From the USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone comes an adorable and fresh romantic comedy about one trouble-making dog who brings together two perfect strangers. 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, … 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? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?
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Why does Abby Jimenez have to do this to us? Every single book she writes is that perfect blend of humour and gut-wrenching sadness. I wasn’t sure I could handle Sloan’s story after The Friend Zone stole my heart, but this was perfect. I appreciate the overarching plots that the world will throw every obstacle in your path as a couple, but you can make it work even so. It’s a new version of the romance genre to me, and I don’t think I can read any other books like this, because it is so good. Abby Jimenez has ruined me for other books!
I really enjoyed this audiobook!! Erin and Zachary are brilliant narrators who really bring this book to life. Love the characters and the story – with all the ups and downs! Tucker is the best matchmaker ever!
Loved this book! I could not put it down from the moment I opened it! Highly recommend! Abby definitely is great at everything she puts her mind too!
I really enjoyed this “second chance at love” story. In The Friend Zone we were introduced to Sloan Monroe, ready to grasp her HEA until tragedy strikes. Now, two years later, Sloan is still drifting through life…until a dog leaps through the sunroof of her car. Tracking down Tucker’s owner pulls Sloan out of her miasma, but when she meets Jason in person she’s ready to give life a second chance, but she’s not ready to make Jason part of that
I enjoyed the tension in the novel as Sloan begins to emerge from her grief, with Jason’s help. I also found the antagonist in the story to be far more complicated than one would suspect, which I also like. Cardboard villains are a dime a dozen. An interesting villain keeps one reading along. The drama keeping Jason and Sloan from making their relationship more solid seemed real, and not contrived.
We also got to see more of Kristen and Josh from Friend Zone, though have a nit-pick over the hero and the hero of the last book both carrying names starting with “J”, particularly when they’re in scenes together. It’s easier on the poor reader if she doesn’t have to pause for a microsecond to figure out which one’s the hero of this story and not the last story.
But overall it was very satisfying and I’ll look for more books from Abby Jimenez.
This is one of the best books I’ve read this year (and that’s saying a lot!). I finished it in less than a day, and ugly cried a couple times. I was lucky to get a preview of the book on NetGalley and it took all that was within me to NOT call in sick to work and rush to the closest bookstore to get a copy, because THEAP deserves to be read (and re-read) in paper; I was all in.
Sloan’s story starts in Abby Jimenez’s first book, The Friend Zone, which I recommend reading before The Happy Ever After Playlist to get the complete Sloan-and-Jason experience. I have to admit I am completely biased heading in, as I have been a long-time Nadia Cakes fan and as a Minnesotan I was even more engaged in Jason’s backstory and the Minnesota scenes in THEAP (also because I grew up listening to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, so you had me at “claymation cover”… why isn’t this a thing!?). You don’t have to be a Minnesotan, or cupcake fan (what’s wrong with you!?) to enjoy this book however, Abby Jimenez is SUCH a fantastic writer that you’ll be hooked!
EAGERLY anticipating the 3rd installment of the loosely-connected trio, Life’s Too Short, which is being released in April of 2021.
you don’t have to read The Friend Zone before this book. [however the background is very useful]
You don’t have to listen to the music chosen for each chapter [but you might find some new to you artists or reacquaint yourself with something in a new context]
You don’t have to suspend belief too often [but why not? this is fiction]
You will want to tell your friends about this book because it is hopeful and healing and who doesn’t love a book with a dog in it?
This sweet novel was unpredictable and kept me engrossed. Touching and moving. LOVED. Can’t wait to read again.
After reading The Friend Zone, I couldn’t start reading The Happy Ever After Playlist fast enough. And let me tell ya, it did NOT disappoint! I loved Sloan’s book and I loved hearing more from Kristen. What makes these 2 books so amazing? The characters plain and simple. You laugh and cry while reading. I love this series and can not wait for book 3.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better than The Friend Zone, Abby Jimenez continues to amaze me! I adore the protagonist, Sloane, from this book, and I enjoyed seeing her get the ending she deserved. Jimenez’s characters will make you laugh out loud. They are quirky, yet so realistic that they reminded me of people I know. I truly loved this book!
This entire book was so sweet and romantic. I loved everything about it. But the ending…*swoon* *sigh* *wipe away tears* If you love a big, emotional, grab-you-right-in-the-feels ending, then buy this book right now!
I have been anxiously awaiting this story since finishing The Friend Zone. I loved Sloan and was so happy we got to pick up her journey of healing in this book. Sloan’s journey and story was so organic, and it never felt forced. Abby has such an incredible way with words, and this book pulled at all my emotions! I loved Tucker launching himself into Sloan’s life and bringing Jason into her world. I had so many warm fuzzy feelings for Jason. You can’t help but cheer for Sloan and Jason! And I loved revisiting Kristen and Josh! I laughed and cried, and this was such a heartwarming story! One of the best reads of the year — would recommend to anyone!
Why did I wait so long to read this book? It came highly recommended and I did buy it right away, but I didn’t get to it until much later. And once I did, I couldn’t put it down. Full of romance, heartbreak, friendship, family, and the testing of love, it is one that I, too, will be recommending.
Sloan Monroe is miserably existing. She really misses her life as it was before 2 years ago. Her zest for living is gone and she has a hard time finding hope.
Jason loved his hike and was shocked as he arrived to Australia and checked his voicemails. He was shocked that he no longer has his one true best friend. He’s very concerned about what happened in the two weeks he’s been gone.
This is an amazing novel and can’t wait to see what happens next. So far it’s definitely 5 star and above!
I really liked this book. I’m a sucker for a rockstar, a meet cute and a dog so this had it all going on for me. However as Jason’s career starts to rise, I thought he became a selfish rockstar. He never really gave up anything for Sloan. He even gave her his dog. Sloan on the other hand had to do all the work to change her life to fit his. The windup and ending were satisfying and so I give four stars. Also loved listening to a snippet of each song on iTunes at the start of each chapter.
Sloan Monroe’s fiance, Brandon, died two years ago, and Sloan is still hurting, a lot. Then one day she finds an adorable dog on the road–literally–and takes him home. His owner never answers her texts, and the dog, Tucker, seems to help Sloan move on. Then suddenly Tucker’s owner shows up, via text, and he wants Tucker back. But Sloan’s strong enough now that she’s not giving up Tucker. As she starts texting with Tucker’s owner, Jason, she realizes he really cares about his dog. Then Sloan also recognizes that Jason is a good guy. A really good, handsome guy. This is confirmed once they meet in person. But Jason’s a musician with stardom just around the corner. Sloan needs someone here, whom she can count on. Can she really handle someone else who might leave her, again?
“I didn’t cook anymore. Everyone knew that. I didn’t do a lot of things anymore.”
I absolutely adored this book. It was just what I needed at the time I picked it up. Jimenez gives us such a happy and sexy romance with two characters with awesome chemistry. There’s the best blend of small mix-ups and humor, and you cannot help but root for Sloan and Jason from the very beginning (especially if you’ve read The Friend Zone). Knowing that Sloan is completely broken from Brandon’s death while Jason is confident and embarking on a new career, it’s completely understandable that Sloan can’t risk losing herself again. Watching her find happiness–even knowing it could be gone again in a second–is beautiful, and both of these characters are so real, so true.
“I’d been lonely and attached to someone invisible for two years. I wouldn’t do it again. I couldn’t do it again.”
While this book is emotional, it’s also very sweet, and, wow, sexy at times. Jason is just a darn good guy, seemingly too good to be true, and I found myself willing him and Sloan together, desperately wanting her to get a second chance at happiness. Throw in the adorable Tucker and there’s basically nothing not to love about this book. Great characters, great romance, great humor–it’s all there. I loved it from beginning to end. 4.5 stars.
Love how he never gave up on her and accepted her friends also.
This book is absolutely wonderful. I connected to the characters early on and their story was a rollercoaster ride! I already loved Sloan from The Friend Zone but her vulnerability and authenticity really comes through in this book. This story continues two years after the end of The Friend Zone. The beginning of Sloan’s and Jason’s relationship with their back and forth flirty banter is unbelievably cute. I fell in love with Jason right away. It felt like a typical romcom and then the relationship got real and the drama was incredible. So much happens! The best part of the book is Chapter 45. I was kicking, screaming, and crying…and then I hugged the book.
I did a mix of paperback and audible. I highly recommend the audible version. The narrators did a great job of expressing the emotions of both characters. I really appreciated the male & female narrators since this is a dual POV book.
I loved this book!
Abby Jimenez has done it again! I loved this book so much. I’m pretty sure after The Friend Zone and this one I will read anything she writes. If you love rom coms then this book is a must! Her characters are always fun, witty, slightly awkward, and REAL! Her books give me ALL THE FEELS!
Enjoyable