By Abby Jimenez
I’ve found yet another author to consume! I’d never heard of Abby Jimenez before, but after reading Part of Your World, the rest of her books have been placed at the top of my TBR list. Part of Your World is a switch perspective book (which I have been loving lately) following the love story between Alexis Montgomery and Daniel Grant, both of whom are tasked with upholding their family legacies: the Montgomery family have worked as the leaders of Royaume Hospital for 125 years, and now that her famous parents have retired and her brother moved to Cambodia with his new wife, Alexis is the only Montgomery left that can uphold the family tradition. Two hours away in a small town called Wakan, Daniel Grant comes from a long line of leaders of this small town. A tight-knit community where everyone is family, he has roots in this town and a duty to its people as the mayor. But when the two meet by chance and can’t stay away from one another, difficult decisions have to be made as they question if their love is worth their legacies.
Alexis Montgomery works as an ER doctor at Royaume Hospital, and there has never been any question about that. Both of her parents, especially her father, expected this and more from her, and it was never a question that she would fill their shoes once they retired. Though she loves helping people, Alexis has never desired to be what her parents were, but arguing with her father is simply out of the question. Alexis is also coming out of a serious relationship with her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend, Neil, who also works as a physician at the hospital, and even though he cheated on her, Alexis’s father wants them to “work it out,” and Neil won’t leave it alone, going as far as to refuse to leave the home they share together. When Alexis meets Daniel by chance at the only bar in Wakan, she is absolutely charmed, and so begins their love story.
Daniel Grant is the mayor of Wakan, and was born and raised there with no intention of leaving. That is, until he meets Alexis. Daniel falls head over heels for Alexis, and suddenly everything else comes up second in comparison to what life with Alexis could be like. But Alexis is vague with him, shares very little personal information, and stays guarded, telling him up front that she doesn’t see a future with him. And yet, they spend every moment they can together…
What I loved the most about this story is the way that love was described between them. I have high standards when it comes to reading about love, most of the time I find it cringey or cliche or simply unbelievable, but Jimenez did an excellent job. The love between Daniel and Alexis was palpable, which I believe was crucial to the story. Both of these characters had a lot to live up to and worked very hard to be in the positions they are now. And it almost seems impossible that they would even consider giving up either of their legacies for love, especially such new love, but the way that Jimenez created sparks between them was masterful, and it will live on in my mind as one of the best examples of fictional love.
Some other things I loved: the ending, and although I won’t speak on that (no spoilers!) I will say it was very creative. I loved Wakan, as a town and a community, how everyone knew everyone and cared for everyone, how charmingly small-town-esque it was. I loved the support system both of them had – Daniel with a whole community and Alexis with her best friend, Bri. And, I loved that it wasn’t just a love story (although there’s nothing wrong with that!) – Alexis comes to terms with the abuse she’s faced in life, both from her ex-boyfriend and her father, and I feel like emotional abuse isn’t represented as often in literature. Jimenez did an excellent job with this topic as well. Overall, the only critique I have for the book is the blurb. Luckily, I don’t usually read blurbs, because this one made Part of Your World seem like a Hallmark movie, and it was absolutely more well written than any Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, and am looking forward to reading more of Jimenez’s catalog.
Steaminess Rating:
Will you be reading Part of Your World?
Dog Eared Books 