I ran out of books on my trip to Europe. Fortunately, I’ve raised a reader—who is now an adult. When she dove into this book, she promised it to me next. I wasn’t sure I wanted to read back-to-back chick lit, but it turns out, I did.
Just for Summer Earns a Spot on My Book Picks
I picked up Just for Summer and found the style immediately approachable and was quickly drawn in. My daughter’s taste in books is broad and we fortunately have plenty of overlap. She tends to like younger characters. Picking up books she likes helps me relate to her and her peers. For all you mamas out there with young kids, keep reading to them and soon enough you’ll be able to create your own book club!
Emma Grant is our heroine. She and her best friend, Maddy, are traveling nurses who take short-term assignments to see the world. Their carefree careers have served them well for years—men come and go, but their bond endures. When Emma stumbles upon a Reddit thread featuring a witty Minnesota native, an online spark turns into real-world chemistry as Emma and Maddy accept an assignment in Minneapolis.
It’s worth noting that Jimenez is both a foodie and a Minnesota native. She founded Nadia Cakes (which earns a mention in the book) from her home kitchen back in 2007. With an international following, it’s no surprise that the local food scene and restaurants receive generous shout-outs throughout the novel.
The “meet cute” and witty banter are lighthearted and breezy, but it wasn’t until Emma’s signs of trauma began to surface that I became truly invested. Themes of mental health and abandonment quickly emerge as the emotional core of the story. We root for this young couple to overcome the odds while also recognizing that there’s no magic fix for generational wounds.
Why This Book Matters
Emma reminds us often, “In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy.” The reader is given plenty of reasons to love this flawed heroine, and we’re more than willing to give her the grace she needs to heal.
I liked this book because it delivered the happy ending I craved—but with a pace and emotional depth that made it feel earned. The couple (and the reader) had to work for it. The extra 100 pages of drama are warranted, and the book ultimately transcends frothiness because of it. I’m not alone in my appreciation—Just for Summer was selected as a GMA Book Club pick in April 2024.
Read On: The plane home from Germany and poolside in CT.
One Line Summary: A heartfelt romance with emotional depth, Just for Summer delivers a satisfying happily-ever-after while thoughtfully exploring themes of trauma, healing, and empathy.
For Fans of: The Wedding People, a story of healing, emotional resilience, and unexpected connection, with redemption at its heart.
Get the full list of books from 2025 here.
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