Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
roses, breaking curses, and a minnesota summer
Dear Reader,
Did you miss us? We definitely missed you and are so happy to be back at it. And just in time for beach read season. This book offers a meet-cute where he falls first (and hard!). Find us out under the sun, SPF slathered on our skin, sipping bubbly beverages, and reading Abby Jimenez’s Just for the Summer.
Our story begins with a curse. A viral Reddit thread. Justin is the guy you date before you find your soulmate. Emma is a traveling nurse who DMs Justin to commiserate with him since she has exactly the same curse. They connect and they come up with a fool-proof plan… they’ll date each other.
Emma Grant - Holy Hell by Universal Flowering
notes: lake air, four dates and a kiss, and warm skin
try it first: sample
Warm notes of amber and sunscreen mix to create summer in a spritz with this scent. It smells like falling in love in the least likely place, with notes of neroli, toasted seashells, and a hint of melon. Like a summer cottage on Lake Minnetonka, letting yourself be vulnerable, and a breeze rushing through your hair as you almost reach the shore.
Emma talks to her roommate about the crazy idea and after some convincing, they’ve booked themselves a place to stay right in the middle of Lake Minnetonka. The deal between Justin and Emma is simple. They both benefit. Four dates, one kiss, and a breakup before then they go their separate ways curse-free and ready to find the love they’ve been waiting for.
Justin Dahl - By the Fireplace by Replica
notes: stepping up, slow burn, and fate
try it first: sample
Warm, like settling into the cozy docking station, this scent opens with a perfect spicy blend of pink pepper, cloves, and a sweet hint of orange blossom. Then we get the woodiness of guaiac wood, chestnut, and a pop of juniper. It smells like putting a warm sweater on a cold Minnesota day. And finally, this fragrance settles into base notes of vanilla and cashmeran.
It starts out easy. Perfect, almost. Justin has the feeling when he sees her. Emma realizes how easy it is. They’ve got the perfect set up and it’s not going to be a weird summer at all. As the days progress, they are just enjoying their time together.That is until Emma’s toxic mother shows up and threatens to derail everything. And to top it off, Justin has to take guardianship over his three siblings. Suddenly they both get more than they bargain for and the easy summer fling recedes in the distance.
Misplaced Trust - Red Roses by Jo Malone
notes: a bouquet of red roses, slipping away, and too many chances
try it first: sample
An instant aromatic bouquet of red roses is at the forefront of this fragrance along with a citrus lemony undertone. It smells like the comfort of a mom drenched in the scent that normally feels reserved for romance. The scent settles from that heart note of roses into a honeycomb base that lingers on your skin, leaving just the memory of the reddest florals.
On top of the family complications and roadblocks, something shifts and they might be catching real feelings for each other.l. What happens if fate gives them this chance, this opportunity to meet each other and break the curse together? Maybe there was no curse, and they’re simply meant to be.
Home - This is Her by Zadig Voltaire
notes: sticky kid fingers, homemade whipped cream, and warm hugs
try it first: sample
This woody, floral gourmand is the best of everything. It’s woody and spicy like leaning into the arms of your man. It’s floral with jasmine notes that leave the scent of summer wafting in the air. And it’s sweet with vanilla and whipped cream notes. It smells like home being a person and not a place. It’s knowing that you are safe and cared for.
Just for the Summer is wholesome, but full of emotional depth. Heartwarming, but also thought-provoking. It’s the first certified and true beach read of the season for us, and we highly recommend you grab a copy for yourself.
Next month, Taylor will be reporting on: The Stranger I Wed by Harper St. George
Scent-cerely,
Cassie & Taylor
