Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer, #1)

Author: Jenny Han

Format: Paperback

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Number of Pages: 276

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance, 

Synopsis:

Some summers are just destined to be pretty.

When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother’s best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah.

Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad’s brother, Jeremiah, Belly’s heart belongs to Conrad.

Will he offer his to her?

Will this be the summer that changes everything?

Personal Thoughts:

Rating:

Note: Here’s yet another long overdue review.

Here we follow the story of Belly and the Fisher boys. Belly has known Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher her whole life; they are her mother’s best friend’s sons. She has always had a crush on Conrad, but he’s always just seen her as a friend. This summer, though, Belly is determined that everything will be different. She hopes that this summer, he finally sees her as more than a friend.

I first read this in 2012, back when I was still in college — back in the time when my favorite genre was still romance and chick lit. I remember being so immersed in the story and bawling my eyes out because I can totally relate to Belly’s feelings. Since the series adaptation is just around the corner, I decided to reread it just so I can gauge if I still feel the same way towards it.

To be honest, I suddenly found Belly a bit annoying and kind of selfish at times. I couldn’t believe that found her character somewhat relatable when I first read the book, but hey, I guess we all went through the same phase and what matters most is that we moved past it and grew up. I still loved the story, though, and still found myself flipping through the pages. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I definitely still enjoyed this book.

What I noticed when I reread it in November was that I was able to see other parts of the story aside from the relationships. I know that when I first read this in 2012, Susannah’s character was very lovable, but during my reread, I have come to appreciate and love her more. She’s probably my post favorite character in the book.

Overall, I still loved this series and will continue with my reread before I dive into the series. As of writing, I’m currently reading the second book in the series, It’s Not Summer Without You.