The Summer I Turned Pretty

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The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author(s)
Genre(s)
Age Range
14+
Release Date
April 06, 2011
ISBN
978-1416968290
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Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along

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4.0(2)
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As Seen on Amazon Prime Video
(Updated: January 07, 2023)
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4.0
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4.0
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4.0
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4.0
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THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY by Jenny Han is the novel that kicked off the Amazon Prime show of the same name. Belly, short for Isabel, vacations to Cousins, a Northeastern beach town, with her mom, her brother, and their family friends, Susannah, Jeremiah, and Conrad. This trip has been a yearly tradition for Belly’s entire life, but this summer is a bit different as Belly is growing up and turning heads. Conrad, Belly’s childhood crush, acts both disinterested and jealous, making him very hard to figure out. Unfortunately for Belly, Conrad’s mood swings aren’t the only surprises she has to contend with on this trip as navigating what it actually means to come of age is more difficult than she ever expected.

I saw the tv show before I read the book, and while I usually recommend reading the book first, in this particular case, you could really do either/or. The book version of the story is a much quieter and simpler plot with hints of what we see play out on a much bigger scale on the show. What’s most noticeably missing in the book is Steven’s main plotline from the filmic version. In the novel, Steven actually leaves Cousins early to go on a trip with his dad, whereas, in the tv show, Steven works at the country club with Jeremiah and has both relationship and money issues over the course of the first season. In the show, I really like the class commentary that comes up as a result of Steven’s actions, and more than that, he’s my favorite character in the tv version. As such, I really missed him and his personality in the book.

Obviously, a tv show has the luxury of space and time to expand events and people, so there, we get to see more of the mothers’ relationship, more of Jeremiah, more of Taylor, more of everyone, which I personally prefer as I was less interested in Belly’s POV and more interested in her relationships to those around her. I also dislike the name Belly, which has been hard to see past in both mediums. That being said, the one character I prefer in written word is Cam as he has a better beginning, middle, and end there.

Overall, what I appreciate about reading the book post-show is I have a much better sense of the characters' motivations and what’s triggering everything that occurs because we get more backstory via flashbacks. As such, I have a pretty good idea of where they’ll go in season two of the show. In particular, the love triangle and Susannah’s sickness have a clear through line in the book, where the show seems much more open-ended as if anything’s possible.

Fans of the show will enjoy this read, and vice-versa.
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The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1)
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4.0
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4.0
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4.0
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In this first book of the Summer series we meet 15 yr old Belly Conklin (real name Isabel), her brother Steven and their friends Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. They spend every summer together at the Fisher's beach house at Cousins Beach with their moms, Laurel and Susannah "Beck" Fisher who are lifelong friends.

Belly, having grown up with "Beck's" boys has always been plagued by being the "little sister". They've teased her, picked on her, done all the things that big brothers do and she's certainly done her fair share of tattling or pouting just to get her way. The three boys are as close as brothers and have only allowed Belly limited access in their club-like relationship. All that's about to change this summer when she shows up and they see for themselves that little Belly Button isn't a kid anymore...she looks like a real live girl. Watch out boys!

Steven, Belly's older brother is the epitome of "big brother". He's just the right balance of annoying and protectiveness. He notices that his little sister has changed (which totally grosses him out) but at the same time he still wants to be sure she's OK. He goes home early this summer so he can visit colleges with his Dad, leaving Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah to fend for themselves which creates an interesting predicament.

Jeremiah (the youngest Fisher boy), is the closet in age to Belly and they're best friends. He's the funny, outgoing one - the kid that everyone loves to have around, the life of the party. He's also pretty cute.

Conrad Fisher, the oldest of the group is just as hot but more reserved, brooding almost and is the one boy that Belly has been in love with for as long as she can remember. When she thinks about her "forever" she thinks of Conrad. The only problem? He doesn't notice her, he never has, not any more than just plain old Belly. At least, not until this summer...

Laurel and Susannah have known each other forever and have been through the thick and thin of it as friends. They've been coming to the beach house every summer since before they even had the kids and are like second mother's to each others children. Susannah jokes that Belly was born just so she could marry one of her Fisher boys and she would be happy with whomever Belly ended up with. Susannah has a secret though, one that will forever change things at Cousins Beach.

Summer ends an there's both a new beginning and an ending in sight that will only add to the changes they've all experienced this year.
Good Points
All three books in the Summer series tell a story of lifelong friendships, first loves, heartbreak, loss and the strength of family bonds.
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4.0(9)
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The Summer I Turned Pretty
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
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4.0
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5.0
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This book is another one that sat on my shelf ever since July 2012 and I wish I read it right away. This would have been a great book to read on vacation since it's a quick light read. This is the perfect summer book.


The story revolves around Belly and her life once she's at the beach house she goes to every summer with her mom, brother, her mothers best friend and her mothers friend's two sons. She has had a crush on the one brother, Conrad for as long as she can remember but she finally decides that this summer will be different and she will move on from him. For a while she does a really good job even meeting a nice guy who is on vacation as well. Of course it can't be that simple. It's not summer without at least a little drama.


For the most part I really liked Belly. She was a nice girl who just wanted her summer to be great. She did get on my nerves sometimes with all of the switching back and forth between guys and the complaining, but it was manageable. The two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad are completely different from one another. Where Jeremiah is funny and open, Conrad is serious and aloof. Jeremiah is always there trying to make Belly laugh and likes to be goofing off and Conrad prefers to spend time alone and hide in the background.


The romance in this book was sweet and not over the top. It didn't really take away the fact that other things were happening in this story. There are parts that are serious and heartbreaking and it is portrayed in that way and not lightened just for the sake of it being a summer book. The guys are swoon worthy and no matter which one you decide you like better they are both great picks!
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Summer Love...With A Twist
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4.0
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3.0
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4.0
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5.0
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I am dying to read the second book in this series by Jenny Han and see what happens.
Good Points
What I like about this is book is the ending. I never would have thought that Jenny Han would have put such a punch of an ending and then wrap it around into something special.
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Summer
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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5.0
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I love summer!! and summer books!
Good Points
So many people have been recommending this book to me and I’m so glad I finally picked it up because it was so so good! Written by Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty was a breathtaking story about a girl named Belly who goes to a beach house every summer with her mom and brother to visit her moms best friend Susannah and her two sons Jeremiah & Conrad. Belly falls for Conrad during one of the first two summers and every summer she falls deeper and deeper in love with him.

Let’s start with Belly. Such an odd nickname right? But it makes the story 10 times more interesting. Anyways Belly is the kind of character who you first think is so childish and annoying but she grows on you by the end. She wasn’t like that to me at first but as the flashbacks started happening I got whole new perspectives of her.

Now on to the boys! First we have Belly’s brother Steven who isn’t a huge part to the story but he is a little part. He’s always teasing Belly like any other brother. Belly’s best friend in the story, the one whose always there for her the one that really understands her Jeremiah. I had mixed feelings for Jere throughout the story first I wanted them to be together then I liked them more as friends and so on. But in the end I’m happy how they ended up. Lastly we have the famous Conrad. I was totally for Conrad the whole time. I don’t know what it is but I kind of have a thing for Dark, messed up guys and Conrad fits in that category.

I feel like the ending of this book would be good to just end everything. Like there didn’t mean to be anymore to the story you just could picture your own ending. But there are a few more books In the series that I’m eager to get my hands on it!
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bittersweet - in the good way
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4.7
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5.0
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I loved this book. Before this trilogy, I didn't believe in soulmates - I didn't even like the notion of having that one person who is meant to be with you. However, Belly and her summer boys, their relationships and events, were totally endearing and hypnotizing.

The writing was kind of premature and the language wasn't particularly SAT-style, but I think it matched the innocence of the main character, Belly. Since it was narrated by her mostly, I think it was smart to have her think thoughts that reflected her naive and sweet personality. She explained emotions the way we would actually feel them if we were in her position - vague, inscrutable and confusing. Belly was indecisive, just how any teenage girl would be if she was experiencing that summer.

Surprisingly, this wasn't a fluffy read. It had shocking depth to the story. I liked how the author successfully made you like whichever character deserved it at the time. I couldn't stop thinking about it once I finished reading it. I actually read it online, even though I had put a hold on it in the public library. I was number 114 among 143, but I continued to wait until I got the physical book in my hands, so I could read it again.

It was a coming-of-age series - sad, romantic, sweet, and totally worth the read. Even though the books were really short, and the chapters equally succinct, I would buy the whole trilogy and read them continuously in the hopes that I would meet the brothers some day. They're amazing, and I just wish I could trade places with Belly. By the end of each book, I was happy with the conclusion, but I wanted to cry because there wasn't more. It was bittersweet read, in the best form of the term.
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Oh boy was it pretty
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Reader reviewed by Doreen

The summer I turned pretty is a book that once started can not be put down. Jenny Han's words are truly captivating. There is true essence of the character with the feeling like your really in her shoes living out the summer with her. There are times when you laugh so hard you almost fall off your bed and theres times when you cry so much you go through at least 4 tissue boxes. You go through everything with Belly and her experiences at the summer house. I truly wanted to hold on to the memories, the words and never let go. It was a remarkable read. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SECOND ONE. 
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Real Summer Romance
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4.0
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4.0
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Reader reviewed by Kellie

The Summer I Turned Pretty not only perfectly captures the essence of summer--it also nails the awkward, often painful confusion of teenage romance. I read this book in the dead of a winter, and even sitting by the window watching a snowstorm was able to experience the familiar feeling of summer days and nights by the beach.  

     This book offered much more than I anticipated based on the summary.  Belly is a relatable and true character, and her emotions are real.  The relationships are honest and often surprising. The story also presents interesting familial relationships and conflicts, offering a well-rounded picture of Belly's summer experience.



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Not My Ideal of a Perfect Summer
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2.0
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2.0
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Reader reviewed by Yan

 Okay so I read books before that lose me here and there but The Summer I Turned Pretty takes the cake. I honestly have no idea what the main point of the book is. Was it to show the relationship of Conrad and Belly (Isabel)? If so then the rushing everything in the last chapter does not qualify it. Or was it to showcase the tightness between the two families? Then why would you write half the book solely on Bellys romantic swing. Maybe it was the combination of everythinglove, family, growth, and coming to terms to the present. Even so the execution was choppy.

At first when the author switches back and forth between present summer and past summer I did not like it. The main reason was because I had trouble following the timeline. But then I noticed the age beneath the chapter and it all became clear. Once I got the flow of things I liked how the author reverts back and forth. It gave more detail about Belly and her situation with the summer family.

What I did not seem to like about this book was the non-connection I had to the majority of characters. There were scenes that I had a deep sense of understanding but overall nothing. I guess if I gave more maybe I would have gotten back more. Who knows?

I just do not know what to say about this book. It was finenothing wow, nothing too disturbing to blab on for 5 pages, but nothing really worth picking up.

Overall: I would not really consider this a summer read since it has more of a deeper meaning. More of a fall read when we want to remember summer.


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A "Pretty" Good Book!
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5.0
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Reader reviewed by Iryna

Belly measures her life in summers.
Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June
and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next
summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most
importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that
Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother
figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one
terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it
all ends up just the way it should have been all along.



I
have five words for you: The Perfect Summer Beach Read. Sure, this
novel like any other does have a few flaws, but other then that, I loved it.

When I first picked The Summer I Turned Pretty
up, all I was expecting was a fun, cute summer read that would remind
me that summer is a time where anything can happen. And I did get that.
From the very first page you can smell the salty air, hear the familiar
music from the beach radio station and feel the sun on your face.
However, under the sand and jugs of ice tea, there's more to this story
of undecided love and friendship.

I think Belly was a good main
character. Not great, but good. Sometimes, I didn't quite understand
her but more often then not when she thought something or did something
I'd say to myself, "That's what I was thinking!" or, "Belly, I totally agree with you." But even more then Belly, I loved the supporting characters. Loved.
From wonderful Susannah who I wished was my mother's best friend to
sweet Cam who I personally fell in love with to the girly Taylor who I
had to laugh and yell at along with Belly.

The flashbacks that
Jenny Han sprinkled through this novel were a great idea. I got to see
a part of the main character that you don't get to often see in books,
and I just thought they were plain interesting.

Now about the
ending . . . I have a few things to say about it. The first time I read
it, I couldn't believe it. In good and bad ways. I kept thinking that
Jenny Han should have led the story down a different path, it should
have been different. But the second time I read this novel, I think I
finally understood. Going down the other path would have been my
decision - not Belly's. And even if Belly had gone that way I don't
think it would have made much sense. Also, the novel kind of has this
unfinished feel to it. Like it has this whole other story that goes
along with it that the author just didn't tell . . . so I'm thrilled to
say that Jenny Han is currently in the works of writing a sequel
called: It's Not Summer Without You.
Yay! I'm super excited to find out what's going to happen to Belly and
the other supporting characters. Write this one quick Jenny, I want to
read it!

P.S. The
cover? At first, I couldn't picture Belly, Jeremiah and Conrad like
that but after reading the book I can't see them any other way. Whoever
did this cover did an absolutely outstanding job on it.

Reprinted here from www.gardenofbooksa.blogspot.com with author's permission.

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Not so Pretty
Overall rating
 
3.0
Plot
 
3.0
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N/A
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Reader reviewed by Mariah

This book sounded really light and cute but it turned out to be more of a story about dealing with loss in different ways.

One
of the things I liked was that almost every other chapter the chapter
would talk about on of Belly's memories. The only problem was that I
sometimes could not tell what year it was.

The characters were
well developed and different I found myself starting to like the boys
and wanting them as my boyfriend. The only other problem was that Belly
was a whiner if everything was not perfect she wined which I could not
stand!


reprinted here with author's permission


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