Just for the Summer

Written by Abby Jimenez

Narrated by Abby Jimenez, Christine Lakin and Zachary Webber

Instant #1 New York Times bestseller and a Good Morning America Book Club Pick! This witty, slow-burn rom-com is the perfect beach read.

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?

Named by Harper's Bazaar as one of the Top 10 Best Summer Romance Books of All Time!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hachette Audio
• Release date: Apr 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9781549135149

Abby Jimenez

Abby Jimenez is a Food Network champion, motivational speaker, and contemporary romance novelist living in Minnesota. Abby founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and has amassed an international cult following. Abby's wry literary wit was spotlighted as the admin behind the hilarious viral comments on the now famous Nadia Cakes Vageode™ cake. Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.

Reviews for Just for the Summer

[Airmi Zolina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best romance books you could ever read. Touching, lovely, and heartfelt.

[mcollett2011 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book always had me laughing. And I found out it’s the 3rd book of a series!!! What the heck I’ll have to get the other two PRONTO

[webershalee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Already read this book but love listening after I’ve read it. It was even better the second time around. I really loved the voice of Emma. One of the best narrations I’ve ever heard.

[Dixie Daniel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book! I have loved every book by this author. They are based on typical romance tropes, but go so much deeper. The characters are dealing with complex medical and mental health issues and the author handles them with great care, intense research, and authenticity.

[klramirez6 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the only books I actually giggled and laughed out loud. Beautiful blend of humor and romance while diving into the intricacies of relationships.

[kennabear08 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a good story. Realistic and tied characters from other books in well. The author is a great writer.

[hvhm92n8d4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great summer time read! Will definitely recommend and reread.

[aelizabeth1297 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The character development was top notch and I would definitely read more books of hers!! The thought that goes into everything she writes is amazing!

[emilyannebean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a creative plot line with the twists and the background. The initial meet cute seemed like a bit of a stretch, but overall I loved it. The twist at the end was such a gut punch.

[fallsinn1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Easy book to follow. Great story and loved the ending.

[aldazyessica · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I got the book, subscription is up. So I lose all progress on the book which was almost half. Even though it says I have unlocked the book and own it I can only listen to a sample now? This is why I will not be renewing subscription at all!!! So disappointed and will definitely not recommend to anyone.

[bookchickdi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Abby Jimenez’s romance Just For the Summer is the perfect way to kick off summer reading. Emma is tired of dating guys, breaking up with them and then finding that they find their true love after the breakup.





When she discovers through social media that a young man named Justin has the same bad luck, they decide to date each other. Their theory is that when they break up, they will each then go on to meet their soulmate. So they decide to date ‘just for the summer’ to test their theory. What could go wrong? This is a fantastic read and so well-written.

[tjsjohanna_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was going to be your typical chicklit romance but somewhere along the way it becomes more than that. Yes, there's the "love at first sight" trope, but the main characters are dealing with some heavy stuff - in one case a neglectful and abusive mother, in the other a mother who ends up in prison leaving her minor children in the care of their elder brother. These characters are fully adults yet they are coping with events outside of their control. How things play out and how real love emerges make for a compelling read.

[yshd91 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute! But I would have loved to get into the MMCs family background as well!

[foggidawn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Justin and Emma share a "curse": both of them tend to be the last person that someone dates before they find their soulmate. They decide to try dating each other, to see if their curses cancel each other out. If they date each other for the summer, maybe after they break up, they'll each meet the person of their dreams. The problem is, of course, that as they get to know each other, they start to not want to break up, but both have family issues that could stand in the way.

This is my favorite Jimenez of the three I've read so far, with a great balance of humor and heart. It's part of a loose series, but can be read as a stand-alone. And, as per the title, it's a great summer read.

[patsymurray · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has been a long time since I have read a romance novel and I enjoyed it on several levels. I especially appreciated its focus on mental health as I didn't realize that romances are incorporating such relevant issues into their story line. I can imagine there are readers who draw strength and increased understanding from reading about real life issues.

[ardaiel-573470 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ugh. I bet that’s not what you expected to see on this review, is it? Ugh. Because it is UNFAIR when someone has THIS MUCH TALENT. Abby Jimenez is a disgustingly, gloriously, amazingly talented writer.

First, the premise/meet-cute is unique. Justin and Emma both seem to have the same curse. Any time they date someone, they break up and the very next person their ex meets turns out to be The One. So, these two decide – why not date each other? Then they’ll break up and both finally get their happily ever after!

Second, the characters have real depth and aren’t just caricatures. We get to meet a cast of supporting characters that flesh out their lives outside of one another. Each has some serious baggage – Emma has a super toxic mother and Justin is about to become guardian to three younger siblings. And these circumstances are given real weight and make us care deeply about them.

Third – realistic emotions and reactions. Emma had a rough childhood thanks to her mother, and it resulted in definite emotional baggage and PTSD. This isn’t glossed over like “and then she fell in love and was fixed!” Oh no, this is a real thing that affects her relationships and is written and handled seriously. One flaw we see in a lot of romances is someone acting out of character; they’re built up one way, but then make decisions totally out of left field, because it’s what the story needs, even if it doesn’t match the person the author has written. That is not something you need to worry about in Jimenez’s books! Everyone is true to their nature, and I find every decision believable.

Fourth – The dialogue. This is where Jimenez’s real talent bursts forth. It is fun. It will absolutely make you laugh out loud. It sounds like things real people would do and say, except much wittier. The things they do, the way the characters relate to one another, the quips, their reactions. Everything is realistic, but just that teeeeny touch better than reality. (The pre-date and exit surveys. Oh. My. God.)

If you like romance but haven’t read any of her books yet (are you living under a rock or something?!) then you should check this out. Fans of Emily Henry will feel right at home with this book as well!

[Michelle Thompson Widger · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Started listening! Got to Chapter 8 - app glitched and skipped me right to the end! Can’t get back! So frustrating! Why do we have to pay more for a worse app? I would like to know!

[nfmgirl2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma and her best friend Maddy are traveling nurses spending a few weeks to a few months working in one location before moving on to a hospital in another area of the country. They became like sisters after Maddy's mothers fostered Emma when they were teens.

Emma has a lot of baggage she carries from her childhood. She doesn't put down roots, and her suitcase is always packed as if waiting for her mother to return for her. Maddy is the one thing in her life that is consistent and stable. She is no-nonsense, bold, and forthright, and very protective of Emma.

Enter Justin who has baggage of his own. He posted on Reddit about this pattern of dating women who break up with him and go on to meet their soulmates. His last girlfriend started dating his best friend and roommate Brad, resulting in Brad moving out and leaving him holding the line on the lease. Justin got a new roommate in the form of a rescue dog he named Brad after his ex-roommate.

First of all, the cover is gorgeous! A young man and woman frolicking at the water’s edge with a small dog chasing at their heels, The bright colors of a sunset as the sun dips behind the mountains. One of the nicest covers I’ve seen this year and one of the reasons I decided to dive into another romance (which isn’t normally in my wheelhouse).

You get the feeling that this couple is going to be very compatible and have a fun summer together. Do they really? Is that all that there is between them?

Nearly all of the characters are likable, moral characters. Emma suffers some abandonment issues among other things having been raised by a mother who suffers from mental illness. I found the imagery of Emma getting “small” when she is triggered a little annoying. I understand what the author was trying to relay, and it played better later in the story, but initially it seemed a little overly-dramatic and annoyed me.

This story is character-driven focusing on the internal lives of Emma and Justin as they navigate their “temporary” relationship, its intentional lack of permanency, and the joys of getting to know someone with whom you really mesh.

The story is told alternating between Emma and Justin allowing you an inside look at the internal battles and bliss of each of them. The manner in which their story is told is sometimes purely entertaining, and at other times it is meant to be enlightening, touching on the damage that can be done to a child when raised by a parent suffering from mental illness– or just plain selfishness– the struggles that we all deal with from time to time. Much of the story is very relatable. We all want to love and be loved, we all have been hurt and suffered battle wounds from past loves, family, friends, or just life in general. But the hope is that you don’t let it beat you down. You stay hopeful, you get back up and you try again. You don’t let life or love get the better of you. And you make sure that you are whole and happy with yourself before looking for love, because you won't find happiness in others. You must first find happiness and contentment and wholeness within yourself, and then find someone who just makes life even better.

Just for the Summer proved to be a fun read with fun characters! Quite a bit of the story was rather predictable, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. There was enough novelty to keep my interest. This is good for the contemporary romance lover looking for fun rather than spice. I mean, it’s a romance novel, so there is a little spice, but it’s mostly a cute, sweet and fun read. There is a little tension and drama to keep it from being just a fluff novel, but not enough to weigh it down. It’s optimistic, hopeful…endearing. It’s an easy read. It doesn’t try to be anything it isn’t, like great literary fiction. It’s just a fun read!

[mchwest · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

OK, this was a great Abby Jimenez book! Ive read a few and realize I get to the part where I just want to tell the character, kick her out or just leave. The author handles the life in crisis differently, with empathy, and remarks, if you are one to have empathy, never lose it. Just a great story!

[gingersnap000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The cover of this book beings to mind a light beach read. What a surprise when you read the book and find it a romance between two people who seem to be cursed. Each time they break their ex finds the love of their life. They meet online and an attraction develops.The girl, Emma is a traveling nurse so arrange to work near the boy, Justin.

As the story develops the reader finds out that Emma was frequently abandoned by her mother. As the book develops the reader finds her Mother is mentally ill and how has effects Emma. This book is worth your read.

[mktoronto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Abby never disappoints! There's a lot of people from the first book in the series that I completely missed when they showed up in this one and I was utterly shocked when I made the connection. As always, she handles mental health issues beautifully while having such witty banter and crazy ideas for dates and always having the MCs be honest and gentle with each other. I loved this book and yet I don't want to say too much about it because so much had to do with the discovery along the way. I'll just say this book totally lives up to the hype and again Jimenez moves back into favourite author territory.

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Part of Your World series #3. Contemporary romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Justin is cursed. Every woman he dates finds their sole mate after breaking up with him. Emma is cursed the same as Jason. Since both want to find love, they come up with a plan to date each other, thus assuring they will both meet their true love when they stage their break up. Justin and Emma find themselves strangely compatible. Even with their lives getting crazy with her mother showing up and Justin assuming guardianship of his three siblings, they are making things work. Is it possible they have found their future?

You knew that answer already!
The house on the island that Emma and her roommate rent is unique but I’m not sure I would have been up for the adventure of only being able to boat off the island. Justin needs to get to Emma when she’s sick and nothing will stop him. I fell in love with him at that point.
All the feels in this book. You will be cheering them on too. I’ve come to love this author’s stories so much. She’s become an auto-buy.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love a good romance. This one starts off with a funny story posted on Reddit. A man, Justin, bemoans that once he breaks up with someone, the next person they meet is their soulmate. Maggie tells her friend, Emma, about this-as Emma has the same problem. The two start texting and they make a plan to meet. However, Emma and Justin both have issues that need sorting. Emma doesn't know how to love, as she never had love in her life. Justin has to take care of his siblings, and Emma isn't ready for a ready-made family.
Justin's efforts to break Emma's hard shell are so sweet and endearing. But, the issues in Emma's life are real and heartbreaking.
Loved this story.

[enid007 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

I finished this and have been sitting for like half an hour trying to express how I feel about this.. Abby you take my heart and you put it through a ringer and I cannot hate you for this. Abby Jimenez has been slowly but surely become a favorite author. I love how she writes about real life anxiety and traumas in just a relatable way and although some people might find it triggering I find it therapeutic.

I only wish the romance in her books were also relatable in my real life, LOL, sadly no but still, this was such an amazing book, an amazing story, had it not been for sleep or work I would have finished this last night.

The depths of what Emma endured growing up and coming to terms on how to break a cycle is so relatable and although my mom isn't as traumatizing as hers I still felt connected to what she had to go through, what she had to face, and what she had to do to turn things around for herself. I may not have a friend like Maddy as she did and many things I had to face alone and maybe that is why this book hit me like 6 months of therapy would have. I don't even know what else to say but read this book. Of course check for triggers, because it does hit to the core but again well written and such an awesome story. If I can give it 10 stars I would.

[ftbooklover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma and Justin suffer from the same problem, each of their former lovers finds their soulmate in their very next relationship, so they decide to date each other to break the curse. Emma and her friend, Maddy who are traveling nurses, choose to take their next 6 week job in Minnesota where Justin lives. The timing couldn't be worse as Justin is about to take sole custody of his three siblings, and Emma's mother makes a surprise but unwelcome appearance.

If a rom-com is the kind of book you are looking for, Just for the Summer is not it. While the story does start out with a cute premise and first few meetings between Emma and Justin are fun, the tone of the book changes dramatically after that. The book delves into mental health issues that become the central conflict of the plot, and the humor from the beginning of the narrative is quickly gone. Even though the story is well written and the characters are sympathetic, I would classify most of this novel as literary fiction rather the romance, despite the fact that there is an HEA at the end. Overall, Just for the Summer is a very emotional, hard-hitting novel that doesn't pull any punches.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just for the Summer was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2024. I read the Target Exclusive edition which included a bonus chapter about Maddy and Doug's meet cute.

I loved this book! It is easy to see the research and loving care that Abby Jimenez puts into her characters and their unique personalities. Both Justin and Emma have tough things to deal with and they learn from each other. There are some truly funny moments interspersed throughout the serious ones. I love that the main characters vowed to tell the other exactly what they were thinking should they be asked. It was truly a beautiful book, and I can't wait to hear what Abby will be writing about next.

[bblum_10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good beach read and thoughtful examination of mental illness while still having fun with a romance imitated online with a billboard of the Toilet Bowl King.
Emma is our lost soul romantic interest, who along with her friend Maddy, are traveling nurses. Emma sees a post with Justin and the billboard and starts a conversation with him. In short,
their next assignment is in Minnesota so Emma can meet him but here she also comes face to face with her personal trauma growing up with her crazy mother Amber who often abandoned her. Good read, often humorous and we all wish there were more great guys like Justin. This is a realistic novel.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book which presents mental health issues in a reasonable fashion. The live story is lovely, the characters excellent, and the dates fun. The people in the book are well grafted. Not sure 6 months is enough time to get better but it seemed to work.

[beserene · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Holy crap, grab some hankies before you read this because anyone who has ever dealt with a toxic parent is going to be weeping. What starts out as a fun and clever twist on the fake-dating style romance trope turns into a pretty profound emotional arc for both main characters and an especially evocative development of the relationship between the MC and her mother. I expected this to be fluff and it definitely wasn't; while it still reflects the conveniences of its genre, I was very impressed by both the depth and the deftness of the narrative. Honestly, read it if you need a little catharsis.