Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Just For the Summer

While the book is definitely touching on some important subject, combined with Abby Jimenez’s writing style the issues and traumas they are facing fall a bit flat with their descriptions. The complete lack of self-awareness in the main character considering her medical training and career is also rather unrealistic. While overall it is a very wholesome read, it’s just not one that feels well-written.

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jhansell's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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estimpert's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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allison_elaine's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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leann0330's review against another edition

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5.0

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bectothebooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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littlecozyreaderr's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Emma and Justin are some of the realest characters I’ve ever read. Would have been a 5star if Emma’s trauma didn’t trigger me a bit. If you have a difficult relationship with your parents beware. this is a very emotional and deep story. Amazing writing. Real life conflicts. Emotions that feel so real.

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doahdancer's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Fantastic representation of neglect and avoidant attachment. Definitely review the TWs closely because this gets into the thick of it. This is a fiction book in romance book clothing, but I honestly loved it and will definitely read more of Jimenez's work.

Some readers have said they wanted the book to end with the couple not together because that would be more realistic. They say Emma was too unhealthy to ever be in a relationship or Justin would have moved on by time she came back because it would have taken years and not six months to work through her trauma.

Can confirm on 2-3 years being more realistic.

But I absolutely adore that a romance book with an HEA exists for Emma's character so that readers going through CPTSD and adult attachment disorders can experience a beautiful ending to a very painful process. Those readers deserve relatable escapism too. And I think it's pretty toxic to say it absolutely couldn't have been worked on if she was in a relationship with him. It depends and is very individual. The kids definitely change things, but therapy doesn't have to be done in a vacuum absent of connections. If she hadn't had family to go to and rebuild missed connections with, she would have probably needed Justin's support to get through EMDR.

We don't have to be perfect first to deserve love and happiness, but we do have to never give up on striving toward personal growth. Emma did the work so I'm very pleased to see her get the happy ending all adult survivors of childhood neglect deserve.

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