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If you’re a fan of contemporary romance and love stories that make you laugh, cry, and feel all the emotions in between, Abby Jimenez is an author you need to know. With her heartwarming and witty writing, Abby has quickly become one of my favorites as I enjoy stories about love, friendship, and second chances.
But with several amazing books to her name, you might be wondering where to start or how to read her novels in the best order. Below is a comprehensive look at Abby Jimenez’s books in order, highlighting their storylines, series connections, and key themes.
Abby Jimenez Books in Order
- The Friend Zone (2019)
- The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020)
- Life’s Too Short (2021)
- Part of Your World (2022)
- Yours Truly (2023)
- Just for the Summer (2024)
Upcoming Books
Say You’ll Remember Me (2025)
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Friend Zone Series (2019–2021)
1. The Friend Zone (2019)
Abby Jimenez’s debut novel, The Friend Zone, introduced readers to her signature style of contemporary romance with humor and depth. The story revolves around Kristen Peterson, who faces a medical condition that threatens her dream of motherhood.
When she meets Josh Copeland, who is set on having a big family, an undeniable attraction forms. However, Kristen’s secret creates tension, as she fears revealing the truth might shatter their budding romance.
2. The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020)
The Happy Ever After Playlist follows Sloan Monroe, a character introduced in The Friend Zone, as she navigates grief after losing her fiancé. Two years later, a chance encounter with a lost dog leads her to Jason, a rising musician.
“You can’t control the bad things that happen to you. All you can do is decide how much of you you’re going to let them take.” ― Abby Jimenez, The Happy Ever After Playlist.
Sloan and Jason’s long-distance romance takes center stage in this novel as they battle career complications and emotional baggage. This book is both a standalone and a sequel to The Friend Zone, as it shares characters and backstory. It also emphasizes healing after loss and finding love when you least expect it.
3. Life’s Too Short (2021)
In Life’s Too Short, Abby Jimenez tells the story of Vanessa Price, a successful travel vlogger who has taken on a carefree lifestyle, due to a hereditary illness that has drastically shortened the lifespans of her family members.
Her neighbor, Adrian Copeland, a lawyer with a structured life, is drawn into her orbit. The opposites-attract dynamic plays out as Vanessa struggles to live in the present while Adrian introduces her to the possibility of a future.
Part Of Your World Series (2022–2024)
4. Part of Your World (2022)
This novel shifts focus to a new set of characters and is considered part of a loosely connected series. Part of Your World follows Alexis Montgomery, a doctor from a prominent family, who meets Daniel Grant, a down-to-earth carpenter from a small town.
“Love follows you. It goes where you go. It doesn’t know about social divides or distance or common sense. It doesn’t even stop when the person you love dies. It does what it wants.” – Abby Jimenez, Part of Your World
Their love story blossoms despite their different worlds and family expectations. Jimenez uses this novel to explore themes of class differences, familial obligations, and self-identity. The book balances the weight of personal responsibilities with the transformative power of love.
5. Yours Truly (2023)
is a companion novel to Part of Your World, focusing on Briana Ortiz, a character introduced in the previous book. Briana, a nurse dealing with her brother’s medical struggles and her own failed relationships, finds solace in a surprising friendship with Dr. Jacob Maddox, her workplace rival.
6. Just for the Summer (2024)
Just for the Summer is Jimenez’s upcoming release, and while details are scarce, early reports suggest it will follow characters introduced in Part of Your World and Yours Truly. Fans can expect a story filled with Jimenez’s signature wit, warmth, and well-developed character arcs.
“You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next.” – Abby Jimenez, Just for the Summer
7. The Situationship (2024)
This is a sweet, funny short story about Maddy, a busy travel nurse, and Doug, a charming farmer. After a quirky encounter involving Kevin Bacon the pig, sparks fly between them. Though Maddy doesn’t plan to stay in Minnesota, she’s open to a fling—or maybe more.
Originally a bonus chapter in the Target edition of Just for the Summer, this ebook also includes a sneak peek at Jimenez’s upcoming novel, Say You’ll Remember Me.
Standalone Books
1. Worst Wingman Ever (2024)
@beachyreads Replying to @Hermit Nomad this book made me laugh the hardest and it’s one of my comfort books
Two strangers begin to fall in love without ever meeting face-to-face. Could destiny have a hand in bringing them together?
Holly is struggling with the upcoming loss of her grandmother and is still nursing the wounds of a tough breakup. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds a misplaced Valentine’s Day card on her car.
What starts as a simple misunderstanding blossoms into a sweet connection, with the two exchanging anonymous notes and small gestures of kindness. But as their feelings grow, they’re faced with the possibility of having to say a final farewell before ever meeting.
2. Say You’ll Remember Me (2025)
‘Say youll remember me’ will be my entire personality in 2025!! #abbyjimenez #sayyoullrememberme #thefallrisk #romancebooks #booktoknews #booknews
♬ original sound – F | Booktok
Xavier Rush is nearly perfect—a gorgeous veterinarian with the charm of a Greek god, right down to cuddling a kitten. But when he opens his mouth, he proves even perfection can go wrong.
Samantha, quick to challenge his arrogance, never backs down from a fight. After one incredible date, Samantha’s family crisis forces her to pull away, begging Xavier to remember their night as a perfect, fleeting moment.
But time and distance can’t erase their connection, and soon they realize that one perfect memory is only the beginning of something unforgettable.
Themes In Her Works
One of the hallmarks of Abby Jimenez’s writing is her ability to mix humor with real-life challenges. Her novels often explore serious topics, including:
- Infertility and medical issues: Kristen’s story in The Friend Zone and Vanessa’s hereditary illness in Life’s Too Short add depth to the romances.
- Grief and loss: Both The Happy Ever After Playlist and Life’s Too Short address how characters cope with personal tragedy and find ways to move forward.
- Balancing career and love: In Part of Your World and Yours Truly, characters are often torn between their professional lives and their personal happiness, which adds tension and realism to the love stories.
- Class differences and family expectations: In Part of Your World, Alexis’s struggle with her family’s expectations and her relationship with Daniel highlights the conflict between different social spheres.
Jimenez’s characters are often strong women who must confront their fears and limitations, whether due to health issues, societal pressures, or emotional scars.
These characters are relatable and inspiring, making her novels both heartwarming and thought-provoking.
Which Book to Read First?
Although I suggest reading The Friend Zone series in order, you can also pick a book based on your favorite trope:
Trope | Books |
---|---|
Friends to lovers | The Friend Zone, Yours Truly, Life’s Too Short |
Celebrity/rockstar romance | The Happy Ever After Playlist |
Opposites attract, older woman – younger man | Part of Your World |
Fake dating/workplace romance | Yours Truly |
Critical Reception
Abby Jimenez’s novels have been praised for their combination of humor, romance, and emotional depth. Reviewers have noted her ability to tackle tough topics while keeping the tone light enough to remain enjoyable.
Jimenez’s books also stand out for their humor, which prevents the stories from becoming too heavy, even when dealing with difficult subjects.
Readers appreciate the balance of emotional weight and lighthearted moments, making her books appealing to a wide audience.
Abby Jimenez’s Rise to Success
Before becoming a bestselling author, Abby Jimenez was known for her work as the founder of Nadia Cakes, a cupcake bakery that gained attention on social media and from appearances on Food Network.
Her transition to writing was a natural progression, given her love of storytelling. Her debut novel, The Friend Zone, became a New York Times bestseller, cementing her place in the romance genre.
Since then, each of her books has been highly anticipated, with readers eagerly awaiting her next release. Abby Jimenez has also been praised for her engagement with her fans on social media, where she shares updates on her writing, interacts with readers, and occasionally offers glimpses into her personal life.
This accessibility has endeared her to a loyal fan base, who feel connected to her both as an author and as a person.
Summary
Abby Jimenez’s books offer a blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading about characters overcoming personal struggles or finding love in unexpected places, her novels provide an engaging escape that resonates with readers on multiple levels.
Also, her books are perfect for holidays, although books theme are not so festive.