Novel TWs: neglect, foster care experiences, mental health disorders, death of parent, and incarceration of parent
In Abby Jimenez’s heartwarming new novel, Just for the Summer, our protagonist, Emma, finds herself living on an island with the only house on it being the one she’s renting, in the middle of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota (aka the middle of nowhere). Usually, Emma would be off to another fabulous travel destination because of her job as a traveling nurse, but when she stumbles upon Justin’s viral Reddit post about his “love curse”, she realizes she’s suffering under the evil hands of the exact same curse, and drops everything to investigate further. Justin claims that every person he has dated in his adult life has found the love of their life and gotten married to the next person they met after him. Emma shares with him that the exact same thing has happened to her. After talking to him a few times over the phone, she lands a position at a hospital near him so she can see him.
As an attempt to cancel the curse out for both of them, the two team up and decide to go on 4 dates, share one kiss, and then break up because won’t they both find the one after they date each other? Seems logical according to the curse formula.Â
Justin’s reddit-rant about his self-proclaimed curse was largely due to the fact that he just needed to let off a lot of steam because of a lot of change in his life that has nothing to do with his dating life. Justin finds himself having to majorly reroute as a result of two events that left him having to take guardianship of his three younger siblings. Justin demonstrates throughout the story how he’s a dedicated caregiver. Even though he’s been through many relationships that failed, he’s willing and able to try again with Emma because of his secure attachment style and because Emma lassoes his heart. Just like how Emma captures Justin’s heart, Justin definitely captured my heart, he truly radiates love and warmth.
Like Justin, Emma is an incredibly likable character that so many can find refuge in. Emma’s choice to stay on a lonely island when she comes to Minnesota serves as a metaphor for the island that Emma has constantly cast herself away to throughout her life. She does this for protection from any relationship because they all, not could, but will hurt her. This perspective was instilled in Emma during her childhood of neglect from her mother. Emma never had a steady home her whole life and only knows love in the form of her best friend, Maddy, who she’s a traveling nurse with. Everything she owns can fit in two suitcases. This way of constantly moving and never settling is how she feels most comfortable because this is what she’s always known. Her story in Just for the Summer teaches us that having weakness doesn’t equate to making you weak and it’s powerful to admit your vulnerabilities and needs in relationships.
Jimenez advocates for people who experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, and avoidant attachment. She communicates that even though these disorders and tendencies make relationships look different, they do not take away from how strong the love in these relationships can be. Abby Jimenez made me cry of heartbreak and joy. Just for the Summer is a lovely romance novel that’s swoonworthy, witty, and the essence of sunshine, yet also puts into perspective the hard lessons that love is not all sunshine and rainbows, to love someone is to risk being hurt, and love is to meet someone where they are. Jimenez beautifully describes the perfect imperfection of love. She tells us love is a home and takes us all to that cozy, warm house on the mainland of Minnesota with roses planted in the garden.Â
To think it all started with a proclamation of a curse on Reddit.
5/5 stars.