In her newest novel, Say You’ll Remember Me, Abby Jimenez delivers a deeply moving love story that tackles the complexities of long-distance relationships against the backdrop of family obligations and personal sacrifice. Known for her signature blend of humor and heart-wrenching emotion, Jimenez proves once again that she’s a master at crafting romances that feel authentically lived-in while exploring difficult life circumstances.
The Story: More Than Just a Romance
When veterinarian Xavier Rush meets social media manager Samantha Diaz over a butthole-less kitten (yes, you read that correctly), their initial encounter is anything but romantic. He’s grumpy, she’s defensive, and they part ways with Samantha calling Xavier an asshole—not exactly a meet-cute for the ages. But when Xavier later makes an anonymous donation to Samantha’s GoFundMe for the kitten’s surgery, it’s clear there’s more to this brooding vet than meets the eye.
Their eventual first date becomes something magical when they get locked in an escape room overnight, creating an instant bond that feels both destined and impossible. Just as they begin to connect, Samantha reveals she’s moving back to California to help care for her mother who has early-onset dementia, leaving Xavier behind in Minnesota.
What follows is a love story marked by:
- Physical distance that creates emotional yearning
- Financial and professional limitations that keep them apart
- Family obligations that cannot be abandoned
- Stolen moments that mean everything
Jimenez doesn’t craft a typical romance where the only obstacle is miscommunication or pride. Instead, she presents a mature love between two people who know exactly what they want but face seemingly insurmountable real-world barriers to being together.
Character Development: Flawed, Authentic, and Endearing
Xavier and Samantha shine as protagonists with clear motivations and genuine struggles. Xavier, formed by a childhood of abuse, has built a successful veterinary practice but keeps everyone at arm’s length. Samantha, vibrant and witty, is the marketing genius behind a mustard brand’s social media presence who finds herself suddenly transplanted back to her family home when her grandmother dies and her mother’s dementia worsens.
What makes these characters particularly compelling:
- Xavier’s quiet strength – His stoicism isn’t just a character trait but a survival mechanism from his traumatic upbringing. His journey toward vulnerability feels earned and meaningful.
- Samantha’s humor as resilience – Her quips and jokes aren’t just for reader entertainment; they’re how she processes grief and maintains her identity amid caregiving responsibilities.
- Their mutual respect – Even when making difficult decisions that keep them apart, they prioritize each other’s wellbeing and dreams.
The supporting cast—particularly Samantha’s family—feels equally dimensional. Her siblings Jeneva and Tristan, her father, and her grandmother all navigate their own struggles with caregiving, grief, and changing family dynamics in ways that feel honest and complex.
Themes: Memory, Sacrifice, and Parallel Lives
What elevates Say You’ll Remember Me beyond a typical romance is Jimenez’s deft handling of themes that resonate universally:
Memory and Identity
The central motif of dementia in Samantha’s mother creates a poignant backdrop for exploring how memory shapes identity. When her mother repeatedly forgets who Samantha is, it cuts to the core of her sense of self. This plays beautifully against Xavier and Samantha’s fear that their brief time together won’t be enough to sustain their connection:
“But the small memories are the fabric of your life, the ones so inconsequential that you don’t even remember them. You just remember how you felt when you were making them.”
This exploration of what we remember and what we forget becomes increasingly powerful as the story progresses.
Witnessing a Life
Jimenez introduces the concept of being a “witness” to someone’s life—the person who sees, remembers, and validates your existence. For Samantha, watching her mother lose the ability to witness her life is devastating. For Xavier, who grew up without supportive parents, finding someone who truly sees him is transformative.
The Tension Between Obligation and Desire
Both protagonists face impossible choices between what they want and what they owe to others. Xavier is financially tethered to his practice, while Samantha cannot abandon her mother’s care. The novel asks difficult questions about sacrifice without providing easy answers.
Writing Style: Emotional Intelligence with Humor
Jimenez’s writing style is accessible yet emotionally intelligent. She balances moments of genuine heartbreak with lines that make you laugh out loud:
- The recurring “Come On Eileen” joke that develops from their night locked in the escape room
- Samantha accidentally swallowing her earbud while grieving
- The viral moment when Xavier becomes a “VILF” (Veterinarian I’d Like to…)
These moments of levity make the emotional gut-punches—like Samantha’s grandmother’s death or Xavier’s hospitalization—hit even harder.
Structural Strengths and Weaknesses
The alternating perspectives between Xavier and Samantha create a balanced narrative that allows readers to understand both protagonists’ motivations and inner struggles. This structure is particularly effective when they’re physically separated, giving us insight into how they’re each handling the distance.
Where the book occasionally falters is in some timeline compression toward the end. The resolution, while satisfying emotionally, feels slightly rushed after the careful pacing of the earlier sections. Some readers might wish for more exploration of Xavier’s transition to California and how they navigate their new life together.
Notable Highlights
Some of the novel’s most memorable moments include:
- The escape room scene where Xavier and Samantha form their initial bond
- Their first kiss on the beach in California
- The devastating mix-up when they both surprise each other by traveling to the wrong location
- Xavier’s heartbreaking revelation about his childhood dog, Winnie
- The emotional family meeting where Samantha confronts her siblings and father
Critical Assessment
While Say You’ll Remember Me is a strong addition to Jimenez’s bibliography, it’s not without flaws. The resolution, though emotionally satisfying, relies somewhat on convenient timing and fortunate circumstances. The clinic situation wraps up a bit too neatly, and some readers might question whether the financial realities of Xavier’s decision are fully addressed.
Additionally, while the dementia storyline is handled with sensitivity and realism, occasional repetition in how the symptoms manifest could have been trimmed for narrative tightness.
These minor criticisms, however, don’t detract significantly from the novel’s emotional impact or the authentic journey of its protagonists.
Comparison to Jimenez’s Other Works
Fans of Jimenez’s previous novels like Part of Your World and Yours Truly will recognize her ability to blend serious topics with romance and humor. Say You’ll Remember Me continues this tradition while perhaps taking on even heavier themes than her previous works.
What sets this novel apart is its unflinching look at caregiving responsibilities and how they shape romantic possibilities. While her previous books touched on health challenges and family obligations, this one places them front and center in a way that feels fresh and important.
Final Verdict: A Memorable Addition to the Romance Genre
Say You’ll Remember Me is a good read for its:
- Honest portrayal of long-distance relationships
- Nuanced handling of dementia and caregiving
- Well-developed characters with clear motivations
- Balance of emotional depth and humor
- Realistic obstacles that don’t feel manufactured for drama
For readers who enjoy contemporary romance with substantial emotional heft, this novel delivers a satisfying reading experience that will linger long after the final page. It’s perfect for fans of Emily Henry’s emotional depth, Christina Lauren’s humor, and Colleen Hoover’s exploration of family dynamics.
Jimenez continues to prove that romance novels can tackle serious issues without losing their heart or hope. Say You’ll Remember Me reminds us that sometimes the most enduring love stories are those that face the most challenging circumstances—and find a way forward anyway.
Who Should Read This Book
This book is ideal for readers who:
- Appreciate romance novels that tackle real-world issues
- Enjoy dual-perspective narratives
- Are looking for stories that feature complex family dynamics
- Want an emotional journey with both tears and laughter
- Have experienced caregiving responsibilities or long-distance relationships
If you’re looking for a romance that offers more than a simple happily-ever-after—one that makes you think about what we owe to ourselves and others, how we hold on to memories, and what it means to truly witness someone’s life—then Say You’ll Remember Me deserves a place on your bookshelf.