Today’s book review is for Part of Your World (Part of Your World, Book #1) by Abby Jimenez, a romance novel about two people with undeniable chemistry but obvious societal differences that lead to major conflict as the couple’s fling progresses toward relationship territory.
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Book Synopsis
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 world-renowned 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? From Goodreads.
“Grace costs you nothing.”
The Basics
Category: Romance
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Adult, Chick Lit
Author: Abby Jimenez
Publisher: Forever, April 2022
Where to Find: Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐.5
**Spoilers Ahead**
Alexis Montgomery comes from a long line of successful doctors and is expected to continue in the field of medicine to continue her family’s legacy. Her whole life has been planned out by her family, so when she falls for a guy outside of her societal circle, Alexis must reevaluate her priorities and decide if familial legacy is more important than her happiness.
“Sometimes family isn’t what you’re born into. Sometimes family is found.”
So Let’s Get Into it…
In typical chick-lit, romance fashion, the beginning of the book starts with a newly single Alexis and a ridiculous mishap that leads to a meet-cute. Driving back home from a funeral, Alexis swerves to avoid hitting a raccoon and ends up unhurt but unfortunately stuck in a ditch in the middle of nowhere.
The tow truck regrettably won’t be there for about an hour, but our knight in shining armor (or in this case flannel and worn jeans with an overly friendly dog), Daniel, spots her and offers to tow her out of the ditch. Free from the ditch, Alexis decides to grab food before continuing on her two-hour drive home. In this small town, the only place open in the local VFW, so that is where Alexis, and then later Daniel, both end up, until Daniel convinces Alexis to come back to his place with the promise of baby goat cuddles and a homemade grilled cheese sandwich. Alexis is upfront with Daniel and let’s him know that she is not looking for a one-night stand or any type of relationship. However, those boundaries don’t last long as she ends up sneaking out of his house first thing in the morning after they slept together.
“I’d follow a clown into a storm drain if he had a baby goat in pajamas.”
I was completely hooked on the book for the first few chapters. The set up had so much potential, but the storyline fell flat after that. We went from 0 to 100 with Alexis and Daniel which led to absolutely no build up to their relationship. Alexis went from not doing one-night stands, to sleeping with Daniel the day they met, to then being inseparable from Daniel (when her work schedule allowed it). The relationship moved so quickly, but at the same time they never really talked about anything of substance. Alexis never told Daniel anything about her – leaving out that she is currently living with her ex-fiancé in their co-owned house. Their banter was cute, but other than that, I felt like there was no chemistry between the two of them.
Throughout the book, Alexis is the one who wants to keep their relationship casual. However, feelings for each other evolve very quickly and soon they are spending hours talking on the phone multiple times a week. All this time, Alexis is the one making the two-hour drive to Daniel as she does not want him to be introduced to her circle of friends and colleagues (come on Daniel this is a major red flag!).
“Sometimes what you have to give is enough. Even if it’s a rock instead of a diamond.”
I had a few major problems with this book. Alexis kept bringing up their ten-year age difference as a reason she didn’t think their relationship would last, but she didn’t put in any effort. A ten-year age gap is large, but Daniel and Alexis are both accomplished and mature adults. I could see if Daniel was a 28-year-old living in his mom’s basement that the age gap would be prominent, but he is a 28-year-old that owns and runs a successful bed and breakfast along with a custom-built furniture side job. Alexis decided from the beginning that anything more than just a casual fling wouldn’t work even though Daniel was willing to try. Additionally, Alexis is a doctor who is clueless about life. She is so privileged that it seems unbelievable. An abbreviated list of things Alexis can’t do include cooking, laundry, and cleaning – she literally did not know how to use a broom!
Unsurprisingly, Alexis and Daniel fall for each other, but due to Alexis’ lack of communication and unwillingness to let Daniel be a “part of her world,” their “non-relationship” implodes when Daniel shows up to the hospital where Alexis works to congratulate her on her new position. He proceeds to get mocked by Alexis’ parents and coworkers while Alexis stands there and does absolutely nothing. Alexis has no backbone when it comes to her ex-fiancé and parents, so Daniel is humiliated and leaves. After their breakup, the pair realize they can’t live without each other, so Alexis picks up her life and moves to the small town Daniel lives in.
Yay for the happy ending I guess??
“There’s something more final than forever. It’s never. Never is infinite.”
So Bookmark or Bin it?
Conclusion: Bin it
Many people rave about Abby Jimenez, but this book did not do it for me. I found the book boring with too many plot holes. The main character, Alexis, is extremely privileged and unlikeable. Daniel is a total catch, so I am not sure how he was single when he met Alexis. Additionally, I feel like this book is a conglomeration of other romance books and television shows with no real individuality or uniqueness to it.
Fun Extra Tidbit
Abby Jimenez is a Food Network champion and founder of Nadia Cakes! The bakery has won numerous competitions and has an international following.
Thanks so much for reading my book review for Part of Your World (Part of Your World, Book #1) by Abby Jimenez! Now it’s your turn! Have you read this novel or any others by Jimenez and if so, what are your thoughts? Please feel free to share in the comments below!
Happy reading 😊
