YA Romance • Drama • Coming-of-Age
Summary
If you stuck around for the ride, welcome; it’s been one messy and emotional rollercoaster. The final installment in Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy brings protagonist Belly to a crossroad, emotionally, romantically, and introspectively. After years of longing, heartbreak, and growth, she’s preparing for her wedding day. But the question still looms after all of these years: who will she choose?
We’ll Always Have Summer picks up with Belly navigating the aftermath of past relationships and the pressure of future commitments. The tension between loyalty and passion, comfort and chemistry, and while the story centers around her romantic decision, it’s also a quiet exploration of identity, grief, and the courage to choose your own path.
This book is undeniably bittersweet. While it doesn’t carry the same emotional weight or pacing as the first two, it offers closure, and while some of us readers may not particularly love the ending *cough, cough* ME *cough, cough*, it is exceptional to have finished this journey with her at long last.
Belly’s indecision feels real, messy, and often times frustrating, but it mirrors the complexity of growing up and learning to trust yourself. She has a long way to go before she’s mature enough to understand the weight and severity in the decisions she is making, so the entire story is a learning process for her and a lesson for readers. There’s romance here, emotional confusion, heartbreak, lingering grief, and family tension.
Book Series Turned TV Phenomenon
Season three of Amazon Prime’s adaptation has had me glued to the edge of my seat in anticipation, frustration, cringe, and awe. I think that there are so many of us invested in the deeply intricate relationships that Jenny Han has created, and seeing them televised, dramatized, and personified on the screen has been miraculous.
The show adds depth, nuance, and visual storytelling that elevates the emotional stakes. I will not be choosing teams this time. Personally, I believe it’s time for young Belly to say goodbye to the Fisher brothers and choose herself.
Final Thoughts
This story is a reminder that clarity doesn’t always come from others but from within. Belly’s journey reflects the importance of self-trust, emotional boundaries, and honoring your own voice. If you’re facing a big decision or feeling torn between paths, this book might resonate deeply.
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Her Voice Rising 