Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

A Four-Star Book

Abby Jimenez remains one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. I anxiously await her new book as every publication date nears, so I was very excited for April 2025 when she published her latest book, Say You’ll Remember Me. While this isn’t my favorite romance by Ms. Jimenez, it is still an endearing, heart-touching story of two flawed human beings discovering each other: a theme at which Jimenez excels.

Summary of Say You’ll Remember Me (No Spoilers)

Samantha and Xavier have a romance that appears clandestine after a strained meet-cute at Xavier’s veterinary clinic and a once-in-a-lifetime amazing date. Unfortunately, that one date will likely be all there is, as Samantha is moving from Minnesota back to California to help take care of her ailing mother. Both agree that a budding long-distance relationship long-distance isn’t feasible, so they decide to leave each other behind.

Except, in true romance novel fashion, neither can forget the other. While Samantha juggles her new life at her family home and witnesses her mother’s further decline into dementia, she and Xavier cannot help but return to each other. It’s clear that they want to be together, but the only way that can happen is if Xavier leaves his practice, which is just getting off the ground, and moves to California. The story follows their journeys from airport to airport, with worries about finances, long-held dreams, and what the future may hold if they truly do decide to forget each other.

I want someone who knows everything there is to know about me, and I want to know everything about them. I want to be able to say one out-of-context comment to someone and they get what it means and they laugh and it’s just some stupid joke from like eleven years ago that means nothing to anyone else.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

(Page 137)

My Thoughts about Say You’ll Remember Me

Samantha and Xavier are an adorable couple. She’s feisty and he’s stoic, and it just works when they’re together. I loved their connection because it was instant yet they continued to learn things about each other every time they met. They each have compelling backstories that address real issues: aging family members, past traumas, and the responsibilities of being adults. Their relationship is hopeful but challenged, and they made me laugh and feel tears prick my eyes. With that much emotional richness, Say You’ll Remember Me echoes Ms. Jimenez’s other works.

However, I felt like this read was more heavy-handed than other Jimenez books I love. Is it well-written? Absolutely. Does it pull at my emotions? Definitely. But their angst of being kept apart felt repetitive, which I guess would happen if their story was reality. But by page 200, I got the message. I wanted a resolution, which was far too drawn out. And, the theme of memory was overused, in my opinion. Dementia is a devastating health issue, and I felt compassion for Samantha’s mom and her family. But the continued press of memory as a theme for Samantha and Xavier’s relationship was nearly too much. From the title, Say You’ll Remember Me, to the pair’s worries of being forgotten, it was a clear message but wedged into the story so much that it lost its glimmer for me.

I’m sad that I didn’t love Say You’ll Remember Me, but maybe it was just one of those instances that the book wasn’t right for me at this time. I still praise Ms. Jimenez for her writing strengths and her commitment to telling emotional stories about a couple who face real challenges. I wanted Samantha and Xavier to triumph for the beginning, and the ending was satisfying, which makes this a four-star book that I think would be a top read for others. I’ll keep celebrating Abby Jimenez and am happily awaiting her next book.