Yearning—that slow-burn longing that will have you kicking your feet and on the edge of your seat until your OTP finally gets their happily ever after. That’s exactly what every romance lover is always looking for, whether it’s in books, shows, movies, or even in real life. My favorite romance books are always the ones with a slow-burn romance, where the couple doesn’t get together until the last few pages. It’s the build-up that makes everything so intense. We’ve seen that kind of yearning play out with the internet’s favorite couples (Belly and Conrad, I’m looking at you). But if there’s one author whose books I love for that exact pining, it’s Abby Jimenez.
Abby Jimenez’s romances have a special place in my heart because of how thoughtfully she brings her characters to life. What makes her books so captivating is getting to know each character on their own while also watching their love story slowly unfold. Since yearning is such a key aspect of her novels, today I’m getting to the bottom of which one truly has the most of it. Below, I’m ranking all of her novels from least to most yearning. Tip: Since you don’t have to read Abby Jimenez books in order, use this guide to choose which can’t-put-down book of hers to read next.
7. The Friend Zone
Planning her best friend’s wedding is bittersweet for Kristen—she’s facing a medical procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children. This intensifies when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He’s funny, sexy, and never offended by her streak of sarcasm. Even her dog adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he’d be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it’s harder and harder to keep him at arm’s length.
Yearning level: 5/10
I liked The Friend Zone, but it definitely has the least amount of yearning of all of Abby Jimenez’s books. Kristen and Josh’s connection develops very quickly, and by the middle of the story, their physical relationship is already in full swing. That slow-burn tension and longing were mostly absent.
A major plot point in this book is Kristen wrestling with personal challenges, particularly her feelings about not being able to have children, which heavily shapes her hesitation around commitment. Both she and Josh avoid communicating, each assuming the other isn’t ready for a committed relationship. While the couple clearly yearns for each other, it mostly happens internally. We read their thoughts and dialogues about wanting to be together, but we don’t see that longing play out much in their actual interactions.
6. The Happy Ever After Playlist
Sloan Monroe just can’t seem to get her life on track. But a pup who randomly jumps into her car changes everything. With Tucker by her side, Sloan starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks, Tucker’s owner reaches out. He’s a musician on tour, and he wants Tucker back. Sloan’s not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can’t deny a connection. But with his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And can Sloan survive another heartbreak?
Yearning level: 5.5/10
The Happy Ever After Playlist lands toward the bottom of my yearning ranking—not because it lacks desire, but because I never fully got the sense that the main couple, Sloan and Jason, had to be together in the same way some of Abby’s other couples feel like they’d crumble without each other. This story leans more into themes of second chances and learning to love again after loss. It really focuses on Sloan’s character finding happiness again and her healing journey, rather than pining for Jason. And while Jason definitely wanted Sloan, his love never came across as that desperate, “I can’t breathe without you” energy either. It was a beautiful story, yes, but not quite the kind of yearning that made me love other titles from Abby Jimenez.
5. Life’s Too Short
When Vanessa Price quit her job to travel the globe, she wasn’t expecting to gain millions of followers who shared her joy of seizing every moment. Her mother and sister never saw the age of 30, and Vanessa doesn’t want to take anything for granted. That is, until her half sister leaves Vanessa in custody of her baby. The last person Vanessa expects to offer help is the hot lawyer next door, Adrian Copeland. Now she’s feeling things she’s vowed not to feel. Because the only thing worse than falling for Adrian is finding a little hope for a future she may never see.
Yearning level: 6/10
Life’s Too Short has a yearning that definitely made me feel something, though it wasn’t as intense as in Abby’s other books. From the start, Adrian and Vanessa have an instant connection, but both face major roadblocks. Adrian’s past left him with serious abandonment issues, and Vanessa is juggling family drama, raising her sister’s daughter, and worrying about a possible hereditary disease. Because of all this, they both need time to work on themselves before their relationship can really take off. So while I didn’t feel that intense yearning throughout the bulk of the book, Adrian’s devotion and longing toward the end hit pretty hard—he goes to great lengths to be with Vanessa. The ending alone is what gives this story its spot on the ranking.
4. Part of Your World
Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s 10 years younger than her and the complete opposite of Alexis. Yet their chemistry is undeniable. While her parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, every minute Alexis spends with Daniel, she’s discovering what’s really important. Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. How can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?
Yearning level: 6.5/10
Part of Your World is full of sparks and instant chemistry, though the romance doesn’t have that intense longing that defines my top three picks. While Alexis and Daniel hit it off instantly, their relationship faces plenty of twists and obstacles that cause it to fall apart just as fast. Abby Jimenez does a great job balancing the sweet romantic energy with heavier topics (as she always does), and this really comes through in the way she highlights Alexis and Daniel’s completely different worlds and upbringings. But instead of adding to the yearning, their differences mostly fuel conflict—giving their relationship a tumultuous start and keeping Alexis in denial for a good portion of the story. We watch their relationship go through many ups and downs, with plenty of missteps before things finally fall into place. Daniel’s longing throughout the book is definitely sweet, but between all of the back-and-forth, the yearning gets a tad overshadowed.
3. Say You’ll Remember Me
There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but veterinarian Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. That is, until he opens his mouth. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong, unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible date, Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. Only no amount of time is enough to forget what’s between them.
Yearning level: 8/10
I enjoyed Say You’ll Remember Me, and while it’s not my favorite Abby Jimenez book, the yearning in this story is undeniable. After Samantha and Xavier share an incredible first date, Samantha moves across the country to care for her sick mother, putting physical distance between them. She begs Xavier to forget her, but he refuses. He can’t stop thinking about her, and his determination to be with her drives much of the story’s romantic tension. Unlike some of Abby’s other books, where the yearning builds slowly, this one has it from the very beginning, with Samantha pulling away after their first date. Xavier’s refusal to let her go keeps that yearning alive throughout the entire story.
READ: Abby Jimenez’s ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ Is Not Getting Good Reviews—Here’s What We Thought
2. Yours Truly
Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and the promotion she wants is probably going to the new Dr. Jacob Maddox, who’s already on Briana’s hate list. But he completely flips the game by sending Briana a letter—the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this funny and likeable guy. Suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters and sharing lunch dates. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor.
Yearning level: 9/10
Coming in at number two is Yours Truly, and let me tell you, the yearning in this book had me in a chokehold. The couple, Briana and Jacob, work together as doctors, and for the first portion of the story, they’re communicating almost entirely through letters. Through these letters, we slowly see the yearning start to build. It’s done in such a unique way, with them really spending time getting to know each other and opening up. What I really loved in this book is that Abby focused on Briana and Jacob establishing a strong emotional relationship before a physical one. Jacob absolutely adored Briana and everything about her, and you can just feel that throughout the book. Toward the end of the book, he makes a bold, selfless gesture that proves the depth of his heart and his devotion to her, and earns him a top spot in my mental book boyfriend ranking list.
1. Just For The Summer
Justin has a curse—every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When Emma slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected—including catching real feelings for each other.
Yearning level: 10/10
If there’s one Abby Jimenez book that defines yearning, it’s Just For the Summer. This isn’t just my top pick for Abby’s most heart-wrenching, slow-burn romance—it’s also one of my favorite romance novels of all time. What starts as a “just for fun” relationship between Emma and Justin quickly turns into something much more. Emma, a travel nurse, is always on the move and struggles to let anyone in or settle down because of her past trauma. Justin, however, is persistent in the best way—he doesn’t just tell Emma she can trust him, he proves it over and over, patiently breaking down her walls and showing her that he’s in it for the long haul. He’s there to remind her that she is deserving of love, and honestly, he had me questioning whether men like him actually exist outside of fiction. I’ve read this book twice now, and I’m already ready to dive back in.
No matter which Abby Jimenez book you decide to pick up, you’ll become invested in the couple’s story. Some will tug at your heartstrings with their pining, and others will pull you in with their instant attraction. But, if it’s the yearning you are looking for, you won’t be disappointed by my top three picks.
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 newest skincare and makeup essentials, discovering unforgettable travel destinations, or finding the latest romance novel sweeping BookTok, Baylie loves staying on top of trends and sharing them with readers.
