Romance Reviews: JUST FOR THE SUMMER & THE RULE BOOK

Hey everyone! Sorry for dipping out again. I think it’s safe to say that I’m in the midst of a blogging slump at the moment.  I don’t know why but I think until I’m on the other side of it, that I’m just going to post when the mood hits me to do so.  Today the mood did hit me though because I just finished two of my most anticipated 2024 reads and wanted to share my thoughts with you.  Abby Jimenez was already an auto-read author for me, but with The Rule Book, Sarah Adams has also landed on my auto-read list. Both of these books come out next week, so if you like what you read, you can snag copies of these on Tuesday!

Just for the Summer Goodreads

Author: Abby Jimenez

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

Abby Jimenez is truly one of the most gifted storytellers I’ve had the pleasure of reading.  Each one of her books has left me with a full heart and a smile on my face, and her latest romance, Just for the Summer, has done that and more!  It’s my new favorite from Jimenez and I can’t wait for you all to read it because I think you’re going to love it too!

I fell in love with this book from the moment Emma and Justin, the two main characters, meet online through a thread on Reddit that has gone viral.  In the thread, Justin is explaining that he is cursed.  Every woman he dates goes on to find her soulmate as soon as they break up.  Emma is captivated by the Reddit thread and reaches out to Justin because she is similarly cursed. They hit it off right away and eventually come up with a plan to date each other in hopes that their curses will cancel each other out and they’ll finally be able to find their own soulmates.

I thought this was such a fun and unique way to have a meet cute and I was immediately rooting for this curse to bring Emma and Justin together since they clearly had such great chemistry.  They do have to overcome one obstacle though – distance. Justin lives in Minnesota, while Emma and her best friend Maddy are traveling nurses who are next slated to go to Hawaii for several months.  When Maddy sees how into Justin Emma is, she reluctantly agrees to change their plans and they head to Minnesota instead.

While plenty of fun romcom goodness ensues as Emma and Justin start dating, what really grabbed my heart in this story is Emma’s history — why she has chosen to be a traveling nurse rather than put down roots anywhere and start a family.  It becomes clear why when Emma’s toxic mother shows up in Minnesota and threatens the fragile life that Emma has started to build for herself.  My heart broke for Emma, but I was so grateful that Maddy and Justin were there for her.  Maddy is the ultimate mama bear when it comes to Emma and as soon as she realizes that Justin truly cares about Emma, she educates him on how best to help Emma when her mom makes her feel small.  Justin was already serious book boyfriend material, but these moments are what really put him over the top for me.

I also loved how Just for the Summer also brings back several characters from Jimenez’s other books, in particular, Part of Your World.  I think this book is a fantastic read even if you haven’t read Part of Your World, but I would personally recommend reading it first because it really does make reading Just for the Summer even more special.

I really don’t have the words to do justice to how wonderful this book is, so all I’ll say is go pick up a copy. You won’t regret it!  5 STARS

The Rule Book Goodreads

Author: Sarah Adams

Publication Date: April 2, 2024

Publisher: Dell

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  All opinions are my own.

Sarah Adams is quickly becoming one of my favorite rom-com authors because I can always count on her to deliver cute swoony romances that are full of laughs. Adams does exactly that with The Rule Book, her latest sports romance, which also happens to be a companion novel to another of her books I love, The Cheat Sheet.  You don’t need to read The Cheat Sheet to enjoy The Rule Book, but both are fabulous so I say go for it!

Nora Mackenzie has just been promoted to a full-time sports agent. She’s flying high until she learns her first big client is none other than famous NFL tight end, Derek Pender, who also happens to be her college ex-boyfriend.  Their break-up was messy, and Derek is still clearly holding a grudge and vows to make Nora’s life hell by being as difficult and high maintenance as possible. He has clearly forgotten how stubborn and tenacious Nora can be though and she gradually starts to win him over.

I absolutely loved everything about this book! I’m a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers story but add in a marriage of convenience and a second chance romance, and I’m in heaven.  Adams does a wonderful job getting me hooked on the idea of Nora and Derek rekindling their romance from their very first scene.  Even though the tension between them is palpable, the chemistry between Nora and Derek is undeniable. Adams also writes some of the wittiest banter and had me laughing out loud throughout the book.  It’s not all laughs though as Nora and Derek also share some moving and heartfelt moments on their journey to forgiveness.  I also loved the layer of vulnerability Adams gives Derek by having him struggle with dyslexia. The rep is well done and really made Derek a more sympathetic character.

The Rule Book is the fourth book I’ve read from Sarah Adams and I think it’s my favorite yet.  If you’re in the mood for a fun and heartwarming story about forgiveness and second chances, be sure to check this one out!  4.5 STARS