Member Reviews

After reading and LOVING “The Friend Zone” earlier this year, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. My heart broke for Sloan in the last book and while I read this book I wanted to reach in and give her a big hug.

“It was hard to come to terms with something that didn’t make sense, like a tragic untimely death or a breakup that came out of nowhere. How could anyone be at peace when they don’t know what they did to deserve it or what they could have done to make things different?’’

Ugh.


Jason was EVERYTHING in this story and I need me one of him in real life as well. He was SO patient, caring and understanding and I loved how he stayed with Sloan through the good and the bad. Throughout this story we slowly start to see a transformation from Sloan and I love that it wasn’t because of a guy. Sloan got better because SHE wanted to get better and it was such a beautiful and heartwarming thing to see.

I also loved how Kristen and Josh did everything they could to make sure Sloan was okay. #SquadGoals Kristen was a hoot in this story and it was so nice to catch up with her and Josh.


It’s hard to believe that this is only Abby Jiminez second novel. The writing and storytelling always suck me in while I’m reading. It felt like I was with old friends. I smiled, laughed, cried and hurt right along with them these last two books and I am going to miss these characters so much. And as usual I am suffering from the only book hangover. Jiminez has blown me away twice in one year which is NO easy feat. P.S. Make sure to read the author’s note.

Was this review helpful?

Abby did it again. For her first book, which was written 'as a hobby', she crafted an engaging story of healing and new love. I can see why and appreciate that she saved Sloan's story for her second book.

Was this review helpful?

Abby Jimenez, author of "The Friend Zone," is back with another hilarious, emotional romance that is a must-read for 2020! The Happy Ever After Playlist follows Sloane, the best friend of the main characters from TFZ, and though I seriously thought that nothing could top the first book in the series, Sloane's story exceeded my expectations.
Sloane's fiance died in a car accident two years ago, and it's not until she meets Jason and his dog Tucker that she finally begins to feel like herself again. Jason is attentive and flirtatious, and he helps Sloane overcome her grief at her own pace. But his career as a rising musician threatens their budding relationship, and their feelings for each other are put to the test as his fame skyrockets.
This book will have you racing to finish to figure out what will happen between these two vulnerable characters, and there's plenty of appearances from our favorite couple, Kristen and Josh!

Was this review helpful?

I loved Sloan in THE FRIEND ZONE and couldn't wait to see where her story would go. THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST does not disappoint in this regard. It also features the best meet-cute I've ever read in a contemporary romance -- if you love dogs, you won't be able to resist the opening chapters of this book! Like in her previous book, Jimenez does not shy away from difficult topics; in this case, Sloan is still processing her grief over the tragedy that took place in THE FRIEND ZONE. Sloan's new love interest is a musician who invites her to join his tour, so if you devoured the tour scenes in DAISY JONES & THE SIX you'll probably love this book, too. A great follow-up to THE FRIEND ZONE; I hope this isn't the last time we see Kristen, Josh, Sloan, and Jason! (less)

Was this review helpful?

After reading and loving The Friend Zone, I absolutely had to read Sloan's story. I'm so grateful for the chance to read it early.

It was completely amazing. Totally unputdownable. The sweetness and the heartbreak combined for the perfect story. It was so heartfelt and emotional but also brought the laughs with the witty banter. Getting to know Sloan again gave me smiles and tears. I absolutely love Jason. Maybe more than Josh. Either way, Abby Jiminez, please keep those book boyfriends coming because you are the queen at writing them! I love the doggies too, Tucker stole the show! I have absolutely no doubt that everyone will love this book as much as they loved The Friend Zone.

Was this review helpful?

A brilliant follow up to the Friend Zone! Abby Jimenez keeps her readers on the edge of their seats with a fast paced romance filled with heart and soul. I ran the entire gamut of emotions reading this book: happy, sad, angry, scared. Jimenez's writing is so vividly realistic and really brings you into the mindset of the characters. Sloane's story arc is absolutely beautiful, and her journey to finding herself through finding love is one that many people who have dealt with grief can identify with. Jason is the consummate gentleman, almost to a fault, and the decisions he makes throughout the book will often make you hit your head in frustration. Is this your average fluffy feel good romance novel? No. And nothing against fluffy feel good romance novels but I would read 100 books of this quality.

Was this review helpful?

Swoooooooonnnn. Abby Jimenez does it again with The Happy Ever After Playlist. I was a huge fan of The Friend Zone, and was so excited to read Sloan’s story. Getting this ARC was like an early Christmas present to me and I devoured the book in two days, This book starts with the most epic meet cute and continues delivering laughs and tears until the epilogue....scratch that - the author’s note about complicated bereavement made my cry too.

Sloan meets Jason when she accidentally kidnaps his dog. Turns out he’s a musician on extended overseas tour with a flighty dog sitter. They get to know each other over texts and calls, but when he gets back to LA and they’re faced with the reality of his exploding career, things get more complicated.

Like she did in The Friend Zone, Jimenez does a beautiful job portraying issues around mental health and anxiety that don’t get nearly enough attention in books. The friendship between Kristen and Sloan also develops further in this book, which is a treat because Kristen might be one of my favorite characters in recent memory. The accompanying Spotify playlist was a fun extra as well.

Overall, this is another five star read for me. At this point, I’d read Abby Jimenez’s shopping lists and probably cry.

Was this review helpful?

I loved The Friend Zone and I wasn't sure if this one could measure up. I was wrong. Abby Jimenez has hit another home run with this one. It takes place two years after Friend Zone and is Sloan's story. It is heartbreaking as well as hilarious. I only wish Jason was real!

Was this review helpful?

I really loved The Friend Zone. But this book/story was a real let down.

What I liked- The dialogue between Sloan and Jason. I think Abby is a master at capturing dialogue between characters that feels so real. I loved seeing Kristen and Josh again. I absolutely adored the way Brandon is still very much part of the story. He might be dead but he is still very much part of Sloan and then Jason's life. I love that Jason doesn't want that to change.

What I didn't like- I think the "crazy ex" trope is lacking nuance in the first half of the book. I am tired of seeing women, especially ex girlfriend, as portrayed as crazy. I thought the conflict by the ex/management company was distracting and those parts felt like it was a different book. I think Jason was being wildly mismanaged. At least by his recording company. And Ernie was not really an advocate for him. At least twice I thought about marking the book as DNF because I was so disappointed in the heavy reliance on the crazy ex and manufactured drama by the record label. I felt like there was enough conflict with Jason being a rock star and traveling the world and having a long distance relationship that could have been developed more to be the true conflict rather than falling on the crazy ex.

This book was a disappointing follow up from The Friend Zone. I will be curious to see if the finished product differs at all from this version. I would not recommend it as it currently is.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful follow up novel! Jimenez's humor and heart shine through yet again. And the song list is amazing. Highly recommended!

Was this review helpful?

The Happy Ever After Playlist follows Sloan’s journey around two years after the events of The Friend Zone.

Sloan still heartbroken after the devastating death of her fiancé is trying to cope without Brandon. One day a dog named Tucker literally jumps through her sunroof and lands in her lap. Unable to get in touch with his owner, Sloan decides to keep him since having Tucker around is bringing her more joy and she’s starting to feel like herself again for the first time in years.

Enter Jason, a handsome singer currently on tour who is gaining more stardom by the minute. When he find out Sloan has his dog and refuses to give him back, the two begin daily conversations slowly starting to know each other. With Jason quickly becoming captivated with Sloan and she letting her guard down, the two make plans to spend an afternoon together with Tucker to see if he will be allowed his dog back.

When Jason returns to town the two are equally surprised to see how much instant chemistry they have with each other. Sloan and Jason are quickly drawn to each other, wanting to spend as much time together before he goes back on tour again. Sloan is scared by how fast she starts having feelings for Jason, not wanting her heart damaged more than it has. Jason is willing to do anything to prove to Sloan that they have the potential to create something magical together while making her break out of her shell and return to the person she was before Brandon died. With obstacles in their way including long tour dates, jealous pop stars and career opportunities Jason and Sloan are put to the test to see if they can keep their building romance alive or will they let it crumble with past demons reaching for the surface.

Be still my beating heart! I absolutely LOVED The Happy Ever After Playlist. I read each delicious page slowly because I just did not want it to end. I didn’t think it was possible for this to top The Friend Zone, but honestly I think it did. This story took you through struggles of heartbreak beyond control, chasing your dreams but not letting it overpower the strength of powerful love and knowing how to be true to yourself to know how to be honestly happy. Readers will love the banter and sweet moments between Sloan and Jason and will be very happy with cameos from Kristen and Josh.

The Happy Ever After Playlist comes out April 2020 and I’m already claiming it as one of my top books of next year!

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me with the best early Christmas present ever. I’m going to be smiling over this one for a long time.

Was this review helpful?

Just like The Friend Zone, I loved The Happy Ever After Playlist. It isn’t JUST about the romance (which I mean, is 🔥😉). HEAP was also a book about love, healing after loss, and living to find yourself again. It was about seeking happiness and loving yourself first. It made my laugh out loud, as well as cry. The new cast of characters was as great as the first (if not better).
———
Also — I think one of my favorite little pieces to this book was the actual playlist. Each chapter starts with a real song, and there is a playlist on Spotify to go along with it. I had so much fun playing each song as I started each chapter to connect it as I assume Abby intended. I have so many feelings.

Was this review helpful?

Supppppeeerrrr adorable. The chemistry between Sloan and Jason is solid.
I'm 100% surprised this wasn't as depressing and sad as expected. Which I'm okay with.
Sloan was still dealing with her grief. Jason was such a cute sweet puppy dog.

This was going to be a 5* until the last bit and fallout. The fallout was too dramatic for my liking. And like I didn't know you could overdo HEA's. But apparently you can because okkkaaayyyy. Like I love but also too much.

Doesn't look like there will be more companions in this world. I'm on board for whatever Abby writes next.

Was this review helpful?

Featuring characters from Jimenez's first novel, The Friend Zone, Happily Ever After Playlist features more quick wit and page-turning romantic drama. While Sloan isn't quite as laugh-out-loud funny as her BFF Kristen, she is equally, if not more, vulnerable and fierce. Jimenez does a remarkable job of giving her characters whole lives and realistic personalities, which makes this romance novel stand out from the crowd.

Was this review helpful?

If you haven't read The Friend Zone, stop what you're doing and pick it up. (That being said, you can read one without the other, but why would you?! More Kristen and Josh, yes please) This book picks up about two years after the events of The Friend Zone. Sloan is a shell of her former self, not even trying to move on after the passing of her fiance, Brandon.

Sloan and Jason's meet-cute is one of the best I've read. It included a dog, apparently that's all I need to be 100% on board. The character development in her books are next to none. I'm already sad that I'm done this book! I liked the supporting characters as much as the mains. I loved how Sloan and Jason got to know each other long distance. It was slow and sweet and respectful. I loved the "regular person" dates an upcoming musician angle as well. 

The author showed the real struggles of grief, both physical and mental (make sure to read the Author's Note to get an idea of why she is so personally invested in this topic, it made her writing feel even more legitimate).

My one tiny complaint about this book, is the (IMO) overuse of emphasis using italics which came off as cheesy at times. Also, the obstacles at the end of the book seemed a bit far fetched for me, but i'm just nitpicking.
I cannot wait for Jimenez's next book. It seems to me this will be the last one with these characters!

Was this review helpful?

"Sometimes the hardest place to live is in the one in-between. And sometimes the in-between is all you'll ever get."

It's official, I will read ANYTHING Abby Jimenez writes. I was left heartbroken after The Friend Zone, so when I received my ARC of HEA, I dropped everything else. It felt so good to be back in Josh and Kristin's world. They may have been side characters this time, but that just meant I had the chance to fall in love with new people in their lives.

We watched Sloan's life fall apart in The Friend Zone, and this time we watched her put it back together again. It's heartbreaking at times and empowering at others. Of course, she didn't do it by herself. She had Josh and Kristin to pick her up the pieces but we also meet Jason. I thought Josh was the best thing about these books (no I lied, he still is) but then came Jason. He's on the road to fame, he's romantic but patient, and he comes from the best family. Sloan doesn't know if she's ready to fall in love again, but Jason might change that.

But I forgot that best part: Tucker! This book has the best meet cute I've seen in a while. Jason's dog, Tucker, jumps into Sloan's car and when she tries to return him, she can't get through to anyone. When Jason finally gets her messages, she refuses to give him back at first. This is followed by A LOT of flirty texts and phone calls before they finally meet. Yeah, I loved every minute of it. Give me a cute dog, a cute guy, and flirty texts. I'm sold.

As I said about the Friend Zone, don't skip the author's notes at the end! Learning more about Abby Jimenez and the stories behind her books always make me love them more. I've rambled enough now so just pick up this book as soon as you can! And if you haven't read the Friend Zone yet, what are you doing?

Was this review helpful?

I was really enjoying this book until the end. I guess I really should have expected by the title that all was going to end up perfect and neat but I somehow hoped it didn’t. The ending was so overdone that it ruined the rest of the book for me. I wanted to love this but I really didn’t feel the angst I wanted to about Sloan’s tragedy. We do pick back up 2 years later but she just snaps out of it all so quick. This just was okay for me. It felt unrealistic and easy.

Was this review helpful?

This book is a great second in the series as I love the celebrity and regular person trope, plus I was already invested in the characters so even better. The writing is awesome and has crying and laughing and I loved it over all! Can't wait for another hit from this author!
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers from providing me an arc for an honest review! :)

Was this review helpful?

Talk about an amazing book boyfriend. If you don't fall in love with Jason I'd be shocked. Also, where can I get myself a Tucker?!

Was this review helpful?

Abby Jimenez's world that began with The Friend Zone continues with The Happy Ever After Playlist. Sloan & Kristen return in this book to repair Sloan's life. After being widowed at a very young, Sloan finds herself falling in love when she's not sure she's ready to love again. There's dogs, rock stars, art, family, friends, heartache & romance in this wonderful sequel!

Was this review helpful?