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    The Queen of Hearts
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    The Queen of Hearts
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    The Queen of Hearts
    Audiobook11 hours

    The Queen of Hearts

    Written by Kimmery Martin

    Narrated by Shannon McManus and Catherine Taber

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    A powerful debut novel, praised by The New York Times, Bustle, and Hypable, that pulses with humor and empathy as it explores the heart's capacity for forgiveness....

    Zadie Anson and Emma Colley have been best friends since their early twenties, when they first began navigating serious romantic relationships amid the intensity of medical school. Now they're happily married wives and mothers with successful careers--Zadie as a pediatric cardiologist and Emma as a trauma surgeon. Their lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, are chaotic but fulfilling, until the return of a former colleague unearths a secret one of them has been harboring for years.

    As chief resident, Nick Xenokostas was the center of Zadie's life--both professionally and personally--throughout a tragic chain of events during her third year of medical school that she has long since put behind her. Nick's unexpected reappearance at a time of new professional crisis shocks both women into a deeper look at the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. As it becomes evident that Emma must have known more than she revealed about circumstances that nearly derailed both their lives, Zadie starts to question everything she thought she knew about her closest friend.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateFeb 13, 2018
    ISBN9780525530787
    Unavailable
    The Queen of Hearts

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    Reviews for The Queen of Hearts

    3.5/5

    125 ratings16 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Zadie and Emma met at a camp for high school students interested in becoming doctors. They stayed friends, and attended medical school together. A dozen years after their explosive third year of medical school, they're still friends, and both in Charlotte, North Carolina. Zadie is a pediatric cardiologist, Emma is a trauma surgeon, and they are both happily married, and mothers of young children.

      Then Dr. Nick Xenokostas, chief resident when they were med students, reappears in their lives.

      Nick was at the heart of the events that nearly derailed their medical education. They've put that behind them, in part because of their strong friendship.

      Emma has a secret about those years that she's never told Zadie. With Nick now back in their lives, that secret is going to come out.

      These are two women with a strong friendship, strong careers, and strong marriages to men who love them for who they are. Their friendship is going to be challenged and strained to the breaking point, while Emma's medical career is also put at risk.

      There are no cardboard characters here. Zadie, Emma, their husbands, their patients, and their colleagues are all flawed, complicated characters. The balances differ; some are harder to like than others, but they're all, in the end, worth caring about, for better and for worse.

      It's a very satisfying story.

      Recommended.

      I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
    • 2/5
      You know what I hate worse is getting your hopes up about a book only to find it missed the target in my case. This book did hold potential for a first novel from new author, Kimmery Martin. I just felt like this book didn't really know what it wanted to be...a medical drama, thriller, etc. Therefore, the characters and plot seemed a bit weak. If there had been more focus on one kind of genre, I may be saying praises for this book. I could not stand Dr. X. The guy between friends, Zadie and Emma. Speaking of the two women, it was Zadie that I got closer to. She seemed more personable. The drama surrounding the secret involving Dr. X was fine but I wanted more intensity. Yet, I will say that the alternating flash backs from the past to the present was smooth. I am curious to see what Ms. Martin comes out with next.
    • 5/5
      I’m left breathless by Kimmery Martin’s astounding debut, “The Queen of Hearts.” It was so real: the characters, their lives, their pasts, their emotions, the setting...all of it! Every single word was so cleverly chosen and strewn together to form literary perfection. I was charmed by the characters and their believability. Kimmery’s ability to layer the lives of her characters with such depth truly made the story come alive for me. I was beyond impressed by her extensive vocabulary and colourful prose. I search far and wide for novels of this quality and have been touched to my core by this five-star masterpiece! I can only dream to write as well as Ms. Martin and look forward to her future publications.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed the medical background along with the mystery. Good Read!
    • 4/5
      This was a really good book about 2 friends who are doctors and something from their past that comes back to haunt them later in life. I love Grey's Anatomy and could totally picture McSteamy as Nick! I really enjoyed this- finished it in 2 days!
    • 2/5
      This book was my first adult fiction novel in a very long while. It was very well written and I cringed in all the right moments. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves drama that comes flying out of left field.
    • 2/5
      When a book is described in any way being like Grey’s Anatomy, just know I am in. This has been on my TBR for so long, but I was worried about reaching for it based on others reviews. I knew I still wanted to read it though so when I found it for a great price I had to pick it up.I just never connected with this story even from the start. Within the first 100 pages, I had no clue where the plot was going or what the point of the story was going to be. I feel the story was all over the place, and I just did not find myself caring for any of the characters or what was going on with them.Yes, this follows medical students while in the hospital and then follows them as they are older. There was medical jargon thrown in, so you might like that if you love medical dramas. I just did not love any of it.I did like the romance aspect of this story and I wanted to know more about Zadie and Nick. As soon as I was interested within this aspect of the story, it stopped. You go several chapters where it was not a focus at all. I also hated the direction their story took towards the end.Actually, I hated the direction of the story in general. Overall, this was a fail for me. I was very disappointed. I am giving it 2 stars as I was able to finish. I did not hate it, but I did not like it either.
    • 4/5
      Zadie and Emma have a friendship that has stood the test of time. They went to medical school together, endured the highs and lows of dating, and are now juggling the demands of a family as neighbors in North Carolina. Their lives and careers were pretty uneventful until a colleague nicknamed, Dr. X joined their staff.Neither Zadie or Emma are happy with Dr. X’s arrival because each is keeping secrets from the past. Zadie had a romance with Dr. X but kept it discreet since he was the chief resident. Emma has her own misgivings because she has kept secrets from Zadie that may be unveiled. Dr. X’s presence threatens to destroy their longstanding friendship.This is a debut novel by Kimmery Martin, who was able to draw on her experience as a doctor. I enjoyed this book which explores the relationship between two women via their life experiences. From this book, I also learned a new expression for an Ace Wrap!
    • 4/5
      My Review of “The Queen of Hearts” by Kimmery MartinKudos to Kimmery Martin, Author of “The Queen of Hearts” for writing a debut novel that is engaging and entertaining. The Genres for this novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Kimmery Martin weaves the setting her story and her colorful cast of characters into an intriguing novel. The story takes place as several friends are students in medical school and follows these same characters to present day, married with children. The setting is the hospital where life and death decisions are made, and where there are cheers and tears. In this hectic and traumatic setting, we see the emotional relationships among the staff and friends.The author describes her characters as complex and complicated as the circumstances dictate. In present time we see two of the physicians, Zadie, a pediatric cardiologist, and Emma, a trauma surgeon, as they deal with the crisisses in the hospital and in their personal lives. They both are married and have children. Everything seems fine, until suddenly it isn’t.A former Chief of Staff from years ago, Nick has transferred to the hospital in North Carolina, and become part of the staff. Nick holds the key to past dark secrets, and betrayals, that can destroy friendships. He also brings up memories of a tragedy that occurred when all of them were at the hospital.I would highly recommend this captivating and emotional story for those readers that enjoy Women’s Fiction. I received an Advanced Reading Copy from NetGalley for my honest review.
    • 4/5
      Weaving seamlessly back and forth in time, The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin is an engaging and heartfelt novel of friendship.

      Zadie Anson and Emma Colley's friendship has endured the rigors of medical school, marriage and the births of their children. However, the reappearance of Dr. Nick Xenokostas, their former chief resident, rocks both their worlds since he was part of their lives when a shocking tragedy occurred during their third year of residency. Neither Zadie nor Emma are eager to renew their acquaintance with him especially at time when a professional calamity could prove to be disastrous for one of the their careers. With so much upheaval, Zadie and Emma try to avoid seeing Nick or discussing the traumatic incident that left an indelible mark on both women. However, Zadie, Emma and Nick are on collision course that seems unstoppable and in the aftermath of a stunning revelation, can Emma and Zadie salvage their friendship?

      Zadie is a warm and well-liked pediatric cardiologist.  She juggles her career with a hectic family life since her husband, Drew, works long hours with frequent travel. The one constant in her life is her rock solid, close-knit friendship with Emma. Although neither woman has much free time, they both make their friendship a priority and they squeeze in time together whenever possible.

      Emma has traveled far from her humble beginnings but her social awkwardness makes her feel like she does not belong in the life she carved out for herself. A well-respected and talented trauma surgeon, she is a workaholic whose husband Wyatt is gregarious and outgoing. They have a young son whom they both adore but Emma initially felt a little out of step with motherhood since young Henry was not exactly an easy baby.

      Emma panics when she discovers that Nick has joined her practice. Neither women have ever discussed the tragedy that occurred when he was their chief resident and Emma is determined to keep Nick out of Zadie's life. Through a series of flashbacks, the details of that fateful third year in residency emerge.

      The Queen of Hearts is an interesting and well-written debut that is quite riveting. The characters are richly developed with relatable strengths and flaws. There is plenty of tension as the chapters weave back and forth between the present and the pivotal year of Emma and Zadie's residency. The truth is revealed in a rather dramatic fashion and  Kimmery Martin keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the novel wends its way to a very unexpected but uplifting conclusion.
    • 1/5
      Too many great books to read, so I will make this a DNF. Read 5 chapters. Too disjointed- different time periods and different voices.confusing and some details too unnecessary to story.
    • 4/5
      A special thank you to the author for a copy of the book.Zadie Anson, a pediatric cardiologies, and Emma Colley, a trauma surgeon, have been best friends for almost twenty. Having met in medical school, they have maintained their relationship through all life has thrown at them—their demanding careers, marriages, and children.When a buried secret (related to a torrid affair with a chief resident) threatens their relationship, both women examine the difficult choices they made at the beginning of their careers. When it becomes evident that Emma knew more that she ever let on about the circumstances that nearly derailed both of their lives, Zadie starts to question if she really knows her friend at all.I was thrilled to have won a signed copy from Kimmery. She was so lovely and included a hand-written note with the book.Martin's debut is a medical drama that is a study in the complexities of relationships. The novel is narrated by both women, however, we also hear from Zadie in the past. Because of this, it becomes apparent that Emma is the one with something to hide. Someone died, and it is she who suffers immeasurable guilt. The basis of the novel is the unraveling of not only the secret, but the effect that it will have on their bond.Zadie's story seems to centre more around her chaotic home life—she's the mother of four young children—whereas by contrast, Emma's chapters are consumed with the guilt she is harboring and the fear that she will be exposed. It is her story that gives the novel its contemporary feel.There was enough medical jargon to make it authentic. Martin doesn't dumb anything down, instead she elevates her reader, but not enough so that readers are left confused, or worse, disinterested. There are some pretty vivid and graphic descriptions, but if you can stomach medical dramas on TV, you won't be phased.Martin explores the sometimes delicate and obligatory aspect of a long-term relationship, especially those that are forged by women. Sometimes these relationships are tolerated, not unlike marriages, not only because of the time put in, but because of the shared secrets.A solid debut. If you are a fan of Grey's Anatomy, I highly encourage you to pick up this book.
    • 4/5
      I thought this book started out slow, and at one point I contemplated not finishing it. I'm glad I kept at it, because in due time it turned fairly intense. I enjoyed the medical aspect of the story, and I thought the emotional interplay between Dr. X and Zadie was pretty realistic. I wish that the author had ended the book right before the last half-page that she wrote. That ending would have been perfect, in my opinion, but then she had to take it further, and it just didn't ring true to me. It was a good effort for a debut novel.
    • 3/5
      This is the story of two women who have been friends since they met two summers before college. Most of the story alternates between 1999 when they were third year med students and present day. Zadie Is a pediatric cardiologist and is now married with four children. The interactions between Zadie and her three-year-old daughter, Delaney, are precious. Other interactions with her family show the stress of being a professional woman with a family. Emma, now a trauma surgeon,is also married with a three-year-old son. She has a loving husband, Wyatt, and it seems her life is perfect. But, Emma is hiding a very big secret. All of the past comes flooding back when Nick, or Dr. X (Xenokostas), comes back into their lives. The secret was Earl obvious early on, but it wasn’t revealed until very late and the extent of the secret was deeper than expected. It asks the question whether or not a friendship can withstand a betrayal. I thought the story went on longer than needed, but was an interesting concept.
      #TheQueenofHearts #KimmeryMartin
    • 5/5
      I purchased this book from Amazon to read with @saltwaterreads. All opinions are my own. Medical dramas have always fascinated me. Since I was little I watched General Hospital, Doogie Howser, Grey's Anatomy, and House. All of which are still a go to when there seems to be nothing on TV. As a pediatric special needs nurse nothing gets my head and heart reeling over an awesome medical based book. The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin. ?????. Zadie and Emma have been best friends since medical school both now mothers and both leading thriving medical careers, happy to put medical school way in their past. Until one day they can't. Now faced with balancing careers, homes, and children they have to overcome mistakes made a very long time ago and neither one will walk away unscathed. It only takes one secret to end it all. Martin hit this one right on with just enough romantic and just enough medical that made you want to read more and I felt it wrapped up nicely even after all the trauma involved. Review also posted on Instagram @borenbooks, Library Thing, Go Read, Goodreads/StacieBoren, Amazon, Twitter @jason_stacie and my blog at readsbystacie.com
    • 5/5
      The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin is a 2018 Berkley publication. A suspenseful and emotional medical drama Zadie and Emma have been best friends since their medical school days. They come from completely different backgrounds, but the friendship has endured countless trials, marriages, children, and demanding careers. Their lives are hectic, and filled with family and career related challenges, triumphs, and tragedies. They share all of it with one another, asking and giving advice, sympathizing with, and supporting one another. But, the one thing they never, ever, never talk about is their third year in Med school…Imagine all the angst, medical intensity, the emotion, heartbreak, tragedy and high drama of Grey’s Anatomy, but with a darker, edgier, suspenseful tone running beneath the surface. Queen of Hearts has this bipolar thing going on. On one hand, it’s a chick-lit novel about besties who stick with each other through all of life’s various valleys and peaks, but there’s a ‘dark side’, a sinister feeling of foreboding, of impending doom. It’s not just the emotional gut-punches, the graphic medical situations, or the appearance of Dr. X, who will most assuredly bring down all the carefully constructed walls built by Zadie and Emma when it comes to the past, and who also holds the power in the palm of his gifted hands, to once again, leave devastation in his wake.It’s like watching a train wreck. You know it’s coming, but you are helpless to stop it, and you can’t tear your eyes away from the impending impact, or the carnage left behind. I finished reading this book over two weeks ago. It has taken me this long to formulate my feelings. When I turned that last page I experienced a fuzzy feeling of disorientation. I really had to take some time to process it. Finally, I think I can attempt to explain my thoughts. I admit I had quite a few conflicting feelings about how everything played out. Wow. I mean- wow. Once I had begun to form an opinion that would stick, I realized I couldn’t really explain how I had come to that point without giving too much away. This review is long, and contains a lot of introspection and retrospection on my part, but it’s the mark of a good story when it prompts the reader to dig deeper and reflect on what they might do in a similar situation. It’s a gritty medical drama, but it’s also an ode to life, family, and above all friendship. So bear with me. What a tangled web we weave….Lies, betrayals, manipulations, and secrets- this book has them packed in so tight it can hardly contain them all. I still can’t wrap my head around some of it, and my feelings are still unsettled, even now. This story is part cautionary tale, partly a tale of borderline obsession, with a river of deception, envy, insecurities and competition. But, rest assured- your sins will always find you out. You can bury them, ignore them, hide them, and run from them, but eventually the truth bubbles to the surface. There are always consequences for our actions, some that take no prisoners, who hurt the very people we love and respect. Everyone has a secret, everyone has made questionable decisions, let our morals sick below our own standards. Atonement is a must, redemption hoped for. But, it is forgiveness that is the hardest thing to accomplish, but it is also the most powerful, effective ability humans are capable of. Now, I can’t sit here and tell you my feelings are completely settled about this story, as I continue to struggle with ongoing conflicts. But, I think the story speaks to the powerful, but mysterious bonds of friendship. Friendship is a relationship like no other. It can be fraught with insecurities and jealousies, and is fragile in a way many other relationships are not, being devoid of familial bonds or the power of romantic love. Yet, it can create an unshakable bond, a special kind of love, a fierce loyalty and devotion, it brings out a certain kind of protectiveness and can often endure hardships that other relationships would never survive. While there is a lot of emotional turmoil in this story, many heart rending situations and high drama, there is also the ‘light’ side of the story. The side where people rise to the occasion and do the right thing, where something good comes from something bad, and where the good side wins out in the end! This story turned out to be much more than I had anticipated. I was on pins and needles from start to finish, swallowed a painful lump or two, cursed, fretted, and fumed. But, when all was said and done, I think this was a very well -constructed novel, filled with human foibles, realistic family challenges, and amazing depictions of human beings at their very worst, but also at their finest. Not only that, I love medical dramas- oh- and southern fiction- so there's that, too! ?