Just for the Summer (Part of Your World #3) by Abby Jimenez
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
Review: Justin gets some notoriety online when a Reddit thread discussing his 'curse' where every woman he dates then goes on to find their soul mate after they break up blows up. Emma, a traveling nurse who has a bit of the same problem, decides to message him. They playfully agree that they should date each other to break the curse and as a traveling nurse, Emma selects Minnesota where Justin lives next so she can have a quick fling. But what is supposed to be a lighthearted summer turns more serious when Emma's toxic mother shows up, Justin has to take custody of his three younger siblings, and the pair feel more strongly for each other than they ever expected.
I loved this. Abby Jimenez does such a wonderful job at creating the best banter between her characters. Before Justin and Emma meet, they message and call back and forth and it feels playful and flirtatious and true to life. The connection between these two was both funny and fun and also very compelling. They had instant chemistry, which made Emma's decision to take a temporary job so she can meet him feel believable.
But beyond the banter and romantic tension, Jimenez does such a good job of creating characters with complicated back stories. Emma comes to the relationship with a very traumatic history. She had a terrible childhood of abuse and neglect from her mother. The truths she discovers over the course of this book are just jaw dropping! Jimenez very intentionally emphasizes that Emma facing her own issues through therapy is the only way that she can be ready for a healthy and successful relationship with anyone. Similarly, Justin has a lot going on with caring for his siblings. I like that the novel has a lot of substance and back story. Just like real life, falling in love happens in the midst of life happening.
I really adored this book and really don't have any criticisms. An excellent, well written romance with great substance and depth.
Stars: 4
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