Life's Too Short

Abby Jimenez has done it again with another stellar book! This one might just be my all-time favorite. Vanessa and Adrian were absolutely perfect together. Their effortless bond and quick integration into each other's lives, becoming best friends in no time, was simply heartwarming. The way Adrian stepped up to care for Grace made me fall for him just as hard as Vanessa did. Jimenez has a way of making her characters truly understand each other, tugging at the heartstrings with their genuine care and connection. The moments of conflict, like the debate over Vanessa's treatment, had me torn between both perspectives, feeling the weight of Adrian's ultimatum. Vanessa's playful flirting and the focus on emotional intimacy rather than just physical chemistry made their relationship feel authentic and special. Watching their gradual emotional opening and Adrian's support in helping Vanessa reconnect with her family was truly touching. Adrian's willingness to do anything for Vanessa, even the smallest gestures like untangling her hair from the fan, showed his deep love and commitment. And his profession as a lawyer? So hot! The theme of control added depth to Adrian's character development, highlighting the significant impact Vanessa had on him. Overall, this book was incredibly well-crafted and captivating from start to finish.

This is the third book in the Friend Zone series and the third book by Abby Jimenez that I've read. The first two were wonderful. They had me laughing, loving the characters, and sometimes wanting to pull my hair with frustration.

Life's Too Short took me on a deeper journey. I've just finished it and have tears in my eyes. The ending has taken a little nip out of my heart, like things in life can. I'm sitting with the story feeling slightly dazed.

This story is beautiful, warm, realistic, funny, and fun. I've read excerpts from it to three friends and two family members so far because the story is so funny and authentic. All of it. Especially if you enjoy people's or dogs' uniqueness, or savor the crazy variety and richness of life. From my 96-year-old aunt to the friend who wants to read this story, each person I read excerpts to loves it. I have more family and friends I will read parts to. It's too wonderful to not be shared with all my loved ones.

My heart still feels nipped.

Thank you, Abby Jimenez.

I don’t even know where to begin. Vanessa is like sunshine in human form, even with a prospective ALS diagnosis, a hoarder father, drug addicted sister, and a little brother on a mission for a get rich quick scheme. When her sister ditches her baby on Vanessa’s doorstep, her entire life changes. In comes Adrian, broody criminal defense lawyer, and neighbor. From the naked eye, they are complete opposites. Yet, from the second fate puts them together, it’s magic.

Everything about this book is a masterpiece. A true gift of literature that leaves you laughing, connecting, grieving, crying, and feeling like you just might die when it ends. I haven’t felt this in love with a book since Happy Place by Emily Henry. If I could give this book 7 stars, I would.

This book is so well written and is such a ride. I've never cried this much reading a book. An epic journey for sure. The characters were fantastic, the story was so engaging, and the emotions were so real! This book really changed my perspective on coping with terminal illnesses. This is the first book of Abby's that I've read and she has a fan for life. Thank you for writing this story. It was the tale I didn't know I needed.

Wow. I didn't know what to expect from this book but I was pleasantly surprised. I can't get over the miscommunication trope though. It gets under my skin when characters don't just come out and say what they need to say. The last chapter redeemed this book for me. It fell flat towards the end and felt a bit rushed but, I loved it. Such a great book bringing awareness to a condition most people don't even think about. And all of the things that Adrian dealt with too. I really connected with his character a lot!

All of AJ’s books are good because she writes great characters but I liked this one because the message was important when it came to Adrien accepting Vanessa’s choices and not trying to change her even though he didn’t always understand or agree with her decisions. Their chemistry was good but at times seemed kind of forced with Vanessa’s nonstop talk about Adrien’s incredible body, etc. but the ending’s emotional and positive.

This was so good, as were the other two Abby Jiminez books I’ve read, but I desperately need to see something besides a giant miscommunication trope being the main plot/driving factor of the book 😭 it is SO FRUSTRATING, and maybe that’s the point but please give me a break I’m begging.

Otherwise, I loved this! I liked the unlikely pairing of Vanessa and Adrian, and I loved the unique take on the accidental pregnancy/baby, and I even came to like Vanessa’s family by the end which is honestly impressive. It was also very touching, with its “live life to the fullest” message while also being extremely (surprisingly) educational about ALS! So that was cool.

While the plot of this book, and the bravery it takes to deal with living with a chronic illness, is emotional and hard … it was difficult for me as a reader to NOT be upset at Vanessa for going so far as to plan her funeral … but not get her hand and arm checked.

I also get it, as someone that has an invisible illness that sometimes our bodies do weird things and we just deal with it.

AND, I get that wouldn’t make the book as good as it was if Vanessa was proactive. She needed to kind of … stick her head in the sand.

Adrian also sort of stuck his head in the sand. But not for reasons one would think. He just couldn’t deal.

Their love was slow … and sweet.

Also, Grace was way too good of a baby! Come on! We started with her screaming and she like … never cried again lol.

So, I loved the book but something plot pieces were … just … huh?

The epilogue was epic. So all is forgiven.

I really enjoyed this one! A lot more than book 2 in this series. It kept my attention and I felt invested in the stories and relationships and was eager to see what would end up happening. It was also full of good reminders that we never know what tomorrow will bring, so to love our people well and not take them for granted. This was a sweet read that made me smile, laugh and cry - it was also a quick easy read. Abby tackled a tough, heavy topic with a lot of care. Would recommend!

| contemporary romance | slow burn | girl next door | lawyer x travel blogger | terminal illness | ALS awareness | dual POV | single mom | family drama | emotional |

This did not hit as hard as the previous books. I was really pushing to finish it. I do love the writing of Abby Jimenez. She really knows how to infuse serious topics and plot lines with both humor and devastation.

This was a good book, however I just felt that the first two had more of an emotional punch. Although the content of this book is similar in terms of loving someone who is going through something that is life changing, I just didn’t find the love story as provoking.

Regardless of my personal feelings on the story, the writing was excellent. I love the humor that Abby is able to use as comedic relief in these really heavy hitting emotional moments.

This series has really put Abby Jimenez on the map for me and I can’t wait to read her more recent books.

Happy Reading, Friends xx