Some of my favourite books are those that have ripped my heart in two, so is it any surprise that a read so many have described as depressing, was a stand-out for me? Not even slightly!

‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ is Abby Jimenez’s latest release, and while I would agree - it’s a very unusual (read: heavy) romance - it’s also, in my opinion, a very, very good one, and I’m so thankful to the author and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy.

Xavier and Samantha cross paths through a funny kind of fate. They don’t exactly hit it off at first, but they more than make up for it with an unforgettable first date. However, just as things are starting to spark, they’re separated by hundreds of miles, when Samantha moves interstate the very next day.

Unfortunately, as time goes on, distance isn’t the only thing getting in the way of their feelings. Samantha is helping care for her mother, who has dementia, and Xavier is in the early stages of building a business - so money is tight, time is short, and stress levels are high for both of them.

Real and raw, this isn’t an easy read, but it provides a beautiful reminder of what’s truly important in life, and I’ll never not recommend a book that does that!

Just make sure you read the triggers first.

I LOVE me an Abby Jimenez book. I don’t know what she puts in her books but I’m addicted. I start her books and can’t stop and put them down until I’ve finished them!!

I loved this and found it super cute. I did find that there was a little depth / connection missing to the characters but maybe that was just me feeling a disconnect

But I loved the story overall, the plot, the characters, the side characters, the humour (I was giggling the whole time) there’s something about a book with great banter that just gets me every damn time.

This was my first Abby Jimenez book and I can completely see why she is so dearly loved! Her writing feels so smooth and magical. I felt like I was being wrapped in a blanket of her words providing me comfort and warmth on a winter night.

The story itself was extremely engaging as it dealt with very difficult topics in such a respectful and mindful manner while also allowing you to be so wrapped up in the story and in the characters own experiences.

My only problem with this story was the insta-love. I am just not a fan on that trope when done in such an immediate way. I don’t mind immediate attraction and being honest about that, but the immediately feelings of being in a serious relationship just felt so unrealistic for me I found it really hard to get into in the beginning. And with that Insta-love, it made the story feel like it was moving so fast but not a lot was happening. They had the same conflict the whole story about money and not being able to move across the world, and while I understand those are real problems couples face I don’t read romance novels to see real life. I read it for the fiction.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I actually really liked this one! The romance felt super natural and the chemistry between Samantha and Xavier was there from the start. I loved their banter and how their relationship built up—some of the moments had me kicking my feet. It’s definitely heavier than I expected though; there’s a lot about family struggles, past trauma, and the reality of long distance, which made it feel really grounded but also kind of sad in places. Some of the pop culture stuff (like TikTok) made me cringe a little, but it also made the story feel current. I also LOVEEE the fact that ACOTAR was mentioned. Overall, it’s a really emotional, solid read with a good mix of swoon and substance. I’d recommend it if you’re into romance books that have a bit more depth.

My first instinct once I’d finished this book was to give it a full five stars, but I fear I was blinded by the wonderful way it ended.

This book is absolutely stunning in its ability to unpack grief and the way we deal with it - sometimes messy, often judged for the way one try’s to heal. And it was all wrapped up in this beautiful bubble of memories and the impact they have on us and what we have left in the end.

It was so SAD for most of the book. It felt like a constant gut punch and more than that, it felt repetitive. Like Groundhog Day, we have to leave this perpetual sadness in a parallel line to the MC’s. All very real, very valid and very hard.

But I have three main issues with this book that really dropped the star rating for me.
1. ‘He fucked off back to his motherland’, was a really far out way of saying that Omar moved back to… his country of birth? Or perhaps the country of where his family are from? Entirely unnecessary and racist, no?
2. Comparing the MMC to Rhysand (from acotar) is:
- lazy writing
- really shit way to support authors who are problematic for the sake of not having to explain how handsome someone is??
3. The constant repetition of lines and internal dialogue. By the end, the attempts to get an emotional response out of me (the reader) was monotonous and really pulled me out of the story.

Without these three main issues, this would’ve been an incredible book. Unfortunately they were issues that were far too bag to ignore.

Incase you were wondering… Abby Jimenez books just get better and better, 5 stars. what a beautifully heart wrenching book,
Abby is the queen of writing green flag men. Xavier is so perfect, the love and devotion this family has for one another is also just perfect. The found family, the long distance relationship, the humour, the love, the heart break. Please please read this book .

thank you to netgalley and piatkus for allowing me early access to ‘say you’ll remember me’.

Abby Jimenez is absolutely masterful at creating characters with real life flaws who you genuinely root for, not just with the romance, but for themselves too. This book focuses heavily on long-term relationships, mental health, dementia, grief, abuse, and trauma. I believe she did an excellent job in delving into these topics with such care and understanding, her research really shows and works so so well in this book.

Our characters Xavier and Samantha are so so lovely and you just keep rooting for them, even when it seems the universe is not. Their chemistry is off the charts I absolutely loved them. Whilst I will say this definitely isn’t my favourite Abby Jimenez novel, I still had such a fun time with this and I loved having Xavier work as a Veterinarian.

This was a beautiful novel with very heavy topics so please check trigger warnings before you go into this book.

I think this might be my favourite Abby Jimenez book so far.

The chemistry between Samatha and Xavier was top tier right from the start and the way they just fitted together instantly 😍 Like all of Jimenez’s characters, they were so relatable, but with the right person, wrong time trope, you really feel for each character and the circumstances that keep them apart.

I felt so many feelings while reading this book, from laughing out loud to the heartfelt heavy moments that make you want to cry.

I’ll also never be able to listen to Come On Eileen without thinking about Sam and Xavier!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this one!

Another swoon-worthy romance from one of my favourite romance authors. At this point I will read anything written by Abby Jimenez.

Sparks fly immediately when Samantha takes her tiny kitten to the vet and meets grumpy, but gorgeous, veterinarian Xavier. What begins as a meet cute turns into a long distance romance between the two that you can’t help but be captivated by.

Told in dual POV, I loved seeing how committed Samantha and Xavier were to each other’s happiness. Alternating between letting go and holding on to each other, I was drawn in by the inner turmoil of both characters as they tried to do what they thought was ‘right’ rather what they needed/wanted.

Easily read in one sitting, Say You’ll Remember Me is more than just a romance novel. Samantha and Xavier feel like real people dealing with real issues – caring for a parent with advanced dementia, family trauma, past physical and emotional abuse and neglect. They are highly relatable with well fleshed out backstories supported by a host of secondary characters.

With the humour and heart that I have come to expect from Abby Jimenez, this novel was emotional without dragging the reader into a funk, light enough to overcome some of the more difficult issues covered. The romance was perfect, Samantha and Xavier’s chemistry evident from the beginning. And as ever from this author, I gained a dreamy, new book boyfriend.

With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

3.5 Stars!

This book is depressing af.

Our mains, Samantha and Xavier are great. Well-written and fleshed out, these characters represent their age well - even with the insta-love, it was totally believable and hella-funny.
While both characters are dealing with their own demons, the story centers around their attempt at a long-distance relationship amid the realities of life. One thing this book got right is the accurate depiction of reality. And it sucks.

Despite my 3.5 star rating, 'Say You'll Remember Me' is a fantastic book. But it gave me emotional whiplash and sometimes hit a little close to home.
The books emphasis on making memories is beautiful and hit me with all the feels.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

I am still reading this , didn't realise the archive date was so fast approaching. Thought I'd leave this review before the file is archived and I cannot access it anymore but I will update this review once I am done and posted the review. thanks.

4.5 stars

What to even say?! I think my eyes are a little swollen from having tears leak out of them.

This book to me toed the line of romance, it was definitely there, but there was much more at play too. It’s about a family is crisis. The hard topic of Alzheimer’s was done incredibly, but also so heartbreaking to read the impacts on their family.

Then you have Xavier who is deliciously grumpy and relatable with his dislike of people haha I loved him and I grew to love him so much the book. He’s got a darker past and I just wanted to hug him.
Samantha is so funny and I felt for her so much. I seriously loved their banter and connection. It was pretty instant and just felt so right. Them dealing with long distance was brutal. I had to do long distance with my fiancé (now husband) and I felt every bit of the pain they went through.

There are some major twists that are making me cry even thinking about. It was a beautiful, touching book. I’m so glad I finished it with the audiobook because the narrators were absolutely perfect for their characters!

Swipe for a Quick Review of Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 💫

I read my first Abby Jimenez book last year and I became absolutely obsessed- I kept reading the rest of the series and I became even more obsessed. To rate a book 5 stars it has to make me cry - and all 3 of her books in the ‘Part of Your World’ had me sobbing. Needless to say this was one of my most anticipated reads for the year.

I did like it. In our story our female main character’s mother has Dementia. As someone who has 2x grandmother’s who have dementia and frequently works with Dementia patients, it’s not a topic that is typically explored in romance books so it was interesting perspective as this story really highlights how this may impact the family. I did enjoy this aspect of the plot.

Regarding the Romance, it does start of a bit ‘Insta-Lovey’ however it does develop into a very sweet love story. Xavier is the definition to ‘If he wanted to, he would’ - he was so ‘down bad’ for his girl (almost to the point where you are yelling at the pages going “look after yourself too buddy”). After reading this one, I felt like I needed to start looking for my own Xavier (an animal lover who looks like Rhysand for ACOTAR - YES PLEASE!).

I can’t wait for more people to read this one so I can’t talk to more people about this one - it’s the one I’ve chosen of my book club with my friends - I’m already brainstorming the themed drinks for it! It releases on the 1st April.

Have you read Abby Jimenez books? Will you be reading this one?

Thank you so much @netgalley @hachetteaus for the early e-book (excuse the poorly edited cover)! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Abby Jimenez is always a 5 star read for me and just when I think she can’t outdo her previous book, she creates something just as magical ✨

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It felt like I wrapped myself in my softest blanket while drinking a cup of my favourite tea, it was so comforting and impossible to put down.

The story follows Xavier and Samantha, whose chance encounter leads to a night filled with undeniable chemistry and then turns into a heartfelt long distance love story. The narrative doesn’t shy away from heavier themes though, including a tight-knit household navigating a tragic life altering situation but it balances it with hope and warmth, giving us a perfect reading experience that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

It was one of the most devastating and beautiful books I think I have ever read that will hold a piece of your heart long after finishing the final page. I wish I could give it the 5 gazillion stars it deserves, highly recommend! 🩷

🩵✈️Say You’ll Remember Me✈️🩵

My Rating: 4.25⭐️
Goodreads Rating: 4.52⭐️

Release Date: 1st April 2025

✈️🩵My Thoughts🩵✈️

What I Loved:
🩵 Dislike to Lovers
✈️ Emotionally Charged
🩵 Grumpy x Sunshine
✈️ He’s a Vet!!!!
🩵 His Love Language is Acts of Service

This was my first Abby Jimenez book, and I can say certainly that it won’t be the last. This book had me laughing and crying.

First of all… I think this is one of the first books that I’ve read that I related to the MMC more than the FMC. I swear the following quotes, were stolen from my brain by Abby Jimenez and given to Xavier:

“I did like dogs, though. I liked all animals, but especially dogs.“

“This is why I hated humans. They were the worst animals on the planet.“

This book moved fast, and the main characters had instant chemistry. I do wish that we could have had more details in some scenes to build up the tension and relationships between the main characters, and how they interacted with the side characters. Also, I struggled with the references to Rhysand from ACOTAR- like I love that series, but it kept on bringing me out of the plot for this novel.

This book was gorgeous, and honestly had me in tears. I hope everyone who reads this review can find a person who worships the ground they walk on and shows their love through their actions, like Xavier does for Samantha.

Samantha is such a ray of sunshine, and the amount of growth and pain that she goes through in this book, was devastatingly beautiful.

This book is a lovely, and at times heart-wrenching book. Which focused on complex and realistic issues, that people face in relationships, and within families.

✈️🩵✈️🩵✈️

This romance follows Xavier & Samantha through what can only truly be described as the trials and tribulations of life - it's messy, imperfect, but man it's filled with love along the way.

This was an incredibly sweet read, and whilst it delivered the typical romance storyline, it also dove into much deeper topics that left me feeling deeply grateful for my family and the time I have with them.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this! I enjoyed the family dynamics, the vet angle, and the lived experience of dementia. For me personally, there were a few elements that I would have loved to have seen explored more, and whilst I don't mind a fast romance, this one felt particularly quick.

Still, I'll always enjoy Abby's writing and her characters.

2⭐️ thank you netgalley for the arc read in an exchange for an honest review

⚠️trigger warnings: dementia, child abuse, animal cruelty, death, chronic illness, physical abuse, infidelity, toxic relationships, violence, gaslighting⚠️

I feel like i got sent the first draft of this book while everyone else got the final edited version because I did not enjoy this book, not one bit😭This is way too insta love for me. They had a good thing with the banter at the start, and then all of a sudden, they're head over heels for each other??? To me, this felt like reading a wattpad book, and not the good kinds. Idk if this is how she writes all her characters, but I find them really jarring with the way Samantha speaks. I imagine her having a vocal fried voice🫢 I am open to reading her other books, this won't stop me. I just think this wasn't a good choice for me to get into her stories.

Call me petty all you like, but ACOTAR/referencing Xavier as Rhysand has been mentioned 4 times and I cannot fucking stand that problematic bitch. This too me seems like "hehehehe the booktok girlies are gonna love this🤭🤭🤭" no I fucking don't. I'm sure there's other people who will eat this shit up, but I'm not supporting her actions. Let's just say that this wasn't ever mentioned, would my rating be a lot higher? not really, just by 1 cause I like said, I don't like the fmc and it's too insta love for my liking however it is very easy to read and nothing complicated so I would give it an average rating.

Overall, this was too bland for my liking, and I wish it could have been better. The idea was there, the execution was bad🤷‍♀️

This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I always adore Abby Jimenez's books and this one mostly hit the spot. I loved the romance between Xavier and Samantha. I loved reading the troubles they both had in their own life and the journey they took to finally get to be with each other. I just wish I had more closure at the end. Maybe a further epilogue to see how they were doing down the track would have sufficed. After everything they endured, I just wanted confirmation of their happy happy ending. Overall Abby's writing is superb and once you start this book, you'll be loving it as much as I did.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (e-ARC)
Pub Date: 1st April 2025

Short Synopsis:
One visit to the vet changes Samantha’s life forever when she unexpectedly meets Xavier, a gruff yet caring veterinarian who turns her world upside down. Just as sparks fly between them, life takes an unexpected turn, and Samantha must return to Los Angeles permanently to care for her mother, who is battling early-onset dementia. With their growing connection now tested by distance and responsibility, Samantha and Xavier must find a way to make their long-distance love work. Will their bond survive the challenges life throws their way, or will it crumble under the weight of it all?

My Thoughts:
Abby Jimenez has once again swooned me over! This book is much more than just a romance. It’s a beautiful exploration of love, family, and the sacrifices we make when caring for someone through illness.

The connection between Samantha and Xavier felt real and complex, especially with the added challenge of their long-distance relationship. I’m typically not a fan of insta-love, but the chemistry between them was undeniable from the first pages, and I was hooked right away.

Xavier is the ultimate book boyfriend, strong, sweet, and selfless. He always puts Samantha first, even when it’s tough. Honestly, where can you find a guy like him in real life?

I also appreciated how Jimenez handled the sensitive issue of dementia. She approached it with emotional depth, portraying not only the struggles of the person dealing with it but also the impact on their loved ones. It felt realistic and was portrayed with great care.

One thing I did notice was the jumping timeline. While it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, I would have preferred a more continuous flow. However, the story still remained engaging.

Overall, Say You’ll Remember Me was a heartfelt read, and I highly recommend it!

Overall Rating:
⭐️ 4.5/5

Thank you to @netgalley @hachetteaus and @thebookishtype_hau for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts on the book!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This book really hit for me. I devoured it. Jimenez is truly artful in her writing, in creating well rounded and developed characters. In making you feel what they feel, both the highs and the lows. The chemistry between Samantha and Xavier was palpable. This is how you right a true love story. They were so swoony together. Xavier is my new favourite romance hero. He's a protector, a caretaker, someone who was treated poorly by the people who should love you most and grew into a better person in spite of it. I loved the fact that this story isn't at all a will-they/won't-they. It's a story about two people who find their person at the worst possible time. Two people who try against all odds to make it work.
The intense part of this story revolves around Samantha's family, particularly her mother. Aged in her early 50s, she is deeply affected by dementia. It was hard to read as someone who has personally experienced a family member with dementia; the heart ache is in the details, the deterioration, how it affects everyone around that person. The only reason it didn't make me sob was because I was reading it in my lunchbreak at work. I held those tears back!
If you've enjoyed Jimenez's other books, then you will love this book! I do suggest reading the trigger warnings though.