Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Narrated by: Julia Whelan; Zachary Webber
Publication Date: April 19, 2022 - Out Today!!
Thank you to @hachetteaudio @readforeverpub @netgalley for the ALC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts…
Jazz hands 👐🏼 all around. I 💙 everything about this book. Baby goat and all! Alexis was annoying at times but, her personal growth and self awareness were realistic and interesting. I appreciated the parallel between Alexis and Daniel’s familial past and contemporary lives. This is one of my favourite small town romcom so far, because of the secondary characters and the whole “part of your world” theme. I don’t want to give anything away, but either choice would have worked for me. Because, Daniel was just so ridiculously kind and adorable. I would recommend this just for the “selfie.” I’ve never laugh so hard while listening. And, you can’t go wrong when it’s narrated by Whelan and Webber.

𝘈𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨!

I love this author and this story was just perfect, I loved and ejoyed every minute of it. Adorable characters, a cute pup and even a baby goat. It was emotional, moving, sweet and fun. Another great story from Jimenez.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this ALC.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez releases April 19, 2022.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘙𝘰𝘮-𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘴, 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘓𝘪𝘵, 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

*cue The Little Mermaid - Part of Your World*

I had this song in my head the entire time and it truly felt like a fairy tale!

This one hit so many entertaining tropes from a funny meet cute, a charming small town, opposites attract, forbidden lovers and an age gap romance! Daniel & Alexis had amazing chemistry and combustible tension that you couldn’t help but swoon for throughout the entire book!

I loved that although this felt like such a fun and light RomCom, Jimenez wasn’t afraid to address some extremely important topics of woman empowerment, respect and emotional abuse.

Jimenez has always made me giggle nonstop through her books and this one is no different! She has a true gift for writing some of the best side characters and supporting cast and Kevin Bacon and all the animals were true stars in this one!

This one’s worth the hype and I highly recommend!

Is it possible to capture lightning in a bottle again and again?

Well for Abby Jimenez it seems to be! Her latest book, Part of Your World delivered everything I was looking for AGAIN!

I experienced all the ranges of emotions while reading. From laughter, giddiness, awkwardness, anger, fear, and anxiety as I fretted over the characters HEA. (Ps. Thanks the gods for HEA’s - I wouldn’t have survived without it!)

This story feels like the novelization of Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl- your classic class difference romance, but Abby brings it up a notch but comparing and contrasting so many aspects of the characters. Healthy relationships vs unhealthy, differing support systems, family obligations and legacies… Alexis and Daniel couldn’t be more different and yet so the same and perfect for each other!

Beyond the amazing relationship story we are also given a realistic portrayal of domestic partner abuse. Depicting both physical and emotional, we are shown characters experiencing abuse, struggling to escape, working through the trauma and coming full circle assisting other victims. I appreciated the struggle portrayed and the varied reactions characters faced. Domestic violence has many aspects and can affect anyone- across all walks of life. I feel in my heart that this book has given be a better insight into this issue and I hope it will for others too, even just in a supporting role.

I was fortunate to have an audiobook version of this book and I found the dual narration from Julia Whelan & Zachary Webber was a delight to listen to. Both narrators had a vivid style of reading that helped create bright imagery for me while they acted out the story. Their expression and rhythm made this book fly by. Zachary Webber especially shined during the group scenes, varying his voice and unique voicing and cadence for all the characters involved.

Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough. If you need something to lift you spirits, you can’t miss with an Abby Jimenez book.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is scheduled to release April 19th, 2022.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Grand Central Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#PartofYourWorld #AbbyJimenez #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Part of Your World
by Abby Jimenez
Narrated by Julia Whelan; Zachary Webber

I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First of all the narrators were just perfect seriously I could not have asked for anything more.

This is my first experience with this author. Fellow sharks of awesome (Penny Reid Fans) will love that our meet cute is instigated by a raccoon. I won’t go into any details but trust me it works.

Our hero is the ideal cinnamon roll - big, strong, manly, sweet, handy, a good cook, humble, thoughtful, good with his hands, need I go on?

Our heroine is coming out of a long term emotionally abusive relationship and is continuing to heal through therapy and self empowerment. Despite having legit reasons for self confidence her environment has made her especially susceptible to emotional abuse.

There is a side character who experiences physical as well as emotional abuse - so trigger warning. Additional trigger warnings - family drama, teenage/not there parent, classism, difficult home birth, PTSD, small town vs big city, peer pressure, rich snobbery (not from anyone we like).

Medium steam, open door but not terribly explicit. Character and plot driven. I definitely laughed out loud many times while listening. I would categorize as a contemporary romantic dramedy because there are some heavier subjects. However it didn’t feel as heavy to me personally while listening as it sounds while I reflect but I also don’t key into any of these triggers. That being said - phenomenal book. Loved it. I would love to see more of this town! 5/5

Audio note: Excellent on audio! I definitely recommend listening to this, it was a great experience. With dual narration and two skilled narrators (Julia Whelan and Zachary Webber), this was easy to listen to and entertaining. The runtime is just over 10 hours, so it was right for a day at the office. Daniel and Alexis hook up early and often, but the steam is mostly closed door or quick - still a good choice for a workday listen. The vibe worked well for the audio format as well, never getting TOO heavy or complicated and maintaining its charming small town feel for much of the story. I'm a fan of Webber's voice, and Whelan always does a good job as well, so this was a very solid audio experience. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this emotional romance.

Review: They say opposites attract, but can they make it work? That's the question here! As always with Jimenez's love stories, there's a richness and layered feel that builds and develops throughout, slowly cranking up the angst until our couple's worlds seem so far apart. This is probably her least "fun" book so far; typically her books start out light and bubbly before punching you in the gut with angst, but this has more of a slow simmer of heartache that's central to the storyline. You always know that the other shoe is going to drop at some point, and that adds a heaviness to the whole story. It took awhile for me to find my bearings with this one; while I ADORED this sweet cinnamon roll of a hero, I had a tougher time with the heroine. It really is just sex for her at the start, and I didn't like the way she treats her guy. But as she slowly grew and changed, I found myself connecting to the story better, and it had such a nuanced, complex, unique feel by the end.

The story follows Alexis, a doctor (37) who has a mountain of family expectations to live up to... and she's sinking under the weight. Following a recent breakup from the "perfect" boyfriend who emotionally abused her, Alexis is dealing with some tough things in her life. She isn't in the right headspace to date. So when she has car trouble while passing through a small town and a sexy stranger comes to her rescue, Alexis isn't thinking about love or connections. And when she wakes up in his bed the next morning, that hasn't changed. But... there's something about Daniel (28) that keeps reeling Alexis back in. Spending time in his close-knit community and letting Daniel care for her feels like an essential vacation from the real world. Unfortunately, every minute they spend together makes their feelings run deeper, and that makes a hearty dose of reality come crashing into their fantasy world.

The best part of this book? Daniel, hands down. I never really warmed up to Alexis, but Daniel was AMAZING the whole way through. I loved how much he truly cared for Alexis, and he was willing to put his heart on the line for a chance to make things work. That's probably why it rubbed me the wrong way every time Alexis treated him poorly - it's like it never even occurred to her that a 28-year-old man might have feelings and expectations. The other winner here is the small town feel, with a great community and a cast of characters that enhances the story without overwhelming it. It's easy to see how Alexis would fall for this little slice of perfect, and I liked the distinct feel of the story. Jimenez shies away from the intimacy at the start - we barely experience their first few interactions - but it becomes an integral part of the story later on. Yes, there were still things that I wish had happened differently, but seeing these characters grow together was really fulfilling.

Alexis Montgomery was on her way home from a funeral when a raccoon caused her to run off the road. She finds herself being saved by the handsome Daniel Grant.

While grabbing a bite to eat at the local spot, Daniel tells Alexis there’s a bet going on about who will be able to take her home. With the promise of a grilled cheese and a baby goat in pajamas Alexis leaves with Daniel.

In the story we follow a budding age-gap romance between Alexis – an ER doctor with wealthy but very controlling parents – and Daniel – a 28-year-old man of all trades: Carpenter, B&B owner/manager, and town mayor. Alexis is also coming out of a terrible relationship where she was emotionally/mentally abused. The chemistry between these two characters… OMG! I LOVE Daniel and honestly was heartbroken to see Alexis fight with herself (and her insane family and ex-boyfriend) on whether or not she deserved to be happy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, I was able to listen to Part of Your World on audio and I highly recommend it. The narrators were fantastic even when they would howl like Daniels dog (yes, there’s a dog and a baby goat!).

This was my first Abby Jimenez and it will not be my last. Dare I say this might be one of my top favorite romance reads of the year so far?!?!

TW: physical, mental/emotional abuse in relationships

I was provided an early recording of the story’s audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Very surprised by this one! This is a solid, good romance and perfect for these lighter, warmer days.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Alexis is passing through the small town of Wakan when she meets Daniel. After ending a seven-year relationship, the last thing she is looking for is to jump into another relationship. There is something about Daniel that helps Alexis forget her troubles and she can't stay away from him. Alexis knows that all they have is a fling because they can't have a future together. Daniel doesn't fit into her life as an ER doctor who has a medical family legacy to uphold. But can Alexis leave him and the small town she has fallen in love with behind to continue with the life that has been planned out for her?

WOW! Abby Jimenez - I bow down to you! With each book she has written, I felt like it was my favorite of hers, but this book is easily going to take the prize. Her writing has been amazing from her debut novel but it impossibly gets better with each book. Part of Your World is a book that has captured my heart in a very deep way. Jimenez's writing is beautiful, emotive, and full of so much meaning beneath the surface that I feel like I'm going to be processing this one for a while.

I loved the palpable magnetism between Alexis and Daniel. From the moment they met, I knew that their love was as inevitable as was their heartbreak. The age gap between Alexis and Daniel created difficult challenges, which included challenges that come from different generational cultures and gender stereotypes. On top of that, they had to face challenges from their difference in class. Daniel was willing to face any of their challenges head on. He didn't care about anything else but her and he wanted to fight for her. Daniel's devotion to Alexis as their relationship progressed had me in tears because I knew that their relationship was going to crash and burn.

This book showed there are many nuances in finding strength. Someone can have the strength and confidence in some areas of their lives but maybe not in all areas of their lives. Alexis was a brilliant, powerful, talented, and respected woman in the medical field. She had a hard time finding the strength to fight against the influences of others and to take what she wanted. Finding strength is a lot more complex than just making the decision that we want something.

I read this book for the first time around and then listened to the book for a re-read. The audiobook is narrated by Zachary Webber and Julia Whelan and they do an amazing job of narrating the novel. They are two of my favorite narrators and hearing them paired up in action was so awesome! I highly recommend the audiobook if you have the opportunity to listen to this book.

This book is going to go on my all-time favorites list! This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel all the things in-between. THIS IS A 2022 MUST-READ NOVEL!!!

Steam level: 🔥🔥½
⚠️: emotional abuse, infidelity, domestic violence, depression

4.5 stars for this gem of a book! Love reading from a local MN author and connecting with locations in the book! Loved the character growth and story line!

5/5 ⭐️

I had the pleasure of receiving both the E ARC and Audiobook ARC for this book and let me tell you!! THEY BOTH HOLD UP! The overall review of the book and the story you can find on my goodreads account or just click this link right here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3948900896.

So this review is going to be solely based on the audiobook! I mean, it’s still going to be a rave review though so not much difference LOL! The people chosen to voice these characters? ABSOLUTELY perfect, it really took the story up another level for me, although I know audiobooks are not for everyone, if you ever wanted to try one this would be the one to try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this Audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Abby Jimenez does it again! What a fun, banter filled romance. I loved all the MN ties and who doesn’t love a solid small town man (and baby goat!). I inhaled this book in a matter of a day.

Julia and Zachary did a PHENOMENAL job narrating and it was intoxicating to listen too.

5⭐️ For audio performance
4⭐️ For actual book

Part of Your World is another fantastic romance from Abby JImenez! I love when romance novels are fun and sweet, but also have depth and delve into serious issues and this one had it all. I was rooting for Alexis and Daniel from their funny and adorable meet cute until the very last page. The audiobook was great with superb narration from Julia Whelan (one of my favorites) and Zachary Webber. They made me feel a whole range of emotions while listening to them bring Alexis and Daniel's story to life. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next book from Jimenez!

On her way home from a funeral, driving through the small town of Wakan, Alexis Montgomery drives her car into a ditch while trying to avoid hitting a raccoon.

Always around for someone who needs help, Daniel Grant gets Alexis's car out and the two part ways figuring on never seeing each other again.

Except when Alexis has to stop in the local VFW when the roads turn too foggy to drive in and Daniel is there with his group of friends.

When Daniel offers to escort Alexis out, and make her a home-cooked meal, it can't be anything more than that. Getting out of a seriously bad breakup, Alexis isn't looking for any kind of hookup.

But when hookup is what happens, again and again, and feelings start to form between the two, they'll have to reconcile the lives they've always lived with what will ultimately make them happy.

Julia Whelan is a narrator I've known and listened to quite a bit. She's narrated some of my favorite books and if her name is on the audio I know I'm in for a great narration. Part of Your World is a dual narration, however, which is something I've always preferred with multi-point of view stories. I think Zachary Webber does a great job with Daniel. Ultimately I think both narrators play off of each other really well as they setup the alternating chapters.

I just fell into this book and this storyline. It really didn't take long before it became everything I wanted to do in a day: read and finish this book. Well here we are and I'm in a huge state of a book hangover.

Honestly, I think this had been my favorite Abby Jimenez book so far. Like Alexis, I kind of felt at ease when she and Daniel were on page together. Their chemistry jumped off the page and was so palpable.

But the real conflict here was not whether or not they had chemistry, it's everything else that surrounds people's lives: jobs, friends, family, homes, etc.

All these things influence and play such a huge role in an individual's life, but what happens when you come from a seemingly entirely different world, so to speak, then the person you're attracted to?

The Little Mermaid reference is a good basis. Except for literally coming from a different world (a la under the sea), Alexis figuratively comes from a different world in that she comes from a very affluent family and has grown up with a lot of privilege throughout her life. Daniel, while wanting for nothing, has grown up and lived in the same small town his entire life and is currently struggling to keep his family's ancestral home from being sold.

But Alexis is also getting out of a terrible, abusive relationship. She's definitely not looking for something serious with someone. When she meets Daniel - and subsequently discovers he's younger than her - she sees it as an opportunity to let loose a little and just have some fun, no strings.

Daniel, however, has no dissolution about Alexis. He knows right away that her life experience is different than his, but he is just plain and simply drawn to her. I think there's something so sweet about a person's uncomplicated feelings for another. He doesn't chide her for not knowing how to peel an onion, he celebrates the things that make her, such as knowing how many bones are in the human body. This is something that her ex would always use against her and seeing Daniel be so open with her throws Alexis for a loop.

She then has to contend with her growing feelings for this man while also trying to fulfill the expectations set upon her by her family's legacy in the medical world. At some point it's about figuring out what you want, and maybe that won't make everyone happy, but everyone is not the most important, you are.

Similarly, Daniel, having grown up in Wakan his entire life also has a family legacy to contend with. It's almost like the town lives and breathes through the Grants. I loved that Wakan kind of takes on a life of its own. It's very subtle, but something I wish we got to see just a little more of throughout the story. It almost mirrors the life that two people build together and how that influences generations of people to come. Kind of building a community.

Honestly, this has been one of my favorite reads of the year so far. It's one of those books that I didn't want to put down, but also didn't want to end.

Another great job from Abby Jimenez who has become an auto-read author for me.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Another great contemporary romance novel from Abby Jimenez! In the tradition of her three previous novels, Part of Your World is funny, sweet and brimming with swoony moments. Heavy topics are explored in a sensitive way, and she perfectly balances levity and addressing serious issues.

Narrated by Julia Whelan and Zachary Webber, I really enjoyed this as an audiobook. The chapters alternate POV between Alexis and Daniel, our two MC, and both narrators did a great job. I’ve read 3/4 of this author’s books in audiobook format and they’re just such easy listens. I found myself popping in my headphones more often than usual to listen.

I’ve found that this author really leans into a particular format for storytelling, making the books somewhat predictable. The plot conflict can get a bit stale for me somewhere around the 75% mark, but she always wraps the story up so wonderfully, with a worthy HEA, and I always finish her books with a smile. Her formula works. If you like contemporary romance or want something light but not super fluffy I’d recommend any of Jimenez’s books, but my personal favourites are Life’s Too Short and Part of Your World. While there are reappearing characters, you can read these books as stand-alones. Content warning for partner abuse.

Thank you so much to Forever, Hachette Audio and to NetGalley for free access to an audiobook copy of Part of Your World. It is available next week, April 19. All opinions are my own. I’m already looking forward to whatever she releases next!

I’ve enjoyed Jimenez’s books in the past, but this one might be my favorite. An ER doctor working in the city falls for the mayor of a small town… 10 years her junior (gasp!). Hotness ensues. What else do you need to know? I could not keep the smile off of my face while listening to this one (narrated by Julia Whelan, FYI) and found myself volunteering to drive places just to keep listening. It’s like a rated R Hallmark movie in the best way: small town (there’s even a goat!), a bed & breakfast, city girl meets country boy, each of them wrestling with their family’s legacies, oh and LOTS of chemistry. Just read it, and let me know what you think. For fans of Emily Henry.

Though we will probably not purchase the audiobook I have already preordered the hardcover edition for the library. Great story about two legacies colliding. I had a hard time when I had to stop listening. I wanted to know how it ended. Though, like a Hallmark movie, these types of books always have a happy ending.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook so much. It was one of my favorite books this year so far.

The characters were very likable. As the male main character states," I'm not an asshole, it's my favorite thing about myself". He is almost too perfect though. He forgives so much, so many times.
However, you are rooting for him to forgive and for the couple to thrive throughout the novel.

I loved the evolution of the female main character. She evolved gradually and she was reflective throughout the process. It made it seem very realistic.

The narrators of the book did a great job at bringing the characters and their stories to life. I even literally laughed out loud at one scene in the book while driving home.

If you are a fan of rom-coms, I would definitely pick this book or audiobook up. I highly recommend it.

I loved this book, and I wouldn't call myself a romance fan. This is rom com - with very witty, authentic banter, and two characters who were so easy to root for. Both Alexis and Daniel are good people who are smart, likable, responsible and kind. Their circumstances seem doomed to keep them apart, and (unlike in many a novel in this genre) the burdens and obligations that seem to keep them apart actually make sense. Both are essentially heirs to a life they never got to choose, and each is in direct opposition to the others. LOVED the elements of magical realism that bring the town and the house to life-- playing a part in keeping two people who are meant to be, together. This was my first time reading one of Abby's books, and I see what all the fuss is about. Highly enjoyable, with the right amount of depth and story development.
Fantastic job by the narrators- although if up to me, when Daniel recounts what Alexis says, I'd have the actress actually read that part, rather than him do a feminine voice, and vice versa. Just a preference.

Thank you to Abby Jimenez and Hachette Audio for providing the ARC.

This was a great read/listen! I finished it in one 8 hour shift, I just couldn’t stop. I thought this would be a typical instant love cliche type of romance but it fulfilled a lot for me. I was angry, I laughed, I cried, I giggled and I was angry again. I like how Abby addressed different forms of abuse through this story and how no matter what abuse is abuse whether it’s physical, verbal or emotional. I saw how it came from family, friends and romantic partners. And I’m proud of how Alexis was able to process and hold people accountable for it, even though i was screaming at her throughout the story. The topic was heavy but it wasn’t thrown in my face, I appreciated that.

I loved Daniel! I loved how vulnerable and upfront he was. I loved how he was ready to be a stay at home husband that fixes things and clean from day 1. He’s my kinda guy! 😂

I wanna fight Alexis horrible friends and I wanna fight her father!

When I wanna fight people from a book then you know it was good 😂

I loved the little bit of magic that came from the town, I thought that was a great touch to let me know that the universe was on their side no matter how much Alexis tried to fight it!

This was a great ride!