Lauren Ho has done it again and if possible I think I love this book even more than her debut (which was pretty damn good).
Lucie Yi wants to be a mother and let's just say that her biological clock isn't slowing down in any capacity BUT Lucie doesn't have a partner. Isn't that a requirement that society makes you think you should have....not to mention her quasi traditional Singaporean parents. When her friends inform her of an app (think Bumble meets Babies) that will let her find a co-parent without the romantic connection and all the mess that comes with romance Lucie decides to go for it. Eventually (there are duds on all the apps it appears) Lucie is matched with Collin; an outdoorsy, kind, deathly allergic to nuts man that is just as eager to be a parent as her.
Without giving too much away, cause what is the fun in that, Lucie and Collin begin to grow closer and closer and is that ROMANCE that seems to be creeping their way?! This book was a spectacular read in what family really means, what love means and how everything that involves family/love (both romantic & platonic) aren't black and white and sometimes you have to decide what makes your family.
Do yourself a favor and preorder this novel from your local indie bookstore....you won't be disappointed.

(Trigger warnings) Wow! Abby Jimenez does it again! Everything she writes turns to gold. This book, although includes a romance, is very much a book about the main character finding themselves while navigating multiple abusive relationships. I devoured this book so quickly. Everything written was intentional and I definitely laughed lots (hello squirrel!). Daniel’s dog was definitely the secret star of the show lol! I can’t wait to follow Bri in the sequel! (Bri’s no filter personality was so funny and might be my favourite lol)

I recommend this for anyone looking for not only a romance but a book with even more. Just be prepared to not put this down once you start.

Thank you Abby Jimenez, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for my ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Part of Your World is a just as good as I hoped it would be! I love that Abby Jimenez books take on big topics in the format of a real RomCom. It was serious, romantic and funny. I couldn't put it down and finished this in one day...make sure you start it on a day that you don't have to do anything else! Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Abby Jimenez has a skill for building a world that is incredibly easy to believe in, with characters that have you immediately rooting for them. She also has a special talent for discussing difficult topics with kindness, care and makes them believable.

Alexis is an ER doctor in her late 30s, stuck in a rut and feeling the family pressure of keeping up the family legacy of distinguished doctors. She has also just gotten out of an emotionally abusive relationship with a fellow doctor and is managing the separation as best she can, despite her ex hounding her to get back together. Daniel is a small-town innkeeper and carpenter in his later 20s who is happy with his small town community that bands together for each other when needed. A roadside accident throws Alexis and Daniel together and they can't fight their chemistry.

I loved the character arcs for both Alexis and Daniel, but particularly loved how Alexis realized that she had the power to change the circumstances that were keeping her and Daniel apart. And she didn't have to sacrifice everything about herself to find her happily ever after.

I did find the character of Alexis' father slightly overwrought in his cold and cruel manner and it didn't fit with the transformation we get in the final chapters.

All in all, Part of Your World delivers on that classic Abby Jimenez charm: it'll make you swoon, giggle and maybe shed a few tears.

Receiving an ARC of Part of Your World was one of my top highlights since I’ve been on Netgalley. I’ve been a huge fan of Abby Jimenez since she made me cry on a plane while reading The Happy Ever After Playlist and I’ve never looked back! Part of Your World absolutely delivers on all fronts. Jimenez has set the highest benchmark in witty dialogue and her character development is top notch. Alexis is 37, a wildly successful ER doctor and in an absolutely miserable abusive relationship with a fellow doctor. When she meets Daniel, a Bed and Breakfast extraordinaire and amazing wood-worker, she finds solace, peace and real love in him and his lifestyle. But, Alexis and Daniel’s towns, lives and livelihood couldn’t be more different. Alexis doesn’t see a way to merge them together and Daniel is totally in the dark about Alexis’ professional and family situations. Jimenez doesn’t shy away from complicated situations and the threading storyline of abusive relationships is there and it’s painful to navigate. Part of Your World takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and learning what it means to make an impact and be part of a true community. I loved watching Alexis discover what lies underneath the shell of herself and her life. Without a doubt, 5 full stars for Part of Your World and fans of Abby Jimenez will be overjoyed with another smashing success.

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sooooo! I have INHALED all of Jimenez' books and this. book. did. not. disappoint!

You think you are getting a typical rom com, steamy affair but you end up getting a gorgeous plot filled with tension and obstacles galore for the main character and what she wants in her heart vs what is expected of her. I love that Jimenez had an OLDER woman lead, who is successful career wise, kind of fall head over heals for a decade younger guy who's lifestyle and overall life is basically from another planet. Doctor Ali is from a lonnnng successful line of doctors and just recently got out of a relationship with another doctor, who her parents are absolutely in love with and cannot seem to understand why Ali isn't giving him a second chance (he cheated and also was verbally abusive). Due to random circumstances, Ali's car ends up stuck on the side of a road and while she is waiting for a tow (meet-cute!), an attractive stranger pulls her car out with his truck. She thinks that is the end of it but then later, she ends up at the same bar as him and well.... goes home with him. Once again, that should be the end of it, right? But there is something about Daniel, this down to earth all around cute/sexy/good hearted guy that Ali can't seem to pull away from.

Despite living a few hours apart, with her demanding job at the hospital and messy affair with her ex (he is now squatting in their house, trying to get ownership!), and with Daniel's own set of problems and trying to take care of his community, the two find time to not get to know one another but also develop something deeper. I absolutely loved the arc of Ali's character - she had soooo much to unpack, so much soul-searching with her own family and how she had choices in her life. I'll admit, I really wasn't sure how this book would end? You want them together but you can totally see how everything is stacked against this couple. Jimenez truly out did herself with this book - the ending was beyond perfect.

I also loved the repeated notion of 'Grace doesn't cost anything.' We could all take that advice.

This was more sexual than I had anticipated which ended up causing me to not finish it. But if that’s your style I’m sure you will enjoy it

I saw this book on goodreads and wanted to read it immediately. Fortunately, I got to read the sample (the first few chapters) of this book a month or two ago and knew that I needed to read the full book immediately...and I was so right.

This book was such a refreshing take on the opposites attract trope. Alexis is the older party in the relationship- something we rarely get to see in romance novels- while Daniel is younger by 10 years. Alexis comes from a white collar/high pedigree home while Daniel lives in a blue collar town and is the son of a teen mom. While they come from different backgrounds, their chemistry is palpable from the first moment they truly met/talked in the small town bar.

Alexis has a lot of pressure to "follow the course" laid out by her parents: marry the "right man," work in the "right profession," live the "right life." But the more she connects with Daniel, the more she is pulled in different directions...she has to decide to take ownership of her own path and prioritize love over money. There is plenty of angst to be had in this story, but do not worry, a HPE is reached.

So basically, I love the plot, I love the main characters and side characters (shoutout to Bri for being a great friend), and I love the spice. I also love the vibes I get from this story...there's elements of Schitt's Creek (if you loved It Happened One Summer/Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey, I think you'll really love this book) and Disney tales throughout....it's a really fresh take on dated tropes.

I 💜 this book! Abby Jimenez is beloved for writing relatable characters with snappy dialogue and heart and humor and lots and lots of feelings—and this book absolutely, one hundred percent delivered.

A few things I loved -
⭐️ Age gap romance and the woman is older!
⭐️ Yearning and pining and sexual tension and lovely, lovely character arcs
⭐️ Thoughtful exploration of abuse in intimate partnerships
⭐️ A touch of magic that felt whimsical and fun
⭐️ Serious challenges that had to be dealt with by two imperfect people who are genuinely doing their best.

Honestly, this story felt weightier than a typical “romance novel”— this is a heartfelt and touching love story that required significant growth from both parties. I was captivated throughout the entire journey from start to finish. Definitely get this one pre-ordered for its release April 19.

(Thank you @netgalley and @readforeverpub for this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.)

Tropes:
- very heavy topics, lots of CW/TW <spoiler>Parental abuse; Emotional abuse & gaslighting, on-page; Intimate partner violence & abuse, on-page; Cheating recounted; Depression & depressive episodes; Alcohol consumption; Smoking mentioned; Childbirth, on-page; Death of a grandfather from a heart attack recounted; Death of a grandmother; Death of a great-aunt; Death of a child mentioned; Drowning mentioned</spoiler>
- reverse age gap
- complete opposites attract
- complicated family legacies
- friends with benefits
- the animals!
- a little bit of magic/everything happens for a reason

What I loved:
- the age gap and conflict with it are so good and unique!
- Alexis's growth! Daniel's like everything! And then them together!!!
- the magic/disney elements are so good!!!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Jimenez's book The Friendzone, so I wasn't surprised to breeze through Part Of Your World. It was thoroughly enjoyable, I absolutely loved the town of Wakan and the characters. It's everything people dream of when they think of community and the role friends and legacies play in your life!

Daniel and Ali were just plain fun to read about. While there were serious and potentially triggering situations within the plot, Jimenez deployed her usual grace with acknowledging that and having sensitivity. I loved this book. It made me laugh and cry. While you have to suspend your belief a bit when it comes to certain elements of the author comparing Daniel and Ali's perception of life (there were a few times I felt her distinguishing working class versus upper class a bit much), overall it was a charming book.

Once again Abby Jimenez hits it out of the park! One of the things I love about Abby's books is the way she seamlessly works in real-world problems into her characters and plots. It's so believable that until I got to the end of the book and read the acknowledgments and the discussion questions I didn't realize how integrated domestic abuse was in the story. It was an eye-opening experience to read about.
This is a classic opposites-attract love story, but are they really opposites? If we are born into a financial class and expected to do great things, does that define who we are? That's what Alexis and Daniel explore in Part of Your World. It's funny, heartwarming, heartwrenching. It makes you look at the people you surround yourself with and think, "Is this who I want to be?"
Highly recommend!

Every year I think to myself that there is no way Abby Jimenez can write another 5 star read and then every year her books automatically move to the top of my favorites list! Part of Your World is no different. I immediately fell in love with Daniel and Alexis. I felt they had an immediate connection and loved their banter. Abby seamlessly weaves a serious topic into an otherwise lighthearted rom com. I also love how you fall in love with Abby’s side characters which sets you up for her next books…let’s just say I CANT WAIT FOR BRI’S BOOK!

Love love love. Abby Jimenez hits the jackpot again. TW for emotional abuse. I love how the background of a character in Abby's books can really identify with readers. It makes you really feel what they are feeling. This story of Daniel and Alexis and how opposites attract makes you see past the initial impression of a person and open your eyes to see who you could be missing out on. Can't wait for her next book!

Alexis Montgomery's family has cultivated a long line of surgeons over the last 125 years-- and her parents are disappointed that she's merely a skilled doctor in emergency medicine. When she's with Daniel, the crafty and sincere small town guy with a heart of goats (BABY goats), the weight of the world (and her family legacy) is lifted from her shoulders. Do not be fooled, this is so much more than your average "country/city" personality romance; Part of Your World talks class, community, and surviving various forms of abuse. My heart ached for these characters at times, I was so absorbed in the relationships that Alexis and Daniel have both with each other and with those around them. Beautiful, moving, and most of all romantic.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book

Just when I thought Abby couldn’t get any better, she gives us this gem! I could reread it over and over!

A tale of two worlds colliding, and fitting together in the best way. This gave me Sweet Home Alabama vibes...but slightly more country chic.

A female ER doctor from the city, and a charming Mayor from a small town...both learning how to overcome life's challenges each in different ways. When together they are inseparable, the chemistry is sizzling.

I loved the addition of the dog at the Air BnB, and the acorn throwing squirrels. I laughed, and I really felt for the characters in this story.

Do you ever lie to yourself at 11 pm and say, "I'll just read one chapter"? You can see where this is going, right? Part of Your World captured my heart from the very first chapter and I couldn't put it down until the very last page

I loved Daniel and Alexis so much! The story and the writing are fantastic, the side characters are amazing, and I smiled so much while reading—even though it deals with some heavy subjects, they are handled with care and balanced with delightful banter.

There's an age gap (she's older 🙌🏻), a small town that's nothing short of magical, weighty familial obligations and expectations, adorable and entertaining side characters/animals, and a hero who will MELT your heart.

I know Part of Your World doesn't come out until the spring (April 19), but you *need* to put this on your TBR, pre-order it, or request it from your library, and prepare to block off an entire day for reading it. You won't regret it!

If I see that Abby Jimenez has a new book, I immediately know that I am going to want to read it and I fully expect to love it, regardless of what the plot might be. This one has some magical elements, lovers from different worlds, age gap (but not a creepy one, just enough to feel like an obstacle), a few passing mentions of characters from other books so we know this is in the same universe, and the wit and heart that all of Abby's books have. This book does have a significant domestic violence and mental abuse storyline.

I always appreciate how the female characters are allowed to like some women and not others based on personality, not because the MC has to be 'not like other women' and 'one of the boys' (aka hates every other female character). Daniel is a wonderful book boyfriend, Alexis had real growth, and their romance was one that I was rooting for from the start. I am so happy that Bri gets her own book next, which means we should get some updates on Ali and Daniel!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Really enjoyed this!!! I liked that the plot was different and felt more realistic. The characters were all great, and I felt connected to them! My favourite Abby Jimenez character is still Jason from Happy Ever Playlist though!!