With the start of the warmer weather and the feelings of spring finally entering more of our daily life, romance novels are becoming more of a much-needed accessory. To get us more into the feelings and brightness of spring, there are romance novels out there that capture the feelings of the season and deliver us into a world full of magic. One of these books that help capture the cheerful time of the year is “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez. This book is newly released and presents all the different ideas of spring in a matter of just 360 pages.
“Say You’ll Remember Me” is a dual point-of-view novel that follows the two main characters of the story, Samantha and Xavier. After a not-so-cute meet-cute between Samantha and Xavier that leaves Samantha calling him a jerk, for a lack of a better word, the two are constantly pushed together.
In a meetup that leads to a date, sparks fly and Samantha tells Xavier she is moving across the country and will not be back. The two make a mutual decision to forget about each other, but that is easier said than done.
To satisfy seeing each other and to try “to get over each other,” they decide that a couple trips back and forth won’t hurt them too much. As their feelings grow more and the distance between them becomes more apparent, will their relationship last, or will they start to feel the strain? Is love worth it all in the end, or will things just go back to where they were before they met each other?
As a lover of all things romance and especially romance books, I could not wait to read “Say You’ll Remember Me.” I have been a fan of Jimenez’ work for years and have found her books to be romantic comedies all while still providing a look into real life love. She writes about real life situations that could happen within relationships that are not always talked about or highlighted in other romance novels.
However, I did not find myself easily falling into this story as much. I do not know if it was the way that it was written or if it was the Instagram love story, but I could not find myself falling for the characters. I felt a disconnect in their chemistry and did not fully understand why or how they got to be together. Everything was fast paced and went too quick for me to understand the value of their relationship or the love they shared.
I wanted to see more of a declaration of love between the two and I did not get it. Jimenez is usually known for her romance filled books and stoic heroes that let their one true love in to see their true selves, but this one did not measure up. In reading this novel, you really have to reach for it, and even then it was not completely seen.
Despite that, I did, in the end, enjoy the book. The storyline about the mother with dementia and Samantha having to take care of her was truly commendable. I admired her drive to do things herself while also taking care of her mother. It was heartbreaking to read her story, but also empowering to read. I do not think that I ever read a story like this and I enjoyed reading it.
If you like romance books that are reliant on social media-based love and have a heartbreaking storyline, then this book is for you. If you are expecting a full on romance book then I would recommend something else. Regardless, go grab a book and sit outside to completely surround yourself in the blooming season of spring!
3/5 stars
rbleich@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @Authorabbyjimenez, Instagram
