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crystalleighwrites's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Car accident
kerosenelit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- 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
From the first chapter, maybe even the first page, my five-star radar was tingling. All-around perfect and my new favourite from Abby Jimenez!
A witty online interaction leads travel nurse Emma to Minnesota for a sporadic, unconventional agreement with Justin—but just for the summer. The intense longing and deep conversations paired with the absolute torturous anticipation of a first kiss was just ... exhilarating. I couldn't get enough.
A witty online interaction leads travel nurse Emma to Minnesota for a sporadic, unconventional agreement with Justin—but just for the summer. The intense longing and deep conversations paired with the absolute torturous anticipation of a first kiss was just ... exhilarating. I couldn't get enough.
"Sometimes I feel like the seasons could come and go and come and go, a hundred years could pass, a thousand, the ground could collapse under us, this house could crumble and go back to the earth, and we would still be standing here frozen in time, because every second I'm with you is eternal. I've never felt anything like it."
Be still my heart.
This explored childhood trauma in a way I haven't read before. I loved the approach from a deeply empathetic character like Emma; the story acknowledging the importance of showing others grace, but also accepting when to cut ties permanently.
Rest assured, there is plenty of humour to balance the tears. And the way Abby connected these characters to her previous books? I gasped. Amazing. Memorable. Left me on cloud nine!
(heat level: a couple open-door scenes, mild details)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement
abidavisf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
As I predicted, Just for the Summer had me bawling, laughing, blushing, and yelling at the sky.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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
pattykcreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
The AITA phrase was a bit overused, and the Latino representation was a Mexican maid… a bit disheartening since for a long time, we Latinos have said that we’re tired of being represented that way. My only negative feedback.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
100_pages_hr's review
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Abby's latest does it again. I loved absolutely everything about this book. Her characters are so relatable and reality. She writes my favorite heroes and Justin is no exception.
I loved the family dynamics in this book. Both main characters are dealing with family challenges and they way they work through them is so woven throughout the book that I was very emotionally invested and yes I needed Kleenex.
I absolutely loved the romance in this book. The premise of the curse the back cover tells you about is a great meet cute and I loved how their relationship evolved. Justin is definitely on my 2024 book boyfriend list. No spoilers but he is wonderful.
True to Abby fashion this book has tons of Easter Eggs. I probably didn't even catch them all on my first read, but the ones I did catch were fabulous.
I could gush all day about this book but I can tell you it will be worth the wait if you didn't get an ARC. Pre-order now and it will drop on your device or doorstep April 2!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
I loved the family dynamics in this book. Both main characters are dealing with family challenges and they way they work through them is so woven throughout the book that I was very emotionally invested and yes I needed Kleenex.
I absolutely loved the romance in this book. The premise of the curse the back cover tells you about is a great meet cute and I loved how their relationship evolved. Justin is definitely on my 2024 book boyfriend list. No spoilers but he is wonderful.
True to Abby fashion this book has tons of Easter Eggs. I probably didn't even catch them all on my first read, but the ones I did catch were fabulous.
I could gush all day about this book but I can tell you it will be worth the wait if you didn't get an ARC. Pre-order now and it will drop on your device or doorstep April 2!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Abandonment, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Car accident, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Grief, Blood, Confinement, and Death of parent
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