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A review by mugsandmanuscripts
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
relaxing
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
I liked this one so much that I've had a hard time sitting down to review it because I just don't know if I can do it justice.
It's hard to find a romance that isn't just fluff, has good character development, a mostly believable storyline, and is, well, enjoyable. This one hits all those markers. Both Justin (MMC) and Emma (FMC) are well-developed and likable characters with more going on than meets the eye. Both are complex characters, and I loved them.
Emma struggles with attachment and "feeling small" after a traumatic childhood with a very unstable mother and years in foster care. I think "feeling small" is how she and her best friend Maddie (who is AMAZING) describe what look to be PTSD episodes. She has to confront her mother (who appears to have undiagnosed borderline personality disorder or possibly bipolar or maybe both) and her understanding of her throughout the novel. Obviously this is a very difficult topic, and Jimenez manages to portray it with surprising sensitivity.
Justin is struggling with complicated grief as he navigates not only his father's death several years ago but also his mother's upcoming several-year jail sentence, which forces him to move back home to become the guardian of his three siblings (from pre-school-aged to teen) to care for while she's gone. He understandably struggles with resentment even as he loves and cares for his siblings. A lot of his story could have been trivialized, but wasn't. Again, well done.
Also, of course—shout out to Maddie, the best friend Emma could ever ask for, and also to Justin's sometimes annoying friends (and his mom's BFF) for supporting the MCs in meaningful ways. This book is a testament to how it takes a village to help people heal from their trauma—and also how those who are hurting really need to accept the help they are offered.
This one was really good. I'm picky about my romances, and this one absolutely deserves all 5 stars. This is one I'd recommend not just to romance readers but also to readers of heavier lit who just want something lighter (but not fluffy) to read.
It's hard to find a romance that isn't just fluff, has good character development, a mostly believable storyline, and is, well, enjoyable. This one hits all those markers. Both Justin (MMC) and Emma (FMC) are well-developed and likable characters with more going on than meets the eye. Both are complex characters, and I loved them.
Emma struggles with attachment and "feeling small" after a traumatic childhood with a very unstable mother and years in foster care. I think "feeling small" is how she and her best friend Maddie (who is AMAZING) describe what look to be PTSD episodes. She has to confront her mother (who appears to have undiagnosed borderline personality disorder or possibly bipolar or maybe both) and her understanding of her throughout the novel. Obviously this is a very difficult topic, and Jimenez manages to portray it with surprising sensitivity.
Justin is struggling with complicated grief as he navigates not only his father's death several years ago but also his mother's upcoming several-year jail sentence, which forces him to move back home to become the guardian of his three siblings (from pre-school-aged to teen) to care for while she's gone. He understandably struggles with resentment even as he loves and cares for his siblings. A lot of his story could have been trivialized, but wasn't. Again, well done.
Also, of course—shout out to Maddie, the best friend Emma could ever ask for, and also to Justin's sometimes annoying friends (and his mom's BFF) for supporting the MCs in meaningful ways. This book is a testament to how it takes a village to help people heal from their trauma—and also how those who are hurting really need to accept the help they are offered.
This one was really good. I'm picky about my romances, and this one absolutely deserves all 5 stars. This is one I'd recommend not just to romance readers but also to readers of heavier lit who just want something lighter (but not fluffy) to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Vomit and Alcoholism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury