Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Series: Part Of Your World #3
Published by Grand Central Publishing on April 2, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Humorous / General, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Women
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Book of the Month
Instant #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club Pick!
This witty, slow-burn rom-com is the "ideal beach read." --ElleJustin 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?
My Review
I am just going to say it here: this may be my favorite Abby Jimenez book yet. I first read her last year when I picked up Part Of Your World, and I absolutely loved that book. I think it even ended up being on my best books of last year’s list if my memory serves me correctly. I did not think that I would read another book by this author and be blown away like I was with Part Of Your World, but I am happy to say that I was wrong because her newest release has me reeling. This book is so much more than just a romance. For me, it is also a rollercoaster of emotions, and one that I am happy I went on. This story truly hits on some seriously heavy topics. So please, Reader, check trigger warnings (they will be listed below as always). These characters will stay with me for a while, I am sure of it. If you are looking for a beach read that is more than just romance but will still have you swooning, then maybe give this book a go because I do not think that you will be disappointed.
In this story, we follow Emma and Justin, two people cursed in love. It does not seem to matter who they date or when they date; whenever they break up, the results are always the same: the other person goes on to find their soulmate. Emma is a traveling nurse who lives with her best friend, Maddy (she is also a traveling nurse). Emma and Maddy have been besties since childhood (they are almost like sisters). The two of them have been traveling nurses for years, and they have a system all worked out. The two of them take turns every six weeks or so and choose where they will go for their next assignments. This life is something that Emma really enjoys because it always keeps her moving, which will make more sense as you read the book.
Justin is an engineer living in a tiny apartment with a view of a large Toilet King billboard right outside his window. He did not always live in this apartment, but things have recently changed, and he had to move into it due to financial reasons. Soon after, he got a dog and named it Brad, after his friend. Reader, there is a whole story in that, which you will discover as you read the book. Justin has also gone viral on Reddit for being a good luck charm when it comes to love. Again, as I said above, whoever dates him goes on to find their soulmate. He is the type of guy most people would want to have a relationship with because he is so sweet and caring and always puts others first. He really is the whole package.
It is not long before Emma and Justin meet on Reddit and develop a friendship through texting and phone calls. Justin eventually convinces Emma to come to Minnesota on her next six week work placement so they can see if they are able to break each other’s curses by dating one another. The rules are simple: four dates, one kiss, and a breakup, then off to find their soulmates. I feel like this would fall under the fake dating trope since they both are in it for reasons other than a relationship with one another. As expected, with all the fake dating stories I have read, they catch feelings for one another. However, the circumstances are more tricky than most I have read. They each have serious baggage that needs to be addressed, and I feel it should be said that their baggage has nothing to do with their own life choices. I think that this is a particular area in which Abby Jimenez really succeeds for me. In my opinion, she always does a great job when it comes to writing about mental health issues, and this book is no different. Reader, now I say that as someone who struggles with their mental health on a regular basis. I really do think she does a great job understanding these issues and making her characters realistic.
Just For The Summer is everything I want in a summer read. I believe it will be making my top books of the year. Reader, if you love a story with characters who come alive on the page, then give this one a go. If you love great banter, solid friendships, found family, back story, depth, a bit of chaos, romance, cozy settings, and so much more, then please pick this one up. If you have read the other two books in the series, then definitely give this one a go. This is not only because it has characters from the other stories in it but also because I think that it is the best in the series. I understand completely that this is just my opinion, but I really do believe it. These characters will stay with me for a long time, and I can see myself reading this book repeatedly. Now, Reader, please tell me, have you read anything by this author, and if so, what have you read? As always, I am curious to know. Until Next Time, Reader, Happy Reading.
Trigger Warnings:
- Parental Loss
- Incarceration
- Neglect of a Child
- Undiagnosed Mental Illness
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Foster Care
- Panic Attacks
- Depression
- Toxic Mother