Just for the Summer

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Just for the Summer

by Jimenez, Abby

Justin and Emma are both cursed by the same strange phenomenon: everyone they date finds their soulmate immediately after breaking up with them. When they connect online, they decide to lean into this absurdity by fake dating to break the cycle. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly becomes complicated as they peel back the layers of their own family trauma and emotional baggage. This story isn't just a breezy summer fling; it is a thoughtful, messy exploration of how we carry our pasts into our futures. Jimenez excels at balancing laugh-out-loud banter with heavy, heart-tugging vulnerability. If you want a romance that respects your intelligence and isn't afraid to let its characters be truly flawed, this is the book to pick up. It feels like a long conversation with a friend who understands that love is rarely simple.

10 Books similar to 'Just for the Summer'

Since you enjoyed the emotional honesty and playful tension in Just for the Summer, these titles were curated to match that specific blend of humor and depth. Whether it is the small-town healing found in Things We Never Got Over or the complex, baggage-heavy relationships explored in Happy Place and Seven Days in June, these stories share a commitment to character growth. We selected these books because they prioritize the messy, human reality of falling in love while navigating personal trauma, ensuring you keep that bittersweet, heartfelt feeling long after the final page.

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Happy Place
Happy Place

by Emily Henry

Like Abby Jimenez's work, this novel balances heavy emotional themes like grief and changing relationships with a deeply romantic and witty narrative. It captures that same feeling of characters trying to find their footing while navigating complex pasts and undeniable chemistry.

The Love Wager
The Love Wager

by Lynn Painter

This book shares the playful banter and high-stakes romantic tension found in Jimenez's writing, while also grounding the story in relatable, modern relationship struggles. It perfectly captures the 'fake dating' dynamic that evolves into something much deeper and more meaningful.

Part of Your World
Part of Your World

by Abby Jimenez

Since fans of 'Just for the Summer' often love the author's specific voice, this earlier novel is a perfect recommendation. It features the same blend of serious, real-world issues—like emotional baggage and family expectations—woven into a tender, swoon-worthy romance.

Love, Theoretically
Love, Theoretically

by Ali Hazelwood

Readers who enjoy the intellectual yet vulnerable protagonists in Jimenez's books will appreciate this story about a scientist navigating professional and personal chaos. It offers a satisfying mix of sharp dialogue and the slow, rewarding development of a complicated relationship.

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Things We Never Got Over
Things We Never Got Over

by Lucy Score

This book mirrors the 'small town' charm and the 'healing from trauma' themes prevalent in Jimenez's stories. It features a strong, resilient protagonist who finds unexpected support and love while dealing with significant life changes.

Book Lovers
Book Lovers

by Emily Henry

This novel delivers the same level of emotional depth and character-driven narrative that makes Abby Jimenez's books stand out. It subverts traditional romance tropes while exploring the complexities of sisterhood and personal ambition.

The Flatshare
The Flatshare

by Beth O'Leary

Much like 'Just for the Summer,' this book uses a unique living arrangement to explore deep emotional wounds and the healing power of connection. It is both funny and deeply moving, focusing on how two people can change each other's lives from afar.

Every Summer After
Every Summer After

by Carley Fortune

This story captures the nostalgic, long-term connection between two people that fans of Jimenez often crave. It masterfully uses a dual timeline to reveal how past choices and secrets shape current romantic possibilities.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown
Get a Life, Chloe Brown

by Talia Hibbert

This book shares the authentic, often raw approach to mental health and chronic illness that Abby Jimenez incorporates into her romances. It is a vibrant, funny, and deeply emotional journey of a woman learning to embrace life on her own terms.

Seven Days in June
Seven Days in June

by Tia Williams

For readers who loved the intense emotional connection and the 'meant to be' feeling in 'Just for the Summer,' this book offers a similar depth. It is a sophisticated, poignant look at rekindled love and the heavy, complicated baggage that comes with it.