Two strangers, one unforgettable night—and a year of real-life obstacles that test whether chemistry can survive long distance, family chaos, and grief.
Title: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Published: May 6, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance (women’s-fiction leaning)
Tropes: Grumpy × Sunshine, Long-Distance, Caregiver Stress, Found Family Threads
Setting: California & Minnesota
Heat Level: Low/Closed-Door
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
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Publisher's Description
There's no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate 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, 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 enough to forget what's between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.
My Review
I went into this one excited to experience the Abby Jimenez magic everyone raves about, but it didn't quite land for me the way I'd hoped. The opening stretch is charming and the meet-cute has real spark, yet as the story widens, the romance keeps slipping behind stacked family crises and time jumps. I found myself wishing for more on-page connection between the leads to make the devotion feel earned.
For context: If you loved the emotional depth of Part of Your World or the banter in The Happy Ever After Playlist, this one leans heavier into family drama with less on-page romance development than her earlier works.
Xavier is easy to root for: a veterinary doctor with a caretaker heart and steady, acts-of-service energy. The early banter works, and there are genuine pockets of warmth and humor. But once the long-distance reality kicks in, the relationship often happens off-screen; big emotional beats get summarized rather than lived with, which thins the slow-burn payoff. Xavier’s quiet devotion—like the late-night call where his calm steadiness keeps her from unraveling—showcases Jimenez’s gift for emotionally intelligent heroes.
On tone, the book leans heavy—grief, caregiver strain, fractured families. Those themes matter, and when handled with focus they can deepen a romance. Here, the cumulative weight (plus frequent time skips) sometimes turns momentum into fatigue. Pop-culture callouts pop up often and, for me, pulled attention away from the characters rather than adding personality.
Having lived through my own mother’s journey with dementia, I naturally read this part of the story with a heavy heart. My mom lived with us for twelve years before transitioning to memory care, and while those years were hard, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. She never forgot who I was, though I’ll never forget the day she looked at me and said,
"I don't remember you, but you are very beautiful." That moment captured the strange grace of the disease—how love can remain even when memory fades.
Because of that lived experience, I found myself craving a deeper, more nuanced exploration of dementia in this story. The topic deserved more space and honesty—the kind that shows both the exhaustion and the quiet joy that coexist in real caregiving.
Bottom line: there’s a tender, heartfelt core here—especially in how the story honors caretaking and choosing to show up. While I wanted more on-page connection, the emotional sincerity and steady MMC make it a solid, relatable read.A Note on Expectations
This review reflects my personal reading experience and preferences. I tend to gravitate toward romance-forward stories with strong on-page chemistry. If you prefer character-driven women's fiction with romantic elements and don't mind heavier family arcs, your mileage may vary—and that's okay! Book love is subjective. ❤️
What Worked (Strengths)
- Devoted MMC: Xavier's acts-of-service love language feels genuine—his veterinary career and caretaker instincts create a hero worth rooting for.
- Real-life stakes: Dementia caregiving, family strain, and distance are handled with sincerity and emotional weight.
- Early spark: The meet-cute and first-date momentum are engaging and fun—I wished the whole book had this energy.
- Found family threads: The supporting cast adds warmth, even when the main romance feels distant.
What Didn’t (Weaknesses)
- Romance sidelined: stacked conflicts eclipse on-page relationship building.
- Pacing & jumps: frequent time skips undercut emotional immersion.
- Pop-culture density: references distract more than they deepen.
Who Might Love It Anyway
- Women's fiction fans: If you prioritize family dynamics and emotional realism over romance momentum
- Abby Jimenez devotees: Her signature warmth and acts-of-service heroes are present
- Caregiver representation matters to you: Dementia caregiving is portrayed with authenticity and respect
- You prefer closed-door romance: Emotional intimacy over physical scenes
Character Snapshot
Xavier: grumpy, grounded, and relentlessly loyal; his caretaking reads sincere but sometimes outpaces the relationship on the page.
Samantha: resilient under pressure with family obligations front and center; her arc feels authentic, though the romance occasionally gets lost in the noise.
Content Notes
Advanced dementia; cheating (side character); mentions of past abuse; animal-in-peril scene (pet survives); sudden death of a side character.
Rating Breakdown
Plot/Pacing: ★★☆☆☆ (uneven but engaging setup)Romance Development: ★★☆☆☆ (light, off-page)
Character Work: ★★★☆☆ (Xavier shines)
Emotional Impact: ★★★☆☆ (tender moments hit home)
Writing Quality: ★★★★☆ (Jimenez’s warmth is unmistakable)
Looking for similar vibes done differently? Try Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry for an introspective romance with heart and humor, or explore our Emotional Romance collection for other stories about love and second chances.
Join the Conversation
Did the long-distance structure work for you, or did you want more on-page connection? I’d love to hear your take—drop a comment below.
This post contains affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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- The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne
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