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readwithria's review against another edition
- 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
I loved Sloan in The Friend Zone, so returning to her story and seeing her get the happy ending she deserves made me so happy! She and Jason have amazing chemistry, and I loved reading about them and their relationship. I also loved seeing Kristen through Sloan’s eyes, and their friendship was one of my favorite aspects of the book.
This book did a great job of showing Sloan’s grief and depression, and it also did a great job of showing her growth and rediscovery of her self after loss. This was my third Abby Jimenez book, so I knew what kind of emotional turmoil I was going to be in for, and as usual it all felt grounded in reality.
There are a couple reasons this wasn’t a five star book for me. I think that Jason and Sloan had a bit of an unhealthy communication style, and while it improved throughout the book I still think that a lot of their earlier issues could have been solved with a better timed conversation. I also didn’t love the final conflict of the book, but I think it was all resolved well.
I will definitely be reading more of Abby’s backlist, and her future releases! 4 stars.
Graphic: Cursing and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, and Vomit
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
literary_laur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
fieldofsummer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual content, Stalking, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
lujisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and Pregnancy
caties_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
teadsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mostly a fantasy reader but trying to expand my horizons with some romance.
Would recommend if you want a quick read with some slight spice.
Graphic: Sexual content
amateur_bookworm's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
cassiealexandra's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
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."
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Stalking, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Vomit, and Pregnancy
death of partnerxwritingstoriesx's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Grief