Just For The Summer: The bestselling love story that will make you cry happy tears

When I saw that Abby Jimenez had a new 2024 release, I was excited to read it. I enjoyed Yours Truly, her previous release. It ended up on my favourite lists recently, so I had high expectations for Just For The Summer.For me, Abby Jimenez is an expert at the quiet, realistic romances. When I read her books, I believe the characters could actually exist in the world. Her books also tend to pull on real-world emotions and experiences, which make her stories extremely impactful. As a result, I expected a similar reading experience with Just for the Summer, and I was not disappointed.The strongest aspect of Just for the Summer would have to be the characters. Both the main protagonists and the side characters are well-developed, interesting, and realistic. While there are some plot-driven elements to the story, such as the short time frame that Emma and Justin have together, it is their characters that truly drive the story.Emma was one of my favourite female protagonists that I have read recently. She was a well-thought out character with a strong character arc who shows a lot of growth from beginning to end. Emma lacks a strong emotional attachment to those around her due to her mother’s narcissistic and absent nature during her childhood. As a result, Emma doesn’t always make the “likeable” decision, but she always makes a decision true to her character.Justin is also a strong character with a developed backstory. After his father’s death, Justin’s mother commits a crime and is sentenced to six years in prison. Consequently, he must take over a parental role with his three younger siblings. Justin is the kind of character that I love to see as a romantic interest. He was stable, sweet, and respectful of Emma. However, he also was clear with what he wanted in a relationship with Emma and was honest when her actions affected him negatively.The side characters, particularly Emma’s mother, were also well-developed. Emma’s mother, Amber, was not a likeable person whatsoever, but she was incredibly realistic. I think Jimenez did an excellent job of making her the “villain,” but not cartoon-ish. It was also interesting to see characters from previous novels, such as Neil, and what happened to his character after Part of Your World.Another aspect that I enjoyed was the romance. As I mentioned previously, Jimenez does a great job with quiet, realistic romances. Sometimes, it feels like characters are thrown together simply because they are the main characters in a romance novel, but that isn’t the case in this book. Emma and Justin challenge each other’s ideas about life and love. They are exactly what the other person needed out of a relationship. Emma taught Justin to be more empathetic, and Justin taught Emma that there would be people who would stick beside her, no matter what.Finally, I loved this book of the strong emotional connection that I had to this novel. Like I mentioned earlier, Jimenez always pulls on real-world feelings and emotions that make her stories more impactful. Just for the Summer was no exception. I found myself crying multiple times throughout the story because of how Emma’s story was so heartbreaking and realistic, but also how beautiful and hopeful it was.Final ThoughtsOverall, I loved this story. Abby Jimenez is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. I give this book five out of five stars.

Nice romance story. Details the story of a nurse that travels and seeks to break the curse on relationships.

REVIEWcw: panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, depression, grief, undiagnosed mental health issues, toxic parenting, past child neglectEmma and Justin have something in common: they're always the person someone dates right before they find The One. When Emma reads Justin's viral Reddit AITA thread, an idea is formed. What if they dated each other? Maybe they'd finally break their respective curses, and then find their own true loves.Abby Jimenez always puts my emotions through the wringer, in the best possible way. She also writes the softest book boyfriends, and Justin immediately stole my heart. He was such a cinnamon roll, hilariously funny but also self-deprecating. I loved the graphics and questionnaires he sent to Emma, and his nervousness on the first date was so adorable. And honestly? Best. First. Date. EVER. Also? If a man wouldn't come to my rescue on a rainbow unicorn floatie, I don’t want him! I loved how much he cared about the people around him, and I found chapter thirty-two profoundly beautiful. Meanwhile, chapter nineteen made me laugh and cry in equal measure. The raccoon situation was too funny. But chapter twenty-one? I bawled. I loved that Justin was so transparent about his feelings, despite his own emotional baggage. He was SUCH a good man. And that birthday gift? Utter perfection.I adored Justin's friends. I loved that Benny (yes, THAT Benny) and Brad were so supportive of Justin. The whole Brad situation was hilarious. Faith's constant exasperation with Justin's dog's name was amusing. But more than that, both Benny and Brad were sweethearts, and I loved how much they cared about Justin and his family. Speaking of supporting characters, I loved all of the friendships in this book. Maddy was hilarious. Her vetting of Justin was peak friendship, and all of her dating theories were hilariously brilliant. But I also felt her frustration with Emma and how she continually gave her mum (Amber) a pass. I appreciated that she made sure to point out how Amber was so neglectful of Emma, and I could feel her hurt at times. But she was also THE most loyal, supportive friend and I loved how much she cared about Emma, and rooted for her relationship with Justin, as well as helping him understand Emma's trauma.I went on quite a journey with my feelings for Emma. I was simultaneously heartbroken for and frustrated with her for quite some time. On one hand, I couldn't even begin to imagine how difficult her childhood must have been. Her resilience was commendable, and while I empathised with her, and in many ways could understand her blind hope in her mother, her resistance to what was glaringly obvious at times frustrated me, especially surrounding Amber's behaviour. Still, I'm glad Emma finally opened herself up to love and stability, and I adored how natural she was with Justin's siblings, even when she was struggling. I loved the metaphors with the rose bush and the island. And that twist! It completely reframed my feelings about Emma, and I finished the story loving her.There were some amazing little Easter eggs from other Abby books. Amber's new boyfriend SHOOK ME, and as for what happened in chapter forty? (no spoilers, but OMG. I was screaming, but also SO angry on Emma's behalf). That chapter absolutely BROKE me, and I'm still not over it. I also loved that Abby didn't take the easy option afterwards, even though I sobbed for most of the rest of the book. Thankfully, she always guarantees a HEA, and this one was perfect, so even though i was emotionally drained by the end, I was also intensely happy.A heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of love and found family. Stock up on tissues!Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Heat Rating: 🔥

Really nicely written book with strong character driven plot and shows the complexity of family and their issues. The plot was cheesy and times but if you just embrace it you’re bound to enjoy. I loved these characters and would love to see a film or series of this! Enjoyable :)

I really enjoyed this one. It was very fast paced owing to the narrative style. My only criticism is that the ending could have been longer. Without spoiling, the end situation could have benefitted from showing the aftermath in my opinion.

I usually find rom com books so cringey and struggle to get through them but I was so surprised by how much I loved this - completely loved the characters and was so invested in their stories and lives. Perfect beach read, high recommend!! 5*

This book is an easy fast paced summer romance read! It's the first book I've tabbed in a while and might be my favourite read this summer. I loved the idea and I connected to the characters well. Emma's relationship with her mom is so well written. Abby Jimenez had me giggling and in tears, to giggling again. Justin is the epitome of if he wanted to he would, just like she stated in the book. I can't stop thinking about this book and comparing the other summer reads I've read to it! We Stan toilet king and queen!!

Es muy entretenido y me gusto como aborda el PTSD y el tema de salud mental. Hace mucho no termo aba un libro tan rapido.

“You’re not what happened to you. You are what you do next”. . .Author: Abby JimenezRating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. . .Why is it that I always cry with Abby Jimenez’s books? This one brought a lot more tears though, what a book! 🥹As always a book by Abby is more than just a romance story, each character is going through a life altering situation, and trying to navigate that. For Emma, is her unstable mom showing up out of the blue after years of never seeing each other, and for Justin is the unavoidable fact that he’s about to become the guardian of his 3 younger siblings.Emma’s 🧡 story is heartbreaking, and I’ve said it before but she’s a better person than I am, because it takes a lot to be that compassionate towards the people that hurt you the most.Justin 🩵 is one of my favorite MMCs, he was so upfront with his feelings, he was honest, kind and caring… And the way he stepped up for his siblings, despite how it complicated his whole life..? And how he showed up for Emma too?? I was in love with him.This is the book to not only make you sob 😭 but also make you laugh and giggle a whole lot. These two characters had BANTER!!!! The side characters (like Maddy and Brad -dog and person) brought so much light and life to the story!Also, we get a little appearance by Jacob and Brianna (Yours Truly), and MY GOD 🤯 do we get to see Daniel and Alexis (Part Of Your World).Wish I could say more without risking giving y’all spoilers, but just know I loved this book with my whole entire heart ❤️

Libro già letto in digitale e l’ho comprato per avere anche una copia cartacea per quanto mi è piaciuto. Se non l’avete ancora letto che aspettate a comprarlo!

Great lighthearted read