Say you will remember me by Abby Jimenez

Our bookclub pick for this month was Say You’ll Remember Me, and Abby Jimenez once again delivered a story that feels both tender and raw.

The novel begins with what could easily have been a fleeting moment—Samantha standing in a vet’s office, clinging to hope for a sick kitten, and Xavier, the compassionate yet honest vet who gently tells her that letting go might be the kinder choice. That first meeting sets the tone for a romance that is rooted not in grand gestures, but in small acts of kindness, shared vulnerability, and persistence.

Xavier is a man scarred by his past—parents who dismissed his learning struggles and left him with wounds that still shape his adult life. Samantha, meanwhile, is carrying the weight of caregiving, loss, and the uncertainty of long-distance love. Their connection is immediate, but Jimenez refuses to make it easy. Instead, she crafts a story about the challenges of sustaining love when life keeps pulling you in opposite directions.

Themes That Resonated

Love and sacrifice: This isn’t a love story built on perfection, but on two people choosing each other again and again, despite the miles and the obstacles.
Family and forgiveness: Xavier’s storyline with his parents highlights how some wounds may never fully heal, and how chosen family can sometimes be stronger than blood ties.
The weight of caregiving: Through Samantha, Jimenez shows how draining and isolating caregiving can be, while also reminding us of the importance of creating joy in the middle of hardship.
Humor and lightness: Just when the emotions grow heavy, she lifts the story with warmth, friendship, and yes—Hank (a true scene-stealer).

My Takeaway

This book felt like a reminder that love is not about avoiding struggle, but about deciding who is worth enduring those struggles with. It’s about the daily, intentional choice to keep showing up, even when it’s inconvenient, messy, or uncertain.

Rating

⭐ 4 out of 5 — moving, funny, and heartfelt, with moments that will stay with me long after closing the last page.

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