3.5 Stars!

This book is depressing af.

Our mains, Samantha and Xavier are great. Well-written and fleshed out, these characters represent their age well - even with the insta-love, it was totally believable and hella-funny.
While both characters are dealing with their own demons, the story centers around their attempt at a long-distance relationship amid the realities of life. One thing this book got right is the accurate depiction of reality. And it sucks.

Despite my 3.5 star rating, 'Say You'll Remember Me' is a fantastic book. But it gave me emotional whiplash and sometimes hit a little close to home.
The books emphasis on making memories is beautiful and hit me with all the feels.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

I am still reading this , didn't realise the archive date was so fast approaching. Thought I'd leave this review before the file is archived and I cannot access it anymore but I will update this review once I am done and posted the review. thanks.

4.5 stars

What to even say?! I think my eyes are a little swollen from having tears leak out of them.

This book to me toed the line of romance, it was definitely there, but there was much more at play too. It’s about a family is crisis. The hard topic of Alzheimer’s was done incredibly, but also so heartbreaking to read the impacts on their family.

Then you have Xavier who is deliciously grumpy and relatable with his dislike of people haha I loved him and I grew to love him so much the book. He’s got a darker past and I just wanted to hug him.
Samantha is so funny and I felt for her so much. I seriously loved their banter and connection. It was pretty instant and just felt so right. Them dealing with long distance was brutal. I had to do long distance with my fiancé (now husband) and I felt every bit of the pain they went through.

There are some major twists that are making me cry even thinking about. It was a beautiful, touching book. I’m so glad I finished it with the audiobook because the narrators were absolutely perfect for their characters!

Swipe for a Quick Review of Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 💫

I read my first Abby Jimenez book last year and I became absolutely obsessed- I kept reading the rest of the series and I became even more obsessed. To rate a book 5 stars it has to make me cry - and all 3 of her books in the ‘Part of Your World’ had me sobbing. Needless to say this was one of my most anticipated reads for the year.

I did like it. In our story our female main character’s mother has Dementia. As someone who has 2x grandmother’s who have dementia and frequently works with Dementia patients, it’s not a topic that is typically explored in romance books so it was interesting perspective as this story really highlights how this may impact the family. I did enjoy this aspect of the plot.

Regarding the Romance, it does start of a bit ‘Insta-Lovey’ however it does develop into a very sweet love story. Xavier is the definition to ‘If he wanted to, he would’ - he was so ‘down bad’ for his girl (almost to the point where you are yelling at the pages going “look after yourself too buddy”). After reading this one, I felt like I needed to start looking for my own Xavier (an animal lover who looks like Rhysand for ACOTAR - YES PLEASE!).

I can’t wait for more people to read this one so I can’t talk to more people about this one - it’s the one I’ve chosen of my book club with my friends - I’m already brainstorming the themed drinks for it! It releases on the 1st April.

Have you read Abby Jimenez books? Will you be reading this one?

Thank you so much @netgalley @hachetteaus for the early e-book (excuse the poorly edited cover)! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Abby Jimenez is always a 5 star read for me and just when I think she can’t outdo her previous book, she creates something just as magical ✨

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It felt like I wrapped myself in my softest blanket while drinking a cup of my favourite tea, it was so comforting and impossible to put down.

The story follows Xavier and Samantha, whose chance encounter leads to a night filled with undeniable chemistry and then turns into a heartfelt long distance love story. The narrative doesn’t shy away from heavier themes though, including a tight-knit household navigating a tragic life altering situation but it balances it with hope and warmth, giving us a perfect reading experience that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

It was one of the most devastating and beautiful books I think I have ever read that will hold a piece of your heart long after finishing the final page. I wish I could give it the 5 gazillion stars it deserves, highly recommend! 🩷

🩵✈️Say You’ll Remember Me✈️🩵

My Rating: 4.25⭐️
Goodreads Rating: 4.52⭐️

Release Date: 1st April 2025

✈️🩵My Thoughts🩵✈️

What I Loved:
🩵 Dislike to Lovers
✈️ Emotionally Charged
🩵 Grumpy x Sunshine
✈️ He’s a Vet!!!!
🩵 His Love Language is Acts of Service

This was my first Abby Jimenez book, and I can say certainly that it won’t be the last. This book had me laughing and crying.

First of all… I think this is one of the first books that I’ve read that I related to the MMC more than the FMC. I swear the following quotes, were stolen from my brain by Abby Jimenez and given to Xavier:

“I did like dogs, though. I liked all animals, but especially dogs.“

“This is why I hated humans. They were the worst animals on the planet.“

This book moved fast, and the main characters had instant chemistry. I do wish that we could have had more details in some scenes to build up the tension and relationships between the main characters, and how they interacted with the side characters. Also, I struggled with the references to Rhysand from ACOTAR- like I love that series, but it kept on bringing me out of the plot for this novel.

This book was gorgeous, and honestly had me in tears. I hope everyone who reads this review can find a person who worships the ground they walk on and shows their love through their actions, like Xavier does for Samantha.

Samantha is such a ray of sunshine, and the amount of growth and pain that she goes through in this book, was devastatingly beautiful.

This book is a lovely, and at times heart-wrenching book. Which focused on complex and realistic issues, that people face in relationships, and within families.

✈️🩵✈️🩵✈️

This romance follows Xavier & Samantha through what can only truly be described as the trials and tribulations of life - it's messy, imperfect, but man it's filled with love along the way.

This was an incredibly sweet read, and whilst it delivered the typical romance storyline, it also dove into much deeper topics that left me feeling deeply grateful for my family and the time I have with them.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this! I enjoyed the family dynamics, the vet angle, and the lived experience of dementia. For me personally, there were a few elements that I would have loved to have seen explored more, and whilst I don't mind a fast romance, this one felt particularly quick.

Still, I'll always enjoy Abby's writing and her characters.

2⭐️ thank you netgalley for the arc read in an exchange for an honest review

⚠️trigger warnings: dementia, child abuse, animal cruelty, death, chronic illness, physical abuse, infidelity, toxic relationships, violence, gaslighting⚠️

I feel like i got sent the first draft of this book while everyone else got the final edited version because I did not enjoy this book, not one bit😭This is way too insta love for me. They had a good thing with the banter at the start, and then all of a sudden, they're head over heels for each other??? To me, this felt like reading a wattpad book, and not the good kinds. Idk if this is how she writes all her characters, but I find them really jarring with the way Samantha speaks. I imagine her having a vocal fried voice🫢 I am open to reading her other books, this won't stop me. I just think this wasn't a good choice for me to get into her stories.

Call me petty all you like, but ACOTAR/referencing Xavier as Rhysand has been mentioned 4 times and I cannot fucking stand that problematic bitch. This too me seems like "hehehehe the booktok girlies are gonna love this🤭🤭🤭" no I fucking don't. I'm sure there's other people who will eat this shit up, but I'm not supporting her actions. Let's just say that this wasn't ever mentioned, would my rating be a lot higher? not really, just by 1 cause I like said, I don't like the fmc and it's too insta love for my liking however it is very easy to read and nothing complicated so I would give it an average rating.

Overall, this was too bland for my liking, and I wish it could have been better. The idea was there, the execution was bad🤷‍♀️

This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I always adore Abby Jimenez's books and this one mostly hit the spot. I loved the romance between Xavier and Samantha. I loved reading the troubles they both had in their own life and the journey they took to finally get to be with each other. I just wish I had more closure at the end. Maybe a further epilogue to see how they were doing down the track would have sufficed. After everything they endured, I just wanted confirmation of their happy happy ending. Overall Abby's writing is superb and once you start this book, you'll be loving it as much as I did.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez (e-ARC)
Pub Date: 1st April 2025

Short Synopsis:
One visit to the vet changes Samantha’s life forever when she unexpectedly meets Xavier, a gruff yet caring veterinarian who turns her world upside down. Just as sparks fly between them, life takes an unexpected turn, and Samantha must return to Los Angeles permanently to care for her mother, who is battling early-onset dementia. With their growing connection now tested by distance and responsibility, Samantha and Xavier must find a way to make their long-distance love work. Will their bond survive the challenges life throws their way, or will it crumble under the weight of it all?

My Thoughts:
Abby Jimenez has once again swooned me over! This book is much more than just a romance. It’s a beautiful exploration of love, family, and the sacrifices we make when caring for someone through illness.

The connection between Samantha and Xavier felt real and complex, especially with the added challenge of their long-distance relationship. I’m typically not a fan of insta-love, but the chemistry between them was undeniable from the first pages, and I was hooked right away.

Xavier is the ultimate book boyfriend, strong, sweet, and selfless. He always puts Samantha first, even when it’s tough. Honestly, where can you find a guy like him in real life?

I also appreciated how Jimenez handled the sensitive issue of dementia. She approached it with emotional depth, portraying not only the struggles of the person dealing with it but also the impact on their loved ones. It felt realistic and was portrayed with great care.

One thing I did notice was the jumping timeline. While it didn’t take away from my enjoyment, I would have preferred a more continuous flow. However, the story still remained engaging.

Overall, Say You’ll Remember Me was a heartfelt read, and I highly recommend it!

Overall Rating:
⭐️ 4.5/5

Thank you to @netgalley @hachetteaus and @thebookishtype_hau for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts on the book!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This book really hit for me. I devoured it. Jimenez is truly artful in her writing, in creating well rounded and developed characters. In making you feel what they feel, both the highs and the lows. The chemistry between Samantha and Xavier was palpable. This is how you right a true love story. They were so swoony together. Xavier is my new favourite romance hero. He's a protector, a caretaker, someone who was treated poorly by the people who should love you most and grew into a better person in spite of it. I loved the fact that this story isn't at all a will-they/won't-they. It's a story about two people who find their person at the worst possible time. Two people who try against all odds to make it work.
The intense part of this story revolves around Samantha's family, particularly her mother. Aged in her early 50s, she is deeply affected by dementia. It was hard to read as someone who has personally experienced a family member with dementia; the heart ache is in the details, the deterioration, how it affects everyone around that person. The only reason it didn't make me sob was because I was reading it in my lunchbreak at work. I held those tears back!
If you've enjoyed Jimenez's other books, then you will love this book! I do suggest reading the trigger warnings though.

firstly thank you so much to netgalley and abbey jimenez for allowing me to read and review this arc i really appreciate it!
i loved the story between xavier and samantha, the want and need but the inability to have.
xavier is a well known veterinarian who is well respected by his colleagues and friends, although people find it hard to get past his hard exterior, with his lack of expression sometimes he can come across as intimidating.
samantha is a you only live once kind of girl, with a love of mustard and her job as a digital marketing creator, she just gets people and makes everyone laugh.
the only thing is samantha needs to move away to take care of her mother who is suffering badly from dementia and it’s unfortunately getting worse, which also makes their relationship difficult to figure out as xavier is tied down with his business.
they need to make decisions that either make or break them harming not only themselves but each other along the way. in the end does love conquer all…

i absolutely loved how believable the story was, with aspects that made me cry, with an unfortunate death and with such a sad condition being at the forefront of the story.
i also loved the animal aspect and the social dynamics as well.
after reading past abbey jimenez books i kind of new what to expect and i absolutely loved her past books and i may have enjoyed them slightly more than this one but that doesn’t say this wasn’t a great book also! i felt with the amount of back and forth between the seperate lives of xavier and samantha we didn’t really get to witness some key elements of their relationship like their wedding, i really wished we got a wedding chapter or two but overall i rate this book at 3.75 stars!

I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰

Abby Jimenez delivers yet another heartfelt, swoon-worthy romance with Say You’ll Remember Me, a story that perfectly balances humour, passion, and deep emotional stakes.

Xavier Rush is as close to perfect as they come—a gorgeous veterinarian who oozes Greek god energy, and to top it all off, he cuddles kittens. But perfection shatters the moment he opens his mouth and says something completely, undeniably wrong. Samantha, sharp-tongued and stubborn, has no patience for assholes—but she does have a soft spot for proving them wrong.

Then Xavier does the unexpected: he owns up to his mistake. And when one incredible date turns into what feels like the start of something life-changing, Samantha is forced to face reality. Her family is in crisis, and a relationship is impossible. Instead of holding onto hope, she begs Xavier to forget her—to remember their night as a perfect moment and nothing more.

Only, some connections aren’t meant to fade. No matter the time, distance, or obstacles between them, the pull remains. And while a single perfect memory is bittersweet, a love worth remembering might just be worth fighting for.

Jimenez weaves together humour, heartbreak, and healing in a way that feels deeply authentic, making Say You’ll Remember Me a romance that lingers long after the final page. With razor-sharp dialogue, sizzling chemistry, and an emotional core that will have readers reaching for tissues, this is a must-read for fans of romance with real depth.

3.75-4 ⭐️
One night with a hot vet but then you have to move the next day?? what would you do?

Abby Jimenez just knows how to write books that makes me want to giggle and kick my legs!!!!
It's amazing how she can write such sensitive topics and characters we can strongly relate to but also have fun?
The insta love trope isn't my favourite, but I do feel like this was done so well and you leave with some inside jokes with the characters. My only issue was that the second half just felt like TOO much went on then the ending felt rushed. BUT overall I loved the books and the characters and I had so much fun reading it!

I was so excited to read this upcoming release from Abby Jimenez, and it did not disappoint. It’s a story of romantic love, familial love and the complications life and family can bring.

When Samantha brings her cat to the local vet, she meets Xavier, the grumpy but hot vet. They clash somewhat, but it ignites a spark. Then they share an unforgettable date them she moves across the country, back to her family where she’s needed. So many hurdles are placed in their path. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll think about the characters long after you’ve finished reading.

Thank you Abby, @hachetteaus and @netgalley for the e-ARC of this story.

As a romance reader, I absolutely adored this book and the story of our two main characters while they fought to make a relationship work in a world full of barriers. As a medical nurse though, I could not yell loud enough how important and realistic this book is with regard to people with dementia and their families. It shows the heartache, the loneliness and the incredible effort people struggle through to keep their families together. This book felt like a warm cup of tea or a hug from your loved one & is one I’ll recommend in a heartbeat to anyone that’ll listen 🥹

Incredibly grateful to @hachetteaus for the ARC 💝 Out April 1st ✨

4.25⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Abby Jimenez, and Hachette Australia & New Zealand | Piatkus for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Come on, Eileen—this book was an emotional rollercoaster.

Abby Jimenez made me fall heartbreakingly in love with these characters—so much so that I was willing to endure the pain this book put me through. Everything about it felt so real and raw.

I fell for Samantha and Xavier the moment I met them. Their first date? Perfect. It just felt right—the same way Xavier seemed to calm everything around him. These two went through so much for love. Distance may make the heart grow fonder, but it also makes leaving that much harder.

I was ready to fight for Xavier. The heartbreak he endured throughout his life? Unbearable. Every new revelation shattered me more, but it also made me so much prouder of where he ended up. And Samantha? I felt for her. That desperate need to be present, to make up for lost time—it hit so hard. Stepping up when everyone needed her most? That’s an impossible weight to carry, and yet, she did it.

Also—the mustard posts? Absolutely loved them. They felt exactly like something I’d see on my own feed.

The only thing I wanted more of? A longer epilogue to fill in a few more gaps. Other than that? Absolutely perfect.

Abby Jimenez has a way of writing that pulls you in and makes you feel every single emotion alongside the characters (as she does with every book she writes). There were lines that gutted me, but also moments of humour and warmth that balanced it out perfectly.

But this book isn’t just about romance—it’s about the sacrifices we make for love, the weight of responsibility, and finding your way back to the people who mean the most. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Easily a 4.5 for me, I could not recommend this enough.

This book was probably a 3.75 star for me but I rounded it up to 4 stars.

This was such a cute book and being my first Abby Jimenez book I wasn’t sure what to expect. Everything about this story is just a feel good read which has an instant connection between the 2 main characters, Samantha & Xavier.

Following them on their journey together and having to battle through everything life threw at them was really well done and it felt very realistic for a modern day long distance romance.

For me personally it just felt a little bit flat through the middle of the book and I didn’t feel like there was enough happening to really grab my attention and drag me into the book.

Overall it was a good book and I will be reading more Abby Jimenez books in the future!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of this book in return for a review.

Say You'll Remember Me is another wonderful story from author Abby Jimenez. It is a love story in every sense of the word. It is both heartwarming and poignant. The title for it is perfect, there is so much weight to that word remember.

Xavier and Samantha seem perfect for each other. Right from the beginning on their first memorable date. Then things turn to custard as Samantha faces into a family crisis and Xavier has to stay where he is in Minnesota. Meanwhile Samantha has to return to California to help out in her family. However this pair never give up on one another in the face of hardship. Xavier is a very competent vet and a fantastic human being. Samantha is loyal and caring and with an ability to choose the right words to advertise - mustard! They are perfect for each other.

I loved this pair, the family, the friends of Xavier and of course the animals. I don't want to give away anything more of the plot, just go with it and trust Abby Jimenez to lead you through in a very compassionate way.  One thing I noticed about this book is that it's not heavy on bedroom scenes... but it is a beautiful salute to brave and enduring love.

first of all thank you to Hachette for allowing me to read a digital ARC copy of this book. It was such a beautiful read. This story is heavily focused around a character who has a family member with advanced dementia, and topics including grief, death, past child abuse as well as animal abuse/cruelty. However with these heavy topics, it shows me as a reader what the important things in life are and to be grateful on what you have control over but learn what you can and can’t change. The love story between Samantha and Xavier was so strong and was so clear between the pages it made my heart burst. Xavier who looks like another book boyfriend (hehehe) I love him. And Samantha, I felt there were similar traits I see in myself that I do in her and I think this is what made this book feel even more real. I really truly loved it, I think because it was a contemporary romance set in this time, with so many realistic aspects it was almost like a bit of a wake up call on a way? So hug your loved ones just that little tighter x

also a side note: As someone who experienced a death in the family, coming up to almost a year ago, there is a scene in this book that felt extremely familiar and very real and it was quite emotional as it was what we went through as well so please be cautious of this.

Congratulations on another beautiful book Abbey.