Book Review: "Just for the Summer" by Abby Jimenez

Simply put, Abby Jimenez is one of my absolute favorite authors. I have loved every book she has written, and her newest book, Just for the Summer, was, unsurprisingly, exceptional. I can never get enough of the incredible way she balances humor, emotion, romance, and steam with amazingly vivid characters.

Justin has a curse: whenever he breaks up with a woman he’s been dating, she goes on to immediately meet her soulmate. Like, every single time. It’s a little depressing for him.

Emma reads about Justin’s “curse” on the internet and it’s all too familiar, because the same thing happens to her. Egged on by her best friend, she reaches out to Justin to commiserate about their shared burden. It’s not long before they’re talking or texting every day, so Justin proposes an arrangement: they go on four dates, kiss, and break up, and then they’ll meet their soulmates. Of course, Justin is in Minnesota and she's supposed to head to Hawaii, but with some finagling, she's able to change her schedule.

The thing is, Emma never expected Justin to be as hot as he is. She definitely didn’t expect him to put so much effort and creativity into their dates. And Justin didn’t expect to fall as hard for Emma as quickly as he has, but he knows that her time in Minnesota is short before she leaves for another traveling nursing gig.

When Emma’s mother, who has neglected her most of her life, surfaces in Minnesota, it opens up a lot of old wounds. Then Justin has to assume custody of his three younger siblings. Both have so much trauma and baggage to deal with; how can they hope to even get through four dates?

I loved the appearances of characters from all of Abby’s previous books (but you don't have to have read them first). Once again, Jimenez made me smile and cry, and I’m there for it every time. Many thanks to Forever for the free copy!

Book Review: "The Women" by Kristin Hannah

So, maybe you’ve seen this book around once or twice? I’m definitely a fan of Kristin Hannah’s, but I need to be in a specific frame of mind for the emotional journeys she takes you on. I’m pleased to say, however, that this so utterly lived up to all the hype—it was simply fantastic.

“How did you know if you had the strength and courage for a thing like that? Especially as a woman, raised to be a lady, whose courage had been untested.”

Frances “Frankie” McGrath was raised a daughter of privilege, living on Coronado Island. She was working as a nurse, at least until she got married. But in 1966, at age 20, inspired by her older brother going to Vietnam, Frankie does the unheard of and enlists, becoming an Army nurse.

The book follows Frankie in country, through the harrowing injuries and deaths she saw, the wounded Vietnamese children, and the strong bonds she formed with both her fellow nurses and other soldiers. It also deals with the trauma Frankie dealt with upon her return, both from those against the war and her own family, all of whom would rather believe that there were no women in Vietnam.

This book is graphic and very emotional, but it so beautifully pays tribute to the oft-forgotten women who served in Vietnam, and those who gave their lives. It also examines the visible and hidden scars that soldiers face, whether in combat or not. I’m always grateful to those who have served and continue to serve our country, but reading The Women makes me want to say thank you over and over again.

Book Review: "500 Miles from You" by Jenny Colgan

According to Jenny Colgan's 500 Miles from You, sometimes a change of perspective can do you good—and sometimes it’s even better.

Lissa is a nurse in London, working in some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. She’s been having trouble keeping it together, though, since witnessing a horrible crime. Her PTSD is making it impossible for her to focus, so her supervisors think a change of scenery will help, and they arrange for her to swap jobs with another nurse.

Cormac is a nurse and former army medic in the small Scottish town of Kirrinfief. He’s easygoing and friendly, a gentle giant, but that calm hides some deeper issues he keeps silent about. He’s only spent a day or two in London but now he’ll be taking Lissa's place while she moves to Kirrinfief.

Although Cormac has an easier time getting acclimated than Lissa, both feel like a fish out of water. Lissa, in particular, is finding it hard to get comfortable in a place where everyone knows everyone’s business and everyone is so friendly and laid back. But little by little, she starts to warm to the town and its people, and they stop thinking she's totally standoffish.

After some initial awkwardness, Cormac and Lissa start emailing each other about their patients, daily occurrences, every little thing, which leads to texting each other. Why is it so easy to unburden yourself to someone you’ve never met?

What happens when they meet each other? And what happens when they have to return to their original homes and jobs?

Unless you’ve never read a rom-com before, you pretty much know what will happen. And even though I did, there is so much charm here to fall for. The characters—not only Lissa and Cormac, but the supporting characters in both London and Kirrinfief—are just so endearing. It took a little longer for Lissa to stop being impolite and disoriented than I would’ve liked, and the roadblocks she and Cormac encounter at one point made me roll my eyes, but I still enjoyed this so much.

I’ve been wanting to read a Jenny Colgan book for so long and now I see why she’s so loved!