August 2023 Not First in a Series BOTM - Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

[Alaina]

A novel of terrible first impressions, hilarious second chances, and the joy in finding your perfect match.

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, 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.

And 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. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor . . . especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

**This BOTM thread will be open until September 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[SavsLibrary]

Start of Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[ I obviously know that these two are gonna get together but watching Briana slowly warm up to Jacob is SO good. I love the small little realizations that he *might* actually be a good guy... chefs kiss (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 13 - (view spoiler)[ HE SAT IN THE RAIN AND GOT EATEN ALIVE BY MOSQUITOS JUST TO TALK TO HER????? CRYING. this is so cute shut up. I see the fake dating happening very very soon, especially after Jules caught them together. (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 21 - (view spoiler)[ is it just me or is Jacob definitely autistic coded? (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 31 - (view spoiler)[ THE ONE BED TROPE. IT'S HAPPENING. Also, really just love the banter and watching these two like slowly fall in love with each other. The 'would you punch me in the face for a billion dollars' question? Hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 33 - (view spoiler)[ she muttered something about teleporting.... heart melted. Truly a shame she's not gonna remember it. (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 36 - (view spoiler)[ can these two idiots just explain that they like eachother... idk how much more of these two blindly pining for eachother when its MUTUAL (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 40 - (view spoiler)[ NOoooOOoO that was the worst possible ending to a first time scene... (hide spoiler)]

Start of Chapter 43 - (view spoiler)[ "Guys it's getting fucking gross" THE WAY THAT I CACKLED. Between Jules and Briana's mom, this is too funny. Really enjoying this one. I thought part of your world was amazing, and this is somehow better... Also why did the chapter have to end with "it's too good to be true". I should've expected it considering we are at 88% of the way through but that means the issue, the big miscommunication/'we can't be together' moment is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER :( (hide spoiler)]

Finished - (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad that it wasn't some shit miscommunication that was the big 'we can't be together' moment... it was real, honest to goodness trauma that definitely would and could happen. But so happy they patched it up and stayed together. Also love the full circle moment that is their kiddo being named "Ava" AHHH so happy. Loved this one (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

This was amazing!

Chapter 1-10: (view spoiler)[THESE TWO WOULD BE SO SO SO GOOD TOGETHER OMG i am loving their exchange of letters and am just waiting for them to start fake dating soon. I know Jacob said Amy used to be good but I can’t help but hate her ngl. Him and Bri had such a rough start but it has been amazing watching them warm up to each other, their letters are absolutely amazing and both of them are hilarious in their own way (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-18: (view spoiler)[Jacob is literally the sweetest guy ever, he sat in the rain outside getting bitten by mosquitoes just because he didn’t want to hang up first, cute. Then his decision to donate kidney to Benny was so selfless. I am glad that Bri understood why he wished to be anonymous. Them together at his family dinner is so entertaining, his whole family is a blast! Although since his mom is a relationship expert, i am curious to see how they maintain the act in front of her (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19-29: (view spoiler)[Uhoh they were having so much fun together, it didn’t look like they were pretending at all. All their dates were so genuine and relaxing, Bri definitely knows how to make Jacob feel comfortable. I hate Amy for being the way she is and Jacob just sees the good in EVERYTHING. I hated this misunderstanding between them but Jacob’s mom really is an expert because her advice was completely spot on. I was so happy to see Jacob making efforts in order to woo Bri (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30-38: (view spoiler)[Ugh I am getting so frustrated, why don’t these two just confess their feelings for each other, literally everyone can see that they are hopelessly in love with one another. Their time at the inn was so full of fun and laughter, i kinda wished they stayed there for longer. I was almost sure something would definitely happen between the two but they were so respectful of boundaries. Jacob is so jealous of Levi though, I don’t think he can stay silent much longer (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This was so satisfying to read. All the situations, misunderstandings and fallouts these two dealt with were so real and honest, nothing felt over the top. I hate when things happen during a book that are difficult to imagine in a real life scenario. But this book with its tiktok references and it’s handling of real life trauma gave it an edge over most of the other romances. I absolutely loved this book and I definitely need to go back and read the first one in the series (hide spoiler)]

[SavsLibrary]

Kira wrote: "This was amazing!

Chapter 1-10: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 11-18: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 19-29: [spoilers removed]

Chapter 30-38: [spoilers removed]

Finished: [spoilers removed]"

We're definitely on the same page with this one!! It was absolutely a delight and one of my fave romances to date.

[Alaina]

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