There's nothing like an Abby Jimenez hangover - that feeling when you finish the newest book and have to wait MONTHS to talk to someone about it and you're just filled with EMOTION. Bri was one of my favorite characters in Part of Your World and I'm so happy that she got a book of her own. And mannnnnnn does this book turn the fake dating trope on its head. It is the slowest of burns, like a crockpot left on overnight. They don't even kiss for half of the book and I wouldn't change a thing.

As someone with generalized anxiety disorder, Jacob's experience reads true to me. I constantly need to see the menu of a restaurant before I go, and have contingency plans for most social situations. Jacob and Bri are perfect together and probably my favorite match thus far. BIEBER it's good!!

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Abby Jimenez might one of the most skilled character creator of our time and she has knocked it out of the park again with Yours Truly.

This book is Briana's story. Briana has a pretty terrible day. Her divorce is being finalized, her brother who desperately needs a kidney transplant is running out of time, and the new male ER physician, Jacob, who has a disasterous first day is being considered for the Chief of Emergency Medicine job which she thought she was a shoo in for. Then Jacob writes her a letter and it is kind and sweet and she starts to see things through his eyes and maybe she doesn't hate him as much as she thought. Even better, it turns out Jacob is a perfect match for her brother's kidney and Jacob decides to donate his to save her brother. Briana soon learns that Jacob was so much more than her first impressions of him. How can she ever repay him for what he's doing for her brother? Turns out, Jacob has something she can help with and it takes them both on quite a journey to discovery themselves and what they want for the future.

Jacob is the gooiest cinnamon of a character Abby has ever written and I am so here for it. I loved Jacob so much. Getting to see his POV and inner dialogue was perfection and brought so much depth to this character. In true Abby style Jacob is one of those men you wish you could find in real life. I wanted to scoop him up and love on him.

While I loved Jacob oh so much, Briana was the one that really knocked this book out of the park for me. I have never read a book that so beautifully captures the damage done from leaving a long term marriage after being hurt. The pain, the trauma, and the constant doubt of everything. Doubting yourself, doubting someone else can love you, doubting your whole existence and trying to figure out what was real. So much of Briana's story was so real and powerful and made me want to just hug her. To Bri "men have only ever left me" and I felt that in my soul. I understood all of Bri. From her inability to keep a plant alive, to her trail of disappointment left by the mend in her life. My (almost) ex husband is more of a Neil than a Nick but I felt every emotion in this book.

This is obviously a very personal book for Abby and it showed through her discussion of kidney transplant and how that was handled. The story is beautifully done. The pets in this book are amazing and will keep you laughing. Jacob's family was one of my favorite aspects of this book and of course, it was great to see glimpses of Alexia and Daniel.

This book will tell you that love shows up and man did this book show up.

I could go on and on and on about all the things I loved about this book but instead I will just say, read this one . I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

Organ donation. Anxiety. Trauma. Divorce. I’m not sure how Abby Jimenez packed all these major themes into one book, but she did. And it’s amazing. Briana and Jacob are real. They are little bits of Abby. I see reflections of other people I know…. And myself. I usually want MORE from an author when I read a book. MORE of the characters. But not this one. Why? Because they would want their quiet, their peace. And I love them so much I want to give it to them.

Dearest Fellow Reader,

First and foremost, I must provide you with a full disclosure. Abby Jimenez is my favorite author. I’ve been following her since book one, and am also a huge fan of her cupcakes. I literally am incapable of waiting to read them until publication date… so I was thrilled when the link was released granting the first 500 people to read off of NetGalley.

If you’re as big of a bookworm/Abby fan as I am, you probably aren’t even going to read this review before binging. I don’t blame you. I wanted to savor this book, but have limited self control. I easily could have finished it the first day, but instead devoured it in 3 days.

The premise of Bri and Jacob writing letters was an instant swoon for me. My best friend and I mail each-other a few times a week. I love letter writing, and think it’s adorable that they partake in the same activity.

This book revolves around the fake dating trope. It has the heightened fact that Jacob is giving a kidney to Benny. Jacob has severe anxiety, and has a hard time knowing how much of the relationship is real.

Both Briana and Jacob have been burned when it comes to love. Jacobs ex is marrying his brother, and that’s why he needed the fake date. Briana’s ex cheated on her, so she doubts Jacobs true feelings for her. She has serious baggage, and Jacob speaks to her soul. Briana calms his soul at the same time. They speak each other’s love language.

Abby writes about real life situations and traumas. She does so with comedic relief, and burning love. This book is a slow burn, with lots of angst. The characters are adorable(like always), and easy for the reader to fall in love with. Plus, if you’ve read the other books, there are Easter eggs as per usual. I love that Abby doesn’t sugar coat her characters, and makes them relatable.

If you’re still reading this, I highly urge you to read this book. This is my new favorite of Abby’s, and quite possibly of all time. Go preorder or buy a copy for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Yours Truly,

Kaitlyn

Dearest Readers,

How does Abby Jimenez keep getting better and better?

I don't even know how to write a review that can encapsulate my entire emotional journey with this book. This one was so poignant and heartfelt, I started tearing up in the first third. I felt and enjoyed every bit of it.

I loved Briana in Part of Your World and we get to know her a lot more here - how compassionate, strong, brave yet vulnerable she was. How she's protective of the people she loves. How life has been difficult for her and left its marks.

And Jacob - he really was the best. So thoughtful, gentle and kind. I resonated with him so much down to the residency choices and the socks. I felt seen and validated because of his character. His quirks are relatable to everyone who suffers from anxiety - the routines, the anticipation, the overthinking, the reluctance to change, the comfort in the familiar.

It was so beautiful to read about two people finding each other, (writing letters to each other 💗), growing together, learning to understand each other, falling in love - even with their own brokenness and shortcomings. I really appreciated how they knew what each other needed - Jacob his peace and comfort, Bri someone to trust. They didn't give up on each other during the hard times, but showed up for each other through them all. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴: 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘂𝗽.

And as with any Abby book, she didn't shy away from the heavy stuff. There's a good portrayal of the mental and emotional effects of chronic illness on the patient and their loved ones, the feelings of hopelessness surrounding it (esp if you live in a country like ours). There's also a realistic and sensitive handling of clinical anxiety and trauma, of how they trap you and rob you of your life - even years down the line.

As Jacob says, we are all a little broken and made up of those who've met and the experiences we've been through - but that doesn't mean we don't deserve to be happy and live well. Especially when you find that person who understands and accepts you, willing to hold your hand through life.

What else do I need to say other than YOU NEED TO READ IT? Because yes, you do. This comes out on April 2023! And I was lucky enough to get an eARC through Netgalley. Thank you @readforeverpub and #AbbyJimenez!

Yours Truly,
Naia

She did it again! Jacob is the best hero. The way Abby gave insight into anxiety was incredible and really had me thinking. Enjoyed every minute of Bri and Jacob’s story. I loved all the little details that appeared from other books and how Abby can tie everything together so well.

Abby Jimenez has done it once more!! Everytime I think I relate to a character of hers, she writes another book and I relate harder than the one before! I relate to Jacob with his anxiety in a way I haven't connected to a character in a book before. The way Abby captures the exact feelings of someone with social anxiety and how a panic attack feels for him placed me there in that same headspace for her character, giving myself heart palpitations that I appreciated reading for the unfamiliar and enjoyed every second connecting to as someone who has had my own experienceswith anxiety. It's my absolute favorite thing to look for the Easter eggs connecting all of her books together in such a beautiful unity as well. It's fun to keep going back to reread all of her books with each new release so you can find more that you didn't see previously. 10/10 Absolutely my favorite book of Abby's, if not the favorite read of the last few years.

I love this book. I think I say that about all of this author’s books-but it’s true! You know how some movies get discussed with a reverence because of the combination of being that overall wonderful relaxing cinematic experience but it’s also full of tiny moments woven throughout that elevate it above all others…that’s the only way I can describe this book. It is overall a great read and at the same time a nuanced hilarious story about a woman emerging from traumatic hurt, her desperately ill brother, and a man who is grappling with anxiety. The author tackles heavy subjects, just like in previous books, but it’s so well done. The characters are so well developed and the story told in a way that the reader doesn’t feel sorry for them or cast judgment, it’s like watching the story unfold through a soft filtered lens and getting a look inside their struggles as the story unfolds. I think this is the funniest book yet from the author. Both main characters are hilarious and the situations they end up in are equally hilarious without feeling contrived. I can’t recommend this book enough…it needs to be at the top of your must read list.

Happy Ever After Playlist has been my favorite Abby book since it came out. Yours Truly has officially taken that place. I can’t even begin to explain the emotions it brought out of me. I loved these characters so much and was obsessed from the first page. I wish I could give this more than just 5 stars.

I don’t even know where to start.

Before giving a review I just want to point out that I’m a mother of 2 very sassy girls (4 months old and 3 years old). I managed (I don’t know how) to read the book in 3 days. I don’t even remember when was the last time I read a book. It was probably 4 years ago.

I met Abby Jimenez precious books through Audible. When I was putting my first born to sleep (which used to take at least 1h) I found comfort in Abby’s book. It was a “me” time even though I wasn’t by myself. It went from my dreadful time of the day to my favorite part of the day.

Yours Truly was able to go to so many important aspects of my own personal life.
About organ donation/transplant as I’m a mother of a transplant warrior. How relieved it is to know when you have a perfect match, the awareness that she brings for organ donation it’s so subtle and so important for people on a waiting list.

About anxiety, as I have suffered from it my whole life. I’ve got myself finding that I have so much in common with Jacob. It’s almost like a self help book because I caught myself a few times while reading the book and realizing that I went through things that Jacob was facing that I didn’t even know that was anxiety.

Thank you thank you for all your dedication in putting so accurate details.

I cannot recommend enough this book.

This book, like every Abby book, is so damn good. I broke me in new ways and I finished with happy tears down my face on the couch.

This is a bit more of a heavier book than Abby has done before, but it was handled so well. We have anxiety (I love how well their partner figures out how to ease it), cheating spouse/friend that I want to murder, dealing with trauma and learning to open your heart again, and organ donation. This definitely made me more interested in learning about living organ donation especially as a bone marrow donor I know how important the gift of life can be.

Bri and Jacob are just so great together. The only thing I hate about fake-dating is me screaming at the book for them to get it together when they finally realize they do actually love the other person. This was no exception, all they need to do was talk (!!!! Uuuughhhh), and I loved every minute of it.

Them falling in love was so sweet and this is definitely a slooooooow burn romance, but completely worth it in the end. I really appreciated how reap Abby's characters were, like they could be living ans breathing people that I would immediately want to be friends with. There is also the trademark Abby humor and snappy dialogue that I can never get enough of. I want to live in her brain and die of laughter.

Thank you Forever Publishing on Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Can't wait for my physical copy in April.

OMG I devoured this book! Abby Jimenez really knows how to get to the heart of a story, creating a realistic world with characters that have flaws and issues and I am here for it. This book deals with anxiety and chronic health issues, both of which hit close to home. I loved how she dealt with each with care and humor and I just couldn't stop reading. I think this might be my favorite by her now. Grab this one the instant it releases- you can thank me later!

To say that I was excited about this book is an understatement. I was not disappointed. Abby Jimenez has done it again.

I loved Bri from her appearance in Part of your world now getting to know her more makes me love her more. Adding Jacob, the new doctor, to the mix as well brings the whole story around and makes you love (almost) everyone.

I devoured this book as I have done all of Abby’s others and really love how this ended up.

Also just as an after thought I have never related to a character as much as I have to Jacob. I will leave it at that before I give too much away

I don't know how Abby Jimenez does it but she's just able to churn out books every year that keeps on getting better.

Yours Truly is truly (pun intended) a standout with Abby's signature mix and balance of searing chemistry between the protagonists, ridiculously funny banters, hilarious secondary characters who know no boundaries, a backdrop of some heavier themes, plus a loveable three-legged Bernese mountain dog named Liutenant Dan.

I never thought another hero could top Daniel Grant from Part of Your World, but enter Dr. Jacob Maddox who blew everyone out of the water and the epitome that you don't need to be a domineering alpha to be considered sexy. You can be gentle, kind, quiet, devoted, forgiving, compassionate and an introvert and still be sexy as hell. I now get why he is THE cinnamon roll hero. Briana, on the other hand, might be feisty that you'd never want to be on her bad side, but is also caring, empathetic and loving. Their relationship might have developed fast but still felt so genuine and organic.

As an introvert, I've never felt more seen or validated by a book than this one. I've never identified with any character more than Jacob. The depictions on social anxiety, overthinking and overstimulation were spot on.

My key takeaway: Love doesn't always have to be hard. It can actually be easy when you're with the right person who accepts and understands you for who you are, flaws, trauma and all. Above all, love shows up.

I would recommend this book to everyone. Seriously everyone should pick up this book once this gets out on April next year! Pre-order now! Introverts, here's our book!

Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing), NetGalley and the author for my early copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.

Can I give a book more than 5 stars??
Abby never disappoints, I could read her books over and over, I just finished and already want to reread this book. Abby always tackles a serious subject with such understand. I would highly recommended reading this book over and over.

Without an ounce of hyperbole, Jacob and Briana are undoubtedly two of my favorite characters of all time. Yes, they’re fun, and smart, and kind, (like most of my favorite characters—and humans for that matter) and #allthethings, but I’m not sure I’ve ever met two characters who exhibited such strength and such fragility in equal measure. That balance, that walking of the tightrope between the two, is what truly captured my heart.

In Yours Truly, we are so fully immersed in their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. They each are confronted with their fears and doubts on almost every page, but it’s done in a way that overwhelmingly endears you to them. They never whine or complain. In fact it’s the opposite. They recognize it (whatever it is in that moment) and then keep going in the face it.

But beyond all of that, I think what got me more than anything else was just how much they really got each other. How deeply they understood each other. Not just the surface stuff. Or even the somewhat-below-the-surface stuff. It almost felt like they understood each other on a cellular level. A soul level. A many, many lifetimes level.

There’s a song, ‘Bill Murray’ by Matt Nathanson, that (to me) captures the relationship between these two better than I ever could. The chorus goes like this:

I won't only love you when you're winning
Other fools pretend to understand
Come on, take my hand, we'll go down swinging
Let me be your man
Let me be your man

And the line that really kills me:

“You only get one person knows you best
And it's temporary, everybody else"

I don’t know how Abby Jimenez does it. I will drop everything to stop and read her books the moment I get my hands on them. And while I’m reading, I am constantly marveling at just how damn good she is at weaving everything together. How she can have me laughing and crying, or swooning and crying, or laughing and swooning from literally one moment to the next.

If you’ve read Abby Jimenez before, I don’t have to tell you twice to read this book. If you’ve never read her before, I implore you to start now. You will not be disappointed and you might just find your new favorite author.

Abby Jimenez creates the best heroes. I adore them because on the outside they seem sort of like guys you might meet at the grocery store. With the exception of her hero in The Happy Ever After Playlist, they all have fairly normal lives, jobs, and struggles. But on the inside. The inside? My God are they wonderful.

Jacob Maddox, the hero of this book, felt everything so deeply I swear my heart grew in size like the goddamn Grinch reading about the man.

I read the heroine's POV chapters, where Jacob sometimes came across as aloof or interested only in being her friend, and felt bad for her. But then I'd get Jacob's POV and see how deep his love and concern for her really ran; I'm talking Marianas Trench deep, you guys. And once his anxiety and fear began to quiet around Bri, the heroine, he had no problem expressing what he felt for her, even if it wasn't always with words.

Bri was everything to him. Now, I'm not trying to slander my girl Emily Henry (whose books are also great), but in her latest novel Book Lovers, the love the hero and heroine had kept being compared to Cathy and Heathcliff's. Yeah...no.

What Jacob felt for Bri—that is near-Wuthering Heights levels of fierce, all-consuming love. That scene where he admitted he'd starve to feed her and never let her know he was starving. I felt that in my soul, y'all.

(view spoiler)

All this yammering on about how amazing Jacob is, and I still have to confess I like Adrian in Life's Too Short and Daniel in Part of Your World more than him. But that just speaks to how fantastic Abby Jimenez's heroes are. I actively disliked her first book. Her second I was lukewarm on, but her last three novels have been wonderful reads. If this one didn't quite give me all the emotions of her last two it definitely came close.

Something was off about the last 10% of this book. I think the third act conflict needed to come a bit earlier to resonate with me. It felt rushed. I wish (view spoiler)

All told a great read. I will always read whatever Abby Jimenez writes!

Thanks to Abby Jimenez and Netgalley for the ARC.

4 stars

I absolutely loved this book. I appreciated the relationship between Bri and Jacob and how she would help him adapt to situations. I’ve actually taken some notes to use in my own life. I laughed, cried and yelled at points. This book was hard to put down and moved me emotionally in so many directions. It has to be said again…. I absolutely loved this book.

Every time I read one of Abby’s books, I have a new favorite. This one broke me- laughing out loud, crying so hard that I had to take breaks, and not wanting to finish because I loved the characters so much. I was so thankful to receive an ARC from NetGalley and can’t wait to read it again!

As if I didn’t cry enough already reading this book, the authors note at the end had me weeping. Oh my goodness Abby. Thank you for this deeply personal book that felt like one of the realest depictions of anxiety that I have ever read. In true Abby Jimenez fashion - I was crying on one page and laughing through my tears on the next.

This was everything. If you are looking for a book to fall in love with look no further!


ARC kindly provided in exchange for my unbiased review.