A review by hellobookbird
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

4.0

 

This was why I didn’t leave the house. Too many people and things. I wanted to hiss at the sun and go back to sleep.

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet 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?

"But my job is to help you with your crazy. Make you the best, most magnificent crazy you can be."

4 solid stars. I think Abby Jimenez might be becoming a favorite. The two I've read thus far have been winners.

With this one, there was a lot to love between Sloan and Kristen (who are two extremely amazing friends), Sloan and Tucker (I mean...puppy), Sloan and Jason (who are so sweet together it's almost a toothache of envy), and Sloan and Jason's family (who remind me a lot of my partner's family), and Zane (I want a personal assistant and I want it to be Zane). Essentially, we got a LOT OF LOVING and I am absolutely here for all the support that this portrays.

This was just a season, and there’s beauty in all seasons. Even if you are looking forward to the next one.

The beginning of the novel is sweet, entertaining, and swoony. It's literally unreal how great they are and how attentive that Jason is (like...really unreal...but it's so unreal that you want him to be a real book boyfriend, ya know?).

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.

The middle is when we get to the start of the challenges as Sloan and Jason try tackling the over consuming and challenging tour plan. I loved what felt like a totally realistic set of problems. I also really enjoyed the struggle that Sloan went through, the break to recover, and the perspective change to create new opportunities that Sloan came up with.

"I want everything with you."

The reason this book didn't quite make it to 5 stars is because of the angst and melodrama at the end. I do think it was a little much and the resolution could have happened much sooner but it did resolve well.

"You think you know what love looks like. You think the fairy tales and the romantic movies prepare you. And then you finally, really truly find it and you realize you never knew a thing about it until her. She was every love song I’ve never been good enough to write."

And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the coolest playlist presented at the beginning of each chapter. The amazing songs connected perfectly with the chapter’s contents.

Recommended for the rom-com lovers. Everyone needs a Jason.