Sophia Rose is here with a review of Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. Come see why she enjoyed this diverse, letter writing, heartfelt fake date romance.
by Abby Jimenez
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.
Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter.
And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.
Sophia Rose’s Review
Two emergency room doctors have not one and not even just two disastrous encounters so probably not fated to be or even fated to be good working colleagues until a heart-felt letter is given.
Certain buzz words will always get me to sit up and take notice. In a romance, ‘letter writing’ is a biggie. Definitely time to dive into the writing of an author I’ve heard much praise for in the last year or two.
In an alternating chapter change of narrator format, Yours Truly introduces first Briana’s perspective and then Jacob’s.
Briana is on the eve of her divorce to her cheating husband who is with the other woman. It’s been over a year so she should be adjusted and she thinks she is, but no… her best friend has married and moved off to the country (see previous book Part of Your World), she’s forced to compete with some new guy for the soon to be open department chief spot with some new guy, and her baby brother needs a kidney donor and is not doing well in the meantime. Something’s gotta give and she chooses to rain down all her pent-up emotions and frustrations on new guy. He’s a jerk, right? She decides even if a few friends know him and say he’s one of the good guys. And, then he writes her a letter.
Jacob suffers social anxiety and now after starting his first day on a new job where they whisper ‘Dr. Death’ in his wake and he got a rather cold welcome in the emergency ward and managed to rile up one of the other doctors, he has to go sit down in a noisy, crowded bar with his brother who is dating Jacob’s ex who became his ex when she left him for his brother. No surprise, they’re getting married. He manages to get through it, but just barely. His boss who is retiring wants him to take the chief spot and that fellow doctor is up for the spot- oh, and she has a brother needing a kidney transplant- no wonder she let him have it for bad timing and words that came out wrong. Obviously talking just gets him into trouble, so he writes her a letter.
Yours Truly drew me in from the start. Briana was hanging in there by a thread and she came across as raw, vulnerable, and all too real with how she handled her life woes and relationships. I thought for sure I would love her the best and then switching to Jacob’s chapter and making that same electrifying connection with his character, I was reading one of those uncommon romances where I was in love with both characters deeply and equally. Jacob is a sweetheart through and through and Briana is not sweet, but she is good people. They have some bad moments in person, but then the letters where thoughts can be formed and thought through before committing them to writing was perfect for them.
I confess I heard this book was about a romance set around letters and pictured an entirely different scenario- a typical set up which I do love, but this was better for these people and their situation. This ended up a fake date set up when Jacob asked for a big favor. He did a big thing for her, too, but this is also big because she must face his dramatic family and that awk-awk-awkard sitch with his brother and ex’s wedding.
On a side note, I love books seeped in all sorts of diversity that feels organic to the story and Yours Truly has that. I appreciate mostly that the diversity takes several different forms and is just there without it being practically flagged for me as several contemporaries tend to do these days.
About Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author and Food Network champion living in Minnesota. Abby founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international following. Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.
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About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
This is an author I’ve wanted to read for a while. I chose this book for my Book of the Month box, so will see when I can get to it. I do love the letter writing in stories too!
Sophia Rose
I’ve been itching to try her stuff and the letters were the final push to make this one my first. Man, I need to go back for the others. Ooh, good pick for your BotM box. Hope you love it, Lisa!
Katherine
Letter writing is a big one for me – just behind fake dating. This sounds really fun and like a great read!
Sophia Rose
You and me both! Put letters in the romance and I’m there. 🙂
Maureen @ Maureen's Books
This book sounds amazing! I’m glad to read you’ve enjoyed it so! Great review!
Sophia Rose
Maureen, it was sensational and I am so glad she has more books already out. 🙂
Rolé @ Hooked By That Book
Great review. This is on my list and I can’t wait.
Sophia Rose
Woohoo, Role! You’re in for a real heart-felt treat. 🙂
Barbara Strickland
I am really curious about this one.
Sophia Rose
I’m so glad, Barbara. I will push this one at anybody I can. 🙂
Sophie
I am so glad you loved it! It’s on my TBR for May!
Sophia Rose
You’re in for a good one, Sophie!
Nadene
You have me wanting to pick this one up.
Sophia Rose
So good, Nadene! I hope you do get the chance. I’m sold and plan to keep reading her backlist.
Carla
Wonderful review, Sophia Rose. I am still waiting to get this one from my library (audiobook) and I am getting even more antsy. I may give in and use an audible credit for it. I love the way she includes various diverse characters as well.
Sophia Rose
Ah man, so hard to wait for those library holds to come in. I’ve been there, Carla.
Yes, this was my first read of hers, but I will definitely be snagging Part of Her World and her others.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I have yet to read this author but the reviews I’ve read have all been positive.
Sophia Rose
Reading others’ reviews was what first put her books on my radar, too. Oh yes, her books are worth the enthusiasm I’ve seen. 🙂
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Sophia Rose
Howdy, Laurel-Rain!
Happy Saturday!