Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Razorbill, Penguin
Released: June 03, 2010
Add On: Goodreads
Contemporary fiction and I are hardly well acquainted, so it is always a much welcomed surprise when a book in this genre manages to grab my attention. Admittedly, any sort of story with a love triangle at its core is destined to frustrate me to some extent, and that much proved true for The Summer I Turned Pretty, but I was strangely content with the story overall. I have my favourite boy, and I have declared myself Team so-and-so (and things better end up the way I want them to), but trivial points aside, this book proved to be a whole lot more touching and meaningful than I might have expected. I even felt a little teary at times.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is the tale of one girl and two boys, surrounded by the magic of summer. It is the story of Belly Conklin and her feelings for the Fisher brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad. And yet…it is so much more than that. This book does not take place in two bubbles, with Belly and Jeremiah in one, and Conrad and Belly in another. It is bigger than that, with several other characters and several other, and more important, issues coming into play. Instead of being about a love-struck teen who can’t ‘pick’, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a book, essentially, about family.
The characters are so important in a book like this, where there isn’t a complex and riddle-filled plot to distract the reader away. I’m glad to say that Jenny Han managed to create a wonderful handful of core characters that were impossible not to appreciate. From Belly’s brother Steven (who I hope has more of a presence in the next book) to Jeremiah and Conrad’s mother Susannah, I enjoyed reading about them all and felt each one left a little impression on me. I will warn that Belly takes some getting used to (I thought so, anyway) as she isn’t the perfect main character and does have a tendency to come across as immature several times throughout the book. However, I found myself too lost in the story to really be bothered by her irritating traits.
Conrad and Jeremiah are both very different characters and likeable for different reasons. Where Conrad is protective and distant, Jeremiah is more relatable and vocal. Admittedly, Conrad’s dejected attitude steered me towards Jeremiah for most of the book, but once the reasons for his behaviour were revealed, I couldn’t help but feel terrible for him. In the end, I think I preferred Jeremiah overall, but both boys proved to be admirable characters. Their love for their mother, Susannah, was one my favourite things about them.
Jenny Han took me on a roller coaster of an emotional ride with her story. Perhaps it was the fact I wasn’t expecting cancer to play a role in this book (I tend to avoid books about cancer) and it caught me a little off guard. I was rooting for these characters, who in any other book I probably wouldn’t have appreciated so greatly, and I was praying to see a happy ending. I’m still hoping for a happy follow-up in the next book, but I think the worst is inevitable. Regardless, I will prepare myself for what is to come (or what I think is to come) as I am eager to visit these characters again.
Rating: 4 stars
This is such an adorable novel! The sequel is pretty good too. I'll be reading the third book soon.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Sam! I read this last year and LOVED it too! I agree that Belly is quite annoying and immature but I only realised this AFTER reading it and seeing other bloggers point this out - I didn't realise it myself when I was reading the book. I think I prefer Jeremiah more as well, given that Conrad was moody and annoying (but I guess he did have reason to in the end) and yeah, their love for Susannah was amazing and I was glad to see they were 'Mummy's boys'!
ReplyDeleteYou and I share this lack of passion for contemporaries, so if you ended up drawn into this story, chances are I will too. Plus, that cover is impossible to resist, it's just so gorgeous and summery.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that these stories are always character-driven and it's good to hear that these worked for you.
I can't wait to read this now.
Lovely review, Sam!
I might be the only one who hasn't read this series yet. For some reason, the love triangle puts me off.
ReplyDeleteReading your review makes me want to give it a shot though.
Plus, the characters seem genuinely wonderful.
Wonderful review, Sam. :)
Yay! I'm so glad you had fun reading this one Sam! It's actually one of my all time favourite series! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the next book especially after you preferred Jere in this one :) Fab review my love! :)
ReplyDeleteThe cancer caught me off guard too and it does continue in the second book. I really like Jenny Han's writing though, there's something very languid about it for me and she really draws you into their world. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this book, I was distracted by the romance. And I remember disliking the book for it because I didn't understand why these two boys like her. In my opinion, Belly isn't very likable. I mean, not charming enough to ensnare both boys. But... reading your review made me see it in a new light in terms of its other elements, mainly the family aspect.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Sam :D
I read a review of this a couple of weeks ago that wasn't so positive. After reading yours I have a better understanding of the book. It must be good if you got past the love triangle, cancer and it being a contemp book and you still gave it four stars. What is up with the name Belly?
ReplyDeleteIt's short for Isabel... which isn't actually explained for most of the book. Belly sure is a bizarre nickname. ;)
DeleteIsn't it funny how we can be turned off a book when a triangle doesn't go our way. Well I can lol. I'm not a big fan of contemporaries either and it's only the odd one that will catch my attention. I definitely try to steer clear of books about cancer or anything to serious and close to real life. Great review Sam :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I'm glad this one surprised you in some good ways! I love a boy that is great to his mother, so that would be lovely to read about. :)
ReplyDelete-lauren
Oh I read this this morning and it was a different cover. No wonder it sounded familiar!! Haha. So yes, I think I'd like this!! :)
ReplyDeleteThis was an adorable review for an adorable book to a girl who loves all adorable things! I'm so happy you loved this, Sam -- and I hope you get to reviewing the second book before I read it because I'm sure you'll be the selling factor for me! x) My main problem with this book was Belly too because she was definitely a frustrating main character, but the two boys and the rest of the family made up for her, character-wise! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazingly adorable and summery review, Sam! I'm actually more of a Conrad fan (which works for sharing them), but Susannah was definitely my fave too ;) <3
I've had this book for a while but haven't gotten around to reading it. From your review I think I'll need to move it up on my to-read list. I love stories that are character-driven and where you're so invested you can overlook little flaws. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI was immediately wondering which team you were on and was happy to hear you preferred Jer overall, I did too although I do like both boys and I am looking forward to your thoughts once you've read the other 2 books.
ReplyDeleteThis really is a sweet story and yes Belly is a bit immature sometimes but they did all feel like such realistic and interesting characters.
Hooray for your enjoying contemp :D
As always, fantastic review. I'm determined to get my hands on these books. When I first heard of them, I was a bit iffy, because it seemed like the typical corny, melodramatic contemporary love triangle, but everyone's said that there's a lot of wonderful emotion and family emphasis, so that's definitely something I want to see. :D
ReplyDeleteAlso, unrelated--I quite like the UK cover of this. I also like the US covers, but the UK cover is simplistic and lovely.
This book has been waiting for me on the shelves FOREVER. I bought it at the very beginning of the year with every intention of reading it as fast as possible, but somehow it got pushed back. I think I'm subconsciously waiting to buy the last two books beforehand. I have a feeling this series is going to devastate me and that I'll need each book on hand after finishing the previous one. Oh, boy, I think I might already be feeling something for Conrad prematurely...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Sauce review!! I Love the whole sound and look of this series, but I haven't read it yet. I really want to now though!! :) They seem like great summer reads. I just found your blog and I love it!! <3 can't wait to get to know you, and I'm so excited to stalk some of your posts with my comments, Sam!! :P it's really nice to meet you!!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I've been trying to decide whether or not to get this one! I think I will though. I'm glad you liked it so much. Awesome review Sam! :D
ReplyDeleteOh, anotjer brilliant review! No surprise. You're Brit. You're awesome. You're SAM!
ReplyDeleteI've seen so many people gush about this series and every review I read makes me that more eager to join the fanclub. I especially love that you said, "Instead of being about a love-struck teen who can’t ‘pick’, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a book, essentially, about family." I LOVE non-love-struck-teens-who-can't-pick!
I'm always wanting to try more contemporary, because there aren't enough on my shelves compared to dystopian/paranormal/fantasy, etc. So I can't wait to give these a try!
I've been hearing so much buzz about this one! Contemporaries are'nt my go-to genre, but, once again, you convince me to give it a chance. Thank you for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteSam, I still can't believe you read a vanilla before me! I'm even more excited to read this because you're not a normal contemp romance lover yet you clearly enjoyed this. I have all three of these books (probably for a good 6 months now!!) I really must read them. Lovely review Sam. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing this book everywhere lately. I am swaying more towards contemporary these days and I wasn't always a fan. I think paranormal genres and dystopia are lacking these days, they are all too similar. I think I might have to give this one a go. Thanks for a great review, Sam :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice review, thanks :)! I heard some great things about this book, but love triangles aren't really my thing most of the time. So I like the fact that there is more going on in this book. I think I will give it a try now :)
ReplyDeleteOH-MY-GOD, Sam, thank you for reading this! I've heard amazing things about this series but none of the reviews had convinced me strong enough to try reading it. Well, until I read your SUPER-GORGEOUS-OMG review! <3 Now I'm excited to meet Belly and the boys! Oh, cancer? I think I might need a box of kleenex near me by the time I read it. :') Fabulous review, lovely! <3
ReplyDeleteI keep umming and arring over these books. I think I'm definitely going to have to pick it up now! I love a good set of characters!
ReplyDeleteDani
Pen to Paper
Great review. I've always kind of had this on my list but it just always seemed a little too Sarah Dessen, who many people like. Unfortunately I think she's "pretty good" at best. But alright, you've convinced me it may be more :)
ReplyDeleteI'm heard SO MUCH about Jenny Han and her books, yet I still have not read a single one of them :/ WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!?!? THIS SOUNDS SOOOOOO GOOOD! Hahahaaa you and I are so alike! I'm not the biggest fan of Contemp. fiction either but once in a while, I do read one that truly blew me away! :) Soooo....I hate love triangles, but the fact that you still enjoyed this and have chosen your team, makes me think that I'LL definitely enjoy this as well!!! hehehee I CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS!!! Thank you for this awesomeee review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing review! Like you said, this book is essentially about family. I loved Jeremiah more than Conrad but still found Conrad's distance making me want to know more about HIM. In all honesty I really liked Belly, she might have been immature, but she is young and I love flawed characters. But yea, this was an amazing book. You should go and pick up the second book, NOW!
ReplyDelete- juhina
Totally agree with you about how the characters are so important since there isn't a complex plot! I actually didn't realize how immature Belly was until I had finished the book and was thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I can't wait to see what you think of the second book.
The book was a tad confusing at first because there are flashbacks to her previous summers at the beach house, yet I enjoyed this book very much. I am sorry if my review was a little confusing but I am writing this before I leave for my trip, so I am a little excited! Ha. I would recommend this book to every teenage girl who loves romance books with a little something else added to them.
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