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emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would have loved this at 15. But I’m not 15. I do think my teenage self would be Team Conrad. Adult me would have liked Cam for my niece or hypothetical daughter. But the book plot is basically about just a bunch of boys who noticed that a girl’s boobs came in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Blood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An exploration into girlhood, growing up, and trying (and sometimes failing) to learn who you are. This book holds all the awkwardness and fumbling of the teenage years, crushes, first loves, and grief. Read with empathy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty. I felt it. Pretty, I mean.”
Every summer, Isabel Conklin (or ‘Belly’) stays at the Fishers’ perfect holiday home at Cousins Beach. Except this year things are different… Jenny Han writes: “I truly believe that in every girl’s life, there is that one golden summer, when boys are finally looking at you and you’re looking back.” This is certainly the case. Approaching her sweet sixteenth, Belly, the once quiet observer, becomes central to the drama and, more importantly, boys’ hearts…
This book was the very definition of “no plot, just vibes”, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. The coastal metaphors were woven in elegantly throughout the narrative, creating a fresh and summery tone:
“I closed my eyes. I could hear the ocean roaring all around me; it was like holding a conch shell up to my ear close. It wasn’t true. I was anywhere but there, in that moment. I was swimming under a canopy of stars…”
A book like this risks being substanceless. However, Jenny Han evokes intrigue and maintains an interesting narrative through the flashback structure. The notion of memory and growing up is beautifully explored as the flashbacks are seamlessly introduced, which also allowed for a well-developed relationship between Belly and Conrad (her childhood friend, the oldest of the Fisher brothers, and her first love). This was a refreshing and wonderful depiction of love. In The Summer I Turned Pretty, love is not an ostentatious gesture. Love is Conrad cooking for his family, teaching Belly how to dance, and relentlessly defending her when no one else is. Jenny Han perfectly depicted first love: the giddiness, tender affections, and bold admiration. My reading experience was such an emotional whirlwind.
“I didn’t dare look at Conrad. I was afraid my love for him and my need for him to say would be written on my face like a poem.”
Nevertheless, some characters and relationships were slightly underdeveloped. I wish Taylor were as complexly characterised as Belly was! Her character is mostly limited to a frivolous, boy-obsessed, popular girl. When a woman receives abundant male attention, perhaps enjoying it, this doesn’t deprive them of interests or a personality beyond this. She deserved to be portrayed as competitive, bright, and clever, just like Belly, despite her eagerness for male attention, which ensured an increasingly realistic narrative. I don’t believe that Belly’s jealousy had to limit her character. This could have been an opportunity to explore the conflicts that can, and often do, arise within female friendships and how they navigate this, ultimately becoming a celebration of friendship between teenage girls. Thankfully, Belly’s relationship with Susannah (the Fisher brothers’ mother and owner of their summer house) and her mother, Laurel, was more lively:
“Best friends are important. They're the closest thing to a sister you'll ever have.”
From the realistic portrayals of the teenage experience and summery landscapes, this was a delightful read. I’m not surprised that the series adaptation has reached immense popularity; the vibes are immaculate. Though the characters are limited at times, they’re still charming. Where the novel is limited, the show compensates– particularly regarding Taylor’s character. Jenny Han is undeniably a talented author, producer, and show-runner. I’d highly recommend revisiting your favourite childhood books or uncovering new children’s/young adult literature; you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Addiction
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Never has a book screamed 2010 YA angst more! Felt like a nostalgic road trip, despite never experiencing a summer like this as a teen lol.
Such a good choice to set the show in modern times as this already felt so outdated, but it was still fun to read! Belly is annoying and Conrad is way meaner in the book, but what I somehow forgot after watching the show was how sad the actual storyline is 😭
Such a good choice to set the show in modern times as this already felt so outdated, but it was still fun to read! Belly is annoying and Conrad is way meaner in the book, but what I somehow forgot after watching the show was how sad the actual storyline is 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent