There’s no such thing as a perfect guy—but Xavier Rush comes dangerously close. That is, until he opens his mouth. A gorgeous, broody veterinarian with tragic eyes and Greek god looks, holding a kitten in need? Immediate book boyfriend status. But what makes Say You’ll Remember Me more than just another grumpy-sunshine romance is the way Abby Jimenez balances emotional heft with sweetness, tackling subjects like trauma, memory loss, and caregiving with incredible heart and authenticity.
The story follows Samantha, a woman whose life is quietly unraveling under the weight of family responsibility. Her mother, Lisa, is battling early-onset dementia, and her tight-knit family is doing their best to hold things together as pieces begin to fall apart. Samantha is smart, sharp-witted, and grounded, constantly pulled between her desire for love and her duty to the people who need her most. She meets Xavier in the middle of a kitten-related crisis, and what follows is anything but a traditional meet-cute. He messes up, badly—but he owns it. And then, just when it seems they might have something real, life gets in the way.
One night. That’s all they have. But it’s enough to leave a mark.
Jimenez excels at writing flawed, deeply human characters. Xavier has his own baggage—his childhood was shaped by neglect and emotional trauma, and you can feel how hard he’s worked to become the man he is. He’s steady, emotionally available (even when it’s hard), and determined to show up. The chemistry between him and Samantha is there, but what really makes their dynamic work is the way they try—they mess up, they overthink, they say the wrong things—but they keep trying.
Where the book really shines is in its portrayal of family dynamics and caregiving. As someone who has cared for a loved one with dementia, the story hit hard. Jimenez doesn’t flinch from the hard truths: the guilt, the exhaustion, the quiet grief of watching someone you love disappear in pieces. Samantha’s experience—the balancing act of being a daughter, sister, and caregiver while also trying to be her own person—is heartbreakingly real. Her family isn’t just background noise either; they’re fully developed, with their own voices, flaws, and coping mechanisms. Her dad is quietly breaking under the pressure. Her sister is fierce and practical. Her brother is direct, artistic, and deeply caring. And Lisa, the mother slowly slipping away, is portrayed with heartbreaking nuance.
There are moments of levity, though. The book isn’t a sob-fest—it’s funny, charming, and hopeful. Jimenez has a gift for finding light in the darkest moments. Whether it’s a tender scene between siblings or a goofy cat-related mishap, there’s warmth throughout. That balance is what makes the story work.
That said, the pacing does falter in parts. The romance feels a little rushed—Xavier and Samantha fall hard and fast, and while their emotional connection is believable, there’s a sense that we’re told more than we’re shown. A bit more slow burn, more quiet moments of connection, would have helped deepen their bond. And toward the end, the book speeds through emotional developments that could’ve landed harder with more room to breathe. Certain subplots, like the grandmother’s trauma and Xavier’s financial stress, felt underdeveloped—almost like emotional garnish instead of integral parts of the story.
Still, Say You’ll Remember Me is a standout read. It’s romantic, yes, but more than that—it’s real. It’s a book about memory, about the imprint people leave on our lives, and the way love can persist even when everything else is slipping away. The title hits doubly hard, referencing both the fading memory of Samantha’s mother and Samantha’s own plea to Xavier—to remember what they had, even if life pulls them apart.
Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter bring the story to life with excellent audiobook narration, giving voice and depth to characters that already feel incredibly human on the page.
Final thoughts:
This isn’t just a romance—it’s a story about remembering in every sense of the word. Remembering who you are, who you’ve loved, and what you’re willing to fight for. It’s messy and bittersweet, funny and sincere, and it will stay with you long after the last page. While I wanted more from the romance itself, the emotional honesty and heart make this book something special.
4.5 out of 5 stars. A must-read for fans of character-driven love stories with emotional depth.