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Win Anyone Over: Little Tricks for BIG Results

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Now, exclusively available on Amazon Kindle, insightful and effective tips for winning anyone over to your side in any situation!

We’ve all seen those people who seem to draw people to them--everyone wants to help them. What’s their secret? They’ve learned how to be appealing to people, and you, too, can learn this skill. Leil Lowndes is a master communicator whose books, How to Talk to Anyone and How to Instantly Connect With Anyone, have shown hundreds of thousands of readers how to appear--and be!--more comfortable in business meetings, at parties, and when meeting new people.

Now, her top tips from these books on winning anyone over have been gathered into this exciting e-book, to give you the tools to start becoming a master communicator yourself.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2010

39 people want to read

About the author

Leil Lowndes

142 books504 followers
Leil Lowndes is an author and internationally recognized communications expert who specializes in subconscious interactions. She has conducted hundreds of seminars in the US and around the world for major corporations, associations, and the general public, and frequently appears as a guest expert on national television shows and major news networks. She has authored ten bestselling books on communications — most recently, How to Talk to Anyone at Work: 72 Little Tricks for Big Success Communicating on the Job — and is published in over 26 foreign languages. She lives in New York City.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Holly Mangiante.
38 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2024
Allow me to fangirl for a moment, because I love Abby Jimenez. I have read all of her books and recommend them to my friends. I absolutely love her reader group on Facebook, it’s a delightful place of kind, romance readers, and Abby is very engaged. I love Abby’s TikToks - adorable dogs, a super talented and hilarious daughter who plays the accordion and trolls her mother (as well as large condiment companies). Her cupcakes are delicious and there are baby goats in pajamas. What’s not to love? It’s my favorite corner of the Internet.

I was lucky to receive an ARC of Just For The Summer from NetGalley and Abby’s reader group. Justin and Emma have the same problem, everyone they date goes on to find and marry their soulmate after their breakup. They connect about it through Reddit and strike up an instant conversation around their shared experiences. An idea is born, what if they dated each other? Through exacting rules: six dates, one kiss, and a break up, could they cancel out each other’s curse. They don’t live in the same locale, but Emma is a traveling nurse, who never stays in the same place for more than six-weeks. Justin convinces her to come to MN, to date, just for the summer.

What I love about all of Abby’s books is the depth of her characters, their relationships, their histories. She makes them perfectly human, perfectly flawed. She creates their backstory, gives them trauma, and takes you for a ride. You will laugh, you will cry, you will cheer them on, and break with them.

She leaves Easter eggs to her previous books, prior characters that you loved or hated will make appearances. It is a masterful world and community she’s built. I tried to read it slowly because I wanted to live in Abby’s world for as long as possible.

I highly recommend checking it out!
Profile Image for Kerrin.
Author 3 books39 followers
January 4, 2024
Abby Jimenez does it again! I wanted to read this slowly and savor it, but in the end I was unable to do anything short of devouring it. If Abby wrote dishwasher manuals, I’d line up to read them! Justin, like Jacob, Daniel, Adrian, Jason, and Josh before him, is a perfect cinnamon roll who has ruined me for dating real men forever. Emma is so well developed- nuanced and heartbreaking. This book captured my attention from the first page, and hasn’t let me go even though I finished it a few hours ago. 5 enthusiastic stars!
15 reviews3 followers
December 20, 2023
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez is the book I hope to read every time I pick up something new.
Very well written, dynamic characters that are so real I would expect to run into them at Target, and well researched trauma that side tracks their lives. Her characters are the best of us and the worst. All uniquely human and affected by years of living on this planet. She shows us that you don’t know what path any one person has taken to get where we meet, and that empathy is the best response to them.
Justin and Emma meet because of a “curse” they both suffer in their dating lives and the hope to break it. We soon realize that they are meant for each other, but obstacles are in the way. Families, work, promises that can’t be broken, illness and weather all conspire against them.
It is full of humor, quick highlights of Minneapolis and a few characters we know from her previous best sellers. There is even a real phone number listed that will take you to a special place in the Abby-verse!
All of Abby’s books are well worth the read and I am so happy to have received an ARC for this book. A 5 star ⭐️ read.
Profile Image for Amanda.
1 review
December 21, 2023
I was so excited to get an advanced copy of one of Abby’s books, and it did not disappoint. My favorite part of her books is always the Easter eggs throughout tying all of her books together in some way. Like all of her other books, this one made me laugh out loud at parts. Can’t wait for her next one!
1 review1 follower
December 18, 2023
I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I've been a fan of Abby's since before her books were published. I've loved all of them but this - this is the best.
I relate to Emma so much it's scary. The seriousness of this novel settles deep in your soul and reminds you to always choose empathy.
Profile Image for bee 🐝🖤.
224 reviews3 followers
December 17, 2023
Abby Jimenez has done it again. She has so masterfully wrapped together an emotional journey of childhood trauma and neglect, mental health issues, respect and boundaries, navigating empathy and anger, found family, all with a romantic fake dating trope that I love I laughed, I cried (sobbed, actually), I cheered. I thought about my own island. I found so many profound pockets of wisdom within this book.

Beginning with a hilarious Reddit post from r/AmItheAsshole - a DREAM plot line for me - we meet our two main characters, Emma and Justin, who connect over their cursed dating history via-DM on Reddit. The curse? As soon as they break up with the person they're dating, that person finds "the one." Yep, their soulmate. It's as if they're destined to play cupid forever while putting their own emotions at stake. And both of them believe that curse will likely live on forever.

Emma is a travel nurse who lives and moves with her best friend, Maddy. They alternate where they go for each contract. It's Maddy's turn to pick, except... Emma starts talking to Justin more and more. And they come up with a plan. Fake date each other. Break up. Find their own soulmates. Bam, two cursed people cancel each other out. So, Emma begs and pleads with Maddy to skip out on their next contract in Hawaii and head straight to Minnesota instead. The fake dating begins, but Emma's toxic mother also shows up, and the trauma resurfaces quickly for Emma. Justin is also dealing with having to become the sole parental guardian of his three under-aged siblings and navigate the new world of parenthood. I can't explain how beautifully done this was. These characters all have depth, the explanations of their behaviors made so much sense, and even when I struggled with the choices they were making I knew WHY they were making them. I loved all of the side characters as well.

This in an interconnected standalone that encompasses "Part of Your World" and "Yours Truly," and I loved the connections between the characters that develop throughout the story. This book brings a hint of spice (🌶️ - I'd have liked just a touch more, but that's neither here nor there), a hefty dash of familial trauma, soul-searching, making tough decisions that you know are right but feel so, so wrong. Definitely read your trigger warnings, because this does come with an emotional price tag, but the price is WORTH it. I adored this book, and I don't want to give away too much, but man did I think it was damn near perfect. Truly one of my favorite romance reads in recent memory.

Thank you to Forever Publishing & Netgalley for the digital ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Lauren Giac.
444 reviews11 followers
December 23, 2023
Thank you to Abby Jimenez and Net Galley for this arc of Just for the Summer! Grab your copy when it comes out in April!

I absolutely adore AJ’s books, and I fell right in love with Emma and Justin. (Side note: there’s some of her staple Easter egg drops in here and some characters pop in from Part of Your World!)

The first thing that drew me in was the relatable characters… I celt like their story, has been something many people can relate too. Maybe not every part of it, but some small part. I felt like I was watching two besties bicker over nonsensical things, which reminded me of my friends. Emma’s best friend Maddy is her true ride or die; the one who’s been there from the get go when her mom left her and she ended up in foster care. They’re doing typical girlfriend things at the start of the book and you could tell that their friendship runs deep.

The chapters alternate between Emma and Justin, our other main character. Justin is your heart throb… the stand up guy who does right by his family and is also yummy and good looking. Justin’s friends are joking with him in the start, since every girl he breaks up with, ends up finding the one right after they’ve broken up.

He finds a similar story in Emma, who’s boyfriends go on to their happily ever after too. So what should they do? Meet up, duh!

As a travel nurse she’s able to go on this wild adventure and in true Abby fashion… you feel all the feels the entire book! You cry, you laugh, and you relate to all the scenes. The simplest ones are the ones I related to the most. This everyday mundane activities … sigh. My heart is reliving it.

There are some triggering moments when they discuss her childhood and the traumas she endured. Her mom, being the biggest issue regarding her attachment and PTSD struggles, make the book heavy but also open your eye to what others are dealing with behind closed doors.

A superb, tug at the heart strings, read!
Loved spending more time with some of the older characters and hope Maddy gets some time to shine too!
Profile Image for Kayla.
123 reviews113 followers
January 8, 2024
Oh Abby is allergic to missing, I fear! What an absolutely beautiful read. I will always love that Abby writes a vulnerable, cinnamon roll mmc versus a more broody type. Justin is an absolute treasure of a man. And Emma! Oh my sweet, sweet Emma. Deserves the world. I love these two so, so much and by the end I was just so happy for them and their journeys 🥲

One of the most gut-wrenching things in a romance book is when two characters that are so obviously meant to be together are pulled apart due to circumstances out of their control. My heart hurt so bad for both Justin and Emma in this book like I FELT aches in my chest. Justin becomes the guardian of his three younger siblings, and then Emma has always grown up with a mom with is there one day and gone the next. Because of these outside things they cannot control, being together when there is so clearly shared feelings and attraction, seems almost impossible. On top of that, there is past trauma that needs to be worked through as well. Abby as an author I feel has always handled heavy topics with such care and I feel it’s no different here.

On a less heavy note, Justin and Emma are just so CUTE! These two had me grinning all the time. I felt butterflies! I also love how they are consistently honest with each other. No miscommunication here, folks! I’m just in love with how Abby seems to so easily juggle banter, tender moments, sexy moments, and heavy, emotional moments all in one book. Ugh, she’s just one of my favorites for a reason!

There is oneeee particular thing I wish we saw more of in this book, but I’m anxious to see if it will ever be expanded upon one day! Will not say here because it’s a big spoiler, but I am so excited to see people’s reactions to :)

Thank you so much NetGalley and Forever for this ARC!
Profile Image for Sarah J.
1 review
December 16, 2023
I just finished the book late last night. I am blown away by how well each of Abby's books take ahold of me and doesn't let go. Justin and Emma's story was memorable in the unique and challenging struggles that they both came together with. Justin having to quickly become a father figure to his 3 minor siblings and Emma to her ongoing struggles with her mother. The two found each other and each learned what all of their prior dates had found in other partners. They found the magic of true connection and what that feels like. In true Abby fashion, I was on pins and needles till the end of the book to see if they could make it back together. Up until the very end, I was not sure if they were going to truly make it back to each other. The supporting cast of friends and family were an added bonus X 100. I did not see the link between Daniel and Emma coming. That one hit me right in the face. I did not ever think we would see Doug find someone to meet him at all of his weird. All of the references to multiple other characters we fell in love with or wanted to hate, Lastly, once again Abby has provided us as readers the opportunity to see characters with true human struggles and to allow us to come to care for those characters or at least to show empathy over anger. Mental health issues are severely misunderstood and stigmatized in our society. It is important to draw attention and support to our fellow community members. I enjoyed the added bonus of the end of the book Q and A. It helped round out a couple topics within the book. Thank you so very much for the opportunity to receive and read this book early.. This was a true delight. Thank you!!
Profile Image for Sarah LetsGet.ThisRead.
536 reviews17 followers
January 3, 2024
✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

What starts as a Reddit-thread meet-cute quickly turns into a summer romance that Justin and Emma didn’t see coming. They connect because both have the “Good Luck Chuck” curse where after they break up with their significant other, the next person they date, they end up marrying. So this leads them to make a pact to “date” each other for a specified time so that they can break up and find “the one” — (I admit this was a little far-fetched for me but I went with it).

Emma is a traveling nurse and Justin is taking guardianship of his three younger brother and sisters because his mom is going to prison. As you read more, you will learn about all the past trauma that both Emma and Justin have dealt with including abandonment, foster homes, toxic parental relationships, death of a parent and more. Jimenez handled all of these things really delicately and I appreciated the new perspective.

What you should expect:
🛟 Found Family
🛟 Dual POV
🛟 Friendship and Forgiveness
🛟 Working through past trauma
🛟 Meet-cute online, a bit “insta lovey”
🛟 Mental health rep

Silly me had NO IDEA that characters from her past books would make an appearance in this one — we get more of Bri, Jacob, Daniel and Alexis, and Doug 🥰 I was so surprised how everything connected!!!

I also had such a sweet spot in my heart for Justin and how he moved in and took care of his siblings after his mom left. Maddy was a gem too! Such a good friend to Emma.

If you’ve loved AJ’s previous books, this will be such a comfort read for you! Gripping from the first page, will break your heart and then put it back together.

OUT April 2nd! Thank you so much to @readforeverpub & @netgalley for the eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Profile Image for Gabriela.
79 reviews
December 18, 2023
Thank you so much NetGalley and Forever for this ARC.

4 dates, one kiss, and a breakup. Or so Emma thought.

Emma meets Justin through a “I’m I the Asshole” Reddit post and they hit it off. Justin seems to believe that every woman he dates, finds their soulmate after they breakup. Emma believes that the same thing happens to her. They bond over their “curse” and agree that the best thing for them is to try to end the cycle and date so that they can find their happy ever after. Little did Emma knew that with Justin, she was going to be doing more than breaking said “curse” but finding the love of her life.

This book! This book takes you on a journey. Dealing with toxic family members, issues like abandonment, trauma, and mental illness… Abby Jimenez takes you on Emma and Justin’s beautiful yet painful journey of love and self discovery.

I absolutely loved this book. It was beautiful, it was touching, it was entertaining, and simply perfect. Just For The Summer is one of those books that make you lose yourself in it. Every character, even those you hate (yes, Amber, you are a poor excuse of a human being), makes you feel something.

In true Abby fashion, you’ll see multiple references to her other books and some of my favorite characters from previous stories make little cameos in this one.

Abby, with each book you show why is it that your readers love you so much and why we would read your grocery shopping list if you ever were to publish it.

Thank you for this gift of a book. Thank you for sharing Justin and Emma with us. This book is not just for the summer, this book is forever.

5 stars like always.
Profile Image for Erica Flores.
64 reviews
December 28, 2023
Just For The Summer is the beautiful, heartbreaking yet heart warming story we have all come to expect and love from Abby. She outdoes herself with each book and this is no exception. I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC and cannot wait to reread it for any easter eggs I missed and general love of the characters. If you haven’t read Part of Your World or Yours Truly you should read those first! This can be read as a standalone but holds a much deeper meaning if you have already read them and know the characters/situations in those books.

Justin and Emma start their friendship off messaging each other and agreeing to dates to end each of their “curses” of their ex’s finding the one after dating them. Their story was full of laugh out loud moments and the cutest dates planned (and accidental) by Justin. But as we get to know the characters, we see their traumas and internal struggles they carry with them. Abby did an amazing job being sensitive to these complex issues and helping the reader understand and feel for each of them. Justin and Emma were a beautiful balance for one another. Finding the middle ground between giving grace and empathy to others but learning to set boundaries. So many wonderful quotes about life! I am still reeling after finishing this book and don’t want to start another. Every bit of a 5 star read for me!! Abby is a genius and you won’t be disappointed!
5 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2023
Another amazing story from Abby Jimenz. Just for the Summer is anything but your typical boy meets girl summer romance. Abby's builds characters with depth and flaws who have baggage and issues but at the same time are people you would love to have over for a bbq or have as a best friend. The characters feel real and you are drawn into their stories.
Main character Emma had a rough childhood but is a strong, intelligent, empathetic, professional woman who is living life free from ties as a traveling nurse. Maddy her best friend and fierce protector is an awesome wingman character. Justin, like all of Abby's men is more that a pretty face. He's facing his own challenges with major family upheaval and responsibilities. The tension and serious issues Justin and Emma face as they start off the relationship as almost a business deal and find real feelings is amazing. Using Minnesota as a back drop to the story is like a love letter to the state. It makes you want to book a trip to explore and experience the beauty for yourself.
I laughed and cried and immediately want to go back and read again to find the "Easter Eggs" - references from other books that I missed.
I know there are trigger warnings at the beginning of the book for trauma and ptsd, might want to add vomiting and lice- ewww!
Can't wait for my special edition print to add to my shelf!
Profile Image for lavenderlovestories.
138 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Just for the summer, and I’m SO. THANKFUL. I DID. I’m trying to organize all of my thoughts and emotions into a readable review to give this book the justice it deserves, because oh my god, it only deserves the best. Obviously this book is a romance- it’s filled with the laughs and silliness and heat and intimacy of a beautiful romance. The main characters are soooo lovable. Justin is such a lovable perfect dork, Emma is sweet and feisty, maddy is HYSTERICAL and so loyal. All of Justin’s family are truly CHARACTERS, and not just placeholders, if that makes sense. But it’s also so much more than a well written romance. The complexity of the characters adds so much to the story. It touches on the redefinition and the dynamics of family, trauma recovery and the impact of childhood neglect, the way complex PTSD impacts life & relationships. And my god it does it all with such sensitivity and grace. It’s accurate right down to the therapy type provided. Just for the Summer is the perfect balance of giving you butterflies and giving you an emotional gut punch. I loved it. I was never bored, the plot kept THICKENING and the resolution felt like a breath of fresh air. I don’t know how I’m going to survive when I’m already pining for the next book and THIS ONE ISNT EVEN OUT YET
Profile Image for Kerri Gallen.
96 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2024
This might be my favorite book of the year, and it’s only January! Abby Jimenez has outdone herself.

There is so much to love, and to unpack here. Emma grows up in a life of trauma, and learns to survive by staying on the move, investing in only her best friend, and not letting herself be hurt. An AITA post connects her with Justin, and she decides to skip a travel nursing assignment in Hawaii to meet him in Minnesota. They meet, they’re perfect for each other…and he is about to assume custody of his 4 younger siblings, which is not exactly the roots free exist Emma craves. So the question becomes, is love enough?

Once again, Abby Jimenez approaches a sensitive topic with so much love, respect, and grace. Not only do I appreciate this as a reader, but I especially love how she does this as a therapist. She finds ways to help the reader connect, understand a bit more, and does it in a way that doesn’t use something difficult simply for content. Abby writes her characters in a way that makes you feel like you’re friends with them, too. I love how we get to revisit old friends from previous books, and story lines we didn’t know were there!

I laughed, I cried, and I just didn’t want it to end. I hope we get to see more of Maddy, Emma, and Justin in the future!

Thanks, NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC!
Profile Image for Marie Girulat.
603 reviews14 followers
January 15, 2024
Abby Jimenez gives us another heartbreaking and emotional journey to romance. I have to say I LOVE HER BOOKS.

Justin believes he has a curse. Every girl he dates finds her true love after they breakup. Emma, who also believes she has the same curse, sees his post and sends him a DM. They start talking and decide if they date and breakup, then the curse for both of them will be broken. What they don’t bargain for is falling in love. Emma has abandonment issues with her mom. Justin is in the process of taking custody of his three siblings. Will these two find love with each other and break the curse?

As always, Abby’s books take you through a myriad of emotions while you read. These two characters had me laughing, crying, heartbroken and cheering for them to fall in love. I didn’t realize until the end of the book that some of the minor characters appeared in her previous books as well.

This is a must read for 2024! I HIGHLY recommend this book. Pre-order today! This book will be published on April 2nd. Thank you to NetGalley, Forever Publishing, and the author for the e-ARC.


This review will be published on the following today:
www.instagram.com/montanamomreads
www.goodreads,com/montanamomreads
https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile...

Published on Amazon, BookBub, Barnes &Noble on publication day.
Profile Image for Hannah.
103 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2024
Abby Jimenez books are always a pleasure to read and Jimenez herself is a delight. If you aren't already following her on social media, you absolutely must. The thing about her stories, that I think works so well, is that they are, of course, very well written but also filled with complex characters and stories. You come away from reading them feeling like the characters were real. This particular story, like many others by Jimenez, star medical professionals. They are two travel nurses, best friends and adopted sisters, who enjoy moving from place to place or in the case of one, never putting down roots. But of course after responding to a viral post about a man whose exes always end up married after him, just like her, plans are derailed. With such a great meet cute to start the story, the rest went quickly. The complex main characters have a lot working against them, difficult families and pasts. But, in the end, they manage to get their happily ever after. There is a bit of a third act breakup, but a believable one that fits within the story. Will be recommending this one to everyone and I am so excited to see Jimenez in May alongside some adorable baby goats (shout out to the Steamy Lit bookstore for hosting!) (Thanks to Netgalley and Forever for the ARC)
Profile Image for Bridget Jones.
90 reviews12 followers
January 15, 2024
This was the first book I read in 2024 and I’m certain it’s going to be my favorite. It’s also the first reason I cried in 2024. I love this book with my whole heart. Emma and Justin are perfect. They both have separate and different but deep trauma, and some serious family issues. Abby Jimenez finds a way to bring us along on their journeys with humor and heart. This book, and books like it are the reason I read. I’m going to buy copies of this book for all my friends because I need everyone I love to understand how much I love this book.

I’m not going to summarize the book (you can read the synopsis yourself). But if you are a fan of “fake dating”, found family, and humor, this book is for you! There is excellent mental health rep as well in this book, which I really connected with. The side characters are all top tier in this one too. This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but if you have read Abby’s other books, especially Part of Your World and Yours Truly there are some great references and connections to the characters from those novels. I highly recommend this book to every person alive. It’s just so good. Seriously, read this book. I give it all the stars, 50 bajillion our of 5.
Profile Image for sam_inthestacks.
453 reviews5 followers
December 24, 2023
Thank you so much to Abby Jimenez, @netgalley and @hachetteus..

Yes, I am using Christmas Eve and a holiday theme to review this book, because receiving it felt like such a wonderful surprise Christmas Gift from the Universe and Abby Jimenez herself.

I already had this book pre-ordered in anticipation.

Highlights:
-DOG
-Found Family
-Multiple POVs
-Quippy Banter

Justin and Emma both have a case of what I refer to as “Good Luck Chuck” syndrome. This is probably a dated reference, but if you know you know. That movie came out in 2007, like 15 years ago, OMG.

ANYWAY….

Emma and Justin have a lot going on internally and in their lives, which felt so real to me, they both had this connection but things weren’t just perfect, as they rarely are.

Something I love about this book is that it truly addresses our main character’s issues, and shows that love cannot fix us, we have to do that ourselves. Love, and the people who matter, are what make that work worth it.

Overall, I give this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4) stars. It has not dethroned Part of your World or Yours Truly as my favs, but it still so great. Everything Abby Jimenez touches turns to gold.
Profile Image for ACS.
71 reviews
December 23, 2023
Five Stars! *****

Thank you NetGalley and Abby's Facebook Group for the ARC!

*Sigh* How I've missed Abby Jimenez books. One a year just isn't enough for me but I guess she can't be chained to a computer her whole life just writing. Just like all of her books, I really liked the humor.. Abby writes great dialogue that never comes off cheesy to me. There are a lot of easter eggs from her past books here but they in no way would take away from the story if you're a first time reader. They're just a fun "hey, I know him!" and help you feel even more knowledgeable about the world you're reading about. The female friendship between Emma and Maddy was "chef's kiss". I love when female friendships are written genuine without any hints of jealousy or jabs.

Trying to think of what I didn't love about the book and all I can come up with is that it's now over, I can't reread it for the first time again, and I don't have the time to reread ALL of Abby's books but I now want to. So, no notes.
4 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2024
Just For The Summer, another excellent read by Abby Jimenez.

AITAH for loving this book?

Meet Justin and Emma, both have a 'curse', every person they dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. But what would happen if the two dated each other, will they break they others 'curse'?

While Just For The Summer starts as a light heart rom-com, with plenty of laughs and a male lead to fall in love with, it quickly dives into trauma and PTSD. Abby has a way of creating characters that highlight the everyday issues many of us have, even if we don't realize it. Emma's childhood trauma, while rough, is so very real, and Justin is they type of partner we all hope to find.

Just For The Summer might not be your typical rom-com/Happily Ever After, it is a beautiful story of pain, grief, letting go, forgiveness and love.

4 out of 5 stars, only because Yours Truly and Life's Too Short are my 5 star Abby books and this rates just below them. I would have given 4.5 if I could.

Special thanks to Netgalley & Forever Pub for this much anticipated eARC
Profile Image for Maddie King.
11 reviews4 followers
December 16, 2023
This book is everything I love about Abby Jimenez! Main characters Justin and Emma are so likable together you just want to see them find their happily ever after despite their individual obstacles. You’ll be rooting for them from page one, even though Emma isn’t the easiest to get to know. The ending will tear you apart and put you back together again all within the course of 100 pages. Abby manages to tackle many complex, real life issues while still maintaining the overall charm readers have come to expect from her. There are also a few cameos from Yours Truly, which was extra fun for anyone who loved her last release as much as I did. There are tons of other Easter Eggs from previous books that were a blast to hunt down! I would definitely recommend this read to any rom-com lover and look forward to seeing where Abby takes us next!

Thanks so much to Abby Jimenez, Netgalley, and the publisher for letting me read an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Andrea Aguilar-Karlinsey.
2 reviews
December 20, 2023
I love this book. It was so cute and it didn't feel rushed. The characters were well thought out. Although you don't need to read any of the other books it would help understand some aspects. The romance is realistic. One thing that sometimes romance novels do is create unrealistic scenarios. This books is not like that. I also love the life lessons one is taught in Abby's books and this is no exception. I feel like I have had personal growth just reading. There is so much empathy and love and it touches all the feel good spots. It's a little short but that's more me than anything against the author. I'm also glad that you provided a redemption ark from one of the characters and again this would be why it would be helpful for you to read the previous books. The book has good pace. I do feel like she humanizes trauma. She does this with such compassion from both the person that caused the trauma and the person that was victimized by it we see multiple dimensions.
Profile Image for Hannah Kopel.
76 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2023
I love an Abby Jimenez romance so it’s no surprise that Just for the Summer was another hit for me.
Abby Jimenez is the master of tackling serious topics with sensitivity and heart, and I thought she did a great job with the inclusion of complex trauma/childhood neglect in this novel. Her characters struggle with real problems, but are lovable and incredibly human.
There’s also just a lot of fun in Just for the Summer. Justin, the male main character, sends ridiculous date surveys, and there’s a running gag about a local business advertisement. That balance of love and humor and real life struggle is a sweet spot that can be tough to nail.

I also really loved all the past characters from other stories coming back. There are some really satisfying conclusions for these characters. While this works as a standalone, loyal Jimenez readers will be rewarded with these cameos for sure.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, I was thrilled to get to read this early.
Profile Image for Amy Sitzes.
19 reviews1 follower
January 10, 2024
Abby Jimenez does it again!! "Just for the Summer" is a captivating, fun, thought-provoking, and eye-opening story about two people who meet through a Reddit thread. Justin and Emma initially connect through this reddit thread as they both have similar experiences in dating. Whenever they break up with someone they have dated, that person then goes on to date their soulmate next. Justin and Emma agree to date in hopes of breaking the curse for each other. Abby does an incredible job of developing these characters and sharing their stories. I love how she sheds light to struggles people endure in a way that is informative and creates empathy from the reader. She helps me understand what it would be like to be in their shoes in a gracious and captivating manner. There were some fun twists throughout the book to that truly surprised me! I couldn't put it down and yet wanted to read it slowly to savor it. I already miss Justin and Emma!!
Profile Image for Katie.
62 reviews1 follower
December 17, 2023
I was a lucky ARC reader for Just For The Summer by Abby Jimenez.

Just For The Summer is a story about a curse, an ugly dog, and an aggressive billboard that morphs into a gorgeous reflection on resolving trauma and building a life. It carries deep thoughts on empathy, forgiveness, and raccoons.

I spent half of my time reading this highlighting it. I'm not a highlighter, but between the beauty and the laugh out loud humor, I couldn't help myself.

This is in the running to be my #1 recommended book for 2024. It's a perfect read.

I've been a fan since her first novel. She's the type of author to surprise you in a (good) way, the type of author that makes you take notice. Her storylines are complex and layered, and build on each other in her Abby-verse that makes you smile (and shriek!).
301 reviews4 followers
December 17, 2023
“If this isn’t magic, then what is.”
Abby Jimenez can do no wrong! Emma and Justin meet each other in an unlikely way at a difficult time in both of their lives. It was only supposed to be 4 dates then on to their soul mates. After the first chapter I was hooked and already dreading it ever ending…
The relationships portrayed in Just for the Summer set this book apart. Maddy, Emma’s best friend, is honest and extremely protective of Emma and I love their friendship. I loved seeing characters from Jimenez’s other books make an appearance! Emma and Justin met the right person at the wrong time but real life isn’t easy. Love can still find a way if you put in the work to better yourself. Abby did a great job shedding light on mental health and the importance and benefits of different therapies.
*Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Jennifer Morton.
163 reviews1 follower
December 23, 2023
I loved literally every second of this book. Emma and Justin are both cursed - whomever they date ends up meeting their soulmate after they break up. They decide to “date” in a valiant attempt to break their curses and what ensues next is pure magic.

Everything felt so beautiful and special, but there was just this undercurrent through the whole book of “it’s all going to go horribly wrong and break my heart, isn’t it?” Abby Jimenez has a special talent for this style of writing - the it’s perfect and it will work out, but how will it work out when there are so many reasons it won’t and I’m going to make you forget that sometimes while making it glaringly obvious at other times - style of writing.

I laughed, I cried. Often from one chapter to the next. Seriously. The raccoons. I will not say more.

This had to be one of my all-time favorite Abby Jimenez books.
8 reviews
January 5, 2024
Just for the Summer is about two young individuals who seem to be everyone else's lucky charm for finding their soulmate after they break up. Justin and Emma end up connecting online, and Emma decides to take her travel nurse job to Minnesota so she can meet Justin in an effort to break each other's "curse". Emma doesn't like to stay in one place for too long, thanks to her not so wonderful mother. Justin on the other hand, needs to stay in Minnesota for his family. This book is full of love, hate, and all the feels. It really will capture and captivate you more than any of the earlier books!!!

This is Abby's best book yet! It can be read as a standalone, but it'll be a million times better if you have read her other books first. She likes to sprinkle easter eggs throughout them, and they really do make the books a little more fun and surprising. Happy reading!
15 reviews
January 7, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Abby Jimenez never disappoints. She brings characters to life with what appears effortlessly. In Just for the Summer, Justin and Emma have been plagued with the same curse - the last person they’ve dated find their soulmate as soon as they break up. When they form a plan that’s just for the summer, can they break their curse without catching real feelings? Justin is a cinnamon roll of a hero who takes guardianship of his to three siblings, while Emma is a traveling nurse who has some major PTSD from her toxic mother and childhood. Their lives are not in sync, but the heart doesn’t care about those minor details. I’m a big fan of witty banter and Jimenez delivers throughout. I found myself rooting for Justin and for Emma to deal with her past trauma to finally start to heal. Plus, the friendship between Emma and her traveling nurse bestie was perfection.
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