Just for the Summer

Hypothetically you can read this as a standalone, but you would be missing out on all the context that really puts this book at five stars for me.

This is the best book in the series, and that's saying a lot because I really liked the first two. Justin and Emma have chemistry that pops off the page, cute banter, and charming personalities. It was satisfying to watch Justin break down Emma's trust issues and to watch her come to terms with her deeper feelings.

The external forces get a little heavy. The family issues on both sides get equal page time with the romcom parts, but I found it interesting. I think it's written with nuance and feel realistic for the situations. Both main characters have their own trauma to deal with (at various levels) and it bleeds into everything, but the overall feeling is always one of love and understanding. The plot is dynamic and at no point was I bored. It's funny, it's heartfelt, it's a gut punch sometimes, but the characters stay likeable.

VAGUE SPOILERS BELOW
I absolutely loved how interconnected this book was to the first two. My jaw literally dropped at a few reveals. Epilogues are hit or miss for me but this one was truly satisfying. Happy endings for everyone.I can't speak for the mental health representation but it seems real to me. Sometimes it was hard to watch Emma interact with her mother the way she did, in the same way I imagine it would be hard to watch your friend make decisions you know will hurt them.

Highly recommend for anyone looking for a romcom with depth, but I really think you need to read the first two.