‘YOURS TRULY’ BY ABBY JIMENEZ – BOOK REVIEW

This post contains details of a book that I was gifted by NetGalley. All views are my own.

Having spent the last four months fully submerged in all things thriller, the grittier the better, ‘Yours Truly’ was a much needed breath of fresh air and I am so glad that I was able to dip my toe back into the world of romance and comedy. It made me realise how important it is for me to diversify my reading. Both professionally and for my mental health, because this book was like a warm hug on a bad day. A hot water bottle, fluffy blanket and bar of chocolate all in one.

Dr Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalised, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants . . . ? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s ‘pain in my ass’ scale. 

But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr Jacob Maddox completely flips the game . . . by sending Briana a letter. It’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her ‘sob closet’ and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. 

When Jacob turns out to be the perfect donor for her brother, Bri starts to realise that this quietly sexy new doctor might just be her perfect match, too.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

I’m not going to lie to you, I both love and loathe a fake relationship trope. It’s been done to death but I also adore just how clumsy and dramatic it all is. That being said, Abby Jimenez took something that could have potentially been a completely overdone fiasco and made it feel brand new.

Abby Jimenez is an expert in character development and creating well-rounded, realistic personalities that just jump from the page and come to life in front of your eyes. Brianna Ortiz was someone I absolutely would want to be friends with. She was strong and sassy but ultimately vulnerable and full of raw magnetism. I just adored her! Then there was Jacob…

I have NEVER loved a romantic interest as much as Jacob. He was equal parts sweet, stubborn and hilarious. He felt entirely real, well fleshed out and identifiable. If anything, Jacob was much more me than Brianna, a fact which I was totally ok with, and that has never happened before. Getting to know him as a character allowed me to view the parts of myself that I see as flaws in a totally different light and for that I am so thankful.

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written romance or is in need of a good laugh or cry! You’ll find it all there in between the pages of this absolute gem that I am almost certain to return to again and again. I can’t wait to read more from Abby!

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME – A LOVE LETTER TO THE CHARACTER OF PETER PARKER (NO SPOILERS) (BLOGMAS – DAY SEVENTEEN)

The character of Peter Parker has been approached in a variety of ways over the last 20 years and none of them have been wrong per say (because let’s face it, we all have our favourite Peter) but boy, have they been missing something.

I feel like in Tom Holland’s Peter we have achieved something magnificent. Character driven stories intertwined with action, fantasy and fast paced high stakes sequences.

It feels authentically Peter Parker. His super powers come second in this coming of age story which is ultimately just about a kid from Queens. Intelligent, brave and oh so awkward. Navigating his way through life, same as the rest of us.

It’s hard to go into the kind of detail I really want without spoiling anything so I think I’ll revisit this post at a later date.

No Way Home is beautifully shot and strikes the perfect balance of heart stopping and heart warming. A true celebration of the trilogy, Spider-Man and Peter Parker. Just absolutely stunning, I genuinely wouldn’t change a thing.

The superhero genre is so deeply ingrained in our popular culture, igniting dreams through the generations and truly cementing their place in cinematic history.

I just wanted to finish off by taking a moment to shout out my local cinema, Vue – Westwood Cross.

The staff are always extremely helpful and friendly but with such a huge occasion and what must have been an incredibly busy and tiring day the atmosphere was electric! The prep for No Way Home must have been rigorous but each and every staff member I encountered really put the effort in to be pleasant and hospitable. Honestly, it was just the perfect way to experience a once in a lifetime moment.

SPECTRUM COLLECTIONS X EMILY IN PARIS COLLECTION (BLOGMAS – DAY FOURTEEN)

When I tell you that a collection has NEVER spoken to my soul more than this one, you best believe it!

There’s a fresh face in Paris! Emily Cooper is brightening up the City of Light with her signature colourful style and wit. From lunch with friends to a chic night out, celebrate everyday the way Parisiennes do and indulge in the full Spectrum x Emily in Paris collection. Most importantly, remember to say oui to possibility.

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Spectrum Collections have captured the essence of the infamous Netflix series perfectly and I can’t wait to get my hands on it (so if anyone is looking a last minute Christmas gift idea for me then here I am serving it to you on a pretty pink platter).

For those of you who haven’t joined the masses and binged watched what can only be described as the guiltiest of pleasures then this little run down might give you a glimpse into the dream world of Emily…

Emily in Paris follows Emily, a driven 20-something American from Chicago who moves to Paris for an unexpected job opportunity. She is tasked with bringing an American point of view to a venerable French marketing firm. Cultures clash as she adjusts to the challenges of life in Paris while juggling her career, new friendships, and love life.

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The collection includes…

La Vie En Rose 10 Piece Brush Set £49.99

La Mode Clutch Bag £19.99

I like Paris 4 Piece Brush Set £19.99

Macaroon Sponge Trio £12.99

Cafe Au Lait Brush Storage £12.99

But you can also pick up the bundle for a discounted £99.99 (saving you over £15).

Paris anyone?