Jimenez is very skilled at depicting genuine connection and the myriad of emotions that arise from loving somebody. I devoured this in 3 days, which I'm going to start calling 'The Jimenez Effect' since I experienced the same with Just for the Summer.

She's amazing at creating a holistic view of romance. Yes, it's about the main couple, but she also illuminates surrounding factors like jobs, hobbies, friends, and families. The good, the bad, and the downright crazy. She handles difficult themes with such tenderness. Alzheimer's is a cause very close to many people and I appreciate that she didn't shy away from the reality of these conditions.

Xavier and Samantha had an endearing journey and I will miss reading about them.

The only reason this lost a star is the use of cringe language and desperation to include recent trends. I read to escape reality, not to read 'would you love me if I were a worm' and 'if Rhysand from ACOTAR were a real person'. Not a fan!

Overall, Jimenez is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to grounded, gritty romance, and for that she will always be one of my automatic buy authors. In April '25, I'll definitely be buying a copy for my shelves.

Abby Jimenez does it again!

I adored this book so much, I really loved how realistic the relationship is portrayed with a family member that has a long term chronic illness.
The subject matter in this novel felt a lot more emotional than her previous novels, even thought it still retained some of Abby's classic wit and charm.

Not my favourite Abby Jiminez, although it didn't stop me from racing through it. It was of course entirely predictable, but then I don't think that's really a problem. A great set up - the perfect date and then moving half-way across the country, followed by the highs (few) and lows (many) of long distance relationships. Thanks for the ARC in response for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I’ll post my review after release on goodreads and Amazon as it’s 3 star.

Full review pending.

Abby Jimenez, the woman that you are!

I spent the first probably 40 pages reading this book with the goofiest smile of my face, Abby makes her characters so effortlessly witty and I was so charmed by Samantha and Xavier's back and forth.

I then spent pretty much the whole rest of the book crying, and I know that making you cry doesn't necessarily make a book good, but boy was this story beautiful. These characters really went through some of the most difficult and trying experiences of their lives. Since I was already so connected to them, I felt their sorrow and heartache so viscerally.

I only wish we got to see a bit more of Xavier and Samantha's happily ever after, but I'm hopeful we'll get a few sneaky glimpses of them in future cameos.

As soon as I got the ARC approval email from the publisher, I dropped everything and started reading it on my Kindle.

I couldn’t stop reading Samantha and Xavier’s story. Their chemistry was amazing, and Xavier being a vet really pulled at my heartstrings. The topics in this book were so deep, and there were times when it made me tear up. Samantha’s family dynamics, Xavier’s childhood, and their friend groups now were all described in such a way that I felt like I knew them personally.

Even though I’m not usually a fan of the grumpy x sunshine trope, I loved how it was done here—it was just right.

I’m so excited for everyone to read it in April 2025!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the advance copy. I’m so grateful!

In my eyes Abbey Jimenez can do NO WRONG! I will say I think I definitely prefer some of her other books, but that’s not to say I didn't enjoy this one. I liked the MMC, and how he would do anything for the FMC…I also really enjoyed the circumstances in which they had met although maybe the insta-love was a little too quick? But Abbey made it work. What had me on the fence was how much of a push and pull there was and how many obstacles were against them being together. Although one could argue that’s what made this book enjoyable. Depends on your perspective, I guess. All in all, definitely recommend and cannot wat to see what else is next in store!

Without a single doubt, the BEST thing Abby Jimenez has ever written. I cried so, so much. This was everything I want from a romance and more. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy next year.!!!

There are two types of people you fall in love with. The first are those who are a good fit — your lifestyles align, you share common values, you're attracted to each other, and you enjoy spending time together. It's a solid, satisfying connection. You could happily live your whole life with them, madly in love, never desiring anything more… unless you've already encountered the second type of person you fall in love with.

The One.

This book grabbed me from the very first page, and I never wanted it to end.

But "Say You'll Remember Me" is so much more than just a love story. It's a profound emotional journey that explores the complexities of its two central characters, Xavier and Samantha. Their relationship is not just about their time together but also about the personal growth they experience while apart. What I found particularly compelling was how this book touches on universal themes, such as love, sacrifice, and loss, while also addressing serious issues like health struggles. Readers who have experienced or are close to someone facing similar challenges may find this especially resonant.

However, it's important to note that the book deals with some heavy themes, including death, sacrifice, and animal cruelty. I would recommend a trigger warning for sensitive readers.

If I had to sum up this book in a single word, it would be commitment. Xavier and Samantha's relationship is beautifully balanced, defined not just by the moments they share, but also by the ones spent apart, reflecting their individual growth and the depth of their bond. I fell in love with them deeply, and their story will stay with me long after finishing the book.

say you'll remember me ―୨୧⋆ ˚**
i don’t even know where to start with this review other than the fact this book absolutely shattered my heart and pieced it back together in the most achingly beautiful way.

honestly, i was so nervous picking this up because Abby Jimenez’s books are always hyped but I will say 'say you’ll remember me' completely blindsided me in the best way possible.

from the very first chapter, i knew this book was going to wreck me in the most emotionally destroying way possible... Samantha and Xavier ugh. their connection was electric and raw, and every single scene between them just radiated tension, longing, and so much tenderness it physically hurt.

the plot ―୨୧⋆ ˚it wasn’t just about their romance—it dove headfirst into the complexities of long distance, the heartache of loss and finding love amidst chaos and heartbreak. it was gut-wrenching but so worth it.
what I absolutely loved most was the realness and realistic nature of the plot.. this wasn't a dream land where everything was completely perfect and the only issues were the characters themselves. no. this book was realistic and raw and it made this love story mean so much more.

Samantha and Xavier ―୨୧⋆ ˚ these characters had my entire heart by the end of chapter two. Samantha is this incredible mix of strength and light, and Xavier was everything. his love for her? the way he supported and fought for her? but what really stood out was their individual growth.

overall, i could write *essays* on how much i adored this book, but honestly, you need to experience it for yourself. it’s a story of love, grief and sadness , and the quiet strength it takes to love. and those last few chapters? just know i was sobbing uncontrollably.

What is there to say about this book? It was pure perfection. I’m usually not a fan of an insta-love storyline, but this was done so well that it felt almost impossible not to believe everything about Xavier and Samantha’s connection.

These characters - their flaws and insecurities - were developed in the classic Abby Jimenez way. You are on this journey with them, and you are rooting for them constantly. They’ve got so much depth that they feel real.

This story was both beautiful and heartbreaking. I couldn’t see how it was going to end well, but my word was I willing it to. Xavier was the perfect man. The way he loved Sam was everything, how he was there for her for whatever she needed, it was perfect. They both dealt with a lot in this book and it made my heart hurt (in a good way) to watch them navigate through it.

I will be recommending it to everyone. And I can’t wait to hold a copy in my hands on release day!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this!

INCREDIBLE! I laughed, cried, snorted… it was amazing!

Potentially my fav of Abby’s yet. The ending was just perfect and I am in awe of Xavier!!!

Obsessed!

4.5 stars!

I'm so so happy to be approved for this ARC! Since picking up 'Part of your World' I've very quickly worked through all of Abby's releases and have yet to find any that didn't disappoint - this book is no exception. I find such a sincerity in her writing style and themes surrounding mental health rep, real life challenges.

I love that it's written in dual POV with both characters being relatable and engaging (definite grumpyxsunshine vibes in this one!).
It opens your eyes to the reality of people living with long distance relationships and changing family dynamics when coping with tragic events.

Reading this I laughed and cried due to the more heart-breaking themes of the book (grab those tissues folks!).

I will definitely be picking up a copy for my shelf when its released :)

Honourable mentions:
- Animal lover here - absolutely adore that Abby includes these within her stories - we love you Pooter
- Rhysand from ACOTAR <3
- Come on Eileen has been added to my Spotify playlist, much to my partners chagrin

Abby Jimenez is a must read author for me so I was really looking forward to reading this book and was thrilled to get approved for the ARC. This book has a different vibe to the other books I have read. It was a lot more gut wrenching and sad - maybe because I have personal experience with a relative with dementia. The hard topics were dealt with with great sensitivity and realism. I really loved the characters Samantha and Xavier and loved that there was no third act break up in this book as is typical for romances. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5⭐️
Abby Jimenez never disappoints me! I will read ANYTHING she writes at this point. As always with this author, I adored this book from start to finish. It made me feel so full of love and heartbroken at the same time. I can’t wait to get the physical copy in my hands in April so I can annotate it🤭

Samantha and Xavier were true soulmates! They were a perfectly balanced match. Immediately I was captivated by this couple and their instant connection and chemistry. I’m not always a big fan of when a couple has that instant connection but I genuinely felt so much love between them in this one so I can’t fault it.

This author always gets me towards the end of her books…I can confirm I spent the last 10% crying on and off—this story was truly beautifully written🥹

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Forever, Abby Jimenez, her FB group, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Let’s be honest for a moment—getting to read the ARC of this book felt almost illegal. I felt so lucky and blissed to have this opportunity!

I wish it were possible to tattoo a story onto your heart because I’d pick this one for sure. It was beautifully written—the meet-cute was the cutest thing ever, and the pain? Oh, the pain was like hell. But the kind of hell you’d gladly endure for a story like this.

I’ve already preordered both the physical and audio versions of this book because one copy is simply not enough. If it’s not clear yet: I LOVED IT. I’m not recommending this book to you; I’m ordering you to read it the moment it’s out.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to figure out what to do with my life after this work of art.

What a heartfelt story from one of my favourite authors. Abby never fails in delivering real, fleshed out characters and this has got to be her best. As a granddaughter of a woman living with dementia, and a daughter of a full time caregiver, this one touched every nerve. This one's more than just a love story, it's a story of family, or hardship and of perseverance.

Thank you so much for the privilege of getting to read this book in advance. It's definitely a book that will stay in my heart forever.

IM OBSESSED!!! Abby Jimenez has done it again! This story was so beautiful. Genuinely no notes. I cannot wait for everyone to read this!

First and foremost, thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Uk, for the Arc. I will forever be grateful.

I’ve never read a romance book quite like this. I need some time. I’m crying like a baby.

Five strong and well deserved stars!!

This book held my heart in the palm of its hands, and repeatedly smashed it into a thousand tiny pieces. It is beautiful and raw and real. I don’t know how Abby does it. It is so much more than a love story. A big part of the story follows Samantha’s mum (Lisa) as she lives with dementia. You get to see how Samantha’s family comes together to create a safe and loving environment for Lisa. On the opposite side of the country from Xavier.

Xavier and Samantha meet when her cats need to be checked and from the moment they met, honestly I think they knew they were soulmates. There was no point searching for anyone else. They were it for each other. But they couldn’t be together, couldn’t live parallel lives.

Xavier is the definition of, “if he wanted to, he would”. This man put Samantha before his next breath. He did everything in his power to exist in her world. When he knew she couldn’t go to him because of her mum, he went to her. Every. Single. Time. Without hesitation. And a vet? Who prefers animals over people? Animal lover. Immediately soft spot.

This book was heartbreaking beautiful. At times I laughed, at times a cried. My heart goes to everyone who’s family deals with dementia.

Having really enjoyed some of Abby Jimenez’s other books, I requested the eARC for Say You’ll Remember Me as soon as it appeared on NetGalley. Unfortunately, this book is my least favourite of all the Abby Jimenez books that I’ve read.

Say You’ll Remember Me follows Xavier and Samantha, who go on one incredible date and fall for each other. However, the very next day, Samantha moves two thousand miles away to help her family care for her mother who has dementia, and begs Xavier to forget her. Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget what they had between them.

I like my romance books to explore deeper topics, and this one definitely did. I think the author did a great and very thoughtful job of exploring dementia and the effects it can have on the person suffering from it, as well as their family. The book also tackles anxiety, infidelity, depression, grief, financial hardship, overworking, animal abuse, child abuse and abusive parental relationships. It was A LOT, and while these are very real things that unfortunately happen to many people, it just seemed like everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and every single character was miserable for almost the entirety of the book. I just felt incredibly sad reading it and came away feeling emotionally exhausted.

Speaking of exhausted, our main characters spend so much time working out the logistics of seeing each other, travelling, or working ungodly hours to afford the flights across the country, that we don’t actually get many scenes of them together. This stunted the relationship development, and I really didn’t feel any chemistry between them. One character was sacrificing a lot and upending their entire life to try and make this relationship work. It wasn’t healthy, and I didn’t think that the characters had a strong enough connection or reason to make all of the suffering worth it. They became obsessed with each other far too quickly, and should have both been seeing therapists instead of clinging to each other like an emotional life raft.

Although the characters felt one dimensional and lacked character development, I didn’t mind Xavier. I understood why he was the way he was, and I enjoyed how much he loved and cared for animals. However, I found Samantha to be annoying and unlikable. She seemed to expect a lot from people, and be happy to take a lot without giving much in return.

I also really did not enjoy the pop culture references and humour in this book. Rhysand (from the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series) was mentioned at least 3 times, as was TikTok. I know that this is a romance book set in the real world, but I find pop culture references a bit cringey, and they felt jarring here. This book was also trying too hard to be funny, and the attempts at humour (and the sheer amount of mustard jokes, IYKYK) fell really flat.

The grand gesture at the end of the book made me quite angry, as it was so irresponsible and reckless. Although everything worked out in the end, one aspect of the HEA was far too convenient and unbelievable for me to buy it.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. However, as I have enjoyed this authors work in the past, I will read her next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.