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3.5 rounded up to 4.

The first time Samantha Diaz met Veterinarian Xavier Rush their physical chemistry was off the charts but their interraction ended with her calling him an asshole and telling him his bedside manner needed work.

But when Samantha proves Xavier wrong, he’s man enough to apologise. And when he asks her out, she willingly accepts. Their first date is perfection, until Samantha drops a bombshell �� she’s moving to California the next day! They are both gutted to say goodbye because even after only one date their connection feels real, special, forever. But can they make it work when they not only live in two different cities, but have crucial family and professional obligations that take priority?

Say You Remember Me was bingeable. I whipped through it, and it evoked all the feels. However, I wasn’t sold on the whole what felt like instalove to me with Samantha and Xavier’s relationship focusing on how they were going to be together rather than the getting together. And Samantha’s family drama (which was emotional and heartfelt) took precedence over the romance, and the relationship aspect tended to take a backseat. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when my romances contain real life issues and obstacles, as well as other genres aside from romance, but when I started this novel, I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and don’t feel like this one entirely delivered.

The focus of this book was a close-knit family in crisis (Samantha’s) and even though the chapters alternated between the two main character’s I did notice that Samantha’s chapters tended to be lengthier/more prominent. Abby Jimenez has included trigger warnings at the beginning, so I won’t list them here. And some of them were triggers for me, but they were also spoilers so approach with caution. I personally am glad the author thought to include them as it gives you the option. The romantic tropes were grumpy x sunshine, and hate to love, although if you squint you will miss both of these. Also, forced separation and long distance.

I purchased both the e-book and audiobook, and Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter were the perfect choices to voice Samantha and Xavier. I especially loved that even when Matt Lanter was narrating Xavier’s chapters Christine Lakin still read Samantha’s dialogue, and vice versa. That doesn’t often happen and made the listening experience even more immersive. High praise for the audio!

I think if you go into Say You Remember Me knowing that the romance is secondary to the family drama you will love this one more. I did enjoy it, but it wasn’t my favourite by Abby Jimenez. I have a feeling I’m going to be very much in the minority though and that most readers/reviewers will rate this book five stars.