Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Happy Ever After Playlist

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The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

11 reviews

caties_books's review

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the best book I've read in a long time 😍😍

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justinekorson's review against another edition

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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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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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aleroness's review

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4.5

One of the best romances I've read all year! Well-written and the plot kept me guessing until the end. At almost no point could I discern where the story could or should go next - there was no easy out any I appreciated that! Likeable characters with believable arcs that made me want their stories to continue even as it ended.

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atamano's review against another edition

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emotional 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

2.75

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annahamburger's review against another edition

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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.

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pagesfromhome's review against another edition

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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.

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