YA Romance • Coming-of-Age • Drama
Summary
Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty kicks off a three-part saga that’s recently been adapted into a hit Amazon Prime series. It’s a story that captures the bittersweet ache of adolescence, love, and the magic of summer.
The story follows Belly, a fifteen-going-on-sixteen-year-old girl, who returns every summer to the beach house in Cousins, shared with close family friends. This summer, however, feels excruciatingly different. She’s had affections for the eldest brother of a pair, Conrad, for as long as she can remember. He’s distant, brooding, emotionally unavailable, and maybe finally noticing her too?
This book is a love letter to the messy, beautiful, and heart wrenching moments of growing up. Young readers may find it all too relatable while adults find it heart warming-ly nostalgic of their own adolescence. Belly’s longing, awkwardness, and emotional highs and lows are both entertaining and familiar. While the writing leans campy at times, it’s also sincere. It captures the naivety and vulnerability of wanting to be seen and loved at a crucial age of development.
Book Series Turned TV Phenomenon
I have a confession to make…
For the first time ever, I preferred the show over the book. I know! I never imagined I would admit to such, but Amazon Prime’s adaptation adds layers of emotional nuance, character development, and visual storytelling that elevate the narrative exponentially. It also brings background characters to life, integrating their own complex relationships, which enhances the world-building for the rest of the plot.
But don’t misunderstand me. The book still offers something special that the show doesn’t quite get: those quiet, internal reflections that only prose can deliver. It’s worth reading for the deeper insights into Belly’s mind and the subtle shifts in her emotions that visual narrative can’t tell.
Final Thoughts
This story reminds us that transformation isn’t always loud. More often than not, it’s quiet, internal, and deeply personal. Belly’s journey mirrors the emotional shifts we experience during transitional seasons. If you’re navigating change, this book might feel like a gentle companion.
If you love the friends-to-lovers trope, summer settings, and stories that explore emotional growth with a touch of drama, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a charming read. And if you’ve already watched the show, the book offers a more intimate lens into the characters you’ve come to love.
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