Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - The Happy Ever After Playlist

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The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

52 reviews

justinekorson's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

POINTS DOCKED OFF FOR THE THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!!! JASON YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID.

Besides that though I love, love, LOVED this novel. The chemistry between Jason and Sloan right off the bat was incredible. They were so damn funny together and when they finally met up I about damn near cried. I did not expect the book to take the very emotional turn it does in the latter half. I did not like Lola throughout the whole novel and then ended up wanting to BURN THE WORLD DOWN FOR HER. She was a product of the situation she was put in and I don't blame her at all for what she did/said.

Anyways, I'm endlessly glad that my friend bought this for me to read!!!

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clareasday's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

This book was okay. It started off really strong and then around the 50% mark it lost my interest a bit. I didn’t feel much attachment to these characters or their love story. The ending was really cute but it felt rushed. Solid 3⭐️ read. Still looking forward to the next book in the series.

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amateur_bookworm's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

My summary: Sloan is still grieving two years after a motorcycle accident that killed her fiancé, Brandon. When a dog, Tucker, jumps into her car, she tries to reach Jason, the owner on his tags, and after two weeks of no luck decides that maybe Brandon sent her Tucker on the anniversary of his accident. Jason, who had been on a two week backpacking trip with no cell service, is both devastated and relieved to get Sloan’s messages that she has Tucker. Still at work in Australia for two more weeks, they start talking and texting about Tucker and it turns into more. When Jason finally returns to Los Angeles and reunites with Tucker and meets Sloan, they fall hard and fast for each other. But Jason is also Jaxon Waters, rising to blockbuster stardom as a singer, and life on the road touring may break them.

My thoughts: Sloan’s story in The Friend Zone was absolutely crushing. So seeing her get a happy ever after with a famous rock star was a fun ride. Although there was a point where I was pretty sure Abby Jimenez shoved my heart through a meat grinder, I really enjoyed the rest of the story. This book made me feel all the feels and I enjoyed it a lot more than The Friend Zone and I’m looking forward to the next one.

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huntea's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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lauraelovesbooks's review

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book gets me every time. I’m not the biggest fan of ‘rockstar’ romances, especially when they take place on tour. Because of this, the ones that I do love are particularly captivating, well written, etc. This applies big time to the Happy Ever After Playlist

This book is so special and I always relish my time spent with these characters. Watching Sloan rebuild after an unspeakable loss is a beautiful thing. The balance of emotion, humour, and romance in this book is perfect (as is always the case for an Abby Jimenez book)

This book jumped into my heart like Tucker in a sunroof and I am not at all mad about it

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Title: The Happy Ever After Playlist
Author: Abby Jimenez
Series: The Friend Zone #2
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: April 14, 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Entertaining • Enchanting • Heartwearming

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Artist Sloan Monroe just can't seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

💭 T H O U G H T S

My heart ached for Sloan in The Friend Zone, so I was excited to learn I'd be getting to read her story in The Happy Ever After Playlist. With such a personal connection to this book, I was anticipating another deeply emotional reading experience. Unfortunately, this one didn't have the same emotional punch, which left me slightly disappointed.

The beginning was so good! I absolutely adored the meet-cute (despite being on the dramatic side); the banter between Sloan and Jason was top notch; and getting to know Jason was delightful. And of course, there is Tucker (and I'm not even a dog person)! Yet everything I loved so much through the first third, slowly faded. For instance, Tucker played such a big part role, yet he kind of got left by the wayside as it went on. Their story somehow got bogged down through the middle, making in longer than necessary. Additionally, the fun, light hearted banter, which made their connection so believable, slowly dissipated.

A few other positives. I couldn't help me be entertained by Kristen's entertaining cameos. She was hilarious and I am so glad Sloan had her in her court. Everyone needs a Kristen in their lives. I also adored Sloan's relationship with her MIL. It was all heart-warming.

One last thing, while I typically like when author's include notes on their inspiration, in this case, I have issues with the concept of 'making people better' or 'fixing people' in the face of life-alternating death. It's a reminder of western society's inability to sit with grief and uncomfortableness, even though I know the importance of continuing to live. Grief is a lifelong journey and there is no getting over it, rather moving forward with it.

For me, 2023 has certainly been the year of Abby Jimenez (this was my fourth), and while The Happy Ever After Playlist is my least favourite, I still love how she writes banters and creates realistic romance with depth. I will continue to read everything she writes, and I'm looking forward to continuing with Life's Too Short, while I await her upcoming 2024 release.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• readers who like dogs
• fans of the second chance romance trope

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Sometimes the hardest place to live is the one in-between. And sometimes in-between is all you'll ever get."

"This was just a season, and there's beauty in all seasons."

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