Scan barcode
rdaacvhiesl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical content, Vomit, and Mental illness
Minor: Gaslighting, Child abuse, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and Domestic abuse
bringmybooks's review against another edition
- 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
Thank you to Edelweiss, Forever, & Hachette Book Group for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
Review: Abby Jimenez's books are just so. dang. FUN. I love how there are super serious topics presented in each of her novels, but that they are done in a way that lets you go through the tough things without feeling like you've been clobbered. This probably wasn't my favorite of the books, just because the logic/plot portion of it missed a bit for me (for the most part, I'm able to suspend disbelief for her plots, but this one felt a bit too far-fetched). That being said, I can definitely say that if you've liked her previous books, I would feel fairly confident recommending this one to you as well!
Overall Rating: ★★★★ / 4.13
Rating each element of the book out of 5★
Characters ★★★★★
Atmosphere ★★★
Writing ★★★★
Plot ★★★
Intrigue ★★★★
Logic ★★★
Enjoyment ★★★★
Pacing ★★★★
Dialogue ★★★★
★ did not like / ★★ it was okay / ★★★ liked it / ★★★★ really liked it / ★★★★★ loved it
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, Grief, Cursing, Alcohol, Addiction, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Mental illness
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- 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
"Just for the Summer" follows Justin and Emma. Justin has recently gone viral because of a Reddit thread in which he shares that every girl he has ever dated has immediately found her soulmate the second they break up. Emma, with a similar curse messages Justin to commiserate together. When Justin proposes they date each other so that they can each find their soulmates following their breakup, Emma decides she has nothing to lose. But, to her surprise, Emma may like Justin more than she is ready to admit, and Justin thinks he may have finally found his soulmate the moment he lays eyes on Emma.
This was such a sweet romance. Justin and Emma have chemistry that radiates from the page, and they are both so equally loveable.
Justin is a quirky guy with a lot falling on his shoulders. Due to some family difficulties, he is about to take custody of his younger siblings, and although he loves them and is happy to do so, he knows this is going to greatly impact his personal life for the foreseeable future. His commitment to his family and willingness to step up into a fatherly role was admirable and highly attractive. On top of that, he has a great sense of humor. He is playful and funny, which is exactly the type of guy Emma needs.
Emma had a tumultuous childhood, and because of this instability, she finds commitment of any kind difficult. She has spent her adult life working as a travel nurse with her best friend. Never having to put roots down means she does not have to experience the heartbreak when she has to leave. This also makes dating nearly impossible.
Together, Justin and Emma really balance each other out, which was wonderful to see. Justin really helped to show Emma that relying on people is okay, and Emma helped Justin to believe in love again, and that he is not just someone else's good luck charm.
This book explores some interesting family dynamics, which definitely helped to flesh out the main characters and give the story more substance. Most noteworthy is Emma's mother; a flighty woman who has not really been there for Emma in any positive way.
This novel takes place on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, and provided the perfect vibes for a light summer read.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I look forward to reading more from Abby Jimenez in the future.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
marioosa517's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Child abuse, Cursing, and Abandonment
Moderate: Excrement, Alcohol, Death of parent, Sexual content, Grief, Alcoholism, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal cruelty, Racism, Dementia, and Fire/Fire injury
carlynnnnne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Child abuse, Medical content, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
mdwsn27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, Vomit, Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
brennacathleen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Vomit, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
abidavisf's review against another edition
- 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
Abby Jimenez has done it again. How she is able to create such beautifully complex characters and weave them all into this interloping Minnesotan family tree is beyond me. The time, effort and logic that must go into making these connections is astounding and I LOVE THEM ALL.
Emma broke me in so many ways. The life that was chosen for her was so unjust, and yet she fought her way to become this caring, empathetic and adventurous woman. Watching her accept and heal from her trauma through this tale was both beautiful and heart-breaking. No child should ever have to experience what Emma did. I am so proud of her but, most of all, I hope she is proud of herself.
Where to start with Justin? The unicorn symbolism woven throughout this book fits him so perfectly. He is available emotionally, a protector, a carer, but also deeply burdened by his own trauma. The juxtaposition of Emma, whose trauma began at a young age, and Justin, whose was given to him in his twenties, is so interesting. Emma was able to teach him how to handle the shock of his seemingly perfect and romanticised life turning inside out through her own experiences and her own empathy, which, as Maddy points out, is her strongest quality and yet also her biggest weakness. Justin deserves the world, and I hope that we can see him get that in later books. No doubt they’ll pop up again around Minnesota.
Maddy, Maddy, Maddy. She’s a real one. To be loved by somebody like Maddy is a beautiful thing, and something that everybody deserves. I’d love to see more of her and meet her moms, but I also think that I know enough about Maddy to know that she was so loved in her life that she has grown to have the ability to care incredibly deeply for those that she loves. She has a beautiful soul, loves fiercely, observes and tends for everyone she can, and is truly a gift to all who know her. She’s also hilarious. 10/10 would be her best friend.
Just for the Summer is a grilling tale of trauma, grief, friendship, and love. It encourages its readers to hold those they love best, to choose empathy over anger, but also to set boundaries when needed to protect themselves. You should always love you more.
Thank you, Abby, for another life-affirming read that I will be thinking about forever. I can’t wait to re-read already.
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Car accident, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
lauraelovesbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have no words. Abby is a master and she’s done it again. I laughed, I swooned, I read anxiously on with a lump in my throat.
I have never read an author who can so deftly balance humour and emotion. I will carry this book in my heart, along with the rest of her books.
Do yourself a favour and read this as soon as you can. I was very fortunate to be able to read an ARC and now I will wait on the edge of my seat for the audiobook I preordered in August to drop.
Just.. ❤️
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Vomit and Toxic relationship