The Happy Ever After Playlist (2020), the second book in The Friend Zone series by bestselling author Abby Jimenez, centers on Sloan, a woman grieving the loss of her fiancé, which has left her emotionally adrift. The novel explores themes of Finding Love After Loss, The Beauty of Second Chances, and Art as a Form of Expression and Connection through Sloan and Jason’s relationship, as Jimenez paints a picture of how love can help a person rebuild and evolve even after experiencing loss. Jimenez initially worked as a wedding cake designer before writing full-time. Her debut novel, The Friend Zone, was published in 2019 and quickly became a fan favorite for its blend of humor, heart, and real-life issues. In 2021, she published the third book in the series, Life’s Too Short, and the fourth book is in progress. Jimenez’s series features characters who appear across the series. For example, The Friend Zone’s protagonist, Kristen, appears as Sloan’s best friend in The Happy Ever After Playlist. Jimenez’s second series includes three books: Part of Your World, Yours Truly, and Just for the Summer. Aside from writing, Jimenez is a self-taught pastry chef and runs a bakery called Nadia Cakes in her home state of Minnesota. 

This guide follows the 2020 Hachette e-book. 

Content Warning: The source material discusses death, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, self-harm, addiction, and an eating disorder.

Plot Summary

Sloan is struggling to rebuild her life after the death of her fiancé, Brandon, two years earlier in a motorcycle accident. She is living in a fog of grief and feeling lost and disconnected from her previous passions, like making art. One day, a dog unexpectedly jumps into her car, bringing a welcome distraction and companionship. The dog, Tucker, belongs to Jason. When Sloan reaches out to arrange his return, she learns Jason is on tour in Australia for a film for which he’s creating the soundtrack. Sloan refuses to return Tucker, citing Jason’s negligence in finding him a safe place to stay in his absence. She eventually relents and offers to care for Tucker until Jason returns to Los Angeles. Sloan and Jason begin texting and talking on the phone, developing a bond over their mutual love for Tucker and their connection deepens. As their communication continues, Sloan and Jason share more about their lives, sparking a chemistry neither expected. Sloan’s best friend, Kristen, who, along with her husband, Josh, has been Sloan’s support network since Brandon died, encourages Sloan to explore the relationship. Meanwhile, Jason’s manager, Ernie, discourages him from tying himself down, warning that fame will ruin relationships.

When Jason returns, he and Sloan meet in person, and their relationship quickly turns romantic. Sloan learns that Jason is a famous musician named Jaxon Waters, whose music she loves. However, Jason’s music and fame complicate their blossoming love as Jason’s increasing fame forces him to make appearances and attend rehearsals daily. Jason’s former lover, Lola, a famous musician, still stalks him. Jason worries that Lola’s presence could ruin what he’s building with Sloan. Meanwhile, Sloan wrestles with her lingering grief over losing Brandon and the guilt of moving forward with someone new. She can’t deny her physical and emotional attraction to Jason; he is more than willing to give her the space and time to pursue their relationship. After just two weeks, Jason brings Sloan to his home in Ely, Minnesota, to meet his family. Sloan instantly bonds with Jason’s mom, and seeing Jason in his element solidifies Sloan’s desire for him. They share a romantic night in a tent in the woods, falling headlong into love and passion.

Jason shares that he is leaving soon for an extended tour that will separate them for months. He wants to invite Sloan to join him but worries about how Sloan will adjust to life on the road. Worse, Jason’s record label added Lola to the tour, and Jason fears she will target Sloan. Jason faces unique pressures, including a demanding schedule, the expectations of his fans, and the interference of his record label, which pushes for a curated image that doesn’t always align with his true self or his relationship with Sloan. When Sloan sees a tabloid photo of Jason and Lola on the red carpet, a sham his label fabricated to create buzz, Sloan assumes he’s cheating, and they argue before she kicks him out. Sloan suggests they break up while Jason is on tour, but he can’t fathom being apart from her. He begs her to come with him. Jason explains the red carpet photos and pledges his devotion to spend the rest of his life with Sloan. She forgives him, knowing now that they’re fated to be together. Jason secretly buys an engagement ring, Sloan sells her house, and they prepare for the tour. At the same time, Sloan is offered a job making a commissioned art piece but knows she can’t complete it on the road.

Tour life invigorates Jason and leaves Sloan physically and emotionally depleted. She misses Kristen and must set aside her life to support Jason’s pursuit of his dream. Seeing how miserable she is, Jason sends Sloan to Ely for rest and recovery and to complete the art commission. She reluctantly agrees, but both she and Jason are miserable apart. Jason struggles to sleep, and his assistant, Zane, gives him the prescription drug Ambien to help. Jason chases the drug with liquor and passes out. Lola, who initially dropped off the tour, shows up in the room adjacent to Jason’s. In the middle of the night, Sloan surprises Jason and returns to Jason on tour in Vegas. When she arrives at his room, Lola answers the door, and Sloan assumes the worst. When Jason comes to and learns of Sloan’s discovery, Jason searches everywhere for her. Meanwhile, Lola locks herself in the bathroom and harms herself. Jason learns from Jessa, the lead singer of the opener band, that being in the music industry has ruined Lola’s life. He realizes that he can’t subject Sloan to the same repercussions. Jason arranges for Lola to go to rehab. When Sloan returns to reconcile, he lets her think he cheated on her with Lola. Ernie and Zane know the truth, but Jason forces them to lie to protect Sloan. Sloan returns to LA, devastated. Jason trashes his hotel room in anger, injuring his hand and forcing him to suspend the tour. He returns to Ely and disappears into the woods to grieve. 

With Kristen and Josh’s support, Sloan moves on with her life by finding an apartment and restarting her art career. Three months after their breakup, Jason’s tour brings him to LA. Zane sends Sloan front-row tickets and a letter explaining the truth. Kristen agrees to go with Sloan to help her get closure. However, when Jason takes the stage, Sloan knows she never stopped loving him. He tells the crowd their love story and sings a song called “Proof,” which he wrote about Sloan. He spots her in the crowd, leaps from the stage, and they run into each other’s arms. Jason goes on to sign with a less controlling label, allowing him to have more time at home. Sloan and Jason get married and pregnant within three years. They purchase 100 acres in Ely and move there with Kristen, Josh, and their children.