Synopsis of Just for the Summer
Justin has a strange (and viral) problem: every woman he dates immediately finds her soulmate—after him. So when Emma, a traveling nurse with the exact same issue, messages him, the two decide to date and then break up to cancel their romantic curses once and for all. What starts as a lighthearted, mutually beneficial scheme becomes much more complicated when they meet in Minnesota and move into a lakeside cottage that’s practically begging for summer love. As sparks fly, their “just for the summer” plan collides with real-life complications. Emma’s emotionally volatile mother re-enters her life, and Justin takes sudden guardianship of his three younger siblings. Amid midnight swims, unexpected confessions, and a deepening bond, Emma and Justin find themselves questioning whether their ‘curse’ might actually be fate’s way of pushing them together. Abby Jimenez’s latest is a hilarious, heartfelt exploration of timing, trust, and whether love can still surprise us—even when we least believe in it.
Mindmap
Author Intro
Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is a New York Times bestselling author, and also a bakery entrepreneur. With her novels like The Friend Zone, Life’s Too Short, and Yours Truly, she has built a loyal following over the world. Your Truly has made her the winner of Dolly Award for Book of the Year.Just for the Summer is no exception—mixing charm, internet lore, found family, and just enough drama to keep you glued to the page. In 2007, she founded Nadia Cakes and has also win numerous Food Network competitions.
Book Reviews of Just for The Summer
This book felt like a warm summer breeze—cozy, sweet, and full of hope. I adored Justin and Emma’s chemistry, but it was the real moments—like the messy family stuff and unexpected responsibilities—that made it unforgettable. It’s the kind of story that makes you believe in love again.
Okay this book? So cute. The whole “mutual romantic curse” setup is peak chaotic rom-com energy. Justin is swoony in a low-key, “fix your life and also your boat” kind of way, and Emma is the kind of girl you want to be friends with. Abby Jimenez does it again.
This is more than just a romance. It’s about emotional resilience, the weight of trauma, and redefining what family means. I was really moved by how the characters showed up for each other—especially when life got messy. The love story was great, but the growth? That’s what stayed with me.
I picked this up for a goofy summer read and got feelings instead. I mean, cursed romance? Fake dating plan? I was expecting fluff. But then the characters had depth, real-life crap to deal with, and surprisingly touching moments. Curse me—I liked it.
