This Just For the Summer review details a five-star romantic beach read. Justin and Emma have an internet meet-cute, then “fake date” to break a curse. You’ll love how they deal with real-life parent issues amidst their growing feelings for one another. Get more details below.
Just For the Summer Review
My Rating: a rare five out of five stars for a delightful romance with quirky characters, a summery lake setting, and a fast-paced plot that are impossible not to love.
Plot Summary
In Just For the Summer, Justin feels cursed. Every woman he dates finds her soulmate just after breaking up with him. Emma is similarly “cursed.” Together, they plan to date each other and break up so they can live happily ever after with someone else.
A traveling nurse with her friend, Emma gets a nursing job and rents an adorable cottage on Lake Minnetonka near Justin to bring this plan to life.
Emma and Justin connect deeper than expected over their “mommy” issues. They may be the perfect pair. But, the chaos left by Emma’s mom seems too complicated to make the plan work.
Ending Explained
Yes. Justin shares on Reddit that he proposed to Emma on a Toilet King billboard from his old apartment two years later, and she accepted.
Pros and Cons
Just For the Summer proves that Abby Jimenez can continue to deliver everything her readers love in a fictional romance book: escapism blended with quirky characters, alternating male and female perspectives, cute dogs, and real-life issues.
The best part? This summer romance novel features my favorite couple in Abby Jimenez’s books. They are quirky, loveable, have great chemistry, and support each other through difficult life issues. The supporting cast, including some characters you’ll recognize and a dog (of course), round out this “slightly more complicated than normal” romance. There is also one spicy scene for steamy romance lovers!
Just For the Summer is great for those who like a little bit of realistic drama in their escape reads. It’s one quick and very enjoyable summer-themed read.
The only con I have is that this type of light romance novel doesn’t have the lush literary prose I often crave as a literary fiction reader. That being said, I often thought about how much I was enjoying this book despite that as I read along. It’s one of the only romance books I’ve given a five-star rating, and it was one of the best books of the year. That’s saying a lot!
Months later, I am still thinking about Just For the Summer. Who says a literary fling can’t last?!
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remember, it’s a good day to read a book. – jules
