Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, has had booktok in a chokehold for a while now. A sensational love story is promised to us, one that will leave the readers yearning not only for a perfect summer escape but also for a dreamy romance to sweep them off their feet.

Justin’s love life has always been a disaster, but now it’s the talk of the internet thanks to a viral Reddit thread. His curse? Every woman he dates finds her true love… right after breaking up with him. When a woman with the same problem reaches out to him, they hatch a wild plan: they’ll date each other, break up, and their curses will cancel out. It sounds crazy, but it just might be their one shot at finding true love.

Enter Emma, a free-spirited traveling nurse who never expected her next assignment would land her in Minnesota. But the chance to break her own curse—and rent a charming cottage on a private island in Lake Minnetonka—is too tempting to resist. 

What starts as a fun, no-strings-attached scheme quickly spirals into something deeper when Emma’s toxic mother makes an unexpected appearance, and Justin suddenly finds himself responsible for his three younger siblings. As they tackle these unexpected challenges together, their fake relationship begins to feel all too real.

The good

If you are looking for a fun summer story, reminiscent of the 2000s rom-coms—complete with the nostalgic quirks and occasional red flags—this book might be just what you’re looking for, provided you keep your expectations low.

With a cozy cottage in the middle of a lake, the perfect love interest and a picturesque city, Just for the Summer may be the ideal beach read. One that does not require much thought and proves to be quick yet enjoyable.

The bad

Where should I begin? Do feel free to grab a cup of your preferred beverage and a snack as this might take a while.

The weak plot

This book is like any other romance book. The plot is predictable as well as the characters. It can be fun at times but this particular novel also chooses to explore some darker themes regarding mental health and child neglect. A subject that is handled questionably.

It’s not written exceptionally badly per se, but not exceptionally well either. There are too many dialogues and too little plot. Though the premise holds promise, the narrative never fully unravels. The characters, side characters and their backstories remain underexplored, leaving the reader with a sense of repetitiveness. For a good portion of the book, the main characters repeatedly lament their problems, but repetition alone doesn’t make for a compelling plot. You know, where meaningful things are supposed to happen. 

Regrettably, we also have to deal with a lukewarm female main character who is intentionally being blind to everything bad happening to or around her whilst simultaneously having no personality or interests apart from her ✨trauma✨.

Insta Love

While many readers are not fazed by tropes like insta love, it can become really annoying, very quickly. The main characters kept talking about forever whilst only knowing each other a few weeks. Could that be a problem? Possibly. But the lack of chemistry between the two is what put the final nail in the coffin.

The Dated Humor

The story is riddled with clichés, almost as if it was written with the hope of being adapted into a movie. It’s like a full grown adult is trying to be “hip with the kids”, trying to make trendy jokes that will resonate with 20 year olds. It comes out as dated, as most of the humor is from the 2010s tumblr era. One might even call it dad humor (e.g. the love interest fist bumping every chance they get). Although, I do recognise that this may appear nostalgic to a niche audience.

Shameless Product Placement

This book reads like an ongoing advertisement, including an incessant stream of name-dropping that highlights various major American brands and even specific shops in Minnesota—coincidentally, the same location as the author’s own cupcake shop. This constant brand placement feels forced and disrupts the authenticity of the narrative, making it seem more like a promotional tool than an organic part of the story.

The Spoilers

Just for the Summer attempts to present an empathetic and caring female main character (FMC), but this portrayal feels forced. The author repeatedly tells us that the FMC is compassionate and always looks out for others, yet in reality, Emma only embodies this version of herself with her mother Amber, the one character who treats her horribly. 

Despite the many opportunities for rich plot development—like Amber’s past, Emma discovering her family, her actual healing process, or the backstory of Justin’s mom going to jail and getting out four years early—these elements are glossed over, treated as mere afterthoughts. The author even includes a section after the book ends explaining why Amber behaved the way she did. Something that should have been integrated into the story rather than spoon-fed to the reader at the end.

As for the mental health aspect of the book, which is claimed to be a big one, the very real issues mentioned throughout the story are never looked too closely into. Despite being painfully ignorant of the trauma she’s endured from years of neglect, the FMC suddenly gains complete self-awareness by the end of the book. After just three months of therapy, she not only understands her mental health issues but also knows how to treat them and eliminate any toxic behaviors. It’s a rushed resolution that feels unrealistic, considering she’s ignored her problems for 29 years and somehow overcomes them in such a short amount of time.

Any explanations given regarding mental health issues felt superficial and disjointed. Although the author apparently consulted licensed therapists to convey the right message, the attempt falls flat.The FMC instead preaches toxic positivity, both before and after recognizing her trauma, a fact that undermines the gravity of her journey. Mental health is used as a buzzword throughout the book, with the actual details on the characters’ struggles reading more like excerpts from a handbook than a thoughtful exploration of their issues.

The rating

In conclusion, this is not a book I would recommend if you are looking for a meaningful emotional romance. However, if you’re simply looking for a light, fun read and are willing to overlook the bumps along the way, it might be worth giving it a try.

Final Rating: 1.25/5 stars