A review by jillkaarlela
The Happily Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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

Taylor Swift songs: “peace”!!!!!!!!

Age rating: 16+ (1 steamy scene, 0.5/5🌶️)

Ok, being famous sounds absolutely terrible. But this book was good! Please please please check trigger warnings (I listed them at the end). 

Jason is absolutely down BAD for her!! And he is so good at flirting!! This was insta-love, but in a good way. Their chemistry was electric, and I love how they started to fall for each other before they even saw each other in person! The whole concept of the dog bringing them together was absolutely adorable! And Jason defined intentional pursuit of a partner!! He put her first from the beginning. 

I did not realize how absolutely horrifying being famous was, because dang!! That sounds miserable!! It made for some really heartbreaking drama and conflict though! 

I appreciate how this book and the last book in this series (“the Friend Zone”) were inspired by people that Jimenez knew and sought advice and expertise from (according to authors note). She really did the research when covering these very difficult topics (infertility and loss of partner). I also appreciated the focus on Sloan rediscovering her “spark” and identity in herself, apart from Jason. This book shows that the journey may be really rough, but it will get better. 

Overall, I liked this better than “the Friend Zone”, however “part of your world” and “yours truly” are elite for me! 

TW: sexual harassment, grief, death of past partner, self harm, depression, panic attacks, alcoholism and drug abuse (side character) 

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