Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

223 reviews

amanda_reads13's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

After a series of unfortunate first impressions, two doctors become each other's safe space at time when they are both feeling lost and alone. 

This book is very cute and absolutely hilarious! I didn't love it as much as the first because of the constant miscommunication and repetition. Like chapters and chapters of miscommunication. They make countless assumptions about each other and instead of talking to each other, they just let it get in the way. Due to the miscommunication we get internal monologues odlf
“there’s no way she likes me it’s fake”/ “there’s no way he likes me it’s a rebound" on repeat for 1/3 of the book. 

Briana is a successful doctor who is dealing with a terrible divorce and a brother who needs a kidney transplant. She is so strong, but she is in desperate need of therapy. She has trust issues due to her father leaving her family and her husband cheating on her with her friend. She has never dealt with those insecurities and issues, she just lets them consume her and let's it stand in the way of her possible relationship with Jacob. She has a secret crazy side, which was hilarious - the glitter story!!!!

Jacob is the greenest of green flags. He is considerate, thoughtful, and sweet. He has crippling anxiety that leads him to isolate himself and have panic attacks. At times it seemed like he was more on the ASD spectrum than anxiety, but either way, I felt like the author approached this topic with compassion and in an understandable way. He is such a selfless and caring man - he donates a kidney and forgives his brother for marrying his ex (wtf!)! 

I really love these two together. The letters are so adorable! You can feel how much they love each other. She takes the time to understand Jacob and does what she can to make his life better. I love how he never gives up on Briana, he understands her issues and is there with her through it all. 

Tropes: slow burn, rivals to friends to lovers, fake dating, co-workers 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

savannahsshelf's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Don’t even know what to say that was just so amazing 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

vanessagrausam's review

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

yearlyreadings's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Almost gave this a 4.5 but I really had a hard time with all of the assumptions being made by both the FMC and MMC. 

The story was a beautiful one of love at first run in, though. I wish Lt. Dan were real because I want to just hug him. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

noellegrace8's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A great romance read! The two main characters have serious chemistry and make one another better people. The writing is fantastic; their relationship comes to life on the page. And Jimenez really gets you to laugh with some of the depictions of scenes and characters' actions. She writes chronic anxiety well, what with the characters' constant mentioning of it and efforts to overcome issues in that area of their relationship. Plus, there are many quotable lessons learned within the course of the book, which I appreciated. I also felt interested by the big family that the main male love interest has, because larger families are kind of rare and I am 1 of 9.

I knocked off .25 for just a couple reasons. The first is that there is some contemporary language & concepts usage that is already not aging well. They're not offensive phrases or anything, but they're going to be considered cringey or dated after they stop being popular in a couple years. (Ex., using "epic" in drama talk)

I also think
Briana's pregnancy toward the end
is random and used a little too obviously as a plot device to create just another conflict for the new lovers, especially since
Alexis and Kelly both are also pregnant.
It seems as if the author is sort of saying that a relationship is actually at its most complete status, and most thrilling, when the couple
gets pregnant,
and I simply disagree with that blanket statement. Seeing the ex could have been a big enough issue on its own without that extra piece of backstory thrown in, especially one that is incredibly traumatic and therefore needed a building up throughout the novel if included at all.

And then, I'm also a bit mad that his ex-girlfriend and the younger brother
didn't get more of what they deserved for their backstabbing behavior,
even though Jacob
got over it easily enough in the end and said he hadn't necessarily ever actually loved her.
There are just some boundaries you don't cross, and they each could have chosen other people. And the family seemingly wanting to be okay with it was odd.

I don't factor audiobook performance into my star reviews, but I give both Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber 5/5 easily. They are unique, not annoying, and did plenty of inflection without overdoing it.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emcroll's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

In 'Yours Truly' by Abby Jimenez, Briana Ortiz's world is a perfect storm of personal and professional upheaval. As she faces divorce and the struggle to secure a promotion in her high-pressure job as a doctor, her world gets even more complicated when Dr. Jacob Maddox, initially a major thorn in her side, steps into the picture with a surprising gesture that changes everything.

Let's dive right in—Bri and Jacob? They redefine relationship goals. The evolution from antagonists to allies to lovers is crafted with such genuine care and emotional depth, it's impossible not to get swept up. Bri's fierce support for Jacob's battle with anxiety and his heartfelt attempts to stand by her side paint a powerful picture of what true partnership looks like. And can we talk about that letter? Total game-changer. It proves Jacob isn't the villain Bri first thought, but a hero in his own quiet way.

The crux of the plot might hinge on a classic misunderstanding, a trope that can feel overplayed, but here it serves as a launch pad for deeper emotional exploration. Abby Jimenez doesn't just write romance; she writes about real people grappling with real issues—infidelity, chronic health struggles, and the messiness of human relationships.

What truly sets this novel apart is its ability to blend sizzling banter and undeniable chemistry with profoundly impactful themes. From their disastrous first encounters to the complexities of navigating a relationship built on a foundation of missteps, Bri and Jacob's journey is a testament to the messy, beautiful chaos of falling in love.

Reading 'Yours Truly' is like watching a masterclass in character development. The narrative is packed with moments that are as heartwrenching as they are heartwarming, making it more than just a love story—it's a life story.

In summary, 'Yours Truly' delivers a compelling mix of humor, heartache, and healing. If you're a fan of stories that pair romance with real-world stakes, prepare to be delighted and moved by Bri and Jacob's unforgettable love story. It's a heartfelt, beautifully written saga.

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars, 1 chili pepper
Format: Audio

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kmdowling90's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

carrotkate's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Captures the anxiety of opening your heart to someone so well. My only gripe was some of the tropes and the fact that it was a little too long. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readandfindout's review

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

4.25

Style/writing: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

wolfebh's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings