubbing In is a heartfelt, swoony medical romance filled with authentic characters, emotional depth, and one unforgettable surgeon who falls first, falls hard, and never stops showing up for the woman he loves. If this is what Alana Reese delivers in her debut novel, I cannot wait to see what she has planned next!