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A review by imskylow
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Justin is a sweetheart. He silly and young and loves his family but finds it exceptionally difficult to understand his mother who is going to jail for embezzling money. He's stressed and scared to take on the task of raising his siblings but is going to be there for them anyway.
Emma is fearless and a free spirit, always moving and never settled. What she would call a traveler, other would call someone always escaping their problems. The boundaries she's made for the world protects her from everyone and everything except the person that harms her the most.
One character is tied down, the other refuses to drop anchor but maybe they could try out dating for the summer.
I kind of doubt I will every read an Abby Jimenez book and not fall absolutly in love. Something about her writing makes me believe in love again in the first place. Her characters aren't doing wildly over the top things. They just show up. They're there and while that sounds simple, it means so much. I also adore how Jimenez writes mental illness. In some way everyone can relate, either experiencing it themselves to a degree or knowing someone who suffers. I understand what it is to wish for your parent to be someone they just aren't. I love the concepts of extending grace even when it's hard but also creating boundaries to protect your own peace. They way the characters hurt felt so real. Emma describing herself folding up and getting small was depicted in such a heartbreakingly believable way.
Maddie, let's not forget about her! She is such a spunky character. So often in romance novels, the best friend of the FMC is only there to support the main characters but have no depth and personality of their own, but Maddie was entire person. I've never wanted to be friends with a character so bad. She's protective and loving. She is indeed supportive but not in any gentle guiding way, she's going to drag Emma through life if she has to and she has the passion to do it. I absolutly loved her.
5/5 A+++ book. I cannot recommend Abby Jimenez enough.
Emma is fearless and a free spirit, always moving and never settled. What she would call a traveler, other would call someone always escaping their problems. The boundaries she's made for the world protects her from everyone and everything except the person that harms her the most.
One character is tied down, the other refuses to drop anchor but maybe they could try out dating for the summer.
I kind of doubt I will every read an Abby Jimenez book and not fall absolutly in love. Something about her writing makes me believe in love again in the first place. Her characters aren't doing wildly over the top things. They just show up. They're there and while that sounds simple, it means so much. I also adore how Jimenez writes mental illness. In some way everyone can relate, either experiencing it themselves to a degree or knowing someone who suffers. I understand what it is to wish for your parent to be someone they just aren't. I love the concepts of extending grace even when it's hard but also creating boundaries to protect your own peace. They way the characters hurt felt so real. Emma describing herself folding up and getting small was depicted in such a heartbreakingly believable way.
Maddie, let's not forget about her! She is such a spunky character. So often in romance novels, the best friend of the FMC is only there to support the main characters but have no depth and personality of their own, but Maddie was entire person. I've never wanted to be friends with a character so bad. She's protective and loving. She is indeed supportive but not in any gentle guiding way, she's going to drag Emma through life if she has to and she has the passion to do it. I absolutly loved her.
5/5 A+++ book. I cannot recommend Abby Jimenez enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse