Does Say You’ll Remember Me live up to the standards of Abby Jimenez’s fans?! This book review uncovers all the romance by the USA Today and New York Times bestseller. You’ll learn why this book differs from her other books (I’ve read them all) and why it’s worth reading for its realistic portrayal of love in many forms. Let’s fall in love with Samantha and Xavier!
Say You’ll Remember Me Book Review: An Analysis Without Spoilers
5 out of 5 stars and the second best Abby Jimenez book. Say You’ll Remember Me is a very heavy, yet very realistic, romance book. At times, the couple’s story feels almost too much to bear, but then you realize, as a reader, that such is the nature of true love. One minute, it’s laughing in an escape room; the next, it’s tragedy, trauma, and struggles like job loss, debt, and family drama. True love like this sees color in the darkness. For this reason, Xavier and Samantha are one of the most memorable couples about whom I’ve read.
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Key Details of This Spicy Contemporary Romance Novel
Author Abby Jimenez described the trigger warnings as follows: “This book contains detailed descriptions of someone with advanced dementia. There’s mention of a cheating spouse of a side character, mention of past child abuse both physical and emotional. Mention of animal abuse, cruelty, neglect, and death. There’s a scene where a dog is in peril. (The dog doesn’t die. The main character’s dog will NEVER die.) Sudden off-page death of a side character with a heart condition.”
Spoiler-Free Plot Summary of Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
In Say You’ll Remember Me, Xavier Rush is a handsome veterinarian who falls hard for the spitfire Samantha Diaz on their epic first date sunset cruising for an animal charity, mini golfing with friends, and getting stuck in an escape room as “Come on Eileen” plays on repeat.
The problem? Samantha, a bold and witty social media manager for a mustard company, is moving thousands of miles away to Los Angeles to live with her multi-generational Mexican American family and help care for her mother, who has advanced dementia at age 54.
She just wants Xavier to forget her, but he can’t. He has his own baggage, including abusive parents and financial burdens, and she brings color to his life, even if it’s limited to small, ordinary moments in pockets of time.
Can they navigate the thousands of miles between them and all of their real-life struggles, and is it worth it?
Characters (Generally In Order of Appearance)
- Samantha Diaz: a 29-year-old social media manager for Murkle’s Mustard. She has Mexican heritage, long black hair, and brown eyes, and she is curvy. Her cat is Pooter, and her dog is Pugsly.
- Dr. Xavier Rush: a 28-year-old veterinarian who resembles Rhysand from the ACOTAR book series. His dog is Jake from State Farm.
- Maggie: Xavier’s vet tech.
- Tina: Xavier’s vet tech.
- Jeneva: Samantha’s 32-year-old divorced sister, a special education teacher.
- Chris: Xavier’s best friend, a pharmacist.
- Mike: Xavier’s best friend, who works in finance and is a personal trainer. He’s tan, brawny, and handsome.
- Jesse: Xavier’s best friend, who also works in finance.
- Becca: Xavier’s best friend and Jesse’s girlfriend.
- Lisa: Samantha’s 54-year-old mother, who has dementia. She used to run the family’s landscaping business.
- Braden: Jeneva’s 11-year-old son.
- Holden: Jeneva’s 12-year-old son with ADHD.
- Omar: Jeneva’s ex-husband, a sex addict.
- Carolyn: Xavier’s ex, an acquisition attorney.
- Oscar: Samantha’s ex, a semi-professional baseball player.
- Dan: Samantha’s father, a regional manager for a furniture company.
- Xavier’s mother: has MS and is detached.
- Xavier’s father: a disabled military veteran and alcoholic.
- Tristan: Samantha’s 24-year-old brother, an artist who was once a viral cake decorator.
- Grandma: Samantha’s grandmother, a 77-year-old first-generation Mexican American.
- Donna: Mike’s mom, who owns Donna’s Café.
- Janessa: Mike’s younger sister.
- Shannon Horwedel: Samantha’s childhood bully.
- Dr. Hank Brekken: a retired veterinarian.
- Uncle Roman: Samantha’s uncle.
Pros and Cons (With the Best Quotes)
PROS AND CONS
PROS
- Broad representation of diverse people and issues
- Shows that love (of all kinds) conquers all
- Lovable characters
- More furry friends than usual
CONS
- Sad-tone
- Potentially triggering content
- Unrealistic instant love (“insta-love”)
- A “too perfect” male main character
Say You’ll Remember Me is both similar and different from other Abby Jimenez books. Readers like me will love getting another dose of witty banter, cute dogs (and cats), quick pacing, and a fun friend group. They’ll also love the especially broad range of representation this novel encompasses, from dementia to the uniquely colorful members of the lovable, multi-generational Diaz family. You really get to sit at the table with them in this novel!
It also made deeply impactful statements on the nature of love in all its forms. It’s messy, it’s ugly, and we desperately need it! Here, this often comes in the form of caretaking and support through the hard times and a “no matter what” commitment to those in our lives, both furry and human. It’s about clinging to the bright spots and surviving through the dark ones.
Say You’ll Remember Me is not a romantic comedy and maintains a sad tone throughout, which will be hard for some readers.
But, it all came together by the end because this book made me realize the truth about love’s true nature. It’s not fanciful declarations on glamorous dates, as we are used to reading about. It’s being a witness to that which we bear on a daily basis. Not being able to afford a plane ticket or take off work to see your significant other? Now, that’s something people can relate to.
Likewise, readers should know that the triggering content is especially triggering here, and there are many more triggers than usual. The graphic animal abuse content was especially tough for me to read. It does feel like there is so much for the characters to bear, but there’s also so much beauty and grace in how they navigate it.
I’m not usually a fan of “insta-love,” but the realistic nature of everything that happens after Samantha’s and Xavier’s first date makes up for it. Likewise, Xavier, who’s unabashedly described as looking like Rhysand from the ACOTAR book series, may be just a little too perfect as the endlessly loving dog doctor, but that doesn’t keep me from wanting to know what happens next for him and for Samantha’s whole family.
Suffice it to say that Xavier and Samantha are one of the most memorable couples about whom I’ve read.
My Overall Impression: Is it worth reading?
Yes. If you (or your book club) are ok with triggering content and a sad tone, Say You’ll Remember Me is a realistic and touching portrayal of character-driven love in the face of countless challenges.
It works well for fans of Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, and Christina Lauren.
More Abby Jimenez Books To Read
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remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
