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Welcome to book club week! This entire week I will be breaking down all of the books I read this past summer with a short synopsis and a review. Like you I am always looking for books recommendations, and hopefully one of these books will intrigue you to put on your reading list. Today’s books are The Summer I Turned Pretty series by Jenny Han. I watched the Netflix show before diving into the books. Usually I like to do it the other way around, but truthfully I didn’t know it was a book series when I started watching. And surprisingly I like the changes that they made in the Netflix series– adding in the debutante ball, adding more characters, and keeping Steven in for the entire duration of the show. If you haven’t watched the series I highly suggest; a very charming and cute coming of age story that is now a pop classic. But let’s discuss the books first.
*If you haven’t read any of the books I highly suggest reading the synopsis of the first book before continuing on.
Every summer since she can remember Belly has spent it at the beach house. Susannah’s beach house with her two boys Conrad and Jeremiah. Along with Belly’s mother Laurel and brother Steven of course. Belly looks forward to her days spent in Cousins Beach, especially spending time with the boys. The boys. They have been everything to Belly; her brothers, her crushes, and her friends. Until one summer when Belly turns 16 everything changes. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a coming of age for a young girl who is finally starting to turn into a woman. She is dealing with her own personal insecurities and grasping for the independence she so desires while navigating feelings for the boy she has loved for years. I gave it a 4/5 stars.
Review
Although I enjoyed reading the The Summer I Turned Pretty, I have to say I preferred the Netflix series. I don’t know if I would feel the same if it was reversed: reading the book before watching the series. I personally could not stand Belly at all in the first book. I thought she was so rude and childish. The way she constantly lashed out at Conrad for little reasons. I get she was harnessing a crush and as teenage girls do, they don’t know how to handle their emotions. Another thing I liked more about the Netflix series than the book is that it showed more of Conrad’s relationship with Belly. In the book I was rooting more for Jeremiah as I felt it showed more of their friendship and how he stood up for her during times when the boys either teased her or left her out. I really did not see any connection between her and Conrad. Not until their relationship finally bloomed.
Everything was going so well for Belly until Susannah got sick again and Conrad pulled away. This summer will not be the same without the beach house and the boys. Then one day Jeremiah calls Belly concerned for Conrad’s whereabouts. The three of them find themselves back at the beach house. It’s Not Summer Without You is about how each of them deal with the aftermath of events and their last summer together. About the consequences of the choices they make. How they deal with grief. How they deal with things that they want, but are not ready for. I give this a 4/5 stars.
Review
I was started to like Conrad and Belly together until they weren’t. And once again I was back on Jeremiah’s side as Conrad didn’t treat Belly with the respect she deserved. And once again Belly was pretty terrible to Conrad as well. I did like how they found themselves back at the beach house again for another summer. You do get a more in-depth look into what Conrad is going through and why he is acting the way he is. I did not like Belly and Jeremiah getting together at the end… it felt weird and so wrong. The only character that I consistently loved is Laurel. She is amazing! She saves the day!
Jumping 2 years later, Belly and Jeremiah are still going strong; spending time in college together and making plans for the future. While Jeremiah knows Belly is his forever, Belly knows that a part of her still longs for Conrad. And for Conrad, well, letting Belly go was the biggest mistake of his life. He finally realizes that it’s now or never in getting her back. We’ll Always Have Summer is about not letting the good things in life pass you by, you must fight for what you want. And that what is meant to be willl always find its way to you. I give this a 4/5 stars.
Review
Now I am finally team Conrad! I knew something was off with her relationship with Jeremiah once we started following them in college. It was so obvious that although he does love Belly, Jeremiah was mostly concern about one-upping Conrad. And please do not get me started on the whole marriage thing. It was great in terms of getting Conrad to finally open up to Belly, but they were still in college! I guess that is the point of the whole thing; this irrational decision that only young adults do. Still found it to be ridiculous. What I loved about the ending was that Belly doesn’t automatically date Conrad. There are years where she studies abroad and he writes to her. After years of him putting in the effort she finally allows him back into her life. I loved that for her. She needed to take the time to be with just herself. Every young woman needs seasons in their life where they are alone, only caring for themselves and doing whatever it is that they please.
Overall I enjoyed the series even though I have a few minor complaints. It was an easy read and a book I was engulfed in. I can’t wait until the next season of the Netflix series and see what they change and what they keep.