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A review by beate251
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dr Briana Ortiz, best friend of Alexis from Part of Your World, is in the sole running for chief of Royaume Northwestern Hospital, until Dr Jacob Maddox arrives and instantly gets her hackles up. She's already stressed with the kidney disease of brother Benny, she really doesn't need a shy but attractive doctor with a dog called Lieutenant Dan to start writing her the nicest letters, while everyone around her tells her how great he is. Then he does something jaw-droppingly wonderful, and all he asks is for her to accompany him to his brother's wedding as his date because the bride used to be his girlfriend.
There are plenty of tropes in this one: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, one bed only, miscommunication, though the last one goes on way too long. It really isn't my favourite trope and it goes on and on. So frustrating.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute animal or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business.
I went through so many emotions when I read this book, just like the characters in the story. To see how a serious illness impacts not only on the ill person but also on their loved ones, to see the trauma that comes from abandonment - it all felt so raw. But then, just when we needed it, one of the many side characters from either family would be quirky and hilarious. I was almost annoyed at Briana at times, when she seemed to throw away everything good, and quite frankly, I am not a fan of the third-act break-up. Plus a grown man in his thirties journaling every day and managing to sound like a lovesick teenager is, to say it mildly, unusual.
But I loved how Briana handled Jacob's anxiety and how he handled her trust issues. He really is an excellent human being. Jacob is the perfect book boyfriend so basically unrealistically great but who cares, sometimes we just need someone to swoon over.
There are plenty of tropes in this one: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating, one bed only, miscommunication, though the last one goes on way too long. It really isn't my favourite trope and it goes on and on. So frustrating.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute animal or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business.
I went through so many emotions when I read this book, just like the characters in the story. To see how a serious illness impacts not only on the ill person but also on their loved ones, to see the trauma that comes from abandonment - it all felt so raw. But then, just when we needed it, one of the many side characters from either family would be quirky and hilarious. I was almost annoyed at Briana at times, when she seemed to throw away everything good, and quite frankly, I am not a fan of the third-act break-up. Plus a grown man in his thirties journaling every day and managing to sound like a lovesick teenager is, to say it mildly, unusual.
But I loved how Briana handled Jacob's anxiety and how he handled her trust issues. He really is an excellent human being. Jacob is the perfect book boyfriend so basically unrealistically great but who cares, sometimes we just need someone to swoon over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy