A review by theespressoedition
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

challenging emotional funny 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

This review is Own Voices from the perspective of someone who has experienced emotional abuse.

Once again, Abby Jimenez blows me away. The way that this book went from laugh-out-loud hilarious at the beginning to incredibly meaningful and emotional by the end was inspired.

I'm so glad that I listened to the audiobook. The narration was chef's kiss and it made me appreciate the dual-POV so much more. I went into this slightly blind, knowing that I trust Abby's writing to make me feel something and that I would love it no matter what. I genuinely cackled - fully CHORTLED - at Alexis's reaction after the first night. This was at the beginning of the story and I was already cracking up at the fantastic dynamic between the protagonists. I had to pause my audiobook just to calm down from my laughter and almost pain-inducing grin.

Then the pain and emotion began to weave their way into the story. There are very few books that I feel accurately portray what it's like to find yourself in an emotionally abusive relationship. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever read one that actually goes into depth about what the victim experiences. I can't begin to express how much I appreciate the way Abby wrote this. Alexis looking back at what she walked through and trying to work through the trauma that follows her into the rest of her life was so well done. Not only does she still continue to struggle with her relationships, but she also has a tough time seeing that people are still taking advantage of her (or at least how to remove herself from those scenarios when it happens). She also has a huge heart that creates a desire in her to help others who are in an unsafe space.

There's a quote that stuck out to me. In fact, it did more than stick out. It actually made me pause to just let myself cry. Because it was something that I desperately needed to hear in the past and didn't - but it's something that I work so very hard to share with others now. It hits home:
 “I believe you. I can handle anything you need to tell me. You don’t need to protect me from the truth and I’m here to help you in any way I can. It’s not your fault and you don’t deserve it.” 
Alexis says this to someone else who is in an abusive relationship and boy, oh boy, if I could just broadcast that quote to the whole world, I would. I guess that's why I'm including it in this review. It could change someone's life.

Then, of course, there's Daniel. Sweet Daniel. I love a "he falls first" story and this is definitely that. It's also an age-gap romance, which doesn't usually pique my interest, but it was written so well. It didn't feel icky in any way. It portrayed the reality of being in a relationship like that and it was navigated brilliantly.

This book is absolutely standing at the top of my 2022 reads right now. I can't imagine it dropping below the top 5. It's phenomenal and life-changing and I hope that everyone reads it. Thank you, Abby, for creating something so meaningful.
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