Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A lot to dissect here! Okay so I did like this, but I have a few pretty big issues that prevented me from enjoying it more. What I'm learning about Abby Jimenez books is that I really like her writing and characters, but she loves a lil bit of family trauma thrown into a romance novel and I'm not always ready for that lol
Xavier and Samantha were super sweet. Their relationship was solidly instalove but I don't hate that trope as much as others so I didn't mind it. They were both really cute and well developed characters, and I particularly loved Xavier. Hot vet hello! His whole storyline with his estranged parents was really well written and made me angy! (compliment)
Unfortunately about 75% of this book was just the two of them missing each other because they're long distance, which... like, yeah, that's the plot, but it also just made it hard for me to enjoy the book because I wanted to see more of them together. Maybe long distance romances are not for me! I was always left just wanting more of their scenes together and they were over so quickly. I just want the happy ending!!!!
I also felt like there were just a few too many things that just worked themselves out in a way that made me suspend disbelief a little bit. We brushed way too quickly over the fact thatthey both tried to surprise each other and pulled the ole swap-a-roo and I know they touched on it, but how did everyone in this have so much money all the time! I'm a social media manager, I know Samantha wasn't making six figures! The in-universe social posts also made me cringe idk maybe that's a me problem... not to mention the fact that there's no way "Come on Eileen" plays THAT much everywhere they go. Am I just too cynical??? Things don't happen like this! It all just felt a little too convenient at times.
Also, while I appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning, I don't feel like they emphasized just how much those things are in the book - or maybe I'm just over sensitive - because I was NOOOTTT ready for it to literally open with a scene about a dog getting put down. (spoiler: he doesn't actually, but it was abrupt!) There's also a decent amount of discussion of pets in distressing situations that was a bit much for me at times. Also, like a whole third of this book is about Samantha's mom having dementia, and that was also difficult to read about and I don't even have any history of dealing with that or anything... so just heed those warnings, I'd say.
All this being said, I did really like the story and the characters felt very real and lived-in, which I loved. I also LOVED the narrators for this book, they did such a good job bringing the characters to life. I'll def continue to read more of her books, but maybe prepare myself a little better in the future!!
Xavier and Samantha were super sweet. Their relationship was solidly instalove but I don't hate that trope as much as others so I didn't mind it. They were both really cute and well developed characters, and I particularly loved Xavier. Hot vet hello! His whole storyline with his estranged parents was really well written and made me angy! (compliment)
Unfortunately about 75% of this book was just the two of them missing each other because they're long distance, which... like, yeah, that's the plot, but it also just made it hard for me to enjoy the book because I wanted to see more of them together. Maybe long distance romances are not for me! I was always left just wanting more of their scenes together and they were over so quickly. I just want the happy ending!!!!
I also felt like there were just a few too many things that just worked themselves out in a way that made me suspend disbelief a little bit. We brushed way too quickly over the fact that
Also, while I appreciated the trigger warnings at the beginning, I don't feel like they emphasized just how much those things are in the book - or maybe I'm just over sensitive - because I was NOOOTTT ready for it to literally open with a scene about a dog getting put down. (spoiler: he doesn't actually, but it was abrupt!) There's also a decent amount of discussion of pets in distressing situations that was a bit much for me at times. Also, like a whole third of this book is about Samantha's mom having dementia, and that was also difficult to read about and I don't even have any history of dealing with that or anything... so just heed those warnings, I'd say.
All this being said, I did really like the story and the characters felt very real and lived-in, which I loved. I also LOVED the narrators for this book, they did such a good job bringing the characters to life. I'll def continue to read more of her books, but maybe prepare myself a little better in the future!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death
challenging
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
When people say a romance book made them kick their feet in joy this is what they mean!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Dementia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Sorry, just not for me. Found a lot of the pop culture references cringe. Lots of logistics. I did like the main couple and the realistic life circumstances that caused the drama. I felt like the family members could have been more deeply fleshed out. That said, it was a fun, easy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Dementia
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Dementia
Moderate: Child abuse, Dementia
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
Heartbreaking and beautiful story about love and how it feels and lasts, even when the detailed memories fade
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Dementia, Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Probably one of the best of Jimenez's books that I've read. However, as a person who's endured a cross-country, long distance relationship for 2 and a half years with the person I ended up marrying... I couldn't help but feel like Xavier and Samantha were going overboard. Like, I get it. I circled around my wife for almost three years before we officially started dating because we didn't want to do long distance. But, the circumstances made sense to us and we made peace with it, including making peace with being too poor to see each except three to four times a year.
This novel did shine, however, in the care and grief surrounding Samantha's family. I believed the way Xavier fit right into the fold. Their struggles were valid, and I bought that both MCs held deep desires to support and be supported by their favorite person. Ultimately, the book was enjoyable.
This novel did shine, however, in the care and grief surrounding Samantha's family. I believed the way Xavier fit right into the fold. Their struggles were valid, and I bought that both MCs held deep desires to support and be supported by their favorite person. Ultimately, the book was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Dementia
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Abandonment
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved Say You’ll Remember Me. I went into it thinking it would be just a casual summer read, but it ended up being so much more than that.
First off, the characters were amazing. The romance was so swoon-worthy – I was fully invested in Samantha and Xavier. Honestly, Xavier is almost too perfect. I don’t know if that’s a negative or a positive, because let’s be real… there is no man on this earth who will ever match up to him, and it hurts my soul to think about that. 😆
Samantha was funny and witty, and their banter had me laughing out loud so many times. I also loved that it wasn’t just the main characters who were interesting. The side characters, especially Samantha’s family, added so much depth to the story. I do wish there had been even more development with them, because they were such a great addition to the narrative.
One thing that really stood out to me was the way the book tackled dementia. It hit home because I have a family member currently going through it, and I often struggle with knowing what to say or do. Reading this book really helped me think about how to interact with people with dementia. I appreciate the author’s research and thoughtful portrayal – it genuinely taught me a few things.
I also loved the subtle themes of family, and how even close-knit families experience discord and strife, but work through it by communicating and trying to understand each other. The only thing I wasn’t fully in love with was the ending – it felt a bit too perfect and happily-ever-after. I know most romances end that way, but I would have liked a little more conflict or realism at the end.
I listened to this on audiobook, and it was phenomenal. It’s a duet narration, so Xavier’s lines are voiced by him even in Samantha’s POV and vice versa, which made the whole experience even better. The narrators did an incredible job, and I highly recommend the audiobook if you’re planning to pick this up. Thank you to Libro.FM for an audio Arc of this book.
Overall, this was an emotional, romantic, and unexpectedly impactful read for me. It’s my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.
First off, the characters were amazing. The romance was so swoon-worthy – I was fully invested in Samantha and Xavier. Honestly, Xavier is almost too perfect. I don’t know if that’s a negative or a positive, because let’s be real… there is no man on this earth who will ever match up to him, and it hurts my soul to think about that. 😆
Samantha was funny and witty, and their banter had me laughing out loud so many times. I also loved that it wasn’t just the main characters who were interesting. The side characters, especially Samantha’s family, added so much depth to the story. I do wish there had been even more development with them, because they were such a great addition to the narrative.
One thing that really stood out to me was the way the book tackled dementia. It hit home because I have a family member currently going through it, and I often struggle with knowing what to say or do. Reading this book really helped me think about how to interact with people with dementia. I appreciate the author’s research and thoughtful portrayal – it genuinely taught me a few things.
I also loved the subtle themes of family, and how even close-knit families experience discord and strife, but work through it by communicating and trying to understand each other. The only thing I wasn’t fully in love with was the ending – it felt a bit too perfect and happily-ever-after. I know most romances end that way, but I would have liked a little more conflict or realism at the end.
I listened to this on audiobook, and it was phenomenal. It’s a duet narration, so Xavier’s lines are voiced by him even in Samantha’s POV and vice versa, which made the whole experience even better. The narrators did an incredible job, and I highly recommend the audiobook if you’re planning to pick this up. Thank you to Libro.FM for an audio Arc of this book.
Overall, this was an emotional, romantic, and unexpectedly impactful read for me. It’s my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death