As a fairly die-hard Abby Jimenez reader, I have been eager to read Bri’s story since meeting her in POYW. Not only is Briana a fantastic character, but Jacob? Whew…. Abby’s men just keep evolving and leveling up. Below is my review, but warning SPOILERS AHEAD!

I really loved this book for:

✍🏻 Hand Letter writing - SWOON
❤️‍🩹 Healthy mental wellness habits
🧠 An accurate depiction of anxiety
🎢 A roller coaster but not the same level or length of crash and burn as some of her earlier plots (ahem, TFZ, HEAP)
🤐 the quiets
🥰 The Maddox family
👩🏻‍🦰🧔🏻‍♂️Alexis & Daniel (& Wakan!) cameos
🫓 El Salvadoran food (mmm pupusas)
🦜 Jafar the cursing parrot
👩🏽‍❤️‍👨🏻 Fake dating -> real feelings
🏥 Living organ donation & autoimmune representation
❤️‍🔥Combustion level steam
❤️ Being harmless to one another
🥚 Abby-verse Easter eggs make the reading extra fun

That all being said I had a couple things that didn’t land for me:

📝 Journaling can be super private - sometimes the journaling is to get out of your head but isn’t meant for anyone else to ever read because what is in your head isn’t always true or fair or helpful. Anxiety and depression lies. So I loved that he shared his journal to share his soul with her as a sign of his devotion - it was sweet and it worked for them. Yet I also cringed because NOT sharing a therapeutic journal doesn’t mean you are keeping secrets from a partner - it can mean you have a right to that private space to work out feelings and thoughts without worrying about how the lies your brain tells you could hurt or harm someone else. In this case I don’t think it’s a model of intimacy that should be put on a pedestal, but I still loved the beauty of the gesture.

👗The love scene was hot and while it was a bummer they didn’t both know they had such feelings for one another at the time, I still could enjoy the passion. BUT, it felt like there was a glaring issue for me. Where was the consent? That was described as a quick and fast thing & while we knew in her head that she was ok with it, how did he know? He didn’t ask. He never made sure it was ok with her to do that without a condom. Even if her body is saying yes…. Consent - overwhelmingly enthusiastic & verbal consent - is SEXY. Of course it all ends up happily ever after but this one piece was a bummer to me. Consent is SEXY as hell and I wish it were always modeled because even though this scene was hot, they can’t read each other’s mind and this one element was a disappointment for me.

Overall I still give it high marks - 4.5 ⭐️ rounding up for rating purposes! I can’t wait for everyone to read this one!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to Abby for writing another amazing book and for sharing it so enthusiastically with your fans! I can’t wait to re-read it & re-read it & re-read it… Bri and Jacob’s love is one I will definitely return to.

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. Abby Jimenez's books are full of heart, multi-dimensional characters, compassionate handling of sensitive subject matter, and the most fun you'll have laughing when you're not crying. Choosing a favorite of her books feels like choosing a favorite child... but this one is a definite contender.

Briana and Jacob are heat and honey that combine to make the most luscious snack. There are hand-written letters, a sob closet, a plant room, a three-legged dog named Lieutenant Dan, cupcakes, copious references to characters from previous books, a sex therapist, a profane bird, a feisty grandpa, a journal... and it is all just SO. GOOD.

Read this book because love means showing up.

HUGE thank you to the author, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy for me to review. It was pure joy.

I am speechless.
This book was just beautiful. Everything about it was perfect.
“I agree to be harmless to you.”
Just perfect.
The way anxiety is described in detail, to dealing with past trauma, there is nothing I would change about this book. I laughed, I cried, and cheered. When Abby made her debut with her first novel I was a quick fan, and each book just solidifies that more and more. Yours truly is no exception.

Where do I even start with this masterpiece?
All of the books by Abby Jimenez are incredible but this one hands down is my favorite.
The love story between Brianna and Jacob is just beautiful to watch unfold. As a person who has anxiety, and also a person who has been hurt in the past I find myself smack dab between two characters who are so real and relatable.
Kudos and well done on another incredible read. I can’t wait to read it again and again.

It’s not often that you find an author who ticks all your boxes and who manages to make you cry every single time she writes a book.

Abby Jimenez is it for me.

I finished Yours Truly early this morning and I kid you not, I spent 30 minutes just staring blankly into the void, trying to process what I’d actually read.

Yours Truly is a tale about two ER doctors - one who selflessly decides to donate his kidney to the other’s brother. There’s some fake dating, a three legged dog, a talking parrot, and the one bed trope makes an appearance somewhere in there too. The storyline was great, but it was the deeper, darker undertones of the novel that made it excellent. Anxiety, depression, miscommunication, unresolved past traumas involving a cheating ex and the mentions of a miscarriage - Abby tackles it all and doesn’t shy away from the nitty gritty.

Every experience that Jacob and Briana felt - I felt it too. Every emotion, every touch. It felt like my soul itself had been ingrained into that text and I had to physically pull myself out of it.

I can’t even begin to describe the complex emotions that went through me while I was reading this story. Abby’s detailed descriptions about Jacob’s thought process as he tackles his anxiety, Briana’s past traumas and her depressive mental state as she tries to overcome it - it was all so real and raw that it took my breath away.

If perfection was a novel it’d be this one.

Abby Jimenez has done it again (of course)! This book is laugh out loud funny while tackling real life complexities such as organ donation, anxiety, and trust issues. Having the main character come from a Salvadoran background is so refreshing as well. What starts as a bad first impression turns into a sweet relationship as the main characters discover more about themselves and each other. Jacob’s anxiety is so relatable on so many levels to so many people. It is such a realistic representation of how those with anxiety think and process to get through every day life. Bri is so protective of him and goes out of her way to make him feel comfortable while he helps her learn to trust again. Jacob is so selfless it’s hard not to fall In love with him and so easy to see why Bri does. Abby’s books just keep getting better and better and this one delivers all the feel good emotions while making you laugh and cry at the same time.

Abby has done it again! I could NOT put this book down and devoured it within hours. The characters are real and so well-developed that I felt like they were my friends. I laughed. I cried. An emotional roller-coaster that I will read over and over again.

Abby knows how to really make you have all the feels. I related to both the main characters in so many ways. Thank you for writing anxiety as it really is vs what movies make it to be. Can’t wait to read future books as well.

I love this book! Abby Jimenez is my favorite author and when she said on social media that this book would have a kidney donation/transplant storyline i knew I had to read it as soon as possible. I donated one of my kidneys almost 4 years ago so I related to parts of the book just because of that and I also related to Jacob because I also deal with social anxiety. Honestly, I don’t know how I donated a kidney because everything makes me anxious, but it was the best thing I’ve ever done!

Abby created the most relatable characters who deal with realistic issues in Yours Truly. Jacob just started working at the same ER as Bri. He had a terrible first day and because of his social anxiety, everyone assumes he’s arrogant and not friendly. After his first unfortunate run-in incident with Bri he writes her an apology letter because he’s better at writing his feelings than speaking then. They begin passing little notes back and forth and eventually form a sweet friendship. Jacob finds out that Bri’s brother needs a kidney and offers to anonymously donate one of his after finding out he’s a rare match. When he accidentally tells his family that he’s dating someone from work, a coworker accidentally tells Bri that Jacob is going to be a donor and she offers to be his fake girlfriend. Eventually they begin to have real feelings for each other but because of their issues don’t believe the other feels the same way.

This book was really cute and funny and I highly recommend it along with Abby’s other books. I also recommend reading her author note at the end that explains her story and why she’s vocal about organ donation.

I’m very thankful to have been able to get an early copy of Yours Truly!

I am a longtime fan of Abby Jimenez, and I have loved watching (reading?) her growth with each new book she publishes. Your Truly is... far and away my favorite of her books thus far. I want to take this book and go be harmless with it (someone, please notify my children of this!) and then just soak in the goodness that is Brianna and Jacob (IYKYK).

Brianna is a strong, independent female, but still possesses a vulnerability that is relatable. Jacob experiences anxiety, but he works to keep it from controlling his life. I love that Abby Jimenez wrote Jacob as this flawed character, but he still held so much quiet strength. Brianna didn't try to change Jacob or minimize his anxiety, she simply walked alongside him. THAT is LOVE.

Love shows up - and this book is filled with people showing up for each other. Family, friends, coworkers - they all continually show up, even when it's hard. Jacob and Brianna were so tender with each other and they were harmless with each other in ways that made the other feel accepted and loved. S-W-O-O-N.

I read this book in one sitting and laughed and cried and rejoiced and even nervous sweated through some of it along with Jacob. (introverts unite!). The icing on the cake? The epilogue. Thank you, Abby Jimenez for writing an epilogue. I would not have been okay without it.

Finally,
the author's note.
That was truly the cherry on top. What a bravely beautiful truth Jimenez chooses to share. I loved every page of Yours Truly, but once I read Abby's note, I had a whole new appreciation for every heartfelt word she poured into this book. This is a book I will read again and again. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), Forever for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Abby's books were already an auto buy for me, Yours Truly cemented that even more. This might be my favorite of her books to date. I absolutely loved it! ❤
I now want and need a chaotic parrot named Jafar in my life. 😄
Love the way Abby writes the humor and the complicated situations that happen to the characters. Jacob's portrayal of anxiety is extremely accurate, Briana's fear and trauma over trusting men as well.
Like with the rest of her books, Yours Truly makes you feel soooo many emotions on the span of a few pages, as well as provides an education on so many difficult subjects, like living with a disease that turns your world and quality of life upside down and the toll it takes on everyone.
It has a well developed plot and character growth, woven seamlessly with the story and the side characters.
Thank you Abby for sharing these characters and their stories with us.

Thank you NetGalley, Abby Jimenez, and Forever for the advance copy of Yours Truly.
I’ll start by saying I LOVED this book. It’s one of my favorites out of the 87 I’ve read so far this year.

Brianna and Jacob are ER docs who start off a little rocky. He’s the new guy at work who she thinks is after the promotion she wants. However, Jacob starts revealing who he really is through letters and she responds. He learns that’l she’s very concerned about her brother’s kidney disease and he secretly gets tested to see if he’s a match. He just wants to help her because that’s the type of person he is.

Things to love about the book: Jacob’s letter writing—could that be any more perfect?!, Brianna’s approach to Jacob’s anxiety (with how common anxiety is, really loved the way it was portrayed and not as a character flaw. She’s great at reading him and helping him try new situations. Jacob is definitely a swoon worthy book boyfriend), and how Brianna has her own past trauma and works to not allow that to negatively impact her future. I must also mention the supporting characters who are fun and add to the story.

I can’t recommend this book enough and look forward to buying a copy when it comes out in April!

Abby knocks it out of the park again! Yours Truly features 2 ER doctors, Bri and Jacob who start as nemesis coworkers, but quickly turn friends through a series of letters passed back and forth. I adore Jacob’s character. Abby’s writing is just so relatable. I feel like she can speak to life all these same thoughts coursing through my brain. It is so funny, and so sweet, and squeezes my heart to mush.

Steam level 5/5

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Abby Jimenez and Forever/Hatchett for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I would’ve spent a fortune to get my hands on it anyway!

4.5⭐️ rounded up

At this point I don't think Abby could write a book that I wouldn't enjoy. Her writing is so easy to get wrapped up so don't start reading at bedtime like I did because you will end up staying up until the book is finished. 🥱 This book will have you feeling all the emotions while simultaneously laughing out loud and her character development is *chef's kiss*. She somehow found a way to get me to like characters I didn't think I would (I'm still trying to figure out what kind of sourcery she used 🤔). Honestly I could give you multiple reasons why you need to get yourself a copy, but I'll just tell you do because I don't want to spoil anything because you'll want experience all of this book for yourself.

Thank you to the publisher and Abby for my ARC, I'm forever grateful.

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.