[ARC Review] Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

Alexis Montgomery thought her world was tumbling down around her; her ex won't leave her alone, her parents have been emotional abusing her for years, and now her brother - who was supposed to be live up to their parents' expectations for her - has eloped and fled the country. Ending up with her car in a ditch outside of rural Wakan, Minnesota is just the cherry on top of everything else going wrong for the ER doctor. But then Ali meets Daniel Grant; he's ten years younger than her, does carpentry, and occasionally babysits baby goats in pajamas. He's everything that Ali can't have in her world of prestige, money, and fame. But Daniel, who does nothing but love and care for Alexis despite their impossibility as a couple, may just be the one person that Ali truly needs. 

I cannot rave about Alexis and Daniel enough. I was legitimately hooked on this story from page one, and had a hard time putting this book down for things like work and sleep; if I had the hours to read this in one sitting, I would have. Jimenez brought so much personality to every single character in this story. Not only were Alexis and Daniel adorable and steamy and swoon-worthy on the page, but everyone from Bri to Pops to even Hunter the dog came alive with distinct traits and mannerisms. I can't recall a book that made me love all the secondary characters this much like Part of Your World. In the book, Alexis found a home in Wakan and with all it's people; as a reader, you do the same. 

This book definitely has some very funny lines, especially where you'd least expect it. I lived for these one-liners that actually had me laughing out loud while reading. But what I loved the most in Part of Your World was the very real look at familial expectations and emotional abuse. Those two things might seem out of place in a romance or rom-com, but Jimenez does such a fantastic job at bringing these issues to light without having them be a downer for the whole book. Alexis feels stuck. Her father has dictated her every move, only to be disappointed in his daughter for choosing to be an ER doctor instead of a surgeon. Between her job, her dating life, and how she represents her family at hospital functions, I was so glad that Alexis was able to see how her father was emotionally abusing her. I was also happy that Alexis could sympathize with her mom while also acknowledging that she enabled her husband to act the way he did to Alexis. Family dynamics can be hard, but Jimenez handled the Montgomery family perfectly. 

Alexis wasn't the only one with expectations, though. But for Daniel, he fought to keep his family legacy alive through his family's estate as well as his presence in Wakan. Daniel was just the sweetest of cinnamon rolls, and I really loved everything about him. He was caring, he was understanding, and he was patient with Alexis - almost to a fault. Many would have given up on her, especially when it was evident that she was holding back and keeping secrets, but Daniel saw it through. Like any Prince Charming, he was willing to do whatever it takes to stay with his princess. 

Overall, Part of Your World had fantastic commentary, adorable and lovable characters, and a plot that had me running the full gamut of emotions. You'll get pulled in with the baby goat in pajamas, but you'll stay for the love worthy of a Disney masterpiece. 

A huge thank you to Forever for providing a review copy of Part of Your World. 

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Release date: 4/19/22
Format: eARC
eARC provided via: Netgalley