Scan barcode
A review by analenegrace
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I DNF'd the second book in this series, but I loved Part of Your World, so I wanted to give this a try. Honestly, I don't see myself being an Abby Jimenez reader going forward.
The romance in this book was adorable. Unfortunately, there were character issues that were just so frustrating. First, Justin. He was insanely perfect in an annoying way. He seemed to do the right thing constantly, had great relationships with everyone, and dealt with everything perfectly. He was sweet and romantic, but I think his character did not feel like a real main character because he was just such a perfect guy.
Now Emma... I don't think Emma made a singular choice in this book ever. She never decided how she felt about things ever. People told her how to feel constantly, and it was supposed to come off like she was getting advice, but Maddy and Justin just told her how to feel and what to do. I hoped the third-act breakup and time jump would deal with this, but it didn't. The only thing I liked about that was that she didn't apologize for leaving when she did because she needed to.
Finally, Amber and Neil. Genuinely WTF? The reveal of Amber as the Amber from the first book was ridiculous. How did her grandparents never know? I know how the foster care system works. How did she not get placed with them or become aware of them through the court system? I hated that because it made no sense and felt like this incredibly ridiculous twist.
This book was not for me, and I think Part of Your World was a fluke because I have not enjoyed her other work.
The romance in this book was adorable. Unfortunately, there were character issues that were just so frustrating. First, Justin. He was insanely perfect in an annoying way. He seemed to do the right thing constantly, had great relationships with everyone, and dealt with everything perfectly. He was sweet and romantic, but I think his character did not feel like a real main character because he was just such a perfect guy.
Now Emma... I don't think Emma made a singular choice in this book ever. She never decided how she felt about things ever. People told her how to feel constantly, and it was supposed to come off like she was getting advice, but Maddy and Justin just told her how to feel and what to do. I hoped the third-act breakup and time jump would deal with this, but it didn't. The only thing I liked about that was that she didn't apologize for leaving when she did because she needed to.
Finally, Amber and Neil. Genuinely WTF? The reveal of Amber as the Amber from the first book was ridiculous. How did her grandparents never know? I know how the foster care system works. How did she not get placed with them or become aware of them through the court system? I hated that because it made no sense and felt like this incredibly ridiculous twist.
This book was not for me, and I think Part of Your World was a fluke because I have not enjoyed her other work.