Just for the Summer: Jimenez, Abby: 9781538704431: Amazon.com: Books

[5 Stars🤩] I am so glad I picked up Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez because it was an incredibly special and wonderful book that I will remember for a very long time to come. I read Yours Truly last year and had very mixed feelings over it (Jacob was THE BEST but I hated the miscommunication), so I was cautiously optimistic for Just for the Summer after seeing so many amazing reviews. But once I started reading it, I knew within the first 25% that it would be my new favorite Abby Jimenez book, and I wasn’t disappointed because she nailed it with the combination of humor, emotional depth, character growth, and romance. Justin and Emma’s story was a heartfelt, multi-faceted story that made me laugh, cry, and swoon. It broke my heart and then put it back together better than it was before all the while shedding light on some darker topics, and the end result was nothing short of a work of art that lived up to all the hype. I wish I had better words to describe how often I think about Just for the Summer and how it made me feel, so all I will say is that it was a perfect book from start to finish, and I hope you decide to pick it up soon!____________________________________Details:💘Contemporary romance🎈Romantic comedy🩺Doctor/medical romance👀Dual, first-person POV🌦Darker themes and elements🧠Mental health representation🥀Third act breakup🙌Would re-read🌟2024 FavoriteCharacters and tropes:😇Book boyfriend🧁Cinnamon roll MMC📍Forced proximity🧩Found family💙He falls first🤐Secrets👩‍🎤Single parent/guardianSpice:🧨Slow burn💥Non-explicit intimate content (medium)____________________________________Emoji Ranking System:🤩Excellent to Fantastic (4.75-5.00)😍Very Good to Great (4.25-4.50)😊Good to Really Good (3.50-4.00)😒Just OK to Decent (2.75-3.25)😑It's A No (1.00-2.50)🚫DNF

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.---

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.