Review: How Does ‘The Night We Met’ Compare to Abby Jimenez’s Other Books?
If Abby Jimenez releases a book, you can bet I will read it immediately. At this point, his novels were automatic purchases for me, and after that Only for Summer being one of my favorite romance novels of all time, my expectations for the new release, The Night We Met, very high.
Part of my anticipation also comes from knowing how long this release will take. Abby shared that this book took two years to write, which made me even more curious because I was expecting something very thoughtful and layered. Add that fact The Night We Met exists in the same world as the previous standalone books, with appearances from characters readers already know and love, and immediately brings an extra sense of excitement. Thankfully, all that excitement and anticipation paid off. Here’s my opinion The Night We Met.
The Night We Met
In everyone’s life, there are decisions that can change everything. For Larissa, this happened when choosing who she would go home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she had met the perfect man. He and Chris are best friends, together fostering a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie. But she didn’t choose Chris to take her home a few months ago—she went with Chris’ best friend, and Chris became her boyfriend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing on the sidelines slowly kills him, but moving will destroy others.
What The Night We Met about?
The Night We Met follows Larissa, who meets her perfect man, Chris, after a night out at a concert. The story follows the growth of the relationship between the two and how they become each other’s best friends. We watch them go on adventures, support each other through life’s ups and downs, and even co-parent a dog. But despite all their chemistry, Larissa is not dating Chris; she is in a relationship with Mike, Chris’ best friend.
My review of The Night We Met
I admit, I read this book with some trepidation. I’m usually not interested in stories that feature love triangle tropes. It’s hard to be fully invested when you know someone is bound to get hurt. Plus, the idea of feelings developing around a best friend relationship makes me suspicious. How does Abby Jimenez make the central relationship between Chris and Larissa feel believable and worthy of rooting for, without frustrating or disappointing the reader? It’s the kind of trope that can easily feel messy in the wrong hands.
But somehow, he succeeded, especially because of the care with which he built the relationship between Chris and Larissa. The story makes clear why their relationship carries a different emotional weight than Larissa’s relationship with Mike, her boyfriend, and best friend Chris. The book’s tropes work because the characters remain respectful. There’s no cheating whatsoever, which I appreciate.
The Night We Met is a book built on longing, which is an aspect I really liked about the story. Abby leans into this longing in a way that feels natural rather than drawn out. The relationship between Chris and Larissa develops in a controlled manner, and as a result, every interaction between them carries more weight. It’s that longing and quiet tension that keeps me invested in this story, even in the small moments.
“Once again, Abby Jimenez has created a character that keeps you thinking about it long after the last page.”
This attention to detail also allows Abby to continue to shine as a romance writer. Even the side characters in this story feel fully formed, with their own personalities and storylines that make the world feel alive. Mike, in particular, is one of those characters who leaves an impression even though he’s not the main focus. While we’re basically rooting for him when it comes to his relationship with Larissa, he’s never written as someone impossible to empathize with. The story makes it clear why he and Larissa weren’t a good couple, but still gives it depth and humanity. This is something Abby consistently does well throughout her novels: no character exists solely to move the main story along.
The characters remain very interesting, and Chris especially feels like someone readers will immediately want to like. Although sometimes, that became one of my frustrations with the novel. There were times where Chris felt as though he was giving so much of himself to everyone around him, without receiving the same level of attention in return. While that generosity certainly reflects who he is, there are times when I wish Larissa, or even one of her friends, would show the same level of concern back to him.
This feeling is even more pronounced because one of Chris’ deepest personal struggles is sadness. Even though this book touched on that pain, I kept waiting for it to be explored further. It felt like an emotional thread that had the potential to run even deeper. Still, that doesn’t take away from how enjoyable this book was overall. Abby Jimenez has a way of writing emotional intimacy that makes every scene interesting. Once again, he has created a character that keeps you thinking about it long after the last page.
So, you better read The Night We Met?
For readers who have doubts about this allusion, The Night We Met it might surprise you. It may not be able to replace it Only for Summer as a personal favorite of mine, but it really reminds me why Abby remains one of the few authors whose new publications I will always pick up immediately. The Night We Met is the perfect mix of heart, humor, and complicated feelings.
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Baylie Panattoni, Contributing Writer
Baylie is a Los Angeles-based Contributing Writer for The Everygirl with a passion for entertainment, beauty, and travel. Whether it’s uncovering the latest skincare and makeup essentials, discovering unforgettable travel destinations, or discovering the latest romance novels sweeping BookTok, Baylie loves keeping up with trends and sharing them with readers.
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