This was my first Abby Jimenez novel and I couldn’t put it down! Dr. Maddox is my new book boyfriend, sorry Bri 🤷🏼‍♀️ the romance was SO SWEET. it made my cold cold heart all mushy inside. I will definitely be checking out more of A.J.’s books!

My favorite quote ⬇️

"Say it again," he whispered.
"I'm in love with you," I gasped.
"Again."
"I'm in love with you."
He laughed, blinking at me through tears.
"This is real?" I asked.
He nodded. "It's always been real."
Ilet out a happy sob.

I didn't love the fake dating trope idea and I couldn't get behind it. However, the audio really lent itself to a great listening experience. I understand why the author is incorporating main characters with baggage and real-life trauma, but I did find it to be a bit too much for both MC's to get together despite their trauma and emotional baggage. I will read anything Jimenez writes because I think she is one of the few romance authors who incorporate emotionally vulnerable men. I just hope she uses a different trope than miscommunication and fake dating.

Dr. Jacob Maddox is gobsmacked when he first lays eyes on Dr. Briana Ortiz. The first time Jacob sees Briana, she is in the room of a kidney patient. Jacob soon learns that the patient is Briana's brother Benny, a young man experiencing kidney failure.

For Briana, her first impressions are quite different that Jacob's. When she first saw the handsome doctor, it was because he ran right into her and Briana was less than impressed. Also, Briana was undergoing a lot of stress. Her marriage has ended due to her husband's infidelity, she has suffered another great personal loss, and she is very worried about her brother.

Interestingly, Jacob and Briana begin exchanging letters, and Briana slowly begins to drop her barriers. Two things rather immediately change the course of their growing friendship, which turns into a relationship neither expected. Jacob is a match for Benny, and his brother is soon to marry - to Jacob's ex-girlfriend. Jacob does not want to attend the wedding alone, but he comes with a loud, loving family, and he won't be able to avoid his brother's wedding. So, Briana agrees to be Jacob's fake girlfriend for a few months.

This romantic story faced serious issues - relationships after cheating, serious physical illness, even Jacob's issues with anxiety - and it was all done remarkably well. This second book in the Part of Your World series by Abby Jimenez was a really good read, especially when you consider the author's note at the end of the book.

Many thanks to Forever and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Overall, I enjoy Jimenez's novels but this was probably one of the weakest for me. There were a lot of elements to like - the letters/notes being a strong one - but something about the way their relationship developed, involving the kidney donation, just didn't work for me.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The absolute sweetest book. One of my favorite things about this book was that it normalized anxiety in a man. This was quite possibly the first time I have EVER come across that in a book - and I read a lot of books! Really well done!

It’s honestly hard for me to find words for this book. It was so, so good. Briana and Jacob are her swooniest fake dating couple ever. I adored their feelings for each other and I loved being inside both their heads and their emotions.

This book was INCREDIBLE. I love everything about what Abby Jimenez writes and this one was no different. The characters, the heart, the emotions.. I felt all of it from page one to the very last page. ten out of ten recommend. The audio I also reread after eye ball reading was just as fantastic.

I LOVED this book. It left me weeping of pure joy with literal tears streaming down my face.

This was my first Abby Jimenez title but I officially get the hype.

Jacob is a golden retriever ball of fluffy anxiety that must be protected at all costs. Briana is so sweet and oblivious I could kick her and hug her at the same time.

I loved how this fake dating trope was more friends to lovers than enemies to lovers. Briana and Jacob very quickly start to enjoy time together and I loved watching their friendship grow all the while I, the reader, was dying for them to just kiss already.

The anxiety rep was so on point and I felt seen when Jacob’s thoughts spun out of control. I loved the dual POV as we got to see both of our characters not so great moments through their own eyes.

I am officially an Abby Jimenez Stan and I am on a quest to read her entire backlog now.

Thank you to the publisher for the copy for review!

I absolutely loved this book. Abby Jimenez never misses. The romance was believable, the conflict made sense, and I loved the side characters (I will never stop thinking about the taxidermy room). Another great one!

4.5 stars I am not a huge fan of the fake dating trope, but I didn't mind it in this book. I have read all of Abby's books, and they just keep on getting better! The chemistry and tension between the FMC and MMC were perfect, and I absolutely loved the letter writing back and forth. Her books always seem to make me cry/tear up, and of course, I did in this one. Read Part of Your World first!

A sweet read!! Very quick and enjoyable. The way the relationships grow is delightful and this author is always fun to read!

I loved this book. It’s not often that one of the main characters is in the medical field and I really enjoyed that aspect. Also, loved the romance. So very cute!

I absolutely adored Jacob and Bri. Their relationship was so special and the love they had for each other was so beautiful, it put the biggest smile on my face. Jacob is everything you want in a guy and more, I just love him so much.

I was so close to rating this book 5 stars but there were a couple things that happened in the last half that I just couldn’t move on from. Nonetheless, the book was amazing and I can’t wait to read more books by Abby Jimenez. ❤️

“We’re all a little broken, Briana. We are a mosaic. We’re made up of all those we’ve met and all the things we’ve been through. There are parts of us that are colorful and dark and jagged and beautiful. And I love every piece of you. Even the ones you wish didn’t exist.” 🥹

Abby does it again! This was perfect. So funny, engaging, and heartwarming. I loved these characters with my whole heart. Everyone should read this beautiful book.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!
*Note: this is an HONEST SPOILER FREE REVIEW*

my rating: 4.75/5 stars ⭐️

i ended up reading this book on my own later in the year, and i'm so glad i did. i totally started this series out of order (whoops haha), but the chokehold this book has on me is crazy. i laughed, i cried, i giggled like a maniac, i fell in love with jacob (um i want a man with a plant room), and i related a little too much to both briana and jacob.

Abby Jimenez is truly incredible. I’ve never felt more seen than I did when I started reading about Jacob and how strongly his anxiety affected his life. The way she had me crying because I felt everything he felt was only made better by seeing the efforts that Briana took to understand and help him navigate the every day stressors that plagued him. Such a beautiful story with all the feel goods and just enough crying to keep me hooked.

I adored this book! These characters felt so real; loved the relatability of both of them. Abby's talent for writing such authentic books is unmatched! I love a fake dating trope as well as a slow burn, so this really did it for me. The anxiety representation was so well done, and the connection between Briana and Jacob was clear and intriguing. This book made me feel so many feelings, and that is what makes a good book for me!

A huge thank you to Forever and GCP for the opportunity to read and review this book. I was so excited to receive it and am officially a huge fan of Abby Jimenez.

The synopsis: Brianna Ortiz is an ER doctor who just finalized her divorce from a cheating husband. To add to the drama, the new guy at work has been nicknamed "Dr. Death" after losing seven patients on day one. Turns out he's super rude when Bri tries to talk to him about it. She's over it, as she has enough to deal with, including a brother who is in desperate need of a new kidney. Then, she gets a very unexpectedly sweet letter from Jacob (Dr. Death), and does the only thing she can think of - she writes back. Soon, his notes become something she looks forward to. The two discover that Jacob is a perfect match for her brother's kidneys, and he agrees to donate. Bri is over the moon and agrees to go as Jacob's date to his brother's wedding. Fake dating, of course. Fake.

Review: there is a ton to love about this book. The characters are amazing. Bri is so real, and so dynamic, and it's impossible not to love her and sympathize with her. Jacob is sweet, and as someone with an anxiety disorder I love the anxiety representation we get with him. The letters between Jacob and Bri add a very fun little bonus to this story, as does Lieutenant Dan (you need to read the book to find out who that is). This book covers a lot of deep, emotional, big issues: anxiety, divorce, infidelity, infertility, medical issues, depression... and it handles each and every one of these issues with grace and realness. I loved this book and will read anything Abby Jimenez publishes.

Abby Jimenez writes the best characters, especially the swoon-worthy male leads. This was a fake-dating trope but done so well that it feels fresh. I love this book so much!

If I didn’t cry while reading it, is it even an Abby Jimenez book? When I tell you that this book was everything I wanted and more I mean it. I have been impatiently waiting for Bri’s book since I finished Part of Your World last year and the wait was so worth it. Bri was truly so relatable in every way possible and I loved being able to see how she handled every obstacle thrown in front of her. Pairing her with Jacob was the truly perfect pairing. I loved seeing how they just meshed so well once they got to know each other and each inherently knew what the other needed from them. I also loved the Alexis/Daniel Cameo because they are one of my favorite book couples. I sobbed at least 4 times while reading this and it was perfection.