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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
rachelshubin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
I read this book in less than 24 hours and when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. For what it’s worth, this book is not a summer romance you pick up to read “just for the summer.” It’s much heavier than your typical romance (but not out of the wheelhouse for Abby Jimenez) and has a lot of topics (trigger warning, PTSD, parent death offpage, parent abandonment, etc) that make it more of a women’s fiction story than a romance.
I loved the beginning with the R/AITA? (Reddit Am I the Asshole). It was really cute and I loved the way that Emma and Justin connected. I loved all the J-name men are the worst comments because who hasn’t been wronged by a J-name man (I will die on this hill, two have done me wrong and tarnished their J-namesakes).
I liked the travel nursing aspect of the story, and Emma’s friendship with Maddy is super important to the plot. I also really liked all the banter and flirting between Emma and Justin. Some of their quotes are really great.
The story has two complicated parental stories which is interesting. And in typical Abby writing fashion (this may be a spoiler if you haven’t read her books) you get kind of a miscommunication breakup, together, big obstacle that causes a break up, before ultimately coming together. I’m not a huge fan of that type of writing and that’s why I haven’t loved all her books (particularly Yours Truly) but this one definitely redeemed her writing style for me. I still really wish there was another chapter inbetween the first time they have sex and having a miscommunication dilemma. But it wasn’t as bad as when that happened in Yours Truly.
Before reading JFTS, you definitely should read or reread Part of Your World and Yours Truly. All three are standalones but they all have a level of crossover and in JFTS, it’s a pretty significant crossover for all three books. You won’t miss anything by not reading the others, but the experience definitely will be richer if you do!
Overall, I’m happy I read this book because I did enjoy the story and it had me smiling and nodding along! I’ll definitely continue to check out Abby’s books and go back and read the one I missed.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I loved the beginning with the R/AITA? (Reddit Am I the Asshole). It was really cute and I loved the way that Emma and Justin connected. I loved all the J-name men are the worst comments because who hasn’t been wronged by a J-name man (I will die on this hill, two have done me wrong and tarnished their J-namesakes).
I liked the travel nursing aspect of the story, and Emma’s friendship with Maddy is super important to the plot. I also really liked all the banter and flirting between Emma and Justin. Some of their quotes are really great.
The story has two complicated parental stories which is interesting. And in typical Abby writing fashion (this may be a spoiler if you haven’t read her books)
Before reading JFTS, you definitely should read or reread Part of Your World and Yours Truly. All three are standalones but they all have a level of crossover and in JFTS, it’s a pretty significant crossover for all three books. You won’t miss anything by not reading the others, but the experience definitely will be richer if you do!
Overall, I’m happy I read this book because I did enjoy the story and it had me smiling and nodding along! I’ll definitely continue to check out Abby’s books and go back and read the one I missed.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Medical content
Minor: Car accident
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
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Originally, I figured that I could wait until Abby Jimenez's JUST FOR THE SUMMER was released before I would read it. However, the anticipation became too much, so I requested the book and have no regrets.
I read this novel a few weeks ago during a cross country flight, and was so glad that I was able to finish it in one sitting. As I didn't read the synopsis, I was pleasantly surprised that we were returning to the world of Royaume - the site for PART OF YOUR WORLD, and YOURS TRULY. We do get decent page time or cameos from our favorite couples.
From the opening Reddit thread - which leads to sliding into DMs and then exchanging contact information to text, to the epilogue, JUST FOR THE SUMMER is filled with signature Abby humor, and little Easter eggs for her fans (For example, J names are the worst).
Like any Abby book, you will hit some emotional bumps that require some tissues for the reader. It is not all fun and laughs for Emma and Justin. Emma works to unpack childhood trauma about abandonment and being able to quickly leave things, especially once her mother appears back on the scene. There's also a huge reveal about her family that her mom has kept from her her whole life, and it basically rocks Emma's world. That's not to say that Justin doesn't have any emotional weight, because he does - he must care for his three much younger siblings.
While you do not need to read either PART OF YOUR WORLD or YOURS TRULY, I highly recommend that you read both before diving into JUST FOR THE SUMMER. PART OF YOUR WORLD because it will make you understand the events in this novel better, and YOURS TRULY just because it's my favorite Abby novel to date.
I read this novel a few weeks ago during a cross country flight, and was so glad that I was able to finish it in one sitting. As I didn't read the synopsis, I was pleasantly surprised that we were returning to the world of Royaume - the site for PART OF YOUR WORLD, and YOURS TRULY. We do get decent page time or cameos from our favorite couples.
From the opening Reddit thread - which leads to sliding into DMs and then exchanging contact information to text, to the epilogue, JUST FOR THE SUMMER is filled with signature Abby humor, and little Easter eggs for her fans (For example, J names are the worst).
Like any Abby book, you will hit some emotional bumps that require some tissues for the reader. It is not all fun and laughs for Emma and Justin. Emma works to unpack childhood trauma about abandonment and being able to quickly leave things, especially once her mother appears back on the scene. There's also a huge reveal about her family that her mom has kept from her her whole life, and it basically rocks Emma's world. That's not to say that Justin doesn't have any emotional weight, because he does - he must care for his three much younger siblings.
While you do not need to read either PART OF YOUR WORLD or YOURS TRULY, I highly recommend that you read both before diving into JUST FOR THE SUMMER. PART OF YOUR WORLD because it will make you understand the events in this novel better, and YOURS TRULY just because it's my favorite Abby novel to date.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Title: Just for the Summer
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
I received complimentary eARC from Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Layered • Tender • Profound
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: they'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
💭 T H O U G H T S
After bingeing all but one of Abby's books in 2023, she's quickly become my favourite contemporary romance author, so it will come as no surprise Just for the Summer is my most anticipated romance of 2024. There is just something about Abby's writing and ability to include depth in her plots that hits all of the right spots for me, and being given the opportunity to read this story early was an absolute gift.
Abby Jimenez delivers another fantastic romance! Her signature witty banter, real and vulnerable characters, hidden Easter eggs, adorable furry companions, and emotional depth all shine. Told in dual POVs, I was swooning over Justin and instantly felt a personal connection to Emma. The idea of 'getting small' - of retreating into oneself, of not wanting to see or talk to anyone until the world feels safe again - was very relatable. Abby has managed (yet again) to take hard, real-life things and handle them with tenderness and care. Emma has every reason to be bitter and hateful, yet she chooses empathy and to see the good in people.
There are several different instances of mental health representation, each coming across as genuine. In fact, it never felt like Abby was including it just to tick a box. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the importance of therapy, and how the healing process sometimes requires choosing the difficult option. Overall, I just thought this aspect of the book was very well done.
Beyond the romance and the main characters, I adored the idyllic, secluded cottage setting. I found myself wanting to spend my summer there with these characters. The found family trope plays
a significant part in the plot, and I am here for it. Every. Single. Time. And of course, there is the strong female friendship with Maddy. The fact Abby includes friendship soulmates is something I absolutely love, and isn't used nearly enough in literature.
While there are a few over-the-top moments that require the suspension of belief, there are so many endearing moments: the scene where Emma helps the lady with dementia; the kitten date; the ice cream and antique store date; Justin sending questionnaires and follow up interviews; Justin stepping up to care for the kids; Emma showing up for Sarah (on various occasions); and of course, their unlikely meet-cute.
Just for the Summer is a reminder that life is messy and hard, that bad things happen to good people, that there is a path to healing. Abby just has a way of delivering impactful, comforting romances that I want to read over and over again. It's still very early in the year, yet it's safe to say Just for the Summer will touch to beat as my favourite romance book of 2024. And of course, I cannot wait to see which of her characters get a HEA next, or what new characters she creates next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• fans of the fake dating trope
• readers who want depth to their romance
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin."
"Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are."
"Trauma changes you."
"Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It make new breaks. You don't know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal."
"Sometimes I felt like I was roaming this earth as a ghost, seeing everything and feeling nothing."
"The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life."
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
I received complimentary eARC from Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Layered • Tender • Profound
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: they'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
💭 T H O U G H T S
After bingeing all but one of Abby's books in 2023, she's quickly become my favourite contemporary romance author, so it will come as no surprise Just for the Summer is my most anticipated romance of 2024. There is just something about Abby's writing and ability to include depth in her plots that hits all of the right spots for me, and being given the opportunity to read this story early was an absolute gift.
Abby Jimenez delivers another fantastic romance! Her signature witty banter, real and vulnerable characters, hidden Easter eggs, adorable furry companions, and emotional depth all shine. Told in dual POVs, I was swooning over Justin and instantly felt a personal connection to Emma. The idea of 'getting small' - of retreating into oneself, of not wanting to see or talk to anyone until the world feels safe again - was very relatable. Abby has managed (yet again) to take hard, real-life things and handle them with tenderness and care. Emma has every reason to be bitter and hateful, yet she chooses empathy and to see the good in people.
There are several different instances of mental health representation, each coming across as genuine. In fact, it never felt like Abby was including it just to tick a box. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the importance of therapy, and how the healing process sometimes requires choosing the difficult option. Overall, I just thought this aspect of the book was very well done.
Beyond the romance and the main characters, I adored the idyllic, secluded cottage setting. I found myself wanting to spend my summer there with these characters. The found family trope plays
a significant part in the plot, and I am here for it. Every. Single. Time. And of course, there is the strong female friendship with Maddy. The fact Abby includes friendship soulmates is something I absolutely love, and isn't used nearly enough in literature.
While there are a few over-the-top moments that require the suspension of belief, there are so many endearing moments: the scene where Emma helps the lady with dementia; the kitten date; the ice cream and antique store date; Justin sending questionnaires and follow up interviews; Justin stepping up to care for the kids; Emma showing up for Sarah (on various occasions); and of course, their unlikely meet-cute.
Just for the Summer is a reminder that life is messy and hard, that bad things happen to good people, that there is a path to healing. Abby just has a way of delivering impactful, comforting romances that I want to read over and over again. It's still very early in the year, yet it's safe to say Just for the Summer will touch to beat as my favourite romance book of 2024. And of course, I cannot wait to see which of her characters get a HEA next, or what new characters she creates next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• fans of the fake dating trope
• readers who want depth to their romance
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin."
"Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are."
"Trauma changes you."
"Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It make new breaks. You don't know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal."
"Sometimes I felt like I was roaming this earth as a ghost, seeing everything and feeling nothing."
"The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Abandonment, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Dementia, Cursing, Vomit, Excrement, and Sexual content
child neglect, anxiety, PTSD, depression, undiagnosed mental health aliment, drunk driving, foster care, adoptionjessica_thelen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
I LOVED this book! The setup with the faux Reddit post leading to an almost fake dating scenario really pulled me into the story.
Justin is a complete cinnamon role who very obviously cares about his friends and family. I laughed so hard at the jokes and friends and family interactions.
Emma is so caring also but has a lot of unresolved issues from some childhood trauma from her unreliable mother. Watching her fall in love with Justin was beautiful.
As always the Easter eggs from earlier books are so much fun to find and make me want to do a reread of earlier books but I don’t think it’s required to have read them before this book.
Thanks to Netgalley, Forever and Abby’s Facebook group for the ARC! I can’t wait to get my audio and physical book preorders to revisit the story!
Justin is a complete cinnamon role who very obviously cares about his friends and family. I laughed so hard at the jokes and friends and family interactions.
Emma is so caring also but has a lot of unresolved issues from some childhood trauma from her unreliable mother. Watching her fall in love with Justin was beautiful.
As always the Easter eggs from earlier books are so much fun to find and make me want to do a reread of earlier books but I don’t think it’s required to have read them before this book.
Thanks to Netgalley, Forever and Abby’s Facebook group for the ARC! I can’t wait to get my audio and physical book preorders to revisit the story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Dementia
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