Discover contemporary romance author Abby Jimenez’s books in order. Learn about her complete collection, the best reading order, where to start, and more, including character connections and crossovers. You won’t be able to get enough of these love stories, so let’s get literary!
- New Book 2024: Just for the Summer
- Book of the Month’s Book of the Year 2023: Yours Truly
Abby Jimenez Books in Order
Publication Order
Abby Jimenez’s books in order of publication date are as follows:
- The Friend Zone (2019)
- The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020)
- Life’s Too Short (2021)
- Part of Your World (2022)
- Yours Truly (2023)
- Worst Wingman Ever (2024 short story)
- Just for the Summer (2024)
- Remember to Forget Me (2025)
Series Order
The following Abby Jimenez books are part of a series:
| Series Name | Books in Order |
| The Friend Zone Series | The Friend Zone (2019) The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020) Life’s Too Short (2021) |
| Part of Your World Series | Part of Your World (2022) Yours Truly (2023) Just for the Summer (2024) |
RECOMMENDED READING ORDER/WHERE TO START
It is best practice to read the books in each Abby Jimenez series in order of publication date. Reading these books out of order will spoil some plotlines for you.
That being said, you don’t “have to” read them in order, since the main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few book character connections in the books that are part of a series.
Otherwise, you can start wherever you want! My top picks are The Happy Ever After Playlist for a rock star romance and Part of Your World for a small-town romance (popular with readers). I also loved Just For the Summer and think it will be really hot throughout 2024.
(Of note, I did not read Abby Jimenez’s books in order, and I didn’t feel like that much was spoiled for me. I also didn’t find anything to be confusing in reading these books out of order.)
Character Connections in Abby Jimenez’s Books
Abby Jimenez drops lots of Easter eggs in her books! I’ve laid out as many character connections as I could find for you below:
- The Friend Zone (2019): The female main character, Kristen, is planning the wedding of her best friend, Sloan. Adrian is the best man for his cousin, Josh.
- The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020): Sloan is the female main character who finds the dog of Jason. Adrian plays a minor role.
- Life’s Too Short (2021): Adrian is “the hot lawyer next door” to the female main character, Vanessa. There are cameos from The Friend Zone cast.
- Part of Your World (2022): The female main character, Alexis, is best friends with Briana, with whom she works at Royaume Northwestern Hospital. The male main character, Daniel, is Josh’s cousin.
- Yours Truly (2023): Briana is the female main character who works with Jacob. Alexis and Daniel play roles. Vanessa is mentioned.
- Just for the Summer (2024): The female main character, Emma, and her friend and roommate, Maddy, get jobs at Royaume Northwestern Hospital. Daniel, Alexis, Jacob, Josh, and Briana play minor roles. Sloan and Vanessa are mentioned.
About Author Abby Jimenez
about
Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author and former Food Network champion who founded Nadia Cakes Bakery.
Her contemporary romance novels are known for the following characteristics:
- cute dogs
- recipes
- alternating male and female perspectives
- complex real-life issues standing in the way of the leading couple
Abby Jimenez’s Books: Quick Summaries & Reviews
The Friend Zone (2019; Book 1 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
- One of the Best Romance Novels of the Year by O, The Oprah Magazine, SheReads, and Women’s Health
- Audie Award Finalist
- USA Today bestseller
Best for fans of the “friends with benefits” trope
My Review: ★★☆☆☆
In The Friend Zone, Kristen Peterson begins to fall for the best man at her best friend’s wedding, Josh Copeland. But, there are two problems. First, her relationship status is complicated, and second, she has a big secret. She’s about to undergo surgery that will leave her unable to have children (trigger warning).
Since Josh wants a large family, she keeps him at a distance with an agreement to remain “friends with benefits.” But, this becomes harder and harder the deeper she and her dog, Stuntman Mike, fall for him.
When tragedy strikes, they must cope with how they feel given their new reality.
While I liked that this novel explored “real-life” infertility issues, it may be triggering to some. Of note, many readers, myself included, also disliked the miscommunications and the ending. I’d recommend it only if you want to start with Jimenez’s debut and/or read the full Friend Zone series.
The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020; Book 2 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
- USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestseller
- SheReads Award Best Romance of the Year
- Frolic’s Best Books of the Year
Best for fans of the rock star romance trope
My Review: ★★★★☆
The Happy Ever After Playlist picks up two years after Sloan Monroe’s fiancé dies (trigger warning) when she finds an adorable dog named Tucker that belongs to a musician on tour named Jason. They speak via telephone about the dog while he’s away. As they do, their calls become increasingly more flirty and romantic.
This popular love story is such a good romance! It’s overflowing with song recommendations (a “playlist” for the couple’s romantic journey). Also, just when you think you know where the story is headed, it moves in a different direction.
It’s a “happy” read that puts a huge smile on your face. I recommend it especially as a great beach read and/or a “pick me up.” This is the book that made Abby Jimenez a “must-read” author for me.
Life’s Too Short (2021; Book 3 of 3 in The Friend Zone series)
- Instant New York Times bestseller
- Minnesota Book Award Winner
- BookRiot, Top Books of the Year
- She Reads, Best of 2021 Romance Winner
Best for fans of love stories filled with family drama and the neighbors-to-lovers trope
My Review: ★★★☆☆
In Life’s Too Short, Vanessa Price is a YouTube star who has taken custody of her troubled half-sister’s baby daughter, Grace, when she meets the lawyer next door, Adrian Copeland. She’s also grieving the loss of her mother and sister, trying to support a difficult father, and worrying about her mortality (trigger warnings for ALS and terminal illness).
On paper, she and Adrian seem different, but he seems up to the challenges she faces as their attraction grows. The question is whether her life will be too short for a real future together.
There’s a lot going on in this one, but it’s a solid ending to The Friend Zone series if you’re looking to read them all.
Part of Your World (2022; Part of Your World Book 1 of 3)
- Instant New York Times bestseller
Best for fans of small-town romances and the opposites attract trope
My Review: ★★★★☆
Part of Your World is one of the best books for Gilmore Girls fans because it has small-town charm and a couple from two different worlds, like Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore.
When Alexis Montgomery, a wealthy woman from a well-to-do family with high expectations of her, meets Daniel Grant, a small-town, dutiful family business owner, sparks fly.
But, she is reeling from an abusive relationship (trigger warning), and she fears truly allowing him to be “part of her world.” She’s applying for a job position that will uphold the family name and longstanding traditions.
What’s unique about it is the small-town charm and the humor and grace with which the story is told, leaving readers’ hearts warmed. It’s an utterly loveable romantic comedy, reminiscent of late 90s/early 00s movies. There’s also a decent amount of spice. Overall, i’s one of my top recommendations.
Yours Truly (2023; Part of Your World Book 2 of 3)
- Book of the Month’s Book of the Year 2023
Best for fans of the fake dating trope and mistaken first impressions
My Review: ★★★★☆
In Yours Truly, ER doctor Briana is recently divorced after suffering a miscarriage (trigger warning) and worried about her sick brother. She meets “the new guy” at work, who has unaffectionately been nicknamed “Dr. Death.”
But, when she gets a sweet letter from Dr. Death, otherwise known as Jacob, she writes back. As they continue to correspond, she learns he’s a donor match for the transplant her brother needs.
She’s so grateful that she agrees to “fake date” him at a family wedding that’s going to be very uncomfortable for him. This is when things heat up between them.
Read this one if you like a satisfying slow burn with only mild spice. It also represents social anxiety very well (trigger warning), and it’s great for fans of letter writing in novels. Overall, it’s a solid romance that readers universally love!
Tip: Don’t skip the author’s emotional note at the end.
Worst Wingman Ever (2024)
My Review: ★★★☆☆
Best for fans of short stories
Worst Wingman Ever is part of Amazon’s The Improbable Meet-Cute series of short stories by popular romance authors.
It’s a quick and cute story about a nurse named Holly caring for her dying grandmother. Curiously, she finds a Valentine’s Day card on her car. She finds out it was mistakenly placed on the wrong car by someone’s “wingman.”
From there, banter and small acts of kindness ensue. It’s hard to write a good short story, yet Abby Jimenez succeeds here. Read it if you’re looking for something quick, yet satisfying in the romance genre.
Just for the Summer (2024; Part of Your World Book 3 of 3)
Best for fans of the fake dating trope and summer romances
- #1 New York Times bestseller
- Good Morning America Book Club pick
My Review: ★★★★☆
Just For the Summer proves that Abby Jimenez can continue to deliver everything her readers love.
Justin feels cursed. Every woman he dates finds her soulmate just after breaking up with him. In a twist of fate, he meets, Emma, who is similarly “cursed.” Together, they create a plan to date each other and break up, so they can go on to live happily ever after with someone else.
A traveling nurse with her friend, Emma gets a nursing job and rents an adorable cottage on Lake Minnetonka near Justin to bring this plan to life.
Emma and Justin connect deeper than expected over their “mommy” issues. (trigger warning) They just may be the perfect pair. But, the chaos left by Emma’s mom seems be too complicated to make the plan work.
This summer romance novel features my favorite couple in Abby Jimenez’s books. They are quirky, loveable, have great chemistry, and support each other through difficult life issues. There is also one spicy scene for steamy romance lovers!
The supporting cast, including some characters you’ll recognize and a dog (of course), round out this “slightly more complicated than normal” romance. It’s great for those who like a little bit of realistic drama in their escape reads.
It’s one quick and very enjoyable summer-themed read.
Printable PDF List of Books in Order
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez begins a series of three books: first, The Friend Zone (2019); second, The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020); and third, Life’s Too Short (2021).
It is best practice to read the books in each Abby Jimenez series in order of publication date. Reading these books out of order will spoil some plotlines. However, you don’t “have to” read them in order, since the plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book.
No. Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez is the second book in the Part of Your World series, but it is technically not a sequel. The plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few crossovers.
No. Yours Truly and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez can be read as standalone novels. While they are part of the same series, the plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few crossovers.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez is the second book in the Part of Your World series, but it can also be read as a standalone novel. The main characters and storylines are different in each book. There are just a few crossovers.
Technically, no. It is best practice to read the books in each Abby Jimenez series in order of publication date. Reading these books out of order will spoil some plotlines. However, you don’t “have to” read them in order, since the plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book.
Conclusion
This guide to Abby Jimenez’s books in order detailed the beloved contemporary romance novels that are known for dogs, recipes, alternating male and female perspectives, and complex real-life issues standing in the way of the leading couple.
To recap, it is best practice to read the books in each Abby Jimenez series in order of publication date, as reading these books out of order will spoil some plotlines. However, you don’t “have to” since the plots’ main characters and storylines are different in each book.
Otherwise, you can start wherever you want and continue however you want.
SHOP THE TOP 2
My top picks are The Happy Ever After Playlist for a rock star romance and Part of Your World for a small-town romance (popular with readers). I also loved Just For the Summer and think it will be really hot throughout 2024.
Hello,
Thank you for your insight! I have all of the books and have read them in order of publication. I did notice that in your description of each book that the female leads in POYW and YT were reversed and should be Alexis in Part of Your World and Brianna in Yours Truly.
Thank you SO MUCH for picking up on that! I have fixed it and added a few more character connections after going back to take another look at Yours Truly. Hope you enjoy the newest book as much as I did.
Yes! I agree with you! Read all of them and enjoyed each one, but definitely liked Part of your world and Yours Truly is the best. I also love the way all the stories intertwine with each other. All the stories reference another book character in one way or another creating an amazing AJ universe that is always filled with Nadia Cakes.