Just for the Summer

Absolutely loved loved loved! I devoured this book, and although I kept trying to pace myself so it would last longer, I ended up finishing it in less than 24 hours, because I just couldn't put it down! An easy 5 star read for me and I have no doubt it'll be one of my top favorite books of 2024! I was excited about this book's release thinking that I would like it, but I was not expecting to love it as much as I did! My favorite Abby Jimenez book by far! It was absolute perfection. I mean we have a gardening loving, travel nurse as our female main character then we throw in a dash of magical realism?! Are you kidding me? If that book isn't meant for me than I don't know what is! 😂 One of my major conditions on how much I love a rom-com is how it makes me feel while reading it. If the book is giving me butterflies, heart-dropping angst, and making me kick my legs because I am so giddy, then it's 5 star perfection and this, my friends, gave me all of this and more. The characters were absolutely perfect. As I mentioned earlier, Emma was a FMC of my dreams, but then we get the MMC, Justin, who was just as perfect. From page one, I was hooked and was pleasantly surprised to see what this storyline was all about. Both characters believe their love lives to be cursed. After dating someone and breaking up with them that person always meets the love of their life right after. Discovering one another through a Reddit thread and both sharing the same dilemma, Emma and Justin decide to date for a short period of time to cancel out each other's curse. And well, we all know where this is going. 😉 Another thing I loved and what I really appreciated the author gave us is a believable third act conflict. We all know when picking up a romance, we are getting one. Unfortunately, sometimes they can really mess the flow up for me while reading, because at times they don't feel natural, or they are just plain silly like the dreaded miscommunication trope, which is guaranteed to make my eyes roll. I was so pleasantly surprised we didn't get one of those and instead got a great segue into how the book concludes. 🙌 This is a standalone novel in case anyone was wondering. Abby gives us lots of Easter eggs and it was fun to read her thought process at the end of why she included what. But luckily you don't have to read any of her previous books to enjoy this one and in my opinion, they weren't too spoiler-y. Overall, and I can't stress this enough I loved it and can't recommend it enough. I feel it would be a slam dunk winner for anyone who decides to pick it up!

I read this book at the beginning of the summer and coming back months later to write a review because it has stuck with me. This story is heartwarming, funny, raw, and a tear jerker all in one. Emma is a travel nurse who took an assignment at a hospital in MN to be close to a man she met on Reddit about naming his dog after his friend. After texting and video chats, she decided to take the assignment near him to break a curse they've both been dealing with. The curse is that once they date someone, they go on to find and marry their soulmate. Emma spends the summer with Justin and her toxic mother who ends up living with her landlord on the same property. Justin is perfect but Emma has a lot of personal growth that she needs to do before she can commit. I loved the storyline. Again, I had a rollercoaster of emotions reading this book. I laughed out loud and was hysterically crying. I wish I could read this book again for the first time. Perfect summer read!

I love a storyline where the main characters overcome challenges. This one does a great job of balancing true trauma, love, laughter, and shows the growth of many characters over time. Great book!

Pretty sure I’m still on the verge of tears while writing this, and that’s because of how emotionally invested I was in the relationship. Jimenez is so skilled at writing these playful, chemistry-filled romances that make me smile one minute and have a churning in my gut the next. This one really put me through my paces emotionally, with these gorgeous, sunshiney moments juxtaposed with an undercurrent of heartache and pain. These two fell for each other in such an effortless way, even though that was never the plan. Our sweetheart of a hero was swooning from the start, and I LOVED how adorably smitten he was. So freaking adorable, this man. Our black cat heroine put up a good fight, but she didn’t stand a chance against him. The relationship was bright and easy, which contrasted perfectly with the chaos swirling around them both. Neither was in the right headspace to fall in love, but it found them anyways - even though the road to HEA was filled with landmines. Such a compelling and complex read, EASILY my new favorite from the author. The story follows Emma, a woman who is constantly on the move. She didn’t have the best childhood, so she prefers to take temporary jobs and travel around the country with her best friend. One day, Emma reads an AITA post and relates to the guy - every time he dates someone, the next person they meet ends up being their soulmate. The same thing seems to happen to Emma every time, so the two bond over DMs and text messages. It’s not long before Emma and Justin make a plan - they’ll go on a few dates with each other and break both of their dating curses. But once they meet face-to-face, that plan begins to crumble. Not only do they get along way better than either could’ve anticipated, but keeping things fun and easy is impossible to do when both of their messy families get involved. Soon, Justin and Emma are falling for each other in a very real way, which could cause trouble for them both. I loved the concept of two strangers who bond over DMs and messages before connecting in person, and the epistolary element was great. Justin and Emma both know they’re not in the right headspace for something real, but that’s not what they ever intended to be for each other. Their relationship developed so naturally, and it was easy to see how perfect they were for each other. I was laughing, smiling, and swooning right along with them, especially since Justin is such a fantastic man. He’s so steady and cuddly and adorable, even though he’s barely keeping his head above water. It’s definitely a case of meeting the right person at the absolute worst time, which ratchets up the tension in a major way. Emma is such a complicated character, but I loved her too. After six books, I’m never surprised when Jimenez emotionally devastates me with her twists and turns, but I was still taken aback by how much it hurt this time. It’s not a story I’ll be forgetting anytime soon, it’s both entertaining and impactful. I loved it! Audio note: The audio is fabulous, highly recommended in the format! The epistolary element at the beginning is almost duet-style, so I had my fingers crossed that it would be that way throughout (it’s not), but both narrators give excellent, emotive performances. I’m not familiar with Christine Laken, but I loved her voice and the emotion she was able to infuse into the story. There were a couple of instances where it was difficult to tell who she was voicing, but that would be my only complaint. This is the best I’ve ever heard Zachary Webber, he gives an incredibly strong performance. The runtime (11-12 hours) was just slightly more than I could get through in a single day, but I could not wait to dive back in. There’s a very minimal amount of spice, so no worries there if you plan to listen at work - just be aware that you might start crying at any time, lol. All in all, I’m very glad I was able to experience the story in that format.

Abby Jimenez has done it again with "Just for the Summer." This book exceeded my expectations, delivering a touching story that resonated deeply with me. Although the beginning started off a bit slow, I'm so glad I stuck with it because the payoff was absolutely worth it. The novel delves into the profound impact of childhood trauma on adulthood, weaving a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Emma and Justin's relationship is at the heart of the story, and their chemistry is undeniable. Their inside jokes and playful banter added a lighthearted touch that balanced the heavier themes of the book. Emma's journey is particularly compelling. Her struggle with past traumas and her path to healing are portrayed with sensitivity and realism. I appreciated how Jimenez didn't shy away from the complexities of Emma's mental health, showing her seeking help and gradually working through her issues. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of self-care and the strength it takes to confront one's past. Justin is the perfect counterpart to Emma. His patience, understanding, and unwavering support make him an incredibly endearing character. Watching their relationship evolve from a summer fling to something much deeper was a joy. Their growth as individuals and as a couple is beautifully depicted, making their story all the more satisfying. Overall, "Just for the Summer" is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel. Abby Jimenez has crafted a story that not only entertains but also offers valuable insights into the long-term effects of trauma and the healing power of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance that goes beyond the surface and touches the heart. ---

A very easy read, so wholesome and well written, loved the mix of family drama and how love can save you. Beautiful story totally recommend

This is my first Abby Jimenez book and I have to say, this was such a great read. This is not your typical love, predictable story and I LOVE THAT. The MMC and FMC could not be anymore polar opposites but also similar in a way. The story is captivating and really relatable in the sense of empathy vs anger, mental diagnoses, abandonment issues, attachment issues. I’m looking forward to reading more of books😌😌

I didn’t love this book until 75 percent of the way. The characters relationship growth was a bit childish and incomplete, and then near the end it grew better. The trauma the fmc experiences was written very well, and I liked how her mother having mental health struggles made her a more complex character. Not a bad read. Deep mental issues and traumas allowed for deeper characters and I think that made me like the book more.

REVIEW cw: panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, depression, grief, undiagnosed mental health issues, toxic parenting, past child neglect Emma 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: 🔥

Me encantó!! Terminé por fin los libros y súper recomendados para todas que les encanta el amor y romance! Quiero leer más de abby

Arrived in perfect condition, never had a book from amazon come in this pristine condition. It looks amazing can't wait to read it.

The latest book by Abby Jimenez, nominally the third book in the Part of Your World Series, is another fabulously emotional and romantic book with twists and turns and like the other two books it puts the spotlight on some important social issues. This book focuses on trauma caused by abandonment and loss, the foster care system and mental health issues. I loved how this book wrapped up many of the lingering questions from the previous books, but it is not at all necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this book. The premise for the romantic story in this book was both cute and unique. I loved the character of Justin and how he handled his family struggles. Emma was a character that was a bit harder to warm up to before the reader understood her backstory and the trauma she had faced. The author does a wonderful job of creating believable characters that help to highlight some of the social issues that many face but are little understood. I hope that Abby Jimenez writes another book quickly and would especially love if it picked up on some of the outstanding characters introduced in these books but any book similar in vein would be much appreciated.

I recommend this book. It touches a lot of different issues and it’s interesting how the author narrated it.