Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
First published May 5, 2009
276 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781416968238 (ISBN10: 1416968237)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Summer is the season of transformation for Belly. Her life revolves around the beach house where she spends every summer with her family and two boys she grew up with – Jeremiah and Conrad.
To her, they are more than just friends, they are her first crushes and the only constant in her life. But as she grows older, things start to change.
Belly’s feelings for the boys deepen, and they start to see her in a new light. In one unforgettable summer, everything comes to a head.
Secrets are revealed, hearts are broken, and new beginnings are born. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and self-discovery that will leave you yearning for your own summer romance.
Editoral Review
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is a charming young adult novel first published in 2009. The story follows the life of a girl named Isabel, also known as Belly, as she spends a summer at the beach house of her family’s long-time friends.
Jenny Han is a prominent writer in the young adult genre, having authored several books such as To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Always and Forever, Lara Jean. The novel explores themes of friendship, family, love, and growth through the eyes of a teenage girl.
As Belly reunites with her childhood friends, the handsome and popular Conrad and the easygoing Jeremiah, she finds herself struggling with her feelings for both of them, and the inevitable transition into adulthood. The setting of the novel is both picturesque and significant, as the beach house symbolizes a place of refuge and warm memories for Belly and her family.
The novel captures the essence of summer and its carefree spirit, while also addressing its bittersweet nature as it marks the end of childhood innocence. Jenny Han’s writing style is immersive and easy to read, and the novel’s pacing is steady, allowing the reader to fully invest in the story and its characters.
The narrative is also enriched by the use of flashbacks, which provide insight into Belly’s past and the significant events that shaped her. One of the novel’s greatest strengths is the development of its characters.
Belly is a relatable protagonist, and the supporting characters are all fleshed out and given their own moments to shine. The relationships between the characters are complex and realistic, and the conflicts that arise feel genuine and captivating.
Despite its strengths, The Summer I Turned Pretty is not without its limitations. The novel follows a predictable plotline, and the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah may feel cliché to some readers.
Additionally, the book may not appeal to readers who are not fans of the young adult romance genre. In conclusion, The Summer I Turned Pretty is an enjoyable and heartwarming novel that captures the essence of growing up and moving on.
Fans of young adult romance will find much to enjoy in this novel, and those who are new to the genre may find it to be a good starting point. Overall, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars for its well-developed characters, engaging narrative, and relatable themes.