The Summer I Turned Pretty: The bestselling YA romance, now a major TV series: 1 (Summer TV Tie-Ins, 1)

I really enjoyed reading The Summer I Turned Pretty. It’s an easy, emotional read with lovely summer vibes and a beach setting that pulls you straight into the story. The characters feel realistic, especially Belly, as she navigates friendships, family, and first love. The romance and love-triangle drama kept me interested, and it’s the kind of book you don’t want to put down. A perfect read for summer and great for anyone who enjoys young adult romance.

I did like the way this book was written, the narrative was super easy to follow and the book definitely flowed. I would say it’s aimed for a younger audience as the storyline could have developed more, but as a say a quick easy enjoyable read with the classic romance feel

Laurel is the mother of two; Belly (Isabel) and her older brother Steven. Her very best friend Beck (Susannah) is also the mother of two; Jeremiah and his older brother Conrad. Belly is the youngest of the children and Conrad, 2 years her senior, the oldest. Since long before the children were born, and continuing to the present day, they have converged on the beach house on Cousin's Beach every summer holiday (July and August). Susannah's husband can only get time off work to attend the first week in August and, before their divorce a few years earlier, Laurel's husband would drop in the rare weekend in August. Despite Conrad's indifference, Jeremiah's constant teasing, and Steven's condescension and mockery, Belly lives for these summer holidays. Belly, whose birthday is mid-August, will turn 16 this year and, realising that things are about to change, wants to make the most of this holiday. Unfortunately, things have already started to change. I find it hard to believe that there is more to come but this is the first book in a trilogy. This one is a real gem and I'm very much looking forward to the rest of them.

After reading, and loving, Jenny Han's series 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before', I thought I'd check out another series from the author and came across 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'. I really enjoyed Belly's story and the love triangle blossoming between her and the two brothers. It was a really fun dynamic, being as before this Summer happened - Belly was an outsider, the 'little sister' they didn't want to hang around with except when teasing her, etc. The boys treated her differently and after all those years of desperately hoping she'd be welcomed in to the group - also including her older brother, Steven - she had finally found her way in. If you love a story that has you picking a team, this one is the one - Team Conrad? or Team Jeremiah? Personally, I was definitely more #TeamJeremiah because he was the most genuine and lovely brother of the two, treating her as the best friend she had always been. Even if that meant pushing his long-lasting feelings towards her away and accepting the fact that the only person she'd have her eyes on that Summer, was Conrad. I wouldn't say Conrad is one of those bad boys you love to hate, or hate to love, but there is some arrogance around him and he doesn't have anyone's best interests at heart, except his own. He spends the Summer extremely moody towards Belly, treating her like the little girl he's always known. That being said, you could still see the care he had towards her, even if that care was only there because he thought of her as a little sister. Whilst this book was definitely a light-hearted Summer read, there was definitely a more deeper story within the families, including an illness and because of this and other things such as the teens all going their separate ways after Summer was over - you could tell that this was going to be the last time at the Beach House where everything was like every other year before. I was glad to have read little snippets of previous Summers, as it would've been sad to see it all go so quickly. The first instalment to 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' series was a great read, with the shortest of chapters (thank you Jenny Han!!) meaning I absolutely whizzed through this book within a day or two. I would describe it as a book that you can't put down once you pick up, however, that being said, it will only be that type of book for you if you're in to the cliche's, cheesy romances, love triangles, etc. like myself! I have grown to care for every character including; Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, Laurel (Belly's mum), Steven (Belly's brother) and Susannah (Conrad & Jeremiah's mum) and can't wait to see what awaits them next Summer!

(Source: Purchased on kindle from Amazon.co.uk.) 15-year-old Isabelle (Belly) is heading off with her mother and brother for a summer at the beach, with her mom's best friend Suzanna, and her boys Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has had a crush on Conrad for as long as she can remember, but he treats her like a little sister. Belly is hoping that this year things will be different and that Conrad will notice her as a girl for once. What is special about this summer though? What is going on with Conrad? And who will be Belly's summer romance this year? This was an okay YA coming-of-age story, but I would have liked more romance. I felt a bit sorry for Belly in this book, and not only because they call her Belly! In the flashbacks it was obvious that the three boys all treated Belly like an outsider cause she was younger and the only girl, which wasn't very nice for her, and they hadn't changed much now that she was older. Although there was a bit of romance in this story it was more a coming-of-age story, and most of the actual romance happened between Belly and Cam - a boy she met on the beach, which was a bit disappointing. The storyline was okay, although I was surprised that Belly didn't catch on faster to what was going on with Suzanna, it was pretty obvious to me. It was a bit odd trying to work out which boy Belly was actually interested in at any one time, as she seemed to like Conrad, Jeremiah, and Cam at one point or another. I thought the ending was okay, although I expected a bit more romance. I would like to read the next book to find out what happens next but at £5.49 for the kindle edition I think I'll wait! I will say that this book has me longing for the summer and the beach though! I'm so jealous! I'd love to spend a whole summer at a beach house enjoying the sun, sand, and sea! Overall; an okay YA coming-of-age/contemporary romance story. 7 out of 10.

I bought this as a gift for my 12 year old grand-daughter. She's reported back it's 'the best book I've ever read'. I haven't read it myself, being well over the hill, but it certainly went down well with the age group for which it was written. Hopefully it didn't have any content I'm going to regret finding out about ...

I loved this book, it was very good. I read it in two days while I was on holiday with my family. It's about a fifteen-year-old girl, Belly (cute but unfortunate nickname, her real name is Isabelle). Every Summer she goes on Holiday to Cousins Beach to visit Susanna - her mum's best friend and Susanna's two sons Jeremiah and Conrad. The boys never used to take notice of Belly, but this summer she's changed. Also the begin to realise this may be the last summer they spend together at cousins beach.....

For me, everything magical happens between June and August...☀️📖 This summer, Belly’s not just growing up—she’s learning what love, loss, and longing really mean. 📘 Plot Summary Every summer, Isabel “Belly” Conklin, her mother Laurel, and her brother Steven spend time at Cousins Beach with her mom’s lifelong best friend Susannah and Susannah’s two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. But this summer is different Belly has grown up, and everyone is starting to notice. What was once a season of beach games and sibling squabbles turns into a summer of romantic tension, personal awakening, and deep emotional revelations. As Belly finds herself caught in a complicated love triangle between the brooding Conrad and the fun-loving Jeremiah, she must navigate feelings she doesn't fully understand and make choices that could alter relationships forever. 👥 Character Breakdown Isabel “Belly” Conklin – The 15-year-old protagonist. She’s at the edge of adolescence and womanhood, dealing with love, identity, and self-worth. Conrad Fisher – The older Fisher brother. Quiet, moody, and introspective. He’s always been Belly’s first love. Jeremiah Fisher – The younger, more outgoing and cheerful Fisher brother. He shares a special bond with Belly and brings warmth and lightness to the story. Laurel Conklin – Belly and Steven’s mother. Intelligent, composed, and a loyal friend to Susannah. She's strong but emotionally reserved. Susannah Fisher – Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother. Beloved by everyone, she represents the beauty and fragility of life. She holds secrets that shape the entire story. Steven Conklin – Belly’s older brother. Sarcastic and sometimes insensitive, but protective of his sister. 🎯 Themes of the Book Coming of Age – Belly’s journey reflects the universal transition from childhood to adolescence, filled with first loves, heartaches, and realizations. First Love & Heartbreak – The book dives into the bittersweet nature of first crushes and the complications of loving someone who doesn’t love you back (or doesn’t show it). Family & Friendship – The strength of female friendship (Laurel & Susannah) and the familial bond between all the children create the emotional backbone of the story. Change & Growth – Every character, especially Belly, is undergoing internal and external changes, capturing the fleeting nature of summer and youth. Nostalgia & Memory – The novel is steeped in longing for the past and the preciousness of shared memories at Cousins Beach. 📖 Quotes from the Book It’s not summer without you. For me, everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Would you rather live one perfect day over and over or live your life with no perfect days but just decent ones? He looked at me like I was the only girl in the world, and I liked it. I wondered if this was how it felt to really grow up. To want something so badly, and to have no idea if it would ever come true. Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Good book for teen. I recommend as my daughter loves the author.

Great book

The book is amazing

I'm busy enjoying it a lot I love cousins beach every character in the book actually. Good for kids

Did not like this