Ms.Medicine by Olivia Arquette (Book Review)

Today I will be taking a look at this incredibly funny novel called Ms. Medicine by Olivia Arquette. It is a hilarious story based around the pharmaceutical industry.

I must admit that my ears pricked up when I read the synopsis for this novel.  For many years I worked in a doctors office and I was the ‘gatekeeper’ who greeted the glamorous, handsome and beautifully suited and booted medical reps as they came through the surgery door. I was always happy to see them because they always bought cake, lots and lots of cake! Anyone who has ever worked at a GP surgery will know that it can be so stressful, trying to keep the doctors and nurses happy but having to deal with an endless queue of sick, argumentative and worried patients. So, when the reps arrived with a smile and cake we welcomed them with open arms!

However, the doctors didn’t feel quite the same. They could sniff out a medical rep at a hundred yards and suddenly make a snap decision that they just had to go and see Mrs. Smith with her bunions, that…very…minute!

Luckily, a few were more than happy to listen to a presentation about the latest asthma medication, especially if there was a nice juicy flaky pastry on the desk. We had some marvelous nights out courtesy of the larger, well known pharmaceutical companies, so thank you for making our days brighter!

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MSadvised

Caprice Bello is broke, living in her grandparent’s basement, and in need of a new career. When a friend offers to help her land a job selling pharmaceuticals she’s reluctant, but then caves. After all, the pay is decent, the company car is free, and doctors are the nice guys. Besides, how hard could it be? Turns out, plenty.
MSbeliefs

After completing a crash course in pharma sales, Caprice hits the field determined to earn a top award and luxury trip to Australia. Too bad she’s unprepared for mean doctors and even meaner coworkers. Add to that Caprice’s unrequited crush on an irresistible colleague, and suddenly her easy job is anything but.
MSadventures

Before long, Caprice experiences a series of unexpected snafus that cause her once rising sales to tank. Not only is her goal of winning the top award and trip waylaid, but her new career is in real jeopardy. Desperate, Caprice gambles on a risky strategy that will result in either glorious victory or spectacular defeat.

My Review

Firstly, what an amazing cover for this book set around the pharmaceutical industry, who knew that pills could look so pretty?

Caprice needs a job, but when her friend offers her a position selling the hilariously named Amarect she isn’t too impressed. However, the job comes with a car and lots of other perks so she decides to give it a go.

During her training course, she meets colleague Scudder and suddenly selling Erectile Dysfunction pharmaceuticals doesn’t seem so bad, after all!

Caprice is the sort of girl you would love to have as a best friend. Her self-deprecating humour is infectious and great fun to read. We follow Caprice from training to the cut throat world of selling, achieving goals and competing for the ultimate prize, a trip to Australia.

I have never read anything about this industry before and found the story to be well researched and informative. The characters are likeable, the writing flows well and there was some laugh out loud moments too!

Thank you to the author for a copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly.

About the Author

Olivia Arquette is a wife, mother, and lover of things that make her laugh. She strives to write entertaining novels about ordinary women facing extraordinary circumstances. Before becoming an author, Olivia spent the majority of her career in the financially lucrative, but emotionally vexing field of pharmaceutical sales/marketing. Olivia’s latest passions include lurking in the shadows and scaring family members, throwing yarn balls at the cat, and finding inventive uses for her extensive collection of 3M Command strips.