Abby Jimenez honestly can't miss and this fairy-tale inspired city girl meets country boy tale is outstanding. Her characters are so lovable and lifelike and her knack for capturing small town settings is spot on here.

PUB date 4/19 Not going to bury the lede- I freaking adored this book. I wish I could say I savored it- but once I started I couldn't put it down.

What I love about Abby Jimenez's books is how she takes humor and wit and blends it with complex, emotional elements. Rom-coms with heft. PART OF YOUR WORLD is no exception. A compelling story with authentic characters facing real-like issues that are supported by captivating writing,

WHAT TO KNOW:
- Small town MN setting that was spot on. Including the integral role the local bar, in this case, the VFW, serves.
- Reverse age gap & socioeconomic class gap
- Fabulous side characters
- Baby goats wearing pajamas.
- A "right light" photo opp scene that left me in stitches.
- IMO: This was lighter on the steam than some of Jimenez's other books.
- CW: Emotional & physical abuse, gaslighting

One thing that kept throwing me off was the name/spelling of the small MN town- Wakan because there is a real town called Wahkon in northcentral MN. This is very much a "Kari problem" since I am familiar with the real town of Wahkon. On the upside, it certainly helped form the town in my mind, And I loved how the author went about determining an Indigenous name for the town. (Author notes).

Abby has a way with words I will tell you that! She gets your right in the feels every single time. Such a great read with wonderful, loveable -and not so much loveable - characters. And the animals! Oh those animals I loved every single one of them too! I love how she can tell a story with wit and banter yet still dig into those deeper feelings. I love how there's drama but not TOO much over the top eye rolling drama. Just a perfect read every dang time! I already can't wait for her next book!

Part of Your World is another slam dunk by Abby Jimenez! Abby, once again, manages to weave a rom com story into twisted, real-life drama that tugs at the heart strings of the reader. The realistic characters allows the reader to invest in each character. This story finds its way into your heart. I found myself sneaking away to read more because it was captivating.

4.5 ⭐

This is the first book by Abby Jimenez I've read and it will not be the last. Alexis and Daniel are a couple it's impossible not to route for. I really enjoyed the city vs small town opposites attract story, and although it's an age gap romance I didn't think it was prevalent enough for those wary to stay away. While the book is a dual perspective, I found Daniel to be fairly one note and Alexis' side of the story to be much more engaging. Her growth throughout was what made the story for me. I also loved the tiny bit of magical realism sprinkled in. I did find that some of issues were wrapped up but still felt unfinished to me: Daniel's mom and Brian and Liz to name a few. However, I hope we keep seeing some of these characters in future books since we already know Bri's story is on the way! Cheers to my favorite secondary character (sorry, entire town of Wakan) being the next protagonist, I will absolutely be picking it up!

CW: physical and emotional abuse.

Thank you to Forever Pub and NetGalley for sending this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! Part of Your World will be published on April 19, 2022.

Now THIS is the rom-com world I’ve been waiting for! Hallelujah!

After a series of cynical (and not very fun) reads, what a pleasure it was to spend time with the wholehearted characters Abby Jimenez brought to life in Part of Your World. Just as I was starting to wonder if I’d outgrown the romantic comedy genre, her fourth book (but first for me) helped me realize there’s still some rom and a whole lot of com out there to be enjoyed.

Part of Your World takes the opposites attract trope and gives it a good shake-up by (gasp!) making the woman almost 10 years older than the man. That’s right folks, she’s 37 and he’s 28. She’s an ER doctor at a prestigious hospital in Minneapolis, and he’s a carpenter/mayor/B&B manager at a small town called Schitt’s Creek, whoops, I mean Wakan (the Dakota word for “magic”). He wears denim, she wears Dolce & Gabbana. She comes from a family that puts the “greed” in well-pedigreed, and he comes from a self-centered teen mom. Opposites, to be sure.

One thing they have in common though is obligation, and it’s those obligations that become the obstacle to their happily ever after. As they wrestle with them (and each other, ifyaknowwhatimsayin), readers are treated to many humorous lines and scenes, a baby goat in pajamas, and a pig named Kevin Bacon.

Jimenez has sprinkled a little pixie dust over the story by integrating subtle nods to various fairy tales and Disney movies. Be on the lookout for Cinderella scenes and Little Mermaid moments. Also be prepared for the underlying serious theme of domestic abuse - both emotional and physical. A few of the beauties in this book have dealt with some beasts.

Part of Your World might have been slightly more successful for me if it had been a tad less spicy in the s-e-x department, but that’s a personal preference and at least none of the C-words I hate so much were used. There are a few f-bombs, but that’s a-OK in my book. Or should I say world? ;)

4.5 stars

My heartfelt thanks to the author and Estelle at Forever for the opportunity to review an advance copy via NetGalley. Part of Your World is scheduled for US publication in April 2022.

This book was an amazing read! LOVED it! I laughed, I cried and I fell in love with the characters! I would love to be part of their world!

Many, many thanks to Abby and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for making this ARC available to those of us who have been looking forward to Abby’s next story!

This one tells the tale of Alexis and Daniel, the former is an accomplished surgeon from a prestigious family in the medical community; the latter is small town good guy, also from a long line of well-respected, salt of the Earth, family.

The book alternates between the points of view of the main characters, which is a style I gravitate towards. I really thought Abby did an incredible job with the character development of the two main characters, leading me to go through the roller coaster of emotions with the characters.

The quippy banter and lighthearted moments balanced well with some of the heavier themes of the book - definitely gets you all up in your feels! Ultimately, this is a book that makes you just love, love.

If you want a book that makes you want to stay up late into the night turning the pages… this is it!.

Enjoy!

I loved Abby Jimenez's other books and loved this one too! It had very fairy tale vibes that was cute!

Thank you, NetGalley and Read Forever Pub for an e-arc of Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not exaggerating when I say refreshed both my email and the NetGalley website over and over almost obsessively hoping and praying I would get approved for this book. Needless to say, my expectations were high but Abby Jimenez did not disappoint!

I could not stop reading this book! Even when the content became a little too tough and I had to put it down, I found myself picking it back up only a few short minutes later. Abby Jimenez has an addictive, bingeable writing style and she couples that with endearing characters who end up having believable and deeply swoon-worthy relationships. I love Abby’s humor and the way she interlaces it so seamlessly and yet still so thoughtfully with very serious subject matters.

This book is filled with touches of magic- without it being fantasy (Unless you count Daniel, who is literally a dream. Daniel is the epitome of the men I want to read about- Abby, were you in my brain while you wrote this? How did you know?) All of the nods to Disney and The Princess Bride brought this wonderful romance to a whole new level. And I loved all of the Friend Zone Easter eggs!

I had this book preordered before the NetGalley ARC was even available, but I would have preordered it immediately after finishing. This is a book I will read again and again. Make sure you preorder this, though, so you can read it right away! ❤️

Thank you to @readforeverpub for the arc of Part of Your World. Abby Jimenez is one of my favorite authors and I pretty much started this one immediately after receiving it.

Alexis Montgomery is an ED physician who comes from a long line of physicians. Or more specifically, surgeons. Her family has quite the legacy at the hospital where she works - known for their medical excellence and philanthropic contributions. One night while driving back to the city, a chance encounter introduces her to Daniel. Daniel is the mayor in a small tourist town called Waken. During the season, he runs a B&B at the historical home that has belonged to his family for generations. These two hit it off and spend the night together. After sneaking out in the morning, Alexis thinks she’ll never hear from Daniel again. Obviously, that turns out not to be true.

The developing relationship between these two was so fun to read. Alexis feels a lot of responsibility and familial pressure surrounding her job. She is also untangling herself from a toxic relationship. She learns how to stand up for herself and really grapples with figuring out what she wants out of life, her career and her future partner. Daniel is so sweet with Alexis. He also has family drama and a legacy that he is trying to continue to uphold. I ran the full spectrum of emotions while reading this and it was so good.

wow wow wow! there’s a lot to unpack here so we’re just going to leap right into it.

alexis is going through a rough patch - her ex boyfriend, who happens to be the chief of surgery at the hospital her parents own, cheated on her, her parents are pressuring her to stay in a job that no longer brings her joy, and her car broke down in the middle of a town whose population is less than 200 people. luckily for her, her last problem is saved by good samaritan david, who just happens to be the mayor and fixer upper of this small town of wakan … and also really really hot. alexis starts spending more and more time with david until her heart and her head are pulling her in two separate directions.

first of all, I absolutely love small town romances!! and this one wasn’t even cheesy hallmark material!! epic win!!

alexis and david’s inevitable romance was something straight out of a meet cute story, and I’m fully claiming david as a book boyfriend just saying. however, alexis is torn between worlds - she knows if she brings david into her world, he wouldn’t survive the stress of her famous expensive life but she’s not completely ready to give it all up yet. it’s a back and forth that created delicious tension, but also had me very frustrated.

the emotional abuse that alexis was suffering from (on multiple fronts) is one that she was trained to accept her entire life - but she basically turned around and did the same thing to david, which was not my cup of tea. as someone who has been manipulated and gaslighted like that before, it takes a village to snap you out of it, and I almost got the sense that she didn’t necessarily want to be snapped out of it at first.

HOWEVER - I absolutely love that abby included an abuse hotline and information in the acknowledgements of the book!!!!

maybe I’m not an insta love kind of person, but when you know, you know - and david knew exactly how to run with that. I cannot wait for you to delve into this one when it releases!! such a fun and emotional read!

thank you to netgalley and hachette book group for the arc in exchange for an honest review. see you all next year!

rating: 4.25 stars
wine pairing: extra dry prosecco

Abby Jimenez does it again. Firstly I want to thank NetGalley and Estelle from Forever Publishing for giving me the chance at reading an advance reader copy of Part of Your World. I was gifted this opportunity in exchange for a honest review- let's be real, I'd sell a kidney to get a chance at reading ANY of Abby's books early.

If you haven't read any of Abby's books you are seriously missing out. They will make you laugh, they will stab you in the heart and make you cry, and then they will make you cry happy tears of joy. I found myself sobbing as silently as possible in bed at 1 AM while my husband was asleep next to me. Abby is able to completely suck you into the universe the characters live in. You are right there in the bar with them. You feel the excitement and disappointment along with the characters. You root for the love to win.

Part of Your World had me so engrossed I couldn't put it down. Abby is so good at what she does I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how things could possibly work out between Alexis and Daniel. An ER physician from a legendary family of doctors, and a middle of nowhere small town mayor? Both people tied to their respective family legacies. It seemed like it was never going to happen. But if you know Abby- you know it will all find a way. And it does, and it. is. good.

This book has it all. An age gap romance, people from worlds apart, a baby goat in pajamas (seriously), small hints and nods to characters of the past, and you get an introduction to the next main character for Abby's 5th book. I absolutely loved this book- and you will too! I can not wait for that 5th book to come out now!

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Alexis and Daniel come from two different worlds and meet when he helps tow her car out of a ditch. Alexis is a successful doctor and comes from a very wealthy upbringing, Daniel comes from a small town where he runs a bed and breakfast that has been in his family for generations.
Abby gracefully tackles sensitive topics like emotional and mental abuse, domestic violence, and family expectations. I loved Alexis and Daniel's story, the path to healing and self discovery, and seeing how Alexis gains more confidence and autonomy over her life. I loved seeing Daniel's love and pride for his town and the support the community put forward towards others. May be my favorite of hers yet!
This is also a fun one for long time Abby fans - she hides Easter eggs with references to characters from past books and nods to Nadia cakes!

This was one of the cutest romcom's I've read in a while! The characters were well thought out and believable, and the author handled heavy topics deftly - it fit within the story and was well handled. I finished this book and went right back to the beginning to reread it because I didn't want it put it down quite then. So Good!

This was my first time reading this author after hearing so many gush about her work. Romance is really not my thing - but a good Rom Com is always welcome in my house. This book was so much more than I thought it would be. The author tackled heavy subjects deftly, balancing the light and dark in the book so well. In thrillers and women's fiction, I so oppose a happy ever after ending where everything wraps up in a bow, but in a Rom Com, somehow I find them enjoyable. Maybe its because I expect them in this genre. What I loved in this particular book was that although there is a mostly HEA ending, the author authentically showed that a trade-off will always involve one aspect of the situation that can't be resolved. In this case, a relationship that had to be severed for the outcome.

The main characters Alexis and Daniel were both strong characters. Alexis comes from a privileged background, is successful as a doctor, yet is saddled with labels and family expectations from a family, Daniel comes from a salt of the earth background, surrounded by friends and neighbors who rely on his selfless and generous nature, yet is saddled with a negligent mom and family obligations tying him to the small town he lives in. When the two characters meet as Daniels answers Alexis' call for help with her car in the small town of Wakan, there is an immediate attraction.

Initially Alexis shares only very little about her life with Daniel, thinking this will just be a fling to help her move past her emotionally abusive ex, well-renowned surgeon Neil. Daniel, on the other hand, is an open book and while he shares his little town of Wakan with her, she realizes the beauty and simplicity of small town living. In addition to the neighbors always watching out for each other, they truly care for each other and the community they live in. Alexis' is quickly enamored by this life and by Daniels' definition of success not being driven by money and power. What starts off as a mere attraction becomes more than Alexis bargained for. I loved loved loved the tension and angst of the seemingly mismatched relationship that Abbey was able to convey with her words.

Just as Colleen Hoover did in It Ends With Us, Abby shows the reader how easily someone smart and well adjusted can fall victim to emotional abuse without even realizing the depths of the abuse. That manipulation and control can be used under the guise of love and care. I loved how Abby used a strong female character and showed how past experiences mold our ideas of "normal." My only frustration with this read was that I felt hesitant in believing that a certain character's bad behavior could turn around so quickly.

In the Q&A section in the back of this book, Abby talks about coming up with the name of the small town, Wakan. She expresses that it is a local Indigenous name to Minnesota and means "magic," The theme of the town actually using magic to keep certain people in it was such a fun thought and a meaningful touch.

I highly recommend this book and I know that Rom Com readers everywhere are going to embrace this book and absolutely love these characters.

A million thanks to NetGalley and Forever Pub for giving me the chance to read and review an advance copy. Pub date: April, 2022.

Abby Jimenez did it again! If you have read any of her other books, you can expect the same level of “can’t put it down” for this one, causing you to ignore all other responsibilities and stay up way past your bedtime. I absolutely loved the premise of this book, and the characters are some of my favorites. She also connects her other books and past characters in subtle (or not so subtle) ways, making the read that much more enjoyable for those who have enjoyed her other stories. She is an automatic read for me! What a great book.

Two opposites, a chance encounter, and very real questions as to how to build a life that you want when the expectations of others are all you've known.

Abby Jimenez has mastered romantic comedies with emotional weight, and this book is no different. Her characters are the people you want to be friends with in real life. The dialogue is snappy and fun, and Abby handles tough topics with sensitivity. I couldn't put this one down - I loved it! Abby Jimenez is definitely one of my must read authors. Thanks to Abby and the publisher for the chance to read this advance copy!

Opposites really do attract. Alexis on her way home from a funeral gets stuck in the mud in a little town "Wakan" and good Samaritan Daniel pulls her out and before she knows it, her knight and shining armor is on his way. As Alexis is driving through Wakan, nothing is open and she is starving. She stops at the local VFW, and who does she see, the hottie that pulled her out of the mud. Sparks are instant. They strike up a conversation and one thing leads to another and let's just say she leaves the next day with one shoe and his hoodies. She also finds out there is a significant age gap.

They come from 2 different worlds. She comes from a renowned medical family, and he a historical small town renowned family. Can Alexis get past this? Can she get over her former relationship and trust Daniel?

I have read all of Abby's books, but this is by far my favorite.

If I could give this 10 stars I would. Well done Abby!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this funny, magical new book by Abby Jimenez. From the minute that Alexis and Daniel meet when he tows her car from a ditch, sparks fly even though they come from two completely different worlds. Alexis is a successful doctor who has never had to use a mop - or a stove - thanks to her wealthy family. She comes from a long line of renowned surgeons and she has always been expected to follow in their footsteps. Daniel's the mayor of a small town where he also runs a bed and breakfast that has been in his family for generations. He is also a skilled carpenter, and Alexis is instantly awed by his many talents....

But will their romance be a fling, or will it grow to be more? As Alexis spends more time with in Daniel's small town of Wakan, she finds herself falling not just for him but for the warmth and closeness of his community. She begins to heal from the scars that her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend left her with as she realizes that it's time for her to pursue what truly makes her happy.

Five stars for another winner by Abby Jimenez! Be on the lookout for some hidden Disney references and a cast of characters that you will instantly fall in love with.