REVIEW:

Now THIS is the rom-com world I’ve been waiting for! Hallelujah!

After a series of cynical (and not very fun) reads, what a pleasure it was to spend time with the wholehearted characters Abby Jimenez brought to life in Part of Your World. Just as I was starting to wonder if I’d outgrown the romantic comedy genre, her fourth book (but first for me) helped me realize there’s still some rom and a whole lot of com out there to be enjoyed.

Part of Your World takes the opposites attract trope and gives it a good shake-up by (gasp!) making the woman almost 10 years older than the man. That’s right folks, she’s 37 and he’s 28. She’s an ER doctor at a prestigious hospital in Minneapolis, and he’s a carpenter/mayor/B&B manager at a small town called Schitt’s Creek, whoops, I mean Wakan (the Dakota word for “magic”). He wears denim, she wears Dolce & Gabbana. She comes from a family that puts the “greed” in well-pedigreed, and he comes from a self-centered teen mom. Opposites, to be sure.

One thing they have in common though is obligation, and it’s those obligations that become the obstacle to their happily ever after. As they wrestle with them (and each other, ifyaknowwhatimsayin), readers are treated to many humorous lines and scenes, a baby goat in pajamas, and a pig named Kevin Bacon.

Jimenez has sprinkled a little pixie dust over the story by integrating subtle nods to various fairy tales and Disney movies. Be on the lookout for Cinderella scenes and Little Mermaid moments. Also be prepared for the underlying serious theme of domestic abuse - both emotional and physical. A few of the beauties in this book have dealt with some beasts.

Part of Your World might have been slightly more successful for me if it had been a tad less spicy in the s-e-x department, but that’s a personal preference and at least none of the C-words I hate so much were used. There are a few f-bombs, but that’s a-OK in my book. Or should I say world? ;)

My heartfelt thanks to the author and Estelle at Forever for the opportunity to review an advance copy via NetGalley. Part of Your World is scheduled for US publication in April 2022.

PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:

The New York Times bestselling author of Life's Too Short delivers a refreshingly modern fairy tale perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Emily Henry.

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?