A review by lcampbell1003
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny 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

5.0

Justin is a perfect book boyfriend. I hate spoilers so just in case, I’m blocking this out…
He cooks, is good with kids, drops anything for family (picking his mom and aunt up), and has a good job?!? And the date questionnaires??? I can’t 🩷🩷🩷🩷


I loved the friendship between Emma and Maddie, as well as how great Justin’s friends were. I really appreciate reading about healthy friendships and I feel like it often sets the main characters up as more stable humans. They can do something rash or even ridiculous for the plot of romance, but we know they are pretty regular people in everyday life if they can maintain healthy and functioning relationships with friends.

This book definitely touches on some heavy topics and I think Abby does so with grace.
In fact, the ending was incredibly mature and real. Even if I wanted to scream at Emma for leaving for 6 months because they are perfect together and could figure it out… that is not real life. It actually made me think about my own need to move on from things and never look back, rather than do what Emma does and show up to a situation they both made messy. And I was happy that Justin said his piece about a small part of him wishing she hadn’t came back. 

For them to ultimately understand that the path forward could have only happened if they each took time to work on themselves was a perfect ending.
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