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awaywithforestfae 's review for:
Just for the Summer
by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Abby Jimenez, and I loved it! Mental health rep and complex trauma, family relationships, all tied in with a hilarious and heartwarming love story!
Emma and Justin both have a curse... Each person they date, goes on to find their soulmate after dating them, usually marrying within 6 months! They decide to try to break this curse by dating each other, just for the summer, as when they break up they should find "the one". But, have they found them already?
I loved how PTSD and trauma were explored in the context of Emma and Justin's relationship, and the surrounding friendships and plot. It was interesting to compare and contrast Amber and Emma, and think about the ways that Emma was working to be different to her mother.
Jimenez was also just so funny!!! The way the book started had me gripped, and this humour continued throughout. Another element of the writing style I really liked, was the focus on emotions and inner thoughts. This really got me into the characters heads, for the good and the bad.
The summer vibes were also immaculate, and Justin's date ideas and little "surveys" really added to this. The lake in Minnesota was an iconic location, which really added to this summer ambience. The romance was really sweet, and positive too!
While I missed a lot of the Easter eggs as I haven't read Part of Your World, it did really make me want to read it! And I appreciated that she put a lot into the references for long time fans. I also loved to see the amount of research Jimenez put into really knowing her characters, their issues and triggers, the background behind their mental illnesses.
All in all, an emotional rollercoaster, but also a funny and heartwarming romantic summer read!
(Note for content warnings: the toxic relationship is the mother-daughter one, there wasn't a toxic parent tag!)
Emma and Justin both have a curse... Each person they date, goes on to find their soulmate after dating them, usually marrying within 6 months! They decide to try to break this curse by dating each other, just for the summer, as when they break up they should find "the one". But, have they found them already?
I loved how PTSD and trauma were explored in the context of Emma and Justin's relationship, and the surrounding friendships and plot. It was interesting to compare and contrast Amber and Emma, and think about the ways that Emma was working to be different to her mother.
Jimenez was also just so funny!!! The way the book started had me gripped, and this humour continued throughout. Another element of the writing style I really liked, was the focus on emotions and inner thoughts. This really got me into the characters heads, for the good and the bad.
The summer vibes were also immaculate, and Justin's date ideas and little "surveys" really added to this. The lake in Minnesota was an iconic location, which really added to this summer ambience. The romance was really sweet, and positive too!
While I missed a lot of the Easter eggs as I haven't read Part of Your World, it did really make me want to read it! And I appreciated that she put a lot into the references for long time fans. I also loved to see the amount of research Jimenez put into really knowing her characters, their issues and triggers, the background behind their mental illnesses.
All in all, an emotional rollercoaster, but also a funny and heartwarming romantic summer read!
(Note for content warnings: the toxic relationship is the mother-daughter one, there wasn't a toxic parent tag!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content
Minor: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol