Book Review - Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Title: Part of Your World (Part of Your World # 1)
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance/ Contemporary
Published: 2022
 
Description: 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 worl renowed 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?
 
Review: The praise that Abby Jimenez got for “Part of Your World” got me curious enough to check it out. I’m not a contemporary romance reader and was weirdly skeptical about it. But I was so surprised with how much I ended up loving this book. So much, that I really want to read more of her books.
 
I seriously can’t think of anything I didn’t like about “Part of Your World”. We meet Alexis, a successful doctor carrying on a legacy from a long line of talented doctors. She meets small-town carpenter Daniel when her car breaks down and eventually ends up at his house, spending the night together. He is ten years younger and their lives couldn’t be more different. But they can’t deny the chemistry that they have between them. It does not sound like anything new in the rom-com universe. But Jimenez somehow made it so heartfelt.
 
Most characters in contemporary romance stories are a bit superficial. I liked both Alexis and Daniel from the start and they have depth. Alexis has been dealing with a lot of pressure in her life. As coming from a family of successful doctors, who expect a lot from her, she feels constant pressure and a fear of failing. Her brother, who was actually the golden child of the family, has turned his back on the legacy by marrying the woman he loves. But a woman their parents, especially the father, does not approve of. Now all eyes are on Alexis. Her breaking up with long-time boyfriend Neil, doesn’t make it any better. Neil, who is also a successful doctor, is very loved by her parents. They still keep meeting up with him. Even though he cheated on Alexis and he was mentally abusive to her.
 
A man like Daniel is perfect. He lives in a small town, is a hardworking man, always thinking about others, putting himself second at all times. Daniel is kind, handsome and handy. But Alexis could not bring Daniel into her world, because he wouldn’t fit in. Not with her life as a doctor in a big city, but also with her family. Who would disapprove of him instantly, because he doesn’t come from money and hasn’t, in their eyes, accomplished anything noteworthy.
 
Even with Alexis and Daniel being so different, there is something in both characters that you can relate to. You can understand both. You get Daniel, for wanting to give up everything to be with her even though the little town of Wakan is where he belongs. And Alexis, who really thrives when she is with Daniel, but she is also scared of disappointing her parents. Especially since her brother did the same and her parents turned their back on him.
 
“Part of Your World” deals with light themes, but also manages to touch upon some heavier themes like abuse. It’s interwoven in the story and never gets too heavy, but it was beautifully done. This book made me laugh out loud, but also made me cry a couple of times. I’m a happy single, but I know I will never settle for anyone less than a man like Daniel. Thank you Abby Jimenez, for making me love this book so much as a non-romance reader.  
 
Rating: 5/ 5