Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Summer I Turned Pretty

this book. oh my god i dont even think theres words to describe how much i loved this book. THE SUMMER VIBES FIRST OF ALL. LIKE THIS BOOK WAS WORTH THE WAIT. IT WAS AMAZING. THE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, EVERYTHING BETWEEN CONRAD AND JEREMIAH AND BELLY

AND CAM AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT DEVELOPED BETWEEN THEM and then Susannah's cancer :( it just all made sense when conrad broke down at the end i litterally cried it was so beautifully sad :(

everything about this book and the way it was written oh my god i cant even describe how much i love it and how hooked i was litterally love it so much 6/5 stars its so well written and the SUMMER VIBES OH MY GOD. i just cant even begin to describe how good it was like the characters were so lovabale, the. summer. vibes., the emotions it made me feel, everything. in love. 6/5 stars. litterally no words to describe this book i love it so so much.

Content Warnings

soupysammy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

So adorable. I cant wait to continue reading this series 🤍🤍

Content Warnings

carleyhall's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s been a while since I read YA and I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was such an easy read. I can see why others might not be fond of Belly’s character, but I felt she was a realistic portrayal of a girl in her situation coming of age. She made mistakes and was often petty, but where’s the fun in a perfect main character. I want to root for Conrad but I had trouble connecting with him in this book. I hope he’ll be more developed in the future novels. I enjoy how even Jeremiah and Cam had flaws that are realistic to being a boy their age. I’m also looking forward to a closer look at the relationships between Belly, Steven, and their mother.

Content Warnings

pagesofnay's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

kdailyreads's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

vereadsbooks's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Rating ★☆☆☆☆

OMG! this book is insufferable!!!

“It was a summer I would never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty. Because for the first time, I felt it. Pretty, I mean. Every summer up to this one, I believed it’d be different. Life would be different. And that summer, it finally was.”

When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother's best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad's brother, Jeremiah, Belly's heart belongs to Conrad. Will he offer his to her? Will this be the summer that changes everything?

“For me, it was almost like winter didn't count. Summer was what mattered. My whole life was measured in summers. Like I don't really begin living until June, until I'm at that beach, in that house”

The read was super light as there is no plot. Absolutely nothing happens in the book. The book is supposed to have a love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers. Yet, nothing substantial happens between any of the protagonists.

“I love Conrad and I probably always would. I would spend my whole life loving him one way or another. Maybe I would get married, maybe I would have a family, but it wouldn’t matter, because a piece of my heart, the piece where summer lived, would always be Conrad’s”

The book isn't even romantic or cute. It's just Belly complaining about everyone. She is childish and annoying. She throws tantrums whenever something doesn't go her way.

Belly is so focused on her that she can't see the suffering around her. She has a total disconnect with reality and a lack of empathy towards others. Everything revolves around her and her feelings.

“I grabbed his shirt sleeve. “Admit it. You were mad when I started hanging out with Cam. You wanted me to still be your little admirer”. “What?” He shook me off. “Get your head out of your ass, Belly. The world doesn’t revolve around you.” My cheeks flamed bright red; I could feel the heat beneath my skin. It was like sunburn times a million.

Not only does she use Cam to make Conrad jealous, but she also throws him away when he no longer serves her. She does the same thing she does with Jeremiah.

“He stepped closer to me. “One minute you like me. Then Cam…” Conrad paused. “And then Jeremiah. Isn’t that right? You want to have your cake and eat it too, but you also want your cookies and your ice cream…”
“Shut up!” I yelled. “You’re the one who’s been playing games, Belly.”

She believes that Conrad's self-destructive behavior is because of her when it is actually because of her mother's illness. Even when that secret comes out, Belly manages to make the whole situation revolve around her.

“But they did know” I whimpered. “Everybody knew but me. I’m the only one who didn’t know and I love Susannah more than anybody.”

In general, the characters are not well developed. There isn't depth to their personalities, and there isn't much improvement as the plot progresses. I do feel that Jenny Han evolved a lot in her writing over time. To all the boy I've loved before is superior in several aspects.

Books I have read from this author

To All the Boys I've Loved Before ★★★★☆
P.S. I Still Love You ★★★ ½
Always and Forever, Lara Jean ★★★☆☆

Content Warnings

meredith_williams_'s review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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