APRIL 2023 - AudioFile
Listening to Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber portray Dr. Briana Ortiz and Dr. Jacob Maddox in this audio romance is an opportunity to disappear into other lives for a while. Both Briana and Jacob have storylines that grab the listener in an emotional way. Briana is reeling from a nasty divorce and coping with her brother's kidney failure; Jacob is battling severe social anxiety. The chapters are laid out by either Briana or Jacob, and each narrator vocalizes the other main character quite well, capturing subtle inflections and intentions. Full of both lighthearted moments and serious situations, the story takes the listener on a bit of a roller-coaster ride until all is navigated to a satisfying conclusion. This is the second audiobook in a series. B.E.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
12/05/2022
Bestseller Jimenez (Part of Your World) charms with this poignant and often hilarious romance between ER doctors. Briana Ortiz is initially suspicious that new hire Jacob Maddox is out to steal her promotion, but Jacob surprises her by taking himself out of the running. Both are recovering from messy breakups—Jacob with an ex who is now engaged to his brother, Briana with a husband who gaslighted her while carrying on a yearslong affair—and as they grow closer through letters, they help each other recover. However, the idea of faking a relationship to convince Jacob’s family that he’s moved on could upend their fragile dynamic. Indeed, the ensuing series of communication issues will leave readers wanting to shake some sense into Jimenez’s leads. Still, Jacob is a dream boyfriend (down to his willingness to donate a kidney for Briana’s brother), and the romantic angst rings true in light of the characters’ traumatic past relationships. The laugh-out-loud scenes—including Briana’s tale of glitter-bomb revenge and the introduction of a foul-mouthed parrot—are the real highlight. Add in sparkling prose, skillful plotting, and a sensitive approach to Jacob’s clinical anxiety, and the result is contemporary romance gold. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Sparkling prose, skillful plotting… contemporary romance gold.”—Publishers Weekly
“Jimenez is a true talent.”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lovers
"Abby Jimenez’s words are like fairy dust... they sprinkle humor and warmth all over my life.”—Ali Hazelwood, NYT bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis
"Abby Jimenez once again flexes her ability to tackle big feelings and sensitive topics in this slow-burn romance."—Elle Canada
“A cute, slow-burn romance with plenty of funny moments and emotional challenges.”—Kirkus
"A must-read."—Country Living
“Jimenez continues to excel at emotionally resonant love stories with plenty of gentle humor.”—Bookreporter
“Beautifully written… This story is one that will stay in your heart and you’ll remember for a long time.”—BookTrib
“[Abby Jimenez] creates characters that make you feel like you’d step in front of a moving train for them, characters that embody a certain type of strong that is selfless and kind, characters that linger in our minds long after the book ends. Equal parts heart and heartbreak, yet every romantic’s dream come true, this is Abby Jimenez at her best.”—Natasha is a Book Junkie
NYT bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis Ali Hazelwood
Abby Jimenez’s words are like fairy dust... they sprinkle humor and warmth all over my life.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry
Jimenez is a true talent.”
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Book Lover Emily Henry
Jimenez is a true talent.
Library Journal
★ 12/01/2022
Emergency-room doctor Briana Ortiz has a lot going on in her life. She's in the middle of a divorce, her brother has moved in because he can't (or won't) take care of himself while he waits for a kidney donor, and there's a new doctor on her rotation—one who will probably get the promotion Briana wants since he's a man. She hates him even before he breaks her phone and is rude to the nurses. Dr. Jacob Maddox is having the worst first day of work ever. It seems he can't put a foot right with the ER nurses or sexy Dr. Ortiz. Jacob isn't great with people on his best days since his social anxiety makes small talk very difficult. So, to introduce himself and apologize, he writes Briana a letter. Despite her initial irritations, she finds herself writing back. This heartfelt romantic comedy deals respectfully with mental health issues and weaves them into the story so deftly that the story would suffer without these plot points. The protagonists are also beautifully developed and feel authentic. VERDICT Fans of Jimenez (Part of Your World) will clamor for this book, and first-time readers of hers will want to explore her backlist.—Heather Miller Cover
APRIL 2023 - AudioFile
Listening to Kyla Garcia and Zachary Webber portray Dr. Briana Ortiz and Dr. Jacob Maddox in this audio romance is an opportunity to disappear into other lives for a while. Both Briana and Jacob have storylines that grab the listener in an emotional way. Briana is reeling from a nasty divorce and coping with her brother's kidney failure; Jacob is battling severe social anxiety. The chapters are laid out by either Briana or Jacob, and each narrator vocalizes the other main character quite well, capturing subtle inflections and intentions. Full of both lighthearted moments and serious situations, the story takes the listener on a bit of a roller-coaster ride until all is navigated to a satisfying conclusion. This is the second audiobook in a series. B.E.S. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-02-23
In this contemporary romance, two emergency room doctors, both recovering from messy breakups, form a close, comforting friendship and perhaps something more.
Dr. Briana Ortiz has enough on her plate. She’s in the midst of finalizing her divorce, and her brother’s on a deadline to find a kidney donor. Now she has to worry that the new doctor, Jacob Maddox, is there to nab her promotion to chief of emergency medicine. Admittedly, Jacob—who has social anxiety—doesn't make the best first impression on Bri, telling her off for bumping into him in the hall. To make amends, he writes her a letter to explain himself and apologize, and the tension between them softens as their letters to each other keep coming. Bri realizes Jacob isn’t there to undermine her, and Jacob gets to see Bri’s more vulnerable side. When Jacob offers to be Bri’s brother’s kidney donor and Bri agrees to be Jacob’s pretend girlfriend for a wedding, it's easy to wonder what kept these two apart in the first place. The answer: not much. Of course, the two are carrying some heavy baggage from prior relationships, but it seems like a minor obstacle when compared to the genuine connection Jacob and Bri share. This is a cute, slow-burn romance with plenty of funny moments and emotional challenges, though the focus seems to be on the leads finally realizing what’s been in front of them all along through grand and sometimes unnecessary machinations. Did this need a fake dating subplot? Or epistolary flirting? Not really, but Jimenez manages to pepper these adorable tropes throughout without making them feel too gimmicky.
A solid contemporary with a balance of humor and lasting emotional beats.
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