Review by duarshe - Just For The Summer

duarshe 's review for:

Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez

5.0

challenging emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved everything about this. I really appreciated the balance between the deal that initiated the whole plot: four dates, a kiss, and a break-up; and the personal struggles of the main characters playing a main role in their relationship and dynamic as a couple. I believe the way the book was written had a good equilibrium between a plot-driven and a character-driven book. Moreover, I think the chemistry between Justin and Emma is one of the best I've seen in romance books.

It really surprised me to read that Abby Jimenez struggled at first to show chemistry between them, because of Emma's detachment relationship style. But, honestly, she wrote them so perfectly I can't even imagine Justin and Emma not having chemistry.

I also liked the mental health representation. The me of a couple of years ago would've probably hated the whole plots surrounding mental health topics in romances, because I used to appreciate the simple, easy style when it came to relationships. I hated the conflict derived from those and tended to avoid those types of stories. Nonetheless, nowadays, I'm more often than not driven to them, since, as this book very much explains, love is not always easy, and it takes a great deal of courage to accept when you need to work on yourself to be able to give your love to other people and receive theirs in exchange.

This book was also insanely emotional, which I didn't expect AT ALL. Both the good and the bad. I felt it all, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I will have to read more of Abby Jimenez's books, because she's got me hooked for sure.

Content Warnings