Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez promises another wonderful adventure into romance. Summer is here, and there’s no better novel to lounge on the beach with this summer. In this review, we delve into the captivating narrative, the endearing characters, and the enchanting setting that make Abby Jimenez’s latest offering a must-read for romance enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Join us as we explore the nuances of this charming summer romance.
Grab your comfiest blanket, curl up, and be whisked away into a soft, fluffy romance.
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Just for the Summer Abby Jimenez
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?
Our Overview
In Just for the Summer, the central characters, Emma and Justin, share an unusual predicament: everyone they date ends up finding their true soulmate in their next relationship. Determined to break this “curse,” they hatch a plan to date each other just long enough to set themselves free. Their strategy involves four dates, a kiss, and then a breakup. However, things don’t go as planned. From the start, Emma and Justin feel a genuine spark between them. Complicating matters, real life keeps intervening—Emma’s neglectful mother reappears, and Justin finds himself taking care of his younger siblings after his own mother leaves. Amidst these challenges, Emma and Justin face their fears, reveal truths about their lives, gain new insights, and ultimately find a true connection with each other.
Our Review
We fell in love with Just for the Summer from the moment Emma and Justin, the two main characters, connect online through a viral Reddit thread. In the thread, Justin shares his plight: every woman he dates ends up finding her soulmate immediately after they break up. Intrigued by this, Emma reaches out because she experiences the same “curse.” They quickly hit it off and devise a plan to date each other, hoping their curses will cancel out and finally allow them to find their own soulmates.
This unique and fun premise instantly drew us in, and we found ourselves rooting for Emma and Justin, who clearly share great chemistry. However, they face a significant obstacle—distance. Justin lives in Minnesota, while Emma and her best friend Maddy are traveling nurses set to go to Hawaii for several months. Seeing Emma’s growing interest in Justin, Maddy agrees to change their plans, and they head to Minnesota instead.
While the story delivers plenty of romcom delights as Emma and Justin begin dating, it was Emma’s backstory that truly captivated us. Her choice to become a traveling nurse rather than settling down and starting a family becomes poignant when her toxic mother shows up in Minnesota, threatening the fragile new life Emma is building. Our hearts ached for Emma, but we were grateful for the unwavering support of Maddy and Justin. Maddy, fiercely protective of Emma, teaches Justin how to best support Emma when her mother tries to undermine her. Justin, already a standout character, truly shines in these moments, solidifying his place as an unforgettable book boyfriend.
We also loved how “Just for the Summer” reintroduces characters from Jimenez’s other books, particularly “Part of Your World.” While this novel stands strong on its own, reading “Part of Your World” first adds an extra layer of enjoyment and depth to the experience. Overall, “Just for the Summer” is a delightful and heartfelt read that we highly recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Just for the Summer” a standalone novel or part of a series?
“Just for the Summer” is a standalone novel, but it shares the same universe as Abby Jimenez’s other novels and showcases some characters from those books.
How old is Emma in Just for the Summer?
Emma, the protagonist in Just for the Summer is a 28-year-old travelling nurse.
Is there a happily ever after ending?
Without revealing too much, “Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez follows a lot of the same themes as her other books: a happy ending!
Is Just for the Summer spicy?
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez has a few spicy scenes peppered in there, but not anything overpowering.
