Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 416 pages
Published: April 2025

Well, Abby Jimenez has done it again. Say You'll Remember Me delivers all the lovely, funny romantic-comedy moments she's known for, but it also reaches deeper. The story explores emotional themes of abandonment, complicated family dynamics, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Jimenez's books are always lighthearted, but they also pack a punch by pairing the romantic and comedic elements with more thoughtful elements. This story is no exception. Like many of her others, this is the kind of story that sneaks up on you. One minute you're laughing so hard you're wiping away tears, and then a few pages later you're truly crying for an entirely different reason.

I've read many of Jimenez's books over the years, and they always give me all the feels. Her storytelling style is comforting like a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold day. She does a great job balancing real-life heaviness with hopeful promise. And her novels can be a bit formulaic and predictable, but honestly that's part of the charm. When you pick up one of Jimenez's books, you know you're going to confront some hard truths. But when you turn the last page, you feel full of hope and inspiration. And sometimes, that's exactly what I need in my reading journey. 

In this latest book, the reader jumps right into a Minnesota meet-cute between Samantha and veterinarian Xavier when Samantha brings her kitten to his clinic. At first the doctor comes off as emotionally distant and a bit rash in his bedside manner, but his tough exterior is all a facade as he's trying to cover up his attraction. After a memorable first date, he learns Samantha is moving back to California the next day to help her family. Samantha thinks this is a one and done, and Xavier wants to respect her boundaries, but sometimes love knows no distance and a tender, heartfelt relationship unfolds. 

Recommendation: If you're a fan of romantic comedies with emotional weight, this deserves a spot on your TBR today. Jimenez gives us what she's best known for - a sincere story that blends humor and vulnerability. And what's more is this book is the first in a series, with the second one scheduled to release this spring. You already know I'll be snagging a copy. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Survivors by Jane Harper

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: September 2020

The Survivors by Jane Harper is a dark, mysterious novel set in the small town of Evelyn Bay, Australia and on a beautiful beach. Kieran Elliott has come back home to help his mother prepare to move his father, who is suffering from dementia, to a palliative care facility. While there, a young out-of-town college student, there to further her art studies, is murdered. This current-day event brings a tragic event that caused the death of Kieran's brother and the disappearance of a young girl nearly 12 years ago to the surface. The moderately-paced story interweaves the present-day crime with the horrific events of the past to a complete conclusion. 

I enjoyed this book. While it was slow to get started for me, I found the writing to be solid and descriptive. The author had me longing to go for a swim, which is just not feasible in January (even in Texas). There were a lot of characters, as well as red herrings, introduced, that provided elements of confusion and intrigue in determining whodunit. I had pinned the murder on just about everyone, except for the right person, before I reach the conclusion. 

Having said that, the ending did fall a little flat for me. I don't know what I was expecting, but I was a little underwhelmed when I found out who the murderer was and what happened to the missing girl from 12 years prior. The story moved a bit slow for me, but it wasn't too slow. I am trying to take more time to read and digest books this year rather than racing to some arbitrary finish line of total books read by the year's end. 

Recommendation: I appreciated the imagery Harper provided in this novel. It was a suspenseful and engaging without being too graphic. I would recommended it to older teens and adults for a long weekend read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Shadows by Alex North

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 336 pages
Published: July 2020

The Shadows by Alex North was my second indulgence from my July Book of the Month subscription service. The synopsis is what prompted me to purchase this mystery thriller. Paul Adams, the protagonist, has returned to his hometown to take care of his ailing mother. Twenty-five years prior Paul's classmate, Charlie Crabtree disappeared after an unsolved murder. Everyone believes that Charlie must be the killer because he disappeared without a trace after the crime. Upon high school graduation, Paul left town and never looked back until he was forced to return and when he does he finds himself drawn right back into the mysterious case again. 

This is the first book I've read by this author. I think he does a good job creating suspense and giving the reader a reason to continue the journey with the narrator. I found the pace of the book to be just right; not too fast, not too slow, and the conclusion a satisfying one. My only critique would be about the issue with Paul and his high school love interest. I don't think the author did a good job of fully developing that twist in the plot. I won't write anymore so as not to spoil this relatively new release. 

I think North is a good writer, and this was a compelling story. It prompted me to purchase The Whisper Man for my August subscription. Review soon to come! 

Recommendation: If you're looking for a mystery with dark tones and intrigue, I'd highly recommend this as your next read. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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THE THINGS WE KEEP BY SALLY HEPWORTH

credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth is the first book for my newly-formed book club, Richly Read. We will be meeting to discuss in mid-July.

The fictional story centers around Anna who is a thirty-eight year old (former) paramedic suffering the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. When it is no longer feasible for her to live with her twin brother and his family, she takes residence in the Rosalind House where another thirty-something, Luke, who has been diagnosed with a different form of dementia, also lives.

The reason I describe Anna as suffering and Luke as diagnosed to illustrate the point that Anna was having difficulty coming to terms with the disease (that the author insinuates is genetically received from Anna's mother), whereas Luke seemed better equipped to deal with his reality.

Anna and Luke fall in "love." And there is much debate and dialogue in the novel regarding the ability for two people with memory deficiencies to fall (and stay) in love.

The secondary protagonist is Eve. Rashly thrown into the role of a single mother due to a recent tragedy in her life, Eve comes to the Rosalind House as head cook and temporary housekeeper. She's also dealing with her young daughter's grief and trying to manage her difficult school life. When Eve learns of Anna and Luke's guardians' desire to keep them separated, Eve must decide whether she will risk her livelihood to help them.

This book was very easy to read. The medical portions were explained in such a way that anyone could understand. The tempo of the book was good. Each chapter was narrated by either Anna, Eve, and Eve's daughter. Some chapters were told in present time while others worked from the past and flashbacks, which made the read a little cumbersome. I also think Hepworth took on too many heavy topics (dementia, healthcare, scandals, bullying, grief, romance, among many others) to cover in such a short book. It seems like she ran out of time (or energy) and wrapped up the ending a little too tightly for my liking.

Recommendation: I like that this book offered a different perspective to dementia, and I feel like I learned some things. It's worth a quick read on a summer weekend.

Until next time ... Read on!

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AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER BY FREDRIK BACKMAN

Image Credit: goodreads.com

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Earlier this year I read A Man Called Ove by Fredik Backman, and it gave me all the feels. So, when a co-worker shared his love for Backman's novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, I braced myself for another heart-tugging read. Backman did not disappoint.

In this book, Backman introduces us to Grandpa, his grandson Noah, and his son, Ted. We learn about a man who's lived a lifetime and loves his family, despite their differences, in the midst of him attempting to hang on to what once was.

With A Man Called Ove, Backman offered many life lessons illustrated through the all too familiar stories. The beautiful nugget that this author gives through his writing is in the way he crafts each story. He takes care of the characters. In identifying traits and feelings that most of us experience or have experienced, he draws the reader in, leaving a lasting impression. This little book can probably be read by most in one sitting, but it will have you thinking and feeling days after you finish.

This short but sweet book can be summed up what most of us already know ... Life. Goes. On.

Recommendation: Backman is becoming one of my favorite authors. I strongly recommend this book as well as his others. I already have My Grandmother Asked me to Tell you She's Sorry on my list for early 2017.

Until next time ... Read on!

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