Summary
Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it’s now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They’ll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
Emma hadn’t planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka.
It’s supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma’s toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they’re suddenly navigating a lot more than they expected–including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
Facts
Published: April 2024
Length: 432
Genre: Romance
Format: Paperback
Review
I started listening to this on Spotify and then I ran out of hours so I immediately purchased the book so I could finish it off. I absolutely loved this story, it made me laugh and it made me cry.
Emma and Justin meet in a very unconventional way, through Reddit! They both think they are cursed as everyone they date finds their soul mate as soon as they have broken up with them. This leads them to make a packed to date each other to break for curse – just for the summer.
This is only the second book by Abby Jimenez I have read but I know she likes to pack a lot of emotion and strife into her character’s life, which works so well, as it gives them lots of depth and it makes if feel like I’m reading about real people.
Emma’s background is so heartbreaking, and I did cry when reading some of what she experienced growing up. The thing that got me as well was when Abby explains her trauma to people, she does it in a way I think a lot of people who have suffered childhood trauma do, like it was a normal thing to go through and she just dealt with it. Justin has his own problems going on, his dad passed away a few years ago and now his mum is going to prison for embezzlement, leaving him to care for his younger siblings.
This combination made a great read because Justin is angry at his situation and Emma can give him a different perspective, Justin cares for Emma in a way that she has never been cared for before and it was just so sweet and lovely, seeing these two damaged people come together and make their lives better. I could go on but this review is already super long lol
Overall I loved this book and I would recommend it if you are looking for a romance with a bit more depth, but do check the trigger warnings.
My Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
About the Author
Abby Jimenez is a Food Network winner, New York Times best selling author, and recipient of the 2022 Minnesota Book Award for her novel Life’s Too Short. Abby founded Nadia Cakes out of her home kitchen back in 2007. The bakery has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and, like her books, has amassed an international following.
Abby loves a good romance, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.
Books & Other Pursuits 