The Summer I Turned Pretty
Summer I Turned Pretty #1
by Jenny Han
Realistic Fiction
Romance
Review #1
* * Stars (Just ok)
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han follows the protagonist, Isabel “Belly” Conklin, as she navigates a summer at the beach. Belly has always spent her summers with her family and their close friends, the Fishers, at the beach house. However, this summer is different. As Belly matures, she finds herself caught in a love triangle between two brothers, Conrad, and Jeremiah Fisher, who have been a part of her life since childhood. Susannah (Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother) always knew that Belly was destined for one of her boys. She just didn’t know which one. Will Belly decide between Jeremiah and Conrad? Read the book to find out!
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” wasn’t exactly a book that wowed me; I didn’t enjoy the boring plot. The love triangle involving Belly and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, feels cliched and lacks the depth needed to engage readers on a meaningful level. The story unfolds in a way that can be anticipated from early on, leaving little room for surprises. This book would be a great start for younger teens who are getting into reading romance novels.
Review #2
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
Isabel Conklin is a teenager who loves summer with all her heart. Everything good and magical happens between June and August for Belly. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer. Every summer, Belly, and her family (including her mom, Laurel, and her older brother Steven) go to Cousins and live in a penthouse with her mother’s best friend, Susannah. Susannah’s sons, Conrad and Jeremiah are the boys Belly has known since her first summer there. They have been her brother figures, crushes, friends, and everything in between. Although Belly is fond of both of them, she has had a huge crush on Conrad since childhood. He always seemed the better, mature brother even if he didn’t care about Belly. On the other hand, there’s Jeremiah. Bubbly, outgoing, and popular among all at Cousins. Belly always considered Jeremiah her best friend and Conrad her soulmate. One summer Belly turns “prettier” and catches the attention of both brothers. Caught in a love triangle, Belly must decide what to do to benefit the whole family.
This book is very descriptive and the characterization is incredible you feel so connected to Belly and what she is going through. The reader feels as though they have watched her grow up. Jenny Han knows exactly how to rip your heart to pieces and then sew it all back together. The book explores topics such as friendships, love, and growing up. For middle and high school readers.
