Without Borders: A Wanderlove Novel (Wanderlove)

by Amanda Heger

For Annie London, a month in a Central American rainforest means handing out mosquito nets, giving medical aid, and teaching children about the birds and the bees. With any luck, it will also land her application in the "accepted" pile at a top-tier medical school. But as soon as she steps off the plane, Annie realizes her bug spray, feeble Spanish, and medical supplies won't help her deal with her new feelings for Felipe-her best friend's older brother, who's much hotter than she remembers, and who also happens to be the doctor in charge of the trip.



Gawking "volun-tourists" may keep his family's medical clinic afloat, but Dr. Felipe Gutierrez doesn't have to like them. Or the way they make snap judgments about his practice and the people he cares for. But when his old crush, Annie, shows up to volunteer, her killer curves and kind smile fan the embers of a flame Felipe didn't realize he'd been carrying. A flame that makes him question all his preconceived notions.



As ideas and cultures clash, Annie and Felipe must decide how far outside their comfort zones they are willing to go-both for their work and for one another.



"This adventurous novel takes its lively characters on an immersive journey...Despite the serious nature of their mission, the story retains a light touch while still allowing moments of heartfelt caring to shine through."-RT Book Reviews



"Unique and unlike anything I've ever read, WITHOUT BORDERS is a sweet and witty romance that will warm your heart."- Melissa Brown, author of the Love of My Life series



"Heger's debut is poignant and crackles with a wry, authentic, relatable voice that will appeal to anyone who's ever felt like a twenty-something fish out of water."-Lia Riley, author of the Off the Map series



"Heger gave me a refreshing, romantic read...I enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait until the next book!"-Nicole Michaels, author of the Hearts and Crafts series

• ISBN10: 1682300544
• ISBN13: 9781682300541
• Publish Date: 5 May 2016 (first published 19 April 2016)
• Publish Status: Transferred
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Diversion Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 242
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

Without Borders, a Wanderlust novel. The title alone made me sit up and take notice before diving into this refreshingly, captivating YA novel.

Armed with barely adequate Spanish language skills and a model of a vagina for the sex-ed classes she'll teach, Annie London heads off to Nicaragua to gain the necessary experience to pad out her application to Brown University Medical School. She'll accompany a medical brigade as they travel to remote villages in the jungle to treat and educate the locals. She's excited to reunite with her best friend Marisol and her older brother Filipe, who she crushed over as a teen, only now he's a sexy looking doctor and the one leading the expedition!

Dr. Felipe Gutierrez is frustrated. His mother who runs the Ahora medical clinic where he works allows donation voluntary/tourists from American to accompany him and his team on the medical brigades. They're mostly a burden and he's sick of their criticism and whiny attitudes. He doesn't expect anything less on this next trip, yet the girl he's fantasised about since meeting her during his year-long stay in the US will be on this trip. Only now she's all grown up with a killer curves!

The tension, sexual and otherwise is palpable between the protagonists as they deal and cope with restrictions of living rough as they travel through the jungle to set up makeshift clinics in remote villages. Some of their cases are not for the faint-hearted and I loved the gritty, no holds barred storytelling. I empathised through their cultural clashes and cringed at Annie's naivety of some of the situations, yet she's far from a dead weight on the brigade and is more than capable of holding her own. Felipe's compassion and dedication to the brigades are heartfelt. These arduous trips help him maintain a link between himself and his late biological mother's family. Annie may be on the trip for her own personal gains, yet she's able to offer viable ideas on how Felipe can strengthen his ties to the region, making him sit up and take notice, so he realises that not all 'Americana' are alike!

The supporting characters are fun and likeable too, adding hilarity and witty dialogue to the story. As a début novel, I'm impressed with Ms. Heger's writing style and more than eager to read future books by her.

***arc generously received courtesy of Diversion Publishing via NetGalley***