The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez Book Review
A Soft, Character-Driven Romance That Completely Stole My Heart
There are some books you enjoy… and then there are the ones you physically don’t want to end. The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez is firmly in the second category for me.
This one has the trope of ‘boyfriend’s best friend’, and it’s handled so delicately and beautifully. It also features the acts of service love language, some grief, some substance abuse (alcohol), and strained parental relationships.
And so much emotion. I bawled my eyes out majority of this book.
Oh, my heart. I loved this so much.
Here is my mood board for the book featuring key events and a partial fan cast.
Chris Might Be My New Favorite Abby Jimenez Book Boyfriend
I don’t say this lightly, but Chris has officially surpassed Justin from Just for the Summer as my favorite Abby Jimenez boyfriend. I love him.
He’s smart, kind, loyal… and he reads books. Which already puts him in elite territory. But what really makes him stand out is how steady and emotionally grounded he feels. He’s not flashy—he’s just deeply, consistently good.
A Quieter Plot That Won’t Work for Everyone
This is definitely a more character-driven story compared to some of Jimenez’s other books. The plot itself is a little less eventful, and I can absolutely see this not working for readers who need a lot of action or drama to stay engaged.
But for me? It didn’t matter at all.
Because I was immediately invested in Chris and Larissa. Their connection felt natural and genuine, and that carried the entire story. If you fall for them early, the slower pace becomes part of the charm rather than a drawback.
Familiar Faces Make It Even Better
We also get to spend more time with Xavier and Samantha from Say You’ll Remember Me, which I loved. There’s something so satisfying about seeing past characters woven into a new story; it makes the whole world feel more connected and real.
Meet My Fan Cast
I had such a clear picture of these characters while reading! Here’s who I’d cast:
Samara Weaving as Larissa, Dylan O’Brien as Chris, Alan Ritchson as Mike, Barbara Streisand as Nancy, Isabela Merced as Lexi, Thomas Doherty as Xavier, Jeanine Mason as Samantha
Final Thoughts
This book felt soft, emotional, and quietly impactful in a way that really stuck with me.
10/10, no notes.
If you’re someone who loves character-driven romance, emotionally mature love interests, and relationships that feel real rather than overly dramatic, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
If you’re ready to read The Night We Met, you can grab a copy here:
→ Shop The Night We Met on Bookshop.org
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