JUST FOR THE SUMMER is Abby Jimenez's latest title. Anytime I read a popular author, for the first time, it's a hit or miss for me, sometimes lukewarm too. Of late I've tried to read some popular ones' recent releases and it's okay so far. I did not have any expectations going into this one too, maybe which is why I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the book so much. 

JUST FOR THE SUMMER is Emma and Justin's fling over the summer. They both in the last couple of years experienced anyone they break up with going to find their soulmates right after. Seeing how they are cursed and having friends agreeing to it too, it's on the internet. Which is how Emma and Justin come to know about each other. After some self-thinking and prompting from friends, Emma and Justin decide to date each other for the summer to break their good luck curse. 

Will they break the curse and go on to find their soulmates to walk off in the sunset at the end of summer or continue to remain cursed? Well if that's the question on your mind and making you curious go pick up a copy soon, you are in for a ride - the good, messy, happy, joyful tears type.

Emma is a traveling nurse and someone who's not into putting down roots, she is always on the move. Her itchy feet are a product of her childhood and everything she's faced in life which even in her late 20s has made her wary of relationships, love and friendship in general. She dates and even likes it whenever she has her self-timed flings. However, the walls are high around her inner self and soon that starts to be a concern as Justin and her best friend Maddy are proving to be worthy of climbing the said emotional walls. 

Justin is a software professional and his work timings are flexible. Besides his family - his mother, three siblings, his close friends and their partners make up a close-knit support system for Justin. He has his own emotional concerns and is angry at life most of the time, however, he rarely lets it affect his general demeanor and is a sunshine most of the time. He is a caring, smart, hot and the sweetest guy you can have as a friend or boyfriend even for a short time. 

What I liked about the story -

• The characters were fantastic, easy to love, relatable and flawed enough to make them perfect fictional lovies. 
• The story starts as fun, something light-hearted, has these amazing date nights between Justin and Emma, and girl time between Emma and Maddy. Then, like a slow burn, it develops an emotional depth and intensity that has the reader invested till the end. 
• I enjoyed the emotional dynamic between the characters very much, it had me feeling too much, all over the place, not in the ugly crying, tears way but still equally intense which felt so good. 

JUST FOR THE SUMMER is a well-rounded story of flawed human relationships, strong friendships and love thrown into this messy beautiful mix.