Do you have those shows that always intrigue you? For me medical dramas were what I watched when I came home from school, so anything medical – especially in books – always gets me. So you know I was so excited to read At Least You Have Your Health. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Dr. Maya Rao is a gynecologist trying to balance a busy life. With three young children, a career, and a happy marriage, she should be grateful–on paper, she has it all. But after a disastrous encounter with a patient, Maya is forced to walk away from the city hospital where she’s spent her entire career.
A new opportunity arises when Maya enrolls her daughter at an exclusive private school and crosses paths with Amelia DeGilles. Amelia is the owner and entrepreneur behind Eunoia Women’s Health, a concierge wellness clinic that specializes in house calls for its clientele of wealthy women for whom no vitamin infusion or healing crystal is too expensive. All Eunoia needs is a gynecologist to join its ranks.
Amid visits to her clients’ homes to educate and empower, and occasionally to remove crystals from bodily orifices, Maya comes to idolize the beautiful, successful Amelia. But Amelia’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems, and when Amelia’s teenaged daughter is struck with a mysterious ailment, Maya must race to uncover the reason before it’s too late. In the process, she risks losing what’s most important to her and bringing to light a secret of her own that she’s been desperately trying to keep hidden.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
At Least You Have Your Health is one of those books where, as I was reading, I had to tell my friends about it. It’s one of those, “can you believe what I’m reading?!” kind of books. Not only was I shocked – but not surprised – about how little these characters know about women’s bodies and health, but also the ways that misinformation can spread. At Least You Have Your Health is one of those books which completely captivates you. Have you ever read a book where you just wanna scream a bit at a character?
That was me and Maya. Because while we can see the position she’s put in as a woman of color who was taught to always want more and their financial position, you’re like, “MAYA!!”. Wanting to do that means that the author has done their job in moving you. The whole time I was conflicted between knowing exactly how Maya feels as she falls into this situation of never being content, while also being so wrapped up. So, not going to lie, maybe there’s a piece of myself which can see how this could easily have been me.
I also loved all the conversations in At Least You Have Your Health about the sexism and racism. Both the lack of the medical field to listen to women, but also the importance of science and knowledge. How her partner doesn’t understand the subtle and insidious ways the world treats her differently. This is a nuanced book that balances emotional writing with introspective conversations about cultural expectations and ambition. It examines mothers and parents who are just trying to do their best, even if they miss the mark.
Overall,
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At Least You Have Your Health is a book that elicited strong emotions from me on every front. Anger at the racism directed at Maya. Frustration at how fallible and human Maya was – because let’s be honest, sometimes the characters that bother us the most are the ones who remind us of ourselves. Joy at her family and the cuteness of their interactions. And shock, because…well you’ll see. It’s a must read if you love complex and conflicted heroines, medical dramas, and a dash of mystery. Find At Least You Have Your Health on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.