Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez : Detailed summary and review 2024

“In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin.”

Abby Jimenez’s Just For The Summer is a captivating read that seamlessly blends romance with thought-provoking themes. Her writing style is effortless, drawing readers into the story and making it easy to lose track of time. The book explores maternal issues, trust issues, and the struggle of feeling insignificant, leaving readers feeling deeply connected to Emma and her experiences.

Summary of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

To find their soulmates, all they need is four dates, a kiss and a breakup . . .

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?

Review of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

With an Abby Jimenez book, you never quite know what to expect, but you can be sure it will make you smile—and probably cry too. She has a knack for crafting beautifully raw, compelling characters while also delving into tough, profound topics in her signature, wonderful style.

Plot Analysis of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

Justin and Emma first meet online after Emma and her best friend, Maddie, stumble upon Justin’s “Am I the asshole?” post, where he shares a story about his latest ‘Good Luck Chuck’ relationship. The pattern is always the same: every time Justin dates someone, they quickly break up with him and then immediately find their perfect match. Emma, who has experienced the exact same type of bad luck, is intrigued by the idea that someone else could be dealing with this strange curse. So, she decides to message Justin, and soon a playful, flirty text relationship begins. As they continue to talk, they start to wonder what would happen if they made a dating pact with each other. Could their mutual bad luck actually cancel each other out? With just a few simple rules, they might just be able to turn their bad luck into true love. Four dates, one kiss, and a breakup—all to be done just for the summer!

Characters of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

Emma Grant : She is such a nuanced character, shaped by deep-seated trauma and an avoidant attachment style. Despite all she has endured, she remains remarkably positive, filled with hope and empathy. This duality is both her greatest strength and her biggest weakness. Initially, this aspect of her character was frustrating to me—especially seeing her constantly defend her mother, who didn’t deserve it and whom she kept giving countless chances. It was maddening! Yet, this behavior also underscores Emma’s incredible resilience and determination. In the end, it was so satisfying to watch her finally acknowledge her own value and start to work through her trauma.

Justin Dahl : He is a hilarious and charming character who captured my heart. I loved his subtle references to his tech background and his genuine kindness. His journey of becoming a single parent resonated with me deeply. His unwavering support for Emma, especially during her difficult times, was incredibly heartwarming.

Overall, Justin is a well-developed and lovable character who added depth and complexity to the story.

Emma & Justin : The romance in this book was everything I ever dreamed of. It left me speechless because it made me feel every emotion possible 🥹. Justin and Emma were a perfect match; their witty banter and undeniable chemistry were exactly what I was looking for. I was completely swept away by their moments together, especially their sweet domestic scenes, like cooking together and helping the kids. I loved how Emma kept finding reasons to extend her stay. The first kiss scene was so perfectly written that it gave both Emma and me butterflies. Even though it was meant to be a fling, the slow burn, the angst, and the tension were off the charts 🥵. It was the perfect blend of everything I love, and I know I’ll be coming back to it every year, especially during the summer.

Pacing & writing style

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Abby Jimenez’s books often explore deeper themes beyond romance. Initially, I expected Just For The Summer to be primarily a summer fling with some spice. However, I was captivated by the book’s exploration of mature topics, such as grief and healing. The romance, while present, serves as a subplot, allowing for a more nuanced and complex narrative.

The book features a soft and sensual exploration of intimacy, which is crucial to the plot rather than being the sole focus. The characters, Justin and Emma, are deeply developed and relatable, making their journey of healing and growth even more impactful.

I must say, Abby’s writing is something else. The way you craft male characters is remarkable—I am absolutely overwhelmed! What I appreciate most about Abby’s writing is its sincerity. She has a unique ability to evoke raw emotion in a way that no one else can. It’s truly amazing how tender and genuine her narrative voice is for each character. They have become some of my absolute favorites to read about.

Tropes of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez

Tropes : Online meet cute | Summer fling | Dating pact | He falls first | Dual POV | Found family | Slow burn.

Trigger warning of Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez:

• Abandonment, child abuse.
• PTSD.
• Mental health struggles.
• Grief (Death of a loved one).
• Toxic parental relationship.

Some quotes I enjoyed

“It’s exhausting, starting over all the time, again and again. Like there’s no point. Like I’m trapped in some loop, partnered over and over with people I’m just supposed to redistribute down the line to someone else.”

“Maybe home isn’t a place. Maybe it’s a person.”

“Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It makes new breaks. You don’t know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal.”

“Why did you come ? “Because you needed me,” he said simply. “I will always come when you call me.”

“You can love someone and still not be willing to give up your way of life for them. And then there are those you love who you’d take a bullet for.”

“I like you more than like.”

“The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. Its not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about.”

Final Thought

Abby Jimenez must have slipped something addictive into this book because I couldn’t put it down! It was the perfect blend of comedy, angst, tension, and heartfelt moments. Abby’s writing style is so smooth and engaging, making it easy to lose myself in the story.

The characters were complex and multi-layered, making it impossible not to care about them deeply. Emma and Justin’s story started as a casual fling but quickly evolved into something much more meaningful, exploring past traumas along the way. Abby handled these sensitive topics with great care.

I loved this book so much! It’s my favorite Abby’s book so far ! It made me laugh out loud in one chapter and brought tears to my eyes in the next. It’s one of my all-time favorites, and I highly recommend it!

About the author

Practical Information for Readers

Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez Book Formats

Just for the summer is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:

• Paperback / Hardcover : Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
• eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
• Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
• PDF Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.

Where to Find Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez PDF

1. Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
3. Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.

Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez Age Rating

Due to its mature content, Just for the summer by Abby Jimenez is recommended for readers aged 20 and older. Please review the trigger warnings below before reading.

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