Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ameliabiblio 's review for:
Part of Your World
by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Overhyping has taken another book down🫡 A BookToker that I follow very closely is obsessed with this book, so I had high hopes and alas, those hopes were too high. I also read this in a day, took it like a shot, so maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had more time with it. As it is, though, I can't really say that this is anything special. The writing is pretty simple and straightforward and the romance is pretty dang adorable. Where this book really stood out was its representation of the many different types of abusive relationships and abusers that exist out there. That part of the book was truly excellent and, hopefully, genuinely helpful to people who find themselves in similar situations.
Another area where this book succeeded was making you fucking HATE everyone in Alexis's life except for Bri and maybe her brother (but I still hated him a little for abandoning her). While this set up her character arc really well, it made the latter half of the book a little painful to get through for someone like me, who simply cannot relate to having such a shit family. It would not have taken me that long to figure out that my happiness was more important than... doing what my dad wants, I guess? So while I think it was exceedingly realistic, it was also incredibly frustrating to read. Maybe spending a little more time with her mom and seeing more of her good qualities would have been helpful in reducing the obvious fact that her family SUCKS. But I also wouldn't make this book any longer than it is, so there's that, too.
I did love Daniel, though. He was such a sweetie (and a raging simp) and who doesn't love that? I especially loved how he was teaching Alexis how to do everyday things that had always been done for her. I think that, especially in comparison with how Neil basically just mocked her for her ignorance, was one of the sweetest parts of the whole book. We love a capable man who helps turn his girlfriend into a capable woman! While I also obviously hated Neil at the beginning, I also appreciated having him have a sort of redemption arc. I think that ultimately having Alexis's dad be the big bad works really well. He's why she is the way she is way more so than Neil, even though Neil was her most recent trauma. While I never believe that abusers deserve forgiveness, I do believe in the ability to change, and I appreciate that Abby represented it here. Alexis's dad has been that way for too long and gotten away with it for too long, but Neil, having lost two partners to his abuse already, is much more primed to show an ability to change.
I think my opinion of this book may change over time or with a slower reread, but for now I feel good with giving it 3.5 stars. However, I can't wait to read Bri's story. Yours, Truly, here I come!
Another area where this book succeeded was making you fucking HATE everyone in Alexis's life except for Bri and maybe her brother (but I still hated him a little for abandoning her). While this set up her character arc really well, it made the latter half of the book a little painful to get through for someone like me, who simply cannot relate to having such a shit family. It would not have taken me that long to figure out that my happiness was more important than... doing what my dad wants, I guess? So while I think it was exceedingly realistic, it was also incredibly frustrating to read. Maybe spending a little more time with her mom and seeing more of her good qualities would have been helpful in reducing the obvious fact that her family SUCKS. But I also wouldn't make this book any longer than it is, so there's that, too.
I did love Daniel, though. He was such a sweetie (and a raging simp) and who doesn't love that? I especially loved how he was teaching Alexis how to do everyday things that had always been done for her. I think that, especially in comparison with how Neil basically just mocked her for her ignorance, was one of the sweetest parts of the whole book. We love a capable man who helps turn his girlfriend into a capable woman! While I also obviously hated Neil at the beginning, I also appreciated having him have a sort of redemption arc. I think that ultimately having Alexis's dad be the big bad works really well. He's why she is the way she is way more so than Neil, even though Neil was her most recent trauma. While I never believe that abusers deserve forgiveness, I do believe in the ability to change, and I appreciate that Abby represented it here. Alexis's dad has been that way for too long and gotten away with it for too long, but Neil, having lost two partners to his abuse already, is much more primed to show an ability to change.
I think my opinion of this book may change over time or with a slower reread, but for now I feel good with giving it 3.5 stars. However, I can't wait to read Bri's story. Yours, Truly, here I come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
This isn't important to the main romance, but it does happen like halfway through the book. It has to do with a traumatic birth, so if you're sensitive to that, please read this. There is a scene where Alexis helps deliver a baby that has its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck. She ultimately helps deliver it safely and the baby is fine, but the consequences of what could have happened if she hadn't been there are mentioned.