Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Book Review: A Love Worth Remembering Across Miles and Memories
- Joao Nsita
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Introduction: What If One Perfect Night Could Rewrite Your Forever?
What if a single date—wild, witty, and unforgettable—became the heartbeat of a love story you couldn’t shake? In Say You'll Remember Me, Abby Jimenez, the #1 New York Times bestselling romance maestro, spins a tale that’s equal parts laughter and tears, released in April 2025. This contemporary romance follows Samantha Diaz, a sunshine-soaked social media manager, and Xavier Rush, a grumpy veterinarian with Greek god vibes, as one magical night collides with life’s toughest realities.
Jimenez, a Food Network champ turned literary darling, crafts a long-distance love story laced with family drama and adorable pets, proving why she’s a must-read in 2025. This isn’t just a romance novel—it’s a soul-stirring anthem to love’s resilience, perfect for anyone who believes in second chances and heartfelt connections. Craving more swoon-worthy tales?
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Book Summary: A Date That Sparks a Lifetime
Say You'll Remember Me begins with a meet-cute that’s anything but cute. Samantha Diaz storms into Xavier Rush’s Minnesota vet clinic with a kitten missing a “poop shooter” (yes, atresia ani is real!), only to clash with his stoic prognosis: surgery or euthanasia. Undeterred, Samantha’s crowdfunding triumph saves the kitten—and earns Xavier’s quiet respect. Their fiery spat ignites a date for the ages: UFO escape rooms, sunset cruises, and a night that stretches into dawn. But dawn brings a gut punch—Samantha must move 2,000 miles to California to care for her mother, Lisa, whose early-onset dementia is stealing her away.
Xavier, tied to his debt-laden clinic, can’t follow. The central conflict unfolds as distance, family crises, and past wounds—Xavier’s abusive upbringing—test their bond. Jimenez’s unique hook? A romance that’s as much about holding on to memories as it is about building new ones, blending humor, heartbreak, and hope into an unforgettable love story.
Author’s Style and Craft: A Recipe for Romance Perfection
Abby Jimenez writes like she bakes—every layer a burst of flavor, every bite irresistible. Her prose is a warm hug, blending laugh-out-loud banter with gut-wrenching depth. The dual POV structure—Samantha’s bubbly optimism versus Xavier’s dry wit—flows seamlessly, pacing the story like a heartbeat: steady in the flirty highs, racing in the emotional lows. Dialogue is her superpower: “You’re the human equivalent of a Monday,” Samantha teases Xavier, sparking chemistry that leaps off the page. Character development shines—Samantha’s exuberance softens into sacrifice, while Xavier’s gruff shell cracks to reveal a tender core.
Jimenez’s narrative weaves light (pet antics) with heavy (dementia’s toll), crafting a contemporary romance that’s both a cozy escape and a poignant mirror—a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
Themes and Deeper Meaning: Memory as Love’s Lifeline
Say You'll Remember Me digs into the marrow of memory, love, and sacrifice. The dementia storyline—Lisa forgetting Samantha’s name—mirrors the couple’s fear of losing their fleeting connection, a metaphor for love’s fragility. Themes of resilience and witnessing—being seen by someone who matters—thread through Xavier’s redemption from a loveless past and Samantha’s fight to preserve her mother’s fading self. Jimenez ties these to universal struggles: caregiving’s burden, the scars of abuse, and the ache of distance in modern romance. The kitten, Pooter, symbolizes second chances, a tiny beacon in life’s chaos. This romance novel transcends fluff, offering a heartfelt reflection on what we hold onto when everything else slips away—a love story with soul.
Strengths: A Heartstring-Tugging Triumph
Jimenez hits every note with precision. The first date—a whirlwind of escape rooms and mustard puns—is a masterstroke, cementing Samantha and Xavier as a couple you’d root for across galaxies. Their banter, like Xavier’s deadpan “I’m not a people person, I’m a cat person,” is rom-com gold, while the dementia arc—Lisa’s lucid moments fading—cuts deep with authenticity. The supporting cast—Samantha’s Yoda-quoting brother, Tristan—adds humor and warmth, grounding the story in family. Jimenez’s strength is her alchemy: blending quirky charm with raw emotion, crafting a contemporary romance that’s as hilarious as it is heart-wrenching. It’s a reading experience that lingers, a testament to love’s power to endure—a standout in 2025’s romance books.
Areas for Improvement: A Few Missed Beats
Even this gem has its stumbles. The middle sags under repetitive longing—Samantha’s grief and Xavier’s clinic woes stretch thin, testing patience. The resolution, while sweet, leans on a convenient “grand gesture,” sidestepping financial realism some readers might question. Secondary characters like Dr. Hank, Xavier’s mentor, sparkle but fade too soon—more depth could’ve enriched the tapestry. Tightening the midsection or grounding the ending’s fairy-tale glow could elevate this romance novel further. Still, these are minor ripples in a sea of brilliance—most will forgive them for the emotional payoff they cradle.
Comparative Analysis: A Fresh Voice in Romance
Say You'll Remember Me shines beside Jimenez’s Yours Truly (Amazon Link), sharing witty leads but diving deeper into family drama. Compared to Emily Henry’s Beach Read (Amazon Link), it’s less meta, more grounded, with a heavier heart. Against Christina Lauren’s Love and Other Words (Amazon Link), it’s funnier, less nostalgic, weaving pet-driven charm into romance novels’ fabric. Jimenez challenges genre norms with real-world stakes—dementia, distance—elevating contemporary romance with humor and humanity, a fresh chord in 2025’s love stories.
Target Audience: Who Will Cherish This Tale?
This book beckons romance readers aged 18+ who crave heartfelt narratives—fans of rom-coms, women’s fiction, and tearjerkers will swoon. Pet lovers and caregivers will find kinship in its quirks and struggles, while book clubs will relish its emotional depth. Perfect for those who adore opposites-attract tropes, long-distance love, and stories with soul. Content warnings: dementia, past abuse, pet peril (all survive!). If you love contemporary romance novels, emotional reads, or Abby Jimenez’s signature blend, Say You'll Remember Me is your next obsession—a love story for every heart.
Personal Impact: A Memory That Stays
Say You'll Remember Me carved a space in my soul. Samantha’s sunshine pierced my gloom, while Xavier’s quiet strength steadied me. The dementia thread hit close—my grandmother’s fading face flashed with Lisa’s—leaving me raw yet hopeful. It’s a romance novel that lingers like a favorite song, urging me to hold tight to love’s fleeting notes. You need this book for its tender ache—it’s a memory worth making.
Conclusion: A Romance That Echoes
Say You'll Remember Me is Abby Jimenez at her peak—a contemporary romance that dances between laughter and tears, weaving a love story that defies miles and memory’s fade. It’s a must-read in 2025 for its wit, warmth, and unflinching heart, a testament to romance’s enduring power.
Grab it on Amazon and let it sweep you away.
In a world of fleeting sparks, this is a flame that burns eternal—a love worth remembering.
About the Author: Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez, a Minnesota native, is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Food Network champion. Before penning hits like Yours Truly and Just for the Summer, she founded Nadia Cakes in 2007, growing it into an international sensation. Her novels, blending humor and heartache, have sold over 1.5 million copies across 28 languages, earning accolades like the Minnesota Book Award. Living near Minneapolis with her family and TikTok-famous dogs, Jimenez crafts romance novels that resonate deeply. Explore more at AbbyJimenez.com, Goodreads, and Nadia Cakes.
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FAQ Section: Your Romance Questions Answered
What’s Say You'll Remember Me about?
A vet and a social media manager share a perfect date, then face a long-distance love tested by dementia and past wounds.
Is it a standalone novel?
Yes—a complete, swoon-worthy contemporary romance.
How’s the romance level?
Sweet with light spice (1/5 🌶️)—focuses on emotional depth over heat.
Who’s the target audience?
Romance fans, pet lovers, and readers of heartfelt women’s fiction, 18+.
Any content warnings?
Dementia, past abuse, pet illness (all survive)—check triggers.
What’s Jimenez’s style like?
Witty, warm, and tear-jerking—a rom-com with soul.
Does it fit 2025 romance trends?
Yes—opposites attract, real-life stakes, and emotional heft shine.
How does it compare to Yours Truly?
Heavier family focus, less workplace charm—equally gripping.
What’s its unique hook?
Blends pet-driven humor with dementia’s weight—a fresh romance twist.
Why read it now?
Its timeless love and timely depth make it a 2025 standout.
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Romance Community Resources
For more romance novel reviews, discussions, and recommendations, check out these fantastic resources:
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