Xavier, a veterinarian from Minnesota, falls for Samantha, a Californian who is temporarily in town. Xavier has been running his veterinary practice in his hometown for two years. He had a difficult childhood and has been estranged from his parents ever since he left home as a teenager. Every action and decision in his life has been shaped by their abuse. Determined to prove them wrong, he works tirelessly to succeed and make them eat their words. However, he never accounted for love. He never considered how falling in love could impact his life, his reasons for staying in Minnesota, or even his practice.

Everything comes to a head when Samantha walks into his office with a cat in need of surgery. Samantha, a social media manager for a mustard company based in Minnesota, rescues a cat one day, leading her straight to Xavier’s clinic. From the moment she steps into his office, the attraction is undeniable. Their first meeting is tense, filled with heated words that don’t set the stage for a second visit. 

Yet, for some reason, Samantha returns. This time, Xavier doesn’t waste a moment before asking her out, and she agrees. Twenty percent into the story, and by the end of their first date, it’s clear that the author has readers hooked—wrapped in the sweetest grip they won’t want to escape anytime soon.

Xavier’s character brings a sense of euphoria in the way he reacts to Samantha, especially when he makes an effort to try a long-distance relationship. As a reader, what keeps me turning the pages is the energy, effort, and willingness both characters show as they acknowledge and accept their attraction. Their determination to make it work, despite knowing the challenges ahead, is what Abby Jimenez excels at. She makes the story shine by intertwining the characters’ romantic journey with the big struggles they face—whether with their families or their inner, personal battles.

What I absolutely loved about this story is the commitment both characters have to their personal and family goals. They don’t just make it work because they have to; they make it work because they want to. Every boyfriend in an Abby Jimenez book embodies what women aspire to and dream of—partners who encourage them to be their best selves without holding anything back. The care, love, and commitment shown by these characters make it easy for their partners to give their all, knowing someone will always have their back.

The family dynamic, particularly Samantha’s, and how Xavier seamlessly integrates into it, is heartwarming. It isn’t easy, but it highlights the lengths a person will go to in order to make life easier for their loved ones. The cherry on top is Xavier’s selflessness, and when Samantha returns his gestures with even more love and care, it’s simply joyous.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book to experience firsthand why Abby Jimenez’s stories resonate so deeply. In SAY YOU'LL REMEMBER ME, you’ll find a couple who truly want to build a life together, creating core memories, loving each other so deeply that even when they aren’t consciously trying to recall something about the other, they simply do.