Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Say You'll Remember Me is the first book in Abby Jimenez's new series of the same name. It came out in April of 2025 and is already a New York Times Bestseller and is one of Amazon's Editors' Picks for Best Romance. It gets pretty heavy and deals with animal cruelty and death, bullying, references child abuse - physical, verbal, and mental, death, mental illness, dementia, and grief.

When Samantha Diaz walks into Xavier's veterinarian clinic with a tiny kitten in her cleavage, he is immediately struck not only by how beautiful she is, but by her upbeat personality. But things go quickly downhill when they realize poor kitten has a condition that Xavier is not optimistic can be fixed, at least not with ten thousand dollars and some good luck. Samantha can't help but come back to gloat when the kitten not only has the surgery, but is thriving. And Xavier can't help but ask her on a date while she's there, to which she immediately says yes. What she doesn't mention is that she will be moving across the country the next morning to help take care of her mother who's dementia is progressing quickly and is overwhelming the family who is currently taking care of her. How was she to know that after an incredible first date, she wouldn't be able to stop thinking about Xavier.

Well this book tore me apart. I chose it as a buffer while I was also reading The Poppy War and Valor, as something lighter to go with the two war heavy books. No. This book made me cry so hard I couldn't catch my breath. Absolutely recommend. Xavier has a backstory that will make even the tin man feel again, and Samantha is chirpy and a delight - until about halfway through the book when the two of them just cannot get a break. I've never felt such despondency and anguish while reading a book that I knew would have a happy ending. And we haven't even touched on Samantha's mother's dementia yet! I loved seeing Samantha's changing role within her family and how the bonds of those members were tested in this book, I loved watching them learn how to navigate their new life, I think they're absolutely bonkers for starting a home renovation during this time, but that's just me.

I'm giving Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez 4.5 stars out of 5. It only gets a half star for spiciness. I loved this book but it was definitely more of a romance drama. It was not cozy, it was not always easy, but it was worth it. I can't wait for the second in the series, The Night We Met, which came out earlier this year.

For more from the author, check out https://www.authorabbyjimenez.com/

Pairs well with a spumoni cupcake and getting your pets fixed.

My favorite quotes:

"'Send it to me too,' Tristan said, his tone bored. 'I'll get him audited by the IRS.' I pulled my face back, 'How?' 'Don't worry about it. Do you want him audited or not?'"

"I snuck over to a corner and stood in a shower stall display with blue hexagon tine and really nice grout."

Review of Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez - Part of Your World book 1