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Abby Jimenez, a best-selling author of romances like \u201cThe Friend Zone<\/a>\u201d and \u201cJust For the Summer<\/a>\u201d who also owns a wildly successful bakery, believes an escapist romance book can be just the thing for troubled times.<\/p>\n \u201cRomance is a safe space,\u201d she said in an interview. \u201cNo matter what happens in the story, you\u2019re going to wrap it up in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe genre is so inclusive. There is sweet romance. Spicy romance. Christian romance. There are romance thrillers. Queer romances. And then you get your happy ever after.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSay You\u2019ll Remember Me\u201d by Abby Jimenez<\/p>\n (Forever)<\/p>\n Jimenez\u2019s latest book, \u201cSay You\u2019ll Remember Me<\/a>,\u201d came out this spring, just in time for beach read season. Though these days Jimenez lives in Minnesota, this book is partially set in Glendale, where she spent some of her childhood. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n What does a beach read mean to you?<\/b><\/p>\n There are just some books that are suitable for the pool and the sand over others. You\u2019re not going to be crying on the rest of your vacation.<\/p>\n What are your favorite California beach reads?<\/b><\/p>\n In your book, the main character Samantha has a meet cute with sexy veterinarian Xavier over a kitten\u2019s bowel problems, and then immediately decamps from the Midwest to Southern California. Tell us about your book\u2019s connection to Southern California. <\/b><\/p>\n It is a book about making memories and losing them. It\u2019s a long-distance relationship. Samantha\u2019s mother is suffering from early onset dementia.<\/p>\n I grew up in the Glendale\/Burbank Area, before moving to Palmdale.<\/p>\n The house I wrote into the book is actually my grandfather\u2019s house in real life. I wrote it exactly as it is in real life. The car I wrote into the book, the 1966 Dodge Dart convertible, was my car growing up.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s top stories Under the plan approved Tuesday, more than $100 million is set to flow to homelessness prevention programs, including income support for at-risk tenants and eviction defense. Above, a view of housing near USC in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n (Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n Los Angeles approves a plan to spend nearly $425 million in \u2018mansion tax\u2019 money<\/p>\n Sean \u2018Diddy\u2019 Combs has been found not guilty of the most serious chargesParamount faces backlash over its $16-million Trump settlementWhat else is going onCommentary and opinionsThis morning\u2019s must readsOther must readsFor your downtime (Gina Ferazzi\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n Going outStaying inA question for you: What is your favorite thing to do in California for the Fourth of July?<\/p>\n Bob Lentz <\/b>of Sylmar says: \u201cI climb on my roof in the foothills of Sylmar to watch the fireworks across the entire San Fernando Valley!\u201d<\/p>\n Jody Stefansson<\/b> of Pasadena says: \u201cMy family\u2019s favorite thing to do on the 4th of July is close all the curtains and blinds in our home, turn down the lights, play soothing classical music and comfort our dogs with cuddles and reassurance. We celebrate July 5th!\u201d<\/p>\n And finally … from our archives (Joe Marquette \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n On July 3, 1971<\/b>, Jim Morrison \u2014 the lead singer of the Los Angeles band the Doors \u2014 died in Paris of heart failure at 27 years old. <\/p>\n A bust placed on his grave site to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his passing went missing nearly 40 years ago. As the Times reported in May, Paris police found the memorial bust<\/a> \u201cby chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Programming note<\/p>\n Essential California will be off tomorrow. Enjoy your Fourth of July. We\u2019ll be back bright and early Saturday. <\/p>\n Have a great day, from the Essential California team<\/p>\n Izzy Nunes, audience engagement intern How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com<\/a>. Check our top stories<\/a>, topics<\/a> and the latest articles<\/a> on latimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Welcome to the eve of the July 4 holiday, the official beginning of high summer. 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