***.5

While this was an adorable read overall, the miscommunication and lack of general awareness of the signs that the two were so hopelessly in love with one another grew more and more tedious the longer I read.
However, I loved how hard Jacob fell for Briana. There were multiple moments throughout the book when I found myself gushing over their banter and relationship.

Please note that at the start of the book, Abby included a trigger warning about certain topics discussed which could cause readers distress and I applaud her for this. I strongly believe all books that deal with sensitive topics should come with a warning so readers are not blindsided mid-novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Find Yours Truly on shelves April 11, 2023.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙:
✨Fake dating
✨Dual POV
✨Medical setting
✨Only one bed
✨Great anxiety/mental health discussions

𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
There are some really stinking cute moments in this book. The MMC, Jacob, is a total cinnamon roll and I loved his softer side. There’s fake dating, just one bed, dual POV, all in a medical setting—hello, I love all of these things! We also get to see a little bit of Alexis and Daniel from Part of Your World.

I also think this book does a great job of looking at anxiety and mental health, and how this can impact a relationship. In some parts, there was such great communication surrounding mental health, family dynamics, and the work it takes to have a healthy dating relationship. But, with fake dating often comes miscommunication, and I thought the miscommunication was a little excessive in the second half of the book. It also brought in one of my *least* favorite tropes (won’t say, because, spoilers), but that really took away a lot from the ending for me.

This is a sweet book, and was an easy read that I finished in a day despite not loving all aspects of it. Part of Your World is still my favorite of all of Abby Jimenez’s books!

Abby Jimenez is my favorite romance author. Every book is better and funnier than the previous. I have had her books as my staff pick again and again. Can't wait to recommit this to all my patrons.

I was a little disappointed in this book. I have read other Abby Jimenez books and have loved them. I just didn't connect with the main characters as I'd hoped. I just didn't feel their chemistry. Most of the characters themselves were written well. Funny and genuine. I just had an issue with how both main characters were so insecure over the other's feelings. If there was that much chemistry, wouldn't they have an inkling? For a while it just felt like every page was "I wish he liked me for real" or "why doesn't she love me?"
I loved the premise of the story. It gave a twist on the traditional fake dating type trope. There were many times I found myself laughing out loud. I even found myself liking the ex-girlfriend and I didn't want to. But, the author did a good job of making that situation seem meant to be.
Lastly, another part I struggled with was the main characters pregnancy. It did tie in nicely with her earlier pregnancy and her fears...but it just came out of nowhere and randomly puking in that situation would have signaled stress to me...not pregnancy.
Overall, it was a light, warm-hearted read. I enjoy this author so I'll continue to read her, it was just not my top favorite of hers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I love Abby Jimenez. Her books always leave me feeling like I’m napping under a warm, weighted blanket and drinking some tea. She has created such a cozy world for these characters to live in, and I simply ADORE how all of her books are interconnected in small, meaningful ways. Yours Truly is no exception to the comfort and sweetness of Abby’s backlist.
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Briana, our FMC, is a 35 year old, soon-to-be divorcee, badass physician working in the ER. Her stress load is never ending and with the finality of her divorce looming, the last thing she needs is a man getting in her way. Jacob, the MMC, is a sweet, cinnamon roll of a man, with severe anxiety, who also happens to work in the same ER as Bri. Their first meeting is less than stellar, and to apologize, Jacob ends up writing Bri a letter, since it’s easier for him to say what he means that way than talking face to face. The two quickly form a friendship, and Jacob makes a life-changing sacrifice to help Briana.
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I liked this book, but it wasn’t a favorite. It felt a little trope-reliant for me (fake dating, rivals to lovers, pen pals, coworkers, oh my!) and though the dialogue was interesting, fun, and swoon worthy, the rest of the writing felt more elementary than I’m used to seeing from Abby. There was a lot of telling as opposed to showing, a lot of broken sentences, and little to no scene building. I also shockingly struggled to care about the side characters, which is so surprising and abnormal for her books. It was a solid four stars but compared to her other work, I realistically would give it a 3. I’m hoping that this is a one-off and not a new style for Abby, as I normally fiercely love her work!

Received this book as an ARC.

5 ⭐️

Briana and Jacob give me a severe case of heart eyes. I loved this book so much! I loved how they didn’t just gloss over Briana’s trauma or Jacob’s social anxiety. There were so many moments where I literally laughed out loud. I felt so connected to these characters and I found myself really rooting for them.

This was a phenomenal book on several levels. Not only for the achingly accurate portrayal of mental illnesses, but for the absolutely skillful and heartbreaking way the characters operated.

The not-quite standalone sequel to Part of My World, Yours Truly follows ER doctors Briana and Jacob through a few months at the hospital. It's one part cute workplace romance with some fake-dating thrown in for good measure, and two parts emotional drama: Briana's brother needs a kidney transplant and Jacob has panic attacks when things go ever so slightly wrong. Briana is recovering from a very traumatic end of her last marriage (where infidelity doesn't even begin to cover her ex-husband's sins), and Jacob has just learned that his ex-girlfriend is now happily dating his brother. 

Yours Truly just barely meshes the two parts together, but manages it. As with any fake dating scenario, there's the person on the outside who knows, only one bed, and both of them thinking their love is unrequited. The problem with fake dating is that you have to go on what feels like real dates while getting to know each other well. Briana and Jacob are really good for each other, and Jacob's exceptionally unselfish offer - even just getting tested to see if he's a match - shows what a good person he is. 3.5 stars.

I think Abby puts secret mind drugs in her books because I *compulsively* could not put this book down. This book put the biggest grin on my face from the start, like quite actually I was sitting there just smiling at my Kindle like a weirdo. This was fake dating trope done so, so well. And yea, I hate miscommunication trope which this book does have quite a bit in the second half but I felt given Bri and Jacob’s own struggles and the circumstances of their dynamic, a lot of it actually made sense so I didn’t mind too much!

Great male mental health representation. As someone with pretty severe anxiety issues, there were times where I felt a little bit beaten over the head by the descriptions anxious of feelings/behaviors/coping skills — but I think that’s just because it’s lived experience. I can’t say it’s an inaccurate portrayal, and I’m thankful that this should provide insight to others without those experiences.

As usual Abby wows us all. It was so refreshing to read about a character suffering from anxiety. I got approved for this copy by being a member of abby’s online community

This was my first Abby Jimenez book and I am so sad I haven't read her before. I keep comparing books to food, but this was a warm bowl of my mammy's chicken & rice soup on a rainy day.

Jacob has my entire heart and I mean that truthfully. I have never read a MMC that is so sweet, so gentle, so kind. I just wanted to protect him, hug him, and give him a bowl of the aforementioned soup!

My only major gripe with this were my two LEAST favorite romance books tropes (I won't say what they are, because spoilers) making an appearance towards the end of this book. I was hoping to avoid it (and it would have been a perfect 5 star for me, had it not) but oh well, my love for the characters in this book made up for it tenfold!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Brianna and Jacob. They both are doctors. Brianna doesn’t have a good opinion of Jacob until he starts sending her a letter. He even offers her brother a kidney which he needs. There is an attraction. Once they get their issues settled they fall in love.

I am in love with this book!! I couldn’t put it down, read in a few hours!! It is told in dual POV You will obsess over both characters and their story. Jacob and Briana go through a lot!!This book is funny, loving, deep, wild, and perfect. It’s a enemies to lovers and friends to lover!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC!

Yours Truly is the first book I've read by Abby Jimenez, but it most definitely will not be my last. This book is now in my top 5 best romance novels I've ever read.

Briana Ortiz, an ER doctor, is going through a tough time in her life. Her divorce is almost finalized, her brother is in need of a kidney donor, and the promotion she's been working for might end up being given to the new doctor who has already irritated her in more ways than one. But all of this changes when that doctor, Jacob Maddox, writes Briana a letter.

She finds out he's actually funny and sweet and decides to write back. This starts the beginning of letter exchanges, getting to know each other, and lunch dates in supply closets. Jacob then decides to give Briana the best gift of all - a kidney for her brother. At this point, she would do anything for him, but will she regret agreeing to the favor he asks her for?

The tropes present in this book are bad first impressions, fake dating, enemies to friends to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, dual pov, and I don't know if this counts, but it also has LETTER WRITING.

This book had me laughing out loud at 2am. Both Briana and Jacob are so funny without even trying. They are also both very relatable in their own way. Briana is brave and understanding, while Jacob is quietly heroic and kind. I understood how both characters were feeling and the trauma they both endured. I wanted to give them both ginormous hugs throughout the entire book.

Abby Jimenez definitely knows how to do dual pov!! The pacing was just right! When I wanted to know what Briana or Jacob was thinking, it switched off at just the right moment! The transitions were seamless, and I actually felt like both characters were the main characters. Usually it feels like the female mc is the one who leads more, but they were equals through and through.

Also, Jacob Maddox is a TOP TIER BOOK BOYFRIEND. As of right now, he is the bar and I don't think that's going to change any time soon. He is one of the most selfless, sweetest, and kindest characters I've ever read about. I don't like men as much as Briana doesn't like men, but he is truly the exception to every rule.

Yours Truly comes out April 11, 2023! Do not miss out on this gem of a book! One of my favorite reads ever! Happy Reading!

I am obsessed with this book!! I devoured this book in one day because I couldn’t put it down. It is told in dual POV by Briana and Jacob. I fell in love with both characters and their story and couldn’t stop reading. Jacob is my new favorite book boyfriend for sure.

I love the representation of anxiety in this book and how it is shown through a male’s perspective. Jacob and Briana go through a lot and it had me going through all the emotions, but I love it so much.

I loved Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez and this one is just as amazing! It is funny, loving, deep, wild, and perfect. It’s a enemies to lovers and friends to lover combo I needed in my life.

Abby Jimenez truly lives up to the hype that romance fans have given her! In her latest book, Yours Truly, you meet two ER doctors that have each struggled with betrayals from previous relationships. Jacob is the sweetest little cupcake that struggles with social anxiety. Briana is a soon to be divorcee that has has sworn off relationships while helping her brother that is in dire need of a kidney transplant. In this hilarious and heart melting story, you will fall in love with the fake dating, one bed, friends to lovers storyline. Jacob comes from a family that you will fall in love with as much, if not more, than the starring couple! 5/5 stars for Jacob and Briana, 5/5 for humor, Spice level 1/5.

I absolutely loved this book. Jacob is a new doctor in Briana's ER and she immediately dislikes him. He seems standoffish, rude, and their first encounter does not go over well. Little does she know, Jacob suffers from severe social anxiety. He feels awful that they got off on the wrong foot, so he decides to write her a letter to apologize. She writes him back and they start to form a friendship through this back and forth exchange. As they learn more about each other, their feelings grow. I typically have a hard time with miscommunication in romance, but Jimenez wrote two extremely likable characters and a really fun plot, so I was rooting for them to figure it out. I loved Briana's wit and humor, and as someone who has anxiety, I loved Jacob's character. It was so refreshing to read about mental health in this genre. People with anxiety are lovable too! I give this a big 5 stars. I can't wait to read Part of Your World. Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book got me right in the feels... And I am here for it!
I've heard so much about Abby Jimenez and her books over the last few years and Yours Truly is the first I've read. What a wonderful introduction to an author who's books I now want to devour!
Yours Truly is a beautifully written story about love, fear, self-preservation, anxiety, devotion, and so much more. The characters and their struggles are dealt with in such a respectful way, demonstrating the care Jimenez took in writing this story.
I loved the at times fun, and at times heartbreaking, journey that Briana and Jacob go on together. The slow and steady development of their relationship feels authentic and their mutual pining is sweet and frustrating and makes you not want to put this book down!
As a woman of color, as a woman who identifies as LatinX, it is always so special to encounter a main character in a story that I can relate to on an ethic and cultural level. What a wonderful addition to this story!
If you're looking for a wonderfully written romance with developed characters and a fun plot, I highly recommend Yours Truly!

Wow I loved this book. I could not put it down. Jacob and Briana have both been through a lot, and have a lot of their own inner demons to work through to make their relationship work, and yet they are willing to push through it all to be in love. Technically this is a second book, also in the “Part of Your World” world, but can definitely be read as a stand alone.
The way Jacob’s anxiety was portrayed gave me a new empathy for those who are constantly dealing with social anxiety. I had never seen anxiety written quite like this and it was very powerful without being soapy or indulgent.
There were so many great tropes in this book, like friends to lovers, fake dating, only one bed, and other (which is kinda a spoiler) that I haven’t seen done so well. It’s definitely a slow burn, with minimal steam, but the will they/won’t they tension kept me enthralled the whole time.
Abby is an auto read for me, I love that her books are set in Minnesota, and her authors note in this book shared a new side of her that made this story feel so personal to her. I loved it, and highly recommend!
I am very thankful to Forever Publishing for an early copy of this story!

I will read anything Abby Jimenez writes! This book is an absolute gem just like all of her other novels. I loved how complex Briana was of a character and even with her flaws she was immensely lovable. Jacob completely had my heart from the very beginning. As someone with anxiety, I find it interesting to read about other characters with anxiety. Abby Jimenez wrote about Jacob's anxiety so well and I related to his experiences so much. There are strategies and tiny details the author added for Jacob to cope with his anxiety that I will be trying because of how much they made sense for anxious people. I liked still seeing Alexis and Daniel in this story, even though you don't have to read Part of Your World to enjoy this story. The dual perspective was really well done and I loved seeing both Jacob and Briana's side of the story. The supporting cast was fantastic and really added to the story rather than take away from the story. I didn't want to put this book down and it will certainly is a book I highly recommend and already want to reread. 5 stars, 2/5 spice