Reviews

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

cydneyhumphrey's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

This is for sure my new favorite Abby Jimenez book, replacing Part of Your World—which is kind of funny considering how interwoven this story is with that one (not a spoiler). Jimenez is such a special author, balancing writing stories that deserve to be told and make your heart ache and an all-encompassing, easeful love story that fills the gaps so the hard parts don't sting as bad. Just for the Summer is a masterful story about familial boundaries, taking chances, found family, and overcoming anxiety and fear that freezes one in inaction or causes them to abruptly depart their communities. As always, Jimenez's research and care shines through during some of the more difficult moments. Also, she managed to write children and not make me cringe, so A+!

5 ⭐️s
1 🌶️

lottielussekatt's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted 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

Ok. This might be the first romance book where I am actually ok with the happy ending. Because the day Emma shows up again, Justin doesn’t just say yes let’s go but he protects himself first! Thank you! 
I do however have beef because I do not think that Neil would have turned his life around, nope, do not believe it one single bit. 
Can’t wait to read any next book Abby Jimenez is going to write next and hope it’s Maddy! Or how did Jane and Benny get together? I want to know it ALL!

mlarkfeld's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

cserlin66's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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

4.5

juliajjshields's review against another edition

3.0

I felt so indifferent reading this by the end. it was cute & certainly panned out better than what I anticipated after reading the summary fthe description of the online meet cute didn’t sound compelling). I think it would’ve been more fun had I read the other two books more recently and realized the crossovers earlier. Instead they sometimes felt like random encounters until I realized later and said “ohhhh” out loud which is on me and not the author lol. 

I found myself getting quite irritated by every main character at least one point ? Justin’s siblings were the only ones I never tired of. There were interesting elements of the plot and I have to admit I didn’t expect the kids thing or the depths of insanity that was Amber which were solid surprises, but overall it felt like the romance aspect of the story was a side plot? Idk the connection was a bit dull for me. I found them cute but wasn’t gettin the sparks. it just escalated to “love” so quickly with almost no tension or build…I enjoyed the last two books in this series so feeling a bit bummed by the indifference to this one.

whatsteffireads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow, just wow! This book was so amazing, and saying it is an understatement. The journey this novel gave me was ineffable. Because I learned, a lot. It definitely showed the power books has into us. I felt every emotion and every problem there is. This is like watching real people's lives, on how they deal and direct the twists and turns life throws at them. 

Justin is the greenest green flag there is. He is someone I want to end up marrying. The standard Justin sets is so high, I also need to set it in my life. Sure he had some baggage, but it made him human, a real person, someone who suffers. His POV are the best and the way he fights for his relationship cannot be topped. But real questions is, why isn't he existing here in the real world? 

Whilst reading this made me want to protect Emma at all cost. To me, she is just a little girl wanting to be cared for, loved and protected. The way her mother treated her is unforgivable. No one must suffer the same thing Emma experienced. She didn't deserve it. It also had some consequences that Emma needed to work on, and I am happy she did; because it limits her to do the things she wanted. Oh, Emma, my little girl.

All in all, I loved this book very very much. I loved it so much, I can feel it seeping through my bones. I adored it so much, I wanted to read the book again. I cherished it so much that the characters felt very real and close to my heart. And it became so fond to me to the point that I read it in my Kindle and I wanted to buy a physical copy. Just so It'll be mine, in my possession. There in my shelf knowing that when I pick it back up, I'll experience the same happiness I felt reading it.

P.S. This review might seem like a ramble, because it is, and because I just finished the book and have so many thoughts, I can't contain any longer. I needed to spill the beans, to show my appreciation. Because, again, It's that good.

kabokeyokey's review against another edition

5.0

Library hard cover 
I don’t know if it’s because I just finished the most grueling series but this book was an absolute delight. It was surprisingly sad for how funny and sweet it was. I cried multiple times. Abby Jimenez knows how to drag emotions out of me, that’s for sure. 

condls27's review

emotional funny 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

Holy gut punch to the heart and soul. That was so perfect I barely have the words. 

From the first page I could tell I was going to love this. Abby writes these stories in such a way that you forget you’re reading an adorable rom-com. The emotions are so real and complex that it leaves you feeling raw but in the best way. 

It had been a while since I read Part of Your World, so I had completely forgotten who Amber was which made the twist at the end ever better. I’m so glad I didn’t see it coming!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

linds_porter's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective

4.25

treeofooo's review

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

4.5