Book Review: Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez – A Heartfelt Romance with Real-Life Depth

Say You’ll Remember Me captures the beauty of unexpected love and the courage it takes to hold on through life’s toughest moments.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Hachette Audio and Libro.fm for the ALC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

Xavier Rush might be dangerously close to perfect—a stunning veterinarian with Greek god looks and a soft spot for kittens—until he speaks and completely ruins the illusion. Samantha loves nothing more than proving a jerk wrong…unless he can admit his mistakes. After an unexpectedly amazing, never-ending date, she’s forced to face reality: her family is in crisis, and a relationship is impossible. She begs Xavier to let their night remain a perfect memory, but forgetting isn’t so easy. Because sometimes, one perfect moment isn’t enough—especially when there’s a chance to build a love worth remembering.

My Thoughts:

Abby Jimenez never fails to deliver an emotional, compelling story, and Say You’ll Remember Me is no exception. In fact, it might just be one of my favourites. While it absolutely delivers the swoon-worthy, slow-burn romance fans expect, it also dives into themes of family, sacrifice, and the invisible weight of caregiving.

From the moment Samantha meets Xavier Rush—a charming, gorgeous veterinarian who treats kittens like royalty—it’s clear there’s potential for something special. But things don’t exactly get off to a smooth start. Xavier might look like he walked out of a romance novel, but his foot-in-mouth moments are memorable for all the wrong reasons. Still, there’s an undeniable spark between them, and as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that their connection runs deeper than just physical attraction.

Samantha first meets Xavier when she brings a tiny kitten to his clinic. When he diagnoses a serious medical condition requiring expensive surgery, she’s devastated. Euthanasia is presented as an option, but Samantha refuses to give up. She launches a GoFundMe to save the kitten—and in a touching twist, discovers that Xavier himself contributed $500. Their next meeting is serendipitous and bittersweet, as Samantha is preparing to leave Minnesota for California. Still, the two share a perfect night together before parting ways.

But that night becomes more than just a memory. Even with distance between them, the connection is undeniable. Samantha is moving to California for a deeply personal reason—her mother is living with advanced dementia, and caring for her requires the strength and presence of the entire family. Jimenez handles this aspect of the story with incredible sensitivity and realism. As someone who has seen how dementia impacts not just the individual but the entire family unit, I found this part of the story incredibly moving and relatable.

Samantha and Xavier’s long-distance romance simmers with tension and emotion. The attraction between them is palpable, and one of Jimenez’s greatest strengths is creating couples that feel real. Their chemistry jumps off the page—and in this case, right out of the speakers.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter, and I can’t say enough about how well done it was. Their performances were spot-on—the timing of their banter, the emotional nuance, everything. I especially appreciated the production choice to have the characters’ actual voices come through even during the other’s POV chapters. It elevated an already fantastic book to a whole other level. Huge thanks to the publisher for going the extra mile with this one.

Final Thoughts:

Say You’ll Remember Me is not just a love story—it’s a story about love in all its forms. Romantic, familial, selfless. It’s about remembering the moments that matter, and fighting for the ones you love, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

This one stayed with me—and I think it will for a long time.

Some of the Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Abby Jimenez:

Just For The Summer

Worst Wingman Ever

Yours Truly