The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez is a book that truly makes you believe that a romance is possible for everyone even if you were previously a non-believer. I absolutely think this could be a conversion novel for a non-romance reader.

The strongest part of the book for me was not the falling in love aspect of the characters but how they work to fit their lives together. There are warm, gooey feelings for sure, but would they withstand the harsh realities of life? Jimenez makes Sloan and Jason do the work to carve out a life together with compassion and care. They are very supportive of each other’s careers and are very invested in each other’s happiness and fulfillment in life. So they set about figuring out how to make their difficult life work for them.

I am a huge fan of competence in characters. She is a brilliant painter, while he is a brilliant musician. They love their work and they are dedicated to it. As an artist, their art and their careers could’ve been all-consuming, but these two special people reserve their highest regard for each other, while not shortchanging their art. In other words, they find the right balance for their life and relationship.

Review: https://frolic.media/book-of-the-week-the-happy-ever-after-playlist-by-abby-jimenez/

I knew going into this that it was going to hurt a smidge because of The Friend Zone. Learning about what happened to absolutely broke my heart there and to see Sloan attempt to move on with her life after that was really something. I loved how she immediately found comfort in the very sweet dog Tucker, and from there she formed a friendship/relationship with Tucker's dog parent, Jason. Their story takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions but it was such an amazing story. So much love all around.

i enjoyed this one better than the friend zone because the ending of that one was a disaster and offensive to a lot of people who were struggling with conception...This one took a much lighter take on grief than expected and while it was good, it wasn't my cup of tea as it dealt with a rockstar romance trope. watch my full review here: https://youtu.be/cFYROqhsWyY

One of my most anticipated books of 2020 is The Happy Ever After Playlist. After reading The Friend Zone, I was already looking forward to Sloan getting her HEA!

The Happy Ever After Playlist starts a couple of years after Sloan’s fiancé passed away (this was a plot point in The Friend Zone) and we really get a glimpse of what her life is after the tragedy. I really felt for Sloan here. We meet her at her worst until she almost runs over a dog!

This is the point where we see a glimpse of how Sloan is coping after the death of her fiancé. Through a few pages, we are told what she has been doing in the last couple of years – her withdrawal from society and her change in her inspiration, with her links to the outside world Kristen and Josh, who take turns helping her.

What I really love about this part of the book is that we see Sloan find happiness when she ended up taking care of the dog she almost ran over. I love hearing a few of the voicemails that she sent to the dog’s owner Jason.

What ultimately disappointed me was I guess I expected more? Keep in mind, I was listening to the audiobook and for some reason, I wasn’t emotionally invested by Sloan and Jason’s relationship. While I do love the way that their relationship developed, I just wasn’t wowed.

This can also be due to the fact that I really loved Sloan and Brandon and was really thrown a curveball with what happened to Brandon. One of my reader friends also told me that The Happy Ever After Playlist was written first before The Friend Zone so maybe this affected my view of the book.

As I mentioned in my review of The Friend Zone, I loved that this book is practically set in my backyard! I live in Canoga Park, and Sloan lives there! It was a bit surreal ad totally random. LOL

While I enjoyed this book well enough, I did not love it as much as I enjoyed The Friend Zone.

Even though The Happy Ever After Playlist did not wow me, I still recommend that you read this book. It is entertaining and emotional and Abby Jimenez’s writing is on point!

I am very familiar with Zachary Webber and Erin Mallon and both of them are very good narrators. This audiobook was perfect in every way. The voices were perfect for both Sloan and Jason. The pacing and the tone were also perfect for me and I did not have to speed up the audiobook.

What an appropriate title!

While reading this novel, I couldn't help but be shocked with how enchanting and charming the relationship was, it felt close to perfect (especially in the beginning). I mean, Jason?! Men, take tips.

As hinted above, in the beginning the story felt like a fairytale. Even with what happened to Sloan, what happened next felt 'too perfect'. I mean, maybe not everything was sunshine and rainbows but I did have to suspend my disbelief with this relationship. I don't think there would be too many men out there as patient and loving as Jason was in the beginning of a relationship. With all of that being said, even if this story continued to follow the path of a fairytale, I would have continued to love it.

I loved both of these main characters from the complexity of Sloan to the flaws that Jason also had. As the novel progressed and became more difficult, the story felt more real. Additionally, this story showed the reality behind a rise in fame along with the amount of hard work and exhaustion involved in the industry. The grass is certainly always greener and I think a lot of people could find it helpful to be reminded of that.

This was such a good story that had me feeling all of the emotions. I was laughing at the humour and then heartbroken over different decisions that were made for a character's best interest.

This author has become an absolute favourite of mine and after reading her past two novels, I can't wait to read more.

***Thank you to the publisher for supplying me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

Loved this book so much! A great companion story to Abby Jimenezs debut novel and I loved it just as much. A great story with such vibrant characters and cute dogs. A must read for any romance fan.

I enjoyed Abby Jimenez work in the Friendzone, so I was happy to receive the Happily Ever Playlist as an arc from Netgalley. We met Sloan in the Friendzone as Kristen’s best friend. Unfortunately, Sloan tragically lost her fiancé, and is still grieving when we first see her in this book.

Her chance to start over comes in the form of a dog running in and out of traffic and eventually into her car. Turns out the dog, Tucker belongs to Jason, a musician away on tour. Once Sloane’s confirms that Jason was Tucker’s owner, their frequent communication begin the slow start of a relationship.

This book was more dramatic than Friendzone with more secondary characters. However, it was not distracting, and did not take anything away from the book. So far, I appreciate that the characters in Jimenez’s book have experience very difficult struggles, but her books are still so humorous.

*Warning: Spoilers for The Friend Zone are in this review, because it’s impossible not to have spoilers and actually say anything about the plot of this book!*

Was I ever happy to find out that Sloan would be featured in this book! After the events of The Friend Zone, I was hoping that I would get to see more of her, and Abby Jimenez did not disappoint! 

The book opens two years after the events in The Friend Zone. Sloan is still mourning the death of her fiance, and she’s yet to move on in any aspect of her life. She isn't painting what she wants to paint, she doesn’t cook anymore, and she hasn’t been updating her cooking blog. Then Tucker enters the scene--a cute lost dog that seems to be just what the doctor ordered.  Sloan tries to find his owner, but after two weeks of no responses to her voicemails and texts, she starts to hope that she can keep him.  Tucker has been giving her an excuse to leave the house, and she’s getting exercise and she's a lot happier than she’s been since Brandon died.  But then she gets a call from Jason, the dog’s owner.  Right off the bat, they have a flirty banter and a connection that goes beyond their shared love of Tucker.  Jason is a musician--a former indie singer who’s signed with a big label, and he’s currently on tour in Australia.  When Jason finally gets back to LA after the tour, they meet in person, and sparks fly. 

This book is sweet and funny, but their relationship is far from easy. Jason has signed with a label that views him as a commodity and not a human being. He’s being stalked by an ex-girlfriend singer who is both unstable and somehow always knows where to find him.  Sloan is dealing with her grief and finally learning how to put this huge loss behind her.  She's finally rediscovering the things that she once found joy in.

It was absolutely delightful to get to see Kristen and Josh again after The Friend Zone. Since this book takes place two years later, they’re married, with a baby, and they still have that sizzling chemistry that made The Friend Zone such a good read.

That said, this book is even better than its predecessor, which is great! I can’t wait to see what Abby Jimenez cooks up next. I’m hoping Lola Simone will find redemption and love in a small town? Just an idea ;) 

Also of note: The beginning of each chapter lists a song that fits the tone of the chapter, and I have to say that this was the most brilliant idea ever. I knew quite a few of them already (and had them on my iPhone!) so I played them while reading. I also got introduced to a few new favourites, and I’ve been playing them on repeat on Spotify. 

I recommend this book to any fan of romance, regardless of whether or not you enjoyed The Friend Zone, since this one is a lot lighter in tone.

*This review will be posted to https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/ and other platforms on June 9, 2020*

I absolutely loved this book!! Each chapter starts with a song that I found myself listening to before I started reading. The chemistry of Sloan and Jason was simply magical and you can’t help but love the furry friend, Tucker. You will laugh, cry and smile more than you thought was possible! A must read for the beach. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

OMG OMG this book was AMAZING! Abby Jimenez has absolutely done it again, and this totally lived up to the Friend Zone, which I didn’t think was possible. This book follows Kirsten’s friend Sloan who, 2 years later, has not recovered from the death of her husband Brandon. When she has a completely random encounter with a dog, she finds herself falling for the owner.

This romance story felt so real even though it’s not every day you find yourself falling in love with a Grammy winner. You don’t just give up on the person you love until you’ve tried time and time again and need to let them go. Sloan and Jason’s love felt so true for each other and so genuine.

Abby’s writing is witty, smart and enthralling. I will forever be a fan of her books! FIVE STARS!

A meet cute. A rom Com. A new book Boyfriend or two. All provided in this story. Jimenez is a go to author to make my heart swoon!

this was a fun and light read and gave me a better understanding of the friend zone. I enjoyed this one!

I’ve been dying for Sloan’s story ever since the end of The Friend Zone made me cry my eyes out. I loved her and Brandon so much, it was difficult to imagine the man that would make Sloan’s heart beat again. But man, oh man, never in a million years could I have imagined the perfection that was Jason.

Sloan has been a shell of herself for two years since the tragic loss of her fiancé. Her love for Brandon was one of a kind. But sometimes, life gives you a second chance that you never see coming. For Sloan, this comes in the form of a dog that literally jumps through her sunroof and into her car after she almost hits him while driving. She takes the dog in while trying to get in touch with the owner, and quickly falls hard for the adorable mutt. When the owner finally calls looking for his dog, she’s not ready to let go.

Now, admittedly, I’m a little over the rockstar element in books. But Jason was so different. He’s a rising talent on the music scene and one of the most down to earth men I’ve read in a while. He’s charming, sweet, and incredibly patient. Their relationship starts through a series of funny texts and phone calls that I couldn’t get enough of. I love that they get to know each other before they even know what the other looks like. Jason falls hard and fast for the mysterious woman that refuses to share what she looks like or give his dog bag. He’s determined to woo her for a date. And woo her he does. The man woos her so hard. It was DELICIOUS.

Now I will say, I loved the sweet undercurrent of the book. I really did. I loved the slow build of a relationship between Sloan and Jason. I loved that Jason was a genuinely nice guy. I loved that he was so patient when it comes to Sloan and didn’t try to replace her dead fiancé or felt threatened by his memory. I loved that he treated her right.

What I didn’t love is a lot of the drama around the industry part of Jason. I wished that the time spent on the drama was spent more on seeing Sloan come out of her shell. It was just a touch too much for me, especially at the end. This is entirely personal preference, so take this with a grain of salt. I’m just not a fan of OTT drama, and this felt like OTT for me. It did drive the plot forward, so it certainly wasn’t aimless, but it did nothing for me either. I think I was just so invested in Sloan’s HEA after the events of The Friend Zone, that I wished more time was spent on her personal growth and moving on rather than Jason’s industry drama. I think this is why I’m over the whole rockstar thing in my books, because the industry drama sort of comes along with the territory.

Now don’t get me wrong, I still loved the romance here. SO MUCH. And the ending? Absolute perfection. It wasn’t the laugh out loud hilarious sort of romance that Friend Zone was, but it was a sweet and emotional one that was just as satisfying.

I know the author says this can be a standalone, but I think this really should be read after The Friend Zone. I enjoyed the author's style of writing for The Friend Zone and the same held true for this book. She writes a great romance without too much X-rated activity. Rather, she focuses on the relationship between two flawed characters. While Jason wasn't nearly as flawed as some other male characters, he certainly isn't perfect.

Sloan is still grieving the loss of Brandon, two years after his death. She's best friends with Kristen (from The Friend Zone) and this book focuses on Sloan's ability to get over grief. Jason is essentially perfect, except for the fact that he's a musician. Like, a big-name musician with a record label and contract and crazy tour schedule. For the first half of the book I loved their story. I wanted to know how they were going to deal with the very real obstacle of Jason going on tour.

While I think this was handled ok, it was still a little (ok, a lot) far-fetched. I think I get frustrated when I'm invested in a romance between two fictional characters and then I have to suspend reality in order to see how the romance will play out. And that's what happened here. It's a good story, it's cute, it's fun, and it is well-written... but I had to suspend too much reality in the second half of the book.

This was my first book by Abby Jimenez. I didn't even realize The Happy Ever After Playlist was a sequel to The Friend Zone, so hopefully it won't matter because I plan to read it soon. While the love story between Sloane and Jason was a little bit TOO sweet for my taste, making it less realistic than I prefer, I can't deny that I "felt good" reading it, so isn't that the very definition of a successful "feel-good" novel? The Happy Ever After Playlist was very successful as an optimistic view of romance as well as friendship. It was especially excellent at putting an optimistic spin on self-sacrifice in a time when that is being looked down on in best-sellers like Glennon Doyle's latest best seller Untamed. This book even reflects that when people aren't sacrificing some of their own desires while in relationships they are less happy. That is a discussion for a different format, but it is a theme that resonated with me.

I loved the friendship between Sloane and Kristen. It was very sweet how supportive Kristen was of Sloane even in the face of Sloane making "rash" decisions that other people, including parents, would think insane. Another aspect I loved was the way Sloane's grief was depicted over the course of the novel. At the beginning of the book, Sloane has been in a two-year grieving period and hasn't quite recognized the need to come out of it or even how. Her emotions were relatable. Also, the side storyline involving an unhinged music star named Lola was really good. I see real stories like Lola's in the tabloids and never know the "real story". Lola's story is told here in a way that makes the reader imaging something other than the worst about celebs bad behavior.

The best part about this novel, is that amid the sappy and sometimes angsty love story, there is a lot of humor. There is an adorable dog who opens the novel with a hilarious meet-cute with Sloane. Kristen is funny. Jason's manager is funny. Basically, The Happy Ever After Playlist will make you laugh and cry and occasionally have a toothache from all the sweetness, but I would recommend to just about anyone I know who reads fiction.

The Happy Ever After Playlist is the second book in The Friend Zone series by Abby Jiminez, and it is also a book that I was really looking forward to reading this spring. I was a little late to the party when reading The Friend Zone, but I absolutely couldn’t wait to get started on The Happy Ever After Playlist. I enjoyed it so much!

As I mentioned above, The Happy Ever Playlist is the second book in the series, and this book is all about Sloan. We originally met Sloan in The Friend Zone, where we watched as her life went from perfect to tragic. This new book picks up two years later, where Sloan is still grieving and is having a hard time moving on. That is until a dog literally jumps through the sunroof of her car and completely changes her life.

I loved so many things about this book. The characters were great, both old and new, including the dog, Tucker. I was super curious for Sloan’s story since I finished the first book, and I wanted nothing more than for her to get a Happy Ever Afte. Jason and Tucker do a wonderful job of helping Sloan to move on, and I very much enjoyed watching the relationship grow between them. It was also nice to have Kristen and Josh in the story as well!

I also really enjoyed the storyline for the book. It definitely had a much ‘lighter’ feel than the first book, which was nice. This book made me smile, (and swoon), so much, and I LOVE a book that can make me smile. We are living in a difficult time right now, so I’m all about the happy, light books at the moment. That’s not saying that the story did not have sad moments in it. It did. I could feel Sloan’s grief just like it was my own, but I loved that Jason, Tucker, Kristen and Josh were there to help her through it. It definitely made for a good read.

Overall; If you liked The Friend Zone, you will love The Happy Ever After Playlist! I am so thrilled to have this book in my collection, and I can't wait to read it over and over again. I’m also very much looking forward to the next book in the series, Life’s Too Short, which is currently set to release in 2021. (I need to know whose story it is!) I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more information on it!

Everything changed for Sloan Monroe the day that she had a dog jump through her broken sunroof. The dog's tag said "Tucker," but his owner did not respond to her texts or calls. After more time passed than Sloan deemed acceptable, Jason finally got back in touch with her. And we wanted his dog back, but he was going to be out of the country for another two weeks. When he returns to LA, Sloan realizes that she could be in trouble. After two years of grieving the loss of her fiance, Sloan has finally met somebody who could help her get over his death. And it scares her to death, especially after she discovers that Jason is a musician on the cusp of superstardom. Will they be able to make a relationship work with everything working against them?

I absolutely adored The Happy Ever After Playlist. Recently it has been rare to find a book where I just genuinely like the main characters. Both Sloane and Jason were good people. Sloan had a lot of baggage with her fiance's death but was a kind soul, and Jason was a genuinely nice guy. And then there was Tucker, the sweetest dog who loved them both. The whole book had a feeling that reminded me of Kristan Higgins, and I adore her books. I will say that reading this book made me feel old. Each chapter had the title of a song as a title and I recognized only two songs. You can find the playlist on Spotify. Of course, the book ended the way you expect all romances to end, but there were still a few surprises. CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS.

Bottom Line - Abby Jimenez made a big splash on the scene with her first book, The Friend Zone. Which I just realized, at this very moment, was Josh and Kristen's story. The Happy Ever After Playlist was such a good read that I am going to go right now to read the previous book. And so should you!

Details:
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
On Instagram
Pages: 400
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 4/14/2020
Buy it Here!
Thank you to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

For some reason I have felt like I've read a lot of romance lately, but in looking over my post that hasn't been the case.  I think I've started several that I couldn't get into, so that's why I'm feeling that way.  Anyway,  this is a romance, and I had no problem sticking with it.  First of all, it starts with a dog, and I'm a sucker for dogs.  Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love dogs (especially my fabulous therapy dog, Fritz).  Beyond that this is just a fun, engaging read.  I was immediately pulled into the story and loved the main two characters with their witty dialogue.  I recently heard this author speak on one of the many webinars I've watched over the course of the pandemic, and she mentioned that this would probably be the only time she writes this kind of trope - instant falling in love, break up, and back together again, because she said it's really hard to do.  Well, she did a fabulous job with it.  Of course these romance novels aren't realistic (that's part of the fun), but there was one instance that I thought stretched that even, but I got over it. With romances I sort of feel obliged to give a steaminess rating.  This one has some steam to it, but it's not pervasive throughout the novel.  If you are looking for a fun romance, I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for a copy to r

Last year, I fell in love with Abby Jimenez' debut, The Friend Zone. When I found out she had a new book coming out this year, I was thrilled. And my excitement only grew when I realized it was a companion novel. In The Friend Zone, we meet Kristen's best friend, Sloan. And I knew it was an excellent book when I was invested enough to cry over the secondary characters, too. Because Sloan's story in that one? It's a happy ever after that ends too soon.

I was smitten the moment we met Sloan's fiancé, Brandon, in The Friend Zone. And part of it was because I loved the idea of two best friends falling in love with another pair of best friends. Have you ever tried to make friends as a couple? It's a challenge! So often, there's one person you like more. But as Kristen fell in love with Josh, Brandon's best friend, I could picture the four of them living near each other, raising kids at the same time, vacationing together, and more. When Brandon died, I deeply felt the loss of him and the future I'd envisioned for all of them.

The Happy Ever After Playlist picks up two years later. Sloan's life is still on pause, as if she's suspended in time. Brandon's clothes are still in the closet, his drink sitting open where he left it. Sloan is surviving, but she's not really living. Then, a dog jumps in her car window and everything changes. When Sloan finally tracks down the owner, she learns he's a musician currently on tour in Australia. He wants his dog back, but Sloan's not ready to surrender her new pet to someone who didn't even know he was missing for two weeks. Can you call it a meet cute when a couple has yet to meet? Either way, it's the beginning of a romance too adorable for words.

If you've read my review of The Friend Zone, you may remember that part of Kristen's story hit close to home for me. Though I haven't gone through the exact same thing, her feelings resonated with me. Because her story made me so emotional, I wasn't sure if Sloan's would be able to compare. I haven't experienced that type of loss, so I anticipated loving it just a tiny bit less than the first. Well, Jimenez has cemented herself as an auto-buy author for me because I loved The Happy Ever After Playlist even more. WHAT?! From the moment I started, I couldn't put it down. I had a huge grin on my face while turning the pages, subjected my bestie to constant texts about my emotional state while reading, and just felt so unbelievably thankful for it. When I was recently in need of a comfort read in the midst of the world's chaos, I re-read this book. So, yes, I've read this twice in the span of two months.

I could go on and on about why I loved this book, but here are my top three reasons you should pick it up:

1. Sloan and Kristen's Friendship
From the very beginning of The Friend Zone, I was sold on their friendship. Kristen reminded me of my best friend, and their interactions felt familiar. Sometimes I'll read a book and think, "This author is writing from experience." That's how I felt about Sloan and Kristen – they made me believe that Jimenez knows firsthand the power of female friendship. I love Kristen's hilarious attempts to fluster Sloan's more reserved nature, how they show up for one another, and how they have honest (and sometimes painful) conversations. It's a friendship rooted in love and laughter that flourishes with their loyalty to one another in every season of their lives. If there was a prequel novel focusing solely on the origins of their friendship, I'd be the first in line to read it.

2. Jason, My New Book Boyfriend
I thought Josh Copeland won my heart in The Friend Zone, but Jason Larsen came in and stole the show. Many of my favorite book boyfriends have a similar type – a little more quiet and serious. They may not have sparkling personalities, but they're steady. But sometimes, I can't resist a charmer. From the moment Jason started replying to Sloan's texts, I was hooked. He's funny, flirty, and straightforward. He knows what he wants, he's willing to wait for it, and he's not playing games with Sloan's heart. Now, he's not perfect, most notably when he has a huge "I'm withholding information for her own good / to protect her" moment. But I understood his reasoning, even as I mentally yelled at him. Otherwise, I'm totally here for this gorgeous, guitar-playing, Minnesota man.

3. Sloan's Hard-Fought Healing
Finally, I've got to end by focusing on the incredible heroine of this book. My heart broke for Sloan and the pain she experienced in the previous book. When I learned two years had passed before the start of this book, I thought it might mean that we skipped over seeing the worst of her grief. But that wasn't the case at all. It was hard to see her so withdrawn and isolated, but I loved being able to watch her begin to fight for healing. I was so proud of her for embracing life, opening herself back up to love, and learning when to say goodbye. Another favorite aspect? Learning more about her passions! I loved reading about her artistic talent, and her skill in the kitchen came with a delightful revelation. Sloan's growth is central to the story, and I appreciated that so much.

As you can see, I'm So Obsessed With this book! I have to give major props to Jimenez because Sloan and Jason's connection develops very quickly, and I'm usually annoyed by any hint of instalove. But in this case, I believed it. The first half of the book is just a delight, but the second half does have a decent amount of drama. Most of it is caused by external circumstances (Jason's music career and the reality of life on tour, etc.), so it felt like a realistic source of tension in their relationship. There is one moment, however, where Jason decides what's best for Sloan in a very frustrating way. Did I want to smack him? Absolutely. But it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book in the slightest! If you're in the mood for a fun, feel-good story of falling in love, pick up The Happy Ever Playlist.

Fabulous! Sloan and Jason gave me all the feels. I sobbed my eyes out for Sloan in The Friend Zone and that carried over to The Happy Ever After Playlist. I really identified with the headspace Sloan was in at the beginning. Seeing how Tucker saved her and brought Jason into her life was endearing. And Jason...soooo swoony!!! There are laughs and tears and so many beautiful moments in this book. Abby Jimenez is definitely a favorite author and I can't wait for her next story.