I’m obsessed with this book. Abby Jimenez simply doesn’t know how to write books that aren’t absolutely amazing. They keep getting better and better this one might just be my new favourite of hers. March has just started but I just know it’s going to feature in my top reads of the year (might even be THE best one).

I was hooked from the very first page. I immediately fell in love with Emma and Justin and I can’t stop thinking about them. This book was a big rollercoaster of emotions - whereas lots of scenes had be giggling and kicking my feet, wondering where I can find a guy like Justin (lol, I thought it wold be impossible to top Jacob but Just was just perfect. What a dreamy man 🤩), I also found myself heartbroken for these characters and with tears running down my face a few times. Abby’s writing was beautiful as always, and while she definitely has the power to break your heart when she goes into detail about the trauma some these characters experienced and the effect it had on them, she never fails to put all the pieces back together and give you hope.

Emma and Justing were very different but they were both amazing characters! Emma’s life was never easy; ever since she was a kid, she had to deal with really hard things and that lead her to live her life running away from love and stability. Justin, on the other hand, had a much better childhood but the recent loss of his father and the impact it had on his mother and his family turned his world upside down. Although their connection couldn’t have been clearer since the first time they met, sure to Emma’s upbringing and Justin’s family situation, there’s a strong component of ‘right person, wrong time’ to this book (though don’t worry! This is a romance so the HAE is guaranteed and it is super sweet).

I loved seeing them get to know each other and they way Justin took down Emma’s walls one by one and she fell in love with him. Obviously it wasn’t as easy as that but she really couldn’t help but fall in love with him once they started spending more time together and she ended up realising that the things she used to fear the most (and convinced herself she didn’t want) might just be the things she needs (and craves). Seeing her growth and development throughout the book was both heartbreaking and heartwarming because while it was great to see her finding happiness and overcoming her trauma, everything she went through made my heart break. Justin’s support through everything and the way he understood her and loved her was beautiful.

Also, I can’t talk about this book without mentioning Maddy! She’s probably one of the best best friends I’ve read about lately. I loved the way she knew Emma so incredibly well (to the point of being able to anticipate her next steps and exactly what she was thinking) and always told her the truth even when Emma didn’t want to hear it and didn’t let her run away from her problems. She truly was an amazing character and the most supportive bff, who only wanted Emma to find love and happiness and was there for her every step of the way. With the way Abby set things up I wouldn’t be surprised if we get her story in the future and I really, really hope we do 🤞

Also, it was so lovely to see some familiar characters from her previous books and get a little sneak peek into their lives and what they’re up to. It really made me want to reread her books so I might just have to soon.

Five stars doesn’t seem enough for this book. If you haven’t ready any Abby Jimenez books, you have no idea what you’re missing! Run to the nearest bookshop/library and grab one (or all of them!).

★ ♾️/5 stars ★

The biggest thank you to the Piatkus and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review 🫶🫶🫶

Oh my God!! This book is everything! I have no words to describe how this book made me feel! Abby Jimenez kicked it out of the park with this one! Her best book yet! I am honestly in shock, like this book gave me whiplash! I'm seriously considering reading it again! An absolute masterpiece! Do I recommend this? I'm ordering you to read this! I wish I could rate this more than 5 stars for all the feels it made me feel! Fabulous!!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What another incredible book by Abby Jimenez 👏🏻
Yours Truly was in my top 3 books of last year so I was thrilled to be asked to review her newest book!

Abby is truly gifted with her writing, the characters and world she has built is my favourite place to be.
From the beginning I fell over head heels for our main couple, the meet cute on reddit was hilarious and it all felt natural.

I love the found family in this book and we get to see so many of our old favourites from past books too so it was truly a gift 🥰
Thank you Abby and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC 🤍

4.5 ⭐

When someone at Jimenez’s publishing house in the UK contacted me offering me an ARC of this book it turned around a crappy week for me. I have been waiting to read this for so long and thought my wait would be longer.

I’ve said this about previous books of hers but… this book was hands down the best thing she’s written. In fact, it’s probably one of my favourite books, ever. One thing I love about her books is how she incorporates characters from previous books and it took me a hot minute to place Benny, and the other character I won’t name at this point to avoid potential spoilers and it was perfection. Perfection because you got to see their world beyond their story… I was pumped to see Benny thriving after what he experienced in “yours truly”.

So… this story is heavy at times as it deals with navigating messy families, deception, childhood trauma and how it bites you in the ass when you realise what you’ve gone through. The FMC was complex, and I mean that was an understatement. She was messy and lost and led her day to day life as the kindest human whilst suppressing the consequences of a life that she never asked for.

The original premise of the story is one that’s been done, but this take on it was amazing.

Justin, the MMC… I think is my favourite MMC of all time. Books will set unrealistic expectations but actually this is simultaneously doing that and emphasising that actually, it’s what is deserved. As Jimenez herself said; he is the epitome of “if he wanted to be would”

The FMC best friend was a fierce protector and honestly brilliant. I love how her story wrapped up and who that involved as I loved that character in a previous book but I kinda wanted to see that as a whole book… cos I’m greedy like that.

This book had me laughing out loud at points, the banter was great. I think I could honestly go on for ages about this book. It got me out of a reading slump caused by life overload and so thankful for it. I cannot tell you the incessant need I have to get my hands on a physical copy.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

“If I could give it 6 stars, I would”

This will be a great book for summer. It’s light hearted with some depth. Closed door romance. If you like the authors other books you’ll enjoy this.