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breeburkitt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
The pastel and whimsical summer-type cover is such a lie, and whoever designed it is cruel! It's not a happy-go-lucky beach read. Say You'll Remember Me is so heart-wrenching and relatable in such a beautifully authentic way. It transcends a traditional romance and is instead a story of family, belonging and finding a way to deal with what's at hand.
Also, the meet-cute of a rescue cat without a butthole!? It's those light elements of levity that keep those from becoming trauma porn.
At times, I felt Samantha and Xavier overthought this obstacle and let it become something bigger than it was. This constant “realization” that it will always be like this, how hard it is, etc., became somewhat repetitive about two-thirds of the way in. However, the hurdles of money and family were realistic and relatable in a way we don't often see in similar books.
Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
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
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
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
evavstheworld's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars, rounded up
I just love Abby Jimenez. She wrote one of my favourite books of all time (Just For The Summer), so I was super excited to get the chance to read this one early!
Say You’ll Remember Me is an emotional story, from many angles. Sadly, I felt it lacked a certain depth throughout the middle of the story. Certain parts felt quite dry and like they were only piling on the trauma and depression and stress onto the characters. Samantha and Xavier’s relationship was literally wrung out like a rag, and everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And horribly so. While I know that real people do go through similar experiences, it felt like it was just blow after blow after yet another blow, to the point where you didn’t think anything else could go wrong. Well, just you wait…
I felt the pair’s relationship started off a bit insta-love’y, and progressed quite quickly, but then once they were together, they couldn’t even see each other. I feel for this couple (despite them being very fictional) cause they had to go through some real sh*t to stay together. I did end up believing in the strength of their relationship towards the end of the book and I feel they did everything they could to stay together, despite all the trials and tribulations they had to endure.
This story deals heavily with dementia and childhood trauma from narcissistic and emotionally abusive parents. Both have been handled with the utmost respect by the author, and felt extremely well researched.
Overall, the ending has redeemed the book for me, especially Hank’s character, and the efforts to bring the family together. I was just a little disappointed by some of the parts in the middle which felt rushed, with loads of telling not showing, but overall this story did tug at my heart just like every Abby book does.
I just love Abby Jimenez. She wrote one of my favourite books of all time (Just For The Summer), so I was super excited to get the chance to read this one early!
Say You’ll Remember Me is an emotional story, from many angles. Sadly, I felt it lacked a certain depth throughout the middle of the story. Certain parts felt quite dry and like they were only piling on the trauma and depression and stress onto the characters. Samantha and Xavier’s relationship was literally wrung out like a rag, and everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And horribly so. While I know that real people do go through similar experiences, it felt like it was just blow after blow after yet another blow, to the point where you didn’t think anything else could go wrong. Well, just you wait…
I felt the pair’s relationship started off a bit insta-love’y, and progressed quite quickly, but then once they were together, they couldn’t even see each other. I feel for this couple (despite them being very fictional) cause they had to go through some real sh*t to stay together. I did end up believing in the strength of their relationship towards the end of the book and I feel they did everything they could to stay together, despite all the trials and tribulations they had to endure.
This story deals heavily with dementia and childhood trauma from narcissistic and emotionally abusive parents. Both have been handled with the utmost respect by the author, and felt extremely well researched.
Overall, the ending has redeemed the book for me, especially Hank’s character, and the efforts to bring the family together. I was just a little disappointed by some of the parts in the middle which felt rushed, with loads of telling not showing, but overall this story did tug at my heart just like every Abby book does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
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
mayawildgoose's review
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Grief
alilbitofmonica's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t know how to process anything because my heart is recovering from the rollercoaster that was this book. I laughed, I cried (real tears!) and I fell in love with this story and these characters.
The dementia plotline hit home for me, so this felt real and painful at times. But utterly beautiful. I am in awe of how Abby Jimenez can draw upon grief and true emotional depth and build it into a stunning work of art using imperfect people to create a perfect love story.
Xavier and Samantha are some of my favorite romantic leads. The love they have for each other was SO strong and so touching. Add in the way they each supported each other in their own spheres. I want to cry thinking about it again.
AND HANK??? Imma need a minute to recover from loving Hank so much in this story.
This book isn’t out yet, but I want to buy every copy ever because of how perfect it is. Read it. Love it. Remember it.
The dementia plotline hit home for me, so this felt real and painful at times. But utterly beautiful. I am in awe of how Abby Jimenez can draw upon grief and true emotional depth and build it into a stunning work of art using imperfect people to create a perfect love story.
Xavier and Samantha are some of my favorite romantic leads. The love they have for each other was SO strong and so touching. Add in the way they each supported each other in their own spheres. I want to cry thinking about it again.
AND HANK??? Imma need a minute to recover from loving Hank so much in this story.
This book isn’t out yet, but I want to buy every copy ever because of how perfect it is. Read it. Love it. Remember it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
ktdakotareads'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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse