By Chloe Heuston 
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez is the contemporary romance novel that came out in April 2024 and quickly became a fan favorite among rom-com and BookTok readers.
The story follows Justin and Emma, who both believe they’re cursed when it comes to relationships: everyone they date seems to find the one right after breaking up with them. When they meet via a Reddit thread (classic modern rom-com setup), they come up with a wild idea — to date each other for the summer and “break the curse.” Naturally, what starts as a lighthearted, no-strings fling slowly turns into something deeper and more complicated.
It’s set in Minnesota and, like Abby Jimenez’s other books, balances humor, banter, and swoon-worthy romance with deeper emotional themes — like family baggage, grief, and trust issues. There’s also a lovable found family vibe in the book, and if you’re into romance tropes like forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, and slow burn, it’s right up your alley.
Just for the Summer — Detailed Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
Prologue
We meet Emma through a viral Reddit post where she vents about her weird relationship curse — every guy she dates ends up finding the one right after they break up. She’s heartbroken and bitterly amused by it. The post blows up, catching the attention of Justin, a guy across the country in Minnesota who realizes he has the exact same problem. Intrigued, Justin messages her. Their online banter is witty and self-deprecating — it’s an immediate spark. They agree to test fate by casually dating each other over the summer to see if it breaks the curse.
Chapters 1–4
Emma decides to take a break from her suffocating life in Chicago — an emotionally unavailable situationship, an overbearing boss, and unresolved family baggage. She travels to Minnesota to visit her best friend Teagan, who convinces her that a little lakeside summer reset is just what she needs.
Justin and Emma’s first meeting at a cozy local bar is textbook awkward-cute. Justin is tall, bearded, broody but sweet; Emma is sarcastic, guarded, and gorgeous. They banter about their Reddit connection, both pretending it’s no big deal while clearly feeling the chemistry.
They make a pact:
- No serious emotions
- No expectations
- Just for the summer
Justin’s inner monologue reveals that despite his laid-back vibe, he carries a lot of guilt and responsibility for his siblings, and Emma’s sharp humor immediately disarms him.
Chapters 5–8
Emma moves into a charming guesthouse near the lake and starts settling into small-town life. She meets Justin’s found family:
- Lily: Justin’s protective, no-nonsense sister
- River: His rebellious younger brother
- Sasha & Teagan: Emma’s friends and temporary roommates
Emma quickly realizes that Justin is the rock holding his family together. His childhood was rough — an abusive father, an absent mother, and foster care trauma. Now in adulthood, Justin’s made his home a refuge for his siblings.
Emma is drawn to this big-hearted man who pretends to be emotionally unavailable but clearly lives for the people he loves. Their easy friendship grows — playful teasing, lakeside bonfires, and boat rides — with crackling tension beneath it all.
Chapters 9–12
As summer days stretch on, Emma and Justin’s connection deepens. They go on “fake dates” like paddleboarding and impromptu fishing trips, and the chemistry is undeniable. Emma realizes Justin isn’t just hot — he’s safe. And Justin’s starting to look at Emma like maybe she’s the one thing he didn’t know he needed.
Emma shares pieces of her past:
- Her father’s abandonment
- Her emotionally distant mother
- Why she refuses to be vulnerable with men
One night after a bonfire, they share a heartstopping first kiss by the lake. Both agree it’s casual — but neither believe it.
Chapters 13–16
Their fling turns physical in a steamy, charged scene that neither can write off as meaningless. The next morning, Emma panics, terrified of getting hurt, while Justin pretends it was just fun, but his internal conflict shows.
Emma bonds with Lily when a family crisis arises — River gets into a fight with his boss, and Emma helps Justin de-escalate the situation. Justin watches in awe as Emma seamlessly steps into his messy world.
Meanwhile, their curse seems to be working in reverse — one of Emma’s exes proposes to his girlfriend, and Justin’s last situationship texts him about meeting someone new. It’s unsettling, but also oddly freeing.
Chapters 17–20
Emma and Justin’s relationship deepens both emotionally and physically. They share vulnerable confessions: Justin opens up about how he’s always been the fixer, and Emma admits how she builds walls out of humor and independence.
One particularly moving scene has them lying on a dock under the stars, Emma confessing she never felt like she belonged anywhere until now.
Their arrangement becomes complicated as neither wants to label what they have but both are falling — hard.
Chapters 21–24
Emma gets a job offer in Chicago — an executive role she’d always wanted, but now it feels… hollow. She’s torn between career ambition and the found family she’s built over the summer.
To make matters worse, Justin’s toxic ex Kelsey shows up, trying to stir up old drama, hinting that Justin isn’t capable of sustaining a relationship. Emma overhears, triggering all her abandonment issues.
Justin confesses to River that he’s in love with Emma but feels cursed, terrified to tell her.
Chapters 25–28
In true rom-com fashion, Emma decides to leave early, convinced she’s about to be rejected. She tries to ghost Justin, but he finds out and races to the airport.
In a beautifully messy, heartfelt confrontation, Justin tells Emma he loves her. He’s tired of running from happiness, and if she’s willing to risk it too, he wants to build something real.
Emma finally lets herself be loved, choosing Justin and the messy, beautiful life they’ve built together.
Epilogue
Months later, Emma and Justin are happily together, curse shattered. She’s turned down the job in Chicago to freelance remotely, staying in Minnesota. Justin’s siblings have flourished. Their found family continues to grow. And the lake is still their sanctuary.
They tease each other about their old curses, but both know — it was never about fate. It was about finally choosing the right person at the right time.
Just for the Summer: Review
If you’re a sucker for books that feel like warm nights by the lake, found family chaos, and a slow-burn romance so good it makes you want to scream into a pillow — Just for the Summer is it.
Abby Jimenez delivers another rom-com with heart, humor, and a surprising emotional punch. Emma and Justin’s relationship starts as a flirty curse-breaking experiment but quickly turns into a beautiful, complicated mess of real feelings. The banter is top-tier, the chemistry is palpable, and the side characters are so lovable you’ll wish you could move into their lakeside house.
But what really sticks with you is how the book handles trauma, love, and choosing joy after years of self-protection. It’s funny, tender, a little messy, and exactly the kind of story you want to disappear into for a weekend.
Would 100% recommend to anyone who loves grumpy/sunshine pairings, found family, and kissing by the lake at midnight.
FAQs
Is Just for the Summer spicy?
Yes — Just for the Summer is medium-spicy. It has a few open-door scenes that are steamy, tender, and emotional, but not super graphic. Think cozy, meaningful spice with serious chemistry.
Is Just for the Summer part of a series?
Yes, Just for the Summer is part of a loose trilogy—the Part of Your World series by Abby Jimenez—but it’s fully enjoyable as a standalone novel.