What are good book club discussion questions for Just for the Summer?

Spoiler-free questions to get the conversation going: Curl up and tell us: where were you when you read most of this book, and did you have a snack or drink with you?; What was the first scene that made you smile or sigh out loud? No spoilers, just the feeling; Justin and Emma both carry a lot for the people they love. When in your own life have you felt like the person everyone leans on, and what helped you feel cared for in return?; The Minnesota lake town feels like such a comforting hug. What real place in your life gives you that same settled, soft feeling?; This book is full of small kindnesses between strangers becoming family. Which gesture in the story warmed you most, and has someone ever done something similar for you?.

What food and drinks should I serve at a Just for the Summer book club?

Food: Slow-cooker Minnesota wild rice and chicken soup, Warm blueberry crumble with vanilla ice cream, and Buttery garlic bread or soft dinner rolls. Drinks: Honey chamomile tea, Spiked blueberry lemonade, and Hot cocoa with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.

How do I host a Just for the Summer book club night?

A tender, witty romance about two people who agree to swap hometowns for the summer and end up swapping a whole lot more, including the chance to finally feel at home somewhere.

Just for the Summer Book Club Questions, Food & Host Guide

Warm-up questions

1 Curl up and tell us: where were you when you read most of this book, and did you have a snack or drink with you?
2 What was the first scene that made you smile or sigh out loud? No spoilers, just the feeling.

Digging in

1 Justin and Emma both carry a lot for the people they love. When in your own life have you felt like the person everyone leans on, and what helped you feel cared for in return?
2 The Minnesota lake town feels like such a comforting hug. What real place in your life gives you that same settled, soft feeling?
3 This book is full of small kindnesses between strangers becoming family. Which gesture in the story warmed you most, and has someone ever done something similar for you?
4 Emma's relationship with her mom is so tender and complicated. How did the book's portrayal of imperfect family love sit with you?

Going deep

1 Abby Jimenez writes about mental health and burnout with so much gentleness. Was there a moment that felt especially seen or comforting to you personally?
2 Without giving anything away, how did you feel when you closed the book? What did it leave you wanting more of in your own life?

On the table

Slow-cooker Minnesota wild rice and chicken soup

A hug in a bowl, nodding to the lakeside Midwest setting

Warm blueberry crumble with vanilla ice cream

Summer berries plus cozy oven warmth, perfect for the book's bittersweet sweetness

Buttery garlic bread or soft dinner rolls

The kind of comfort carb you tear and share while everyone gets settled on the couch

To sip

Honey chamomile tea No alcohol

Soothing and nurturing, like Emma finally letting herself rest

Spiked blueberry lemonade

A lake-house porch sipper with a summer-romance glow

Hot cocoa with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick No alcohol

Because cozy night, always cocoa

Soft acoustic warmth with golden-hour summer feels

Tap a track to play it. Full songs play when you're signed into Spotify.