Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Just for the Summer

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

803 reviews

gabby_jan's review against another edition

5.0

emotional informative 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

Content Warnings

snoopyl0ver's review against another edition

4.0

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A little surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I like how Emma was a complex character, given there were moments where I found myself frustrated with her behavior (but understood why she acted the way she did). The same with Justin. However, I do like how we get to see her change and growth near the end of the book.

I would’ve given Jimenez a higher rating, but unfortunately she used a classic stereotype— a Mexican maid named Maria. Aside from that, Latino/Latine characters randomly spoke Spanish and were described as having a ‘thick Mexican accent’. I thought this was a little odd. Not sure of her background, but I hope she gives her non-white characters more nourishment and attention in her following books. Overall, I enjoyed this read.

Content Warnings

meikamae's review against another edition

4.5

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

slyg396's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I wavered on my rating, but I’m sticking with 4.25 right now. I really enjoyed this book. The romance is one I’m all here for, I loved seeing the tenderness they treated each other with, and while Emma occasionally made my eyelid twitch Justin is an absolute sweetheart. Definitely a great book boyfriend.

The topic of parents hit really hard here. Emma’s mom is narcissistic and neglectful. Justin’s mom is a good mom but makes life altering mistakes. I got a little annoyed early on with how Emma told Justin he shouldn’t be mad but to have empathy, like he has every right to be mad at his mom. (Also I’ve been told stuff like that with my mom too so it hit a sore spot). But I think it helped him appreciate the time they had left and also it was absolutely a sign of Emma’s own treatment and denial of trauma from her own mom paired with her nursing. So it was fine overall.

Those are just my thoughts for now. This is my first Abby Jimenez book and I’m impressed! Looking forward to reading her others now.

Also I appreciated the third/fourth act breakup. I think it’s important that Emma left to help herself. She wasn’t quite ready to be in a relationship after all the shit she’d been through.

Content Warnings