When I found out I’d received an early arc of Yours Truly, I may have squealed. When Abby Jimenez puts out any book, it immediately gets pre-ordered. Then I wait for months in eager anticipation.

With Abby’s books, I’m always torn between devouring it in one sitting or savoring it, taking my time, avoiding all my parental duties because I don’t want it to end. I feel like that is always a sign of a great book! This one did not disappoint!

I love being in Abby’s “world.” Her books are all stand alones but the characters are all living in the same world, with characters and “Easter eggs” thrown from some of her earlier books. It feels like she’s giving the readers and her fans gifts when we stumble upon one of these mentions.

In this book, I loved Brianne and Jacob. Abby took such thought in developing their relationship at the beginning with letters written back and forth to each other. It was such a romantic and fun idea. They start to make their way from fake dating to a hopefully happily ever after. You’ll have to read to find out. The couple was so cute together
and I loved getting to know them.

The cast of characters was equally amazing. Jafar, the foul mouthed bird, Jacob’s crabby and hilarious Grandpa, Jacob’s sex-pert mother. I wanted to know more about all of them.

I love that Abby isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. She does so with grace and understanding. This one about anxiety really felt like someone understood me exactly for the first time. I highlighted so many parts that describe exactly how I always feel and explain it so perfectly. I never expected to feel so ‘seen’.

As always, I tell everyone I know to read Abby’s book and this one does not disappoint. I highly recommend and I will be rereading this as soon as I can.

I was so happy to be given the opportunity to read this early. Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Abby Jimenez for the chance to read this book ahead of time.

Abby Jimenez is an amazing author who talent deserves to be read by every reader. Each book gets better and better. When you read her book you feel as though you're getting to know the character and feel their pain and happiness with them.



*************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.************************

Thank you, thank you, thank you to @netgalley @authorabbyjimenez and @readforeverpub for my copy of this eARC in exchange of my honest review.

Briana Ortiz has had it with life lately. Her divorce from her cheating husband is about to be finalized, her younger brother Benny is in need of a kidney transplant, and to top it off there’s a rude new hire in the ER that’s trying to take her Chief Resident position from her.

Jacob Maddox knows what he’s doing in the ER, but when it comes to personal relationships and social interactions he is fully lost. Which is why he decides it best to write Brianna a letter after he seemingly insults her during a tough moment the first day they really meet. Next thing you know, they’re writing each other back and forth as much as possible. And when Bri finds out that Jacob is a match and is willing to donate his kidney to her brother, she can’t help but agree to fake date him until his brother’s wedding. Can they keep the lines clear?

I LOVED this book. It might be my favorite of Abby’s yet. It almost seems impossible for an author to be able to continuously outdo herself book after book, but yet here we are again. RUN to get your copy of this book! It’s swoon worthy, it’s tear inducing, it’s full of comedic relief. It’s everything that a rom-com should be and more!

This one gets 5⭐️‘s from me!

You know when you read the back of a book and think “There is way too much happening here”? That’s what I thought of when I first read the synopsis of Yours Truly. I mean you have fake dating, a dying brother, organ donation, writing letters, and then the promotion to top it off? I thought one of these things was going to get completely forgotten but I was wrong. Each plot line was tied up wonderfully.

I will say, Yours Truly is far less spicy than some of Jimenez’s other titles. It is to the benefit of the story though. Some authors will throw sex scenes in just to appease readers, but with this story you can tell that Jimenez put a great deal of time and thought into how to build the physical side of Briana and Jacob. It adds so much depth and feeling to the story.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
"You and me?" he said, gently. "We're different. We
agree to be harmless to each other."
This book was such a joy to read.
There was so much depth to both of the main
characters and it really made this fake dating
romance believable.
Briana is a recently divorced ER physician who
instantly hates the new doctor in the emergency
room, Jacob Maddox. She realizes she might be
wrong about him when he apologizes to her in a
heartfelt letter. They quickly become pen pals and
develop a friendship. When they find out that Jacob
is a match to be Briana's little brothers kidney donor,
Briana is so grateful she agrees to be Jacob's fake
girlfriend for his brother's wedding to his ex.
These characters and their romance feels so real.
They really are so kind and gentle with each other.
And the PINING in this ugh. I just love a dual POV
romance. I honestly wanted more of this story tbh l
was so sad when it came to an end!
Overall I gave it 5/5 ! I will definitely be purchasing
and rereading when this book is released April 11,
2023!
Thank you to @netgalley for this digital ARC in
exchange for an honest review!

nother home run for Abby Jimenez! I’ve been a huge fan of hers for awhile now and I just can’t get enough of her stories! Her couples are always so compelling and relatable that I feel as though we could be friends in real life. Also, as someone from Minnesota it’s refreshing to read about places I know and have been.

I got anxious just reading the book, which isn’t a bad thing. It just shows how well the author portrayed a person with anxiety. I think that it’s important to display mental illness in a light that helps people to understand. As someone with anxiety and who has had panic attacks, I appreciate it very much.

If I can give one piece of criticism it would be that I really wished the main characters would communicate more. I know many relationships struggle with communicating but it seems most contemporary romance novels that I read lately have a lack of communication. It’s frustrating when reading something and just yelling at the book that she needs to just tell him how she feels! And vice verse of course.

Can’t wait for future Abby reads! Thank you so much for the ARC Forever Books and Netgalley!

Abby Jimenez keeps getting better! Wow, I really loved this book. Yours Truly has all of the feels, witty banter and likable characters that Abby consistently delivers. This book was a brilliant take on the fake dating trope. The main characters, Briana and Jacob, were very well developed and faced issues to which I think all readers will relate. I felt every emotion through her words. A truly enjoyable read. I highly recommend.

Read this book if:

✨You love birds that scream profanity
✨Your grandpa is on oxygen but begs for cigarettes
✨You have a three legged dog named Lieutenant Dan

I think the thing that I loved about this book the most is how much I could truly relate to Jacob. Jacob had social anxiety and I saw a lot of his traits in myself. I liked that the author provided some coping mechanisms for this anxiety. Mental health was a major blood line in this novel. I liked that it was not a taboo topic, but I was recognized and talked about openly.

I love this author because her novels are always laugh out loud funny. This book was no exception. I especially loved all the gatherings at Jacob's childhood home. Between the inappropriate parrot, the three legged dog, and grandpa, I found myself giggling.

One part of the novel that really frustrated me was the miscommunication. The conflicts between Bri and Jacob could have been a avoided if they talked about the things that were bugging them.

Overall, I was satisfied with the ending of the novel. The fake dating troupe was very well done and I would recommend the read.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this! I am always so excited to get to read Abby’s books early because I love her writing so much! These characters are so good and so relatable. There was kind of a lot of miscommunication in this story and that is the only reason why this isn’t 5 stars for me, I got a little annoyed at times that they just couldn’t get on the same page sooner. It definitely didn’t make me not enjoy myself and I still really enjoyed this book! I will read whatever Abby writes!

Brianna is determined to not make the same mistakes as her mother. After finalizing a divorce with her two-timing (with her friend) ex-husband, and a non-existent relationship with a father who walked away when her mom was pregnant, Briana has no interest in being in a serious relationship. Her only priority is finding a kidney for her brother, who is in dialysis.
After a breakup of his own, Jacob comes to Royaume hospital looking to start over. Instantly he meets headstrong Brianna who already seems to hate him. But he is mesmerized by the beautiful woman, which doesn't help his anxiety in talking to her. It just makes it worse. When Jacob catches wind about Bri's brother's condition, he instantly gets tested because that's just the salt-of-the-earth kind of guy he is.
And it's a match.
Bri is over the moon at Jacob's generosity and asks if there is anything she can do for him. Since she's offering, he does need a small favour. A fake girlfriend until the wedding of his brother and ex are over with.
Brianna thinks he's still pining over his ex but she's starting to realize that maybe Jacob is one of the good ones. With every lunch in the supply room, panic attack, and family event, the line between fake and real starts to blur.
**
Firstly- I feel dirty not giving Abby 5 stars. Please don't hate me.
For those of you following along, Bri is Alexis' best friend and I continue to love how past characters reappear in current books. Bri is an excellent heroine. She is strong, motivated, and overall bad b*tch that any self-proclaimed feminist can easily root for.
Jacob, on the other hand, shatters gender norms which we seldom see in romance novels. He's battling depression and anxiety, is far more sensitive, and expressive of his feelings than Bri. I LOVE him.
And I loved the slow burn, fake-relationship.
So what is the problem, Sydney?
Funny you should ask.
The pacing.
There are SO many parts to this book. And while I find them necessary to move the plot along, I wish we got more of an insight on how Brianna goes from "I kind of hate this guy" to "oh my god I think I love him". It felt like the jump was instantaneous. A couple more scenes of faking-dating as new friends probably would have satiated my hunger.

Overall, GREAT book. 10/10 would recommend but left me craving a little bit more.

I just loved this one. It was beautiful and gave me lots of happy tears.

I appreciated the way Abby Jimenez presented Jacob’s social anxiety. It was something that was woven into everything aspect of his life. And the presentation here was more about how he dealt with it, how we all on some levels just have to deal with what’s hard about us.

I felt this was a fresh take on some common romantic tropes like fake dating. And as someone who doesn’t love workplace romances or dating too quickly after a breakup, I was really won over here and rooting for these two.

There’s a big theme throughout the book about “being harmless” to one another. I liked the depth and poetry of that. There’s just a lot to think about there. I did kind of wish the author would address that colloquially “being harmless” often means something different than the way she’s presented it here.

As with all if Abby Jimenez’s books, readers should consider the trigger warnings because she does go deep. And the content could be difficult if the story hits close to home. .

Thanks to the publisher and author for making this ARC available (my first physical ARC!).

Abby Jimenez has done it again! After reading Part of Your World, I could not wait to read Bri's story. This book gave me all the feels. I laughed and I cried. It had the epistolary trope mixed in with the fake dating trope and they were both done well.

The characters were likeable and relatable. Briana, recently divorced, never thought she would trust a man again. It was amazing to watch her growth throughout the story. Jacob's anxiety really hit home for me. I often found myself nodding my head, totally getting it. Briana handled it beautifully.

I am so glad I got an ARC. If it is written by Abby, I will read it!

What else can I say except she did it again…

Abby Jimenez quickly became an automatic read for me after her first book years ago, and each time, just when I begin to question how her books could get better, they do.

This one was her usual combo of witty banter, humor, and excitement mixed with serious life topics and issues. The main characters were so likable and I could barely put the book down to sleep. You won’t regret it!

Make sure to read the other books before, however, as many of the storylines intertwine and make it that much more fun to read. 5 stars!

Abby Jimenez did it again, this book did not disappoint.

Brianna Ortiz, a recently divorced doctor (who was featured in her previous book) has a brother that is in kidney failure and needs a donor. Not just any donor, a piece match because of his rare blood type. It kills Bri to see her little brother in do much pain physically and mentally. It all last works on her as well.

She's up for a job promotion in the ER, but enter Dr Jacob Maddox. He was department head at another hospital and just transferred did to a recent breakup with his ex that worked with him. Now Bri has competition for department head and it's got her all up in arms. What she didn't know is Jacob didn't plan on running for the position because post of the reason he left the other hospital is because of his debilitating at times (99% of the time) anxiety.
They get off to a rough start in the beginning but then start exchanging letters, eventually becoming friends. The rest would give too much away.

The mental health aspect of this book was amazing!! The true and correct coping strategies Jacob uses shows how much Abby put into this book to make it real life. The depression, trust issues, anger, trauma and so many more mental health concerns for Bri are spot on. There is no hike back on these issues that are slowly being normalized and a book line this is just what is needed to help the stigma be erased.

I am so happy I was blessed by NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to get this book in advance. I cannot speak more highly of this book! Make sure you put this on your to read list and pre order so you will get it when it's available in April 2023!

Well, I never thought that I'd love a book as much as I loved The Happy Ever After Playlist, but here we are. Yours Truly was a masterpiece. I laughed. I had chills. I was screaming at the characters because I was so mad at them. I sobbed.

I related to so much of Jacob and his mental health struggles that he faced. It was like reading about my own life and some of the things that I struggle with personally. I also just loved him. He was the wholesome, good guy we all want to read about. Could he be my new greatest book boyfriend?!? YES. He sends her flowers, Taco Bell, etc. He wrote her letters. He gave her his journal to read. He cried and openly admitted to having issues, which let's be honest, not a lot of guys would. He genuinely needed and loved Briana.

Speaking of Briana....I just love her. She has no chill and isn't afraid to cause a scene. Filling a room full of glitter? GENIUS. Her and Jacob are a perfect match. The way she's able to help him with his anxieties and the way he's able to help her realize that not everyone will treat her badly. UGH. I so loved this couple.

I wasn't prepared for THAT surprise in the book. I know some people will hate it, BUT I get it. It didn't change my feelings on how much I loved this book, but I know people will want to check the trigger warnings for this one.

Abby did it again. This book hit me in my gut. I loved these characters so much. Lt. DAN!!! Ahhhh. Amazing read.

Abby does it again — Yours Truly is a MUST READ!! I honestly think this is my favorite of all her books, of course they all get better and better! Jacob and Bri are so relatable and Abby has a talent of writing in a style that makes you feel like you’re one of their best friends too. You cheer when they’re happy and cry when they’re sad. I love the dual perspectives so we can see how each character is feeling, even when they’re saying something else. I found myself screaming at the character often to just tell the other person the truth (lol). The emotional roller coaster Abby takes you one keeps you so invested, you won’t be able to put the book down! It’s absolute perfection! Go buy it! Seriously go right now! ;)

This book...omg what do I say??? I ABSOLUTELY LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT. Jacob and Briana are literally so perfect and so cute together I literally cannot stand it!!!! I am kind of over the fake dating trope, I feel like it has been everywhere lately, and you get the same exact thing every single time...but this one was different. I don't know how to exactly explain it but it was like its own fake dating trope??? Does that make any sense? I don't think so, but it was refreshing to read.

I also wanted to point out, that I have seen several people mention that they do not like when they see current trends or present day 'lingo" in books and I will admit that sometimes it does come off as a little awkward, but it worked so well in Yours Truly. Literally, I loved how Briana would quote tiktok sounds and trends throughout the book, and it was almost like she didn't even realize she was doing it, it came off so naturally.

This book was literally perfection. I could not stop reading it!

10/.10 would recommend.

Thank you to Abby Jimenez, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for this wonderful e-ARC.

Just when I thought I was never going to be able to love a book boy again after Josh in Abby Jimenez’s “The Friend Zone” here comes Jacob. I loved every single thing start to finish of this book. I liked how it took place in a hospital but we weren’t in the operating room and it was just a place of significance. All of the scenes at Jacob’s parents house were my favorite because there was just so much going on and truly the parrot was one of the best characters. Briana and Jacob’s relationship was so beautiful and it was so easy to love them both!!! Highly recommend this book to anyone who has read any of Abby’s other books!

Over the moon that I got the opportunity to get the ARC! I’ve read all of Abby’s books. And I’m always in awe over her writing and how drawn in I am to the characters, getting to know each of them and their quirks, personality, and how each person is in some form of the next book. Out of all of the books—this one by far is my favorite. This may be my favorite because of how I relate to Brianna and Jacob both on a personal level. How being a donor and kidney diseases are a part of my own personal life; Severe anxiety and panic attacks and finding someone who shows up for you and never stops fighting. The realism of divorce, bad breakups, work life balance. All of it drew me in. This book made me laugh about 79% of the time or cry the remainder of it (tears of joy mainly). Having the chance to understand each characters point of view through every step of the way really helped me understand both sides and relate heavily as well. I highly recommend this book. I simply cannot say enough good things.

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Abby has done it again with the amount of depth she pours into her characters, as she tackles real life with such sensitivity and genuineness in Yours Truly.

This book will make you laugh out loud, and cry all at the same time. Sit back, and immerse yourself in this masterpiece of your not so typical fake-dating, second chance romance novels. This is one love story I didn't want to end. Bravo, Abby!