Say You'll Remember Me

by Abby Jimenez

Romance

Contemporary

Women's Fiction

368 Pages

"Abby Jimenez has done it again—Say You'll Remember Me is funny, heartbreaking, and swoony. I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down."

Synopsis

There might be no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes 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. And when Xavier does exactly that, something unexpected happens. One incredible, seemingly endless date follows—possibly the best in living history. The chemistry is undeniable, the connection profound, the possibilities intoxicating. But reality crashes in when Samantha is forced to confront the truth: her family is in crisis, and any kind of relationship would be impossible right now. As crushing as it is, she begs Xavier to forget her, to remember their perfect night together as a beautiful moment frozen in time and nothing more. Only no amount of distance or time proves nearly enough to forget what they felt. The connection between them refuses to fade, pulling them back together despite every obstacle. And Samantha begins to realize that maybe the only thing better than one single perfect memory is taking the risk to build a life—and even a love—worth remembering forever.

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.