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On Rotation

A Novel

Audiobook
2 of 6 copies available
2 of 6 copies available

AS SEEN ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA!

ONE OF TEEN VOGUE'S 25 BOOKS BY BLACK AUTHORS THEY CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS YEAR

ONE OF BETCHES' ""22 BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ THIS YEAR""

""As a fan of Grey's Anatomy (and Chicago Med!), I couldn't put down On Rotation, and you won't be able to, either. Shirlene Obuobi makes you feel as if you're actually right there with the lovable Angie, and I personally couldn't get enough.""—Meg Cabot, New York Times bestselling author

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, & 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.

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      • Publisher's Weekly

        April 11, 2022
        This engrossing debut from ShirlyWhirl cartoonist and cardiology fellow Obuobi captures the life of a third-year Ghanaian American medical student in Chicago. Shortly after Angie Appiah’s first boyfriend, Frederick, leaves her, she meets graphic designer Ricky Gutiérrez. He’s handsome and thoughtful, and they connect over indie music and anime, but she’s not ready to let her guard down, even if he already has a girlfriend and just wants to be friends. Angie tries to shake him off, only to have him pop up again when his friend starts dating a friend of Angie’s. Once Ricky’s single, Angie frets that a relationship might be a distraction from her goals and worries her overbearing parents wouldn’t accept Ricky for not being Ghanaian and for his lower economic status. At work, Angie’s research about the medical industry’s inequitable treatment of Black people is stymied by her adviser, though she remains determined to see it through. She also tries to set some much-needed boundaries with her parents, and is drawn deeper into Ricky’s life during a crisis in his own family. Obuobi is particularly talented at articulating her characters’ difficult feelings (Angie’s take on Frederick’s breakup strategy: “He’d been mean, when all he had to do was be honest”), as Angie tries to make the best decisions for her life. This effervescent story is a treat.

      • AudioFile Magazine
        Narrator Mela Lee's invigorating and multifaceted performance will have listeners eagerly anticipating the ups and downs of Angie--a Ghanaian-American third-year medical student. Plucky Angie has sworn off love, but fate keeps bringing her and Ricky, an empathetic young artist, together. Lee adopts a softer tone for Ricky, whose kindness and big heart draw Angie in. Angie struggles with self-esteem, and in these moments Lee's performance takes on a more emotional tone. As Angie gains confidence, Lee's narration becomes more lively, particularly in moments that involve Angie's best friends, who are given bold, expressive voices. Angie and Ricki were raised by immigrants, and Lee utilizes a slightly accented voice to acknowledge their backgrounds. This funny and emotional journey of self-discovery is enhanced by Lee's spectacular talent. J.E.C. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
      • Library Journal

        December 1, 2022

        The daughter of immigrants, Ghanian American Angie has always checked off the life goals her parents imposed on her: med school, loyal friends, a successful boyfriend. But then, her life falls apart, even though she works "twice as hard to get half as far" as her more privileged peers. When Angie realizes she has always let her parents run her life, she begins making her own choices. Then she meets Ricky, the complete opposite of her ex, and Angie realizes you can't always plan everything. Obuobi's debut novel does not disappoint. Narrator Mela Lee's portrayal of smart, successful, and sexy Angie is relatable and engaging. Lee effectively conveys Angie's soul-searching journey to find herself, while being open to new experiences. Angie's struggle to find a work-life balance will resonate with listeners, especially those who have had to work extra hard to get where they are today. VERDICT Fans of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert will enjoy this new romance that is reminiscent of Grey's Anatomy and other TV medical dramas. This delightful and multifaceted story is an essential purchase for all romance collections.--Elyssa Everling

        Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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