Abby Jimenez has done it once again! I could not put this book down! I laughed, I cried... maybe cried some more afterwards... Gosh she just knows how to write an AMAZING book!

oh my heart!!!!! All these feelings!! ❤️♥️ ❤️

I finished this 2 days ago and I am still thinking about this book. It started absolutely hilarious, and it sucked me in almost immediately.
Most of the time, I'm not going to lie, I felt overwhelmed by a sense of desperation as Xavier and Samantha faced struggle after struggle to be together. At one point I was doubting how the book was going to end and that made me sadder! They're relationship had so many beautiful and pure moments that I couldn't bear not having an HEA.

<i>" Because life wouldn't be worth living if I didn't remember you."<i>

We get to know Samantha's family very closely and I felt such a connection to all the side characters like her siblings. Her grandma was hilarious!! Abby did an amazing job at making them so relatable and so real. Her family dealing with her mother's illness and the struggles we see them go through was also heartbreaking but there is so much healing that happens in this story. I loved it!

Although there were a few things that caught me off guard in various ways, overall, this is definitely going to be one of my top reads!
There is something pretty nostalgic about the sibling humor, the sibling relationships, the fragrances described, the music, the CAR hello!! It was all great.

Tropes:

🐈 Opposites Attract
❤️ Forced Distance
🐈 Found Family
❤️ Cinnamon Roll MMC (compared to Rhysand)
🐈 Slow Burn
❤️ Family Drama
🐈 Loss & Hardship
❤️ HARD Fought HEA


"The Sriracha and queso guys have it easy. Team Mustard's in the trenches- I'm fighting for my life daily."

"Maybe that's the last thing we forget. Or we never forget it at all. Not really. We lose the words to say it. We lose the ability to show it. But we never lose the ability to feel it or recognize it when we see it. Love is the brightest color in a gray world."


Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC.

overall 3.5⭐️

pub day: 4/1

“i’d like to look back on my life and remember every single thing. but if i don’t, i hope i remember that it was a love story. and that the love story was about you.”

i’m fresh off of my read through, sitting deeply with my feelings and a small pile of crumpled up tissues. cuddling with my cat makes me feel marginally better, but abby once again proves that she knows how to tug at your heartstrings.

while we usually pick up romance novels for the romance, i think what i’m most drawn to in this story is the reality of the familial hardships the fmc faces. it’s raw, it’s real, it’s heartbreaking and it’s depressing. it hits close to home in some aspects and therefore it automatically makes it more relatable and more emotional for me as a reader.

now the romance? abby knows how to write an irresistible mmc and xavier is just that. he’s considerate and devoted and understanding and an all around perfect man willing to do whatever it takes to be with his girl. samantha was…not as perfect. i liked her for the most part and i respected her for difficult decisions she had to make, but there were moments when her kindness fell short and that was disappointing. together i do think they were a lovely couple, but i wanted more time to see their relationship develop and while their struggles were something i empathized with, after a while it did start to feel repetitive.

additionally, there were some plot points that felt underdeveloped and contributed to what is already an emotionally complex story which i don’t think did the book any real service. i wish this time had instead been spent further developing the mc’s relationship.

overall i think the star of this book is the emphasis it places on love and its importance in our lives. whether it be a partner, your friends or family, it’s a reminder that we all need to surround ourselves with people who make life worth living and living well.

“love is the brightest color in a gray world”

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review ✨

Abby Jimenez does it again. This book captured my attention from start to finish. I ate it up and left no crumbs.
I know a lot of people say this is insta-love which is one of my least favorite tropes, but I honestly did not notice. If this is how insta-love was done every time, I would read every book.
This book gave us humor, emotions, growing, learning, yearning, different family dynamics, friendships and the best long distance romance you will ever read.
Abby's books are always so well rounded, so well written, and so easy to binge. They take you on a journey and you have the best time.

3.75 Rating

Abby has always been an auto-buy author for me—I’ve loved all her previous books, and this one was no exception in terms of emotional depth. It hit me especially hard for personal reasons, and I found myself deeply connected to the characters, particularly the mother. Experiencing such a devastating diagnosis at a young age was heartbreaking to read and brought me to tears more than once. The long-distance aspect of the romance felt authentic, and I truly didn’t know how it would resolve, which kept me invested. I will say this felt more like contemporary fiction with a romance subplot.

I appreciated how the story tackled real, complex issues—grief, sacrifice, identity—and did so with nuance. There were also moments that I thought were cheeky and made me laugh. As an animal lover, I loved the Xavier; if I were a vet, I too would probably fill the witness protection program with rescued dogs. While I usually lean toward slow-burn romances, the instant connection here didn’t bother me, because the emotional pull throughout it made it believable.

That said, I had mixed feelings overall. The frequent ACOTAR references—five in total—were disappointing, especially given the ongoing conversations around that author's representation and views. A one-off mention could be overlooked, but the repeated name-dropping of the character felt excessive and alienating for readers (me) who don’t support that author. There was also a line about her sister's ex that I heard the publisher is removing but was a little alarming to read.

Emotionally, the book had moments of telling rather than showing, especially during the long-distance struggles—I wanted to feel those moments more deeply. And I couldn’t overlook the FMC’s decision to go eight months without seeing her 54-year-old mother who had just been diagnosed with dementia. I was appalled. Also, the FMC's dad storyline... a lot was happening but the storytelling felt less fluid.

I really thought this would be a five-star read for me, I will still read all of her books.

Thank you to NetGalley & Forever Publishing for the opportunity to read this digital arc.

Oh my goodness, I have a new favorite Abby Jimenez book!!! This story is beyond beautiful, moving, deep, swoony and of course, with the trademark “perfect Abby Jimenez MMC”! But I think that Xavier may have broken the mold. I loved how Abby handled the complexities of caring for someone with dementia, and the struggle of being far from your person. I have long been obsessed with the concept of “being a witness to someone’s life” and that is the beautiful theme of this book. I couldn’t have loved it more!

Oh my goodness! This was my first Abby Jimenez book and I loved it so much!!! I know it's only April but right now it's my favorite book of 2025 (this is book #38 for me)! Say You'll Remember Me will make you laugh and then make you cry and then laugh again. Samantha and Xavier are amazing characters and I just fell in love with them and her family. Her mom's dementia was heart-breaking and made me feel all sorts of feelings. I really loved how they all pulled together as a family to keep her mom at home. And I loved how Xavier always did the right thing.

This is a wonderful rom-com but there's a lot of serious topics going on as well. Read it and I hope you'll love it as much as I did!!!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! It was amazing, I ended it in tears and now I have to go back and read everything she wrote!

Publication date: 1 April 2025

This is such a spectacular book. I normally struggle with characters being too perfect (cough xavier), but the conflicts were so large and real that it almost made it hit harder. Like…. look how perfect these two are and they still can’t make it work. so good so heartfelt so magic.

My rating: 4.5 stars ⭐️
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“I’d like to look back on my life and remember every single thing. But if I don’t, I hope I remember that it was a love story. And that the love story was about you.”
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I’m obsessed. I wish I could be normal, but I’m not – I’m screaming (screeching) and crying (bawling like a baby). If you know me, you know I don’t play about Abby Jimenez’s books. I’m obsessed with every story she writes, this one included…

If you enjoy non-toxic relationships, a grumpy x sunshine duo (he’s in fact very grumpy but the world’s biggest simp for her), a bumpy meet-cute that involves a very small kitten, mental health & Alzheimer’s rep, and bouncing between crying and laughing, then this one’s for you!!

Fun fact #1: this was my most anticipated read of 2025 and it did not fail me. I ate it up. Fun fact #2: I’ve actually been obsessed with the song “Come On Eileen” recently, so it felt like fate when I cracked open this book and the song immediately became an inside joke amongst the main characters. Fun fact #3: Abby always finds a way to pull me out of a reading slump, as well as make me teary and cry.

There was just something so compelling about Xavier and Samantha’s story, which made this book so lovable and easy to fly through. They just seemed to fit so well together. I cannot tell you how happy I was when their relationship never turned toxic and they actually fought for one another.. The overall message that love transcends all was clearly displayed through their relationship and through Xavier’s actions specifically (need that and him asap). With that being said though, this book was heavily focused on just their relationship (in my opinion). One thing that I have admired about Abby’s writing is her ability to create distinct characters that go through many stages of individual growth within 300-400 pages. So while the characters were still nicely flushed out (because they do grow and change with their relationship, since that’s the whole point), I personally wish that we could have explored their struggles and trauma a bit more.

Now, I shall fangirl over the man of the hour – Xavier Rush. A man, a man, a ma-an-an (or however that one tiktok audio goes)!! Definition of ‘if he wanted to, he would.’ I present to you the CEO of green flag central. When I tell you that I would actually sell my soul to experience that level of love irl. I would protect him with everything in me (yes, I did cry for him). *screams.*

Anyways, I can’t talk about much more without spilling the beans, but I definitely encourage everyone to give this book a try. I hope all of you find some sort of comfort in this story.

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A huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC!
*Note: this is an HONEST SPOILER FREE REVIEW*

Rating: ♾️⭐️
Spice: Open Door, 🌶️ 🌶️

🐕 This is my new favorite Abby Jimenez book. I thought Jacob could not be topped from Yours Truly but Xavier 🥹😭 why am I tearing up just thinking about him? And Samantha 🥹

This is such a poignant and emotional exploration into the things we do for family and the things we do for love. What makes Abby Jimenez stand out to me is the way she breaks down how love feels in such an honest and raw way. I feel as if I am falling in love just as the characters are. I too am getting butterflies in my stomach and feeling my chest tighten whenever things go wrong. This story portrays love so beautifully that you can’t help but become invested.

As always, the banter and supporting characters are well developed and add so much depth to the story. While there are fun elements, and swoon worthy moments, this story does not steer away from delving into difficult emotional topics. And friends, they’re tough so come prepared with tissues.

This is a book that I will continue to come back to and I will think about because of its beautiful reminder of how precious our memories are.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it every single time. No one writes men like Abby Jimenez. Such a cute read. There were quite a few pop culture references, but not enough to turn me away, and very worth sticking through.

Seeing Samantha and Xavier’s relationship grow over taking care of Samanthas mother was such a heartwarming moment. Xavier dropping everything to fly across the country and take care of Samantha and her family when everything was falling apart? A king.

Samantha’s journey from living in the Midwest to moving back to California to help care for her mother with Alzheimer’s was incredible. Easily one of my favorite FMC’s Jimenez has given us. Felt like her inner workings and handling of her family was extremely relatable.

I really wanted to love Say You’ll Remember Me, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I gave it a fair shot, hoping I’d connect with the story or the characters, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get into it. Sometimes, a book just doesn’t click, and this was one of those for me.

In tears by the end of this book - nothing new. Lots of laughs, tears, and feet kicking moments.

Xavier and Samantha are pushed together by fate & a butthole-less kitten that needs surgery or to be put down. After a quick fight and determination Samantha shows back up weeks later to show that Xavier she did in fact save the kittens life and didn’t need to put him down despite his recommendation. Xavier comes to his senses and asks Samantha out not knowing she was leaving town for good the next day.

They share a great night, lots of laughs, and wishing Samantha wasn’t leaving. But that is not going to deter Xavier. Many flights, texts, and phone calls lead to an emotional long distance relationship while also navigating many family relationships. These two went through the wringer and still came out on top.

Tropes:
- forced proximity
- long distance relationship
- navigating family relationships
- grumpy x sunshine

Only downside is the Xavier constantly being compared to Rhysand in looks 😬

I came into this book with skepticism because the Part of Your World Series was so incredible, but I should ever doubt Abby. She wrote another amazing romance book with substance.

Sam and Xavier were so precious. Some parts of it felt ~unbelievable~, but is that just not what romance stories are? In another universe, I sort of wished this book was a tragic love story…

Thank you Forever Publishing for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I have been a fan of Abby Jimenez for a number of years now. My favorite part about her writing Is that she isn’t afraid to discuss topics that are heavy within the confines of the Romance genre. This was a book that I think pushed a lot boundaries and will test the endurance of a lot of readers. It deals with quite heavy topics. I had seen some reviews that thought the things her characters went through were “too much.” But the more I sit and think about the book, I think it was painfully real.

Even if someone is experiencing grief, depression, job loss, etc, they deserve love. They deserve a partner who endures these seasons with them. They deserve somene who stands by them, supports them, cares for them and allows themselves to cared for. I think I loved this book, personally. It has everything fans of her books will love, but it is definitely truly heavy and I encourage you to proceed with caution if any of the trigger warnings are something too close to home for you right now.

Synopsis:

“There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong…. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Characters—I loved Xavier and Samantha. I loved their personalities and how they complemented each other. While insta-love may not be a trope I am a fan of, this didn’t feel like the cheesy insta-love I have come to loathe. It was an instant connection. The beginning of the story felt so cinematic with how they connected. Their flirtations felt natural and I believed it right away.

The Banter—Abby’s writing is really great in this book.. I laughed, I swooned, I ached with them. I loved how they leaned on each other but nothing felt too much.

The Endurance of the Characters’ Love—As someone who has gone through a lot in the last five years, I truly felt how they loved each other. These characters experience a lot of hardship together and separately. But that is how life is sometimes. Bad things happen and sometimes those things pile on and on until it feels like you’ll break. They helped each other put the pieces together.

Discussion of Long Distance—I did long distance with my now husband for quite sometime and everyone wants to believe it’s not possible. it’s HARD. But not because you resent the person. It’s hard because you want them there so badly but circumstances have you living separately. It’s not easy. But for the right person, you’ll do anything to make it work.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

Is it “Too Much?” —I saw some reviews claiming that Abby hates her characters and what they went through was too much. I don’t think it is, because sometimes every bad thing happens in succession. It’s heavy to read about, especially if you’re expecting a banter filled silly romance. But what I love about the genre is that it is expansive and inclusive. No matter what you’ve endured or life throws at you, you deserve love.

The Ending…—I was wondering how she was going to wrap up or find a solution to their separation. I liked it, the mroe I think about it. The only thing I didn’t like (spoiler warning!) was that Sam gave up her job offer. Now, I have never had to be a primary caretaker so I don’t judge them. But it did make me a little sad and I hope wherever she is now, she still gets to do work she loves.

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

Severe dementia, being a caregiver, grief, death of a loved one, mentions of animal abuse (one past, one on the page), illness, child abuse (past), emotional abuse, abandonment

This story by Abby Jimenez was a good balance between heavy and light. She did her homework on the dementia scenes, which at times were
difficult to read, but totally accurate. The romance aspect was a bit frustrating a bit hopeful, and a bit perfect. Overall, this was a well written, researched, and enjoyable story.

Thank you, @readforeverpub , for an advanced digital copy of this book!

Say You’ll Remember Me was totallyamazing! Abby Jimenez is one of my auto-buy authors, and this novel did not disappoint. She perfectly balances heavy subject matter with romance, expertly integrating them into the narrative. I was hooked from the first page, couldn’t put the book down. As always, there’s witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, and side charactersthat stick with you.

Xavier and Samantha’s determinationto make a long-distance relationship succeed provided me with such hope. I rooted for them as they learned to navigate their new relationship, and their trials left me emotionally devastated. The most poignantelement was Samantha’s mother’s diagnosis of dementia. It affected me more than I anticipated, and Jimenez does not avoid the challenges of dealing with a loved one afflicted by the disease.

This novel delves into heavy subjectsand honors the mundane moments of life, love, and family. I felt I was living with Samantha, riding the ups and downs of her life. Xavier and Samantha’s love is set on commitment—not only during those intimate moments, but also during the time they are apart.

Say You’ll Remember Me is a true, tear-jerking romance with Jimenez’s signature sense of humor. It’s raw, real, and unforgettable. I can’t recommend it enough!

Starting this book, I’ll have to admit I felt a bit apprehensive, would it live up to Abby Jimenez’s other works I’ve adored? But my worries were quickly laid to rest. As the story progressed, it clicked beautifully, and I found my footing in what became another unforgettable tale from this talented author. Abby has an incredible way of writing stories that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable, and this one is no exception.

The challenges faced by both Samantha and Xavier are rooted in real-life situations, and Abby approaches these themes with such grace and sensitivity. Without giving away too much, their journeys are both compelling and heartfelt, making it easy to root for them not only as individuals but as a pair. And while the book addresses serious topics, it doesn’t shy away from the humor and heart Abby is known for. The love story is as uplifting as it is tender, filled with moments of growth, sacrifice, and connections that truly resonate.

As for the audiobook, it’s a wonderful way to experience this story. The narration captures the emotional depth and nuances of the characters, enhancing the experience of their journey. It’s the perfect companion for such a beautifully multilayered narrative. Narrators Christina Lakin and Matt Lanter do a wonderful job with these characters.

By the end of the story I had plenty of “awwww” and “so sweet” that solidified another amazing AJ book!

This story started out great and I was excited, pure humor and entertainment were happening. I loved Xavier and Samantha meeting. Xavier is all kinds of grumpy and sexy and Samantha is outgoing and fun. Then there is a semi-twist at the beginning and everything changed.

This did not feel like a romantic comedy to me. While fun things did happen and I loved those scenes, they felt few and far between. After the twist in the beginning, I didn’t feel like there was a good balance between the heavy and the light. I felt so much anticipation for Xavier and Samantha to connect, and unfortunately, that moment was a letdown, and I never felt their connection. It just felt like so much telling and not showing, and some things felt forced. There was so much internal dialogue…. so much! About how they're meant to be, how they'll make it work, but how can it work? Different scenarios would play out, and then it would repeat in a different way, making it drag. Xavier and Samantha experienced a lot of unfortunate situations, one after the other at times, and it felt like overkill. I was literally asking myself how much tragedy can befall a couple. It felt depressing at times.

When I say depressing, I'm not talking about Samantha’s mother and what was going on there. That was sad and I felt for her family, I loved how they rallied around the mom. That being said, sometimes this felt like her family's story with a side of romance happening. Everyone had stuff they were dealing with because of the mom, and they had issues with each other about it. Xavier had his own struggles he was dealing with and his past drama felt like a footnote.

I finished because I wanted to know the outcome but overall, I was disappointed.

Once again Abby Jimenez delivers a story that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression on my heart and soul. Her books keep getting better and better. Say You’ll Remember Me has become an instant favorite. This story is a captivating blend of heartfelt romance and emotional depth that showcases Abby’s exceptional storytelling prowess.

This is a devastatingly beautiful romance between Xavier and Samatha. Whose first meeting doesn't go so well and ends with Samantha calling Xavier out for being an asshole, which he totally was. Samantha is a spirited marketing manager, who made me laugh so hard. And Xavier is my new book boyfriend. I fell HARD for Xavier the charming veterinarian who prefers animals over humans (except when it comes to Samantha). Who sacrifices so much in the name of love. Who is a natural caretaker despite his abusive past. Xavier who looks like Rhysand. He’s my PERFECT MAN and I swear I have never been so jealous of a FMC than I was of Samantha #VILF. The evolving relationship between Xavier and Samantha is both swoon-worthy and relatable. It captures the complexities of love amidst life's unpredictabilities, and while it’s far from a perfect, it's filled with so much humor, growth, and undeniable chemistry.

The thing Abby does so well is being able to balance lighthearted moments and romance with profound themes, delving into family dynamics and personal challenges that add layers of authenticity to the story. There are some stories and characters that are more relatable than others, and this really hit close to home for me. Samantha's dedication to her family, and her decision to move back home to help take care of her mother who has early-onset dementia, is portrayed with so much sensitivity and realism. I wanted to devour this book in one sitting, but kept needing to take breaks because of how emotional it was making me. You know how sometimes you just need a good cry to make you feel better, well that's this book (and I cried A LOT while reading this). This destroyed me in the best way and I'm calling it now, this is my #1 book of 2025. I kind of feel sorry for all the other books I’ll read in 2025, because they’ll be gray and Say You’ll Remember Me is color in a gray world.

Side bar: This is a true romance and NOT just smut. I salute Abby for making this a closed door romance and I found it made the story even richer.