Just for the Summer Audiobook by Abby Jimenez

There’s something magical about listening to a romance audiobook while taking a long summer walk, sun dappling through the trees and laughter echoing from distant porches. That was my experience with Abby Jimenez’s “Just for the Summer”—a book whose lighthearted premise and genuine emotional depth were a perfect companion on those warm, golden evenings.

From the start, I was drawn in by Justin’s predicament: he’s convinced every woman he dates finds true love with the next guy after they break up. It reminded me of conversations I’ve had with friends about “relationship curses” and that almost superstitious hope that maybe, just maybe, if you approach love differently this time it might finally work out. When Emma enters the picture—a fellow sufferer of this odd romantic fate—I couldn’t help but root for them both. Their scheme to date and then break up as an attempt to cancel out their so-called curse is at once hilarious and oddly plausible (at least in rom-com logic), setting up countless moments for mischief, vulnerability, and connection.

One of my favorite aspects of “Just for the Summer” is how Jimenez balances humor with genuinely heartfelt storytelling. The banter between Justin and Emma sparkles; their jokes felt like inside references only old friends share, yet their budding relationship never lost sight of what truly matters: real-life complications and personal growth. As someone who has navigated tricky family dynamics myself, I found Emma’s struggle with her toxic mother heartbreakingly authentic. Jimenez doesn’t shy away from showing how past wounds can bleed into present happiness—and she does it all without ever letting the novel lose its breezy tone.

Justin stepping into guardianship for his three siblings took me by surprise in all the best ways. There are so many romances where family plays second fiddle to steamy scenes or witty repartee; here, both elements coexist beautifully. Listening as these characters stepped up—not just for themselves but also for one another—reminded me why stories about chosen families resonate so much with listeners like me.

The narrator deserves high praise (though not credited by name); their ability to slip seamlessly between Emma’s warmth and Justin’s earnestness brought each scene vividly alive in my headphones. Voices were distinct enough that I always knew who was speaking—a small touch that makes a world of difference when immersed in an audiobook world—and subtle inflections made tender moments sing without veering into melodrama.

If there was one area where I wished for more, it would be pacing—the setup is slow-burning at first—but once relationships deepen and life complicates things around Lake Minnetonka’s picturesque shores, it’s impossible not to get swept away.

What lingers most after finishing “Just for the Summer” isn’t simply its sweet romance or laugh-out-loud exchanges—it’s that sense of hope running quietly beneath every chapter: hope that people can change their patterns; hope that joy sometimes arrives unexpectedly; hope that broken hearts are just prologues to even better love stories.

Abby Jimenez proves again why she remains a go-to author whenever I need comfort mixed with honest reflection—all wrapped up in effervescent storytelling perfect for any season…especially summer.