Editorial Content for On Rotation
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Reviewer (text)
When we meet Angie Appiah, she’s kind of a mess. She’s just been dumped by her boyfriend (who it turns out no one really liked anyway); she’s feeling like she’s fallen behind her younger sister, Tabatha, who’s about to get engaged; and she’s earned a barely passing score on her first Step exam. This means that no matter how well she does on other exams or research, she’ll be limited in her choice of a medical specialty once she finishes med school.
It's no wonder, then, that when she encounters handsome artist and graphic designer Ricky Gutiérrez, she’s enjoying a private cry in a secluded public garden in Chicago. Ricky listens to her, draws her portrait and accompanies her to an art fair. She feels a real connection to him and more than a little physical attraction. But just when she’s getting the nerve to suggest they meet up again, Ricky admits that he’s seeing someone else. Was that attraction all in her head?
"This is a perfect novel for anyone who has enjoyed 'Grey’s Anatomy' or similar television shows, or for those eager to discover an exciting new novelist with a distinctive voice."
Fortunately, the start of Angie’s medical rotations --- the final set of hurdles before she’s matched with her residency --- offers plenty of distractions. But in the coming weeks, their paths continue to cross, almost as if the universe is trying to put them together. Angie knows that Ricky might not be good for her, but she can’t get him out of her head. And even if they could get together, what would be the point, with residency looming just over the horizon?
Debut novelist Shirlene Obuobi is herself a physician, and she skillfully weaves details of a medical student’s experience into Angie’s story. Many of these are incorporated via the numerous footnotes, which also provide her with the opportunity to include humorous asides and insights into Ghanaian-American customs relevant to Angie’s familial background. Angie’s identity as the child of Ghanaian immigrants offers an additional layer to her rich story, as she navigates her family’s expectations regarding both professional and romantic prospects.
ON ROTATION has some of the elements of a romance novel, but primarily it’s about Angie’s coming of age as a young medical professional, having the courage of her convictions when it comes to pursuing her research interests, and figuring out where to find support and mentorship as one of the few Black women heading down this career path. It’s also about the challenges of maintaining precious, longtime friendships under new post-college pressures, including serious romantic relationships, new careers and changing priorities.
This is a perfect novel for anyone who has enjoyed “Grey’s Anatomy” or similar television shows, or for those eager to discover an exciting new novelist with a distinctive voice.
Teaser
Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the “Perfect Immigrant Daughter”: Enroll in an elite medical school. Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend. Surround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends. But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. Suddenly, Angie begins to question everything. And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez, who seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent.
Promo
Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the “Perfect Immigrant Daughter”: Enroll in an elite medical school. Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend. Surround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends. But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. Suddenly, Angie begins to question everything. And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez, who seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent.
About the Book
For fans of "Grey’s Anatomy" and SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE, this dazzling debut novel by Shirlene Obuobi explores that time in your life when you must decide what you want, how to get it and who you are, all while navigating love, friendship and the realization that the path you’re traveling is going to be a bumpy ride.
Ghanaian-American Angela Appiah has checked off all the boxes for the “Perfect Immigrant Daughter.”
- Enroll in an elite medical school
- Snag a suitable lawyer/doctor/engineer boyfriend
- Surround self with a gaggle of successful and/or loyal friends
But then it quickly all falls apart: her boyfriend dumps her, she bombs the most important exam of her medical career, and her best friend pulls away. And her parents, whose approval seems to hinge on how closely she follows the path they chose, are a lot less proud of their daughter. It’s a quarter life crisis of epic proportions.
Angie, who has always faced her problems by working “twice as hard to get half as far,” is at a loss. Suddenly, she begins to question everything: her career choice, her friendships, even why she's attracted to men who don't love her as much as she loves them.
And just when things couldn’t get more complicated, enter Ricky Gutierrez --- brilliant, thoughtful, sexy, and most importantly seems to see Angie for who she is instead of what she can represent.
Unfortunately, he’s also got “wasteman” practically tattooed across his forehead, and Angie’s done chasing mirages of men. Or so she thinks. For someone who’s always been in control, Angie realizes that there’s one thing she can’t plan on: matters of her heart.
Audiobook available, read by Mela Lee
