I almost gave up on this book for some reason. I liked it, and I really felt Emma’s struggles, but I wondered how they’d end up together. I didn’t see that happening with just the power of love, so I struggled a bit. But I loved all of Abby’s previous books, so I took a little break and went back to finish it, and I’m glad I did.
Also, I didn’t know it was part of the “Part of Your World” universe until probably the end. I saw Benny, and I was like, “Writers do this; it makes sense,” and I saw or heard about some past characters—I just never kind of put it together.
I liked that I didn’t, because it was quite a pleasant surprise when I eventually put it all together.
This made the book so much better; it would have been good regardless, but the connection to Part of Your World makes it even better.
Just for the Summer Book Plot
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 travelling 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 must 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 Review
As of reading this, Just For the Summer is my favourite book of the year. I loved it apart from the slow beginning, which wasn’t exactly slow, to be honest; it was everything.
Emma and Justin both believe they have a curse: when they date a person and break up, that person proceeds to meet the loves of their lives after them.
Emma meets Justin over a Reddit post where he posts about the curse. She slides into his DMs, and they devise a plan: they’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other out.
Emma is a travelling nurse, so she fixed her next assignment in Minnesota to cancel the curse with Justin. Before she goes to Minnesota, they have an online relationship to get to know each other and plan the curse-breaking rules. I liked this bit because it helped them to know each other better before proceeding to date.
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, but they still get to have their dates and get to know each other.
I especially liked Justin as a main character. He was very direct, caring, and just an all-around green flag. He was who Emma needed, even when she wasn’t ready to admit it.
Most of all, this is a really great book to read. I advise that you read the entire Part of Your World series in order so you can take it all in.
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 book isn’t a heavy one. It remains funny and uplifting while still addressing issues and having almost real-life problems. I really liked it more than I expected to, and I’m glad I stuck through it and finished it.
It’s really more than a romance story and doesn’t dignify unhealthy choices or behaviours, which is what I like about Abby’s writing.
Is Just for the Summer a Standalone?
Just for the Summer is a standalone book. However, it’s best to read the other books before this to get the full story. There are other characters and stories that happen in the previous books that are mentioned and tied up nicely in this book.
While you can read them in any order, you should probably read them in order of publication: starting with Part of Your World, then Yours Truly, and finally Just for the Summer. So if you want the best reading experience with Just for the Summer or the interconnected books, read in this order.
How are the Books Connected? (Spoiler Alert)
1. Character Connections:
– The Friend Zone: Josh and Kristen are introduced. Kristen’s ex, Neil, becomes Emma’s boss and dates Amber, Emma’s mother.
– The Happy Ever After Playlist: Sloan and Jason are central characters. Sloan has a brief date with Adrian from Life’s Too Short.
– Life’s Too Short: Vanessa and Adrian’s story unfolds. Adrian is cousins with Daniel and Josh.
– Part of Your World: Daniel and Alexis are the main characters. Daniel is Emma’s half-brother, sharing the same mother, Amber. Derek, Alexis’ twin, is married to Lola Simone/Nikki, who previously had an interest in Jason.
– Yours Truly: Brianna and Jacob’s relationship develops. Brianna’s brother Benny is also a key figure.
– Just for the Summer: Emma and Justin’s romance is featured. Emma is Daniel’s half-sister, sharing the same mother (Amber) with him.
2. Siblings and Extended Family:
– Benny: Brianna’s brother from Yours Truly, He receives a kidney from Jacob, Brianna’s partner and he’s best friends with Justin in Just for the Summer.
– Derek: Alexis’ twin brother, married to Lola Simone/Nikki – She is mentioned in the other books
– Daniel: Emma’s half-brother, sharing the same mother (Amber) with her in Just for The Summer and is Alexis’ love interest in Part of Your World.
– Niel- Is Alexis’ ex in Part of Your World who dates Emma’s mother in Just For The Summer
3. Best Friends:
– Alexis and Brianna: Best friends.
– Maddy: Emma’s best friend, who ends up with Doug, Daniel’s best friend.
– Kristen and Sloan: Best friends.
– Benny and Justin: Best friends.
4. Cousins:
– Daniel, Josh, and Adrian: All are cousins.
5. The Royaume Northwestern Hospital
This is a fictional hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota that appears in Abby Jimenez’s books- Part of Your World and Just for The Summer.
A significant setting where Jacob, Brianna, and Alexis work as ER doctors.
The hospital is featured in the story of Alexis Montgomery, a plastic surgeon who comes from a long line of accomplished surgeons who have worked at the hospital.
Emma works there as a travelling nurse during her story. Neil is the head of surgery.
6. Minor Mentions and Crossovers:
– Sloan’s (From Yours Truly) art is mentioned in Vanessa’s apartment.
– Justin uses Sloan’s cookbook.
– Jaxon Waters *Jason* (From Yours Truly) is a musician whose music is referenced.
– Vanessa Price from Life is Too Short, a famous YouTuber, is mentioned.
– Niel from Part of Your World Alexis ex is in Just For The Summer- he dates Emma’s mother
This is the most loosely related book in the series, but you will see some familiar faces and names from most of her books. Adrian is the cousin of Josh from The Friend Zone, and in the prior books, he went on a date with Sloane, the main character from The Happy Ever After Playlist.
These connections create a rich, intertwined universe across Abby Jimenez’s novels, linking characters through relationships, professional settings, and personal histories.
This is super helpful! Just an FYI your description of Life’s Too Short isn’t right. Vanessa’s brother isn’t Benny. You reference him correctly later.
Thanks a lot. This has been corrected now.