Reviews with content warning for Death - Just for the Summer

This literally got me out of a weeks long slump. After posting an Am I the Asshole post on Reddit about his curse where all his ex girlfriends immediately find their soulmate, Emma a travel nurse with the same curse, contacts Justin to try and break their curse by dating and breaking up. Complicated family lives, trauma, and drama all come together to make one of the best books ive read all year. I laughed, I cried, and I felt seen. This is realistic in all the best ways and I literally can't recommend reading it enough!

Content Warnings

yvo_about_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

4.75

Finished reading: August 7th 2024

“Maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s a person.”

I've been loving the Part Of Your World books so far, so of course I was excited to dive into the newest addition Just For The Summer. There is just something about the way Abby Jimenez writes her romances that is nearly always a big hit for me, and she has become one of my favorite romance authors. And I think Just For The Summer might just be my new favorite story written by her! It came at exactly the right time for me, and this was the fake-dating slash second-chance romance I never knew I needed. Despite the fact that this book includes multiple heavy topics including abandonment, toxic relationships and child abuse, the majority of the story still felt uplifting. Or at least I was immensely invested in both characters, as they were clearly made for each other... Things can be said about a possible insta-love vibe, but I personally didn't mind or care at all. There is just something about Justin and Emma that makes them extremely loveable, and you just want to hug them and tell them everything is going to be okay. The side characters are brilliant as well; especially Maddy, Justin's family and the dog Brad of course. The curse was a fun way to start the story, and it was the perfect way for the main characters to start building their connection. There are definitely some darker moments along the way and especially Emma's toxic relationship with her mother Amber can be hard to read about, but it does make the story feel more realistic. Do make sure to have some tissues/chocolate at hand especially once you near the end! I hardly ever cry while reading a book, but Just For The Summer made it hard to keep it dry. I loved how everything was wrapped up and the references/connections to some of the characters in the previous books were a nice touch as well. Another title for my list of 2024 favorites!

Content Warnings

erinmure5's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Jimenez does a great job depicting mental health concerns in a realistic and not overly sensationalized way. She writes the romantic, emotionally available man x aloof, afraid of love woman bit so well and I’ll never get sick of it.

I started this one as a hard cover and then finished with the audiobook. I read the first 2 in the series as audiobooks and loved them. Starting this one on paper threw me off a little bit, and I recommend audiobook over paperback because of the amount of dialogue and I think it helps you get a little more immersed. For instance, I thought Maddy was a jerk of a friend on paper, but switching to the audiobook helped me “read her” totally differently. Plus the narration is top tier so you won’t regret the audiobook.

Content Warnings

orphicsunflower's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

To say I was disappointed in this book would be an understatement. The characters in this book felt all thrown around.

Like Neil coming back why? That was a really dumb move I didn’t like Emma at all, Not sure if that was the point but she was kinda insufferable. She also came really out of nowhere. I didn’t like that she chose to write this story with Justin. I read the three books in the series in secession and I could not even remember who Justin was until they mention Brad and Benny. I was hoping for Benny’s story or something. For 90% of the story nothing happened. Justin was sweet but he didn’t deserve the things Emma did to him. I never understood how people can forgive each other so quickly as soon as the person that hurt them says I love you I also never understood the whole love at first sight thing but to each their own

Content Warnings

beebowbabe's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Content Warnings

torikate7's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

instalovewithbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my first Abby Jimenez book and oh boy, I really really enjoyed it!

This was also bought on indie bookstore day on April 30, and look at me reading books on the same year I get them! 😆

This was such a heartbreaking but soft story. Justin and Emma are brilliant, and I didn't think a Reddit AITA could start such a lovely love story. I really love how we discuss mental health issues and how even if someone has mental health issues doesn't disregard what you've done to them in the past or continue to do. The other characters like Maddy and the kids were great - I got sold on Sarah easily.

Such a complex love story. I adored this one.

Content Warnings

the_cat_on_a_bookcase's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Emma reads a Reddit post by Justin about how they are both "cursed" with being the relationship before their exes find "The One." They connect and find themselves in the same city, but just for the summer. They make a plan to do an experiment: to date each other, so that the next person they meet will be their soulmate.

This book is totally worth all the hype. I've loved every book in this series, but I think that I fell for Justin the hardest. This shows that dating can be intentional even in the chaos of everyday life and how love sometimes grows unexpectedly.

I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings for this book. I appreciated the authenticity & complicated feelings that came with the extended families in this book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a great romance!

Content Warnings

More...