One of my longtime editing clients reached out last week in a minor panic. She'd received her manuscript back from her beta readers and they all loved the veterinarian hero—but nobody liked the love interest's job. She asked me what could possibly be a more charming career than veterinarian for a romance hero. I told her I had no idea, but I'd just read a book with a grumpy vet and he was absolutely dreamy, so maybe don't change a thing. She kept the vet. The book in question was Say You'll Remember Me, and honestly, it's been living in my head rent-free ever since. Abby Jimenez somehow manages to make me cry and laugh in the same chapter, every single time.
Plot Summary
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez is a contemporary romance and the first book in a new series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer. Samantha is easygoing, warm, and works remotely doing social media management for a mustard company. Xavier is a veterinarian who, by his own admission, is much better with animals than people. When Samantha brings in a rescue kitten and they immediately clash—and then immediately connect—something electric sparks between them. They share what might be the greatest first date in recorded history. And then reality crashes in: Samantha's mother is battling early-onset dementia, and Samantha must relocate to California to help her family. What follows is a poignant, often funny, and deeply emotional long-distance love story about two people refusing to let go of something worth keeping.
Why I Love This Book
I love that Say You'll Remember Me doesn't shy away from the heavy stuff. Samantha's family situation is portrayed with real empathy—it's not a convenient obstacle, it's a genuine emotional core of the story. And yet, Abby Jimenez somehow keeps the book funny and warm throughout. Xavier is a wonderfully layered hero. He has his own complicated history and his own walls, but he commits to Samantha in a way that made me tear up more than once. I love the dual POV—getting inside both heads made me feel equally invested in each character's happiness. The banter is top tier. The kitten is perfect. And the supporting family cast adds enormous heart.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy Abby Jimenez's signature blend of heart, humor, and emotional depth, Say You'll Remember Me is absolutely for you. Grumpy/sunshine fans will devour Xavier and Samantha's dynamic. Readers who appreciate family-centric stories alongside romance will find plenty to love here. This is not a light, frothy read—it deals with grief, family illness, and difficult pasts—but the emotional payoff is tremendous. Fans of Just for the Summer and Part of Your World will feel right at home.
⚠️ Trigger warning: early-onset dementia, death of a family member, memories of child abuse, memories of animal abuse.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, series starter, Abby Jimenez, grumpy sunshine, meet cute, long-distance romance, veterinarian hero, family drama, dual POV, emotional, humor, HEA, Minnesota setting, California setting, friends to lovers, moderate steam
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Moderate
Say You'll Remember Me is moderately steamy in the Abby Jimenez tradition—open door but not the focus. The romance is primarily driven by emotional connection and witty chemistry, with a few well-placed and nicely written steamy scenes that feel fully earned by the time they arrive.
