This book was SO CUTE I’m still kicking my feet!! Say You’ll Remember Me totally got me in the feels in the best way possible. there was pining, slow burn, long distance heartbreak, and real, raw moments about being a caregiver that felt so honest and well done.

Xavier?? Absolute dreamboat. The chemistry was perfect, and the emotional depth caught me off guard in the best way. I laughed, teared up, and seriously couldn’t put it down. I will say the real world pop culture references weren't my favorite, but that's my only critique!

Loved this. I'm a fan of Abby Jimenez, but can say that this is one of my favorite's of her's to date. We had picked this as a book club of the month selection and will be recommending it to people for groups, and individual read. Romance felt real, and not rushed. There was angst, but a real angst not oh come on and get over it angest. It's possible there could be a few spin offs from this with the siblings- but even if there isn't it was the perfect stand alone. Definately recommend.

Loved this one! An honest take on long-distance relationships and proof that “right person, wrong time” is real. I laughed, I cried, and fell in love.

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Every book Abby Jimenez writes is amazing. She knocked it out of the park with this one. It will be the big book of summer 2025!

3.75

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the e-Arc! All opinions are my own.*

Full disclosure, while I did get the advanced copy and am reviewing this (albeit late, oops) because of said advanced copy, I did also absolutely listen to it audibly via Libby instead of actually reading the e-arc that was given to me lmao. This is simply because I’m in the middle of like two other books rn and the hold came in before I got to my ARC so we persist. ANYWAY.

I’m fully aware of the discourse online surrounding this book in particular, and I’ve only been reading Abby’s stuff for like a year so I’m not sure if that’s just a thing that happened for all of her releases or if people just hated this one so much for some reason but I can assure you I haven’t let any of that affect how I felt about the book. I am very familiar by now with how Abby Jimenez writes, I know she likes to throw a hefty amount of “life stuff” into her books, a good amount of drama, etc. These are not things that deter me and I’m absolutely ready for them. This book did end up taking me about 15%-ish to really get into it which would be a DNF for me in a romance if it weren’t an author I already trusted. So take from that what you will. I did find myself feeling like there was a shift in writing style almost after that? Like the first 15% felt very trendy very trying-too-much (yes, the rhysand stuff, but also the dialogue in general was just entirely so cringey in this section). One we hit a certain stride tho, Abby was back and doing her normal thing again. I felt right back at home in her writing.

Mostly for me, this one is just fine. I enjoyed it for the majority of the time and rolled my eyes very little (again, a positive metric by my standards, I have a big second hand embarrassment thing). The chemistry just wasn’t quite all there for me in this one. Since they spent so much time apart and there were chunks of time skips, we weren’t getting a ton of those facetime calls or little bits of intimacy that I prefer personally. This is going to be someone’s favorite or even first Abby Jimenez just like Just for the Summer was mine and I love that so much. It’d be a great one, and I certainly wouldn’t steer anyone away from picking it up. Just not a personal favorite, still had a fairly good time with it!

This book is HEAVY. I cannot stress that enough. Please check the content warnings at the beginning of the book before going in! I would say this is Jimenez’ heaviest book yet, comparable to Life’s Too Short.

All of that to say, this book is also STUNNING. The way it discusses love, both familial and romantic, was SO beautiful. There were several passages throughout that took my breath away.

This may not be my top fave from this author, but it has certainly left an impact on me that I won’t soon forget.

**thank you NetGalley and the publisher for producing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

I have quickly become a huge Abby fan, and this book was no different. The fact that our two characters made it work, despite everything working against them… I laughed, I cried, I shoved the book into every customers hands lol

Although I have previously enjoyed Abbys books, I found that the overwhelming amount of ACOTAR references made the beginning of the book hard to get through. Once further into the book, the content was very heavy and it didn't read like a romance for a lot of the book. I think this may have missed the mark on the marketing as a romance. I also felt unfortunately that the ending left a lot to be desired.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

This was an emotional read. I absolutely loved this book. Fantastic characters as usual with Abby Jimenez, great humor and swoony MMC!

I truly enjoyed this story. I’ve loved everything AJ has done that I’ve read and this did not disappoint.

Abby does a wonderful job of capturing the characters of good people but the challenge and struggle of always being one’s best self in the most difficult of circumstances. She captures the pain but a way through in a relatable, compassionate, and endearing way that always leaves me wanting to know more about them.

This story hit home with a story about long distance and wanting to do be true to yourself and others at the same time when those things are at odds.

This lovely story had me laughing and crying and everything in between.

If you love any of her stories, you’ll love this too!

Heat Factor: It’s not a slow burn but it has that same quality.

Character Chemistry: They’re perfect. Goals. Off the charts. Just do it already.

Plot: Sam and Xavier go on a date in Minnesota the night before Sam moves to California…permanently. Which would be fine, except they’re meant to be together.

Overall: This book was torture and I loved it.

This book has taken the lead for my favorite book of 2025. I really can’t wait to see if anything tops this, but I have a hard time imagining how one possibly could. I liked it so much that I kind of forced my husband to co-read it with me by sending him screenshots of various passages and squee-ing in his direction.

It opens when Xavier, a vet who is hustling after opening his own vet clinic, meets Sam, who has found a kitten who unfortunately does not have a butthole. Xavier is in a foul mood because he just had a client attempt to put down a 4 year old dog because it wasn’t convenient to own him anymore, so when he advises that Sam put the kitten down and she refuses, he’s not super nice about it. Sam ends up crowd-funding the kitten’s surgery (Xavier donates and apologizes) and when Sam takes the kitten to Xavier for a follow up, he asks her on a date. Obviously, because she’s no dummy and has great taste, she accepts. The date is amazing. Everything is perfect. Except then Xavier learns that Sam is moving to California. The next day.

This is where the yearning starts, and it’s SO GOOD. Sam has to move because her mother has Alzheimer’s and her family needs her. Xavier can’t move because he only just started this business two years prior and is deeply, deeply in debt over it. So while they try to not move forward with a relationship, they can’t—because they fall in love despite their better judgment and can’t stop talking to each other.

The book is essentially Sam and Xavier doing whatever it takes to stay together at great cost to themselves, but there are contemplative layers that sweep through the narrative and it makes the relationship and the choices and sacrifices they make so much sweeter, more realistic, and meaningful. Because in order to be together, Xavier and Sam have to dig into what kind of lives they want long term, and what makes life fulfilling in general—while we’re watching Sam process her mother’s deterioration, the loss of the shared reality her family always assumed they’d have forever, and her father coping with the loss of the love of his life while she’s still alive. And on Xavier’s side, he’s processing what values the foundation of his life should be built upon: success and proving his abusive, narcissistic parents wrong, or building a life of memories with Sam despite financial ruin.

I loved how both Sam and Xavier end up being gently mentored by older folks who care about them and believe in them. I absolutely adore how Xavier is multi-dimensional. (He’s described as being just like Rhysand from ACOTAR, and the plot is littered with examples of how caring, nurturing, strong, forthcoming, and thoughtful he is.) Sam is witty and real. The way the author lets Sam regress when she’s with her siblings…masterfully done. She lashes out and gets sour, but always in a way that is easy to identify with. Every character feels like a whole person. Every scene feels deliberate.

And really, the biggest vote of confidence I can offer is that when I saw it was going to be a long-distance romance I almost closed it because I’m currently long-distance from my husband and I knew it was going to be hard to read…but it took about 2 pages before I realized there was no putting this down.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

What a book.

This book was full of emotion. I laughed, I cried, and I could not put it down. Abby Jimenez continues to be a wonderful author.

I loved this SOOO much! Abby NEVER misses! I loved the characters and their chemistry so much! Normally, I do not like when characters fall so fast, but I think it worked perfectly here. I loved it from the first chapter. I mean come on, who wouldn't! I love all the little details. This was a winner for me! Thank you for the ARC!

Abby Jimenez has made me cry, once again! This book was an absolute rollercoaster when it came to Xavier and Samantha's relationship but I loved how throughout the book, it felt real. Abby Jimenez does such a great job of taking real life issues and problems that individuals have and incorporating it into her books to add depth to her characters but a realness as well. As someone who's relationship started out long distance for the first three years, I felt super connected to Xavier and Samantha's and the challenges they faced throughout their relationship. In my opinion, this book was such an accurate portrayal of long distance relationships and the ups and downs. This book is definitely in my top 3 of Abby Jimenez books and I highly recommend!

Read if you like
- Instant Connection
- Long Distance Relationships
- Against All Odds

4/5 Stars overall
There is just something about Abby Jimenez’s writing that hooks me every time. Xavier is a grumpy vet that meets his match with Samantha. She is a fiery main character with a stubborn streak. I was worried at first that it may be a little too insta-lovey, but I really enjoyed their chemistry from the start of their first date. Another aspect of the story I really enjoyed was how realistic their relationship and challenges were. Both characters seemed level headed enough to understand their situation and yet, they still worked hard to make it work. Xavier is the definition of “If he wanted to, he would.”
I also really appreciated Samantha’s family. They were complicated and messy, but loved each other fiercely. They were facing an ever-changing challenge with their mother’s condition & I liked that Jimenez didn’t sugarcoat the harsh reality of dementia.

Xavier and Samantha are endgame! Abby Jimenez does it again in this sweet and beautiful romantic comedy. Xavier is this incredibly Rhysand worthy veterinarian who tries to save as many animals as possible. He is everything you want in a male MC, trustworthy, honest, determined and kind. Samantha met him trying to save her cat who needed an emergency anal surgery. She was able to raise funds and get the proper care for Pooter, the cat. Their love story continues as mini golf and an escape room, but all turns around when Samantha must move across the country to California to take care of her mother suffering from dementia. The book explores grief, dementia, loneliness, depression, medical diseases and family issues. It’s an amazing love story, but Xavier and Samantha must figure out what love looks like without each other or love from a distance, will they be able to make it? This and lots of saving dogs is really all you need for a perfect rom-com!

I love love love Abby Jimenez, and this novel met all of my expectations. Her exploration of grief is sensitive and tender, and a hot veterinarian is SUCH a fantastic choice for a romance novel. I loved it!

Other than all the ACOTAR references, I really enjoyed this book. Never has my lack of reading a book by a completely different author hinder my ability to picture a character as much as it did in this book.

This is a delightful story of two people deeply, hopelessly in love with each other.

Say You’ll Remember Me is another emotional triumph from Abby Jimenez. While the romance was beautiful and heart-tugging, what truly stood out to me was how thoughtfully and realistically she portrayed the female protagonist’s experience caring for a mother with Alzheimer’s. It was tender, heartbreaking, and incredibly authentic.

I appreciated how the story didn’t shy away from the complexities and emotional weight of watching a loved one fade, yet still found moments of warmth, connection, and even humor. The strength, patience, and compassion shown by the main character made me feel deeply connected to her journey—and left me reflecting long after I turned the last page.

Abby Jimenez has a gift for writing stories that blend love, hardship, and healing in a way that feels genuine and hopeful. This book is no exception.

I went a little bit out on a limb in reading “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez. Romance isn’t usually a genre I wade into, but I’ve heard so many great things about Jimenez and her writing, and I love her on social media.

Well, consider me a convert.

“Say You’ll Remember Me” is well-paced. The characters are thoughtful and relatable. Their arcs are very real, very honest and very sweet. I appreciated the carefulness with which Jimenez handled the issue of dementia. But I particularly appreciated how she brought the very real issue of family caretaking into the story. I’ve taken care of family members since I was little. There were so many moments where I was absolutely swept away by her depictions of the emotions that play out while caring for a loved one.

I finished this in just a few hours. I’ll be tired at work tomorrow, but it’s totally worth it. Im glad I stayed up past my bedtime to read this love story of Samantha and Xavier.