Abby Jimenez delivers another heartfelt, emotionally rich romance with Just for the Summer, a story that blends humor, vulnerability, and slow-burn chemistry into one unforgettable summer love story. Known for her ability to balance lighthearted banter with deeper emotional themes, Jimenez once again proves why she’s one of the most beloved voices in contemporary romance.
Story Overview
Justin has a problem that sounds straight out of a rom-com: every woman he dates goes on to find her soulmate right after breaking up with him. When his story goes viral on Reddit, Emma, a traveling nurse with the exact same “curse,” messages him with a wild idea – they’ll date each other, break up, and cancel their bad luck once and for all.
Their plan leads Emma to Minnesota, where she rents a cozy cottage on a private island for the summer. What starts as a temporary fling turns into something far more complicated as Emma’s estranged mother reenters her life and Justin suddenly finds himself responsible for his younger siblings. Between family chaos, emotional wounds, and undeniable attraction, this “fake dating” experiment becomes the most real thing either of them has ever experienced.
Writing and Emotional Depth
Jimenez has an incredible gift for weaving humor and heartbreak together. The novel begins with a fun premise built on witty online exchanges and turns into something deeply moving. Beneath the light tone lies a raw exploration of trauma, abandonment, and healing. The author handles difficult subjects like emotional neglect, anxiety, and family dysfunction with remarkable empathy and authenticity.
The pacing is steady and satisfying, shifting naturally between tender moments, laugh-out-loud dialogue, and quiet scenes of introspection. The writing feels cinematic, full of warmth and heart without ever becoming overly sentimental.
Characters and Relationships
Emma is one of the most realistic, well-written heroines in recent romance. She’s compassionate, fiercely independent, and shaped by a painful past that makes it hard for her to trust love. Her journey toward emotional healing feels deeply personal and relatable.
Justin, meanwhile, is pure comfort. He’s patient, kind, and steady – a man who shows love through small acts of care. He’s proof that quiet strength and emotional maturity are just as romantic as grand gestures. Together, Emma and Justin embody a love that feels lived-in and real – one built not on perfection, but on presence.
Supporting characters add depth and charm, especially Justin’s siblings and Emma’s best friend Maddy. Their found-family dynamic brings both levity and grounding to the story.
Themes
At its core, Just for the Summer explores what it truly means to love and be loved. It dismantles the idea of “perfect” relationships and instead celebrates the beauty found in ordinary, everyday moments. It’s about choosing empathy over anger, finding healing in connection, and learning that love is often less about fireworks and more about quiet constancy.
Notable Quotes
- “The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life.”
- “Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are.”
- “Because when you’re in love, you do hard things.”
Final Thoughts
Just for the Summer is the kind of book that stays with you long after you close it – tender, funny, and deeply human. It’s both a love story and a story about healing, family, and self-forgiveness. Whether you’re a longtime Abby Jimenez fan or a first-time reader, this novel will warm your heart and maybe even make you cry a little.
Rating: 5 out of 5
A beautifully layered summer romance that reminds us love isn’t about perfection – it’s about showing up.
Get your copy of Just for the Summer on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pRpSOH
