Bookmarked: ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ Evokes Empathy and Endearment

Right person, wrong time — it’s a notion all too familiar for Xavier Rush and Samantha Diaz.

“Say You’ll Remember Me,” Abby Jimenez’s ninth book, released April 1. The novel follows Xavier, a veterinarian healing from an abusive childhood, and Samantha, a social media marketing agent grappling with her mother’s dementia. 

The two first meet when Samantha brings an injured stray cat to Xavier’s office. At first, Xavier recommends euthanizing the cat to prevent risking a likely fatal major surgery. But Samantha resists, believing the cat deserves a chance at life. 

After their tense first encounter, Xavier can’t put aside his attraction toward her spirit, so when she returns to the clinic for a check-up, he asks her out. While the chemistry is evident, the relationship is short-lived as Samantha plans to move cross-country to California to be with her mother. 

Jimenez captures the tumultuous reality of romance. “Say You’ll Remember Me” is a contemporary romance novel that engages in endearing moments paired with family drama that leaves the reader feeling exhausted. 

Both leads try to avoid their emotions while dealing with real-world struggles. Xavier is drowning in debt after putting himself through medical school, and Samantha’s time is consumed by the intensive care her mother requires as her symptoms progress. However, the two ultimately give in to their desires. 

After Samantha moves to California, Xavier uses his savings to make the trek from Minnesota to visit her. The trip intensifies their feelings — making it that much harder for them to live apart

Despite the financial and emotional struggles of their long-distance relationship, their connection is once-in-a-lifetime. Xavier has never known a kind love due to his abusive childhood and Samantha sees love as something that can slip away. The duo bond over their shared traumas and use their romance to mend one another. 

Despite longing for a relationship that’s not long distance, Xavier and Samantha discover it’s harder to live life without each other — even if they can only meet once every few months. 

Hank, an elderly veterinarian from Xavier’s past, reminds him love doesn’t last forever.

 “All I’ve got left are memories, Jiminez wrote. “You still have a chance to make them. I’ll be disappointed if you don’t.” 

This opens Xavier’s eyes, making him realize he really does want a life with Samantha. 

Jiminez focuses on familial loss and grief, bringing more depth to the plot than her previous stories. This creates depth to both main characters bringing a deeper meaning to the story. The familial hardships add to the pace of the book, making it intriguing from start to finish. 

However, the book suffers from Jiminez’s reliance on coincidences and karma to further the plot. Though the arbitrary serendipity easily develops the central romance, it also makes the narrative feel far fetched and unrealistic.

In the end, a connection Xaviers employees have with an old veterinarian randomly takes up his clinic responsibilities so he can see Samantha more frequently. This plot point doesn’t make sense because this connection is able to find extra veterinarians that are willing to work — for free. 

Jiminez explores the complications of wanting an unattainable life, sacrificing a new relationship for family. Samantha must take care of her mom, even if that means losing out on love while Xavier is committed to his clinic, even if it means not being with Samantha every day. 

However, the simplicity of their connection and care for one another allows Jimenez to create a beautiful relationship. Samantha gives Xavier the love and attention he never got growing up and Xavier acts as a constant rock through Samantha’s familial distress. 

Even if the conclusion somewhat undercuts the conflict, the novel brims with mature conversations, loving moments and endless empathy. 

“Say You’ll Remember Me” is available for purchase at all major bookstores now.