2 stars

I think it's time for me to accept that Abby Jimenez's books just aren't for me. I want to love them as much as everyone else seems to, but I just can't. I wanted to like this book so much that I actually pre-ordered a hard copy of the book (which I NEVER do, to my shame) and waited to start it until I received it in the mail a whole two days after its release, despite also owning the ebook (and an early-release preview).

The summary led me to believe that the book had the makings to fulfill a few of my guilty pleasure romcom book kinks:
An original (if somewhat unrealistic) meet cute ✅
An antagonistic relationship at the start ✅
The antagonism slowing turning to friendship and then to something more ✅
A heartthrob celebrity falling for the girl next door ✅

Unfortunately, it failed to deliver on these promises, at least for me. The meet cute was satisfying enough, but the "antagonism" (if you can even call it that) lasted approximately two pages, and by page 50 Sloan and Jason were already desperately and hopelessly in love. No slow-burn romance here. Insta-love only. And I'm just not that into you, insta-love.

It's the same reason I DNF'd The Friend Zone not even half way through it. Except this time around, I decided to suck it up and just finish the book, hoping that it would get better. No such luck; I wish I had DNF'd this one, too. I ended up disliking the book more the more of it I read. After Sloan and Jason inevitably got together--I don't even consider this a spoiler since it happens practically in the beginning--the rest of the book was just 200 or so pages of dumb drama and easily surmountable "obstacles" (I use this word generously) that felt like fluffy filler.

Needless to say, I'm returning the book. I definitely won't be rereading it, and I'm too short on bookshelf space to keep a book I didn't enjoy, no matter how eye-catching its cover is.

I received an extended preview of The Happy Ever After Playlist from NetGalley and the best review I can give for that preview is that, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, I put on a mask, left my house, and went on the hunt for this book during an "essentials run" at Target because I HAD TO KNOW what happened next!

Sloan Monroe is in a slump. Actually, "a slump" is a bit unfair because I, too, would be a wreck two years after my fiance died in an accident. But on the second anniversary of her love's passing, a dog, I kid you not, jumps into the sunroof of her car on the way to her fiance's gravesite. Her new pet, Tucker, brings Sloan out of her grief and into the world of the living...until Tucker's owner responds to the weeks of unanswered texts and voicemails Sloan left and he wants his dog back.

Understandably, Sloan isn't going to give up Tucker without protest. Tucker's other owner, Jason, is a musician on tour in Australia. As Sloan and Jason exchange flirty texts and calls, they bond over their love of Tucker. But what is going to happen when Jason gets back in town? Can Jason really be there for Sloan (or Tucker) when his music career is on the rise? Can Sloan open up her heart to another man, risking another heartbreak?

Look, I'm a sucker for a book about a dog. And owners who love them. And second-chances at love. And a little rivals-to-lovers. Honestly, this book was made for me and I can thoroughly give it a full 5 stars...and I haven't even finished it yet.

I was immediately drawn to Sloan, the main character who can only laugh as her bad day becomes unbelievable as a stray dog jumps in her sunroof as she avoids hitting it along the road. Sloan is grieving her dead fiancé and luck has it the owner of the dog is out of the country and they strike up an interesting, flirty game of cat and mouse.
I keep finding myself giggling and connecting with these two as I’m listening to their quick and witty flirty banter!
I cannot believe the book stopped at chapter 7, I am buying the book now as I have so many question and predictions as to what happens next.

I was obsessed with the Friend Zone, so getting this advanced copy of the first 7 chapters was a dream!

I cried in the Friend Zone when Brandon died and Sloan was left all alone. That was a twist I didn’t see coming! So I was ecstatic when Abby Jimenez announced she was making a Sloan centric book. In the first 7 chapters, I was hooked on wanting to know how Jason and Sloan’s love story would play out. I love the meet cute with his dog and their relationship blossoming over the phone. The relationship seemed very authentic and I loved the addition of songs to each chapter. I ended up getting the full book before I could write this review and the ending was so satisfying. I was sad to say bye to Sloan and Jason, but they got the ending they deserved.

I really enjoyed reading this preview and I am going to go and get this book but since it was not the full book I was not able to right a full review on this book

I've heard great things about this book, and after reading this preview I can tell it's all true. The story starts out with Sloane still grieving over the loss of her fiance. A dog literally jumps into her life and teaches her how to live again. I am rooting for Sloane and Jason, and cannot wait to get my hands on the full book.

Loved this preview! The banter was on point and I cannot wait to read the rest of Sloans story!

Jason had me pulled in from the beginning and I was rooting for him the whole time! I could feel Sloan's heartache and pain, as she is navigating how to continue on without her lover and friend.

I look forward to more from Abby!

Yet another story starting off with a dog by Abby Jimenez and I am HOOKED! Tucker is a GOOD BOY and I can't wait to see the rest of his adventures with Sloan. I'm sure this book is going to devastate me but I am so ready for it!

I am really looking forward to reading more book. Thank you for this preview! I'm ready to dive in and find out more. This is a perfect beach read, staycation and one to share with book BFF's.

I absolutely adored The Happy Ever After Playlist! The first few chapters had me hooked and I completely fell in love with Sloan and Jason. This was my first intro to Abby Jimenez and I cannot wait to read more.

I love that the chapter titles are actual songs - there’s even a playlist created by the author that you can follow along with as you read!

This story is absolutely amazing! I loved Sloan and Jason! I can’t wait to read the rest of the story ( as I received an extended preview from
netgalley) and absolutely loved it! It is an adorable rom com and right up my alley and I mean come on, what girl can resist a rock star romance! I am so excited to read the rest of this story!

I was only able to read a small amount of this book as its just a preview, but I will definitely be buying it to finish! I can’t wait to purchase it!

I can already tell this is going to be amazing. Abby has the ability to write as though she’s written many before this and The Friend Zone. I can’t wait to read the rest of the book, I’m already in love with Sloan, Tucker and Jason!

After reading her first book, this was a must-read for me. I am a fan of Abby Jimenez. This book had it all. Fan of music and books. This always opens me up to finding new things to listen to and they become more enjoyable for me as a reader.

I think I’m in love. No, really.

When I first read The Friend Zone last year, I immediately fell in love with Sloan and Brandon. But then the unthinkable happened and my heart was absolutely torn apart for Sloan, and I remember wishing above anything else that she ended up getting a happily ever after. While I love Kristen and Josh, I couldn’t help but love Sloan just a little bit more, and after reading the first six chapters of her story, I think I was right to.

I love getting to know Sloan a bit more in this book - she’s definitely not anything like other main characters I’ve read about and watching her go through her stages of grief has been especially difficult. I love reading about her strength, persistence and determination through the initial few chapters and already love that she’s slowly beginning to open up to Jason.

Speaking of Jason - I’m definitely curious about him. I can’t say we discover much about him from the preview alone but I can tell he’s going to give Josh a run for his money already. Oh, and Tucker! I’m already sold, honestly.

All in all, a great first impression. Can’t wait for the rest of it!

Sadly it was only a preview, but so far - adorable! I was drawn into this story very quickly. And even better is to see how both of them interact, what they think, and how this story unfolds. It might be going so far quite fast, but I cannot wait to possible read the whole book!

I'm in love with this book and I only got a taste of it with the Extended Preview! I really enjoyed the Friend Zone, so I was excited to see what was next for Sloan after the heartbreak of losing Brandon. And I could tell by Chapter 2, I was not going to be disappointed. I can't wait to get my hands on the full book now! If you like a book that makes you cheesily grin along as your are reading it, then this one is for you!

Such a cute rom com. I really enjoyed those story so much I plan on buying the book. This brief read really got hooked.

I absolutely loved this book. It was just what I needed during this time. I have had such a hard time reading when I get home from a shift at the hospital. I’ve been needing something to suck me in and nothing was working. I loved Abby Jimenez’ first book, The Friend Zone, and had been (im)patiently waiting for this one. It did not disappoint. I want more from these characters. I love that the couples in Abby’s books are flawed in the best ways. They’re so much more lovable than the “perfect” romance couple in other books.

This extended preview was not enough. You had me at the moment the dog jumped through the sunroof of the car. No, he's my dog now...

Love it love it love it