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A review by oxfordcommas91
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Abby Jimenez always delivers with rom coms that aren’t your typical light and fluffy read.
Before I go further I will note to check content warnings on this book and to take them seriously (Jimenez also provides a note at the outset of the book discussing this as well). This book was not lighthearted in any way. It’s about two people finding themselves - and each other - after dealing with some really heavy traumatic situations. The only reason I didn’t give this book a 5 is that sometimes it feels like Jimenez is so heavy handed with the traumatic stuff that it can take away from the enjoyment of reading it. After all, these books are meant as an escape, and it can feel like an onslaught. Sometimes I feel like I need a good therapy session after reading one of her books! I will give Jimenez a huge amount of credit for doing the work to ensure she’s depicting and explaining complex health & mental health situations in thoughtful and accurate ways. These situations never feel exploitative or insensitive!
I generally really enjoyed these characters and the details that Jimenez expertly weaves throughout their love story. I truly believe and love her characters and the ways she writes them - it does feel like you could know them in real life!
Before I go further I will note to check content warnings on this book and to take them seriously (Jimenez also provides a note at the outset of the book discussing this as well). This book was not lighthearted in any way. It’s about two people finding themselves - and each other - after dealing with some really heavy traumatic situations. The only reason I didn’t give this book a 5 is that sometimes it feels like Jimenez is so heavy handed with the traumatic stuff that it can take away from the enjoyment of reading it. After all, these books are meant as an escape, and it can feel like an onslaught. Sometimes I feel like I need a good therapy session after reading one of her books! I will give Jimenez a huge amount of credit for doing the work to ensure she’s depicting and explaining complex health & mental health situations in thoughtful and accurate ways. These situations never feel exploitative or insensitive!
I generally really enjoyed these characters and the details that Jimenez expertly weaves throughout their love story. I truly believe and love her characters and the ways she writes them - it does feel like you could know them in real life!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol