Scan barcode
A review by randeh
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The final instalment in the Part of Your World series was excellent! I was wondering how the author was going to tie all three books together properly and then Abby Jimenez swoops in and does just that.
Justin is exactly the guy they are talking about when they say "if he wanted to, he would" and boy does he ever! The worse part about this book is that it's over.
Abby Jimenez manages to write about heavy topics that hit home for so many readers, but she does it in a safe space full of all the things that make us feel loved and protected as well.
My favourite part of this book, apart from the romantic way Abby Jimenez makes you feel EVERYTHING, was the connection between Emma & Daniel. I loved that we made our way back to Grant House. I love that Amber didn't get a character arc but that Neil did. I'm sad we aren't getting a Maddie & Doug story but alas all good things must come to an end!
And as always, a few of my favourite quotes from this book:
💬 "The love stories sold us the wrong thing. The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about. Taking the end piece of the bread at breakfast so she can have the last middle piece for her sandwich when you pack her lunch. Making sure her car always has gas so she never has to stop at the pump. Telling her you’re not cold and to take your jacket when you are in fact, very, very cold. It’s watching TV on a rainy Sunday while you’re doing laundry and turning her light off when she’s fallen asleep reading. Sharing pizza crusts and laughing about something the kids did and taking care of each other when you’re sick. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out."
đź’¬ "Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin."
Justin is exactly the guy they are talking about when they say "if he wanted to, he would" and boy does he ever! The worse part about this book is that it's over.
Abby Jimenez manages to write about heavy topics that hit home for so many readers, but she does it in a safe space full of all the things that make us feel loved and protected as well.
And as always, a few of my favourite quotes from this book:
💬 "The love stories sold us the wrong thing. The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about. Taking the end piece of the bread at breakfast so she can have the last middle piece for her sandwich when you pack her lunch. Making sure her car always has gas so she never has to stop at the pump. Telling her you’re not cold and to take your jacket when you are in fact, very, very cold. It’s watching TV on a rainy Sunday while you’re doing laundry and turning her light off when she’s fallen asleep reading. Sharing pizza crusts and laughing about something the kids did and taking care of each other when you’re sick. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out."
đź’¬ "Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin."