Scan barcode
A review by lindseydahling
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
3.0
I have a few theories for why this was a 3-star read for me when the previous two books were 5 stars. I’m not 100% sure if any of them are the correct reason, but here we go.
1. There are so many…ehhhh….ughhh…what is the word? Not platitude or proverb. Something more heavy-handed.
I’m completely blanking on what this is called, but it’s basically where the characters make these ~profoundly deep~ statements and observations in this so-obviously-trying-to-be-wise that it feels ridiculous manner. There’s one line that’s something like, “Instead of anger, choose empathy.” (I’m paraphrasing. That’s not a direct quote.) The characters just go on and on and on about how wowww, that one thing the female MC said out of the blue on a date is just so profound. So life changing.
I’m doing a terrible job explaining this. Basically, it seemed like the characters randomly inserted in these heavy-handed AF statements in their dialogue and narration without any sort of organic authentic. Felt very forced. Also, there’s some ridiculously heavy-handed symbolism and metaphors in there. Like, character feels like she’s on a metaphorical island while living on a literal island. I just….please no.
2. The audiobook reader for Emma reads at a very serious and verrrrrry turtle-y pace.
Everything sounded very dramatic and life-altering, including what was supposed to be the fun banter. So, none of it was very fun. Or banter-y. Just…slow…and…angsty. For the record, the reader for Justin nails it. Half credit for the audiobook.
3. It spends more time focusing on Emma’s relationship with her mom than it does the romance.
I know. I KNOW these topics are important. It’s just that the book was marketed as a romance, so I really thought the romance would be…you know…the main focus here. It was more of a 60/40 type of thing. Maybe even 70/30, tbh.
4. My expectations may have been too high.
The first two books were perfect. Try as I might, I just could not get my brain to lower the bar. ALWAYS EXPECT GARBAGE, LINDSEY. YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THIS.
1. There are so many…ehhhh….ughhh…what is the word? Not platitude or proverb. Something more heavy-handed.
I’m completely blanking on what this is called, but it’s basically where the characters make these ~profoundly deep~ statements and observations in this so-obviously-trying-to-be-wise that it feels ridiculous manner. There’s one line that’s something like, “Instead of anger, choose empathy.” (I’m paraphrasing. That’s not a direct quote.) The characters just go on and on and on about how wowww, that one thing the female MC said out of the blue on a date is just so profound. So life changing.
I’m doing a terrible job explaining this. Basically, it seemed like the characters randomly inserted in these heavy-handed AF statements in their dialogue and narration without any sort of organic authentic. Felt very forced. Also, there’s some ridiculously heavy-handed symbolism and metaphors in there. Like, character feels like she’s on a metaphorical island while living on a literal island. I just….please no.
2. The audiobook reader for Emma reads at a very serious and verrrrrry turtle-y pace.
Everything sounded very dramatic and life-altering, including what was supposed to be the fun banter. So, none of it was very fun. Or banter-y. Just…slow…and…angsty. For the record, the reader for Justin nails it. Half credit for the audiobook.
3. It spends more time focusing on Emma’s relationship with her mom than it does the romance.
I know. I KNOW these topics are important. It’s just that the book was marketed as a romance, so I really thought the romance would be…you know…the main focus here. It was more of a 60/40 type of thing. Maybe even 70/30, tbh.
4. My expectations may have been too high.
The first two books were perfect. Try as I might, I just could not get my brain to lower the bar. ALWAYS EXPECT GARBAGE, LINDSEY. YOU KNOW BETTER THAN THIS.