After reading The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez I was over the moon to see the next in the series. I only read the extended preview (stay tuned for an updated review once I get my hands on the full copy) but after a couple of chapters, I was already completely invested in the characters and the story-line. The author has such an amazing way of dealing with tough life situations that don't make light of them, but still manage to inject humor into them.

It warmed my heard to read about how Sloane was able to start finding her way back to herself after the death of her fiance and how a high-energy pup named Tucker was able to get her out of the house and thinking about people (and dogs) other than herself for the first time in two years. I can't wait to read the rest, I am already SO hooked!

Absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of this book! Perfect combination of slow burn romance and humour while balancing the deep emotions of losing a loved one. Abby Jiminez is a RomCom queen and I’m counting down the days until I can get my hands on a copy of this one.

5/5

I absolutely loved this excerpt. The chemistry between Sloan and Jason and even Sloan and his dog Tucker made me never want to put this story down! I loved the meet cute between Sloan and Tucker and it had me rolling in laughter. Absolutely cannot wait to read this story again!

Can't wait to read the rest of this book!! I loved the first in the series and this little preview made me so excited for the whole thing.

Obviously I’m not really good at learning my lesson; as I mentioned in my review for the teaser chapters of Abby’s first novel “The Friend Zone”, I hate reading previews because then I’m stuck waiting for the whole novel to come out. (2 more months, ugh!) If this was anybody else I probably would follow my own advice, but I can’t with Abby. I think I can safely go out on a limb and say she is not only the absolutely the funniest romance author I’ve ever read, but pretty much the funniest person on social media too! (Ex-Lax, anyone??) So yeah, since I didn’t get approved for the full ARC of HEAP, as soon as the teaser chapters (1-6) went up I jumped at the chance to read them.

Let me start off with there is no sophmore slump here, or maybe I should say TFZ wasn’t a sophmore slump since HEAP was actually written first. Whichever way you want to think of it, they are both equally excellent and I can guarantee based on the strength of the 6 chapters that everyone is going to LOVE this book! While Kristen, Josh and Stuntman Mike will always have a place in my heart as my Abby firsts there is definitely going to be room for Sloan, Jason and Tucker! While admittedly I don’t have enough of a read of how Jason’s complete character is going to be written, he HAS to be good enough for Sloan. After what happened to her in TFZ I will not accept anything less than a worthy successor to Brandon. (Sob!!)

I’m going to hold off saying anything more until I have a chance to read the full story, and I will post an updated review at that time. If there is anyone who has not read TFZ yet, you absolutely 100% have to read it first to get the full experience. These are definitely not stand-alone reads and as a warning, make sure you have LOTS of tissues on hand! (First hand knowledge true for TFZ, and I’ve heard the second is the same. Oh god, hopefully not the same…equal!)

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for making the teaser chapters Read Now on Netgalley!

Abby Jimenez is one of my favorite authors hands down! When I finished reading this book, I had to decide whether I loved The Friend Zone better than HEAP, and I think that Abby just keeps getting better and better. Both these books are my top reads for 2019 and now for 2020.
It has been two years since Brandon, Sloan’s fiancée dies of a tragic motorcycle accident from a drunk driver, and Sloan is still grieving the loss. Sloan has had no desire to do much of anything anymore and have lost her passion and have let her talents go to the wayside including taking care of herself. In an interesting turn of events, she runs into a dog named Tucker and ends up getting to know the owner, Jason.

Jason ends up being half way across the world and in the meantime, Sloan ends up taking care of Tucker and that is when their friendship developed through text messages first then phone calls. The way they met and how their friendship developed was absolutely brilliant. The progression was as natural as it can get and that is where Abby’s brilliance comes in - nothing cringy and everything heart fluttering and swoon worthy.

The second part of the story line is when Sloan discovers that Jason is a rising musician who just signed an incredible record and tour around the world. There will be plenty of romantic moments and equally as much of a challenging situation for a new couple navigating the recently found fame and popularity that will test their relationship and trust with each other.

Each chapter of the book lists a song that sets the mood for that chapter. I found myself listening to the songs first before. This book had me in all of my emotions. It tugged my heart strings, I shed a few tears, and most of all I was left with the satisfaction of the couple I was rooting for from the very beginning.

I highly recommend this book and give it all the marvelous stars and more.

I had the pleasure of reading Abby Jimenez' first book, "The Friend Zone" and thoroughly enjoyed it. While it isn't imperative that you read that book first, I would highly recommend having the context for the characters and the events that occur prior to the opening of "The Happy Ever After Playlist". I have been eagerly awaiting this book which follows up with a secondary character, Sloan, from "The Friend Zone", and this extended preview did not disappoint. I feel there are two main goals with an extended preview, and the author definitely accomplished both -- first, to set the characters, context, and premise of the book; and second, to entice the reader to want to read more. After completing this read, I am definitely excited to continue the story. Jimenez, in just the first four chapters, has done a great job of portraying Sloan's emotional journey since the last book and yet created a believable premise for Sloan wanting to move forward with her life. The hero, Jason, doesn't even appear until the third chapter but the reader is already intrigued about who he is and what his story is. I loved the witty banter between Sloan and Jason and their chemistry is immediately apparent from their first conversation. I can't wait to read the rest of the story. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this extended preview.

I just read an extended preview for this book from Netgalley and it was totally fabulous.
Sloan was really the main reason that I felt so sad after finishing "The Friend Zone" so knowing that she is now getting her own book and also assuming that "lightning won't strike twice" for her (at least romantically) I am extremely jazzed for this new book.

The first six chapters I would rate as 5 stars so hopefully the rest of the book will continue to follow through equally as wonderful.
Honestly, I was beyond bummed when the story ended....and I realized that I was going to have to wait for the rest of it.

This is a 6 chapter sneak peek of the upcoming book. However I only needed the first chapter to be hooked on this one. After reading the Friend Zone last year, I knew this book would be just as amazing. While it is a different main character in this book, I highly recommend starting the other one first because some important events are a theme in this book.

Honestly I don't want to share any of the plot because it feels like spoiling it. But it was adorably cute and had smiling though the short preview.

The only negative thing is that the ebook wants formatted correctly, but I chalk that up to it just being a short clip of this book.

READ THIS BOOK! Sadly it is still two months from being released but it gives you time to preorder it.

This is exactly the follow up I needed to The Friend Zone. Abby Jimenez is doing it again with this book! Love a story that starts off with an adorable dog as a Meet Cute. Even across the world from each other and over text message, you can tell the chemistry is between Sloan and Jason is going to be amazing. Sloan is a character that you just want to see happy and content! Can't wait for more of these two! I;m giving the early 5 star prediction!!

When I saw an extended preview for The Happy Ever After Playlist was available, I knew I HAD to read it. Not only did I finish the preview in one sitting, but now I cannot wait to read the rest of the story. I devoured The Friend Zone, also by Abby Jimenez, this past summer in a similar fashion. Knowing I could visit with Sloan, Kristen, and Josh again in Jimenez's new story was nothing short of exciting.

First of all, the story bounces between two different perspectives - Sloan's, and Jason's. I love comparing how characters can create much different context from shared experiences - it definitely adds a layer of interest to the story. I also appreciate the way Jimenez balances her Rom-com genre books with realistic topics and The Happy Ever After Playlist appears to be no exception. Although we are immediately introduced to an interesting "meet cute" (although the meeting has yet to actually happen), we also know Sloan is still recovering from a pretty traumatic experience. Will Sloan be able to work through her feelings and move forward in her life? Will Jason be a serious romantic interest, or a way for Sloan to realize life can go on for her? I have so many questions and can't wait to have the answers!

I am ready for the rest of Sloan's story! This preview sets the stage for what promises to be a fast-paced, emotional, witty, funny, lovely story. Sloan's fiancé died two years ago, and Sloan has been grieving. In fact, she's on her way to the cemetery when she, instead, ends up rescuing a lost dog. This dog leads her to the dog's owner, Jason, who is on an extended trip. Jason wants his dog back; Sloan's not so sure she wants to give the dog back... Sparks definitely fly as they get to know each there. A bonus of this book is that we get to see how Kristen and Josh are doing (from The Friend Zone). Can't wait to read the rest!

I just finished reading the extended preview provided by Forever Publishing via NetGalley and all I can say is... OMG!! Is it April yet?

I loved this excerpt, though, it was such a tease because I so badly want to read the rest of the book. I enjoyed how they were slowly building on H/h relationship especially with Sloane's past.

Oh these few chapters just made me absolutely on edge to get my hands on this book. Thankfully I have it preordered to arrive on pub day. I think it will surpass The Friend Zone by leaps and bounds.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED the preview of 'The Happy Ever After Playlist' and was so sad when I realized I would have to wait until April to read the rest of the book! The chemistry between Sloan and Jason was incredible, especially since their interactions so far had only been through the phone - and I know it's only going to get hotter when they finally meet. I like how Jason was an up-and-coming musician, it was a great surprise that the story, and the budding romance between him and Sloan, feel more real. Sloan seems to be a loveable, caring person of many talents (a formerly famous artist AND food blogger?! What a dream), and I could already feel my heart hurting for her and the tragedy she went through. She's definitely a heroine I instantly felt endeared to.

As a whole, 'The Happy Ever After Playlist' preview was amazing and I am super excited to see how the rest of the story unfolds once it's published. I have a feeling it's going to be the perfect rom-com book filled that ticks all the boxes (meet cute, a gorgeous couple, and a dog - check, check, check).

I knew when I made the decision to read the initial chapters available in this preview that I might just be torturing myself.... and it turns out I was right. April 14th is still way too far away!! I already love the interaction with the characters in this book and can't wait to see how the story unfolds. Although I definitely wasn't happy about the circumstances in The Friend Zone that led to Sloane's current mental state, I understand that it was necessary to provide the back story leading into HEAP. I'm excited to see how the story continues to unfold and how Sloane begins to break out of her heartbreak and despair.

This preview did exactly what I knew it would, make me long for the book in its entirety! Even though this was just a preview, an excellent job is done setting the stage for the characters and giving us a glimpse on what's to come. I cannot wait until April so I can settle in and get back on the emotional rollercoaster that is this series!

Thank you to @netgalley and @grandcentralpub imprint Forever for sharing an ARC with me. All opinions are my own!
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My Thoughts: Now I can't give a full review as this copy that was shared was just an extended preview which was only about 6 chapters long. They were a wonderful 6 chapters though. I look forward to reading the rest of Sloan and Jason's story! I never grew up with animals so when this story began, I thought it was going to be one of those all about the dog stories, but it's not. Yes, Tucker is the sweetest, a super energetic pup that brings Sloan back to life. Yes the story will revolve around him a lot, I'm sure, but it's much more than that. One of my favorite parts of a story is the comical sarcastic banter between characters that certain authors do so well! Abby has that for me. Sloan and Jason begin to exchange the flirtiest texts, which turns into a game of Truth or Picture. Something tells me this will be a definite 4 🌟. I can't offer more than that at this time since I only had access to part of the story, but I loved the part I did get to read. I look forward to finishing this story as soon as I can get my hands on a full copy!

I LOVED the Friend Zone and am regretting reading this preview of the Happily Ever After Playlist because now I need this book ASAP. April is way too far away. I felt so bad for Sloane in the Friend Zone and am excited to see her get her happily ever after. This preview did a great job catching us up with Sloane and Kristen while introducing us to Jason and Tucker. This is a smart and witty romance that I can’t wait to delve into.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance excerpt in exchange for an honest review.