Learn how to read contemporary romance author Abby Jimenez’s books in order. Learn about her complete collection, the best reading order, where to start, and more, including character connections and crossovers. If you’re like me, you won’t be able to get enough of these charming love stories, so let’s get literary!
Abby Jimenez Books in Order
Publication Order
- The Friend Zone (2019)
- The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020)
- Life’s Too Short (2021)
- Part of Your World (2022)
- Yours Truly (2023)
- Worst Wingman Ever (2024 short story)
- Just for the Summer (2024)
- The Situationship (September 24, 2024 short story)
- The Fall Risk (2025 short story)
- Say You’ll Remember Me (April 1, 2025)
Reading Order
| Series Name | Books in Order |
| The Friend Zone Series | The Friend Zone (2019) The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020) Life’s Too Short (2021) |
| Part of Your World Series | Part of Your World (2022) Yours Truly (2023) Just for the Summer (2024) The Situationship (2024 bonus short story) |
| Standalone Stories/Books | Worst Wingman Ever (2024 short story) The Fall Risk (2025 short story) Say You’ll Remember Me (2025) |
Related Posts: The Friend Zone Series | Part of Your World Series
RECOMMENDED READING ORDER
It is best practice to read the books in each Abby Jimenez series in order of publication date. Reading these books out of order will spoil some plotlines for you.
That being said, you don’t “have to” read them in order, since the main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few book character connections in the books that are part of a series.
Of note, I did not read Abby Jimenez’s books in order, and I didn’t feel like that much was spoiled for me. I also didn’t find anything to be confusing in reading these books out of order.
Otherwise, you can start wherever you want! My top picks are The Happy Ever After Playlist for a rock star romance and Part of Your World for a small-town romance (popular with readers). I also loved Just For the Summer and it’s been a bestseller all year.
How Are Abby Jimenez Books Connected?
Below are the main character connections in Abby Jimenez’s books:
Read More: All of Abby Jimenez’s Character Connections
About Author Abby Jimenez
about
Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author and former Food Network champion who founded Nadia Cakes Bakery.
Her contemporary romance novels are known for the following characteristics:
- cute dogs
- recipes
- alternating male and female perspectives
- complex real-life issues standing in the way of the leading couple
Authors like Abby Jimenez: If you like light yet emotional romance authors like Katherine Center and Sarah Adams, you will probably like Abby Jimenez.
Abby Jimenez’s Books: Quick Summaries & Reviews
NOTE ON SPICE LEVEL
Abby Jimenez’s books are generally slightly spicy. There are some explicit romance scenes, but not many, and they are not focal points.
The Friend Zone (2019; Book 1 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
The Friend Zone trigger warnings
Infertility, accident, death, grief
Plot: In The Friend Zone, Kristen Peterson begins to fall for the best man at her best friend’s wedding, Josh Copeland. But, there are two problems. First, her relationship status is complicated, and second, she has a big secret. She’s about to undergo surgery that will leave her unable to have children.
Since Josh wants a large family, she keeps him at a distance by agreeing to remain “friends with benefits.” But, this becomes harder and harder the deeper she and her dog, Stuntman Mike, fall for him.
When tragedy strikes, they must cope with how they feel given their new reality.
My Review: While I liked that this novel explored “real-life” infertility issues, it may be triggering to some. Of note, many readers, myself included, also disliked the miscommunications and the ending. I’d recommend it only if you want to start with Jimenez’s debut and/or read the full Friend Zone series.
The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020; Book 2 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
The Happy Ever After Playlist trigger warnings
Grief
Plot: In The Happy Ever After Playlist, Sloan Monroe finds an adorable dog named Tucker, who belongs to a musician named Jason. They speak via telephone about the dog while he’s on tour, and their calls become increasingly more flirty and romantic.
My Review: This popular love story is overflowing with song recommendations. Also, just when you think you know where the story is headed, it moves in a different direction.
It’s a “happy” read that puts a huge smile on your face. I recommend it especially as a great beach read and/or a “pick me up.” This book made Abby Jimenez a “must-read” author for me.
Life’s Too Short (2021; Book 3 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
Life’s Too Short trigger warnings
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), terminal illness, grief
Plot: In Life’s Too Short, Vanessa Price is a YouTube star who has taken custody of her troubled half-sister’s baby daughter, Grace, when she meets the lawyer next door, Adrian Copeland. She’s also grieving the loss of her mother and sister, trying to support a difficult father, and worrying about her mortality.
On paper, she and Adrian seem different, but he seems up to the challenges she faces as their attraction grows. The question is whether her life will be too short for a real future together.
My Review: There’s a lot going on in this one, but it’s a solid ending to The Friend Zone series if you’re looking to read them all.
Part of Your World (2022; Part of Your World Book 1 of 3)
Part of Your World trigger warnings
Domestic abuse, toxic relationship, infidelity, toxic parents
Plot: Part of Your World is one of the best books for Gilmore Girls fans because it has small-town charm and a couple from two different worlds.
When Alexis Montgomery, who’s from a well-to-do family with high expectations, meets Daniel Grant, a small-town family business owner, sparks fly.
But, she is reeling from an abusive relationship, and she fears truly allowing him to be “part of her world.”
My Review: What’s unique about this book is the humor and grace with which the story is told, leaving readers’ hearts warmed. It’s an utterly loveable romantic comedy, reminiscent of late 90s/early 00s movies. There’s also a decent amount of spice.
Yours Truly (2023; Part of Your World Book 2 of 3)
Yours Truly trigger warnings
Anxiety, panic attacks, renal disease, infertility, infidelity, organ donation
Plot: Yours Truly is the second book in the Part of Your World series, but it is technically not a sequel and can be read as a standalone novel. The plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few crossovers.
In Yours Truly, ER doctor Briana is recently divorced after suffering a miscarriage and worried about her sick brother. She meets the new doctor who has unaffectionately been nicknamed “Dr. Death.”
But, when she gets a sweet letter from Dr. Death, otherwise known as Jacob, she writes back. As they continue to correspond, she learns he’s a donor match for the transplant her brother needs.
She’s so grateful that she agrees to “fake date” him at a family wedding. This is when things heat up between them.
My Review: Read this one if you like a satisfying slow burn with only mild spice. It also represents social anxiety very well and is great for letter-writing fans in novels.
Reading Tip: Don’t skip the author’s emotional note at the end.
Worst Wingman Ever (2024)
Worst Wingman Ever trigger warnings
Terminal illness, grief
Plot: Worst Wingman Ever is part of Amazon’s Improbable Meet-Cute series of short stories by popular romance authors.
It’s about a nurse named Holly caring for her dying grandmother. Curiously, she finds a Valentine’s Day card on her car. She finds out it was mistakenly placed on the wrong car by someone’s “wingman.” From there, banter and small acts of kindness ensue.
My Review: It’s hard to write a good short story, yet Abby Jimenez succeeds with this cutie. Read it if you’re looking for something quick, yet satisfying in the romance genre.
Just for the Summer (2024; Part of Your World Book 3 of 3)
Just For the Summer trigger warnings
Toxic parent
Plot: In Just For the Summer, Justin feels cursed. Every woman he dates finds her soulmate just after breaking up with him. Emma is similarly “cursed.” Together, they plan to date each other and break up, so they can live happily ever after with someone else.
Emma and Justin connect deeper than expected over their “mommy” issues. They just may be the perfect pair. But, the chaos left by Emma’s mom seems be too complicated to make the plan work.
My Review: This summer romance novel features my favorite couple in Abby Jimenez’s books. They are quirky, loveable, have great chemistry, and support each other through difficult life issues. There is also one spicy scene for steamy romance lovers!
It’s great for those who like a little bit of realistic drama in their escape reads. It’s one quick and very enjoyable summer-themed read.
Related Post: Just For the Summer Review
The Situationship (2024)
The Situationship trigger warnings
depression
Plot: Emma is a traveling nurse in Minnesota who runs into an acquaintance named Doug. He’s a rugged farmer with a pig (the town mascot) named Kevin Bacon and a chicken named Russell Crow. Did I mention he cooks, plays the guitar, and is emotionally open? These are all “green flags” for Maddy, but she’s not sure the relationship timing is right.
Review: With incredible ease, this short story fully invests the reader in Maddy and Doug (and their witty banter). Doug’s “green flags” for Maddy are also green flags for the reader. Who wouldn’t want a man who makes a mean grilled cheese and communicates his emotions?!
The problem? Their story ends so abruptly. Though it’s meant to be a cliffhanger, it doesn’t feel like it. Instead, it leaves the reader feeling stunned and confused. I assume these two will become leads in a future book and that this story was just meant to get us interested in them (which it definitely does), but I left feeling like the publisher wronged us loyal readers.
I still recommend it because the writing is as delightful as ever, but I wish the ending respected readers more.
Say You’ll Remember Me (2025)
Say You’ll Remember Me trigger warnings
memory loss
From the publisher:
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.
Printable PDF List of Books in Order
ABBY JIMENEZ BOOK LIST
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Recap
This guide to Abby Jimenez’s books detailed the beloved contemporary romance novels known for dogs, recipes, alternating male and female perspectives, and complex real-life issues standing in the way of the leading couple.
To recap, it is best practice to read these books in order of publication date to not spoil any plotlines. However, you don’t “have to” since the plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book.
Otherwise, you can start wherever you want and continue however you want.
SHOP THE TOP 3
My top picks are The Happy Ever After Playlist for a rock star romance and Part of Your World for a small-town romance (popular with readers). I also loved Just For the Summer and think it will be really hot throughout 2024.
remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
Hello,
Thank you for your insight! I have all of the books and have read them in order of publication. I did notice that in your description of each book that the female leads in POYW and YT were reversed and should be Alexis in Part of Your World and Brianna in Yours Truly.
Thank you SO MUCH for picking up on that! I have fixed it and added a few more character connections after going back to take another look at Yours Truly. Hope you enjoy the newest book as much as I did.
Yes! I agree with you! Read all of them and enjoyed each one, but definitely liked Part of your world and Yours Truly is the best. I also love the way all the stories intertwine with each other. All the stories reference another book character in one way or another creating an amazing AJ universe that is always filled with Nadia Cakes.