Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: Get Ready to Fall in Love 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Forever (April 2, 2024)

“You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next.”
― Abby Jimenez, Just for the Summer

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez is pure perfection. From her early beginnings to her latest achievements, Abby has become a household name in the literary world. Jimenez perfectly balances humor with depth and puts a lot of effort into character development. All of her books are funny and character-driven. I have read most of them, and I have instantly fallen in love with all of them, And this book is not Exepction. I believe this is her best work yet.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Publisher Description:

Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.

Emma hadn’t planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.

It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Review

Abby Jimenez featured a magical realism element in Part of Your World. Interestingly, the first and last books in the series connect in very unexpected but endearing ways. 

Nonetheless, in Part of Your World, the magical note is the city itself, and in this one are so-called Good Luck charms. Honestly, I think this part is open to interpretation, and I believe it is more due to the character’s personality than fantasy. Nonetheless, it is interesting to read about and discuss it.  

Emma and Justin’s story began on Reddit. I was initially hesitant about this premise but was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. It only adds to the fact that Jimenez is a very imaginative writer. Her strong suit is creating memorable and relatable characters, especially men. She has a knack for writing charming, caring, and attentive male characters.

But the characters are funny and complex at the same time. They are going through a tough time in their lives and have many challenges to face. However, they share an incredible chemistry. 

Theme Overview

Also, I am amazed by Abby Jimenezes’ approach to serious topics. In the second book of this series, Yours Truly, the depiction of anxiety is written with immense care and sensitivity. And to write in a way to have such a strong emotional reaction is masterful. Her writing reminds me a lot of Emily Henry. 

This book delves into the topic of child neglect and its long-term effects. Emma, the protagonist, was neglected by her mother as a child and continues to struggle with the consequences despite undergoing therapy. However, Emma is highly empathetic and does not hold a grudge against her mother. 

In contrast, Justin also has issues with his mother. He struggles to overcome resentment towards her. The book offers a fascinating dual perspective on this topic.

In her previous works, Jimenez has always included some serious subplots. Just for the Summer explores the theme of trauma. The book delves into the effects of unresolved trauma, grief, and the impact it has on people who are dealing with strong emotions, as well as their loved ones. I believe it is her emotionally heaviest book yet.

Just for the Summer is a story about flawed people who made terrible decisions in life. But, the best part of the book is the friend group and community they have. The support and understanding from friends in this group had me weeping several times. 

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