Reviews - The Summer I Turned Pretty (Deluxe Edition)

28.6k reviews for:

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Deluxe Edition)

I had low expectations because most YA books are written like Wattpad novels but this was so good! It was cute and though sometimes love triangles… or squares can be annoying, it’s clear ultimately where she sees herself. The only thing I hate is her name. That got half a mark down cuz it made me so made to see. Why is this teen going by a 6-yo nickname that’s so childish.

jessbellas's review against another edition

3.75

lighthearted 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

energetic_bitch's review against another edition

5.0

I cried. Even though i had predicted it very early into the book, the confirmation about Susannah KILLED me.

Even though Conrad seems like endgame, I absolutely love Jeremiah (help i had to look back of the book do that i could spell it). Conrad was pissing me off bad until i realised why he was acting that way.

This book shows perfectly how there can be many different ways of experiencing grief when it comes to those you love. And my guess is that Susannah WILL pass in the second book, and we will see a bit more of how the boys cope. But u never know, she might survive!

Its kind of sad that Cam and Isabell didn't get their final goodbye besides the letters from Cam, and i feel like Cam will always think to himself what went wrong.

Also i really cant seem to call Isabell 'belly' cause for some reason the name was giving me REALLY bad second hand embrassment XD

This book was really easy to read and had very a very simple writing style, so i would defo recommend this book to slightly younger viewers. However it is cool to read about somebody who is your age for most of the book (i am 16 in October so she would technically be in the year above me if i was in the US but its still cool!) I don't experience things like this personally, maybe because i'm from the uk or because i just don't really long for romance (i prefer to just read about it lol) but i think many teenagers could relate to this book.

However, as someone who has lost a close relative a couple months ago to liver cancer, this book really made me feel seen, and i admire it for that. Having to live life knowing and dreading the day that somebody close to you may very well pass away any second can cause you to stop caring, and to lash out at those you care about without realising how it might affect them- and i think I relate to Conrad in this way.

This book is fun, while still including a couple topics which need to be acknowledged- making this an easy 5 star read for me. I am looking forward to continuing this series, and possibly reading more of Jenny Han's series' (Iv'e watched all of To all the boys i've loved before movies and XO kitty and i loved both of these, so i already know i will enjoy them)

Anyways yes this book is slay THANK YOUU! <3

mmezaaaa's review against another edition

3.5

emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Okay so I only decided to read this series because of the show haha. Do not get me wrong I really enjoyed the book but ... the show is 10x better. I will say, Belly seems more childish in the books. I get that she is 15, turning 16 here but her actions at times are soooo childish. Specifically, her getting into a fight with Steven at the beginning at the bonfire party and the way she acts with certain situations. Her relationship with Taylor is so fragile in the books and honestly I think they are horrible friends to each other, with Belly being the worst one of the two. I also do not like how she treated Cam at times, especially the end! She was just going to leave without ever saying anything to him? I didn't like that Steven was gone for 90% of the book. I really hope that Belly isn't as insufferable in the rest of the books and the only reason why I want to keep reading is to compare how they are to the show.

Content Warnings

haileyrosado_'s review against another edition

4.0

I originally got all 3 books when I was on vacation last year but I haven’t gotten around to reading them. Now that season 3 is coming out I finally decided to sit down and read them. I enjoyed this story as well as the show and I think the show is accurate to the show. I did sticky note some pages that I thought had important quotes and I overall loved the main character Belly. I did like the flash back scenes. Some of the chapters were 2 pages and others were long. Great story telling set in a beachy summer town. 2 families coming together every year to enjoy summer together. 4/5 ⭐️

dasiy2314's review

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

julireadssometimes's review against another edition

3.5

emotional lighthearted relaxing slow-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

This was not my first impression of the story since I watched the show first. I liked it, I do think I prefer the show tho. I like the way it's narrated, it really feels like being inside a 15 year old girl's head, and the flashbacks are cute.