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A review by jenniferbowman
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Lemme tell you about this book.
I listened to the first 90-ish pages on audiobook, then actually DNFed because the fluff factor was real. I had no interest in reading an entire “insta love” book where everyone seemed just within reach of their happily ever afters. Maybe it was the narrators, but the banter made me roll my eyes more than once.
HOWEVER. Weeks (maybe a month?) later, I actually ended up with a physical copy of this story in a “blind date with a book.” Welp, I guess I HAD to finish the story now. I just really wanted to figure out why so many people loved it.
I’m so glad I did. Around the page mark where I picked this back up, the story seemed to gain substance quickly. The fluffy romance took a back seat to fleshed out characters with real lives outside of their dating schemes, and what originally seemed like “just another rom com” took me by surprise—this was actually a riveting story about complicated family dynamics. I fell in love with the characters and their dedication to getting to know one another. I stayed up late two nights in a row on Labor Day weekend to finish this book because I couldn’t put it down.
Five stars, had a great time, and am now buying all other Abby Jimenez books I can get my hands on.
I listened to the first 90-ish pages on audiobook, then actually DNFed because the fluff factor was real. I had no interest in reading an entire “insta love” book where everyone seemed just within reach of their happily ever afters. Maybe it was the narrators, but the banter made me roll my eyes more than once.
HOWEVER. Weeks (maybe a month?) later, I actually ended up with a physical copy of this story in a “blind date with a book.” Welp, I guess I HAD to finish the story now. I just really wanted to figure out why so many people loved it.
I’m so glad I did. Around the page mark where I picked this back up, the story seemed to gain substance quickly. The fluffy romance took a back seat to fleshed out characters with real lives outside of their dating schemes, and what originally seemed like “just another rom com” took me by surprise—this was actually a riveting story about complicated family dynamics. I fell in love with the characters and their dedication to getting to know one another. I stayed up late two nights in a row on Labor Day weekend to finish this book because I couldn’t put it down.
Five stars, had a great time, and am now buying all other Abby Jimenez books I can get my hands on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Excrement, Medical content, Dementia, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail