Part of Your World

Dear god I’ve been in such a slump! Cute book though!

I loved this book, and am glad to say that it restored my faith in Abby Jimenez books. As with most of her others that I've read, I don't enjoy the misunderstanding trope, and I also have a hard time with the FMC making wrong decisions. But it is more realistic to have flawed characters and I love that Abby Jimenez does not shy away from that in her books. The banter in this book was superb, and I found myself giggling and cheering for the main couple the entire way through!

Hate to be a dissenter on this but it just really wasn't for me. Everything was just a bit too caricatured. I get that Alexis grew up rich and coddled - but she didn't even know how to use a broom? Her "bad" friends were basically Cinderella's stepsisters. Daniel was adorable but almost too good to be true, he didn't feel real to me. And he put up with so much from her. Then the town itself willing things to be - just too much for me!

In this insane world, I read to escape most days...and "Part of Your World" by Abby Jimenez was EXACTLY the getaway I needed. This story had everything I ever ask for out of a sweet romance...and then some! Who knew I'd get to enjoy a touch of magical realism (my favorite!!) thrown into the joy and anguish of a new relationship.

I also had so. many. tears. while reading this love story - tears of joy, tears of sadness, and tears from outright guffawing.

"My vagina has been closed for so long, I'm afraid a Spirit Halloween Store is going to move in!"

I laughed (LITERALLY) for Two Straight Minutes.

Didn't think it could get funnier... ... ...and then I got to Chapter 25. I was in my car running errands with tears streaming down my face and almost unable to catch my breath I was LAUGHING SO HARD. I'm sure I was pure entertainment for the cars around me.

Of course, ten minutes later I was practically sobbing from adjacent heartbreak. And ten minutes after that, the tears were streaming from happiness.

All that to say, Go Get This Book! Now. You will be so very happy you did. And might I recommend the audiobook? (I got mine from LibroFM.) The male actor that was reading for Daniel was phenomenal - which makes you love that character even more.

When I finished this book, I wanted to start it all over again... ... ...and I just might.

2-2.5⭐️⭐️I didn’t actually start “enjoying” this until about the last quarter. The preceding 3/4 of the book I was mostly annoyed by the lack of communication from a nearly 40 year old woman, the unnecessary and exaggerated sex scenes, and kind of corny approach to what was genuinely a sweet story…all those things considered.

My general concensus was: “cute. An ok read I guess. Delivered on the areas I was promised in terms of a feel good story. Not a fantastic literary movement by any means. But alright.”

Easy to read. A cute cast of characters complete with random sidekick animals. Lighthearted humor interlaced with discussions about hard topics like DV and societal stigmas. But some of these things were not delivered exceptionally well. And the overdrawn entirety of the first 65-70% of the book watered down the whole experience.

Alexis annoyed me more than anything ONLY for her lack of communication and weird back and forth analysis of her relationship with Daniel. The man is 28, he’s not a CHILD. He’s younger than you, yes, but he was communicative and rational and she just wasn’t. It was frustrating to read about her alleged “never done a one night stand” then have her immediately have a one night stand. And the intimate scenes were just not my taste. I struggle with “spice” anyhow, but these were just icky. Not in bad taste, but just in the execution of it all. The sex couldn’t have been THAT good. And the whole thing just didn’t feel genuine until over halfway when the feelings felt based on something more than physical attraction.

I liked Bri as a character, and Neil’s redemption arc was sweet. And I appreciated Alexis’s turn around at the gala and the ultimate trajectory of the ending that felt good for the soul. I love a corny happy ending! The banter and jokes were cute. But the book could’ve been shorter and had wayyy less “moon-lit mystical magical” add ins that felt a little forced to prove a point of fated soul mates, and Alexis could use more therapy in terms of learning to communicate her feelings to someone she’s clearly emotionally invested in, and should come to understand the repercussions of one night stands before partaking.

PLUS. I HATED the whole d* pick situation🤣😭😭🫠 so bad