A review by doahdancer
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense 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

Fantastic representation of neglect and avoidant attachment. Definitely review the TWs closely because this gets into the thick of it. This is a fiction book in romance book clothing, but I honestly loved it and will definitely read more of Jimenez's work.

Some readers have said they wanted the book to end with the couple not together because that would be more realistic. They say Emma was too unhealthy to ever be in a relationship or Justin would have moved on by time she came back because it would have taken years and not six months to work through her trauma.

Can confirm on 2-3 years being more realistic.

But I absolutely adore that a romance book with an HEA exists for Emma's character so that readers going through CPTSD and adult attachment disorders can experience a beautiful ending to a very painful process. Those readers deserve relatable escapism too. And I think it's pretty toxic to say it absolutely couldn't have been worked on if she was in a relationship with him. It depends and is very individual. The kids definitely change things, but therapy doesn't have to be done in a vacuum absent of connections. If she hadn't had family to go to and rebuild missed connections with, she would have probably needed Justin's support to get through EMDR.

We don't have to be perfect first to deserve love and happiness, but we do have to never give up on striving toward personal growth. Emma did the work so I'm very pleased to see her get the happy ending all adult survivors of childhood neglect deserve.
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