The Happy Ever After Playlist

Abby Jimenez

Apr 2020 · Sold by Forever

About this ebook

From the New York Times bestselling author of Part of Your World comes a romantic comedy full of "fierce humor and fiercer heart" about how one adorable puppy brings together two perfect strangers (Casey McQuiston, NYT bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue).

Artist Sloan Monroe just can't seem to get her life on track. But one trouble-making pup who randomly jumps into her car with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

• USA Today bestseller
• Publishers Weekly bestseller
• Featured on NBC, NPR, PopSugar, Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, Business Insider, Bustle, Oprah.com
• Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for Best Romance
• SheReads Award Best Romance of the year
• Frolic’s Best Books of the year

Ratings and reviews

After reading The Friend Zone, I was left wondering what exactly happened to Sloane? In The Happy Ever After Playlist, we get to visit Sloane two years after the accident that left her fiance in a coma. She's grieving the death of a life she thought she would be living and not quite sure how to move forward. That's when a puppy named Tucker enters her life! Tucker is hilarious and I love how he was able to get Sloane out of her shell a bit. She tries to contact Tucker's owner - some guy named Jason - but she doesn't hear back and decides that Tucker is her dog now. That's when Jason and Sloane have their meet-cute. I loved the way Abby Jimenez is able to create this great chemistry between two characters who don't even meet yet! You see, Jason is a singer and has been overseas for a few weeks. He thought he left his pup in capable hands, but his pup got lost and Sloane was the one who found him. Now Jason wants his dog back, but Sloane won't agree. The witty banter had a grin on my face the whole time. I absolutely loved how Sloane and Jason got to know one another. It was slow and sweet and Jason was so respectful of Sloane's feelings. He knew to be tender with her heart. Sloane's feelings were so transparent and I loved that. She was excited and hopeful, but wasn't sure if she was moving too fast. The relationship between Sloan and Kristen that I loved so much in TFZ, was also here in The Happy Ever After Playlist. These two are always there for each other no matter what. We should all be so lucky to have friends like that in our lives. I also loved Jason's family and how much they support him. There were parts in this book that reminded me of how tight I am with my family and my husband's family. When someone needs help, whether that's around the house or on a property - we all show up and help the best way we can. That family dynamic was so very special in this book and it hit home for me in so many ways. I won't spoil the rest of the book for you, but just know that I loved it so very much. The feelings between these two people were so genuine and real. They are a team and are willing to take on anything and to always keep each other happy. The level of angst that Jimenez writes is so so so good. My heart strings were being pulled on so hard and I couldn't help it when there were tears streaming down my face. If you get a chance to read The Friend Zone and can't wait to read Sloane's story - you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to re-read this beautifully written book. The Happy Ever After Playlist is set to release April 14, 2020. p.s. each chapter has a song that corresponds to what is happening in that chapter. Listen to the music - I loved it so much and it added another dimension to this book. **ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for my honest review*

I was so excited at the prospect of Abby Jimenez's second book. Her debut, "The Friend Zone" was awesome and I had heard from those that had already read "The Happy Ever After Playlist" that it was equally as wonderful and they couldn't have been more spot on. I can say with 100% confidence that this is my favorite book I've read this year. It's been two years since Sloan Monroe lost her fiance in a tragic accident. In those two years, Sloan has become a shell of herself. She has no motivation, she doesn't want to get out of bed and she's just lost all of her joy. It's a chance meeting with a dog, Tucker, that runs in front of her car that sends her life in a totally different direction and begins to pull her out of the rut she had been in for so long. When Sloan continually tries to get in touch with Tucker's owner with no luck, she finally decides after two weeks that he's staying with her. As fate would have it, it's then that Jason, Tucker's owner finally turns his phone on and receives her messages after being out of cell range in Australia for the entire time she'd been trying to get in touch. The two begin to communicate by text and by phone and the exchanges begin to become flirty. Jason wants a date when he gets back stateside, but Sloan isn't sure she's ready. When they finally do connect when Jason is back in the U.S. is his job as a rising rock star going to torpedo the relationship before it really gets started or will he find a way to have both is career and the woman he's falling so fast for. I just adored everything about this book. The interactions between Sloan and Jason were fantastic. The banter, the easy way they had about them when they were together, the sweet and caring way that Jason was with her, just everything makes me smile thinking about it. I will say I did feel all the emotions throughout this story as well. To me if you can make me cry, you've done a great job. I don't cry all that often when I read books, but this one got me and got me good. Kudos to Abby Jimenez for penning another incredible book! I look forward to what she has to offer us next.

Abby Jimenez has done it again! She continues to amaze me by writing the most wonderfully relatable characters and stories that are not only heartfelt and emotional, but also laugh out loud hilarious. After reading The Friend Zone (which is one of my top reads ever!) I could not wait to get back to this world. The Happy Ever After Playlist can definitely be read as a standalone, but it would probably be best enjoyed after reading The Friend Zone, since characters from that book appear and that is where our heroine, Sloan, was originally introduced. One of my favorite things about Abby Jimenez’s writing is her phenomenal dialogue and banter. It is brilliantly witty and so perfectly placed to bring levity to the more difficult scenes and moments. Not every author can grab your heart in a vise one moment and then have you gasping for breath from laughing so hard the next, but Jimenez does it with ease. I don’t want to be too spoilery, but The Happy Ever After Playlist starts off with one of the most epic meet-cutes. It sets in motion a story that will have you swooning, laughing, shedding a few tears, and will leave you with a huge smile on your face. A fun feature of the book is that each chapter lists a song to set the tone and mood for what’s to come. It really enhanced the emotions and experience for me and certain songs will forever be tied to those moments now. (You can find the full book playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.) I really enjoyed getting to know this new cast of characters, but also seeing some old favorites as well. Fans of The Friend Zone will love catching up with Josh and Kristen (Gah! I love them so much!) and new readers will get to experience the magic that is uniquely Kristen. One character that stole the show every time he was on the page though was Tucker. Honestly, if you aren’t in love with him by the end, I’m pretty sure you’re a monster. The Happy Ever After Playlist is more than a romance. It’s a story about choosing happiness and being true to yourself. Even if you haven't read The Friend Zone (Seriously, if you haven't, WHY??? Do it! It's amazing!) you will still love Sloan's emotional and heartwarming story! My heart is so incredibly full after finishing this book! *I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

About the author

Abby Jimenez is a Food Network winner and USA Today bestselling author. She founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international cult following. Abby's wry literary wit was spotlighted as the admin behind the hilarious viral comments on the now famous Nadia Cakes Vageode ® cake. Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.