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cnheartsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love when the ending of a book makes you pause to really think about it and say wow. That’s what this book did. The obstacles that the two main characters faced, that while this is a romance, looks at some very serious issues. Then you also get the romance, the fun-times, the awesome dogs and cats, family, friends and even a 1966 Dodge Dart.
I’ve loved every book that Abby Jimenez has written but so much in this book hits home with me making this my favorite.
I’ve loved every book that Abby Jimenez has written but so much in this book hits home with me making this my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
keyapaha16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse
krisjagger's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, and Terminal illness
btaralson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Abby Jimenez continues to write hilarious romantic stories, and I love her for that. This one was different, however. She included all the typical Abby Easter eggs and humor- but she also got me into a funk thinking about the whole issue about caretaking for a loved one.
This book challenged me. Themes about being a caretaker for a loved one with Alzheimers were tough to read - particularly because of Samantha's viewpoint on options regarding her care. It made me frustrated at her for not valuing her emotional well-being as much as her mom's.
All that said, I think that great books challenge us to consider other viewpoints and to have empathy for characters that we maybe wouldn't expect. Abby Jimenez did that for me with this story. Overall, it was a compelling read - I just didn't agree with the family's choices about how they approached caretaking for their loved one.
I recommend this book for Abby lovers, and anyone wanting a thought-provoking book. If you are looking for a light-hearted rom com however, this one might not be for you.
This book challenged me. Themes about being a caretaker for a loved one with Alzheimers were tough to read - particularly because of Samantha's viewpoint on options regarding her care. It made me frustrated at her for not valuing her emotional well-being as much as her mom's.
All that said, I think that great books challenge us to consider other viewpoints and to have empathy for characters that we maybe wouldn't expect. Abby Jimenez did that for me with this story. Overall, it was a compelling read - I just didn't agree with the family's choices about how they approached caretaking for their loved one.
I recommend this book for Abby lovers, and anyone wanting a thought-provoking book. If you are looking for a light-hearted rom com however, this one might not be for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Child abuse
beate251's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group for this ARC.
Samantha works in marketing for a mustard brand in Minnesota and tall and frowny Xavier is a vet with his own practice. They meet over an impossibly cute stray cat that has an unusual and costly medical problem. They have one perfect date that mainly takes place in a locked escape room and then Sam is forced to move miles away. Their relationship has no future - and yet they both can't forget each other.
The story is told in alternating dual POV, so both Samantha and Xavier get their say. Both have baggage due to their parents. Xavier's parents are abusers, emotionally as well as physically, and Samantha has to move back home to California due to her mother's deteriorating health condition.
This book nearly broke me. There are two big topics that I have personal experience with: dementia and long-distance relationships. Both are described incredibly realistically and both suck. Especially caring for someone with dementia is exhausting and heartbreaking and you can only really appreciate it once you've done it yourself and you realise it's not just about memory loss. For some people, just reading about it will be too much, as well as learning about those caricature villains that are Xavier's parents. The relationships within Samantha's family are a bit more complex and revolve around how to best care for her mother.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute pet or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business. There is always one apparent reason why two people who are incredibly perfect for each other can't be together. This time it is "we live too far from each other and we can't move, at all, ever". I get it, long distance is frustrating, tiring and expensive, but it usually has an end date.
The book is eminently readable and the big feelings will have many readers swoon, although everyone's problems seem to get solved a little too neatly and quickly at the end, but I adored lovely Dr Hank and his selflessness. Abby Jimenez means quality, and even though I would have liked a little less dementia drama I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. Also, the cover is utterly gorgeous.
"Love is the brightest color in a gray world."
Samantha works in marketing for a mustard brand in Minnesota and tall and frowny Xavier is a vet with his own practice. They meet over an impossibly cute stray cat that has an unusual and costly medical problem. They have one perfect date that mainly takes place in a locked escape room and then Sam is forced to move miles away. Their relationship has no future - and yet they both can't forget each other.
The story is told in alternating dual POV, so both Samantha and Xavier get their say. Both have baggage due to their parents. Xavier's parents are abusers, emotionally as well as physically, and Samantha has to move back home to California due to her mother's deteriorating health condition.
This book nearly broke me. There are two big topics that I have personal experience with: dementia and long-distance relationships. Both are described incredibly realistically and both suck. Especially caring for someone with dementia is exhausting and heartbreaking and you can only really appreciate it once you've done it yourself and you realise it's not just about memory loss. For some people, just reading about it will be too much, as well as learning about those caricature villains that are Xavier's parents. The relationships within Samantha's family are a bit more complex and revolve around how to best care for her mother.
Abby Jimenez' books seem to have many similarities to each other. They all deal with difficult topics, there is always a cute pet or two with a ridiculous name, a bearded man, the desire to have children, big feelings that border on obsession, and a couple of mentions of Nadia Cakes, the author's own business. There is always one apparent reason why two people who are incredibly perfect for each other can't be together. This time it is "we live too far from each other and we can't move, at all, ever". I get it, long distance is frustrating, tiring and expensive, but it usually has an end date.
The book is eminently readable and the big feelings will have many readers swoon, although everyone's problems seem to get solved a little too neatly and quickly at the end, but I adored lovely Dr Hank and his selflessness. Abby Jimenez means quality, and even though I would have liked a little less dementia drama I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in one sitting. Also, the cover is utterly gorgeous.
"Love is the brightest color in a gray world."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Dementia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
rachelshubin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Say You’ll Remember Me is a difficult book to rate. It is being marketed as a romance book but it should be sold as women’s fiction. There’s not a lot of romance compared to the actually “family member with dementia dynamic.” Dementia + a romance story ≠ a romance book. Romance was a subplot at best, and as some other reviewers have mentioned - it’s heavy on the trauma and too light on the romance. I would’ve judged this story less harshly if I knew it was more of women’s literature than a romance, hence a 3 star rating.
If I was to rate this story…the chemistry between the characters, the humor, and the banter was all a 5/5! Really no notes, it was addictive and fun and enjoyable! Unfortunately the actual plot and the progression of the story was a total downer and gave me anxiety as I waited for the other shoe to drop. It’s fine if you want to put your characters through trauma, but as the reader, it was too much trauma. I genuinely couldn’t conceive of a way they could be together. Yes, life is messy, but is it this messy? I felt exhausted as everything that could go wrong, went wrong.
On the topic of dementia, my grandfather had it so the idea of this story was already close to home. I wish Abby had focused a little on how shitty the system is for the families who want to care for their sick family member, but how cost inhibitive that can be. She focused a lot on the problems families go through with caring for their loved ones and also how hard it is to have them not recognize you.
Pros: there were many funny moments, some good friends (except Sam basically had no friends so that kinda made her one dimensional) and there were so many ACOTAR/Rhysand references which was super fun! The writing style is Abby’s classic addictive detailing.
Cons: well, I’ve already listed a ton but honestly…a social media manager for mustard? That was a choice. There was also sooo much working against the MCs that their Happily Ever After was really unrealistic at the end.
It’s not my least favorite Abby Jimenez read, but it’s definitely down there
Fave order (I still have one of hers to read)
- Just For the Summer
- Part of Your World
- Yours Truly
- The Friend Zone
- Happily Ever After Playlist
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy! Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, and Abandonment
readwithcass's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I cannot begin to describe the joy that I felt when I got my hands on a copy of this book. I love Abby Jimenez’s work from her complex characters, hilarious dialogue and banter, and a-ha or ‘big reveal’ moments. I have yet to make it through one book without going on an entire rollercoaster ride of emotions from tearing up to full on sobbing as well as cackling and snorting.
I think you should read this book for several reasons, but the top 3 (I might be slightly biased in my ranking) are:
1. The portrayal of dementia and caregiving.
2. The portrayal of long distance relationships.
3. The characters!
- The Characters:
Samantha: Her sense of humor had me cracking up or cackling and snorting myself. I loved her dry, quick wit. I would sell a kidney for the opportunity for nothing more than to read more of her posts and comments.
Xavier: Perfection. No notes. Ultimate book boyfriend. I don’t think he will ever be topped. I’m a sucker for eyes and men who are apparently ‘Airport Dads’. His backstory and journey was so compelling as well and I thought this was another aspect that was done so well.
*Side note: The references to ACOTAR quite litterally had be kicking my feet and giggling. I hope they have the same effect on you.
Honorable Mentions:
Xavier’s Inner Circle - I loved the glimpses of their relationships that we got to see and I loved their honesty and audacity to show how important Xavier was to them. It was clear the bond that they had with Xavier.
Grandma, Tristan, and of course, Maggie and Tina — Absolutely hilarious. I would read a whole book just based on Tristan’s past escapades.
- The Portrayal of Long Distance Relationships:
I found this so interesting how well this type of love worked with the ideas presented on dementia. How longing to create memories with someone and missing someone can compare to longing for someone to remember you and the memories you’ve created. I thought the use of ‘gray’ representing longing and ‘color’ representing love and happiness throughout the text to weave together both of these aspects of the plot.
- The Portrayal of Dementia and Cargiving:
When I found out that Jimenez was writing about a protagonist who was a caretaker for their mother who had dementia. I couldn’t not wait to read it. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s and I have a niche interest in books that discuss characters with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative diseases as well as the effects on their loved ones.
I had every bit of faith that Jimenez would do this with such grace, compassion, love, and kindness. She surpassed all expectations illuminating several complex and nuanced situations that sparks discussion about topics such as: the emotional, physical, and mental toll of caretaking, the impossibility of decision making when torn between a loved one’s wishes and what’s best for their well being, and how to help someone retain their dignity while suffering from a degenerative disease/illness.
I don’t think I’ve ever read such a well done portrayal of the experience of an individual whose dementia is progressing as well their families experience caring for them.
Lastly, thank you Abby for writing this story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Dementia, and Grief
laurrelise's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, and Death
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you @readforeverpub for my book
Abby Jimenez has such a way with words and the moment I started reading I didn’t want this book to end. This book in my opinion is one of her heaviest works to date and had me all in my feelings. I used to work in the healthcare field and one summer I was on the dementia floor and it was so depressing.
Xavier and Samantha were everything I love as a couple. Complete opposites and they balanced each other out perfectly. Xavier is guarded and rightfully so but I love the way he didn’t run away when things became messy. I did find this book to be slightly repetitive, but it was still a great read and longtime fans of Abby will definitely enjoy this story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death, and Dementia
laudis98's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I feel so lucky to been given an ARC of Abby Jimenez’s new book #SayYoullRememberMe. I’m at book 104 for this year and this one is one of my favorites. I will admit that I am partial to any of her books. Here is my review:
Abby Jimenez makes us fall in love with another character. Main character Xavier is introduced as a hot vet that looks like Rhysand but also volunteers at animal hospitals. She had me at hot guy that loves animals.
Samantha meets Xavier when she takes a kitten she found to be examined. They both are instantly attracted to each other but Xavier ruins that connection with delivering less than hopeful advice to Samantha. Miraculously, Samantha accepts an invitation for a date. Little did they both know it was going to give “the one” date vibes. Too bad Samantha family circumstances cut that romance short.
I love a strong female character and Samantha is just that with a “Bitch watch me” attitude. 😂 She also is vulnerable showing her softer side.
This book had me laughing out loud and feeding my heart with daydreams. I love Abby’s books because she doesn’t just offer the romance, she also offers substance of real serious issues. In this one, dementia is one of those issues. Say You’ll Remember Me truly delivers an insight on how dementia affects a family. *This book does contain elements of abuse to kids and animals along with mental illness. Please check your triggers.
Though I did enjoy this book, I found Xavier to be too soft. I felt like he worked far more than Samantha to make the relationship work. Perhaps his past trauma contributes to his people pleasing attributes but I honestly felt bad for him.
If you’re looking for a great rom-com with meat & potatoes definitely read this!
Thank you #NetGalley & #Forever for an ARC! #abbyjimenez
Be on the lookout for my year’s favorites!
Abby Jimenez makes us fall in love with another character. Main character Xavier is introduced as a hot vet that looks like Rhysand but also volunteers at animal hospitals. She had me at hot guy that loves animals.
Samantha meets Xavier when she takes a kitten she found to be examined. They both are instantly attracted to each other but Xavier ruins that connection with delivering less than hopeful advice to Samantha. Miraculously, Samantha accepts an invitation for a date. Little did they both know it was going to give “the one” date vibes. Too bad Samantha family circumstances cut that romance short.
I love a strong female character and Samantha is just that with a “Bitch watch me” attitude. 😂 She also is vulnerable showing her softer side.
This book had me laughing out loud and feeding my heart with daydreams. I love Abby’s books because she doesn’t just offer the romance, she also offers substance of real serious issues. In this one, dementia is one of those issues. Say You’ll Remember Me truly delivers an insight on how dementia affects a family. *This book does contain elements of abuse to kids and animals along with mental illness. Please check your triggers.
Though I did enjoy this book, I found Xavier to be too soft. I felt like he worked far more than Samantha to make the relationship work. Perhaps his past trauma contributes to his people pleasing attributes but I honestly felt bad for him.
If you’re looking for a great rom-com with meat & potatoes definitely read this!
Thank you #NetGalley & #Forever for an ARC! #abbyjimenez
Be on the lookout for my year’s favorites!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Dementia, and Gaslighting