Say You'll Remember Me

Wow, this one really hit close to home…. I absolutely loved everything about this novel and can’t wait to dive in and review it with you guys. The main thing that shocks me, though, is that there is hardly ANY conflict in this novel and yet, it’s SO FREAKING GOOD. I’ll talk about the plot, what I loved about the characters, and obviously how amazing Abby Jimenez is at writing.The first thing I want to talk about with you guys is obviously the plot. So, don’t expect crazy twists and turns throughout this novel. This is a strictly romance novel and honestly not spicy at all (I don’t mind this one bit, but some people do). It’s built around Samantha and Xavier as they try to navigate their feelings for each other being thousands of miles apart. That’s it. You would think that it would get boring, but nope. Abby Jimenez is obviously the queen of writing romance and it was just so beautiful. Samantha’s mom has dementia, which is why she moves from Minnesota to California. I would’ve liked a little more on why Samantha went to Minnesota in the first place, but that’s okay. Xavier is from an abusive family and opens his own vet clinic in Minnesota to prove to them that he’s successful. This is about the most conflict you get besides them trying to find creative ways to be together being so far apart. Like I said though, even though not a lot goes on, Say You’ll Remember Me is still totally worth it!! There were a few things towards the end that made me go, “hmm this is way too convenient”, but I’ll talk more on that in the spoilers.As far as the characters go, I loved Samantha. There were times that she acted like a scared girly-girl and I absolutely loved that realism. She was the perfect middle child for her siblings in her personality (I can say that because I’m a middle child, too!!). Her relationships with her family and Xavier were so emotional at times that I found myself thinking, “Hey, I remember what that feels like, too.” She has definitely become one of my favorite female main characters. Xavier is a typical brooding, emotionally-insecure, man who honestly needs a lot more love in his life. I found some of his actions to be a little over-the-top (I mean, this guy was romantic AF). A lot of times I could tell he was written by a woman, so I think I would’ve liked a better perspective from the guy’s POV, but it wasn’t terrible, so it’s a small gripe. As a character as a whole, he was honestly charming and perfect, but like I said, sometimes it was a little too perfect.So, the main reason I’m in love with this book is because my husband (before he was my husband) and I did long distance for what felt like decades (and was probably only three years). Everything that Samantha and Xavier felt was so true to how I felt that whole time we were apart. Finding creative ways to make the other person happy and make sure that you never lose sight of the relationship was always so difficult to navigate. This book reminded me all about that and the little things that my husband and I did to make sure our relationship worked. Long distance is HARD. This book honestly makes it kind of seem semi-easy. It won’t be like a romance novel, but you can always make it work if you’re both willing to do that.Overall, I loved this novel so much. Say You’ll Remember Me was so much fun to read and review and honestly ended up being one of my top reads this year. 5/5 well-deserved stars and I can’t recommend it enough! If you love love like I do, you’ll adore this new romance novel by Abby Jimenez (a literal novel-writing magic-worker when it comes to romance).Favorite quote: “Because if you were my wife you would be my world. Everything starts with you and ends with you. Anything else is just the stuff that happens in the middle.”

I love Abby’s books because they are always so much deeper than “just a romance”. I absolutely loved that this book shined a light on caregivers…especially those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. It was a gorgeous portrayal of a family’s love and support in rallying when life gets tough. Xavier was pretty close to perfection. I didn’t love that he seemed to sacrifice everything over and over again. I felt exhausted for him. I love Abby’s books but this one just felt a touch long in the middle. And I didn’t care for the dad story line. It’s still a beautiful read. And can I just say I loved Tristan and the lightheartedness he brought to this story. Him and Murkle mustard tried to bring some levity to a grief heavy story. I wish there had maybe been a touch more of it. I know so many people will love this one!🔍What to expect…▫️long distance▫️parent with dementia▫️cute pet references▫️funny sibling relationships▫️cute animal scenes▫️family moving through grief👯‍♀️ Read-Alikes▪️Meet Me at the Lake▪️Yours Truly▪️PS I Hate You

Sooooo….this was not your typical Abby book…..The “oofs” and the gut punches and the triggers just kept coming one after the other and it was really pretty heavy. This definitely has the typical witty and even hilarious banter that she is so great at delivering but it also was just…a lot.I’m not sure where to start with my thoughts and I don’t like to rehash a plotline when you can read that yourself anywhere. This love story started right away and I was very much invested in yet another Abby rom-com, but around the time our FMC left town, a dark cloud descending over everything and it did not leave us until the very last page, and even then, not completely.I chose to skip the trigger warnings because 1) they often contain spoilers and 2) I don’t try to avoid my triggers, but instead want to cope with them in a healthy way. But my gosh, this one really hit a LOT of MY personal triggers so maybe I should have taken the warning. But even if I had, I think my thoughts would be the same.Rather than a love story or a rom-com, this felt like a family drama, but one where most of the family interactions are off-page or told rather than shown There are two young children whose names and ages I’m not even sure of but they LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSE AS THE FMC. Grandma was the backbone of the family and only makes a handful of small appearances with barely any dialogue. Dad is usually just leaving the room or driving away. And then there also happens to be a relationship as well, and some occasional comic relief. But not enough relief because I felt like I was drowning in the heaviness of everything right along with everyone else in the story and a happy ending was the light at the end of the tunnel that I was wading through muck to get to.I know our MC’s loved each other. Insta-loved each other. But I’m still not 100% sure why. This books lasts around a year, of which, they spent approximately 20? days together and a lot of them were not good. Terrible, in fact. A lot of those days were spent in crisis, asleep, in illness, etc. I supposed these trials and tribulations are there to prove their devotion to each other, but it made this whole relationship seem made up entirely of grand gestures and longing, neither of which can be sustained. But it’s just fiction, right? I don’t know…the story just didn’t seem all that much about THEM. It was about what they were going through and how bad their lives were and how much they were not coping without each other and there was so much focus on the hard parts of everything and then just breezing through the good parts like an afterthought. I feel lighter for having finished this book. I definitely liked it. I didn’t not love it though.3.5 stars rounded up***possible spoilers below***Putting this at the end because I had strong feelings about the dementia portrayal and if you don’t want to read about that, don’t continue. This family made a promise to the mother that she could live at home and be with her family while she, rather quickly, deteriorated from early onset dementia. They then so stubbornly refused to even consider breaking that promise by putting her into a care facility even when her safety and theirs was put into jeopardy on multiple occasions. Because it’s what mom would have wanted. They even acknowledge at one point that she would not want it if she knew what it was doing to them, and they still made the decision to keep her at home. I do not understand this position at all, and I was pretty frustrated for a large part of the book with how that storyline was playing out. I’ve had two family members suffer from dementia in recent years, and this family taking full responsibility for the care of the mother who had, I think, TWO lucid moments in the entire book is beyond unrealistic, and came across as selfish rather than honorable. Selfish, not in that they were working so hard around the clock for her, but selfish because they were upholding a promise made before anyone knew the reality of their future, just so they could say they did. No mother wants her children to go through what they went through. It’s ok if you don’t agree, maybe you have a different dementia story, but these things did not sit well with me based on my own personal experiences.

STARSAbby has done it again! Am I surprised? Not one bit! When I realized that the title of Abby’s 7th romance novel is a lyric from my very favorite Taylor Swift song (Wildest Dreams), I knew it was going to be a good one!Say You’ll Remember Me follows the story of Samantha and Xavier, two people who discover they are made for each other (instalove) right off the bat but soon realize that life circumstances will make it very difficult for them to pursue a relationship.What follows is a passionate and loving long-distance relationship that both main characters have to fight to maintain. Along with the challenges presented by a cross-country relationship, Samantha is dealing with an intense family dynamic where her two siblings, father, and grandmother are working together to care for her mother, who has advanced memory loss.Abby has a way of writing real and raw life experiences that rip your heart open and then put it back together again. Her writing is so relatable for many different people because she continually seeks to shed light on new subjects that are deeply impactful. Say You’ll Remember Me not only focused on memory loss and how families handle those delicate situations, but she also touched on neglectful parents and how adult children can move on from those abusive relationships.Her reach goes beyond the typical romance genre because her books are infused with deeply meaningful life experiences that not only pave paths forward, but make us feel all the feels… sorrow, laughter, angst, joyfulness, sadness, happiness, and most of all… HOPE.SPICEThe spice in this one was VERY minimal. Abby writes her spicy scenes with class and care, and even though this one didn’t have as much spice as some of her other books, it didn’t lack in the angst and tension. I got butterflies multiple times and was continually rooting for Samantha and Xavier!HAPPY ENDINGI think that out of all 7 of Abby’s books so far, this one was the saddest for me. I had a stomach ache of angst the entire last half of the book! However, I can happily report that while the ending left me sobbing, I was so happy and relieved with how it all came together. Leave it to Abby to wait until the very end to wrap it all up and put the broken pieces of our hearts back together!FINAL THOUGHTSA few more things I want to mention:One of my favorite aspects of this book was the mentions of Rhysand from ACOTAR. It was like two of my favorite worlds crashing together in the most beautiful way (SJM is my favorite fantasy author and Abby is my favorite romance author!).I also very much appreciated and was shocked when I read that Xavier had convergence insufficiency when he was a child. My son was diagnosed with the same learning disability last year, and it was so meaningful for me to see a very much not talked about disability discussed in my favorite author’s book. I cried!

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez was everything I wanted and more. I LOVED this book.. every page, every emotion, every character. Abby has a way of writing stories that feel so real and hit you right in the heart. The romance was beautiful, the characters were layered and unforgettable, and the emotional depth had me hooked from beginning to end.There were moments that made me laugh, moments that made me tear up, and moments that just made me pause and feel. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. If you’re a fan of love stories that are emotional, heartfelt, and completely immersive—this one’s for you.A total 5-star read. Abby Jimenez does it again!!!

Have you ever had a book just feel like a warm hug to you? This one did for me. I had all the feelings for this one. I would have to put it down for few minutes to work through the feelings. I loved the main characters. The love they feel for each other felt so real. I just got done with it and I honestly think it has ruined me for all other books.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨Abby Jimenez is one of my top favorite authors and I have loved or strongly liked all of her books and while this is easily my least favorite, it’s so much better than a lot of RomComs that are out there. It started off strong but I honestly just got a little bored in the middle. I love all the real life references she uses in her books. I’m almost 50 so Come On Eileen has been a top favorite song of mine since it’s came out. Also, Rhysand…need I say more? Even without the rescue that automatically made him a VILF. The audiobook narration was great and I love how books are switching to having the female read the female’s dialogue and vice versa. It really adds to the listening experience. Even thought this was far from my favorite of hers, I definitely recommend it.

Abby Jimenez delivers another emotionally resonant romance with Say You’ll Remember Me. This book struck a deep chord with me, earning a strong 4.5 stars. One of the standout elements was how authentically and compassionately Jimenez portrayed the complexities of being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight, but balances it with warmth, grace, and even humor.The relationship at the heart of the story felt real and earned. I loved the layers Jimenez explored—how love evolves over time, how sacrifice is often necessary, and how two people can fight for each other through unimaginable circumstances. The emotional depth of the characters made their journey all the more powerful.This is more than just a great romance—it’s a story about resilience, love in its truest form, and the strength it takes to stay. Highly recommend to fans of heartfelt, character-driven love stories with real emotional stakes.

I loved this book. The format was interesting, with each chapter told from one of the two main character’s perspective. The plot was unique to me and the love story held my interest so well that I finished the book in 3 days. There’s just the right amount of sexual references (for me) and stayed away from raunchiness, which I have found in some other romance novels. Just perfect in my estimation, with well-developed characters and a good amount of humor. I will definitely read more from this author.

This is a great book for anyone who has dealt with family members with memory care issues. It was well represented for what a family goes through in these situations, and it dug into the intricacy of each family dynamic, and how things diverge as someone with memory issues decline the love story in this book is beautiful to read. The male protagonist is a hero, but not in the typical way you see them portrayed he’s quiet and steady, he’s the calm in Samatha’s storm.Samantha goes home to care for a mother who has dementia and they ( Andre and Samantha) deal with how to continue this new relationship and all the outside factors that can and does affect them. Xander eventually has to come to terms with his own past and decide whether he will allow his future to be without marks from his past.

This book had me crying—a lot. Honestly, there were chapters where I thought I’d never stop. It wasn’t even the love story that hit me hardest; it was the family stuff, especially the dementia aspect. Seeing patients dealing with dementia and knowing firsthand what their families go through made reading this incredibly sad. I hear these stories from my patients all the time, but reading about it in such an open and honest way really struck a nerve. If it felt this heavy to me as just a reader, I can’t even imagine how it feels for people actually living it.The story also captured the reality of long-distance relationships, which I know from experience aren’t easy. Sure, the way these two characters saw each other was maybe a bit too perfect and not entirely realistic, but it was refreshing and sweet anyway.I’ll be honest—it’s not a literary masterpiece or anything groundbreaking. The writing itself isn’t amazing, and it’s probably not a must-read for most people. But it was heartfelt, emotional, and very real in its own way. I’m glad I read it, and I’m definitely planning to check out Abby Jimenez’s other books.

I adore Abby's books. She can make me root for the main characters in just a few chapters.Samantha works as a social media marketing specialist for a mustard company. She finds a kitten that needs help, so she takes it to a veterinarian with good reviews. When she meets Xavier Rush, she is unhappy with his diagnosis. The kitten, Pooter, will need expensive surgery to survive, and even then, things could go wrong, so he recommends putting him to sleep.Samantha is furious; she leaves and starts a campaign to raise money for Pooter’s surgery. She returns after succeeding to show Xavier she saved the kitten. She is surprised to learn Xavier feels bad about how he spoke to her initially. He had a bad day and might not have had the best bedside manner.Xavier asks her out, and they have a night to remember. It’s the best first date either has had. But Samantha is leaving Minnesota permanently to move to California to help her family care for her mother, who has dementia.Samantha tells Xavier to forget her and move on, but Xavier doesn’t want to, and what follows is a love story full of hardship and real problems.How can these two make it work? Is there a happy ending?Say You’ll Remember Me deals with a few tough topics:First, Alzheimer’s dementia in a young person. The disease affects caregivers, their dynamics, and can be scary for the patient. There’s a point when patients with moderate dementia stop recognizing those close to them, and some may want to run away.Second, long-distance relationships are hard, and they can break a couple apart. It’s never easy to be far from the person you love.Third, it also mentions abuse as a child and how that abuse can affect your personality later in life.As always, Abby Jimenez makes her characters likable and relatable. Although I felt that Say You'll Remember Me had less humor than its predecessors.Cliffhanger: No4/5 Fangs

There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate 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 (xxxx) wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.But after one incredible and seemingly endless date, 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 enough to forget what’s between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.As we follow the delightful characters in Say You’ll Remember Me, we cannot get enough of enjoying their efforts to make love work for them.They live on opposite coasts with jobs that keep them settled where they are, but even with the obstacles that hold them down, they manage to create the perfect kind of love that most couples only dream about.Just when I felt as though their dreams of love were impossible, we are suddenly happily smiling as all their dreams finally come true. 5 stars.***

This book... all the feels! Laughter, tears, warm fuzzies topped with a unique parrot. The book explores two topics, long-distance relationships and all that entails; along with the challenges families are faced with when a loved one develops dementia. The many challenges of caregiving, how, who, when, etc. There aren't any easy answers.The book paints a portrait of family, love, heartache, and all the memories that shape us into the adults we become. I personally related to many of the themes in this book. If Ms. Jimenez hasn't lived some of this, then she definitely spoke to people who have. The challenges of caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming. The challenges of being committed to a long-distance relationship can break anyone. Nobody is rolling in money in this book. The obstacles are real. There aren't any easy answers, which are explored in the story as it unfolds.I love this author. This is one of her best books so far! I can't wait for her next one!

“They say that you won't remember what someone said, but you'll always remember how they made you feel. “I loved this story. It was heart breaking and heart warming over and over again. I LOVE Xavier! What a perfect book boyfriend! And Samantha was so funny! Love these characters!!The representation of dementia and what the family and her mother is going through was so real and heart breaking.—“I wish you could have met her," I said, almost to myself."I'd like to."I felt my smile fade. "Even if you do, you never will." ——"That there is nothing more beautiful than being a witness to someone's life. To know them inside and out and be with them through everything, share the same memories. Memories are everything.”—“I'd taken recognition for granted my whole life. The way it lights someone up, how it can speak to you without a word across a crowded room. That split second of raw reaction when you're seen and known. Relief, joy, happiness at locking eyes with someone you were looking for or seeing someone you didn't expect. I'd never see that on Mom again.”

Whenever I start an Abby Jimenez book I know to prepare myself for emotional destruction and wow I still wasn’t ready for this one. PLEASE read the trigger warnings before you start to make sure you know some of what’s coming. This story is heart breaking and raw, bittersweet but full of love.Read this if you’re in the mood for….- long distance relationship- animal rescue/vet- instant connection- a book that will make you sob- low spice/closed doorI love the wait Abby Jimenez writes the human experience - both the ugly spots and the bright moments. She does a good job of not making things cookie cutter and easy but never romanticizing the journey. I’ve never been in a long distance relationship but this was so impactful. I do wish we got more of their time together at the end.Here are a few of my favorite things…- I LOVE that song and I’ll think of them every time I hear it- the audit call and political texts. So petty and I love it- the way they are each other’s calm, safe spaceI think I prefer other books by her more but I still enjoyed it!

“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.”Immediate 5 stars and easily my favorite read of 2025 so far. I loved everything about this book. I’m already familiar with Abby’s writing, so I expected greatness—but I didn’t imagine THIS magnitude. Her characters always have depth and complexity, and Say You’ll Remember Me was no different.I meannnnnn—the MMC looks like Rhysand from ACOTAR… grumpy, a veterinarian, and completely head over heels for the MFC. Come on, Eileen! 🤭 And let’s talk about those nostalgic elements—the contrast between old memories and new ones? I LOVED that.Also, I rarely cry over books, but this one got me. Not from sadness (though it definitely had its emotional and very sad moments), but because it hit so close to home. The way Abby weaves so much meaning into every word? Incredible.The way she defines a soulmate or “your person” as someone who witnesses your life, someone who just gets what you mean with one word, someone whose life runs parallel to yours… ahhhh, it’s deep and romantic asf!💜💜I could never forget Xavier & Samantha. 💜💜

Samantha brings her kitten in to see the vet to only learn that the kitty has no butt.  After raising the money to fix it, she returns in preparation for her big move to California.  And that is when Xavier, the vet, asks her out.  They have the best date of their lives and when he asks about her return, she tells him that she is not coming back.  Her mother’s dementia has worsened and she would need to be there to help her whole family care for her mother.  Even after being told that he should forget about her, he can’t do it.  How can Xavier do that when she is obviously her perfect woman for him?.  So he visits her.  People do long distance relationships all the time.  And they seem to work out.  What makes this so different?Abby wrote the experience of love and lost with dementia so beautifully.  I lost my paternal grandmother to dementia.  She lived with my family and I as well as multiple grand kids and my maternal grandmother.  There were days when she would be just fine and then the next day, she would start a fire in the garden, attempting to burn all the brush we already burned the week before.  She would start taking vegetables from other people’s gardens and we would find cucumbers and squash in the clean laundry or under a shelf in the bedroom.  She forgot to wear shoes in winter but always managed to get through the locked door.  Eventually, we would have to unplug the stove before we left the house.  I am a first generation Asian female born to hard working immigrants.  We chose to not put our grandma in a nursing home because we felt that it would be a sign of disrespect and she deserved to be in her own home.  She stayed home til I myself was put into a medical coma for a full month and my mother in dealing with the stress of my coma and my grandma’s dementia, had a stroke.  There were moments in reading that I had to put down the book because those same fears and sensations in dealing with the disease became too real.  Abby put words to emotions and feelings that I struggled to reconcile with.  This love story written around a family that is struggling with a person who has forgotten the existence of that love is poignant and well worth the read.