Say you'll remember me by Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez founded Nadia Cakes bakery which has amassed an international cult following. Her literary wit was widely recognised as being behind the hilarious viral comments on the now famous Nadia Cakes Vageode TM cake. This wit has not been wasted because Jimenez has now further applied it to the writing of romantic comedies. Her novels have sold millions of copies and been translated into twenty-eight languages.  Jimenez's wit is on full display in the character of Samantha, the main female character in Say you'll remember. Appropriately and unsurprisingly, fictional Samantha has a similar job to real-life author Jimenez, being incredibly savvy in the field of social media marketing and influencing and, in her case, employed to market mustard through hilarious contribution and commentary to the social media platform promoting the Murkle's mustard brand. It is always more authentic when authors write from real-life experience.

Memorable funny encounters and experiences pepper the entire story which tracks the development of the relationship between Samantha and Xavier, (who looks like Rhysand from the ACOTAR series) and is of course the impossibly gorgeous main male character and love interest. This reader was constantly waiting for Xavier to be revealed as a serial killer but no... Incredibly beautiful people exist. Samantha too is beautiful - long black hair, brown eyes, curvy and when Xavier first meets her in his veterinary clinic, she has a kitten tucked into her bra, sleeping in her cleavage. This meeting sets the scene.

Samantha is called back to California to help her family take care of her mother who is moving rapidly through the advanced stages of dementia and Xavier must remain in Minnesota to run his veterinary practice. The entire story details the frustrating long-distance relationship that the pair try to manage over a year. Although the reader may feel frustration with both of them for not being able to solve their dilemma, the pain of it is unrelieved and continues throughout. Neither seems to be able to move... The dreadful pain and stress placed on families in caring for a loved one with dementia is described in excruciating detail and the toll on all involved is laid bare.

Alternating chapters adopt the viewpoint of Samantha and then Xavier and in this way the plot is neatly unrolled. 

Say you'll remember is a warm, funny, frustrating read (for those who lack patience with characters who can't make decisions). It does not shy away from some of the really harsh realities of life, like family having to manage the care of a very ill family member in a declining and irredeemable health situation. The impact on family relationships is depicted with clarity and insight. Humour salvages even the grimmest situation.

For readers who enjoy contemporary romance novels, complete with witty banter, relatable characters, mild sexual content and some emotional and issue-related depth, Say you'll remember is a good suggestion. 

Themes: Long distance romance, Caring for a family member with dementia, Animal protection.

Wendy Jeffrey