I'm having a difficult time giving this story a star rating because something about Jimenez's writing grabs me by the throat, tosses me into a tornado, and doesn't let me go until I've reached the end surrounded by the destruction of my feelings. So, if that's what you are looking for, hold on for the ride Dorothy.

I gobbled up The Happy Ever After Playlist, happy to see Sloan recovering from her grief over the events in The Friend Zone (a book which filled me with similar feelings), and being wooed by the deliciously sexy musician's dog leaps through her sunroof and into her life. Sloan deserves the best in life and I'll cape for her till the end.

The first portion of the book with the texts and flirting between Sloan and Jason is delightful and super fun, full of Jimenez's wit and perfection with dialogue.

I wasn't always quite as enchanted with Sloan's friends (the couple from TFZ) or Jason after he reveals his stardom to Sloan. He's immediately entranced by Sloan because she is physically beautiful and funny, and makes some comments about needing to lock her down before anyone else can realize she's ready to date again which made me cringe a little and I was glad Sloan wasn't privy to those thoughts. Sloan's friends also seem to be on #TeamJason a few more times than I felt like he deserved, but to each their own. I'm just firmly #TeamSloan and wanted to punch Jason in the teeth a few times.

There was also a subplot involving Jason and a pop star ex with mental health issues that thankfully wrapped up in a respectful way but also made me grit my teeth a few times. See behind spoiler for more thoughts

Spoiler

She and Jason had a night of sex after working together then break up because she's "got issues" and seems to be on drugs and "crazy." Jason lies by ommission to Sloan about not wanting to take Sloan on their joint tour, which Sloan finds out and causes their first breakup. Plus, it turns out Jason's record label's been putting Lola in to these situations and manipulating her, which is terrible, and she and Jason ultimately reconcile their working relationship. I hope she gets her own story.

So, overall there were a lot of things that worked for me and other things that didn't BUT I devoured the entire story in about a day because that's how much I wanted to know what happened. A perfect follow-up for fans of the first book and who want to take on this angst filled romance with a cute as heck dog.

Thank you to Forever for the advance copy!