The Summer I Turned Pretty: The bestselling YA romance, now a major TV series Paperback – 28 April 2022

I love this book. After watching the prime series I had to read the book. It was a lovely, cosy, easy read. Will definitely purchase the full series.

enjoyed this

After reading, and loving, Jenny Han's series 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before', I thought I'd check out another series from the author and came across 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'.I really enjoyed Belly's story and the love triangle blossoming between her and the two brothers. It was a really fun dynamic, being as before this Summer happened - Belly was an outsider, the 'little sister' they didn't want to hang around with except when teasing her, etc. The boys treated her differently and after all those years of desperately hoping she'd be welcomed in to the group - also including her older brother, Steven - she had finally found her way in.If you love a story that has you picking a team, this one is the one - Team Conrad? or Team Jeremiah? Personally, I was definitely more #TeamJeremiah because he was the most genuine and lovely brother of the two, treating her as the best friend she had always been. Even if that meant pushing his long-lasting feelings towards her away and accepting the fact that the only person she'd have her eyes on that Summer, was Conrad.I wouldn't say Conrad is one of those bad boys you love to hate, or hate to love, but there is some arrogance around him and he doesn't have anyone's best interests at heart, except his own. He spends the Summer extremely moody towards Belly, treating her like the little girl he's always known. That being said, you could still see the care he had towards her, even if that care was only there because he thought of her as a little sister.Whilst this book was definitely a light-hearted Summer read, there was definitely a more deeper story within the families, including an illness and because of this and other things such as the teens all going their separate ways after Summer was over - you could tell that this was going to be the last time at the Beach House where everything was like every other year before. I was glad to have read little snippets of previous Summers, as it would've been sad to see it all go so quickly.The first instalment to 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' series was a great read, with the shortest of chapters (thank you Jenny Han!!) meaning I absolutely whizzed through this book within a day or two. I would describe it as a book that you can't put down once you pick up, however, that being said, it will only be that type of book for you if you're in to the cliche's, cheesy romances, love triangles, etc. like myself! I have grown to care for every character including; Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, Laurel (Belly's mum), Steven (Belly's brother) and Susannah (Conrad & Jeremiah's mum) and can't wait to see what awaits them next Summer!

teenage daughter loves this book

I first read this book about six years ago and I really loved it. I have just finished re-reading it after watching the TV series. It’s certainly been an interesting example of how individual preferences and societal standards change, even in a relatively small period of time.I spent most of my time watching the TV series trying to remember the book and whether they were similar. They’re not; and in a good way. Jenny Han has been hands on with the TV series and the changes to the story, including more current perspectives on things like sexuality, identity and feminism tell me she was aware of some of the shortcomings of her book - especially with the eye of a modern audience.Most notably, I was disappointed that Belly was almost certainly white - well, not Korean as many of Jenny Han’s other protagonists are. Her race isn’t stated explicitly, but Belly does comment on another character who she feels looks Korean or mixed, and this doesn’t come from a ‘like me’ angle. Han makes the background of characters in her other books more obvious, making me draw the conclusion that Belly is indeed white. It feels like a missed opportunity. And sad that the book of Jenny Han’s that focuses so much on the beauty of the main character of course couldn’t be anything other than white.There are also a couple of moments in the book that have aged particularly badly, with main characters using ‘gay’ as an insult or as an ‘accusation’ for sexual restraint. I do realise this sort of communication was much more commonplace at time of writing, but it still feels uncomfortable.I’m not sure whether I like some of the potential underlying themes of the book and messages it gives either. ’I was an unattractive member of family who no one took seriously until a grew boobs and became conventionally pretty? Really?’The pacing of the book feels off; namely it feels too short. I feel the characters could have been developed much more, especially characters like Suzannah and Belly’s mum. Suzannah is idealised with little real rationale in a similar way that Belly’s mum is demonised. This could have been done really well - many teenagers do have difficult dynamics with their mum and look for surrogate relationships with ‘cooler’ parents, but unfortunately in this case it’s a good idea poorly executed. The rushed nature of its presentation only further feeds into Belly looking superficial and childishExcluding perhaps Jeremiah, the teen characters just feel quite unlikeable. Belly in particular. But I will say that the book does do a good job of reflecting the neurotic feelings of young love. It feels uncomfortable, desperate and real.Reading back over my review I feel my three stars looks generous. I’m trying to give it some grace due to its age, and I do enjoy the illustration of unrequited teen love and hints at some really interesting dynamics. I’m also a bit of a sucker for a beach read. Take it as a light read and take it with a pinch of salt (or sand).

I bought this book for my daughter and the moment she started reading it, she didn’t put it down. The book is amazing and is hooking. My daughter loved it and I think you would too.

I did like the way this book was written, the narrative was super easy to follow and the book definitely flowed. I would say it’s aimed for a younger audience as the storyline could have developed more, but as a say a quick easy enjoyable read with the classic romance feel

It was amazing