I really adored Abby Jimenez's first book in this series until the end of it. I felt like the ending cheapened the journey Kristin went on. The Happy Ever After Playlist knocked it out of the park though.

I loved watching Sloan go on a journey to love herself again and allow herself to be happy. Grief is such a messy and personal thing and I think everyone can relate to Sloan's journey. Jason was one hunky and perfect love interest and I would've fallen for him in a matter of seconds.

I loved that we watched a musician rocket to fame and all the very real consequences that came with it. Communication seemed to be Sloan and Jason's biggest problem and that's a very real problem almost all couples go through at one point.

I loved that we got to see Kristin and Josh along with a ton of swoon-worthy moments between Jason and Sloan. You're going to want this one when it comes out, especially if you loved Erin Hahn's You'd Be Mine.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Wow. Where to even start with this book? I read The Friend Zone earlier this year and I absolutely adored it so I could not wait to get my hands on this one. Author Abby Jimenez has the uncanny ability to submerge me completely in the story at the start of her books and I'm lucky if I know what day it is by the time I've finished. This book had everything a great rom-com should include -- an epic meet-cute (like, I don't think anything will top this one for me), banter that will, at the same time, have you laughing until you're crying but also blushing because DANG, THAT WAS HOT; a best friend whose love and support is both unwavering but also kind of bonkers (in the best way); and last, but most certainly not least, a dog. You really can't go wrong with any of that.

This book can work as a stand-alone, for sure, but, for me, having read The Friend Zone, it felt much easier to get completely swept up in this one, letting a book devour me for once, and, since I was already familiar with Sloan and her devastating past, I was attached to her from the get-go and it was impossible for me not to fall in love with her and to root for her the entire time. And, really, is there anything better than that?

The Friend Zone was one of my favorite books of 2019, The Happy Ever After Playlist will definitely be one of my favorites of 2020 when I read it again upon it's released on April 14th, and Abby Jimenez has become one of my favorite authors, hands down. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this book, to The Friend Zone, and to anything Abby might gift us in the future. You won't regret it.

ARC provided by Netgalley. Wow! I really loved The Friend Zone but this one just blew me away! Sloan and Jason were amazing, they had me in tears. This book is definitely a roller coaster. Sloan is grieving the loss of her fiancé, it’s been two years and she is still struggling. Jason is a rock star, he’s in Australia when he discovers his dog sitter lost his dog and Sloan is now taking care of the pup. The first part of the book is them texting and talking on the phone. Jason falls hard for Sloan before he even sees her face but Sloan is wary. He comes home and it’s love at first sight. The middle drags a little as they get to know each other and then the final third of the book is an emotional wrecking ball but the end is so satisfying.

The Happy Ever After Playlist

Alrighty guys. I’m gonna be honest here. I was reallllly scared to read this book. I absolutely LOVED The Friend Zone. It was easily my favorite book of 2019 from start to finish. So when I finally got my hands on HEAP I was super hesitant to start it because I was scared it wouldn’t be as good as TFZ but let me tell you @authorabbyjimenez does it again 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
How many times can this woman make me laugh and cry at the same time????
Abby does an amazing job at character development, she dives deep into each character making them easy to understand and making you wish that you were friends with them in real life. Even the ‘villains’ of the story are likable!!

Kristin is easily one of my favorite fictional characters, she is down right hysterical and I love how this book really included her and kept her as such a heavy part of the story line. I also loveddd the ending of this book for her and her family 💙💙

From TFZ I was heavily invested in Brandon and Sloans relationship so I knew my mind was going to take a turn when we learned about her life after his death. I love the way that the author showed real life struggles, both physically and mentally, when you loose someone’s so unexpectedly and how she showed Sloans struggles and triumphs as she navigated her new life.

And Jason... my god. Can I meet him in real life??? WHAT A HUNK!! I loved the way the author made him his own character while having him so connected to Sloan. The kind of love he has for her is one of fairy tails (ya know without the rockstar lifestyle) and it gave me all the feels.

Anddddd once again Abby gives us a book with a freaking adorable dog and now I can’t stop sending my boyfriend pictures of puppies up for adoption.

I can’t wait to read this again once it officially comes out in April 2020! Anddd I’m thinking movie adaptation???

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fans of The Friend Zone will be absolutely delighted by Jimenez's second novel, focusing on fan-favorite Sloan, who's still recovering after the death of her fiance two years prior. When a spunky dog and a new chance at love literally leap into her life, Sloan has to find the courage to open up her heart again. Falling for the adorable dog is easy...but falling for his owner, up-and-coming music superstar Jason may be a little harder. The Happily Ever After Playlist has all the bubbly moments of a meet-cute but with the added depth of long-term grief in a way that will really resonate with readers.

I adored this book. I liked it even more than her previous, Friend Zone. This novel continues the story of Sloan, widowed in the first book.
Her grief and re-entry into the world is compelling and moving and all the characters feel like real people

Okay, if you're like me and you've read The Friend Zone, you made it to the end and thought, "there damn well better be a Sloan book coming next!" There may have also been some tears and further emphatic demands made toward the universe but that basically sums it up. Well cheers to all because The Happy Ever After Playlist does not disappoint! And while you can absolutely read this one without reading Abby Jimenez's first book, I still highly recommend reading The Friend Zone first. It will make this one so much richer for you.

On to Sloan and Jason and the best meet-cute I've read in a long while. Any time you add a dog to the mix, I'm on board. And luckily Tucker is adorable and the best wingman a guy and girl could ask for. I also loved the way that our leads got to know each other in this one and build their flirty friendship turned romance. Jason's moves were that perfectly balanced but determined "I'm interested" but without being too pushy or creepy.

As for Sloan, I loved how she was still struggling with her past and the emotional hurdles she to work over. But at the same time, the author didn't drag it on and on. She gave us some solid moments in the first 1/3 of the book and then let it evolve. You really got to grasp and fall in love with Sloan and Jason (insert a cute couples name here). And I loved how much more we got to learn about Sloan and her life.

So that's basically the foundation of this book. What then takes place, the new trials and tribulations, the cute and the funny, and basically all of Jason, was so enjoyable to read. I won't spoil any of that. It was a wonderful follow up and practically everything I didn't even imagine I wanted when I knew I wanted this book. Loved it.

* I received a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez takes place around two years after the events in The Friend Zone. Sloan is a shell of herself, trying to figure out how to move on after her fiance Brandon was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. The last thing she needs is more stress but the universe doesn't seem to be listening when she's sitting at an intersection and a dog comes leaping through her sunroof and onto her lap. She does everything she can to find the owner but upon hearing nothing in response, she decides to keep Tucker as part of her new life.

Jason is a touring musician and he's livid to learn that his dog has been out roaming the streets of L.A. and not safely taken care of by the woman he left her with. He finally gets in contact with Sloan and the two enter a back and forth over whether or not Sloan will allow him HER new dog back. Slowly Jason starts to penetrate her walls and Sloan reluctantly agrees that when he comes back they can co-chaperone Tucker on an outing and she'll decide whether or not he's worthy.

Jason returns to LA and it's instant chemistry when him and Sloan finally interact. He scares Sloan and she isn't sure she should be feeling such strong emotions for someone in the wake of Brandon's absence. Slowly but surely Jason continues to wiggle his way into her head and her heart and Sloan starts to come into her own and find herself again. Then Sloan discovers a secret about Jason and learns this blossoming new relationship may have an expiration date before it ever really gets started...

OH MY GOD. I loved this one. I loved it even more than TFZ I think. I was laughing my ass off at the banter between these two. Jason was so sweet and understanding and used his wit and charm to continue flustering her and sneak under her defenses. It was so realistic and emotional. There's the exploration of timing and the fact that even once you find your person sometimes timing and life has a way of throwing road blocks into your plan. How you have to be comfortable being happy with yourself so you don't lose yourself in someone else. One of my favorite contemporaries I've read in awhile, and filled with hilarious cameos from everyone's favs Kristen and Josh. You HAVE to preorder this one so you have it when it comes out April 2020!! // ☕☕☕☕☕

Thanks to Forever Pub and NetGalley for the e-copy to review! All opinions are my own!