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lweaxride's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Infertility, and Infidelity
thenageler's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, and Infidelity
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Chronic illness
seasonedreadings's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Pregnancy
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Gaslighting
greta_o's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Infertility
kfmcf's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel like I read a different book than everyone else.
I liked "Part of Your World". I didn't love it, but I still thought it was sweet and enjoyable. This one *irked* me. For a few reasons:
1) there are slow burns and then there are books that just need a bit of editing to trim the fat. This was the latter. Was it egregious? No. But it was a bit of a slog.
2) Jacob's anxiety was pretty unbelievable. I suffer from pretty terrible anxiety, specially social anxiety and have had my own journey of working through it. Everyone is unique so I don't expect monolithic occurrences, but my issue really lies in the fact that we knew nothing about Jacob OUTSIDE of his anxiety. That was it. And it felt like Briana liked him because she could mold him to what she needed.
3) I remember having a little bit of a problem with Jimenez's writing in POYW (in the first series so much) but I thought she had grown as a writer. This prose felt really immature and also didn't feel natural for people under 40 to use as dialogue. Does anyone under 40 use "u" and "r" while texting?
4) This book was ableist. The dog's name is Lieutenant Dan as an homage to "Forrest Gump". Cute. However, when acknowledging this reference, he is just referred to as "the amputee from Forrest Gump." ??! Excuse me?! There are so many less offensive ways to saw who the character is - Gary Sinise's character, the man who loses his leg in the Vietnam War, Forrest's shipmate. Just...insensitive. And outside of Briana's family the diversity of the characters feels very shoehorned in and ingenuine. Can we stop just referring to characters as Asian? It's an entire continent with a plethora of countries and cultures.
5) This one is a spoiler. this is Jimenez's SECOND BOOK WITH A SURPRISE PREGNANCY. How is she forgiven for this when so many other authors are not? It's not done any better! It's telegraphed super early on when they're talking about naming a kid Xfinity and Briana says she likes the name Ava. And then the first time they have sex, it's unprotected. And why was EVERYONE PREGNANT. Alexis, I get, but Amy AND Kelly AND BRIANA. Oy. I'm exhausted by this. And I don't believe that they would magically be fine and stay together. They barely knew each other.
6) We get it. You own Nadia Cakes. 5 mentions is too many mentions. And even beyond that it was a lot of brand name and pop culture dropping, jeepers.
7) This is one of the most atrocious examples of miscommunication I have ever encountered. Tbh I am a miscommunication apologist BUT i do think that miscommunication has what i consider two paths it can go down: missed communication and withheld communication. Missed communication is par for the course for relationships. It's crossed wires, mistakes, saying the wrong things. Withheld communication is when you DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER AND FESTER OVER INCORRECT INFORMATION. Briana is a 35-year-old woman. This felt like high school nonsense. It was so so much of the book. It was the ENTIRETY of act 2.
I truly believe there was a solid and lovely idea here that just got muddled by mishandled tropes and overexaggeration. This is the 2nd strike for this author for me (looking at you "The Friend Zone") and I'll give her a 3rd, but oof...begrudgingly. And only because I liked two of her other books.
I liked "Part of Your World". I didn't love it, but I still thought it was sweet and enjoyable. This one *irked* me. For a few reasons:
1) there are slow burns and then there are books that just need a bit of editing to trim the fat. This was the latter. Was it egregious? No. But it was a bit of a slog.
2) Jacob's anxiety was pretty unbelievable. I suffer from pretty terrible anxiety, specially social anxiety and have had my own journey of working through it. Everyone is unique so I don't expect monolithic occurrences, but my issue really lies in the fact that we knew nothing about Jacob OUTSIDE of his anxiety. That was it. And it felt like Briana liked him because she could mold him to what she needed.
3) I remember having a little bit of a problem with Jimenez's writing in POYW (in the first series so much) but I thought she had grown as a writer. This prose felt really immature and also didn't feel natural for people under 40 to use as dialogue. Does anyone under 40 use "u" and "r" while texting?
4) This book was ableist. The dog's name is Lieutenant Dan as an homage to "Forrest Gump". Cute. However, when acknowledging this reference, he is just referred to as "the amputee from Forrest Gump." ??! Excuse me?! There are so many less offensive ways to saw who the character is - Gary Sinise's character, the man who loses his leg in the Vietnam War, Forrest's shipmate. Just...insensitive. And outside of Briana's family the diversity of the characters feels very shoehorned in and ingenuine. Can we stop just referring to characters as Asian? It's an entire continent with a plethora of countries and cultures.
5) This one is a spoiler.
6) We get it. You own Nadia Cakes. 5 mentions is too many mentions. And even beyond that it was a lot of brand name and pop culture dropping, jeepers.
7) This is one of the most atrocious examples of miscommunication I have ever encountered. Tbh I am a miscommunication apologist BUT i do think that miscommunication has what i consider two paths it can go down: missed communication and withheld communication. Missed communication is par for the course for relationships. It's crossed wires, mistakes, saying the wrong things. Withheld communication is when you DON'T TALK TO EACH OTHER AND FESTER OVER INCORRECT INFORMATION. Briana is a 35-year-old woman. This felt like high school nonsense. It was so so much of the book. It was the ENTIRETY of act 2.
I truly believe there was a solid and lovely idea here that just got muddled by mishandled tropes and overexaggeration. This is the 2nd strike for this author for me (looking at you "The Friend Zone") and I'll give her a 3rd, but oof...begrudgingly. And only because I liked two of her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content, Cursing, Suicide, Ableism, Death, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Blood, Infertility, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Miscarriage
mngwa's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
cassie_erdman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, and Cursing
jenna36's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
The beginning and end of this book were very strong. There was a bit too much wishy-washy miscommunication and pining in the middle. There were a couple spots near the end that actually made me cry a little. I also really believed that Briana and Jacob were perfect for each other and Jacob was a fantastic love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Infidelity, Medical content, and Chronic illness
Minor: Vomit, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infertility
lisacanteven's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
5.0
I read the first 100 pages in the physical book over two days. Then I started the audiobook and read the last 300 pages on audio in 1 day. I could not turn it off. Fantastic performances!
Besides that....everything was perfect about this book.I didn't think it could be done, but I felt like this fake dating was done differently. And I actually liked it? I feel like it is the most used trope, and I am kind of over it. Take note, authors, this is how a fake dating trope is done.
What did I love so much about the fake dating? They actually wanted the best for one another going into it, so their feelings didn't get in the way for a long time and they were really able to fall in love in a more genuine way. The mistake authors make is to begin the dating and the secret pining simultaneously. Abby really let them start the con as genuine friends wanting to do right by one another.
As much as I love how the fake dating was done, I really appreciated the neurodivergent rep the most. The only way I will enjoy a straight romance these days is if there is some damn good rep, and the mental health rep alone was perfection. No notes. But seriously, the fact that Abby creates a character that so many neuro-spicy people can relate to is itself a service but then to make that character a man? These are the only male love interests I want in my books.
Men everywhere, are you listening?? Women just want men who go to therapy and care about your needs. These are the men who are getting the girl.
For the record, I do not understand women who want the "bad guy." How does anyone find that sexy? I'm not here to yuck anyone's yum, but how is therapy and a room of plants not the sexiest thing ever? Maybe this is why for the most part, I am appalled by men. But if I'm appalled by men then so is Abby Jimenez. This is why she creates the most perfect men for us. Ladies, I better not see y'all settling for anything less than Dr. Jacob Maddox - the PHD is optional.
Besides that....everything was perfect about this book.
What did I love so much about the fake dating? They actually wanted the best for one another going into it, so their feelings didn't get in the way for a long time and they were really able to fall in love in a more genuine way. The mistake authors make is to begin the dating and the secret pining simultaneously. Abby really let them start the con as genuine friends wanting to do right by one another.
As much as I love how the fake dating was done,
Men everywhere, are you listening?? Women just want men who go to therapy and care about your needs. These are the men who are getting the girl.
For the record, I do not understand women who want the "bad guy." How does anyone find that sexy? I'm not here to yuck anyone's yum, but how is therapy and a room of plants not the sexiest thing ever? Maybe this is why for the most part, I am appalled by men. But if I'm appalled by men then so is Abby Jimenez. This is why she creates the most perfect men for us. Ladies, I better not see y'all settling for anything less than Dr. Jacob Maddox - the PHD is optional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicide
stephmcoakley's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Miscarriage, Vomit, Abandonment, Blood, Chronic illness, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Pregnancy