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Abby Jimenez Books in Order (Including Her 2026 Release)

By: Angela & Melissa Updated: As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, we may earn a referral fee from qualifying purchases.

Over the last few years, both Book Girls have fallen in love with Abby Jimenez’s books. She’s rocketed her way into our list of all-time favorite authors with her ability to make us laugh and swoon while still bringing more depth than your average rom-com.

We often see questions about which Abby Jimenez book someone should read first or which of her books belong in a series. We’re here to answer those questions and give you a synopsis of each Abby Jimenez book in order of publication!

Spines of 6 Abby Jimenez Books

While we’ve provided an overview of every book below, be aware that each title goes deeper into the character’s life struggles than you may expect. If you are sensitive to any topics, be sure to check trigger warnings before reading any of her titles. We did not include trigger warnings for all the books, as many would be spoilers.

Abby Jimenez Books in Order

The Friend Zone Series

Abby’s first was The Friend Zone, which kicked off a series of the same name. Each book in the series follows a different main character and is written to work independently as a stand-alone. However, if you plan to read all three, we do recommend picking them up in order to avoid any spoilers. For example, you’ll see an update on the main character from book #1 in book #2.

Three stacked books with The Friend Zone on top
Friend Zone book cover

The Friend Zone

The Friend Zone #1
Publication Date:
Setting:
Los Angeles, California

Book Summary

Kristen is doing her best at adulting and planning her best friend’s wedding while also planning an unfortunate surgery that means she won’t be able to have her own children. She tells herself it’s okay as her boyfriend doesn’t want kids, even though she does. 

When she meets the best man, Josh, their friendship grows rather quickly. Soon, it’s like they’ve known each other forever. While he’s everything a great boyfriend should be, especially compared to her current boyfriend, she keeps him firmly in The Friend Zone, both out of respect for her relationship and because she knows the thing he wants most is a large family. And that’s the one thing she can’t provide.

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Happy Ever After Playlist cover

The Happy Ever After Playlist

The Friend Zone #2
Publication Date:
Setting:
Los Angeles, California

Book Summary

This story starts on a hilarious note as a lost dog shocks Sloan by jumping through her sunroof during an already rough day. When the owner doesn’t respond to calls, Sloan begins to love the dog, Tucker, as her own.

After several weeks, Tucker’s owner finally contacts her and wants Tucker back. Unfortunately, he’s out of the country and can’t claim Tucker right away, and Sloan isn’t sure he deserves his dog back. She’s been through a terrible two years and the dog has helped her heal.

You’ll love how the story develops after that – a musician and the interaction between his life on and off the stage play an important role in the book.

Connection to the Series

You may recognize Sloan from her role as Kristen’s friend in The Friend Zone.

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Life's Too Short book cover

Life’s Too Short

The Friend Zone #3
Publication Date:
Setting:
St. Paul, MN

Book Summary

Vanessa is living with the looming dread of losing her ability to walk, and then her life, to the hereditary disease ALS that has already killed her mother and sister. She’s seizing every moment she has left by leaving her job to travel and document her journey online, and her first video on YouTube went viral. Millions now watch her travels around the globe.

However, she’s temporarily stuck at home as her half-sister suddenly dropped off her infant daughter and is now MIA. Vanessa has no idea how to calm the screaming baby, and it’s getting harder every day. She never expected the solution to calming the baby girl in the middle of the night would come in the form of the hot attorney from next door, Adrian. Or that she’d soon find even more solace in Adrian and his foster geriatric Chihuahua.

Connection to the Series

This is the most loosely related book in the series, but you will see some familiar faces from the first two books. Adrian is the cousin of Josh from The Friend Zone, and in the prior books, he went on a date with Sloan, the main character from The Happy Ever After Playlist.

Life’s Too Short was a Minnesota Book Awards winner.

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Part of Your World Series

After The Friend Zone, Abby Jimenez published The Part of Your World series, which also has three books. Like The Friend Zone series, these books have separate main characters, but you’ll see brief updates on the characters from Part of Your World as you read Yours Truly, and meet characters from both books again in Just for the Summer.

If you plan to read all three books, you’ll likely enjoy them best in order of publication because the characters from the books are friends. In subsequent books, you’ll see how life turned out for earlier characters.

Stack of all three book in the Part of Your World Series by Abby Jimenez
Part of Your World Book Cover

Part of Your World

Part of Your World Book #1
Publication Date:
Setting:
Minnesota

Book Summary

Alexis is a thirty-seven-year-old sophisticated city girl. Daniel is the twenty-eight-year-old small-town mayor who saves her when her car gets stuck in a ditch. They have almost nothing in common but a strong commitment to their respective communities. Nonetheless, their chemistry is undeniable!

She comes from an ultra-wealthy family who looks down on her for being a mere ER doctor (rather than carrying on the family legacy as a world-renowned surgeon). She’s also recovering from a toxic relationship.

As she spends time in Daniel’s tight-knit small town, she discovers what’s really important to her. But it seems impossible to reconcile these revelations with her obligations. Is there any chance that their fling could be anything more than that? How can she choose between her world and his?

Our Thoughts on This Book

We love a good rom-com, but many fall more into the four-star range. Those that rise to the five-star level for us mix humor and romance with deeper topics, and Part of Your World does that so well! It will make you laugh and cry (sometimes even at the same time). It’s a book that you’ll want to hug!

This story deals with some heavier issues, including both emotional and physical abuse. Neither is graphically portrayed on the page, but the impacts on the survivors are felt throughout the book.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 09/05/2026
Amazon
Bookshop.org

Bonus Chapter

While it’s not available for purchase, if you sign up for Abby Jimenez’s email newsletter at the bottom of her website, she’s send you a bonus chapter for Part of Your World, titled All Roads Lead to Here.

Yours Truly Book Cover

Yours Truly

Part of Your World Book #2
Publication Date:
Setting:
Minnesota

Book Summary

Dr. Briana Ortiz is in the middle of a divorce. In between trying to earn a new promotion, she’s also trying to find a new kidney for her brother. When the hospital brings in a new doctor, she’s sure it’s because they want a man in charge instead of her. So, she instantly considers Dr. Jacob Maddox her new nemesis.

But then he sends her a REALLY GOOD letter. Is it possible this guy is terrible at first impressions but actually an amazing human? Soon, they’re exchanging letters, lunches, and something even more important.

Thoughts on This Book

If you enjoy books with epistolary aspects, we think you’ll love this title as much as we did!

Kindle Unlimited as of: 09/04/2026
Amazon
Bookshop.org
Just for the Summer Book Cover

Just for the Summer

Part of Your World #3
Publication Date:
Setting:
Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.6 out of 5
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Every woman Justin goes on a date with seems to find their soulmate right after breaking up with him. It’s his curse, and now, thanks to a Reddit thread, everyone knows.

However, his viral embarrassment may have a silver lining. Emma has the same problem and has sent him a message. The solution is obvious. They’ll date each other, break up, and then destiny will bring them each their own soulmates.

Traveling nurse Emma finds a job in Minnesota and rents a cute cottage on Lake Minnetonka for her summer fling with Justin. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected. Will these challenges quickly rip them apart, or does fate have other plans?

Our Thoughts on This Book

Abby Jimenez’s books never fail to make us laugh out loud, but this is much more than just a breezy beach read. It also deals with many complex, heavy topics, which makes this novel an excellent summer book club pick!

When Just for the Summer was released, it was originally marketed as a standalone (and can definitely be read as such). However, after reading it, we both felt like it should have been listed as part of the series because you get brief but important updates on characters from the first two books. Goodreads and other sites have since been updated to include this title as Part of Your World Book #3.

Book Club Resources for Just for the Summer

We have a great printable Just for the Summer book club guide available on Etsy, including discussion questions, themed games, custom bookmarks, and more!

You can also find free resources for your book club discussion about Just for the Summer on our website.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 09/05/2026
Amazon
Bookshop.org
The Situationship book cover

THE SITUATIONSHIP

This 37-page short story reads more like a bonus chapter that wraps up one of the loose ends for side characters in Just For the Summer.

It’s available exclusively as a Kindle eBook.

GET THE BOOK

Say You’ll Remember Me Series

The Say You’ll Remember Me series is the latest trilogy from Abby Jimenez, with book three scheduled for publication in 2027. The characters in this series live in the same universe as her existing books (for example, Samantha is mentioned in Just For the Summer when her mother is helped by Emma & Justin).

Say You'll Remember Me book cover

Say You’ll Remember Me

Say You’ll Remember Me #1
Publication Date:
Setting:
Minnesota and California

Book Summary

Veterinarian Xavier might be the perfect guy, complete with his Greek god vibes and his kitten-cuddling ways. But then he opens his mouth and says the exact wrong thing. Luckily, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving a jerk wrong. But what if that jerk can also admit his mistakes? Well, then there might just be an incredible date.

Unfortunately, that date comes just as Samantha is leaving town. She’s moving from Minnesota back to California to deal with a family crisis. Xavier, on the other hand, is firmly rooted in Minnesota, where he’s invested everything in his vet practice.

Samantha is determined that a long-distance relationship could never work, and she begs Xavier to forget about her. But even 2,000 miles between them isn’t enough distance for her to forget that there was, in fact, something undeniable between them.

Our Thoughts on This Book

As with all Abby Jimenez books, the pretty cover might make you think this is just a light, happy romance, but her novels always go much deeper and feature fully developed characters dealing with real-life struggles that will have you sobbing.

While some readers feel like the long-distance relationship drags on too long, Angela found it refreshing to see the day-to-day struggles of the main characters portrayed in such a realistic way, where the romance was forced to take a back seat for some time. Many books rely heavily on tropes like miscommunication, where you want to yell at the characters to just talk so all the problems would all be resolved. But in this case, Jimenez presents two characters with complex lives where the solution is not so easy or obvious, making the ultimate happily ever after (of course, there’s an HEA) just that much sweeter.

Angela listened to the last quarter of the book while sitting on a plane that was grounded for mechanical issues, and she’s certain that her seatmates wondered why there were tears streaming down her cheeks. This novel is a perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny and heartfelt tearjerker.

This book could be especially triggering to those who have been, or are currently, a caregiver for someone with dementia. However, some with that experience say they found this book cathartic because it made them feel seen.

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The Night We Met

Say You’ll Remember Me #2
Publication Date:
Setting:
Minnesota

Book Summary

You never know when you’ll make a split-second decision that will change your life.

For Larissa, that decision came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.

But Chris isn’t the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend’s best friend.

All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy.

Connection to the Series

While Abby says that this book can be read as a standalone, it is listed as book 2 in the Say You’ll Remember Me series. Xavier, the lovable veterinarian from the first book, is part of the friend group in this novel, and there are said to be other fun Easter eggs from the Abby-universe.

Additionally, book 3 in the series will focus on one of the important characters from this book, and you’ll definitely want to read them in order to have the full story.

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Bookshop.org

2027 Abby Jimenez Book

The 3rd book in the Say You’ll Remember Me series will be released in April of 2027. While the cover hasn’t yet been revealed, we do know that the title will be Feels Like Falling and will feature Mike from The Night We Met. And yes, THAT Mike…the terrible boyfriend! We’re interested to see how his redemption arc plays out. The heroine of the story is Elizabeth, who is sick of always having to be the reliable one—for her dad, for her special-needs sister, for her best friend.

Abby Jimenez 2026 Christmas Book

A Married Little Christmas Book Cover
3 Holiday Novellas

A Married Little Christmas

Publication Date:

Book Summary

In this collection of three holiday novellas, you’ll meet Anna, who knew the food would be a disaster at her Christmas dinner, but didn’t expect her high school ex-boyfriend to show up. Luckily, he also needs to save face with their families, so a last-minute fake-dating scheme seems like a good idea.

In the next story, Matty is stuck sitting in a diner all day dressed as a zombie Santa after losing a bet. But his funny (and cute) server might turn the day around.

Lastly, Lauren’s best friend has decided to get married after knowing someone for only three days. Her plan is to make her friend understand how ridiculous that is, but then Lauren meets the best man. Maybe there’s something special in the air in the town of Little Christmas.

About the Format

While A Married Little Christmas is available on Kindle and Audio, there is also a deluxe edition hardback with bonus recipes and full-page illustrations. It would make a great holiday gift!

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Bookshop.org

Abby Jimenez Stand-Alone Novellas

Worst Wingman Ever book cover

Worst Wingman Ever

The Improbable Meet-Cute Series
Publication Date:

Book Summary

Holly is a hospice nurse, and her current patient is her own beloved grandmother. Plus, she’s just had a bad breakup, so life is not great. But, she at least got a laugh out of the note left on her car for Valentine’s Day. Clearly, the naughty message was intended for someone else.

The amusing mistake soon turns into a series of anonymous exchanges that bring some happiness to Holly’s hard days.

About This Amazon Series

This novella is a quick read at 61 pages, but we could have kept reading about these characters for much longer.

For Valentine’s Day 2024, Amazon worked with some of the best contemporary romance authors to create a collection of 6 stand-alone novellas called The Improbable Meet-Cute Collection. These novellas, including Worst Wingman Ever, are included with Kindle Unlimited in both ebook and audio format.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 09/05/2026
Amazon
The Fall Risk book cover

The Fall Risk

Publication Date:

Book Summary

It might be Valentine’s weekend, but neither Charlotte nor Seth is looking for romance. In fact, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation. Living across the hall is Seth, an arborist whose divorce was finalized just today.

But when a disaster traps them both one flight up with no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament will force them both even closer to the edge. They could be in danger of falling… in love.

Connection to Another Novella

This novella is a quick read at 86 pages. While it reads perfectly as a standalone, those who have read The Worst Wingman Ever will enjoy the cameos from John and Holly.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 09/05/2026
Amazon

The Abby Jimenez Universe: Do you need to read her books in order?

While all Abby Jimenez characters exist in the same universe, you’ll never be lost if you pick up any of her novels because they each feature a different main character and storyline.

Within the books, you’ll enjoy cameos from other titles, along with other Easter eggs that tie the books together. If you plan to read all the books, you’ll likely enjoy them best in order of publication because you’ll catch the crossovers from earlier books. Reading out of order may also create spoilers for earlier books, as you’ll see how life turned out for characters from the earlier books.

Printable Abby Jimenez Book Tracker

Looking for a printable version of this chronological Abby Jimenez novel list? Our Buy Me a Coffee BFF’s have access to a cute printable tracker featuring the covers of all her novels. Join our membership site today for instant access to your copy, along with some other fun perks!

Image of printable page of Abby Jimenez book covers

About Abby Jimenez

In addition to being a New York Times best-selling author, Abby Jimenez is also a Food Network champion.

Have you ever noticed that the characters in Abby Jimenez’s books are always ordering delicious treats from Nadia Cakes? That’s because Abby Jimenez owns the bakery, which has locations in Minnesota and California! She’s as talented in the kitchen as she is behind a keyboard. She won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and was featured on two seasons of TLC’s hit show Fabulous Cakes!

Inside back cover of Abby Jimenez book showing author cover and bio

Born in Washington, DC, and raised in California, Abby now calls the Twin Cities of Minnesota home. Abby and her husband first visited Minnesota on a cross-country trip and immediately fell in love – so much so that they moved there just three months later.

After finding huge success with her bakeries, Abby was ready for a new challenge. She loves romance novels, but had a hard time finding exactly what she wanted to read – “something that was funny, but also had depth.” That’s when she decided maybe she could write her own romance. Many books later, with Just for the Summer reaching #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List, we’d say that yes, she can!

Authors Like Abby Jimenez

If you enjoy Abby Jimenez, we think you’ll also enjoy novels by Katherine Center. All of her books are excellent and blend romance stories with deeper topics, but we recommend starting with The Bodyguard because it’s the closest match to Abby’s style.

We also recommend Emily Henry, Sara Confino Goodman, and Uzma Jalaluddin novels for fans of Abby Jimenez. All three women write books that draw upon many classic romance tropes, but, like Jimenez, they are also skilled at crafting realistic, three-dimensional characters with lives and challenges outside whatever romance they’ve found.

While Emily Henry focuses on contemporary stories of women in their 20s and 30s, Sara Confino Goodman writes a mix of historical and contemporary stories with Jewish characters. Uzma Jalaluddin incorporates her Muslim heritage to add depth to her contemporary romances.

More Book Recommendations You’ll Love

In addition to the authors like Abby Jimenez that we discussed above, don’t miss picking your next read from one of our rom-com and romance book lists below.

photo of colorful Abby Jimenez book spines with a teal box overlay and text that reads 2025 Guide Abby Jimenez Books in Order

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The Book Girls are best friends who jointly read over 200 books per year. We started Book Girls' Guide in 2019 to help others de-stress and find joy through the power of a great book. We do in-depth research on thousands of novels and non-fiction titles each year to provide curated book lists covering a variety of genres.

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