This was one of the best books I have read in a long time- definitely my favorite Abby Jimenez book to date!!! Vanessa & Adrian are characters that have so much depth to them- they are witty, sarcastic, loving & they have the best banter with each other. Jimenez tugs at your heart strings while making you laugh out loud at the very same time! She also discusses the topic of ALS and mentions real life charities such as the ALS Ice Bucket challenge that took over 2014. This story definitely raises even more awareness to ALS and the effects it has on everyone involved.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

This very enjoyable read starts out with a wonderful "when first we meet" scene. Both main characters are interesting and believable. I usually have issues with accepting social influencer characters, but this time around it just worked for me. Lots of fun baby and doggie scenes to keep things light, and quite a few celebrity name-dropping moments that somehow didn't detract from the story. Abby Jimenez's third book is sure to be a hit, and I'm certainly looking forward to her next effort.

Faced with 50% chance of having inherited ALS from her mother, Vanessa chose to live in the moment and enjoy her life to its fullest, no matter how long or short it ended up being. She embraced her wanderlust and swore off romantic relationships. That was until she became the de facto parent to her sister's new born, and the baby's crying brought her handsome neighbor Adrian to her door. They were supposed to be "just friends", but their hearts didn't seem to receive the message.

Another hit from Jimenez for me! Every time I pick up one her books, I know to prepare myself for some big emotions, and OH BOY! She had me on emotional overload. Honestly, I am dumbfounded that people in my general area weren't drowning in all the tears I shed.

After watching her sister die from ALS, Vanessa made a decision for herself. I honestly respected her decision. I even understood it. However, it didn't make it any less painful. The fact that this is a real illness, and there are people out there who have to live with this kind of uncertainty made it even more emotional for me, but I love that Jimenez chose to shine a light on this disease.

Despite such a serious illness being a big part of this book, the story was still infused with lots of happiness and joy. Vanessa was full of life, and her desire to live her best life was a great reminder for me. Jimenez blended lots of humor and rom-com moments into the story, and it felt quite balanced, regardless of how many tears I told you were shed.

Adrian was also an incredible character. He was her knight in shining PJs, the baby whisperer. I, personally, was rooting for them from their first meeting. I just knew that they would form a winning combination. Adrian needed to learn to appreciate the now more, and Vanessa was the perfect person to show him how. Though they spent most of the book trying to resist each other, the love and swoons were there. I was totally caught up in these two, and more than anything in this world, I wanted their HEA.

I can always count on Abby Jimenez to bring the pain, but she also brings love, warmth, and joy. Her books bring awareness to different issues., and this time, ALS was a focus, as well as accessibility for people with disabilities. Jimenez has a talent for attaining the perfect balance of heavy and light, heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I will forever welcome her stories into my life.

I basically SCREAMED when I received an early copy of Life’s Too Short. Ever since The Friend Zone, I’ve been a huge fan of Abby’s & I couldn’t wait to get into Life’s Too Short. Thank you @netgalley & @readforever for the copy!

What I loved: The friendship between Vanessa and Adrian was top notch. This is a favorite when it comes to friends to lovers! Vanessa said anything and everything that was on her mind, especially when it came to how attractive Adrian was. And Adrian...gimme more Copeland boys Abby! He was perfectly swoony & just all around a fantastic guy.

While this wasn’t as emotional as Abby’s first two books, it was still very good. It has Abby’s signature humor, snipit’s of our beloved Josh, Kristen, Sloan and Jason & a beautiful message of life being too short & to enjoy each moment!

Life’s Too Short can be read as a stand alone, but I highly suggest you read them in order, you won’t want to miss anything!

Abby Jimenez does it again. I really love how all the books build on each other. Adrian is a truly terrific man, and I loved his unconditional love for Vanessa. It was really beautiful and I loved this story so much! I can't wait to read what else Abby Jimenez will write.

Oh my.... Adrian Copeland. What a lovely love interest. This book was everything I would expect from an Abby Jimenez novel. She covers heavy subjects with an air of comedy that is unparalleled. Everyone has issues, everyone has been to/or will go to therapy. We love to see it. I couldn't put this one down... I think I only stopped to eat, and even then I was still reading when I could. I will read anything this woman comes out with.

OMG. I'm shattered. SHATTERED. Abby Jimenez is an absolute master at blending hilarious dialogue and loony situations with grief, sadness, and just the regular stuff that makes life suck sometimes! And she knows how to write the perfect book boyfriends. Just like her first two novels, Life's Too Short blew my mind with how fantastic it was. I'm ready for Book 4.

I devoured this book over the course of 24 hours. Friends turned lovers. Unexpected parenthood. Addiction, recovery, ALS, mental health, complicated childhood.

This is a wonderful romance set in the same world as The Friend Zone and Happy Ever After Playlist. Vanessa is a travel vlogger who has unexpectedly taken custody of her newborn niece, but even that isn't as unexpected as her super hot neighbor Adrian showing up to help her out one night when the baby won't stop crying. Their relationship builds really slowly and wonderfully throughout the book.

This does have a HEA, though the book definitely makes you doubt it at times. I do wish the ending had been longer. I would have loved more of the last chapter and epilogue, but it's a wonderful romance that, like all Jimenez's novels, made me laugh and cry.

I really enjoy how Abby writes what her characters are thinking. Their inner monologues are always good and they feel like you're watching a confessional on a reality TV show (Real World, anyone?). Once again Abby nails this aspect of her characters and makes you feel like you know them.

This book is fun but it's also hard. Adrian and Vanessa are just instantly the perfect match for each other. They banter well, they bring out the best in each other, and they're just genuinely good characters. The story line is good and different and it's fun to see some throw backs to The Friend Zone and The Happy Ever After Playlist.

But this book is hard, too. It touches on addiction, chronic and life-ending disease, the knowledge that you might be dying and how will you spend what time you have left, hoarding, and family issues. The topics are handled well and respectfully, but they can be hard to handle if you have experience with these topics or you aren't expecting them.

Overall this book is really great and I'm glad I read it.

Abby Jimenez has another great book. I have enjoyed everything I have read by her. This book was sad at some points but overall happy. It deals with the hard subject of ALS and how someone has the right to choose how or if they get treatment for a life-threatening disease. It also talks about addiction to drugs and hoarding. Overall this book makes you think about some of these hard subjects but still has lots of happy and heartfelt moments.

This book really intrigued me because I have a friend whose son died with ALS recently. I loved how this book brought awareness to ALS. There were funny times and tearful times as I read this book. I really loved getting to know Vanessa. I will recommend this book to the patrons at the library.

Abby Jimenez books have been my ultimate quarantine comfort reads. The characters she has created in the previous Friend Zone series books are full of heart and Vanessa & Adrian in the latest installment, Life’s Too Short, are no different.

Adrian is a paint inside the lines kind of guy. A dedicated lawyer, he throws himself into work in order to create a cocoon of control. Did I mention he’s hot and good with babies?
Vanessa has learned to focus on the positive despite a life full of loss. Not knowing how long she might remain healthy, she is determined to live life to the fullest and takes her YouTube followers along for the ride. Their sweet friendship that may or may not blossom into something more is fun and engaging.

Abby is able to seamlessly weave together all of the emotions we deal with in life. It is messy and difficult at times, but also full of love and humor. There are hardships and tough topics but joy and fun are there too. This is what makes her books so memorable and unputdownable. These characters bring out the best in each other and what a treat it is to read.

Vanessa, a famous youtuber with a heart of gold, has found herself stuck with her sisters baby and supporting her entire family. After a long night where Grace wont fall asleep Adrian, her neighbor and high powered attorney knocks on the door and gets her to stop crying. This starts a very fast and furious friendship full of good dinners, lots of 'The Office' and plenty of sexual tension. It's a will-they won't-they scenario. And when they finally do, it is full of fireworks, that is until a health scare turns their world upside down. Is it something they can come back from? You'll have just have to read to find out!

WOW ABBY JIMENEZ CAN DO NO WRONG! I absolutely loved this book. It took me less than 24 hours to go through it. I usually don't like slow burn novels but this was perfectly paced and it left me wanting more of Vanessa and Adrian. I loved that it was a continuation of the first two books but it could read as a stand alone as well! They previous two story leads make a small cameo. It was full of swoon worthy moments, but nothing to graphic or erotic and all over a stellar read!

Abby Jimenez brings us to the end of the Friend Zone trilogy with a compelling read that brings out all the feels. I had a hard time putting it down, but also didn't want it to end too soon!

Vanessa is an independent vlogger unexpectedly taking care of a family member's child. During one-too-late night, she is introduced to her neighbor Adrian. It's the start of an interesting relationship, and each has their own battles.

Abby doesn't shy away from complex personalities, real trauma - and gives people empathetic perspectives. You get absorbed in the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. So worth the read!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing/Forever and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez

I really enjoyed this one 😍

What I liked about this book...

•As always with Abby’s work, it was easy reading to get lost in. Characters are well defined right off the bat, and easy to connect with right away too. I loved both main characters Vanessa and Adrian. (Adrian is Josh’s cousin, who we met in The Happy Ever After Playlist). Vanessa is Adrians new next door neighbour, who is a bubbly YouTube famous blogger! They vow to remain “just friends”... but we all know that never sticks! 😆

•I really appreciated the focus on ALS in this book, and how much Vanessa focuses on fundraising for a cause that has impacted her family. It was nice to have that element woven into the romance story.

•Loved that Vanessa is an ~independent woman~!! She is a high earner with her YouTube job, supports her family (both emotionally and financially) and takes care of herself. I always appreciate strong female leads.

Ultimately this book was another great story from Abby and I recommend grabbing it, if you’re someone who is looking for a fun, adventurous, and lighthearted romance! 💓

I had such a delightful time reading this novel. It was romantic, funny, cute, and emotional all in one.

I was interested to see how Jimenez would portray a social media star but I am so happy to see her portray her in the light that she did. It was also incredible to see Jimenez touch on so many different topics. Ranging from hoarding to addiction to ALS. I found myself learning new things related to all of these illnesses and I was happy to see the author touch on these topics with such grace.

The romance in this novel was understated and perfect. I loved how it built up slowly and wasn’t cheesy like a lot of romance novels we see these days.

All in all, this novel was a shockingly great read. I was surprised in all the best ways.

Plus it didn’t hurt to read about a sexy man taking care of an adorable baby.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars!!

I'm so excited to give a book a 5-star rating. It's been sooooo long since I've felt one deserving.

I liked so much about this. I laughed out loud in a few places, I even shed a tear and between all that, I wanted to get back to reading and even took time out of the day to just read--something I used to do more frequently. I liked the characters--genuinely liked them and could see myself hanging out with them. There was a bit of a lull in the middle but it didn't last long.

This is the first of Abby Jimenez's books that I've read, so yes, this can be read as a standalone without the rest of the series. It was pretty obvious that the other characters from previous books in the series made an appearance but my appreciation of the story didn't rely on my knowing about them in the least. I will be adding the rest of the series to my reading list in the hopes that I have stumbled upon a new go-to author.

As with each of the stories in The Friend Zone series before, I am blown away and left searching for words after finishing. I think Life’s Too Short is now my fave from author Abby Jimenez.

I just loved and devoured this heartwarming book! Vanessa is our strong leading lady, determined not to let the life that she has been dealt bring her down. As a successful lifestyle blogger, things grind to a halt when she is left to care for the newborn baby that her sister left her with.

Sexy neighbor Adrian enters the scene and he is literally the dream book boyfriend. Kind, generous, funny, successful and hot. I mean he had me from the start.

All the swooning heart eyes this new romance and I‘lol just be over here with major book hangover until Abby’s next book.

*many thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the gifted copy

This was such a cute book - I haven't read any others in the series, but I will defintely be going back now and reading them! They make for a great light and fun read, but not "too" light that it isn't entertaining!