Just for the Summer

Okay, I am going to try to write this without totally comparing it to the first two books in this series because it is it's own work and that wouldn't be fair. Soooo... Just for the Summer was a great story, with emphasis on mental health, difficult parent relationships, and trauma and how those things affect our relationships. As expected, Justin fits the Abby Jimenez Cinnamon Roll male main character requirement (thank goodness). Emma was a little more of a difficult character for me, but that was the intention. I am learning that women who self-sabotage is not something I enjoy reading. I know, I know.. she is traumatized... it is still hard to read for me. The book was kind of slow, and the banter between Emma and Justin was really the only comic relief. I read a review that said this book reads more like an Emily Henry novel, and I agree. Justin definitely brought the romance, but this book was definitely more women's fiction than the other two in this series vs. romance. The plot fell a little flat, no major twists that you didn't see coming.

Now to the comparing - because I have to. I am not sure how folks love this more than Yours Truly and Part of Your World. Both of those books completely wrecked me, I didn't want them to end, I laughed, I cried, I felt every emotion, I felt severe attachment to the characters to the point where I actually cried when Jacob and Briana had one scene in this book LOL. On the flipside, I was ready for Just for the Summer to end, to be honest. I wasn't wrecked. It felt too dragged out, just like the two Emily Henry books I read and did not love. So if you LOVE Emily Henry, you'll love this book.

I would recommend anyone new to Abby Jiminez read something else first. I appreciated this because I love her and I love all of the other characters from the other books being intertwined, but I really was hoping for a little bit more drama. Also, the reference to being “small” was way overused.

Gosh, I really wanted this to be more positive but here we are. Can't win ‘em all.

Still 4 stars because Abby is an amazing writer, and just because the style and pace of this book were different, it wasn't necessarily BAD, it just wasn't my favorite of hers.