"You can't just keep doing what you're doing and wait for it to turn into something happy. You kind of have to look for the h
4.25 stars ✨
"You can't just keep doing what you're doing and wait for it to turn into something happy. You kind of have to look for the happy things along the way"
Reading her books is like a breath of fresh air. They're quick and easy, but they make you feel something. They are full of life and don't lack depth. Her writing is colorful and beautiful, but also very meticulous. She doesn't leave plot holes or overly complicate situations. I love how her stories always include past marriages and kids. It adds more of a realistic perspective to her books.
This book beautifully captures grief, unexpected relationships, sense of loneliness, feeling lost, but also encompasses joy, friendships, and love. Ali was a very relatable character in my eyes. She's afraid of losing those she loves and avoids commitment, and girl, same. She wants a summer romance, but it blooms into something more. The romance was honestly so cute and wholesome. I always say books are heartwarming and stuff, but this book was the epitome of heartwarming. I teared up, but I wasn't emotionally distraught.
I loved the dynamic between Ali and her kids. How she would do anything for them, even when times are tough. I loved how Ethan cared for them too and wasn't afraid of getting attatched. Ethan brought Ali back to life when she thought she didn't have anything else to give. Ethan was so sweet and I wish I got more of him, especially his POV.
Annabel Monaghan knows how to write, and I cannot wait to read more of her books. I stayed up literally all night enthralled by this book not wanting to put this down. I highly recommend this book if you need a palate cleanser or are just needing a cute summer romance!
I feel that quote deep in my bones. I don't need these huge grand gestures or an
4 stars ✨
"Sometimes the quietest love is the loudest"
I feel that quote deep in my bones. I don't need these huge grand gestures or anything. I want the quite love that is shown in quietly listening and remembering something as mundane as your favorite chip. I think I found the perfect book that portrays those small acts. It made me heart beat and flutter. It was so endearing, and I wish I had someone like Ryan Shay who watched and listened as thoughtfully as him. I was giggling and kicking my feet endlessly. I was so easily drawn into this book. It did start to feel lengthy though once the relationship solidified, but I loved this nonetheless.
Indy is this boisterous and emotional character, but widely intelligent and doesn't show it all the time. I loved her so much and I wish I was as open as her. She had her insecurities, but was confident and held her head high. Ryan Shay, my man, he was just everything. He cared so much the FMC, and it was honestly so cute. He seems distant and quiet at first, but he opens up so much. He explains his past and why he is how he is. With him being a hotshot basketball player, there's always walls up and he only lets certain people in. I loved the relationship and the communication that was in this book. I didn't feel frustrated with really anything. I loved the overprotective nature of Ryan Shay. I loved the fierceness in Indy and how she loved. It was honestly so good.
It's been a couple of days, and I can't quite remember everything, but I remember important details. This book won't necessarily stick to me (except for Ryan Shay), but I will still give this a 4 stars and recommend this. I may or may not read the other books in this series, but this was a good one to start with the author!
Usually I use a quote from this book that either resonated with me or really fit this book, but I didn't care enough to use one. I appre
2 stars ✨
Usually I use a quote from this book that either resonated with me or really fit this book, but I didn't care enough to use one. I appreciate the work that is put into these books and stuff, but I can't honestly say I liked this book. For the beginning to middle of the book, I kind of was enjoying this, but nearing the end, I couldn't get past the behavior of either of the characters. Josh's actions were just irredeemable and irritating, and Jule's actions were stupid and unreasonable. I didn't really feel their connection, either than the physical one that they wanted. I didn't feel the emotional connection, and maybe that's just me. I saw the hateful banter and all that, but I didn't see the love between them.
One scene I really did enjoy and thought was cute was the date between Jules and Josh. I thought it was thoughtful, but then went downhill from there. Josh was just a big asshole in my opinion. He was manipulative and just wasn't interesting to read about. I honestly was more interested in Alex in this book than Josh. Jules was portrayed as this badass character that didn't let a man rule her world, but she didn't keep that act up. She was haunted by her past and made stupid decisions, that ultimately caused problems. I saw some of the reasoning behind her actions, but I was mentally yelling at her.
I don't recommend this book, but I know there are so many people who love this book and series, I just feel like this isn't for me. I still have one more book to read, and will I read it? Probably, because my brain just wants to finish what I started. Don't take my review to heart, but just read with caution.
"We’re both trying to find our place in the world, at the same time. Sometimes it feels like we’re floating, and we’re not sur
4.5 stars ✨
"We’re both trying to find our place in the world, at the same time. Sometimes it feels like we’re floating, and we’re not sure which way to land or if we even can.
After finishing the spectacular world of the Calloway sisters, I was yearning for more. I didn't really want to read the books about their children, but I was so intrigued about a set of characters that did play a big part of the series. And let me say, I absolutely loved this book. I loved Willow as a character so much, and it was so refreshing to see her side of things and get her story. Garrison was difficult to like at first just because of how he was introduced in the addicted books, but he really grew on me throughout this whole series.
Willow and Garrison's relationship was so cute and I loved how they dealt with their feelings and problems together. There were a lot of hardships, especially on Garrison's side, but they always fought through and it really showed how much they loved each other.
I loved the small glimpses of the core six and their relationship between Willow and Garrison. I especially enjoyed seeing the unusual bonds that formed, but that perfectly worked. I was so happy that I decided to read this, and I would 100% recommend this if you have read the Addicted/Calloway series, and haven't had the chance to read this yet!
"There’s no one else. There will never be anyone else. Whatever it takes, wherever we are, it’s always been you."
"The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday li
4.75 stars ✨
"The best kind of love doesn't happen on moonlit walks and romantic vacations. It happens in between the folds of everyday life. It's not grand gestures that show how you feel, it's all the little secret things you do to make her life better that you never tell her about"
Just For The Summer truly solidified my love for Abby Jimenez. There is such an ease to her writing and storytelling. You can easily drown in her books, forgetting reality and soaking in a beautiful romance laced with thought provoking topics. Her books are never just romances. This book in particular dealt with maternal issues, trust issues, and losing yourself. I felt for Emma so much, wishing I could take away her pain and her sense of feeling small in world where she means so much to people.
Justin was the epitome of "If he wanted to, he would." He was so so so caring and sweet. He thought of everything to make the time he had with Emma worthwile, no matter if it wasn't going to last. I could tell by their first interaction, that it was going to mean something more than a "Just For The Summer" romance. You could see how much they cared for each other through their small actions, especially Justin's. If Emma was sick, Justin would come running (or iykyk
"The truest sacrifices are the ones no one knows anything about"
This book was truly a heartwarming and endearing experienc
4.5 stars ✨
"The truest sacrifices are the ones no one knows anything about"
This book was truly a heartwarming and endearing experience. I was easily swept away into this fast paced but fully fleshed out story. It didn't feel like the story was missing any crucial details, or even small mundane things. I felt connected and I immensely enjoyed this book.
I appreciated Jacob's character so much, and even his character development. I loved how Abby Jimenez portrayed and described his character. His inner monologue and personality is one that's never really talked about in books. Jacob deals with anxiety, and it felt like I was being picked apart and exposed because everything felt so relatable.
"Wouldn’t it be amazing to live like that? To not carry that burden around with you. To not feel constantly overwhelmed and overstimulated and second-guess every little thing"
Briana's story and her lack of trust in herself and relationships was difficult to read because it felt somewhat relatable too. Her fears and ghosts were always there coming to haunt her, but she learned to overcome them with time and help. I appreciated and loved Briana's character so much.
I loved loved loved the romance in this book. It cute and funny at times, but also heartwarming and butterfly inducing. Their moments together and their personalities melded together so well. I loved their conversations and their dynamic. I quite literally loved everything about them. Their first impressions might not have been the best, but it really blossomed from there. The only thing reframing me from giving this a 5 star is that I was getting a little annoyed per say with the whole situation that was happening. I can't quite say what it was, but it's not a huge deal breaker. It didn't stop me from loving this book, and I couldn't recommend this more!
“Love follows you. It goes where you go. It doesn’t know about social divides or distance or common sense.”
I loved loved lov
4 stars ✨
“Love follows you. It goes where you go. It doesn’t know about social divides or distance or common sense.”
I loved loved loved this book. Abby Jimenez's books always have some sort of magic in them. The writing is beautiful and easily portrays emotions. I get drawn into this cute but emotional story that just leaves me feeling so alone. I want the type of love she writes about. The ones where it might not seem right or there's complications, but love trumps it all. I might be delusional, but a girl can dream. So far, this would be my least favorite of her books out of the 3 I have read, but that's only because the other books I connected to more. I'm not saying I wasn't tearing up because I was, but I didn't feel as strongly. I felt like I wanted more of them and their relationship.
I knew how the end of their relationship was going to end, but I didn't know how it happened, and I am happy to have gotten to read their story. It was an adorable meet cute that was kind of cliche, but worked so well. Two people who lived opposite lives find each other in the most unlikely circumstances, but it blossoms from there. There were many obstacles and unknowns, but it worked out beautifully in the end.
Alexis has a lot responsibility and a reputation to uphold with her family's upbringing, but she doesn't want that life herself. She finds joy in someone that doesn't really fit her life, but can't seem to let them go. Daniel is a young and well loved person who has had to work for the life he has, but his life alters once someone uproots his life. I really wished I saw more of them, and I know I said that already, but I didn't have that feeling I had with her other books. I don't know how to quite it explain it though. I loved the cute gestures and the pining and yearning, but I didn't fully feel it (if that make sense). I also lost my rhythm halfway through. It kind of got slow, but it did pick up pace. All that said, I would still recommend this book because it was endearing and easy.