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wordinessa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm really growing to love Abby Jimenez. Sloan and Jason are both lovable characters, doing their best to love one another through extraordinary circumstances. Sloan's grief feels natural and not forced, especially considering that this book takes place two years after her fiance's death. While Jason's facing the dramatic consequences of fame, he himself is down-to-earth and loveable and it makes their relationship relatable despite the circumstances. And Tucker! Tucker, of course, can do no wrong. Plus, I'm a sucker for a book that comes with its own playlist. I personally recommend skipping "The Friend Zone" itself and starting with this one right here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Stalking, Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Vomit
Minor: Pregnancy
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating: 4/5 stars
The Happy Ever After Playlist features a young woman (also a character in The Friend Zone—redacting her name here so as not to spoil that one!) learning to move on from a traumatic life event and falling in love with a famous musician (and his adorable dog).
I had mixed feelings about The Friend Zone, but everyone told me the sequels were better and BOY were they right! I devoured the first half of this book, which was adorable perfection—Jason instantly became one of my top leading men ever, and the FMC’s journey was so raw and real but also touching and inspiring.
If the book had ended around the mid-way point it would probably have been a five star read for me. As it was, I thought the back half felt a bit contrived and repetitive, and really doubled down on the miscommunication trope (which I rarely enjoy). It also really emphasized the insta-love aspect of the plot, which made it all feel a bit too cheesy and unrealistic.
That said, the ending, while over-the-top, was ADORABLE, and my feelings about this book lean WAY more to positive than negative! So many reviews I’ve read and people I’ve spoken to say Abby Jimenez is a writer where each book is a little bit better than the one before, and if that’s the case, I cannot WAIT to read the third book in this trilogy.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: music/playlists in books; cute dog characters; cheesy cinematic endings
CW: Grief; stalking/threats; drug abuse/use; self-harm
The Happy Ever After Playlist features a young woman (also a character in The Friend Zone—redacting her name here so as not to spoil that one!) learning to move on from a traumatic life event and falling in love with a famous musician (and his adorable dog).
I had mixed feelings about The Friend Zone, but everyone told me the sequels were better and BOY were they right! I devoured the first half of this book, which was adorable perfection—Jason instantly became one of my top leading men ever, and the FMC’s journey was so raw and real but also touching and inspiring.
If the book had ended around the mid-way point it would probably have been a five star read for me. As it was, I thought the back half felt a bit contrived and repetitive, and really doubled down on the miscommunication trope (which I rarely enjoy). It also really emphasized the insta-love aspect of the plot, which made it all feel a bit too cheesy and unrealistic.
That said, the ending, while over-the-top, was ADORABLE, and my feelings about this book lean WAY more to positive than negative! So many reviews I’ve read and people I’ve spoken to say Abby Jimenez is a writer where each book is a little bit better than the one before, and if that’s the case, I cannot WAIT to read the third book in this trilogy.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: music/playlists in books; cute dog characters; cheesy cinematic endings
CW: Grief; stalking/threats; drug abuse/use; self-harm
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Death, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Stalking
jadehusdanhicks's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
4.0
A wonderful book where two creatives are brought together by a crazy doggo.
Strangers to lovers, second chance after strains on a relationship. This book is so well written. The romance itself so wholesome.
Dealing with themes of grief and also lying to protect others are dealt with alongside developing communication to be good together as a couple. I love this book and would definitely reccomend
Strangers to lovers, second chance after strains on a relationship. This book is so well written. The romance itself so wholesome.
Dealing with themes of grief and also lying to protect others are dealt with alongside developing communication to be good together as a couple. I love this book and would definitely reccomend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Stalking, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Another poignant story! This one balances the light the and heavy that comes with life. A hopeful story that unfolds about our FMC finding love after loss.
In this book we get to see Sloan's character be fleshed out as well as meet Jason. Kristen continues to be a central character and I was happy to see her and peak into her life after her "happily ever after". Josh unfortunately sort of faded to a side character, I was hoping to get to know him better from the outside since their book really focused on Kristen.
I enjoyed Sloan and Jason's character development and complicated and nuanced reactions to real relationship barriers (not everyone is a rockstar but jobs have been known to transfer people or require travel).
This book got emotional reactions out of me such as- smiling, laughing, and crying.
In this book we get to see Sloan's character be fleshed out as well as meet Jason. Kristen continues to be a central character and I was happy to see her and peak into her life after her "happily ever after". Josh unfortunately sort of faded to a side character, I was hoping to get to know him better from the outside since their book really focused on Kristen.
I enjoyed Sloan and Jason's character development and complicated and nuanced reactions to real relationship barriers (not everyone is a rockstar but jobs have been known to transfer people or require travel).
This book got emotional reactions out of me such as- smiling, laughing, and crying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Cursing, and Self harm
Minor: Addiction, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Drug use, Pregnancy, Car accident, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
kaytrain's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse, Death, Stalking, Self harm, and Car accident
kaylasonlyheart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Stalking and Drug abuse
pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
I really enjoyed the relationship between Sloane and Jason, but I found myself really bothered by the Lola storyline throughout. She was clearly exploited by her manager and record label while also being under the influence most of the time, but I just feel like it took a really long time to get an apology and I would have liked to see that situation wrapped up earlier than it was so the forgiveness could have felt less rushed. . I love a story about second chances and I loved the respect that Jason had for Sloane throughout her movement through grief. All in all, it was all-around fine. I didn't love, didn't hate - firmly liked it and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for an exploration of what it can look like for grief to become a part of your life, but not your whole life. I also freely admit that I'm a sucker for anything that comes with a playlist built in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, and Self harm
Minor: Stalking
zabeishumanish's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.25
This book was hard. Really hard. Emotionally catastrophic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Eating disorder
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Death
angelareads's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.25
The first half was a 4.5, then the second half became a little too cliche for me. Add in some unexplored emotional resolutions and this ends up around a 3-3.5. Not bad, but not as good as this author's potential. I'll read her next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Grief, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, Stalking, and Vomit