Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Per usual Abby fashion this book pulled on my heart strings. The cute first date that they didn’t want to end had me kicking my feet and giggling lol! Xavier was the definition of a man that is an example of the saying “If they wanted to they would”… I love a man that goes over and beyond for love ❤️ . They meshed so well but family issues, jobs, medical conditions and distance kept them from being together full time which actually made me sad to read because you could see how the characters really liked eachother. As they navigated their obstacles they proved that love is wherever your loved one is and did whatever possible to be present for eachother. I love how Abby writes these love stories but also hits on serious issues. Reading this book was a treat. Please check trigger warnings before reading.

Was this review helpful?

As if I had any other choice but to give this one five stars...

NOW LISTEN, before I get started, I know A LOT of people will DNF this in the first 3-4 chapters because of how lame it is that multiple times ACOTAR and Rhysand are mentioned BUT please get over it... it happens, we cringe, we move on and forget it. Seriously it never comes up again after that.

ANYWAY, if Abby writes it, you know it will make you laugh and it will make you cry. This book was definitely her saddest book overall. The two main characters are long distance and spend the majority of the book apart and pining for one another and the main plot of the book is Samantha being a care giver for her mother with dementia.

The romance aspect is great and Xavier and Samantha are the MAIN focus of this book, however, this book read a little more litfic to me and less romcom because it dealt with SO much more. Family dynamics, trauma responses, dealing with sick loved ones, death of a family member etc. There was so much character growth from even the side characters by the end the romance just added another cherry on top.

And speaking of the romance, Xavier is the perfect man. Like hands down not one single flaw.

BEWARE OF THE TROPES: I saw someone say forced proximity is a trope in this book and that couldn't be further from the truth. Samantha and Xavier meet, they have a bit of a bad first encounter at the vet's office (he's the vet), its love at first site though, they meet again and he asks her out and the date is going SO well they manifest it lasting all night (this is the only bout of forced prox that happens and it lasts about 6 hours) THEN the very next day Samantha moves from Minnesota to California and they spend the rest of the book navigating their long distance relationship going MONTHS without seeing each other while he deals with owning and running his own vet clinic and shes taking care of her mom.

I loved how once these two were together though they were COMMITTED - they did everything in their power to be with each other even when it made them miserable and almost killed them. Samantha is dealing with her mother's dementia while living in a house with her mom, grandma, brother, dad, sister, and two nephews and Xavier is dealing with childhood trauma from abuse he endured and how that has shaped his adult life while owning a business and working himself into an early grave to afford his trips to see Samantha.

They dealt with very real issues in a very real manner. This book felt SO real to me, real issues, real relationships, real problems couples go through, etc. The ending was perfect and for everyone who hates that Abby writes a 3rd act break up into all her books, you'll be happy to know that is NOT the case here.

Lastly, the dementia representation, I feel, was done amazingly. Ever case is different and there are many different forms of dementia but I think Abby did a great job navigating the diagnosis and writing it in a realistic manner that also honored families who are dealing with or have dealt with something similar.

Was this review helpful?

I just finished Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez, my fourth Abby book and absolutely loved it.

Hooked from the first chapter, this book was fast paced and definitely a page turner. There were complex real life issues which I absolutely love about Abby’s books, humor, and so much more packed into this story.

I loved our main character, and her amazing love interest who was described as Rhysand if he were human 🫠

I was amazing to see so much adversity and conflict resolved in order to make the relationships and dynamics work. I definitely recommend this terrific book, everything in the end wrapped up perfectly. This was a 5⭐️ read for me.

Thank you Netgalley and forever books for the arc. Pub date is 04.01.25 add this one to your TBR.

Was this review helpful?

This book is another hit from Abby Jimenez. She is able to write a romance that is not all fluff and cliche. Like all her books, this book addresses a specific issue in the area of health/mental health. In this case, it's early onset dementia (not a spoiler - she explains this before the book begins). I appreciate that the author provides trigger warnings before the book begins because several tough topics arise in the story. The story arc is realistic, addressing real life issues, but not predictable. It was very enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

This was definitely Abby Jimenez in all her glory! While it was a love story, it was also story of familial love and hope in a rough situation. She discusses not only the reality of seeing a loved one go through dementia but also how it impacts the rest of the family. Very beautifully written.

Was this review helpful?

This book was so beautifully written and I read it in two sittings. This was my first book by Abby and I WILL be reading more by her 100%. This book follows our closed-off veterinarian MMC (Xavier) and our Mustard loving FMC (Samantha)

Their meet-cute was hilarious as Samantha finds and rescues a kitten that doesn't have a butthole and after a long day, Xavier is quick to tell her that its best to put the kitten down and that the surgery to maybe fix the kitten costs 10k$. Samantha doesn't have this kind of money and says that the goodness of people will help. Xavier tells her good luck. Well, let's just say he is wrong.

They meet again after the kitten is fixed and share an unforgettable date. Like no its literally the perfect date.

•Meet-cute
•Forced proximity
•Long distance relationship
•Dual point of view
•Cinnamon roll MMC
•Complicated family dynamics (x2)

Favorite Quote:
"None of the fear and worry I had was because I didn’t think it would work. The fear and worry was because I knew it would. I was going to fall in love with this man."

Was this review helpful?

Has there ever been a cuter meet cute? I think not. I mean, come on - a brooding, hot vet and a rescue kitten? My heart melted immediately. Abby Jimenez has once again done what she does best - pulling at my heartstrings and making me laugh while gut wrenching tears stream down my face.

I’m not usually a fan of insta-love, but this is the rare occasion where it feels genuine. If the attraction is still there after being called an “asshole”, it’s got to be real, right? Xavier and Samantha are entirely believable as a couple. Their first date might be the best first date of all time and it only gets better from there … and worse.

Because it’s not an easy path for Xavier and Samantha. Their relationship is tested by distance and trauma. There’s no shortage of heartbreak. Sometimes it feels impossible. The hits keep coming and coming and coming. The choices feel impossible. And Ms. Jimenez makes the reader feel all of it. The pain. The exhaustion. The hopelessness. But you also feel the resilience. The courage. The strength. And the belief that love is worth it. After finishing this book, I sat with my feelings for quite a while and that cemented this as a 5⭐️ read for me.

As someone who loves and cares for a person with dementia, I appreciate the sensitive way this awful disease is presented. SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is another unforgettable story from the queen of shattering hearts and reassembling them to be stronger than ever.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Oh my gosh. This story broke me and put my heart back together. In my opinion this story was wrote beautifully and perfectly. I literally wouldn’t have changed a single thing. Abby has a gift and she really put it to work with this one! If you are thinking of reading this book then this is your sign. This isn’t a five star read for me, it’s a 6!

Was this review helpful?

✨ SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME ✨
Rating: 5 ⭐️ - I LOVED it

Abby is out with her newest novel and let me tell you, it packs a PUNCH! This is by far her most EMOTIONAL novel & touches on some pretty tough topics (abuse, dementia are the main two).

❤️ for my LOVERS of love at first sight, love stories that feel like real life, against ALL odds love, the BEST main & side characters, life lessons

❤️ this CAST of CHARACTERS won me over BIG! Samantha & Xavier, Hank, Samantha’s family, assistants, Caviers friends - all these side characters made the book!

💔 read those TRIGGER warnings! Abby notes all of them at the beginning of the book but mental and physical abuse, animal abuse, deep trauma, a parent with dimentia - LOTS of triggers in this one!

❤️ Samantha and Xavier’s story is just 🥺 by the end I was sobbing for them

❤️ I read this one but Abby always had the best dual-narration so I’m positive either format will be incredible!

Was this review helpful?

Abby Jimenez is one of my favorite authors, and I usually love books that balance romance, comedy, and deeper themes. But this one felt like a bit too much for me.

The cover is bright, colorful, and screams rom-com, but honestly, whoever said “don’t judge a book by its cover” was probably talking about this book. The content is much heavier than I expected. While I’m all for emotional depth, the amount of heartbreak here was devastating—and without giving too much away, it felt like a “kick them while they’re down” situation multiple times. It just wasn’t enjoyable in the way I wanted.

That said, I really loved the chemistry between Samantha and Xavier. Their interactions were sweet, and Xavier was a steady, solid rock for her. I definitely teared up at how much he supported her. But despite the emotional moments, I was craving more. It felt like the trauma took center stage, and I couldn’t fully enjoy the story because of it.

If you’re a fan of deeper emotional reads with a lot of heavy themes, this could be for you. But for me, it just didn’t hit the right balance. Definitely check the content warnings before diving in.

Was this review helpful?

This is a story of epic love and a world hell-bent on keeping them apart. It’s funny, romantic, heartwarming and entirely relatable. Abby Jimenez is an incredible storyteller and she has done it again. Say You’ll Remember Me is the most perfect title because this is one of those books that I will never stop thinking about.
Thank you to Forever Publishing for gifting me an advance e-book copy. I loved it so much that I ordered every exclusive edition I could find.

Was this review helpful?

Heartbreakingly beautiful. Samantha is a marketing guru with a glass half full mentality and Xavier is a careful counterpoint, being jaded by his own demons. The two go on one unlikely long first date that sears memories into them that make each other irresisstible, but Sam is moving 2,000 miles away to caretake her ailing mother and he has too much to lose back where they started. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't believe how much I felt.

Was this review helpful?

Will I ever not love and Abby Jimenez book? I don’t know. This one was absolutely amazing as usual. I fell in love with Xavier, Samantha and her family. It was exceptional. It may be my new favorite.

Was this review helpful?

Two people find each other at the exact worst moment, and Abby Jimenez makes their story about navigating this mess (and others) funny, swoony, moving, silly, heartbreaking, healing, honest and unputdownable.

Read the content warnings.

Read if you like:
Contemporary romance
Cute animals
(Seemingly) opposites attract
Hot veterinarians
Dual POV
Multigenerational family home
Swoons and tingles but not quite open-door spice

Was this review helpful?

Hiii! First, I want to thank NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I love Abby Jimenez soooo much. Yours truly and Just for the summer were two of my favorite books I read in 2024, both being 6 star reads for me. I was so excited for this book and decided to go into it blind, Unfortunately, this one really missed the mark for me. Starting off, our MMC is compared to Rhysand from ACOTAR. At first I thought it was fun but then it was referenced maybe 5 more times and it completely gave me the ick. I also felt like the book was rushed. Time jumps were in almost every chapter and I felt like everything was moving too fast. I am also not a fan of the insta-love or instant attraction trope, which this book had. I felt no connection between the two characters.

I do think you'll enjoy this book if you like:
- insta love tropes
- long distance relationships
- women's fiction with a romance subplot
- family drama and overcoming hardships
- mostly closed door spice

This wouldn't be the first Jimenez book I would recommend but I do enjoy her and her writing style a lot! It is goofy and fun while also being serious and sad while discussing difficult topics.

Was this review helpful?

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

I don't think there's ever going to be an Abby Jimenez book I don't love.

I was feeling a bit skeptical with this one because of how quickly the relationship between Sam and Xavier developed. But it was all necessary to get to the real heart of this book. This book shows us that witnessing someone's life, whether it's every day or in small snippets, is something so precious and valuable. And finding someone who's willing to do that for you is really what makes life worth living.

Long distance relationships suck. Sam and Xavier have it tough, those moments of time they share with each other is few and far between, interspersed by familial responsibilities and working like crazy to see each other. It's untenable in the long term. And I loved that both of them took a very realistic approach to their relationship and still put each other first at the end of the day. I loved their brief interludes and how they showed up for each other in the ways that they could.

Sam's mother, Lisa, and her battle with dementia is at the forefront of this book, and showcases just how hard it is for people to be full time caregivers. It takes a toll on your people, and it's ultimately a thankless task since your memory has deteriorated to the point where you don't know who they are. Jimenez did such an amazing job depicting this in her book, so much that I could feel the bone-weary exasperation of Sam's entire family.

I loved this book. It's really something amazing.

Was this review helpful?

Five stars, because let’s be honest—it’s an Abby Jimenez book. Of course, it’s five-star worthy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

One of my favorite 2025 books hands down! Abby Jimenez did it again. Am I surprised? Of course not!!

Say You’ll Remember Me engaged me on the plot so fast I couldn’t put it down.

Samantha and Xavier are brought together by fate, when you think about how timing even if it wasn’t the best still worked on their favor. Samantha is quickly lost in Xavier until he opens his mouth and doubts on her abilities to save her kitten. When they meet again, he invites her out and they hit it off instantaneously, having the best date ever. Fate again pulls them apart and they have to fight their way to end together.

The characters were so relatable, I experienced all the emotions and ended up just crying once I was done. It took me a bit to process the book because it is just so magical. I completely projected on the story which made me feel it a thousand times more.

If you read one Abby Jimenez book, it must be this one!

Was this review helpful?

Abby Jimenez has never disappointed me, this book was amazing. Although sad- the whole story had me screaming at the injustice and how unfair the situation was. Also imagine getting locked in an escape room, new nightmare unlocked.
Xavier is absolutely the dream, a Rhysand looking, animal obsessed, veterinarian!!
Mustard is iconic, I absolutely adored our FMC.

Was this review helpful?

Anything Abby writes, I will read! She has such a way of writing characters that are deeply flawed, yet so lovable. There’s definitely some heavy topics covered, which the author balanced nicely with humor, romance and swoon worthy moments.

Read if you like:
- dual POV
-forced proximity
-complex family dynamics
-long distance relationships

Was this review helpful?