Review by csharp - Just for the Summer

csharp 's review for:

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

4.0

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I have very conflicting feelings about this book, and I’m not sure how my feelings may clash with my understanding (or lack of) of trauma responses and coping mechanisms.

The first 75% of the book was cute and enjoyable, but of course you knew that something would inevitably go wrong soon. Then the thing happened. And I felt so miserable reading it from then on. It all just felt so messy and sad that I was detaching from the first part of the story.

Emma’s relationship with her mum is very difficult. My raw thoughts are that

it was so frustrating to read Emma explicitly detailing how her mother would neglect her so much as a child, and Maddy explaining to her OVER AND OVER again that she is not a good mother. Yet Emma doesn’t come to this realisation until almost the end of the book?

But upon reflection, I am trying to understand Emma’s actions in conjunction with the trauma she experienced growing up, and how that plays a role in how she thinks.

Justin - I thought he was a lovely character. He loves Emma to a fault.

Maddy - Thank god for Maddy. Everyone needs a friend like her.

Overall, I did like the book but I think the predictability (Emma coming to the realisation that she loved Justin and wanted to be with him for the millionth time) and the climax ruined my enjoyment of it towards the end. I completely understand and respect the perspective on childhood trauma and PTSD and found that Emma’s decisions at the end made the most sense for her healing.

Content Warnings