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A review by kaelaceleste
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
fast-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? No
3.75
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