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A review by sabz4812
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Before I begin please check trigger warnings for this book and don't go into it expecting a light summer read!
Also I would recommend reading the 1st book in this interconnected series - Part of your world - as the plot does eventually relate back. I did not and while you can make inferences I think it would have made my reading experience even better. Reading the 2nd book in the series - Yours, Truly - is not necessary but would better you reading experience as those characters do make an appearance in this novel
Now onto the review!
I absolutely loved this book Finished it in a day and became completely attached to the characters. The author took her time in understanding all the issues and discussions that were brought up in this book and had so many little metaphors that related to the characters!
The found family is something I was looking for, for a long time and "Just for the summer" did not disappoint. From Emma's best friend Maddy (with her hard truths), to Justin's friends (who constantly turn up for him), to Justin's siblings - you really realize that sometimes family is the people you choose. This aspect was honestly something I enjoyed about the book and it made me tear up especially whenJustin's friends show up for him after his mum has gone to prison and just know how to be there for him and take care of him when he's busy taking care of everyone else. . Another heartwarming aspect is how Emma became apart of Justin's family so easily - like she perfectly belonged there and the way her and Sarah's relationship just grew with time!
I will admit Emma will frustrate you, but that all comes down to her past and when you understand why she behaves the way she does you build empathy for her more than any other character (always choose empathy)
Justin is the epitome of (as Maddy put it) - If he wanted to he would. His type A eldest sibling personality is something I could definitively identify with as an eldest sibling myself. His need to put others before himself, to take care of everyone, to always readily be available - to be the docking station. His humor and banter is the best and honestly built the romance and chemistry for this book and if your love language is acts of service you'll love Justin. I know I did ;)
What I'm basically trying to get at is don't go into this book expecting a rom - com or romance. It's a layered story with layered characters and plot developments that you can't fully appreciate if you go into this expecting a whirlwind romance
As Justin says“The love stories sold us the wrong thing. The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about. Taking the end piece of the bread at breakfast so she can have the last middle piece for her sandwich when you pack her lunch. Making sure her car always has gas so she never has to stop at the pump. Telling her you’re not cold and to take your jacket when you are in fact, very, very cold. It’s watching TV on a rainy Sunday while you’re doing laundry and turning her light off when she’s fallen asleep reading. Sharing pizza crusts and laughing about something the kids did and taking care of each other when you’re sick. It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out.”
P.S. If you get your hands on a copy that has the authors book club questions at the end I would highly recommend you give that a read. It makes you appreciate the work the author put into this story as well as appreciate the characters and their journey through this book. The author also lets us in on some Easter eggs she left in the book :)
Also I would recommend reading the 1st book in this interconnected series - Part of your world - as the plot does eventually relate back. I did not and while you can make inferences I think it would have made my reading experience even better. Reading the 2nd book in the series - Yours, Truly - is not necessary but would better you reading experience as those characters do make an appearance in this novel
Now onto the review!
I absolutely loved this book Finished it in a day and became completely attached to the characters. The author took her time in understanding all the issues and discussions that were brought up in this book and had so many little metaphors that related to the characters!
The found family is something I was looking for, for a long time and "Just for the summer" did not disappoint. From Emma's best friend Maddy (with her hard truths), to Justin's friends (who constantly turn up for him), to Justin's siblings - you really realize that sometimes family is the people you choose. This aspect was honestly something I enjoyed about the book and it made me tear up especially when
I will admit Emma will frustrate you, but that all comes down to her past and when you understand why she behaves the way she does you build empathy for her more than any other character (always choose empathy)
Justin is the epitome of (as Maddy put it) - If he wanted to he would. His type A eldest sibling personality is something I could definitively identify with as an eldest sibling myself. His need to put others before himself, to take care of everyone, to always readily be available - to be the docking station. His humor and banter is the best and honestly built the romance and chemistry for this book and if your love language is acts of service you'll love Justin. I know I did ;)
What I'm basically trying to get at is don't go into this book expecting a rom - com or romance. It's a layered story with layered characters and plot developments that you can't fully appreciate if you go into this expecting a whirlwind romance
As Justin says
P.S. If you get your hands on a copy that has the authors book club questions at the end I would highly recommend you give that a read. It makes you appreciate the work the author put into this story as well as appreciate the characters and their journey through this book. The author also lets us in on some Easter eggs she left in the book :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Abandonment