I don't think Abby Jimenez has ever written a bad book. She knows how to make readers feel so deeply. This book is utter perfection.

I am truly pleased with how Abby Jimenez handled dementia because as a person who has seen 3 close relatives go through the process and eventually die, this book showed the less stereotypical sides of the illness and what it does to a family and instead focused on the realities and that while life may be tough, life still must go on.

I loved Xavier and Samantha so much because they were the highlight of this book. They are the cutest couple ever.

Jasmine Jimenez delivers a rom-com that’s equal parts swoony, hilarious, and emotionally gut-wrenching. Enter Xavier Rush: the perfect man on paper. He is gorgeous (as they say), a veterinarian, and a lover of kittens (yes, kittens!)…until he opens his mouth and blows it with one cringeworthy comment. Opposite him is Samantha, a sharp-witted woman who isn’t about to let a stunning face get away with bad behavior(could never be me I’m too weak ). What follows is chemistry so electric it’s practically sparking off the page.

But Jimenez doesn’t stop at witty banter and a near-perfect date that readers will wish they were invited to. She dives deep into Samantha’s struggles with family obligations, creating a story that balances humor and heartbreak seamlessly. Samantha’s plea for Xavier to remember their one perfect night and leave it at that, adds so much of a layer of bittersweet longing that makes this book so much more than a standard romance.

Jimenez masterfully combines laugh-out-loud moments with emotional depth, crafting a story about forgiveness, resilience, and the messy beauty of love. “Say You’ll Remember Me” will make you giggle, laugh, kick your feet, and maybe ugly cry. But mostly, it’ll stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Thank you netgalley for this opportunity to read what made my year.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of this book.

I love all of Abby Jimenez’s books and was so excited to receive an ARC of her latest novel, Say You'll Remember Me. Her new book is an emotional, raw, and unforgettable read. Like her other novels, Jimenez creates characters that are well-developed and relatable. It's easy to feel deeply connected to their struggles and triumphs and root for this couple to overcome the familial and long-distance challenges they face throughout this novel. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves this author's books. She did it again!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this read. All opinions are my own.
I'm new to Abby Jiminez, and fully enjoyed this read. Samantha's first date with Xavier is perfect, until he realizes that she's literally moving across the country the next day. They keep the romance alive long-distance, but her family situation and his duties as the owner of a vet clinic makes it tricky. I almost cried when they each tried to surprise each other by flying in to see them - her in his apartment in MN and him at her family's house in CA. The tension of their relationship wanting to develop against the complexity of their lives was so realistic. It's not the specifics of the circumstances, but the concept of having to give something up that is really important to make a relationship viable, and how scary that can be to lean into commitment like that. I'd love to see these characters pop up again in another book!

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC of this book.

I've really enjoyed Abby Jimenez's other books so I knew her writing style and already suspected I'd enjoy this one also. I like that she deals with some more serious challenges in her characters lives without ever really becoming morose or dark. The love story really drove this one and it was full of so much push and pull that I felt so high when they were together and just anguished when they weren't - as the characters did in the story.

Okay, I'll admit, the opening "meet cute" was a bit weird for me. I get that Xavier is a Vet but it was still a weird intro. However, I was sold on their first date. Having someone in my life with dementia, I found the depiction to be true to life, which is usually the case with Abby Jimenez's dealing with more serious issues. Of course I was hooked early on and found myself staying up late to read just one more chapter. You just want these two to get together so badly!

I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well. They each had distinctive voices and felt like people I know. I wonder how the contemporary social media jargon and idioms will read for people five years from now, but in 2025, they are spot on.

Ugh, Abby. You did it again. This story was everything. Fun, sweet, heartbreaking. Truly a story that answers the question- how far will you go for love?
I absolutely recommend this and I am so glad I got a digital ARC.

Abby Jimenez has done it again.

Her books have this magic quality to them that reminds me of my favorite 90s/2000s romcoms. She has a gift for making me laugh, cry and swoon… sometimes all on the same page.

I believed in Xavier and Samantha’s love from the start. I could not stop reading because I was so anxious to see if their relationship would survive all the obstacles in its way, but the payoff was well worth it.

And Xavier’s backstory??? Excuse me while I cry once more just thinking about it.

If I had to be really picky, I could have done without all the ACOTAR/Rhysand and TikTok references, but that did not hinder my overall enjoyment of the story in the end.

If Say You'll Remember Me has a million fans, I am one of them.
If Say You'll Remember Me has one fan, I am that fan.
If Say You'll Remember Me has no fans, I am dead.

This book is so incredibly special to me. Abby Jimenez packs an emotional punch yet again in Say You'll Remember Me as we watch Samantha and Xavier's chance encounter at his veterinary clinic turn into a whirlwind romantic connection with a firm expiration date set, or so they think. We follow them as they navigate a long distance relationship and seemingly insurmountable challenges - all while falling deeply in love with the most vulnerable versions of each other.

I connected so deeply to this story due to the experiences of both Samantha and Xavier. I can very closely relate to multiple aspects of their experiences and the things they wrestle with as they learn to heal from, or through, some really tough hands they have been dealt in life. Their story was deeply romantic, full of tender moments, and interlaced with the humor we know and love Abby's books for. She also hits the nail on the head for lovers of an "acts of service" MMC. I thought Abby had already written the ultimate "if he wanted to, he would" MMC with Justin in Just For the Summer, but move over Justin. Xavier is coming for that title! Samantha also deserves her flowers for her resilience and strength as well. The weight she had to bear in her family was the heaviest of loads, and watching her learn to ask for help was the reminder I needed to do the same in my own life.

If I could give this book a million stars, I would. But sadly they only give you the option of 5, so that will have to do I guess.

I can't go wrong with an Abby Jimenez book and this was no exception! I loved all of the characters and each one is so relatable. Including the long distance relationship, Alzheimer's diagnosis, strained relationships with parents and the love for animals. Abby has such a way with writing that it makes you laugh and cry all in the same sentence. I loved being able to get an ARC of this and will be recommending!

Once Samantha and Xavier get past their bumpy first impression they have instant connection and chemistry which sadly leads to an absolute heartwrenching long distance relationship. Thats the story, the conflict, the plot. They are so smitten and long to be with each other and can't because of complex family and financial dynamics and your heart is bleeding for them the entire time until they figure they're crap out! It was painful for me but enjoyable. Abby Jimenez is brilliant.

Read if you Like:
•Cute Meet-Cute
•Impossible Love
•Complex family of origin (2x)
•Slow Burn

🌶️🌶️- Behind Closed Doors: At least one intimate scene occurs, but without the reader present.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez.

Xavier is a veterinarian in Minnesota. After a chance meeting with Samantha, they go on a date, which may have been the best date of their lives. The catch? Samantha is moving back to California. Samantha begs him to forget her and just remember their date as a great memory, but that's easier said than done. The two then embark on a long distance relationship filled with struggles. Between financial and mental health issues, family dynamics, and the distance, can their relationship survive?

Samantha is so fun and unhinged and I wish she was a real social media manager so I could get cyber bullied by a mustard brand. I also love Xavier and how easy he is to root for.

I loved this so much. This book is so much more than "right person, wrong time." This book deals with dementia, loss, grief, depression, and family drama, but it is so heart warming at the same time.

Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the ARC!

This was cute. I really enjoyed the messier family dynamics in the book and the long distance dating. The portrayal of dementia was done very well. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

*withholding a publicized starred review to not impact average ratings prior to publication date*

I LOVE abby’s books so much so obviously I’m bummed this one didn’t work out for me. It’s not a bad book by any means but certain elements were not targeted towards me as a reader and that’s totally ok.

I’ll start off with things I did like:
— Samantha's fiery charm and sense of humor was absolute gold! She’s how I picture the social media manager for Duolingo behaving in real life (iykyk)

— Xavier's intentionality and development really sold this book for me in terms of loving a character. His troubled past didn’t stop him from breaking a familial curse and becoming a true stand up guy that was so easy to root for. I felt bad for the amount of sacrifice he had to go through in this book but aside from those feelings, he is definitely an acts of service type of guy and those are my absolute favorite mmcs in romance.

Moving on…

Instant attraction is not a personal favorite and for me the MCs’ first few interactions didn’t lay down a solid foundation to lock in their chemistry…ESPECIALLY considering how much these two go through individually and as a couple.

The biggest reason for my feelings towards this book - as someone who loves the emotional complexity of abby’s characterization - was that no one in this story could catch a break. Every chapter had these gorgeous lines of hope to cling to but by the last page of those chapters, it all got ripped away, consistently enough that it felt exhausting & unnecessarily egregious. I wanted them to break up and I don’t think that was the intended response for this story :’)

Some other things to note were certain references that I feel will badly date the book. Mentions acotar/compares mmc’s looks to Rhysand (multiple times), a fixation with social media (ig & tiktok specifically) which is forgivable because it is realistic but it’s not something I enjoy reading about to the level featured in this book. I also felt like the writing was much more simplistic compared to other books from this author. There are some beautiful quotes without a doubt but the storytelling as a whole doesn’t flow like I’ve grown to expect.

Thank you so much for the chance to review a digital arc!

4.75 stars
I have a hard time writing this review. My grandma had alzheimers and it took a toll on the fam, especially my mom. This book is scaringly, tears-rolling accurate. The only reason I cant give it a 5 stars is it made me cry too much. Love wasn’t the problem, it’s logistics. Sam is spread too thin, over every aspect of her lives. Xander, is stuck on his roots, he can’t leave Minnesota. It’s a very heartbreaking and realistic love story.

The question that was ringing in my head, “If you put in enough time and effort, would love work?” I would imagine if i had a long distance relationship, this book would wreck me. Their emotions were real, heavy, but full of hope. It’s so realistic that I did not know how the next chapter would go. It felt like modern Romeo and Juliet. Breaking up feels less painful.

Overall, this book is an absolute tear-jerker. I love you , Abby Jimenez <3

Many thanks to NetGalley and Abby Jimenez for the ARC (I didn’t expect at all to be approved as she is a very famous author, and I’ve been a fan of her work from the beginning of my reading journey). Once again, I want to say thank you for making this book a reality. All opinions are of my own.

This book a was exactly what I needed. It deals with some tough topics (check trigger warnings), but does so with a deft and skilled nuance I have come to know as a hallmark of Jimenez’s work. Both the FMC and MMC were rooted well in what I would consider to be the kinds of problems many of us face, and seeing love flourish in a challenging environment was just *chef’s kiss*

I cannot thank Forever and NetGalley enough for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Abby Jimenez has been one of my favorite authors since I read Part of Your World a few years ago. I always say the latest book I've read of hers is my favorite, but I genuinely don't know how she'll be able to top Say You'll Remember Me.

This is her saddest, most gut-wrenching novel to date, but it makes the Happily Ever After we get even MORE special because boy, do we earn it. Samantha and Xavier are put through the ringer time and time again...but their love does not waver. It's a testament to what true love looks like, what it feels like, what you're willing to endure and sacrifice just to have it. Xavier is the definition of 'if he wanted to, he would.' Like, no book boyfriend will ever come close to him, I fear.

This story was about so much more than two people falling in love when the timing wasn't right. It was about grief, loss, sacrifices, failures, depression, burnout, and how we continue living even when it feels like the world has stopped spinning. It was about learning to find color in a world of gray, learning how to ask for help, and learning how to let go of things, people, and feelings that do not serve you.

I know this must've been a difficult book to write given the heavy subject matter, and I love that Abby never shies away from getting deep in her books. It makes the characters feel more real, more relatable than if their problems were surface-level. Sometimes in a relationship, you endure some of the hardest things when you're just dating the other person, and that's when you get to see how they show up for you. The way Samantha and Xavier showed up for each other in the little ways they could reminded me of my own relationship and all of the hardships we've been through. Love is showing up when it's hard, when it isn't pretty, when things feel mundane, and knowing you'd rather be there with your person than doing anything else anywhere else.

I just...really appreciated seeing a couple go through some of the hardest shit life can throw at you and navigating it in very human ways, which doesn't mean it was always the best course of action — but that's life.

I think I'm still gathering my thoughts but I just...this is a book I will remember for the rest of my life.

This was my first book I’ve read by Abby and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be letting my customers know about this book when it comes out. #indigoemployee

I’ll also be reading her backlist.
I loved how Abby took the hard subject of Alzheimer’s and captured it perfectly on how it effects everyone involved.

Abby's books are just so consuming. I finished this one within 24 hours. It leans more heavily into contemporary fiction as opposed to romance, which I wasn't against in the least. What struck me most about this book is the toll that dementia can have on a family-- the caretaking require, the grief of losing the person you knew, and the grappling of "what's right" for someone who can no longer advocate for themselves.

The reason this isn't a 5 star for me is because of the pacing-- insta love is hard for me (though Xavier being compared to Rhys was incredible). Also, while I ended Xavier's backstory, I felt like there was more that could have been done there. Still, I adore Abby's works and know others will enjoy this one.

2/5

Abby Jimenez knows how to craft a romance that tugs right at the heartstrings. Say You'll Remember Me, her latest, charts the ill-fated love story of Samantha and Xavier, two individuals separated by distance and their familial and professional responsibilities. Despite my conflicting opinions on this book, it's no surprise that its strength lies in the family bonds and the exploration into grief and trauma. The disconnect with Say You'll Remember Me is in its premise, which promises a romance caught up in a family crisis. The slivers of romance present in this novel are quickly overshadowed by the latter. This is a book about a family in crisis, about grief, abuse, and finding a way forward to the life you want. All things I love, and yet the romance took more of a back seat than I expected. The rushed set up between our two leads meant the chemistry fell flat and lacked a strong foundation to warrant everything that followed. I loved Samantha and Xavier as individuals but was missing the "why" behind their attraction and chemistry. Despite this being a romance they really are on singular journeys for most of this novel and I wanted more of them together. That being said the storyline surrounding Samantha's family was incredibly moving and I appreciated the attention and care Jimenez took in telling it. Xavier's conflict with his family and creating a life for himself separate from his abusive, narcissistic family struck an emotional cord as well. Say You'll Remember Me is an emotional novel but hits none of the right beats to constitute it being billed as a romance. I know this will find its audience and I'll keep reading more books from Jimenez in the future.