Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the amazing, Abby!

Abby Jimenez is an auto buy for me. Her books are thoughtful, fun, delightful and funny. She can do no wrong in my eyes.

Just what I needed on this rainy day.

I was really excited for this book but ended up quickly dnfing because of the acotar references. In this time and climate, the reference completely rubbed me the wrong way and I couldn’t get past it.

4 ⭐️ Have you ever read several books by an author and they somehow know exactly how your heart works?? Like all the ways to make it melt and then make it hurt? That’s Abby Jimenez for me.

She knows how to write an emotional depth love story that makes me laugh, cry, and feel all sorts of giddy. Xavier reminds me a lot of my husband because he is an acts of service guy who will do anything for the people he loves. And the humor of Samantha was unmatched and I loved it.

My favorite things about this book:

✨ The feeling that love stories are written in the stars and one night can change everything.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 How a family deals with their matriarch having dementia and how being someone’s full time caregiver can be one of the loneliness jobs.

🫨 Calling out and showcasing how narcissistic people will act and try to hurt you.

🩷 Life isn’t about what you do, it’s who you spend it with.

The reason this is a 4 star for me and not a 5 is because at times it felt a little too instalove (ya girl loves some slowburn tension) and the conclusion of the book’s central problem was solved a little too quickly.

BUT gosh did I still tear up at the end and clutch my chest cuz my heart was hurting in the best way. Abby slays again!

Thank you to Forever Pub for the gifted copy of Say You’ll Remember Me. Samantha and Xavier (aka Mr. If He Wanted To He Would) are Abby’s best couple yet. The story is quite different from her previous books, but I still loved it.

I’ve seen mixed reviews for SYRM, and you probably will too. That’s because it’s a departure from Abby’s usual style. First, the couple is in a long-distance relationship, which automatically makes for a different kind of romance. Second, the non-romance portion (dealing with the FMC’s family) is heavy (not just heavy for a romcom). And third, there’s a lot of suffering in this book—much more than we’re used to from Abby. To be frank, a lot of us aren’t in the headspace for a character’s ongoing emotional distress, especially when we’re not expecting it.

It’s tough to read a book where the characters keep getting knocked down. I don’t mind a story where the leads struggle, and I think it ultimately served the story well, but I wish we had gotten more time with them together at the end. After enduring a whole book of them being apart, five pages of togetherness just doesn’t feel like enough. That said, I appreciated that there was no third-act breakup — I think it would have broken me LOL and I probably would have thrown my Kindle across the room.

Despite all that, I really did love this book. Samantha and Xavier might be Abby’s most mature hero and heroine yet, and that depth comes through in their relationship and decision-making. The family aspects of the book were handled with care, and Abby’s writing is as engrossing as ever — she’s the only author that can ALWAYS make me lose myself in her books.

I’d recommend this one to Abby fans and those who enjoy “women’s fiction” (whatever that actually means). Just make sure to check the content warnings and protect your peace before diving in.

4.5 stars

This book was fantastic! I felt really drawn in and read it quickly because I had to know what happened. I've also never cried this much about a book!

While I didn't dislike this book as much as other people, it definitely was not my favorite Abby Jimenez/romance books. As a huge Abby Jimenez fan that sucked because I wanted to love this :( Following Just for the Summer, which was one of my FAVORITE books of 2024 I had high expectations for this one. While this wasn't really the romance book for me, I think a lot of people will probably enjoy this as a fun romance with some really delicate topics.

There were parts of the book I really enjoyed. I LOVED how dedicated Samantha was to her family and being there for her mom during her memory loss. The family aspects of the book really tugged on my heartstrings and I loved how different each child and person in Sam's family was, but how they all selflessly came together to care for and support her mom and each other during a tragic time. Also Xavier as a vet and the animal parts of the book were adorable.

The book started off on a weaker foot for me, mainly because of the romance being insta love and the writing. Something about the beginning of the book just felt off. Personally, I didn't need the 5 references to Rhysand from ACOTAR to describe Xavier in the first 3 chapters. But that is just a personal gripe. Overall, I just felt like the beginning of the book had the romance occur QUICK, like instantly and then we sat in the same stage of the relationship and same conflict for the rest of the book. Because the romance occurred right at the beginning and then the rest of the book was Xavier and Samantha dealing with long distance, it often felt like we were going in circles with their relationship.

Overall, while this one wasn't for me, I'm sure many Abby Jimenez and diehard romance fans will enjoy this one!! Thank you to Forever Publishing for the free book!!

This is the 4th book that I have read by Abby. This is my favorite of hers by far. Definitely felt all the feels. There was humor but there was also sadness, and she did a good job of bringing them together. I enjoyed all the characters. I couldn't put this book down and read it in two days, but if I had more time, I know I could have finished it in one. This is a book I would love to see be made into a series. I really would like to see where all the characters go.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

Abby Jimenez strikes again! Everything she touches turns to magic and this was no exception. She writes characters who are so profound and have so much depth. It doesn't feel like you're reading about a fake person, but a real one living in a universe not too far away from our own.

I adore that the romantic love almost took a backseat to the familial love in this book. Yes, it was about Xavier and Samantha, but more so it was about a family stricken by grief and how they continue to show up for each other even when things get hard. It was a fantastic show of relationships of all shapes and sizes.

Time to countdown until the next Abby book!!!

Heartbreaking and funny all in one novel. It is only a book Abby Jimenez can write. The premise is easy. Two people in Minnesota find the perfect person for them and have the perfect first date. But the next morning she flies home to southern California over 1900 miles away. Xavier is the handsome, grumpy veterinarian who has only had his practice for two years. I love the description of him as an airport dad. The kind of person that sees to everyone’s needs before his own. Samantha is warm and smart but she is home because her mother has dementia. When mom was diagnosed the family promised they would do all they could do to keep and care for her at home. Even if that means putting your own life on hold.

The dementia is depicted realistically. My aunt had early onset dementia in her 50s and her care, like Samatha’s mother, was handled by family. The love story is there. You get a meet cute, longing, learning about each other and dealing with long distance. The side characters are Samantha’s family and Xavier’s friends and office staff. They add their part but Samantha and Xaviar carry the story. And this wouldn’t be an Abby book without cats and dogs. Intimacy is kept closed door

I also love that Abby’s books take place in the same world. Of course Xavier would be the Veterinarian to a foul mouthed parrot that is from, Yours Truly (April 2023). I laughed and cried and truly cared for these characters. I’ve already put it in my pile of books to read again when the mood strikes.

I always love Abby Jimenez and look forward to her new release every year! This wasn’t my favorite, but I still enjoyed it! I didn’t know that this was going to be insta-love going in and that’s not something I personally really enjoy so that contributed to my rating. As always, Abby created such depth in her romances and that’s something that I do really love!! This wasn’t tender, vulnerable & so sweet! I really ended up enjoying how the story played out and to see how much our two main characters were committed was joyful!

I really did love this book and had an amazing time reading it. I would rate it somewhere between a 4 and a 5 stars-- maybe a 4.75. The relationship was so endearing and I loved so many quotes from the book. Abby has such a unique way of writing where it makes you feel nostalgic and then sad, and then you are laughing all within a chapter. She keeps you at the edge of your seat with what you feel for her characters. I really liked the family aspect of this book and what each character was going through and how they worked through it throughout the story. The long distance and pining added a much-needed tension throughout the book. Of course, there was the signature Abby Jimenez banter. There was just something missing for me to go to a complete 5 stars and I can't put my finger on it, but I would recommend this book to everyone to read! I think I didn't connect with it as much as Just for the Summer and maybe that's it! I could also see this book growing to a 5 star read for me over time, so I will update you as I sit on my rating and think about these characters. As a side note, I love the vet aspect of this story.

I feel like Abby always has a way of dealing with some heavy issues in her books but bringing humor. Sadly, this one felt way less Rom-Com and more Women's Fiction. It wasn't that I didn't love it, I just wish I would've maybe understood that more-- the cover made me feel like it'd be more rom-com.

Xavier is a saint and truly I was feeling for him. I sorta felt like Samantha didn't really sacrifice anything for him in return and that was sorta a hard pill to swallow.

It wasn't my favorite Abby but I can appreciate those that go through the trigger warnings at the beginning.

4.25 stars

"They say that you won't remember what someone said, but you'll always remember how they made you feel. I don't think this moment would be the same if it wasn't for how it felt. Ocean or no."

"The best moments don't have to be big to be forever."

"The universe doesn't just hand out true love. So if you have that, if you're one of the lucky ones, why in God's green earth would you give it up?"

"Love is the brightest color in a gray world."

Oof. Abby did it again.

I head into every Abby Jimenez book knowing that my heart will be put through the wringer, but this one ABSOLUTELY wrecked me.

Abby is a master at the emotional rollercoaster. Like Samantha, she just "gets people." Her banter is addictive and hilarious, and thank goodness it was there in spades because it acted as the comedic relief I so desperately needed as my heart was broken into pieces. From laughing one page to crying the next, Say You'll Remember Me was an emotional workout. This upcoming novel, which releases Tuesday (April 1), sensitively and graciously explores some very heavy topics, including dementia, child abuse, animal cruelty, infidelity, and the utter exhaustion that being a caretaker can entail.

While most of Abby's books place a romantic love story at their centers, Say You'll Remember Me focused more on the familial love, drama, pressure, and stress that can accompany a life-changing medical diagnosis. Samantha and Xavier's love story was more of a secondary plotline, and while that didn't bother me at all, it did make this book a heavier and more emotional read for me.

The focus on memories - the good, the bad, the ugly, the core experiences that make up a person and their life - truly resonated with me and was an incredible reminder to treasure the time you have with those you love, to tell your loved ones every day how much they mean to you, and to remember that the little things add up to make a fulfilling life, not just the big events.

I am not ashamed to say I spent the last 25 percent of this book crying (I actually had to walk away from my Kindle and take a break before I could finish it). Abby definitely had me giving this a full 5 stars for emotion, but in terms of pacing, it began to feel a little like Groundhog's Day in the middle. Anything bad that could happen to Samantha and Xavier did, and I think Abby could have edited a bit of that out while still making her point. There was also some secrecy and lack of communication pertaining to a side character that bothered me, but overall, it was still a very strong book with so many important things to say.

This may not have been my favorite Abby book, but it was by no means a bad one and I am still shouting from the rooftops that you need to read it because it will touch your heart and taught me so much about dementia. When Abby researches something, she truly does a remarkable job and makes you feel like you're experiencing the hardships these characters endure right along side them, and Say You'll Remember Me was no exception.

This book hits shelves on Tuesday, so don't hesitate! Get that Kindle or store pre-order in, submit a hold request at your local library, and be prepared to binge this one because once you're in it, you're immersed! Love you, Abby!! I can't wait to listen to this one soon because I'm a glutton for punishment and need my heart ripped out again, lol!

5/5 - Oh my aching HEART! I loved this book more than I can say. The way I smiled ear-to-ear, laughed out loud and was overcome with emotion the ENTIRE time - I opened this book and never put it down. This story burst with thoughtful feeling. In true Jimenez fashion, the characters are so relatable, their feelings palpable, their conflicts meaningful. Yes, this is a love story (a BIG one) but it’s so much more than that. It’s about family, how we shape and are shaped by relationships past and present, it’s about caregiving and the multifaceted ways we support ourselves and those we love. It’s about memories. It’s about living. I really can’t get into the nitty gritty because I just need everyone to read the book and feel the all of the feels. You will probably cry, but it will be worth it. I know I did, and I will be thinking about these characters and this story for a very long time.

Thank you to @netgalley, Piatkus and Abby Jimenez for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! Out 4-1!

I laughed, I cried, I rated it 5 stars. I’m so happy (and very much not surprised) that it exceeded my expectations. The way I flew through this book is a testament to Abby’s writing style & how easily she’s able to get you hooked on these characters!

The love between Samantha & Xavier felt so palpable and even though their journey was screaming “right person, wrong time” it was incredible to see the lengths they’d go for each other and all the sacrifices you make for your soulmate when life can’t help but get in the way.

I wholeheartedly LOVED this book but I will say, if modern references & insta-love throw you off, you might have some mixed feelings about this one.

From the moment Samantha and Xavier meet they are both instantly attracted to one another. After a magical, seemingly never ending, first date, a second date is a no brainer in Xavier’s mind. The problem is, Samantha is moving across the country the next day to care for her Mother who has dementia.Try as they might, Samantha and Xavier can’t forget one another. Is their love strong enough to keep them together, or will the time and distance between them ultimately prove to be too much?

There is something so magical and comforting about reading an Abby Jimenez book, and Say You’ll Remember Me was certainly no exception! Samantha and Xavier are both going through so much in their personal lives that it seemed nearly impossible that the two of them would be able to make a relationship work. However, the pockets of time that Samantha and Xavier carved out for one another were my absolute favorite parts of the book. These dates and moments spent together had me simultaneously laughing and tearing up. It is so clear that these two characters are perfect for one another, but time and circumstance are in their way.

Say You’ll Remember Me is the definition of the “Right Person, Wrong Time” trope. There are endless obstacles standing in the way of Samantha and Xavier being together, and we see as the book goes on the two of them face roadblock after roadblock. While I fully anticipated that there would be barriers thrown up between Samantha and Xavier, I did find myself becoming frustrated about how it seemed like these two characters couldn’t seem to ever catch a break. It got to a point where the book started to make me feel a bit hopeless, and the magical, joy filled parts of the book were very few and far between. While I would consider Abby’s other books to be romcoms, I would not place this book in that category.

Overall I did enjoy my time reading this book. As alway, Abby did a fantastic job researching and handling the difficult topics present within the book. I always leave an Abby Jimenez book with a deeper understanding and compassion for the world and people around me, and that was certainly the case with Say You’ll Remember Me.

Thank you SO MUCH to Forever and Netgalley for this ARC!!!

I finished this in a day. Cried five times. My only complaint is the cat’s name! This was a beautiful story and I’m sad it’s over, just like every other book I’ve read by her

Title: Say You’ll Remember Me
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Meet cute, Cinnamon bun roll MMC, Complicated family dynamics
Format: eARC
Rating: 5 Stars

“Love is the brightest color in a gray world”

Summary:
Xavier is a veterinarian. He is great with animals, but tends to keep people at arm’s length. Due to a traumatic past, Xavier is closed off, driven, and determined to prove his parents wrong. He owns his own practice and fills his days with working long hours and volunteering in his free time for “fun”.

Samantha is determined, witty, loves animals and mustard, believes in the goodness of people, and isn’t afraid to call Xavier out for his rudeness during their first encounter. Samantha finds an abandoned kitten who needs her help to survive. When Xavier recommends that the cat be euthanized, Samantha is determined to prove him wrong and save her kitten.

Samantha loves being underestimated and proving people wrong. She returns to the vet clinic to get her kitten cleared for travel. There is an instant, undeniable connection between her and Xavier. They agree on a date, that neither of them wants to end. It is a perfect first date. However, Samantha's family is in crisis, and she is leaving in the morning. Samantha asks Xavier to forget her. But is distance and time enough to make them forget all they felt in that one night?

Thoughts:
This book was an instant 5 star read. I was hooked from page one. Abby Jimenez writes such relatable characters who face real-life hardships. This is a story about life, the bond of family, making sacrifices, and fighting for what and who you love. It is funny and beautifully emotional. The chemistry between the main characters and the dynamic of the family unit was carefully crafted to make you fall in love with each one. Over a week later and I am still thinking about this book! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book! Highly recommend!

Favorite Quotes:
“They say that you won’t remember what someone said, but you’ll always remember how they made you feel”

“That there is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone’s life. To know them inside and out and be with them through everything, share the memories. Memories are everything”

Thank you to the Abby Jimenez and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Reviews posted to NetGalley, Amazon, Instagram, and GoodReads.

Only Abby Jimenez could have me crying over worms and proper worm care.

I pretty much go into every Abby Jimenez book with the same expectation - I'm going to giggle and swoon throughout, and about halfway through mourn the fact that men like this don't exist in real life and sob hysterically over the intentional and sometimes small moments and conversations she crafts between the main characters. Say You'll Remember Me was no different.

Heavier than the rest of her books, Say You'll Remember Me packed an emotional punch from multiple angles - the romance, the family situation, childhood trauma and the way that life sometimes just never gives you a break. This one ripped my heart out multiple times and left me staring at the ceiling and ugly crying at 3am after reading it in one sitting.

🎡Meet-cute
🎡He's a hot vet
🎡She's a social media managaer
🎡Animal Sidekicks
🎡Found Family
🎡Complicated family dynamics (x2)
🎡Forced proximity
🎡Long distance relationship
🎡Cinnamon roll MMC
🎡Rom-Com/more-Dram

"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘨 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 - 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺. 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮."

I was in a major reading slump so I DNFed my first book of 2025 and moved on to 𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝗠𝗘 which was exactly what I needed - I devoured it in a day!

Abby Jimenez delivers another emotional and heartwarming romance that had me laughing on one page and tearing up the next. With cute animals, a fabulously sarcastic younger brother (can Tristan please get his own book?) and sassy social media posts, I was all in. Bonus points for the Taylor lyric in the title and no third act break up. I have no doubt you'll see this in a lot of beach bags this summer!

Thanks to Forever Publishing for the copy to review.