A review by kerosenelit
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

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.

"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)
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