Book Review: Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

About the Book:

Title: Part of Your World

Author: Abby Jimenez

Page Length: 400

Publication Date: April 19, 2022

Publisher: Forever

Synopsis: After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez follows Alexis Montgomery and Daniel Grant, opposites from different worlds who meet and develop feelings for each other. However, distance, careers, an age difference, an annoying ex, demanding parents, self-doubt, and more stand in the way of their happiness. Can Alexis and Daniel find a way to be together, and will they take a chance on what could be the love of a lifetime?

I loved this contemporary romance! It’s witty and fun, romantic and sexy, and has just the right amount of lightheartedness to balance with the serious subjects. I love books that make me feel all the feels, and this story definitely did that. There are scenes when I laughed out loud, like when they talk about the names of a neighbor’s animals (Barack Ollama is my favorite, though Kevin Bacon the pig and Chick-a-Las Cage the chicken are fabulous too), and there are other scenes where I wept. There are also several scenes that made me swoon, especially when it comes to Daniel.

Daniel is my new book boyfriend. I adore his character! He is smart, hardworking, and honest. He’s so generous and supportive, and he has an easygoing temperament. He’s also handsome, funny, talented, and so thoughtful and romantic. And I love the dialogue between him and Alexis. They have such great banter, and it’s clear their connection is strong and ever-growing. I also love that Daniel really sees Alexis, not because of her family and her reputation, but for who she really is. He reads people well and treats people well, and Alexis is no exception. This is quite different from the way Alexis is usually treated by the men in her life.

It’s amazing how someone can touch you, even if you only know them for a moment in time. How they can change you, alter you indelibly.

Alexis is strong, smart, and well-educated. Unfortunately, her parents are more concerned with their name, reputation, and medical legacies than they are about the well-being of their children. Her entire life has been dictated by her parents and their expectations, and she’s never made a decision without their overbearing influence. Unlike Daniel, who is a man of integrity, Alexis’s family value prestige, and Alexis has some major realizations over the course of the story, as she begins to reject the abusive and toxic way she is treated.

Other characters in the story are also compelling, including Alexis’s best friend and the townspeople of Wakan. A small, close-knit community, this is the type of place where everyone knows everyone else, and they are deeply involved in each other’s lives. This community is more like a family, and it sounds like a magical place to live. I like how Alexis falls in love with the town and, through the people she meets and the experiences she has with them, realizes that there is more to life than her career and her parent’s demands.

Don’t let them decide the life you’re going to live. You only get one.

The story definitely has some modern fairy tale vibes. The title, of course, is the title of a song from The Little Mermaid, which I sang on repeat while I read the book, and Alexis and Daniel reflect Jasmine and Aladdin in their economic differences and lifestyles. Also, Alexis is a redheaded daughter of an overbearing and powerful father, which sounds a bit like The Little Mermaid. Even the anthropomorphic elements bring fairy tale-esque vibes to the story. Nature and Daniel’s house almost seem to come alive and, much like the music Alexis listens to reflects her feelings, they often reflect Daniel’s feelings and wishes. His house and the surrounding land also sometimes seem to act as Daniel’s protector and wingman. This, as well as the continually changing stained-glass window, the dragonflies, the story about the cardinal, and more add some poignant symbolism to the story, as well as a hint of magic.

This is my first read by Abby Jimenez, but it certainly won’t be my last! A story about, love, growth, change, and seeking happiness, Part of Your World is a fabulous contemporary romance that I highly recommend. The story tackles some serious issues, including abuse and the toxicity of broken, toxic relationships, but it also focuses on healing, growth, and the benefits of therapy. It also has great characters, a charming setting, a little bit of magic, and a swoon-worthy romance. I’m so thankful to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance!

• The character development.

• The hints of fairy tale elements.

Favorite Lines:

When she left, the only proof I ever had that she’d been here, or that she even existed at all, was the ache I was starting to feel when she was gone.

There is a peace in knowing the one thing you can’t live without. It simplifies all things.

There’s something more final than forever. It’s never. Never is infinite.

Recommendations:

The story does address issues like abuse, so I would check the content warnings before reading, as some of these topics might be triggers.