Our Take

Abby Jimenez, bestselling author of Part of Your World and Just for the Summer, delivers another emotionally devastating and swoon-worthy contemporary romance with Say You'll Remember Me. What makes Jimenez's work so compelling is her ability to balance laugh-out-loud humor with genuine heartbreak—her characters are whip-smart and funny, but their pain feels authentic and earned. Samantha is a classic Jimenez heroine: strong, capable, dealing with family crisis while trying to maintain her own life and identity. Xavier's "foot-in-mouth to perfect boyfriend" arc is beautifully executed, showing character growth that feels organic rather than contrived. The family crisis driving Samantha's reluctance to commit isn't just plot device but fully realized subplot that adds emotional depth and stakes. Jimenez excels at creating chemistry that leaps off the page—the banter crackles, the tension simmers, and when these two finally get together, it's magic. What distinguishes this from typical romance is Jimenez's willingness to engage with real obstacles that can't be solved with a grand gesture; sometimes love means waiting, compromising, and building something slowly despite desperate desire for instant resolution. The veterinarian setting provides adorable animal moments without being cloying, and the supporting cast adds warmth and humor. For readers who loved Emily Henry's Beach Read or Christina Lauren's romantic comedies, Jimenez offers similar emotional intelligence with her own distinctive voice. Say You'll Remember Me is romance that makes you feel everything—funny, tender, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful about love's ability to overcome impossible odds.