I seriously loved this book. This was my first book by Abby Jimenez, and now I can't wait to go back to her other books. The fake dating trope with a lovely, kind, gentle and affectionate cinnamon roll hero paired with a strong, fierce, protective heroine is pretty much all my catnip. Bonus points that the MCs are both competent, caring doctors who act like the responsible adults they are, and that although the setup initially looked like they were being cast as rivals, that issue was resolved quickly.

When Jacob starts as a new attending physician in Brianna's ER, their first meeting goes pretty disastrously. Jacob has serious anxiety issues and finds himself tongue-tied in the face of Brianna's clear dislike, so, like all lovely cinnamon roll heroes, he goes home, broods, and decides to write her a lovely apology letter, knowing that if he tries to talk to her, due to his anxiety, he'll only get tongue-tied again. Much to his surprise, not only does Brianna accept his apology letter, she writes back! Over the course of a week or so, they exchange notes back and forth, leaving them on each other's charting computer or locker until Jacob is finally comfortable enough to actually speak to her.

This section of the book, indeed all of the book was so well-written, clearly demonstrating the effect that anxiety has had on Jacob's life and how he has learned to cope with the paralyzing thought spirals that often plague him. Brianna's younger brother is also plagued by anxiety so she quickly recognizes the signs and almost instinctively understands how to interact with him to set him at ease. It's love and comfort almost at first sight for both of them yet due to past romantic disappointments, they both hold back, even as they get deeply involved in a fake dating situation.

I can't think of anything I would change about this book. It was pretty much everything I look for in a romance. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

‘Because that’s what love does. It shows up. And I’d never stop doing it.’

Briana and Jacob have officially stolen my heart! I’ve read this book twice and already want to reread it! Their story has so much tenderness and depth, it’s hard not to feel truly connected to them.

Jacob and Bri are both doctors who start off on the wrong foot. Jacob having social anxiety doesn’t always express himself well, so he decides to write Briana a letter. From there they form the most wholesome friendship while continuing to exchange letters. Through a lot of building trust and having compassion for one another, their relationship eventually becomes more.

These two have the sweetest, purest love. They treated each other with such kindness and gentleness. They are considerate of one another and empathetic to their needs. I honestly couldn’t handle how sweet they were.

There is some miscommunication, but I felt like for Briana and Jacob it actually made sense. When you’re someone with anxiety or suffering from grief/trauma, your mind constantly tells you things that aren’t true. It can be very hard to believe differently no matter how much the other person tells and shows you they care. Just as it can be equally difficult to communicate your feelings without fear of rejection or being misconceived. The way their emotions and actions were handled felt so realistic to me.

I adore this book and the way Abby writes!

Yours Truly is out TODAY and you’re going to want to pick up a copy! I know I can’t wait to get my hands on the paperback! ❤️

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this beautiful story!

Yours Truly is a story of moving on after loss. It highlights the importance of family, friendships and trust. I loved it!

Abby Jimenez excels in writing moving stories with well-developed characters with interesting backstories. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of her previous books (The Friend Zone, The Happy Ever After Playlist, Life’s Too Short, and Part of Your World) and looked forward to reading Yours Truly.

The story is told in a dual narrative which worked very well. Dr. Briana Ortiz is an E.R. Physician whose life has been turned upside down. Her decade-long marriage has ended, her brother needs a kidney transplant, and she’s just found out the administrative role she has coveted is no longer part of her near future thanks to the newest physician that has joined the staff, Dr. Jacob Maddox.

Jacob’s long-term relationship has recently ended and he has learned that his ex is now planning on marrying his brother. His family has been divided since the two began dating so he aims to show that he has moved on so that his family becomes unified once again. Deciding to move to this new hospital was a big move for Jacob who suffers from social anxiety.

Briana and Jacob do not hit it off initially. But when Briana gives Jacob some advice to make him more likeable to the ER staff, he writes Briana a letter giving his thanks and explaining his condition. Briana is touched and so begins a series of letters, and eventually meetups.

Jacob learns of Briana’s brother’s need for a transplant, he arranges to be an anonymous donor. Briana inadvertently finds out and the two become closer than ever. She learns from Jacob of his need for a girlfriend to show his family that he is doing well. Briana offers to help and the two begin what each believes to be a fake romance.

The story is filled with family love, deep friendships and overcoming barriers. There are some very funny moments and many very tender ones. It is entertaining and a joy to read. I highly recommend it to those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or Romance.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, but the thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

I could not love this book more!!

Abby has been an auto buy author for me for quite some time now so I HAD to read her newest release!

I'm obsessed with the characters, the banter, the slow burn, the crazy family interactions, the cameos from prior characters in other books by Abby, the representation of anxiety and terminal illness, and of course Lieutenant Dan.

Highly recommend!

“The truest sacrifices are the ones no one knows anything about.”

Jacob and Briana’s story was so sweet!! Abby had me laughing and crying, per usual. There was no third act breakup <3 Fake dating is definitely one of my favorite tropes. They always fall without even trying - it’s so cute.

It is so hard for Jacob to let people in but when he does… HE DOES. The journal!!! All his quiets. Perfection. Teleporting.

Briana has been hurt and is having a hard time trusting again but Jacob makes it impossible not to love him and protect him. The glitter on the ceiling fans! I loved her.

The book got off to a little bit of a slow start for me but once it took off, it took off! And it was so worth it. The epilogue!!

I’m looking forward to diving back into this world again with the next book! I will always read anything Abby writes because I love her writing and she’s a hometown girl!!

“Jacob, you are too pure for this earth.”

Abby never disappoints! Loved this love story and couldn’t put it down! Cannot wait for her next book!

Abby is back with another great read that balances heart and humor in Yours Truly.

The story centers around Brianna, Alexis’s best friend in Part of Your World, and Jacob, her new coworker at the hospital’s ER. Both are recovering from recent heartache, grappling with their mental health, and dealing with their own family struggles.

The supporting characters added a lot of depth and fun to the story, especially Jacob’s meddling family and the scene with Alexis/ Daniel. I will say that a big chunk of the book was centered around a miscommunication, which always makes me a bit frustrated!

Otherwise, I loved this book and can't wait for more from Abby.

Happy publishing day to this gem of a book!💖✨🥹

Thank you to NetGalley & foreverpub for the ARC!

Genre: Romance💕
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Read if you like: Fake dating 👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻, dual POV ✌🏼, love letters💌

Oh man, once I started reading this book I could not put it down. It was like I fell in love right alongside Jacob & Briana🥹. Their banter was exactly what I want in a book and the way that Briana really understood Jacob made me emotional. And the cherry on top was Lieutenant Dan!🐾

This book literally had me laughing out loud multiple times (that glitter scene🤣) and tearing up at the end. I was really excited about this release and it did not disappoint. This was actually my first book by Abby Jimenez though I’ve had others of hers on my shelf waiting to be read for a while! Definitely one of my auto buy authors now. Can’t wait to read her other books!💖

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

I don't even know the right words to use to describe this book - beautiful? heartbreaking? inspiring? It's all that and more, and Abby Jimenez has done an incredible job tackling extremely tough subjects while still delivering an amazing story. One of my favorite things about her writing is the way she makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story, and she has gone above and beyond with this one.

Jacob and Briana are both broken and while they have a rocky start (to say the least) they slowly find that the other is able to fill in their cracks. I absolutely loved how their relationship began slowly through letters and then a quirky friendship and I couldn't get enough of them. Jacob's mental health is explored so delicately but is also portrayed so realistically that my heart broke for him. As much as I loved these two together I loved them apart, holding my breath and jumping up and down as they each tackled their demons and went after what they wanted. This book will have you laughing, crying, and laughing until you cry and I can't recommend it enough!

𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗜𝗙:
• You want an all the feels romcom 🥰
• You like first impressions gone wrong 👏🏻
• You want a friend to lovers/fake dating trope 🩺

📚 ER doctor Briana Ortiz is going through a rough patch. She's awaiting a promotion at work, finalizing her divorce and trying to find her younger brother a kidney donor. She soon meets Jacob, the new ER doctor who has been nicknamed "Dr. Death" on his first day (ouch). It seems that he is only causing her troubles by joining the team, but will time heal all wounds and open new doors?...

💭 This book really hit home as my family has gone through a kidney transplant. The story brings attention to the importance of organ donation and a raw look into the heartbreak you feel when someone you love is sick. Thank you to Jimenez for writing this story and doing it so thoughtfully ❤️‍🩹

I was also excited to read this book after reading Part of Your World! Bri and Jacob were everything. They are quirky, bold and loveable. The letters they wrote to each other and the romance that slowly built was my favorite thing about this one. They had so much patience, admiration and respect for each other that you couldn't help but to root for them! If you're looking for a steamy romance this one is NOT for you (spoiler: there was only one hook up scene🤭). But if you want a story of new beginnings, family, growth and love - this one's it!

✨ Thank you to @netgalley & @readforeverpub for my ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Review 4.75 ⭐
This book was everything! Abby Jimenez has absolutely done it again and created a wonderful love story with Yours Truly. If you are wanting a romance where the male lead is head over heels in love with the leading lady, this is one you need to read. I know some may not enjoy the fake dating trope, but I always enjoy it because how often does that happen in real life? This fake dating was so fun because as you read, you can see the walls Jacob and Briana had built around themselves break and they easily let one another in. The anxiety rep was done with so much care and the kidney failure storyline was so touching after reading about Jimenez’s personal experiences (I strongly encourage you to read the author’s note at the end). I only had two minor issues with this book and one I’m willing to look past. One, I do not enjoy miscommunication between people. Especially when those people are grown adults. So many times, Briana and Jacob could have told each other how they felt about their fake dating and the very real feelings they had for one another but just kept brushing it off. Now, this did make for when they finally confess their feelings all the sweeter, but I just wanted to shake them and tell them to talk to each other! The second, is a trope I’m not too fond of but I could see coming when Briana and Jacob talked about a certain subject. While I’m not mad or upset it happened, I just feel like it came too close to the end and was wrapped up too neatly. Other than those two notes, I absolutely loved this book! Abby Jimenez has time and time again put out amazing love stories and I will read anything she writes.

This book has my heart! It was my first Abby Jimenez book and I'm now prioritizing the rest on my shelf to the top of my TBR. Her writing is so easy to read and the characters feel like people you could really know. The anxiety representation in this one also hit home for me and was very well done.

Jacob and Bri are the most precious. I love that they started their relationship by writing letters to each other. I also love that Bri was so understanding of Jacob's anxiety.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Pub for the eARC!

When I tell you that I couldn’t put this book down, I mean it. This book made me cry AND laugh and want to hug everyone. It presented phenomenal mental health (anxiety) rep.

Abby is one of my favorite authors and this book just solidified that fact more. But beyond that, this might be one of my all-time favorite male characters ever written. Despite initial introductions to him, Jacob was heartfelt, down-to-earth, and all around a phenomenal human being who just needed someone willing to take the time to understand him. And Brianna was genuinely just the perfect match.

I loved the chemistry on the page and their ability to be there for each other in special ways. I LOVED the letter writing and how they were able to truly be themselves with one another (funny how taking a relationship off the table and making it JUST a friendship can do that 😂).

Jacob and Brianna had a lot in common – beyond their professions – and I loved seeing them begin to trust one another when they had both been wronged in the past.

Also the mental health rep was phenomenal. From severe anxiety to overthinking to also physical health ailments… there was so much to love and admire about this book. Trust me when I say you NEED to read this book, and you need to do it now.

Tropes:
- Fake dating
- Friends to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Workplace romance
- Mental health (anxiety) rep
- Letter writing/pen pals

Yours Truly | Abby Jimenez

She's done it again y'all - there is nothing quite like an Abby Jimenez book. They will make you laugh, cry, feel all the feels. Yours Truly was absolutely no different for me. I loved Bri's character while reading Part of Your World + just knew I was going to LOVE her as a main character. Spoiler alert - she rocked.

Here's a short (long) list of all the things I loved -
💖 Jacob - this man must be protected at all cost. What a precious angel.
💖 While talking about Jacob, I must mention his family. I need an entire book about them.
💖 Brianna is smart, fierce, protective and the ultimate female MC.
💖 The conversations surrounding mental health and anxiety. I think so many people will feel seen and heard through this one.
💖 Benny's journey through the book was emotional and tough at times to read, but done in such a thoughtful way.
💖 Allllll the tropes - fake dating, forced proximity, workplace romance, a little enemies to friends to lovers.
💖 The author's note is also a must read.

The only thing that I struggled with at times was the miscommunication. I wanted them to talk about things SO badly at times, but it's still 5 ⭐️'s for me.

Brianna Ortiz, an ER doctor is about to be newly divorced from her cheating husband. Her brother is in need of a kidney transplant and now she's dealing with the rudeness of the new doctor, who has earned the nickname Dr. Death on his first day at the hospital. Brianna and Dr. Jacob Maddox do not get off to a great start. Jacob decides the only way he can recover and deal with his social anxiety, which is running rampant at his new job, is ro write Brianna a letter explaining everything. Brianna finds this gesture to be extremely thoughtful and sweet, so she decides to write him back. As a friendship is kindled, both discover that Jacob is a match for Brianna's brother's transplant. As a way to express her gratitude, Brianna agrees to be Jacob's date to his brother's wedding. Somehow Jacob's family believes the two are actually dating and the both of them are left with no choice, but to continue dating. Abby Jimenez takes the classic fake dating trope and adds so much more to it.

My first Abby Jimenez book DID NOT disappoint & I now get why she is such a popular author!

Yours Truly follows the life of two ER doctors - Briana & Jacob. Detailing the events of their professional and personal lives, with which they navigate their own past hurts, traumas and struggles. Yours Truly combines a few different tropes - enemies to lovers & forced proximity for sure!

Romance books sometimes get a bad rap for being too mushy, soft or always “happily ever after”, but Yours Truly has such depth to its storyline that it stands apart in this category!

The mental health representation was SPOT ON, profound, realistic & so well done - I really could feel the depth of the challenge and struggle that the characters were enduring, especially with anxiety. Mental health is HEALTH - so I’m thrilled to see it represented so well!

Also - as a fellow Minnesotan, like Abby, I LOVED the Minnesota ties, locations & details! 🙌🏼

Overall this book will go down in history as one of my favorites & I am so grateful to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC! ❤️

Star rating: 5 ⭐️
Genre: romance
Pages: 416

Read if you like:
▪️fake dating
▪️workplace romance
▪️starting over
▪️letter writing
▪️enemies to lovers

I have read all of her books, and this is my new favorite. I always rate romances low when I can’t feel the chemistry between the characters, and this book was the exact opposite of that. You could completely understand why these two characters were so drawn to each other—how they complemented one another and brought out their best selves. You could actually see the chemistry developing on the pages and understand why they were falling in love. Their story made sense. There was also so much emotional TENSION! It kept me hooked the entire time, and I lurved it. And finally, I adored the male lead. He was strong, steady, and loyal to a tee. He will be joining my other book boyfriends in our fictional home in fantasyland.

Thanks for the free book @readforeverpub in exchange for an honest review!

Dr. Briana Ortiz is hanging on by a thread. Her divorce is being finalized and her brother's health is quickly declining. A new doctor joins the ER staff at her hospital and immediately there are whispers of dislike right off the bat. When Bri finds out that Jacob Maddox, the new doctor, may get the chief position she thought she was going to get, her dislike for him skyrockets. After a few rough initial interactions, Jacob decides to write Bri a letter to apologize and explain himself. That letter gives Bri a different perspective and begins a relationship that neither of them expected.

BRAVO, ABBY JIMENEZ!!! With each new release, I marvel with Jimenez's mastery of storytelling. I always think I am mentally prepared for her books, but I am proven wrong once I start reading them. Abby Jimenez has an uncanny ability to tell stories that have heart, depth, that make me laugh and make me cry. Her characters are fully formed and when I am reading them, it's easy for me to envision them as people because of her exceptional writing. I feel like I am in their world, feeling everything that they are feeling. I was immersed in Bri and Jacob's world for the two brief days it took me to read this book and I was sad to leave it when their story ended.

Jacob was a complex but super lovable hero. Despite all of his inner struggles, he lived to focus his energy on caring for others. He came off as a jerk to some because he was an introvert and Bri had to coax him out from behind his wall. When they fell into a rhythm of friendship and companionship, it was very sweet. The joy Jacob felt while he was with Bri shone through all of his darker emotions. I loved that even though he had a lot of other things to fear, he was open to love and he did not hesitate to jump into this thing with Bri with two feet. My favorite part of this book was the intense longing and needing that Bri and Jacob had for one another. I couldn't get enough of that good achy feeling in my chest from their love.

Abby Jimenez consistently knocks the ball out of the park and it was no different with this book. This book is an exceptionally written fake dating slow burn romance that features important representation of mental health and chronic illness. Although I read this within the first few days of the year, I am already shouting from the rooftops that this will be one of my top ten reads of 2023!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥
⚠️: anxiety, panic attacks, chronic illness, kidney failure, depression, mention of: divorce, infidelity (not between the main characters), death of a loved one, miscarriage

Abby Jimenez is an automatic read. Her books have only gotten better over time, and I really appreciate her humor and timing. Part of Your World was my favorite yet, so I’ve been so excited for Yours Truly.
I loved these characters! Jacob has my whole heart. I identified with Bri on many levels. Their “harmlessness” to each other is a plateful of cinnamon rolls. Friends to lovers is my favorite.
We do see our friends from Part of Your World, but this could easily be read as a stand alone, but why deprive yourself of the beauty that is Part of Your World?
The tropes abound, but it’s mostly all in good fun. Speaking of the tropes, everyone has their favorites and their least favorites. What I want to be clear about is that this is another 5 star read. However, two of my least favorite tropes do make appearances towards the end, and personally, it pulled my enjoyment away from the book. For most readers this will not be a problem as tropes and triggers vary so greatly among readers. I hope you love it as much as I did!

Dear Abby Jimenez,

You simply do not disappoint. Your books have a perfect track record with me so far, and Yours Truly is another heartfelt feather in your literary cap.

As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, I appreciated the realistic and compassionate way in which mental health is presented. Jacob is such a sweet soul, and my heart broke each time he was judged unfairly. Whenever he faced uncomfortable situations, I felt like I was right there with him.

Briana’s impending divorce and her brother’s recently diagnosed health crisis have left her devastated. Honestly, she could benefit from some professional counseling, but I adored her optimism and extraverted energy.

Jacob is so sensitive and respectful towards Briana’s needs. He earned major points with me each time he bravely placed himself in an uncomfortable situation on her behalf. I also loved how intuitive Briana is towards Jacob’s emotions. They are well-matched and their chemistry is on point.

It’s such a shame that letter writing has become a thing of the past. The letters Jacob and Briana exchange are sweet, poignant, and quirky. They made me tear up and laugh so much, and I looked forward to reading each one. I was honored to be included in the precious keepsakes of their budding friendship.

Abby, we need to have a little chat. I do enjoy when romantic relationships are given time to slowly build and simmer, but did it really need to take so long for Jacob and Briana to become more than friends? Their road to love is paved with many misunderstandings, fear, and lack of communication. The waiting just about killed me, Abby! The payoff is great, though.

Their well-meaning but meddlesome family members are a huge source of entertainment. I can’t forget Lieutenant Dan, Jacob’s dog. I loved him to pieces. Each emotional, tender, and funny moment was a sheer delight to read. Until your next great book.

Yours truly,
~Angela (A grateful reader)