Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez published her first novel in 2019 and has become a romance powerhouse since then. Her books are incredibly popular, being chosen as book club picks and books of the year, and being translated into 28 languages. Just for the Summer, published in 2024, was chosen as a Good Morning America Book Club pick and is a New York Times bestseller. It was named an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Books of the Year for 2024 and by Harper's Bazaar as one of the Top 10 Best Summer Romance Books of All Time! It deals with child abuse and neglect, mental illness, toxic relationships, vomit, grief, fire, and abandonment.

All Justin wanted to know was if he was the asshole for naming his ugly, newly adopted dog after he ex-roommate who moved out of their apartment early and left Justin footing the cost of the place alone. But his Reddit thread went viral, not just because of the dog but because of Justin's curse. Every woman he dates goes on to marry the next person they date. It's the reason his ex-roommate moved out. He started dating Justin's ex-girlfriend and now the two are engaged and living together. When Abby sees the viral thread, she is intrigued because she has the same problem! She reaches out to Justin and the two of them decide to take matters into their own hands. If they date each other, their curses will be broken! In theory, Emma should find her happily ever after once she and Justin date and break up, and vice versa. It doesn't take long for Justin to think that maybe he wasn't cursed after all. Maybe he was just waiting to meet Emma.

Well, well, well. Prepare to see a bunch of Abby Jimenez books reviewed this year because this book was great! I'm honestly not sure what more I could ask from a romance novel since this one included complex PTSD and arson, it's everything I didn't know I was looking for. Both of the main characters in this story have real problems. They are complex, they are dynamic, they are funny, they are struggling. Loved them. The setting was well fleshed out including the problems that come along with it, the secondary characters were delightful and only a little bit exaggerated while feeling realistic and not overdone. The writing was fun and easy, even while dealing with very serious issues like the complexities of mental health. The first chapter had me laughing, I loved the ending. It wasn't five stars for me but it was very close.

I'm giving Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez 4.75 stars out of 5. It was the first of her books I've read and it turns out it was the third book in a series, so I'll be reading the first two in the series pretty soon. I can't wait.

For more from Abby Jimenez, check out her website at https://www.authorabbyjimenez.com/

Pairs well with a peanut butter burger and not listening to the haters when you name your dog.

My favorite quotes:

"'He's gone, Justin. May God rest his soul.' I blinked at her. 'Your boyfriend died?' 'He's dead to me!'"

"Being mature enough to know your limits and adult enough to accept when someone tells you what they are. Even if it breaks your heart."