So many beautiful, charming, poignant, emotional moments in this love story. Abby Jimenez writes the perfect “recovery” plot line for the grief Sloan suffered with the abrupt loss of her fiancée two years ago. This story delivers Sloan from the depth of that depression to her Happy Ever After with Jason – via his dog, Tucker. Having absolutely ugly-cried my eyes out when Sloan’s fiancée died in The Friend Zone, I wondered just how Jimenez was going to make her whole again. Well, she did it, and wow!

Enter Tucker. This pup just happens to jump into Sloan’s life thru her car’s sunroof. As she starts caring for this lost dog – while leaving messages daily for the no-reply/deadbeat owner – she becomes attached. This begins the reawakening of Sloan. Taking the dog for walks – getting her exercising and out of the house. AND her mind distracted from her gut-wrenching grief.

Next, we hear from Tucker’s owner, Jason. I loved his character immediately – as he dumps his model/girlfriend for losing his dog while he’s away hiking the wilderness. Once he finds Tucker with Sloan, they begin a flirty, long-distance, texting courtship. This is such an ideal way to get Sloan even thinking about entering the dating pool again. Jason, by the way, is an up and coming Rock Star – looking for a gal who doesn’t want him only for his celebrity.

They finally meet – instant attraction. A whirlwind couple of weeks of romance, check-ins from Bestie Kristen (our fabulous fun darling from The Friend Zone) and a quick trip to meet Jason’s parents. Then they are off onto the adventures of a new relationship. Our author kicks in some adorable moments, a crazy ex, more ugly-crying -- then gives us the HEA in a spectacular reunion.

The Happy Ever After Playlist flawlessly weaves a delicate path from grieving to the forever romance for Sloan and Jason. When I finished reading this book – I immediately wanted to re-read it all over again just for the feels! It was a bonus to get in some kid updates with Kristen and Josh as well. This book will be on my “Best of 2020” list for sure.

Also – please don’t forget to read the “Note from the Author” at the end of the book. Abby adds so much personal background to this story – no wonder it’s so beautiful!


Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sharing this ARC in exchange my honest review.

Sloan and Jason get their happy ever after!

Sloan Monroe needs something to get her out of her depression after the death of her fiancé when she finds Tucker when he jumped into her car. Jason Larsen was out of the country and when he finally got her messages about Tucker, she made him prove that he loved Tucker. There was going to be one big problem, Jason never told her that he was Jaxon Waters because even though he was one of her favorite singers because his breakout song never had his picture on the cover.

The Happy Ever After Playlist is very different where the couple gets to know each other without seeing each other in the beginning and loving Tucker is something that starts them slowly falling in love. A few times I wanted to knock some sense into Jason but the author shows why this book has been on my list to read after I read the preview for it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I know people we ticked off with how "The Friend Zone" ended and also how they felt Sloan was used as a plot device. (Was it not obvious this was going to be a series?) But the banter between her and Jason (stage name Jaxon) over her finding his dog was cute. I liked how she didn't really know who he was at first, but also that he didn't realize he knew her indirectly. We all can relate to debilitating grief--of meaningful relationships simply ending, not just someone dying--and some of us can relate to the sacrifice of self one chooses to make a relationship with a high-in-demand person work. (Which I guess Sloan was already partially conditioned to, considering her fiancee was a firefighter.) Is Jason a little too perfect in his own sort of way? The Innocent in the den of wolves that is the Music Industry? Sure, but he's still likeable. When times got tough, though, I like how Sloan pulled herself together and made herself the focus of her life again. I liked that she was an artist struggling to get back to her art.

Kristen's usual blunt self can be a little insensitive here, but her sex positivity is funny as always (as when Sloan fesses to Jason that Kristen said to "climb him like a tree," LOL). I think you can read this by itself without missing too much from the first book.

" You can't control the bad things that happen to you. All you can do is decide how much of you you're going to let them take."
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Okay! I loved this book. Abby Jimenez is my new fave rom-com writer! First of all, I freaking LOVED The Friend Zone and I'm so happy I got to see what happened with Kristen and Josh post TFZ here in THEAP. Secondly, SLOAN! We were so devastated by what happened to her in TFZ that seeing her get her own story was super wonderful! I was worried about her!
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Much like The Friend Zone, The Happy Ever After Playlist has the same wit and charm and endearing qualities that make these books so likable and relatable. There were parts that I was lol'ing and parts that I couldn't turn off the water works. Add in a super cute dog and a guitar-strumming hunk and I.AM.HERE.FOR.IT!
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Ms. Jimenez, you're without a doubt an auto-buy author for me from now on!
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Thank you so much to NetGalley for an ARC and to Libro FM for an ALC! I read/listened to this book and the audio enhanced this experience significantly!

Abby Jimenez does it again.

And what is “it” exactly? Writing a fun, modern romance worthy of 5 stars?

Telling a story full of wit and banter that makes me laugh with every page turn?

Make me UGLY CRY???

Yes, to all three.

After The Friend Zone, I was super excited to get my hands on HEAP because i loved Abby’s writing style and her ability to make me both laugh and cry with such emotional response to her characters and their situations.

I actually love HEAP more than TFZ, for a few reasons, but mostly for the Jason character. As a flirty musician myself, I found him incredibly easy to relate to, even with his celebrity status. Abby writes female and male characters believably and with so much realism.

I’m excited to see what Abby has in store for her next book, as these first two have been home runs.

If you read and loved The Friend Zone, then you will absolutely love this one too! If you haven’t read that one yet, it’s a must...but I will say don’t even read the synopsis for this one if you haven’t yet (potential spoilers for TFZ).

I loved this book even more than The Friend Zone! Sloan is a character I adored and I was so excited to read more of her story. This book lived up to every expectation I had and more!

Abby Jimenez writes such engrossing plots, with characters you fall in love with. The banter between the two main characters was so cute and Jason is THE ultimate book boyfriend...I never thought I’d say this but step aside Josh Copeland...Jason is SO dreamy. (Although the Josh appearances in this book prove he’s still as sweet as ever!!!)
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Thanks to Read Forever Pub for the advanced copy to review!! Getting to read this one early was such a treat! I’ve already got my ore-order in because I need this one for my shelf...It’s out April 14th!

Thank you to NetGalley, Abby Jimenez and Grand Central Publishing for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This is exactly what I needed to get out of my head and away from all the madness that is the world right now! I read this entire book in one sitting because I was addicted to both main characters and their relationship. It’s just so sweet and sad at the same time and it made me feel all the emotions. I felt right along side these characters and wished there was something I could do to make life easier for them. I loved their love story, especially the ending! Definitely recommend!

Out April 14th!

This is the first romance novel I've ever given 5 Stars! I wouldn't have if I hadn't read The Friend Zone first, so definitely do that. I'm fortunate that I read TFZ a couple weeks ago, loved it, and was able to get my hands on an advanced copy of this one right away.

This is a beautiful story about grief and healing. It's a wonderfully done follow up. Most of the time, romance series books are only loosely connected and it can be a bummer when you're hoping for a glimpse of characters from other books you've loved. Here, Sloan gets her own story, but it's directly connected to her thread in the last book, and those characters are still present for her.

While parts of the story and fun and whimsical, as a whole it's realistic and relatable. Sloan's grief has consumed her and nothing will heal her until she is ready. The love interest who just so happens to be a famous rock star might not seem believable at first, but the issues they face in their relationship and they way they show up for each other is portrayed realistically.

This was an emotional, satisfying read. I devoured it in two sittings, I couldn't get enough of the story or the characters, and I was dying to know how it would all come together. The way music is tied in with the story is super cool and gives the reader another level of emotional investment.

I have to say I’m so happy I read this one! I wasn’t the biggest fan of her debut but she definitely redeemed herself with this one! I really liked the hero and heroine and I felt the development of their romance while quick was believable. The slight downside for me was really all of the angst in the last half of the story. I’m not a huge fan of rockstar romances so the portions where they were on the road didn’t always work for me.

Ultimately though I think this was a pretty good romance and I would definitely recommend it!

When I read The Friend Zone earlier this year - I gave it 5 stars and it became one of my favorite reads of the year. I was so beyond excited for The Happy Ever After Playlist - I worried maybe I was going in with my expectations too high. Was I putting too much pressure on this? Would it live up to what I wanted?

Within the first few pages - I knew my worries were totally unfounded and I was once again blown away by how much I loved the writing! The meet cute, the texting/emails/banter - just everything about this read was what I wanted!!!

I won’t say much about the plot because if you haven’t read The Friend Zone yet (go do that right now!!!!!) it would be a little spoilery to say much. But the plot is great and my only regret is that I’m already finished. I also LOVE the way Abby Jiminez writes about friendship - the friendship between Kristen and Sloan is so wonderful throughout both books - it makes me want to pull my friends close.

Thank you to Forever, Netgalley and Librofm for the advance reading and listening copies.

LOVED IT. Yes, you need to read THE FRIEND ZONE first, and why wouldn't you WANT TO since it's so freaking amazing??? RIGHT? I read this entire book in one day, and except for about 10 pages that made me want to throw it out the window because OMG THE DRAMA I COULDN'T HANDLE THE INTENSITY, I adored this story, the romance, the dog - all of it.

This was a cute story. It didn't really stand out, but overall I enjoyed it. I would for sure recommend it for the collection and for readers of Christina Lauren.

This is really not my type of book. But I really loved it! It is such a cute book and you really fall in love with the characters.

Content warning: depiction of grief, drug abuse

I read an eARC of The Friend Zone in May 2019 and pre-ordered immediately after, but I haven’t opened that copy at all. I feel like I read The Friend Zone at exactly the right time for me and if I reread it, it just wouldn’t be as great as it was then so I think I was a lot more hesitant than other ARC readers at this point (5 months before publication)

I bawled reading the last line of my Friend Zone ARC that told me to expect Sloan’s story in 2020. I am so heartbroken for her and what she has had to endure and this book ripped my heart open all over again.

If you have not read the blurb by now, DON’T! I think it’s much better to go in blind. I read it a few chapters in and sort of wish I hadn’t. Just know that this Sloan’s journey to her HEA.

The most amazing thing about Abby’s writing and this book is the way in which it really got under my skin. I read by listening to the corresponding song before each chapter and that break between every chapter really forced me to sit with my emotions. And who else can make you cry with a smile on your face? While none of the plot points are my favorite, I won’t sit here telling you how I wish it would’ve gone. The true magic is in the way that Abby can affect your emotions and create a story that sticks with you. I’ve read over 100 books between The Friend Zone and now and I can still picture it vividly, when I’m sure there’s at least 75 books I can’t even tell you the author of.

While I wasn’t repeating the banter to those around me like with TFZ, I have a whole collections of quotes on my phone. Some favorites below:

"I was a ghost wandering the rooms of a museum of the person I used to be, and Jason was like one of the living who could somehow see me and decided to wander the place with me."


"They called me a mystery woman," I said, smiling against his lips. "I've always wanted to be mysterious."

He chuckled. "I've always wanted two women. This is working out for both of us."


"I figured you might need to hit something with a bat today so I made a pinata full of mini alcohol bottles and Starbucks gift cards. I could be there in half an hour."


"Kristen. She was always sending me something crazy. Last week she'd mailed me a crocheted tissue holder that looked like a vagina. She was so weird."


"You think you know what love looks like. You think the fairy tales and the romantic movies prepare you. And then you finally, really truly find it and you realize you never knew a thing about it until her. ... She was every love song I've never been good enough to write."


So thank you Abby Jimenez, Forever, and Kristyn for this experience.

If you loved the friend zone, you’ll love this book. If you didn’t love the friend zone, I still think you’ll love this book (there’s still a little bit of insta-love/unicorn, but maybe skip the epilogue? It’s a bit over the top.)

Overall, 4.5 Stars. The epilogue was just a little over the top for my personal preferences, but I know I'm in the minority.

I cried.

The Happy Ever After Playlist features Sloan, who's grieving her fiancé; Jason, who's about to become an international music star; and Tucker, the dog. I really liked that their romance began over text/long phone calls, and that Jason seemed to be respectful of what Sloan was going through (unlike Kristen, her best friend, who seems to be in a rush for her to "get over" her grief. Listen, you can fall in love with a new man - and still love the one you lost too soon. It's also OK to go two years without dating, especially after suffering a giant loss).

One of the best things about Jimenez's writing (I think) is that she makes things feel fully realistic - not every best friend is going to handle their friend's grief well (much as it frustrates me). I can hear people engaging in the dialogue she writes, and can easily picture the scenes she crafts. I also like the little bits of sarcasm and humor she works in. And, because it's relevant to both The Friend Zone and THEAP: I love dogs.

Back to the romance: Just as in TFZ, THEAP showcases a trope that I reeeeeally don't appreciate. The kind that makes me want to throw the book across the room. But! Unlike TFZ, this one still got me. I still rooted for this couple. I still cried at the resolution.

I liked that author's note for its discussion on grief, but I do sort of wish Jimenez had worked therapy into the plot itself. I know not everyone who loses someone special "needs" therapy, but I do think it can help (especially if one has complicated grief). Yes, new habits can help...but sometimes that's just not enough.

Criticisms and one of my least favorite tropes aside, I enjoyed this one. And I just KNOW Jimenez's next book is going to feature tropes I love instead. It just has to.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title to review, as well as Hachette Audio and libro.fm for an ALC.

I had not enjoyed a book like The Happy Ever After Playlist in a LONG TIME.

In fact, I don't think I'ver read anything like it. I don't recall that butterfly-eye twitch-sad melancholy- excitement and sheer happy feeling I felt reading this story, with ANY book before. It's so weird. I read this in literally 9 hours. Two days of 4.5 hours actually READING this. Not audiobook-ing it, actually reading it. And I LOVED it sooo much I am literally speechless.

TBH, I didn't read The Friend Zone, cause it kinda had a trigger topic I just preferred not to dig too deep in, but I knew the blurb, read a few good reviews and had some knowledge of Sloan and her ordeal (cause it WAS an ordeal) BUT, Jason was that balm of fresh air one only HOPES to find in life after such a devastating loss, and after getting to know him better, I was completely rendered speechless. He was EVERYTHING. I can't even put his kind of sweet and gentleman ways in words cause I would not be able to do him justice.

This book will make you laugh, cry, ugly'cry, swoon, lose sleep, remember why pets are so important in our life and most importantly, how one should always believe you can live and love again after any type of circumstance.

Fun read. Loved the characters as well as the famous pop star element. Definitely a great follow up to book 1, although they don’t need to be read in order which is nice!

This was my most anticipated read of the year and it did not disappoint. I love how Abby writes with such realism. I felt as if I was right there involved in the story. I don’t want to say much more without spoilers but highly recommend.

It's been two years since Sloan's finance Brandon died in a motorcycle accident. Since that day, Sloan has been a shell of her former self. She can't paint or cook, things she used to love. She's not really living her life. But when a furry godsend named Tucker jumps through her sunroof, her life begins to change. She can't reach the dog's owner, so she takes him to the vet and on long walks. Finally, Jason calls. He's been on an extended work trip and wants his dog back. The two strike up a conversation and can't seem to stop talking. Lots of adorable flirting over text and phone calls ensue. After two weeks, they both realize this could be something amazing and real, but the timing. . .Jason's career is taking off, and Sloan finally wants to get back into painting. Does this unexpected romance fit into their life plans or will it derail everything they've both worked so hard for? What happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time?

I've quickly become a fan of Abby Jimenez. Her first novel was pretty heavy, this one less so.
I loved the banter between Sloan and Jason. That was definitely on point. I did question how realistic the characters' decisions were at times, but I suppose most books call for some suspension of belief. The time jumps also gave me a bit of whiplash. Overall though, I really enjoyed it and couldn't stop reading. It even had Pure Country vibes at the end, so it's definitely worth a read.

Abby Jimenez stole my love in The Friend Zone, and she did it again in this one. The tough subject of grief is so well played here, and the showcase of the journey it is to feel and love again. I love Sloan's story. It was a very fun and witty read. The sparks come out of the page it's so sexy and I loved that. Jason is a great romantic opposite and it makes the book even more fun to really feel the heat between both characters. This was such a fun read and I love the trajectory is has play out.