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A review by evavstheworld
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars, rounded up
I just love Abby Jimenez. She wrote one of my favourite books of all time (Just For The Summer), so I was super excited to get the chance to read this one early!
Say You’ll Remember Me is an emotional story, from many angles. Sadly, I felt it lacked a certain depth throughout the middle of the story. Certain parts felt quite dry and like they were only piling on the trauma and depression and stress onto the characters. Samantha and Xavier’s relationship was literally wrung out like a rag, and everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And horribly so. While I know that real people do go through similar experiences, it felt like it was just blow after blow after yet another blow, to the point where you didn’t think anything else could go wrong. Well, just you wait…
I felt the pair’s relationship started off a bit insta-love’y, and progressed quite quickly, but then once they were together, they couldn’t even see each other. I feel for this couple (despite them being very fictional) cause they had to go through some real sh*t to stay together. I did end up believing in the strength of their relationship towards the end of the book and I feel they did everything they could to stay together, despite all the trials and tribulations they had to endure.
This story deals heavily with dementia and childhood trauma from narcissistic and emotionally abusive parents. Both have been handled with the utmost respect by the author, and felt extremely well researched.
Overall, the ending has redeemed the book for me, especially Hank’s character, and the efforts to bring the family together. I was just a little disappointed by some of the parts in the middle which felt rushed, with loads of telling not showing, but overall this story did tug at my heart just like every Abby book does.
I just love Abby Jimenez. She wrote one of my favourite books of all time (Just For The Summer), so I was super excited to get the chance to read this one early!
Say You’ll Remember Me is an emotional story, from many angles. Sadly, I felt it lacked a certain depth throughout the middle of the story. Certain parts felt quite dry and like they were only piling on the trauma and depression and stress onto the characters. Samantha and Xavier’s relationship was literally wrung out like a rag, and everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. And horribly so. While I know that real people do go through similar experiences, it felt like it was just blow after blow after yet another blow, to the point where you didn’t think anything else could go wrong. Well, just you wait…
I felt the pair’s relationship started off a bit insta-love’y, and progressed quite quickly, but then once they were together, they couldn’t even see each other. I feel for this couple (despite them being very fictional) cause they had to go through some real sh*t to stay together. I did end up believing in the strength of their relationship towards the end of the book and I feel they did everything they could to stay together, despite all the trials and tribulations they had to endure.
This story deals heavily with dementia and childhood trauma from narcissistic and emotionally abusive parents. Both have been handled with the utmost respect by the author, and felt extremely well researched.
Overall, the ending has redeemed the book for me, especially Hank’s character, and the efforts to bring the family together. I was just a little disappointed by some of the parts in the middle which felt rushed, with loads of telling not showing, but overall this story did tug at my heart just like every Abby book does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail