Fall in Love with Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

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In this review, we’ll take a look at one of my favourite authors, Abby Jimenez and her latest book – Yours Truly.

This novel is the second installment in the ‘Part of Your World’ series and details the romance between Brianna Ortiz, Alexis’ best friend from book 1, and Jacob Maddox, a fellow ER doctor who might just be the sweetest human being you’ll ever meet.

I absolutely adored Part of Your World book 1, and I didn’t think Jimenez could top it, but she knocks it out of the park again with Yours Truly.

With humor, heart, and unflinching honesty, she weaves an inspiring and moving tale about loving someone just as they are, flaws and all.

Synopsis

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale.

But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions.

Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses.

But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Characters

Genuine and relatable characters are a staple in Abby Jimenez’s books. With Brianna and Jacob, we are introduced to two imperfect individuals who treat each other with such tenderness that it’s no surprise that their friendship blossoms into something more.

Both of them have insecurities that drive the story forward well, but my favorite aspect of their relationship is the small, intimate gestures they sharedwith each other.

Jacob

Why did he have to be sweet and thoughtful? I blame romance novels for my unrealistic expectations of men. He rescues injured dogs, sutures broken dolls to soothe children, and donates kidneys anonymously.

His heart of gold is what made me feel for him when I read about his struggles with social anxiety. 

“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.“

Jimenez penned such a realistic portrayal of what it feels like to struggle with social anxiety. Even if you don’t personally know anyone with this issue, you will still find yourself relating to Jacob in some way.

I saw myself in his shoes so many times with the constant rumination of thoughts and watching the same TV shows over and over again for comfort. Reading about his struggles made me feel validated and seen, and encouraged me to always remember the invisible battles people face daily. 

Brianna

She’s smart, witty, and one of the most likable female MCs I’ve encountered. I adored her relationship with her brother, who suffered from chronic kidney disease. Anyone who has ever cared for a sick loved one and felt helpless during this time can find pieces of themselves in Brianna Ortiz.

“Because when you have people who love you, they hurt along with you.”

Her insecurities and struggles were easily relatable, and even though there were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into her, I was already in love with her character that I didn’t even mind the angsty slow burn.

I especially loved how she created a safe space for Jacob’s anxiety.

Side Characters

From quirky family members to feisty hospital co-workers, the side characters in Yours Truly added great humor and dimension to the main story.

One of my favorite characters was JACOB’S GRUMPY GRANDFATHER, who demands cigarettes from everyone he meets, knowing damn well he can’t have them (he moves around in a wheelchair attached to an oxygen cylinder). 

LIEUTENANT DAN is an excellent addition for fellow dog lovers, and I like that Jimenez extends her characters’ quirkiness to her animals. It was also really nice to get glimpses of Alexis and Daniel and see how their story has progressed since the previous book.

Plot

The author masterfully balances lighthearted romance with heavier issues such as organ donation, social anxiety, and chronic illness.

Her personal connections to these issues, which she highlights in the author’s note, really bring the book to life and make it even more relevant and poignant.

Despite being a slow burn, their progression from friends to lovers feels organic and genuine. Usually, I’m not too fond of miscommunication in stories, but it was well done in this case.

Instead of the characters refusing to talk to each other, the story progressed through a series of unfortunate coincidences, making it much more enjoyable. 

Writing

I am always a sucker for dual POVs because I love getting into the heads of both main characters. It’s so much easier to sympathize with their internal struggles, and it helps to alleviate any frustrating miscommunication. 

The author uses letters as a catalyst to grow the initial friendship, and they are a great addition to the story. It felt like an older, classical take in a modern world. Reading it felt very nostalgic to me and reminded me of simpler times. 

The author’s note is a must-read at the end. I was surprised to learn how much of this story was based on her own life, and it was genuinely heart-wrenching to read about it.

But she also uses this platform to shed light on important issues like organ donation, which is commendable.

Narration

Zachary Webber is one of my favorite audible narrators. After hearing his voice for Daniel in Part Of Your World, I was excited to dive into another book from him. The way he conveyed Jacob’s emotions and gentleness was perfect and really made me adore the character even more.

Kyla Garcia’s voice for Brianna was also spot-on and exactly how I imagined her to sound.

Best Quotes

Conclusion

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez contains all the humor and heart you could ever want in a romance book. It’s a heartwarming story of a quiet, tender love blossoming into something wonderful and emotionally fulfilling.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves an inspiring and cozy read that will leave you feeling comforted and content. This is one of my favourite reads of 2023.

Curious how to read Abby Jimenez’s books in order?
Check out this complete guide on everything you need to know about her and her books to find your next favourite romance read.

Enjoyed this review? Then be sure to add ‘Yours Truly’ to your TBR. And if you have already read this book and have some thoughts to share, drop them in the comments below. I would love to hear them!