Oh boy. Abby Jimenez completist here. I read HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST in 2021 and it was love at first sight. I went on to read everything Abby’s ever published. Some were hits & others were good. All had the elements of Abby’s storytelling that I adore. Unfortunately, SAY YOU’LL REMEMBER ME is my least favourite of her books. This story just wasn’t for me.

Abby writes great meet-cutes and this romance got off to a quirky start. The escape room scene really worked, but sadly the rest of this story lacked the sparkle and fun I appreciate in Abby’s books (Fun briefly returned with a viral video, but that storyline didn’t go anywhere?) .

Our romantic pair, Xavier and Samantha, are separated for much of the story. Separated and miserable. Everyone is so miserable. The side characters too (who are also very unkind to each other at times). As the reader, it was also hard not feeling miserable while reading this.

Because the characters were apart for so much of the book, the reader spends a lot of time inside their heads. And the inner monologues? More misery.

Time after time obstacles were thrown in the pairing’s way. It got a little repetitive, a little exhausting and a lot frustrating. By the time a plumbing mishap causes a flight to be missed, I was thinking, “Oh, come on! Can we give this pair a break?”

Ultimately, I just couldn’t believe that such a strong bond really existed between Xavier and Samantha. There was no time for chemistry & no build up to any romantic intimacy or big feelings before misery began befalling them. Their devotion to each other seemed unjustified and the more perilous it became, the more I wondered why on earth they were persisting with their tenuous relationship.

If you loved this book, great! I’m so glad you connected with it! I wish I had too.

this started so well, i loved the first date and that samantha and xavier spent the entire day together! loved the quirky mini golf and escape room date and them getting stuck, it created a great meet cute between our two mc’s but that’s really where the good vibes of my review end.
unfortunately the remainder of the book felt repetitive and quite frankly depressing. i understand the situation with samantha’s family is something that real people have to navigate in their lives when a loved one becomes diagnosed with a mental disease like dementia, however it took over the entire book and really brought down the mood of the story.
the romance also felt very insta love to me, that level of connection can’t be built in one date that two people are sooo miserable without spending time together, especially after not talking for 8 weeks between two visits.
abby’s books have generally been a hit or miss for me, and so far i think i’m sitting evenly between books i loved and ones i didnt.
thank you for the e-arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book broke my heart. Jiminez has such a talent for writing real life situations that feel so visceral while interweaving romance into the story so wonderfully.

Abby Jimenez is an instant-buy author for me, i have loved her incredible books for many years, but unfortunately this one just didn't do it for me.
a bit of grumpy vs sunshine in the beginning which was so fun and whitty and then i feel like in the first few chapters they jumped straight into being in love right away.
I still love Abbys writing, and the story was capturing, so i'll give it a good 3.75 stars!

** Since its publication date and selling it in store, we have sold over 15 copies (which is great for us!)

Thanks Netgalley for this arc! Just a delay in the review ❤️

We follow Xavier and Samantha two people who meet and have an instant attraction, but sadly it's just not quite the right time with Samantha moving away. The attraction is so intense they have to try and continue to see each other against all odds.

I did find this just didn't captivate me like I hoped, I wanted more desire and longing but it wasn't quite there. I felt a lack of chemistry between characters.

There are other little story lines playing out which I actually found more intriguing than the couple.
Plus did love that Xavier was a vet and we got to see many furry friends!

The ending was sweet, I'll be honest did tear up slightly. If you're after a romance that's literally romance without much drama, this is for you.

Say You’ll Remember Me is another emotional triumph from Abby Jimenez—equal parts romance, family drama, and heartache. This one leans more into the 'emotional contemporary fiction' side of her writing, but that didn’t make it any less impactful. It’s beautifully told and full of those signature Abby moments: a dream book boyfriend, a flawed but relatable heroine, witty banter, and a family dynamic that will absolutely wreck you in the best way. I laughed, I cried, and I kept turning pages even when I wasn’t ready for what came next.

What really stayed with me, though, is how true to life this book felt. Jimenez doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff—grief, illness, burnout, long-distance love, trauma—and she doesn’t resolve it all neatly either, which I appreciated. She writes with so much honesty and emotional clarity that I felt like I knew these characters. Samantha’s grief and guilt over her mother’s illness, the tension in her family, and the emotional labour she shoulders all felt incredibly raw and real. And Xavier—sweet, dependable, carrying his own wounds—might be one of her best love interests yet. Their connection was undeniable, but it never felt easy, and that’s what made it so powerful.

The big, messy themes—dementia, caretaking, emotional trauma, complicated families—are explored with tenderness but also a clear-eyed honesty. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from how hard life can be, and in doing that, it becomes deeply human. I found myself reflecting a lot while reading, and feeling genuinely moved by how much heart is packed into this story. This book made me feel so much for these two characters and their love story, and I loved it all the more for that.

The banter between them was spot-on. Abby’s writing made me laugh, swoon, and ache right alongside the characters. It struck a perfect balance—emotional but never overdone.

What stood out most to me was the endurance of their love. Both characters go through a lot, and it resonated deeply with my own experiences. Life can be messy and hard, but their support for each other was beautiful and believable.

I also appreciated the realistic portrayal of long-distance love. Having gone through that myself, I know how challenging it can be—not out of resentment, but out of missing someone so much. This story captured that struggle and the devotion it takes to make it work.

An absolutely stunning romance. I loved it.
Abby is by far my favourite romance author, her writing style draws you right in. I couldn't put it down.

Say You'll Remember Me was a beautifully written, heart-wrenching love story full of romance, emotion, humour, and some sad moments, too. At times, it was tough to read, especially the dementia storyline involving Samantha's mother.

I loved Samantha and Xavier. They had great chemistry. I enjoyed reading about their blossoming romance and admired how much work went into keeping it going, including the many sacrifices they both had to make.

As always with an Abby Jimenez book, this was a superb read. She really knows how to give her characters emotional depth. I've enjoyed all of her previous books, and I can't wait to see what Abby comes up with next.

5 well deserved stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, Hachette Australia & New Zealand, and Abby Jimenez for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An emotional read! It was my first Abby Jimenez book and I love her writing style! Found some of the references to current reading culture and modern day phrases to be super interesting and gave me a good giggle

Say You'll Remember Me is my first Abby Jimenez book and I really enjoyed it.

Romance isn't my automatic first choice of genre but this book had a balance of romance, well developed characters with substance intertwined with family and friends.

I enjoyed that Xavier had a lot of positive characteristics and wasn't an awful person, it really bothers me when the male protagonist plays the 'treat em mean, keep em keen' trope.

Say You'll Remember Me is the perfect novel to read when you are on the beach or tucked up under a blanket and after something light hearted, easy to read and will leave you will all the happy feels.

I read a couple of early reviews for this one that said this is different to the author’s usual work. I can’t speak to that as it’s the first of her books I’ve read, but I always wonder why something different is an issue. I mean, if it’s the same then there would be people complaining about that right?

Anyway, live wore Samantha meets non-smiling veterinarian Xavier at his clinic, during a consult about a cat with no bum hole. Probably not a meet cute, but definitely memorable. They meet again and take a chance on a date, the night before Samantha is leaving town to move across the country to help care for her mother who has dementia.

What follows is they’re navigating a whole lot of life stuff from day 1 of their relationship. It’s heavy, sad, emotionally draining whilst tinged with the briefest moments of sunshine, that for the reader makes you yearn for that next little glimpse.

As a romance it’s angsty, and quite tender - more fade to black and left to the reader’s imagination but it’s no less powerful because of who these two are, and their stories that brought them together. Samantha and Xavier each have a lot on their plates, and I kept wondering how it was going to work.

This was a heart wrenching book but absolutely worth the investment.

CW - character with a parent living with dementia, character who experiences abuse as a child, parental alienation, animals at risk (rescued),

This book was beautiful once it got its groove. Say You’ll Remember Me is the next book after Just For The summer. It doesn’t quite match it but it does pull at the heart strings a bit with a parental figure with dementia.

Both main characters are likeable and the story is also very cute.

Here are my unfiltered, thoughts while reading this: be warned, if you haven’t read this, they will make no sense.

♥️

Not insta love but insta attraction. Insta like which I’m all for. It’s not in a ew way, more like a ‘hmm, maybe I want this’ kind of way. (Says the commitment phobe).

Not me smiling at the train station rn. I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not smiling at my kindle.

Yo. I love this book. *cries in childhood trauma*

Cool. It’s only chapter 9 and I’m crying on the train and I got a new mascara that’s NOT waterproof.

HAHAHAHAH WTF. IM CRYING.

RELATIONSHIP GOOOOAAALLLSSS.

UM MISS ABBY JIMENEZ?!?!

HANK.

Haha can’t see through my tears. Lololol

OKAY, yes. 5 stars. I’m going to go eat a chocolate lava cake and cry some more.

Unfortunately I didn’t love this in the way I usually love Abby books. I feel like the tone of discussion around care homes really missed the mark.
Loved the main characters but was a little too insta-lovey for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an arc!

Abby Jimenez, please let me read your grocery list. I fear I will never fall in love with a real man because you continue to raise my standards.

“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.”

Synopsis
While Xavier seems perfect with his veterinarian career and hot bod, he ultimately puts his foot in it when he says the wrong thing to Samantha and there’s nothing Samantha likes more than putting a jerk in his place. Little did they anticipate that the both of them, who seem worlds apart would connect through an authentic bond.

Review
A huge thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Australia & New Zealand and Abby Jimenez for providing me a copy of Say You’ll Remember Me in exchange for an honest review.

There was so much to love about this read. Underneath the humorous banter (which Abby always nails,) was a deeply heartfelt read. The parallels of Samantha's mothers' dementia and Xavier being able to understand signs of distress from working with non-verbal patients (animals) made my heart feel some kind of way.

I'm not usually a fan of the 'insta-love' trope but it seemed to work for these two. The challenges Samantha and Xavier face whilst maintaining a long-distance relationship reminded me of my situation, when my partner and I lived in different countries for three years at the beginning of our relationship. As difficult as it is, the need and want to be with that person ultimately overrules.

Say You'll Remember Me isn't just a rom-com and dives into deeper topics such as:

• Complex relationships
• Dementia
• The hardships and rewarding moments of being a carer/support person
• Family dynamics
• Childhood abuse and neglect
• Trauma and grief

As usual, Abby delivers a sweeping romance with real emotional depth.

Say You’ll Remember Me is a romance that really pulls you in with just the right mix of charm and real emotion. Sure, the whole hot-vet-who-looks-like-a-Greek-god thing might feel familiar, but the story digs deeper than just good looks and banter. It’s more about timing, forgiveness, and how real-life problems can get in the way of something that feels meant to be.

Overall, it’s a memorable, emotionally and beautiful romance that doesn’t shy away from messy feelings and imperfect timing. If you love Abby Jimenez you will love this!

I absolutely loved this book!
I knew from the first chapter that I would love it. The characters were dynamic and so enjoyable. And the animals in it just added so much cuteness.
This book made me laugh and also cry (which never happens, so I was astonished). While it is a fairly light romance, there is depth to the characters in their past traumas and current experiences.
I also loved the grumpy sunshine aspect of this, Xavier was so grumpy, but I loved how he cared so much for animals and for Samantha.
Samantha was so funny and really enjoyed the family dynamic she had. It was complex and well done.
There is the insta love trop in this, but to me, it didn't feel forced. There is a connection, and it builds with great pacing.
I did cry at the end, I loved it.
5 stars.

This was my first foray into Abby Jimenez, and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed both characters and how they fought for the relationship despite everything life was throwing at them. As someone dealing with dementia in the family, this felt very raw and realistic.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the insta love, nor the way Xavier’s problems seemed to be solved for him. Overall a solid romance.

𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐲 𝐣𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐳 ✨☁️

“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚.”

This love story messed with my emotions, just like every one of Abby Jimenez’s books I’ve read so far. I went into this one with very little knowledge of what was in store, I was immediately taken by the brooding and handsome veterinarian, Xavier, and the endlessly amusing and strong-willed, Samantha. Their attraction was instant, their first date was bewildering but unforgettable, their chemistry was breathtaking - but their lives were complicated.

Samantha has to leave Xavier behind, despite finally finding a man she can truly see a future with. But, she needs to help her family - her mother has Alzheimer’s, and they’re all pitching in to care for her as her memories disappear. The rest of the book is full of heartbreaking moments of a family struggling to come to terms with an awful disease that is stealing their loved one from them. It’s devastating to read, and the pain is visceral.

“𝙄’𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙪𝙥, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢.”

The moments of grey and sadness are dotted with humour, it’s a balance that is very familiar in Jimenez’s writing. And, the long distance relationship moments between Xavier and Samantha are so colourful. Their love for one another was perfectly described on the page, and I adored every moment with them.

“𝙄'𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩, 𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

Overall, this is a story of heartbreak, sadness, joy, love - just life, really - it was emotive and beautiful. A real, honest love story that I simply adored.

Thank you Hachette Australia and NetGalley for the ARC of this beautiful book!