Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Justin 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?

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Awards & Accolades

Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romance (2024),

Nominee for Readers' Favorite Audiobook (2024)

Angela's Review

I am not really a romance reader, but often after finishing a heavy book, I need what I call a "palate cleanser." That is when I reach for a good rom-com, and this one served that purpose well.

This book is part of a series but can be read as a standalone, which is what I did. It is 400 pages long but I read it in two days. I was thoroughly "sucked in" to the storyline. This book isn’t a heavy one. It remains funny and uplifting while still addressing some significant family issues. I will admit I did shed a few tears in the middle of the book.

It’s really more than a romance story and it doesn’t dignify unhealthy choices or behaviours, which is what I like about this author's writing. 

Both main characters have family issues, but that doesn’t overshadow their characters. It explains why they are the way they are; it’s sort of a wrong-time, right-person situation. I especially liked Justin as a main character. He was very direct, caring, and just a nice guy. He was who Emma needed, even when she wasn’t ready to admit it. 

I particularly liked how the mental health issues were mentioned and addressed. Everyone probably goes through something; however, how you address it matters. Some accept help while some don’t, leaving a wave of destruction in their path to themselves and the people around them. Others utilize it as an excuse to be a bad person, while some accept help and want to be better. I’m not the best person to talk about this, but it was really enlightening. 

This was a good read and as far as romance novels go, I give it 5 stars.