Abby Jimenez

A sharp and scintillating summer novel that will make readers laugh out loud and cry happy tears from the New York Times bestselling author of Yours Truly. 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?

Just for the Summer

Megan Murray 

Maybe home isn't a place. Maybe it's a person.

issa

Jillian Roberts

I blinked at her. "I don't know how you could forgive someone like that."

She shrugged again and looked up at me. "Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin.”

I paused. "What if I mess them up?" I asked quietly.

She smiled at me gently. "What if you save them?”

Emma Hak-Kovacs

"You're not asking too much," he said. "You were just asking the wrong person. Ask me instead."

"You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next."

But everything I knew about myself prior to the moment I laid eyes on her was no longer true. 

“Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy.”

"Sometimes the best way to show love or be kind to someone is to meet them where they are" 

“What if you or your mom or the kids were supposed to die in a car crash and your dad said ‘Take me instead' - and the universe did. And nobody remembers the way it was supposed to be because that's the deal. You never get to know that he's a hero. The fates are reversed and the tribute takes the thing he asked for to save someone he loves. If you think of it that way, instead of being sad that he's gone, be happy that he got what he wanted. And that somebody loved you enough to take your place." 

"Maybe home isn't a place. Maybe it's a person." She blew a soft breath through her nose. "Maybe it is."

Even if it was just a tiny moment in a long lifetime of moments, I was happy to be a part of it.

It’s funny how when you find someone you like as much as I liked her, the destination is suddenly wherever they are. Even if there's someplace better, you wouldn't go if they couldn’t come.

I couldn't quit. I couldn't stop paddling. If the floatie popped and I ended up in the water I'd swim to her even if hers wasn't the nearest shore. I was going to get to her or die trying.

"Why did you come?" "Because you needed me," he said simply. "I will always come when you call." 

"You didn't leave," I whispered. I will never leave you," he said tiredly. 

"You didn't leave," I whispered. “I will never leave you," he said tiredly. 

It was funny how much I wished I had these small, normal things. To wake up next to her and make her breakfast. Make plans for the holidays, ask her what she needed from the store on my way home and have our shows that we wouldn't watch without each other.

Victoria

• In looking at him I wondered if you see things differently in childhood. If innocence can make anything beautiful. Because he looked like he always had, but I didn't remember him being this tattered.

• "Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It makes new breaks. You don't know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal."

• Choosing a life without them doesn't mean you stop caring about them. It just means that you can't allow them to harm you anymore

• My defenses fought the impulse without even letting me know there was a fight, the way your immune system knocks down infections you don't even know you've been exposed to.

Kath

• In looking at him I wondered if you see things differently in childhood. If innocence can make anything beautiful. Because he looked like he always had, but I didn't remember him being this tattered.
• "Unhealed trauma is a crack. And all the little hard things that trickle into it that would have rolled off someone else, settle. Then when life gets cold, that crack gets bigger, longer, deeper. It makes new breaks. You don't know how broken she was or what she was trying to do to fill those cracks. Being broken is not an excuse for bad behavior, you still have to make good choices and do the right thing. But it can be the reason. And sometimes understanding the reason can be what helps you heal."
• Choosing a life without them doesn't mean you stop caring about them. It just means that you can't allow them to harm you anymore
• My defenses fought the impulse without even letting me know there was a fight, the way your immune system knocks down infections you don't even know you've been exposed to.

You can just step over me. I'm on the ground, bowing down to the perfection that is Justin. Just step over.

I loved this couple, and I also loved the side characters. I wanted what was best for them, and I wanted them to thrive.

I was emotional and found myself tearing up, and I also was probably smiling externally; which is actually embarrassing, but I'm moving past that.

What a create conclusion, and I will think about this read for a while.

Sarah Campbell

You can just step over me. I'm on the ground, bowing down to the perfection that is Justin. Just step over.
I loved this couple, and I also loved the side characters. I wanted what was best for them, and I wanted them to thrive.
I was emotional and found myself tearing up, and I also was probably smiling externally; which is actually embarrassing, but I'm moving past that.
What a create conclusion, and I will think about this read for a while.

For the first impression, I thought it would be a rom-com book, with a light storyline and filled with laughter, but I was wrong. After I read this book, I learned how complex humans are. We all have our own flaws, our own problems; we acknowledge them, or maybe we don't even know what's wrong with us. We might have trauma that was caused by what we've been through since our childhood, and in this book, all that complexity is explained in such a beautiful, poetic way. The meeting of Emma and Justin is not just because of love, but it's more like a fate that they met to heal each other's trauma. I know a partner shouldn't be the healer of the trauma of their partner, but it makes me think that if you have met the right person, you'll get to fill the crack that you've felt; it's more like the right people make you know about yourself, like a self-actualization. Every relationship is not flawless, but what makes it perfect is the way it always feels like home, even though it is so messy, but you'll always know that they always welcome you warmly, even though you've been travelling so far away. If you want to read a romance book with lots of meaningful quotes about life, and it's not just about love in a romantic way but also could change your perspective about life, you should read this book at least once in your life.

love, kinanti

I actually really enjoyed this book!! I really resonated and related with Emma, and found myself even shedding a few tears on the airplane as I read along. The dialogue and banter were amazing???? This was my first introduction to Abby Jimenez and I will in fact be reading more from her!!! 

gabes

Tiana holt

I really enjoyed this one. I liked how it connected all the way back to A Part of Your World.

Michelle Hruby

Good premise but felt like it was trying too hard. While I fully understand that this was meant to be about mental health and ptsd I feel the main character and the main dialogues were unrealistic and were a clear tool for discussing the issues at hand. This took away from the story and added to this feeling like a book trying to do too much at once. Skimmed the last 50% of the book. Surprised by the twist at the end but only because so much else had been crammed into the book I'd forgotten all about the dna test

Soph

Alyssa Weaver

Abby can’t do nothing wrong in my eyes! The way she brings people together is top tier!!!!!!!

Leidy Ramirez

propaganda i will for fall? justin fucking dahl. the only valid J.

I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I picked it up! While it absolutely works as a standalone, there are some Easter eggs and character cameos that from the first two books that I didn’t pick up on until reading the Q&A with Abby at the end. 

I really enjoyed this story. It does touch on some heavier topics, but it’s written in a way that still feels light and easy to read. The balance of humor and heart was spot-on, and I found myself flying through it. The characters were lovable, the chemistry was great, and the banter made me smile.

It was exactly what I needed to help push me further out of my reading slump! 

Baylea Fancher

I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I picked it up! While it absolutely works as a standalone, there are some Easter eggs and character cameos that from the first two books that I didn’t pick up on until reading the Q&A with Abby at the end. 

I really enjoyed this story. It does touch on some heavier topics, but it’s written in a way that still feels light and easy to read. The balance of humor and heart was spot-on, and I found myself flying through it. The characters were lovable, the chemistry was great, and the banter made me smile.

It was exactly what I needed to help push me further out of my reading slump! 

One thing love about Abby Jimenez books is how they always explore real human issues and how they affect each main character from coming together and being solved realistically in the end. She doesn’t just make silly rom coms, she really captures the essence of what issues the characters are said to be going through.

The sprinkle of Part of Your World characters and connections was also cute, but not necessary to read those books for the plot.

lily

One thing love about Abby Jimenez books is how they always explore real human issues and how they affect each main character from coming together and being solved realistically in the end. She doesn’t just make silly rom coms, she really captures the essence of what issues the characters are said to be going through.

The sprinkle of Part of Your World characters and connections was also cute, but not necessary to read those books for the plot.

“Am I the Asshole?” Reddit Post turned into a love story with Minnesota Lake Summer vibes. This book did an amazing job on touching on overcoming childhood trauma while also being funny and an overall great read. The plot twist was completely unexpected !! I can’t wait to read more from this author!! 

Leah Diaz 

This was a confounding read. It was full of heart and you went on a journey of healing yet I felt as though we were being told what to feel instead of being able to feel it with the characters. The writing was a little robotic but it had be giggling and rooting for everyone’s happiness 

Monserrat Navarro 

I will be sending my therapy bill to you Abby - your books destroy me EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face as Abby's writing - it is always so beautiful and so heartbreaking in the best way. This book has A LOT of trauma/PTSD especially childhood trauma - please read the warnings and read with caution.

This Part of Your World Series was so good and Abbys character development is 

 she is amazing at making you fall in love with her characters while they fall apart and put themselves back together on the page.

Brittany Peterson

I will be sending my therapy bill to you Abby - your books destroy me EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face as Abby's writing - it is always so beautiful and so heartbreaking in the best way. This book has A LOT of trauma/PTSD especially childhood trauma - please read the warnings and read with caution.

This Part of Your World Series was so good and Abbys character development is chefs kiss she is amazing at making you fall in love with her characters while they fall apart and put themselves back together on the page.

I loved this. It is really heavy and has a lot of CPTSD and childhood trauma, but the story was beautiful. Loved the characters. 

Anna Lane

I don’t think I could have asked for anything more in this book. It was sweet, it was funny, and it navigated delicate topics with such care. 

I was so emotionally invested in Emma and Justin’s journey. It’s a beautiful thing when people can work through their trauma and allow love to grow in its place.

Also the Reddit thread as a plot device was GENIUS, and I loved it. 

Alissa 

I don’t think I could have asked for anything more in this book. It was sweet, it was funny, and it navigated delicate topics with such care. 

I was so emotionally invested in Emma and Justin’s journey. It’s a beautiful thing when people can work through their trauma and allow love to grow in its place.

Also the Reddit thread as a plot device was GENIUS, and I loved it. 

✨“Well, then I went to Target for nail polish remover—” “And you went to Starbucks.” “Yes, I went to Starbucks. I had to, it was right there.”

✨The moment Emma came into view, my entire world slipped into slow motion. My brain took a screenshot. I felt the moment freeze and save. She was beautiful.

✨“Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin. I

✨“You know how when something bad happens to someone you love, and you wish you could take it from them instead?” “Yeah.” “What if the universe listened? What if you or your mom or the kids were supposed to die in a car crash and your dad said ‘Take me instead’—and the universe did. And nobody remembers the way it was supposed to be because that’s the deal. You never get to know that he’s a hero. The fates are reversed and the tribute takes the thing he asked for to save someone he loves. If you think of it that way, instead of being sad that he’s gone, be happy that he got what he wanted. And that somebody loved you enough to take your place.” I think sometimes the key to happiness is framing those things in a different way.”

✨“Wow. We’re checking each other for lice. I guess you could say things are gettin’ pretty serious.”

✨Not everything that comes out of crisis is bad. Sometimes your traumas are the reason you know how to help.

✨Justin was on the island. Not the real one. The one in my soul.

✨He pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head. And for the first time maybe ever, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

✨“Sometimes I feel like the seasons could come and go and come and go, a hundred years could pass, a thousand, the ground could collapse under us, this house could crumble and go back to the earth, and we would still be standing here frozen in time, because every second I’m with you is eternal. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

✨“You deserve to be appreciated, Emma.” “I think I’m just used to feeling like I’m asking too much when I need something. Unless it’s Maddy. My mom—” “You’re not asking too much,” he said. “You were just asking the wrong person. Ask me instead.”

✨I chose to believe that she didn’t want to be the villain in my life—even if she was. I didn’t lose my beautiful empathy, as Maddy called it once. I still believed what I always had, that people are complex and nothing is black and white. I believed that now more than ever.

✨And there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t feel her absence like a void in my soul. I missed her like I missed the sun in the winter. I’d realized something after being with her. A valuable lesson that I think all the best and most enduring romances have figured out. The love stories sold us the wrong thing.

The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about.

Taking the end piece of the bread at breakfast so she can have the last middle piece for her sandwich when you pack her lunch. Making sure her car always has gas so she never has to stop at the pump. Telling her you’re not cold and to take your jacket when you are in fact, very, very cold. It’s watching TV on a rainy Sunday while you’re doing laundry and turning her light off when she’s fallen asleep reading. Sharing pizza crusts and laughing about something the kids did and taking care of each other when you’re sick.

It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out.

✨“I know it probably doesn’t matter, but I could meet you where you are now. I can meet all of you. I’ve filled my cracks. I don’t want to be an island. I want a village. I want lots of friends and lots of love in my life.

✨“Don’t walk out on me again.” It took me a moment to comprehend what he was saying. It was such a change from the moment before. “Please,” he begged. “I would stay forever if you asked me,” I whispered. “Then stay.”

✨“You know,” he said, “if the curse is true, the next person you date is going to be your soulmate.” I smiled. “The next person you date’s going to be yours too.” He cupped my face in his palms. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime,” he whispered. “Four dates. A kiss. No breakup.” I laughed, the tears starting to well again. “Not just for the summer?” “No. Forever this time.”

Mariaaa

✨“Well, then I went to Target for nail polish remover—” “And you went to Starbucks.” “Yes, I went to Starbucks. I had to, it was right there.”

✨The moment Emma came into view, my entire world slipped into slow motion. My brain took a screenshot. I felt the moment freeze and save. She was beautiful.

✨“Why not forgive? In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy, Justin. I

✨“You know how when something bad happens to someone you love, and you wish you could take it from them instead?” “Yeah.” “What if the universe listened? What if you or your mom or the kids were supposed to die in a car crash and your dad said ‘Take me instead’—and the universe did. And nobody remembers the way it was supposed to be because that’s the deal. You never get to know that he’s a hero. The fates are reversed and the tribute takes the thing he asked for to save someone he loves. If you think of it that way, instead of being sad that he’s gone, be happy that he got what he wanted. And that somebody loved you enough to take your place.” I think sometimes the key to happiness is framing those things in a different way.”

✨“Wow. We’re checking each other for lice. I guess you could say things are gettin’ pretty serious.”

✨Not everything that comes out of crisis is bad. Sometimes your traumas are the reason you know how to help.

✨Justin was on the island. Not the real one. The one in my soul.

✨He pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head. And for the first time maybe ever, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

✨“Sometimes I feel like the seasons could come and go and come and go, a hundred years could pass, a thousand, the ground could collapse under us, this house could crumble and go back to the earth, and we would still be standing here frozen in time, because every second I’m with you is eternal. I’ve never felt anything like it.”

✨“You deserve to be appreciated, Emma.” “I think I’m just used to feeling like I’m asking too much when I need something. Unless it’s Maddy. My mom—” “You’re not asking too much,” he said. “You were just asking the wrong person. Ask me instead.”

✨I chose to believe that she didn’t want to be the villain in my life—even if she was. I didn’t lose my beautiful empathy, as Maddy called it once. I still believed what I always had, that people are complex and nothing is black and white. I believed that now more than ever.

✨And there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t feel her absence like a void in my soul. I missed her like I missed the sun in the winter. I’d realized something after being with her. A valuable lesson that I think all the best and most enduring romances have figured out. The love stories sold us the wrong thing.

The best kind of love doesn’t happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It’s not grand gestures that show how you feel, it’s all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about.

Taking the end piece of the bread at breakfast so she can have the last middle piece for her sandwich when you pack her lunch. Making sure her car always has gas so she never has to stop at the pump. Telling her you’re not cold and to take your jacket when you are in fact, very, very cold. It’s watching TV on a rainy Sunday while you’re doing laundry and turning her light off when she’s fallen asleep reading. Sharing pizza crusts and laughing about something the kids did and taking care of each other when you’re sick.

It isn’t glamorous, it isn’t all butterflies and stars in your eyes. It’s real. This is the kind of love that forever is made of. Because if it’s this good when life is draining and mundane and hard, think of how wonderful it will be when the love songs are playing and the moon is out.

✨“I know it probably doesn’t matter, but I could meet you where you are now. I can meet all of you. I’ve filled my cracks. I don’t want to be an island. I want a village. I want lots of friends and lots of love in my life.

✨“Don’t walk out on me again.” It took me a moment to comprehend what he was saying. It was such a change from the moment before. “Please,” he begged. “I would stay forever if you asked me,” I whispered. “Then stay.”

✨“You know,” he said, “if the curse is true, the next person you date is going to be your soulmate.” I smiled. “The next person you date’s going to be yours too.” He cupped my face in his palms. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime,” he whispered. “Four dates. A kiss. No breakup.” I laughed, the tears starting to well again. “Not just for the summer?” “No. Forever this time.”

absolutely loved this book. Justin is the bestttttt

Chloe Yeargan

3.75 ⭐️ I relate so much to Emma. My upbringing wasn’t at the level hers was but my first instinct when dealing with hurt is the shrink, close off & run away. The way this was described in the book was so spot on to the point of wondering if Abby is okay & working on her own healing journey through this! I loved the depth of the characters on both sides but some of it felt a bit forced. Well actually only one part felt forced which was her birthday. Like MADDY! GIRL! How are you going to prep Justin & say you want her to have a good birthday then walk in with a gift card & be like hey remember all your teams? Yeah let’s dive into that right now lol Other than that though it was brought full circle which I was concerned about for a second 💁🏻‍♀️

Mariah crawford

I don’t know how Abby Jimenez does it but every book I read of hers becomes my new favorite.

Just for the Summer

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