Say You'll Remember Me

This is a book I'll remember (and won't shut up about)

Abby Jimenez has a way of writing wonderful characters, sweet romance and a story that envelopes poignant and pertinent issues of family, relationships (and often) mental health.

In Say You'll Remember Me, we meet a couple (Xavier is a vet and Samantha is in online marketing) who have a perfect first date. But when life soon separates them, they struggle with staying connected while also juggling all that life is throws at them. Samantha is a hoot who has a lot on her plate and Xavier is the 'outwardly grumpy with a cinnamon roll interior' perfect leading man.

This is a family drama with a sweet romance where Jimenez does what she does best - tackles many poignant issues with a compassionate and honest hand. In this book she focuses on: 

• the toll on family caregivers who are caring for a loved one with dementia
• loss
• letting go of toxic family
• long-distance love
• impact of past trauma ... 

Personally, the dementia aspect hit close to home as I have had a few family members who have suffered this horrible disease. As with many of her books, Jimenez advises readers to take care of themselves and adds trigger warnings at the beginning of her books. 

“There is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone’s life. To know them inside and out and to be with them through everything, share the same memories. Memories are everything.”

Tropes + Themes:

• Long distance romance
• Insta-Love + slow burn (but it works!)
• Fun meet cute
• Dual POV
• Poignant family issues
• Animal love (with awesome pet names)
• Heartwarming and heartbreaking

Relatable and empathic, poignant and playful, this book had me giggling, tearing up and relating to these characters who burrowed into my heart. Filled with a strong secondary cast (including furry friends), family dynamics and condiment love, this book is full of humour and heart and I'm throwing all the stars at it. I cannot wait to see what Abby Jimenez comes up with next.

My Rating: 5 stars

Author: Abby Jimenez

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Fiction

Series: Say You'll Remember Me 1

Type and Source: Trade Paperback, personal copy

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Pub.)

First Published: April 1, 2025

Read: April 27 - 30, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: 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.