From the Publisher
Jimenez is a true talent.”—Emily Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read
“Abby Jimenez has proven time and time again to be one of our must-read writers.”—Cosmopolitan
“An emotional tour de force.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“With a perfect sense of literary aplomb and an abundance of deliciously sharp wit, Jimenez continues on an extraordinary upward trajectory with another gorgeously crafted contemporary romance. From moments of irresistible comic charm (a date with rescue kittens from the Bitty Kitty Brigade) to a compelling and compassionate story line that deftly and delicately deals with the impact of trauma on a person’s emotional and physical well-being, Jimenez expertly balances humor and heart in this sublimely satisfying love story.”—Booklist, starred review
“The beloved Abby Jimenez gives ‘it’s just a fling!’ a whole new meaning in this ideal beach read… Far more layered than its breezy, beautiful cover might suggest, JUST FOR THE SUMMER is yet another hit.”—Elle
This witty, emotion-filled novel from Jimenez isn’t one to just read, it’s one to sink into.—Library Journal, starred review
“Jimenez builds a beautifully compelling [love story.]”—USA Today
Elle
Jimenez gives ‘it’s just a fling’ a whole new meaning in this ideal beach read…Far more layered than its breezy, beautiful cover might suggest, Just for the Summer is yet another hit.”
AudioFile
Fans of the author will welcome back familiar narrators in this stand-alone rom-com…Zachary Webber uses a tender questioning tone as Justin tries to connect with his sister and in another scene is hilariously drunk. Christine Lakin’s nuanced performance is perfect, especially when she concedes to a friend that they’ve done stranger things than ‘fake date’ to find romance. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read Emily Henry
Jimenez is a true talent.
Audiofile Earphone Award Winner
Fans of the author will welcome back familiar narrators in this stand-alone rom-com.
Cosmopolitan
Abby Jimenez has proven time and time again to be one of our must-read writers.
APRIL 2024 - AudioFile
Fans of the author will welcome back familiar narrators in this stand-alone rom-com. Every woman Justin dates finds her soulmate immediately after they break up. Emma, who is similarly cursed, messages Justin after reading a Reddit thread about his love troubles. The two decide to "fake date" in the hope that their curses will cancel each other out. Real feelings develop quickly, but are they enough to combat the couple's emotional baggage and bad timing? Zachary Webber uses a tender questioning tone as Justin tries to connect with his sister and in another scene is hilariously drunk. Christine Lakin's nuanced performance is perfect, especially when she concedes to a friend that they've done stranger things than "fake date" to find romance. A.L.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2024-02-03
Two people with bad luck in relationships find each other through a popular Reddit thread.
Emma Grant and her best friend, Maddy, are travel nurses, working at hospitals for three-month stints while they see the country. Just a few weeks before they’re set to move to Hawaii, Emma reads a popular “Am I the Asshole” Reddit thread from a Minnesota man who thinks he’s cursed—women he dates find their soulmates after breaking up with him, and the latest one found true love with his best friend! Emma has had a similar experience, which inspires her to DM the man and commiserate. She’s delighted by her witty, lively interactions with software engineer Justin Dahl, and is intrigued when he suggests that if they date each other, maybe they’ll each find their soulmate afterward. Emma upends the Hawaii plan and convinces Maddy to move to Minneapolis for the summer so she can meet Justin in person. The overly complex setup brings Emma and Justin together and the two hit it off, with Justin immediately falling head over heels for Emma. Jimenez then pivots to creating romantic roadblocks and melodramatic subplots centering on each character’s family of origin. Justin’s mother is about to serve six years in prison for embezzlement, which means Justin must move back home to care for his three much younger siblings. Emma was traumatized by her own mother for much of her childhood, left to fend for herself and eventually abandoned in the foster system. When her mother shows up in Minnesota, Emma must face her traumatic childhood and admit that she has prioritized her mother’s well-being over her own. There is little time devoted to Emma’s painful efforts to heal herself enough to accept Justin’s love, which leaves the novel feeling unsatisfying.
A wallowing, emotionally wrenching family drama that leaves little time for romance.
