This is going to be a difficult review to write. Abby Jimenez’s new novel, Say You’ll Remember Me ( Forever 2025), just didn’t live up to my expectations. I really enjoy Jimenez’s work. I’ve said before that I don’t really read romance – that’s mostly because I’m just very particular about what I want in a book and romance books don’t always deliver that. Jimenez usually does, however. Her books have heart. But this one? I could feel its heart every once and again, but it mostly let me down.
I’m going to start with the cover because it annoys me – I do not think it fits the narrative. The backdrop is fine, the colors are fine though a bit cotton candy-ish, but the wardrobe choices on the characters just feel wrong (why is this man not in blue?) Both of them are supposed to have black hair, and she’s supposed to be curvy. The cat should have been on the cover moreso than Jake, the dog who rarely features in their relationship.
That leads me to my next complaint. I love that Jimenez has dogs in her works, and I’ve never felt that the dogs were there just because she felt she needed to add a dog. Until this novel. Both Jake and Pugsly seem misplaced – serving for a storyline and then being ignored until needed again. Neither character seems to be a responsible pet owner, if we’re being real, and it annoys me that they were just abandoned plot devices.
The plot here is an insta love that must immediately face a long distance relationship. Add the fact Samantha’s mother is suffering with early onset dementia and Xavier’s abusive upbringing and you have two folks who cling to each other in a way that teeters on unhealthy. Both of them need a good therapist. And Xavier’s friends and Samantha’s family just seem disregarded. Shells of people that deserved to be fleshed out, especially Samantha’s family. (But also, Xavier is a crap friend when he gets in a relationship, eh?)
As for the good stuff? The writing is sharp and fun. There are some hilarious and unique moments as expected with Jimenez. I hate that the final product fell short for me. I also know I’m in the minority so…
Also, the repeated ACOTAR references early on did nothing but annoy me.
A Girl Named Tommi 