Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Summer romance tackles childhood trauma, real-world love.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As JUST FOR THE SUMMER begins, 29-year-old Justin is cursed with always being the last person a woman dates before finding her soulmate. Emma, suffering from the same problem, contacts him via social media. They decide that the only way to break the curse is to date each other, just for the summer. But just as their plan is put into action, Justin becomes guardian of his three younger siblings and Emma's flighty mom shows up, wrecking havoc with her daughter's emotions. Suddenly, between managing parental relationships, teenage angst, and preschool schedules, their casual romance becomes much more serious. As genuine feelings spark between them, will Emma and Justin stick to their planned four dates and one kiss?
Is It Any Good?
Move over grand gestures, this book shows how romance can be found in the little details of everyday life. Abby Jimenez' Just for the Summer tells a heartfelt and endearing story while steering clear of the larger-than-life clichés that fill many romance novels. Although this book is an adult romance, older teens will enjoy and perhaps even benefit from reading about two twenty-somethings as they struggle with dating in a less-than-perfect world.
Justin may seem almost too good to be true, but his humor, kindness and steadfast nature make him the perfect book boyfriend. Emma's story is rougher, but the empathy she pours into those around her is something to aspire to. Told in alternating character point-of-view chapters, it can be a bit confusing as you get a handle on whose perspective you're reading. And while the book is funny and modern, with characters you root for, it's a heavier read than the blurb on the back of the book suggests. Still, it's refreshing to read a story where the romantic gestures aren't over the top and to see a relationship centered on strong communication and empathy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the curse in Just for the Summer. What do you think of making a pact to date someone in order to break a curse?
The two characters meet via social media. What do you think of Emma's "cyberstalking" of Justin to learn more about him before meeting up in person. Is this ethical?
Characters struggle with emotional patterns developed during their childhoods. How do they show perseverance in identifying and managing these patterns?
Emma's very empathetic, sometimes to her own detriment. Is there such a thing as having too much empathy? How do you find the right balance?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Forever
- Publication date : April 2, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18 - 18
- Number of pages : 432
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : August 16, 2024
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