Sometimes the heart and soul need a good romcom. That's what Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez is. Not only does this novel provide feelgood romantic vibes, but it takes a deep dive into the psychology of the characters as well. It took me a couple chapters to get there, but once I was, I was smitten.
Four dates, one kiss, and a breakup. Just for the summer. That's what Emma and Justin agree to when they find each other on a Reddit thread. Justin jokingly complains that each time he dates a woman, they go on to find their soulmate right after. Emma believes she suffers the same curse, so they agree to the arrangement.
Emma is a travelling nurse, so she and her best friend and travelling partner Maddy decide to give up a stint in Hawaii to do a rotation in Minneapolis, where Justin lives. Just because one can predict that sparks will fly between the two main characters doesn't make it any less electric. It's absolute joy experiencing Justin and Emma fall in love! But of course, there are obstacles.
Justin is about to take custody of his three younger siblings while his mother serves a six-year prison sentence. Emma has attachment and commitment issues because of trauma experienced during her childhood, so doesn't want to take on Justin's baggage. Emma has this thought at one point, "my lack of permanence was my protection". She has a wall built around her heart and her career choice supports that.
Justin says that he would follow Emma to the ends of the earth if it weren't for his current situation. So, it's hard not to feel frustrated with Emma, who is clearly also in love with Justin but is pushing him away. They have found the right person at the wrong time.
Jimenez paints the mindset for each of her characters with expertise, creating sympathetic and relatable protagonists. This is not featherweight stuff. Each of the main characters is dealing with a lot. Maddy wisely says to Emma at one point, "You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next". This is foreshadowing for the twist in Just For The Summer that creates the next step needed to get these characters together for good.
At one point after Justin makes an incredible profession of love to Emma, she thinks, "If this isn't magic, then what is?" That right there! That's why we need (well-written) romantic comedies in our lives! I give this gem five stars out of five.
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