This is a new classic for the romance genre. Abby crafted one of the most beautiful books to exist. Yours Truly is chalk full of detailed, sensitive, and comprehensive representation, deep characters (main and side), words and lines that will fill you will love, hope, happiness, hurt, sadness, and fear, and a plot which will have you continually reading for hours. I have no idea how I am going to get out of this book hangover now.

Brianna Ortiz is is strong. She has faced so much in her life and her divorce is just about final. Her focus is now on her baby brother who is in desparate need of a kidney and her job. When Dr. Maddox joins the team Brianna is not impressed until he starts to write her letters. Jacob has had his own fair share of hardships and now it's getting worse. With Brianna as his support, maybe he can face it all.

Abby clearly did an immense amount of research behind this book. The way she effortlessly wove in so many facts into this and carefully crafted sensitive but insightful representation was amazing. This book will stick with me forever. This is a story of healing, hope, love, and peace.

I don't know how Abby Jimenez keeps getting better with every book but here we are. Yours Truly might just be her best yet.

I won't give a lot away but this one has a mix of enemies to lovers, fake dating, workplace romance and an only one bed scene.

There is a lot of mental health / social anxiety rep in this book, kidney disease, divorce, and also mentions of a previous miscarriage.

My only complaint about it was it does have the whole miscommunication trope for the second half but I still loved it despite this which is totally odd for me because it usually drives me nuts.

It does feature the main characters from Part of Your World a few times, so I recommend reading that one prior to Yours Truly.

I had such a fun time reading Yours Truly. Time went by so fast and I stayed up WAY too late with this one. Yours Truly had so many of my favorite tropes all rolled into one book. I found myself smiling throughout. I appreciated how the MMC's anxiety and introversion was represented; they were part of who he was, but neither was depicted as a weakness. If you loved Part of Your World, you'll have fun with this one too!

Oh my god this was SO GOOD!!!! Brianna is such a funny MC and I loved seeing the anxiety rep with Jacob. They’re such an amazing pairing and this book had so many important messages sprinkled throughout. 5+ stars absolutely!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC!

Absolutely, 100%, all the superlatives, adored this one. I'm tempted to go back and read it again right away, but my full dance card beckons, and a reread will probably have to wait.

I loved these characters! The different struggles both were going through felt very real, and the characters' constant attention to "being harmless" to each other was touching. Their budding friendship was as sweet to watch as watching them fall in love with other. The side characters were great, the writing was often quite funny, and I liked that even the characters that seemed to really deserve being hated didn't end up hated in the end. It was a gentle, sensitive romance novel that managed to do so without being smarmy or message-y.

I appreciated the author's note in the end about her own medical history and how it figured into the character Benny, Brianna's brother.

Highly recommended--I'll be pushing this when it's out in April!

I loved this book and binged it--”Life’s Too Short” was kind of a low for me before these last two books got better.
Jacob and Briana are an off-shoot of Daniel and Alexis’s story, Briana being a best friend of Alexis. (I forget if Daniel and Alexis from Abby’s fourth book are related to the first three. I <i>think</i> so, but vaguely.)
I love how her writing sucks me in, and the development of her characters. The details she goes into describing someone’s anxiety disorder (Jacob), and the steps they go through as part of it (scoping things in advance so he’s not surprised by it, learning how to navigate chaotic environments); and two individuals going through really bad breakups hit deep down. For me, it really helped me to connect to the characters.

It has the wonderful pining and tension of “The Happy Ever Playlist.” There isn’t a deep-dive into their medical careers but just enough to keep the plot together. Their extended families, like all friends and families in Jimenez’s books, are amusing. (Although not quite the heights of “The Friend Zone” and “Part of Your World”--the “photography advice” in the latter comedy gold.) What stood out was the number of off-screen moments when their characters finally became intimate. It’s always interesting to see how Jimenez writes her characters’ intimate scenes from book to book, balancing out details. The one detailed scene here is a bit too obvious in its purpose, but it also depends on where she wants the emphasis of character development to fall. The sad irony until the last fifth (sixth?) of the book is Jacob and Briana’s own fears about their own desirability as people are projected onto the other, despite everyone’s assurances outside of their headspaces that they look crazy about each other and in love. But a sweet (and very progressive, on Jacob’s part) HEA.

“We’re all a little broken… we are a mosaic. We’re made up of all those we’ve met and all the things we’ve been through. “

Dr Briana Ortiz is a great ER physician but the rest of her life is falling apart. She is going through a divorce from her cheating husband, trying to get a promotion and her brother is very sick and waiting on a kidney transplant. Dr Jacob Maddox transfers to her ER and they don’t hit it off at first. But then Jacob sends her a letter. A very nice letter. They start spending time together and then one needs a favor the other can’t refuse.

I adored this book! I loved Jacob and the way anxiety was highlighted in a relationship. I could relate to so much of it. The banter in the book is fantastic and I both laughed and cried:) I like a fake relationship storyline and add in some cute animals and I’m in. My only complaint was some miscommunication. Definitely pick this up if you like romcoms!

After some epically poor first impressions, Briana and Jacob, two ER physicians, get off on the wrong foot. That is until Jacob decides to write Briana a letter opening up about how his social anxiety limits him. He hopes the letter will at least help clear the air.. and boy does it. From workplace enemies, to sharing the hospitals sob closet for lunch as friends... to kidney donors? … to a fake relationship? … and the slowest of burns; these two go through it all!

What is it with Abby Jimenez and writing the most lovable and wonderful MMC?! Jacob was on another level. Also... she made him 5'10”! Not a fictional mountain on a man of 6'5”. I really loved how detailed his anxiety was. It wasn't some quirky trait mentioned once or twice to add flair; it was thought out and well executed. Really great mental health rep. It was refreshing to see the MMC be the overthinker instead of the stereotypical female role. Men can have anxiety too!

The letters and correspondence before becoming friends were the perfect ice breaker and really assisted the anxiety theme. Considering letters were a downside to another recent review of mine, I was worried with this one. But there were funny and cheesy in a good way, and not dragged out to high hell.

Loved the random peppering of Jacob being Jason/Jaxon's doctor when he “broke his hand” LOL and Briana follows Vanessa's travel blog! (Easter eggs of previous Abby Jimenez books)

I absolutely loved Briana for most of the book. She knew how to meet Jacob where he was without babying him or pushing him to become someone he couldn't. But while reading, I really struggled around the 90% mark. I was so upset after being obsessed with them for the first 90%! HOWEVER, looking back after stepping away from it for a day, I think her trauma response was carried out reasonably well by the author. It was frustrating but it was supposed to be frustrating. Trauma doesn't always show up in life in a perfectly tied up love story way. But love shows up!

Highly recommend. If you're thinking of reading this one, DO IT.

This book was so good! It was my first book by Abby and I loved it. The writing was super easy to read and the story just flowed well. It was a very predictable story line but that doesn’t bother me. I love hallmark vibes. Jacob has the sweetest soul and seems to easy to love.

This might be my new Abby favorite. I absolutely loved both Bri and Jacob. Like every other Abby book she brought just the right amount angst without going over the top. Bri and Jacob were a delight together and it was a joy watching them fall for each other. Normally when a miscommunication happens it can be hard to not to want to yell at the characters but somehow I never felt the need in this book. Abby has become another auto buy author and this one did not disappoint!

THIS BOOK! Abby Jimenez is the rom-com queen. Her books make me swoon, and laugh, and giggle, and devour them like nothing else. This one is no different than her others, a couple of flawed but incredibly lovable main characters that your are rooting for from the start. I loved this enemies to lovers, to workplace romance, to fake dating, to *gasp* there's ONLY one bed! It was tropey magic.

*slight spoilers ahead* Even though, there were moments where I thought, JUST HAVE THE DANG CONVERSATION, I didn't mind because I loved the story and the dreaded miscommunication trope made the book go on longer which I never wanted it to end. *slight spoilers over!*

I loved the family element and the medical setting. A highly enjoyable read, one I will be shoving into all my friends' hands!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishers for my eARC copy of Yours Truly in exchange for an honest review. I immediately preordered this one because it's one I HAVE to have on my shelves.

TW/CW: Miscarriage, infidelity, surprise pregnancy, medical content, panic attack/anxiety, mental illness stigmas.

“You know, love shows up, Briana. And even if you keep me away from you, my heart will still be where you are. So just let me be where you are.”

Briana and Jacob. He’s sweet, kind, funny and awkwardly lovable. At first, she doesn’t like him because she thought he wanted to steal her job but he explains everything with a handwritten letter. Bri is going through a lot: a divorce and trying to find a kidney donor for her brother. She’s swearing off men forever, but that changes when her and Jacob begin a fake relationship.

💌READ IF YOU LIKE💌:
- friends to lovers
- only one bed
- exchanging letters
- second chance at love
- fake dating
- workplace romance
- terrible first impressions
- slow burn
- forced proximity
- mental health rep: anxiety
- 3 legged dog named Lieutenant Dan

cw: chronic kidney disease, cheating, anxiety, divorce, miscarriage, panic attack, family illness, depression, mention of suicide, parent abandonment, trust issues, gaslighting, miscommunication

Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the advanced copy! Yours Truly is available on April 11, 2023!

4.75⭐
PG-13 because there was a slightly cracked door in this book

The way that I truly adored this book. If you love a man who is just absolutely gone for his person, you will adore this book. I loved seeing Briana find happiness after Part of Your World and to have her find this perfect person to heal with who was also looking for his person who could understand him and think about his anxiety and just have them fall head over heels? Perfect.

I am not usually one for fake dating and this is probably going to be one of my favorite fake dating books until the end of time. And then the anxiety rep and the very personal kidney failure and transplant rep and all the small pieces that created this thoughtful romance that will make so many feel seen.. I loved it all. My only complaint would be the final trope twist at the end of the book didn't feel necessary and I would prefer to not have it. But otherwise this book was perfection.

If you are an Abby fan, she continues to age like fine wine. Her books have gotten better and better and I think this will be a favorite for me. An absolute must read romance this year, I hope others adore it as much as I did.

All of Abby Jimenez’s books blow me away, and when I can’t possibly fathom her putting out a better book than the one before, she writes Yours Truly.

Jimenez always hits the right notes when she sets out to include representation in her books. It’s purposeful and real. Jacob’s struggle with his anxiety throughout this book made my chest hurt with empathy. The detail to which Jimenez wrote this character was shocking— in that, I was shocked when I read scenes that were my lived experience. I can’t stress enough how relatable and communal Jacob’s experiences were. Every Jacob chapter broke my heart, and every thought Jacob had about Brianna sewed it back up.

The book as a whole was simply beautiful. A genuine, raw, and charming love story through and through, Yours Truly made me laugh and sob— the true sign of a great rom-com. I love the world building Jimenez threads through her books, too.

Five stars truly does not feel adequate for this book.

I will never not pick up a book by this author!! Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Copy.

Jiminez writes the best characters! They are all so unique and have complex stories and emotions that they navigate throughout the book. Briana and Jacob are no exception. Both are ER doctors who have both endured their fair share of heartbreak before meeting one another.

Jacob struggles with anxiety- and it’s written so so well. It couldn’t have been more accurate. I really appreciated that.

This story is emotional, sweet, and FUNNY. A must read when this publishes in April!!

Wow...WOW... This one... uffda. This one hit right in the feels, and not just the same zip code, or the same street. Like defying the laws of physics and occupying the same space. A chronic autoimmune disease is a really difficult thing to live with because a lot of it isn't something that's easily observed by other people. There is so much hiding and placating that goes on because if your loved ones really knew what your day-to-day was, it would break them. Abby absolutely nailed that with Benny and also with Jacob and his anxiety issues. SO GOOD. As I read Brianna's observations of her brother, you could feel there was so much more that she wasn't even seeing or understanding. But at the same time, he doesn't want to ask for her or be taken care of- so spot on!! The dynamic with Brianna and Jacob is so delightful as it builds. Abby does not disappoint, so the success continues. 10/10, highly recommend! And based on the sneak peak of the audiobook- I will be adding that version to my Goodreads READ list as soon as it's released!

TL;DR Book Highlights:
-Chronic illness written by someone who actually lives it
-Perfectly imperfect couple
-Disabled dog (definitely a secondary hero)
-Hilarious animal sock collection
-Penmanship alive and well
-Lessons about why you should make friends with the nurses
-Strong but flawed heroine

I have read all of Abby Jimenez’s books. I enjoy her style and humor. I have to say this story was not my favorite. I really loved Jacob. The way she described his anxiety was spot on, as I experience anxiety as well. Jacob’s ability to open up to Brianna was touching,

It’s Brianna I couldn’t get inspired about, and that just had me stopping and starting this one. I appreciated her love and support of her brother.

Fake relationship tropes are not my favorite thing either.

But I will be glad to buy and read anything Abby writes.

I would sell my soul to be able to read this book again for the first time! 😭 This. Story. Was. Beautiful! It was also the first Abby Jimenez book I've ever picked up (and it sure won't be the last one)!

👍 What I liked: This isn't your typical fake-dating story. This book will feel like a warm hug on a rainy day. The characters are truly genuine; you will love them right from the start and root for their relationship. There is true love and friendship between them; not just lust.  The representation of mental illness (anxiety) in this book is excellent. While some authors will mention mental illness fleetingly in their books, Jimenez develops this aspect as a part of the male MC's persona and how it affects his day-to-day life. I saw a lot of myself in this character and could very much relate to his struggles.

👎What I didn't like: There was more back-and-forth between the love interests than was necessary (i.e. I love him, but he doesn't love me back/I love her, but she doesn't love me back). However, I don't feel that this has significantly taken away from the book.

Read this book if you like:
🩺 Workplace romance
👫 Fake dating tropes
❤ Heartwarming stories
🧠 Mental health representation
🇸🇻 Latinx representation

⚠️Trigger warnings: mental illness, infidelity, abortion, divorce, chronic illness (may not be an exhaustive list).

Thank you to Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Yours Truly releases on April 11, 2023 and you won't want to miss this one!

Abby Jimenez knocks it out of the park once more. Originally a fan of the Friendzone series (we just sold a copy of the first book today again!), I am always ecstatic to see a new release. Though this is a spinoff from Part of Your World, I preferred it infinitely to the first. We often see descriptors for straight male main characters as being "cinnamon rolls", meaning sweet, but Jacob was real and honest and a dream. A man who was open about his anxiety, went to therapy, journaled, and was so sensitive. It normalized men going to therapy, which I think literature still fails to do often. We see more female characters seek out help than men do, so I liked that there was an example of a man who shared the same issues that many people--men and women--do.
I felt for Briana and the pain her emotional baggage was causing her. She was a great character with many layers. I wish we would have gotten to know Benny a little better, maybe had him press Briana more on why she was dating Jacob. Also, I love that Abby showed us how not bitter Jacob was about the whole Amy and Jeremiah thing. And I like that Amy sort of vindicated herself. I was already so angry at Kelly and didn't want to finish a book being angry at two women.
Anyway, amazing book, and as always, love how Jimenez includes things from her past books and her own life in her books. They have heart and wit and I'll never stop recommending them.

This was awesome! It hit all the boxes! And judging by the other reviews, everyone agrees! Jimanez writes amazing characters, intriguing plots and is always a treat! Can't thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of this one!