Having an Apple a Day: Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2

Two medical technologists doing about to test blood samples in a centrifuge| ImageFX
In Dee Bostic’s emotionally rich hospital drama, we discover that having an apple a day is less about fruit and more about feeding the heart with truth, love, and healing.
They say “having an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but in Dee Bostic’s latest novel, we learn that sometimes it’s the doctors you need to watch out for. This timeless health cliché takes on new meaning in Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2, where operating rooms, hospital corridors, and even supply closets simmer with emotional tension, fragile egos, and the silent wars behind polished white coats.
While “having an apple a day” might keep physical illness at bay, what happens when the emotional wounds run deeper than a stethoscope can reach? This book explores that question with startling honesty and tender realism.
Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2: A Prescription for Drama
Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 is the continuation of a medical saga that explores not just the hustle of hospital life but the fragile hearts hidden beneath the professionalism. The story has a perfect blend of romance, workplace politics, and psychological tension. Bostic uses different storylines to introduce various characters, and weaves their stories to create an emotionally charged scene. Her characters were all bound by duty, dark secrets, and the yearning for more than a paycheck.
Jeanne and Charles, for example, struggle to balance marriage, parenting, and demanding careers. Their desire to reconnect amid chaos feels real and relatable, especially for couples who’ve lost touch with each other in the name of success. Even in this moment of reflection, Jeanne notes how important healthy family habits are—highlighting her concern with the growing health crisis among children. She’s a firm believer in real nutrition, proving that having an apple a day may start at home.
And then there’s Brent Jamison—new to the hospital, but not new to drama. His toxic ego, addiction, and arrogance create ripple effects throughout the hospital. Brent is the walking example of what happens when intelligence isn’t tempered with humility. He’s brilliant in surgery but dangerous in every other sense. His erratic behavior, manipulative tendencies, and obsession with power reflect what happens when self-medicating and unchecked ambition collide.
Healthy Bodies, Unhealthy Hearts
Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 doesn’t just focus on professional achievement—it humanizes its characters by exposing their flaws and fears. There’s Travis, a lab technician who battles anxiety and self-doubt but rises to the occasion when he’s pushed. With help from Cindy—a woman who’s also healing from past heartbreak—he begins to grow, showing what it means to choose vulnerability over avoidance.
Their relationship becomes one of the emotional anchors of the novel. It’s in the quiet moments—the late-night phone calls, shared jokes in the lab, and supportive glances in tense situations—that their bond deepens. Through their story, we’re reminded that love, too, is a form of medicine. It requires attention, honesty, and yes—even nourishment. Perhaps, then, having an apple a day means more than diet; it means intentional care for one another.
Cindy’s journey is significant. She’s navigating what it means to be a confident woman in a body that society often judges harshly. After being dismissed by a doctor who barely listens to her concerns, Cindy is left questioning her worth. But instead of retreating, she begins to take her power back—choosing to eat more mindfully, advocate for herself, and fight for the love she deserves.
When the Lab Is Just as Chaotic as the OR
One of Bostic’s greatest strengths as a storyteller is her ability to highlight how messy and political hospital environments can be. Her story does not only portray patient care, but also the professional dynamics. The lab isn’t just a sterile environment for test results; it’s a hub of gossip, ego clashes, and emotional breakthroughs.
From bullying supervisors to subtle racial tension, readers witness how power is used—and abused—in hospital hierarchies. When Dr. Brent Jamison storms into the lab demanding results, it’s not just a procedural error he’s angry about; it’s a control issue, a superiority complex, and a microcosm of how unchecked privilege operates in medical spaces.

And yet, amid this pressure cooker of egos, people still find time to grow. Travis, once overwhelmed by conflict, learns to stand up for himself and others. Cindy, initially uncertain about where she fits in, finds both her voice and her value. Their coworkers begin to see them as more than oddballs—they become respected, admired, and perhaps most importantly, happy.
The Real Meaning of “Having an Apple a Day”
Let’s revisit the phrase that threads itself through the novel like a heartbeat: having an apple a day.
Traditionally, it’s a call for preventive health. But in Bostic’s world, it’s reimagined.
- For Jeanne, it’s the daily act of preparing real food for her kids while fighting back against America’s processed, sugary culture.
- For Travis, it’s the steady, quiet effort of emotional healing—showing up to therapy, taking control of his panic attacks, and choosing love over fear.
- For Cindy, it’s saying no to shame and yes to strength, even when the medical system refuses to see her as more than a number on a chart.
- For Brent? Sadly, having an apple a day might have helped him—but he’s too far down the road of manipulation and addiction to notice.
In short, the phrase transforms from a nutritional slogan into a metaphor for responsibility, consistency, and self-love.
Healing Is a Team Effort
What’s refreshing about Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 is that the characters don’t heal in isolation. They challenge each other, support one another, and provide the emotional safety nets that so many people lack in real life. The hospital may be a place of emergencies and diagnoses, but it’s also where hearts are mended—emotionally and metaphorically.
The novel reminds us that wellness isn’t just about eating right or checking your vitals. It’s about connection. It’s about joy. It’s about choosing to be present, honest, and forgiving—not just with others, but with ourselves.
So maybe “having an apple a day” also means:
- Calling a friend when you’re struggling.
- Speaking kindly to yourself in the mirror.
- Saying no to toxic people.
- Choosing love, even when fear tempts you to run.
Love Is the Real Prescription
Dee Bostic gives us more than just characters in scrubs. She offers us a mirror to examine our emotional health. How do we show up for those we love? How do we handle power, conflict, and disappointment? What lies do we tell ourselves to survive—and are we ready to tell the truth to finally live?
Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 is funny, poignant, challenging, and bold. It forces us to look deeper into what it means to be “healthy” and reminds us that even the most professional-looking people often have the deepest wounds.
Get your copy of Dee Bostic’s Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 today!
Final Thought
Through heartbreak, healing, and honesty, Love, Lies & Lab Coats Vol. 2 reveals that having an apple a day isn’t just about health. The phrase is also about feeding the soul.

Dee Bostic
I'm Dee Bostic, an Air Force veteran and author of Love, Lies & Lab Coats. Inspired by my experiences as an African American in predominantly white spaces, I write to explore identity, connection, and resilience. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and traveling.
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