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abicaro17's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.75
“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!
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
risten's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
sadiebugreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Medical content
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Author: Abby Jimenez
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
I received complimentary eARC from Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Layered • Tender • Profound
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: they'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work. Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected--including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
💭 T H O U G H T S
After bingeing all but one of Abby's books in 2023, she's quickly become my favourite contemporary romance author, so it will come as no surprise Just for the Summer is my most anticipated romance of 2024. There is just something about Abby's writing and ability to include depth in her plots that hits all of the right spots for me, and being given the opportunity to read this story early was an absolute gift.
Abby Jimenez delivers another fantastic romance! Her signature witty banter, real and vulnerable characters, hidden Easter eggs, adorable furry companions, and emotional depth all shine. Told in dual POVs, I was swooning over Justin and instantly felt a personal connection to Emma. The idea of 'getting small' - of retreating into oneself, of not wanting to see or talk to anyone until the world feels safe again - was very relatable. Abby has managed (yet again) to take hard, real-life things and handle them with tenderness and care. Emma has every reason to be bitter and hateful, yet she chooses empathy and to see the good in people.
There are several different instances of mental health representation, each coming across as genuine. In fact, it never felt like Abby was including it just to tick a box. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of the importance of therapy, and how the healing process sometimes requires choosing the difficult option. Overall, I just thought this aspect of the book was very well done.
Beyond the romance and the main characters, I adored the idyllic, secluded cottage setting. I found myself wanting to spend my summer there with these characters. The found family trope plays
a significant part in the plot, and I am here for it. Every. Single. Time. And of course, there is the strong female friendship with Maddy. The fact Abby includes friendship soulmates is something I absolutely love, and isn't used nearly enough in literature.
While there are a few over-the-top moments that require the suspension of belief, there are so many endearing moments: the scene where Emma helps the lady with dementia; the kitten date; the ice cream and antique store date; Justin sending questionnaires and follow up interviews; Justin stepping up to care for the kids; Emma showing up for Sarah (on various occasions); and of course, their unlikely meet-cute.
Just for the Summer is a reminder that life is messy and hard, that bad things happen to good people, that there is a path to healing. Abby just has a way of delivering impactful, comforting romances that I want to read over and over again. It's still very early in the year, yet it's safe to say Just for the Summer will touch to beat as my favourite romance book of 2024. And of course, I cannot wait to see which of her characters get a HEA next, or what new characters she creates next.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Abby Jimenez devotees
• fans of the fake dating trope
• readers who want depth to their romance
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin."
"Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are."
"Trauma changes you."
"Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It make new breaks. You don't know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal."
"Sometimes I felt like I was roaming this earth as a ghost, seeing everything and feeling nothing."
"The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life."
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Excrement, Vomit, Dementia, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
child neglect, anxiety, PTSD, depression, undiagnosed mental health aliment, drunk driving, foster care, adoption100_pages_hr's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I loved the family dynamics in this book. Both main characters are dealing with family challenges and they way they work through them is so woven throughout the book that I was very emotionally invested and yes I needed Kleenex.
I absolutely loved the romance in this book. The premise of the curse the back cover tells you about is a great meet cute and I loved how their relationship evolved. Justin is definitely on my 2024 book boyfriend list. No spoilers but he is wonderful.
True to Abby fashion this book has tons of Easter Eggs. I probably didn't even catch them all on my first read, but the ones I did catch were fabulous.
I could gush all day about this book but I can tell you it will be worth the wait if you didn't get an ARC. Pre-order now and it will drop on your device or doorstep April 2!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Confinement, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail