I adore everything this woman writes. A romance story that has a conflict that makes sense, messy families and a beautiful romance… what more could you want? I was giggling and tearing up at multiple points during the book! Abby has such a way with words that her books always feel bigger than a romance and I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy! 4.75⭐️

Let me start by saying that I love Abby Jimenez's books like crazy. I loved every single book I've read by her, and I feel like she somehow knows what I need at the moment. These books always hit me hard, but this book, in particular, hit even closer to home. It's not a usual romance book in the common sense of this genre; it's not what I expected it to be, and I feel like people should be warned that if you're looking for rainbows and butterflies or even for the book in which romance is the central plot — this one is not it. This book covers heavy topics that not many authors dare to explore. It makes you think about life, about making memories with your loved ones, and guides you to the realization that life is not all good and bad. It's not easy; it's not that straightforward, and sometimes the good things are worth the wait. I have so many quotes highlighted that it's even embarrassing, but what can I do if this book just speaks to me?

This book explores heavy stuff, but it also makes you appreciate those little moments of just being alive, of being able to love and be loved, of getting together as a family. Somehow, through this book, I was reliving the events with Samantha, and those events made me cry. Some made me laugh, but most importantly, they made me feel so present, like I was included, like I was there with the characters — struggling, having fun, falling in love, or just living this life together.

Like I said previously, this book doesn't have romance as the main focus. The relationship between characters — Samantha and Xavier — progressed pretty naturally, even though they started as insta-love. I'm not the biggest fan of this trope, but still, in this book, it didn't annoy me because the chemistry between Sam and Xavier played its part so organically. In no way was I questioning what they were feeling, as their bond was pretty much "when you know, you know," and it was so beautiful to witness their progression from strangers to friends to lovers.

The main characters in this book were so well-written! I loved them from the very first page, and I felt so sad to let them go in the end. Samantha was a wonderful female main character. Her family situation was painful to read, but I knew which topics this book would cover, so I was kind of prepared. Her personality really shined through the pages, and I was desperate to get to know her more. Samantha's story covers a lot of heavy topics, and I found myself crying too many times, but getting to know her is so worth it! I feel like through Samantha, we can see ourselves and how we deal with heavy stuff, with life circumstances that are being thrown our way. She's someone worth knowing; she's someone worth having memories with.

The same goes for Xavier. He's so amazing and so, so, so perfect! I was enamored with him from his very first appearance, and his story made me so anxious. I'm a person who's really bad with finances, and talking about them makes me very nervous, so reading about someone struggling financially was a nerve-wracking experience. But at the same time, it kind of reassured me that I'm not alone in such struggles. I enjoyed getting to know this version of Xavier, but I really wish we found out more of his backstory. I wish we had more moments with his friends, as they sound really supportive and sincere. I really feel that the focus was more on Samantha's story, and that's okay, as her story was very layered, but I really feel like there should've been a bit more for Xavier as well.

Overall, this was a really great book! It was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and I was not disappointed. This book delivered — I relived all the events with those characters. I laughed, I cried. I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking for something that provides depth, complexity, and layered characters. This book easily encouraged me to make new memories with my loved ones and appreciate those memories that I already have. So yeah, I already know that this is going to be one of my favorite reads this year!

I’ve been a big fan of Abby’s recent books and the Part of your World Series are some of my favourite romance novels and whilst I did enjoy this book and flew through it, it wasn’t quite up to the same standard of her previous work.

I know tropes are very much personal preference but I think the insta love didn’t work so much for me, I didn’t feel enough chemistry between Xavier and Samantha for me to understand the lengths they went to to be together especially given how much trauma they are both dealing with. This book felt a bit more literary fiction than romance with minimal spice but I will admit I think the dementia storyline was handled really well.

I also wasn’t a fan of the convenient ending for Xavier’s clinic, you do have to suspend disbelief on that one.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review

4.75 / 5

Oh how Abby Jimenez managed to make me laugh, cry and smile the whole way through this book. I truly enjoyed every second of reading this book, I was really invested in Xavier and Samantha's story. I thought it was hard fought and they truly deserved everything they worked hard for. Watching them fall in love across the country so easily was so beautiful to see, because they fell in love with each other's souls almost.

It truly had that Abby Jimenez wit and banter which makes all of her books just they extra bit more magical. Whilst it wasn't a five star, the emotional investment I had in this book was strong. I connected to the story so hard and just wanted everything to work out. It still have that acts of service love language. And I truly loved the communication in this book.

<i> huge thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of Say You'll Remember Me in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own. </i>

So sad to say this book was quite disappointing to me, especailly as I have LOVED Abby Jimenez's books in the past. The couple had almost no chemistry, and the insta-love trope is one I have always hated. I don't think the emotional stakes were built up enough, and so it left me feeling cold, despite the very sad subject matter.
I will always check out new Abby Jimenez's new books, but sadly this did not work for me.

I have now learned that the typical Abby Jimenez formula is: FMC + MMC meet; they instantly feel attracted to the other one - maybe they go on a date and it's the most amazing date ever, this is THEIR person, they just get each other! Then, disaster strikes, there is some big reason keeping the two apart - normally family or work related, or a mix of both. So then we spend the rest of the book with the characters trying and struggling to make things work and it's just pretty sad and gets a bit tedious.

I must sound like a real hater, but I absolutely am not! I think Abby Jimenez is a really talented author and I enjoy her stuff, but I just think her books are VERY similar and I just read Part of Your World a few weeks ago and these two were especially similar!

I did have a good time with this - it had some very cute moments and I FLEW through it! But I just think it didn't bring anything new to the table and I found myself getting bored with it, and it was honestly emotionally exhausting. But if you're a big Abby Jimenez fan and you like her usual formula, then you'll enjoy this!

Also, tiny side note: there was a description of food in this that will haunt me to me grave: Baked jalapeños, filled with cream cheese & peanut butter, topped with raisins & feta????? I'm so confused because that sounds like the nastiest dish on the planet, and not a single character batted an eyelid at it? But it took me a full 10 minutes to recover from the horror of that dish!

Abby Jimenez is back with her most emotional book yet! Say You'll Remember Me delivered on everything I've come to expect from one of my favourite romance authors. A romance that will pull on your heartstrings, characters who feel like friends and emotional writing that had me in tears at the end. Not to mention I've found a new favourite book boyfriend in Xavier Rush, an acts of service King who also happens to be a vet who rescues puppies from hot cars? What an absolute dream! I'll be recommending this one to everyone looking for a dreamy emotional summer romance.

3.5 stars ⭐
This was a cute love story and it had me giggling multiple times.
I really liked the first half of the book, with so much banter and funny moments. But the second half was moving so fast towards the end! It's a very quick read but I prefer Part Of Your World over this. I missed some depth and I would have loved to see more character development.
The family aspect of this book was great and made the book more emotional.

It's a great read for summer (or whenever) and Abby Jimenez's KNOWS how to write romance.

Thank you Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group for providing me an ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the e-arc of this book! If Abby Jimenez brings out a book you better guess that I’m reading it!! Every time I read a book from her I fall in love. Obsessed with her writing, the characters and the plot 🥹

The characters and settings in this book are so relatable to everyday life for some people, which made it more emotional for me. Such a sentimental book about the power of memories. My favourite quote I read - “Sometimes the challenges we face either break us or they make us stronger. And sometimes they do both.”

Highly recommend if you’re looking to laugh, cry and feel all kinds of joy then definitely pick this book up!!

I was so sucked into this from the beginning, I would’ve read it in one sitting if I didn’t need to sleep. I had to finish 242 pages in at 2:30 in the morning and immediately picked it up the next day.

Xavier and Samantha charmed me from the start, from their first meeting I adored them both. They have such subtle intimacies with each other, they feel incredibly realistic and you can really feel the way that they become entangled in each other’s lives so easily. They do a fantastic job and showing how small and seemingly unimportant moments can be the most significant memories in someone’s life, and are worth making.

Xavier has to be the perfect man. The way he thinks about and views Samantha is adorable, and the way his feelings come out through his actions and understanding of her needs and family situation touches my heart! The animal rescuing is also a huge plus.

This book made me laugh aloud some moments and cry another, one minute it’s silly and lighthearted, the next it’s heart-wrenching and painfully realistic.

A certain reference/line or two took me out of the book for a moment. Since reading and being able to think a little more about how they changed my enjoyment of the story as a whole, i have changed my rating to 3⭐️.

A huge thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and NetGalley for providing me the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley, Piaktus, and Abby Jimenez for a ARC of Say You'll Remember Me in exchange for an honest review.

Say You'll Remember Me is the pinnacle of Right Person, Wrong Time. But what if you didn't let that stop you? This book follows Samantha and Xavier who, after a not-so-great first impression, agree to go on a date. Which just so happens to end up being the best and greatest date either of them have ever been on and, as a result, they are very quickly falling for each other. One small problem, Samantha is moving 2,000 thousand miles away to care for her sick mother, and Xavier is financially bound to Minnesota. They plan to just forget each other and obviously not pursue this relationship - easier said than done.

I am conflicted. The good parts about this book; the emotions and the heart, were so great. I did shed a few tears at certain points. However, there were quite a few cringey moments where the Millennial language was jarring and yes, after the first couple mentions I do understand Xavier looks like Rhysand but to bring it up like five times in as many chapters was...a lot. One of my pet peeves is bringing up pop culture in fiction by name, it really brings me out of the story. Without those things, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it.

Say You'll Remember Me releases 1 April 2025.

Every time I finish a book by Abby I think it can never get better than this... and then it does. Say You'll Remember Me might be my new favorite by her. I laughed out loud and also sobbed. The characters and setting are so relatable, I hope everyone reads this one. I will recommend this book until the end of time.

Samantha find an abandoned kitten that is clearly in need of medical care. When she takes the kitten to the Vet she meets the grumpy Veterinarian - Xavier - who informs her that her adorable fluff ball does not have a functioning 🍑💩😣

What can she do other than start a Go Fund me called 'Pooter Needs a Poop Shoot' 😂 and when she gets to return to the grumpy Vet - Xavier shoots his shot and asks Samantha out - the only problem is that it has to happen on that same day as she leaves in the morning.

The date is quite frankly a disaster, which ends in a group hang and then they both get locked up in a Alien escape room by mistake. They are finally freed from the room and it turns out the date was actually quite perfect in the end - there is only one problem <spoiler>Samantha is literally moving across the country in a few hours.

Samantha & Xavier agrees to call it quits whilst they can as they both can't do a long distance relationship as she has to go take care of a family member and he is just getting on his feet with his Vet practice and quitting will financially destroy them.</spoiler>

The story continues with them finding their way back to each other after Xavier decides not to give up on them. In true Abby Jimenez style the book is a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions with comedic moments sprinkled throughout.

Pick this book up if you like:
🐈‍⬛ Grumpy x Sunshine (only the start of the book)
🐈‍⬛ Right person, wrong time
🐈‍⬛ Insta-love (but just a little bit as they come across as soulmates pretty quickly)
🐈‍⬛ Realistic family dynamics
🐈‍⬛ Long distance relationship

The book deals with some heavy topics like childhood abuse and care for a parent (Dementia) - so please check the trigger warnings.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love an Abby Jimenez book & this one was no exception. A delightful romantic read about a long distance relationship that explored some more serious themes such as dementia. Brilliant as always & had me hooked

3.5 Stars

My first book by this author, but definitely not my last. A sweet, satisfying and emotional romance that at once manages to make you chuckle and weep at the same time. It touches on some fairly deep topics but handles them sensitively and builds a story around them that is richer for the inclusion. I adored the MCs in this one, a wonderful couple who you really root for throughout, and I was so pleased that the plot wasn’t driven by a huge (stupid) misunderstanding and miscommunication, that so many romance seem to be these days. Spice level is low, love level is high, and there are also multiple cats and dogs, so if this floats your boat then I would recommend picking up this book!

✨4.5 stars✨

This was such an emotional read but I thoroughly enjoyed it! The struggles the characters went through felt realistic and were heart-wrenching but it was all worth it!

I would 100% recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This was such an emotional and heartfelt story. I absolutely adored both the main characters and their story was compelling from the very beginning. I read this entire book in a few hours because I didn’t want to put it down.
Yet another 5 star Jimenez book.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the ARC

Heartbreaking and wonderful; I expected nothing less from Abby Jimenez. If there's one thing this author can, its pulling at the heart strings. I love how she seamlessly blends humor, romance and family drama. I've dealt with dementia in my family for years and I could really recognise and appreciate the descriptions. It hurt and it warmed. An amazing romance

Thank you NetGalley for the E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so good! I expected nothing less from Abby Jimenez, all of her books have the perfect blend of beautiful romance and heart wrenching, tug at your heartstrings situations. She perfectly encapsulated the complex family dynamics when a family member is going through dementia. Such a good read, if I could give it 6 stars I would!

Book Thoughts - Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Though this author has been on my radar for quite some time, this was the first book I read by her and it had me crying my eyes out at 1 am.

The story pulls you in right from the start when you meet Dr Xavier Rush, a veterinarian and Samantha, who brings her little rescue kitten to Dr Rush for examination. Their interaction does not go very well, so when Samantha comes back for a follow up visit with her kitten, Xavier tries to make amends by asking her on a date.

Their first date goes well and neither of them want the night to end, only for Xavier to learn that Samantha is moving away to California the next day, with no plan to return. Her family needs her, so she packs her whole life up to move back home, leaving Xavier in Minnesota, unable to stop thinking of her.

They start making plans to try and see each other again, but neither of them can truly afford to travel up and down very often and the distance and time between visits take their toll on the relationship.

I really don't think I can explain how much I adore Xavier. I literally want to wrap him up in the world's thickest and warmest blanket and keep him safe. He has had to deal with and overcome so much and yet he still willingly gives so much of himself away to others. There is nothing he would not do for those he loves and cares about. He is so caring and considerate and he is honestly just EVERYTHING. *Adds to top of list of book boyfriends*

While this book follows the romance between Xavier and Samantha, there is a very strong focus on family as well. This is something I always love in a book. With Samantha moving back to her family home, we get to know her family really well and see how Xavier fits in with them during visits as well. I really enjoyed learning about Samantha's family - the family dynamic and the relationships they all share with one another really brought the story to life. The banter between her and her brother especially made me laugh.

The second half of this book made me really emotional for various reasons. I think I cried on and off from the 60% mark onwards. One minute I would be crying and the next I would be giggling - truly an emotional rollercoaster and this book really pulls your heartstrings. By the time I got to the epilogue, I was so sad to say goodbye to these characters who crawled into my heart so quickly.

Definitely going to read all of Abby's other books, this was very enjoyable and also really gave me a lot to think about.

Please look up the content warnings before reading.