Review: Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Thank you Forever Publishing for my early copy! All thoughts are my own.
I think this is my first “big feelings” book of 2023 and omg did I love it. I have never read an Abby Jimenez book with my eyes, so I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it as much without the audio, but my goodness was I wrong. From the first chapter, I was totally and completely engrossed with Bri and Jacob’s world. I loved the family dynamics, getting to check in with Alexis and Daniel, from Part of Your World, and the perfect cocktail of tropes. We had workplace romance, fake dating, mutual pining, notes/letter writing, and even more.
I will say, this is not a Rom Com. There is a lot of Rom and a lot of Com, but ultimately, this book wrecked me emotionally. I still loved it, but it was definitely heavier in my opinion than Part of Your World.
Synopsis:
“ER doctor Briana Ortiz has had it up to here with men. She just finalized a divorce from her cheating husband, and the new guy at work has been nicknamed Dr. Death for losing seven patients on his first day. Yet when she tries to console him about it, his abrupt rudeness totally takes her aback. With a brother who desperately needs a kidney transplant, Bri has enough to worry about without work drama on top of it. Then she gets the sweetest letter from Dr. Death—er, Dr. Jacob Maddox—himself, and suddenly everything becomes clearer.
Bri does the only thing she can think of. She writes him back. And he writes her. And soon Jacob’s little notes are the highlight of her day. Both are shocked when it turns out Jacob is a donor match for Bri’s brother’s transplant. Willing to do anything to express her gratitude at his sacrifice, Bri agrees to go as Jacob’s date to his brother’s wedding. They’re not dating for real, of course. But Jacob’s boisterous family doesn’t know that. And when they get the wrong impression, there’s nothing to do but go along with the charade...” —StoryGraph
What I Liked:
The Banter—The banter in the first 60% of this book was so good. It was exactly what I look for in Romance that keeps me turning page after page and staying up past my bedtime.
The Social Anxiety Rep—As someone with severe social anxiety, but works in an industry where I have to have it under control like Jacob, I felt so seen by this story. Anxiety can be very personal and how we all deal with our mental health is different, but this mirrored something so personal for me and I really appreciated it.
The Pacing for the first 75%—The pacing was on point and I couldn’t put it down!
Exploration of Love After Trauma—Oof. OOF. Bri’s story was so difficult to digest at points but also so important. It’s not something I have intimate experience with but my heart absolutely broke for her.
The Tropes—Such a great combo of tropes. So many of my favs!
What Didn’t Work:
The 3rd Act Break Up—Speaking of OOF. This 3rd act break up was so drawn out and got a bit redundant as a reader, but as a human, I know it could be incredible realistic.
Is it Miscommunication or Is it Mutual Pining?—But speaking of that 3rd act break up…I am undecided where this falls. I’ll need more trusted sources to read it and discuss it was with me to firm up my opinion.
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 1.5/5 Overall Rating: 5/5
Content Warnings:
Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Chronic Illness, Abandonment, Terminal Illness, Organ Donation, Emotional Abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic Relationship