Book Review – The Happy Ever After Playlist

Title: The Happy Ever After Playlist (The Friend Zone #2)

Author: Abby Jimenez

Publisher: Forever

Publication date: April 14th, 2020

401 pages

4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis

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. As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. 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?

Review

I recently reviewed the first book, The Friend Zone, on my blog and this review will have some spoilers for that book, just by the nature of it being a sequel – so be warned.

THEAP starts off 2 years after the events of the first book, and follows Sloan Monroe dealing with life after the death of her fiance, Brandon. One day she is driving, and a dog quite literally jumps into her car on the highway – causing her to reach out to the owner and finding Jason. Jason is musician on tour and they begin texting until he is able to come home and retrieve Tucker. They clearly have feelings for each other, but Sloan is hesitant to let go of Brandon and her fear of being left alone. Will Jason be in this for the long haul?

This book made me feel all of the feelings all at once, as I read this in a day – staying up quite late to do so. I was hooked, enthralled, captivated – however you want to put it. The first book was good, but this one took that and blew it out of the water completely. There was so much depth to the plot, character development, and it felt so much longer than 400 pages – IN A GOOD WAY. Like I’m floored she fit ALL OF THIS STORY in that many words, it doesn’t seem possible.

I laughed, I cried, I swooned, and I hurt. I also desperately wanted to have Tucker be my dog, because he was the shit. I highly preferred Kristen being relegated to a side character rather than the star. Sloan definitely got the better story out of the two of them.

Keep your eyes peeled for Abby #3, Life’s Too Short, out in April!

Happy reading, folks!