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A review by _reedmylife_
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Abby Jimenez has a chokehold on me.
This woman could write anything and I would fall head over heels for it. As someone who is not usually a fan of the fake dating trope or medical settings, I was a bit fearful that this would be the one that did not land for me. Luckily, I was very wrong.
At first I could not quite get into this novel as I felt it lacked some of the chemistry that I found so easy with Jimenez's other characters. I wasn't enjoying the medical setting and I was pretty sure this was just going to be a romance that had way too much miscommunication for my enjoyment. Yours Truly does have a lot of the miscommunication scenarios but it is so much more than that. The romance between Briana and Jacob is beautiful and the way they grow with each other is one of the many reasons why I love reading Jimenez's work. The romance is always the main plotline but real life shit is always surrounding them.
Jimenez writes characters that are real and truthful to every day people. These books can feel like a getaway at times, but it also feels so real. Briana's story arc is stunning and I felt so connected to her story. I was in a tumultuous six-year relationship and had a miscarriage like Briana and being able to trust and believe in love again was a difficult process. Briana's thoughts were my thoughts and I completely understood all of her fears. I also really enjoyed Jacob's arc as he represented the anxiety that the world brings upon us and not wanting to hurt those around us. I related to him a lot too and could see pieces of my partner within him.
Not only are the characters and scenarios that Jacob and Briana are put through relatable, Yours Truly makes you believe in love again and reminds us that life is a struggle. People are not always who they say they are, you lose a baby, you fall ill at a young age, you are fearful of the world, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be someone who will promise to be harmless to you even when it seems the rest of the world has scarred you.
This woman could write anything and I would fall head over heels for it. As someone who is not usually a fan of the fake dating trope or medical settings, I was a bit fearful that this would be the one that did not land for me. Luckily, I was very wrong.
At first I could not quite get into this novel as I felt it lacked some of the chemistry that I found so easy with Jimenez's other characters. I wasn't enjoying the medical setting and I was pretty sure this was just going to be a romance that had way too much miscommunication for my enjoyment. Yours Truly does have a lot of the miscommunication scenarios but it is so much more than that. The romance between Briana and Jacob is beautiful and the way they grow with each other is one of the many reasons why I love reading Jimenez's work. The romance is always the main plotline but real life shit is always surrounding them.
Jimenez writes characters that are real and truthful to every day people. These books can feel like a getaway at times, but it also feels so real. Briana's story arc is stunning and I felt so connected to her story. I was in a tumultuous six-year relationship and had a miscarriage like Briana and being able to trust and believe in love again was a difficult process. Briana's thoughts were my thoughts and I completely understood all of her fears. I also really enjoyed Jacob's arc as he represented the anxiety that the world brings upon us and not wanting to hurt those around us. I related to him a lot too and could see pieces of my partner within him.
Not only are the characters and scenarios that Jacob and Briana are put through relatable, Yours Truly makes you believe in love again and reminds us that life is a struggle. People are not always who they say they are, you lose a baby, you fall ill at a young age, you are fearful of the world, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There will always be someone who will promise to be harmless to you even when it seems the rest of the world has scarred you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Miscarriage and Abandonment