A review by pgmoon
Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

This book was recommended by some BookTokers I follow, and even though I’m not usually a huge fan of romance, I decided to give it a shot. I really like Emily Henry and gave Beach Read 4 stars, so when I saw a testimonial from Henry on this book, I figured it was worth checking out.

I listened to the audiobook, and it was so much fun! The two narrators really brought the main characters to life. The book is a great blend of funny and heartwarming moments, with some real character growth, diving into how our past trauma can shape who we are now.

The main couple has a ton of chemistry, and I loved their moments together. The side characters were full of personality too—Maddie is definitely my favorite character, hands down. Emma’s
struggle with her relationship with her mom was beautifully done; I found myself getting angry on her behalf
. And when
Emma found out about her family,
it broke my heart—I definitely teared up.

I also loved that
the happy ending didn’t come easy
.
Emma getting the help she needed
was so real and wonderful to see, and the epilogue was super sweet.

The book maybe ran a little long in the middle, but overall, I really enjoyed it. I’ll definitely be checking out more from Abby Jimenez. If you’re a fan of Emily Henry, I’d recommend giving this one a try.
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