About Jenny Han

Jenny Han, born September 1980 is an American-Korean author. She was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia before attending School for Government and International Studies in 1998, before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Han received her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 2006.

Her first book, Shug, was published in 2006 and is about a 12-year-old trying to navigate junior high school.

Han’s writing is such a success that her first onscreen adaption, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, was optioned for an adaption only weeks within its publication. It is no surprise that the sequel went on to win the Young Adult 2015-2016 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. It’s clear her MFA in creative writing didn’t go to waste, as even her debut The Summer I Turned Pretty series proved to be a hit and has now been adapted into an Amazon Prime TV Series.

Jenny Han is currently on a break, although is still fairly active on her Twitter and Instagram.

Jenny Han Books

Shug (2006)

Annemarie Wilcox, or Shug as her family calls her, is beginning to think there’s nothing worse than being twelve. She’s too tall, too freckled, and way too flat-chested. Shug is sure that there’s not one good or amazing thing about her. And now she has to start junior high, where the friends she counts most dear aren’t acting so dear anymore — especially Mark, the boy she’s known her whole life through. Life is growing up all around her, and all Shug wants is for things to be like they used to be. How is a person supposed to prepare for what happens tomorrow when there’s just no figuring out today?

Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream (2011)

Meet Clara Lee.
Likes: her best friends, her grandpa, her little sister (when she’s not being annoying, which is almost always), candy necklaces, and the Apple Blossom Festival.

Dislikes: her little sister (when she’s being annoying, which is almost always), her mom’s yucky fish soup, and bad dreams (even though Grandpa says they mean good luck).

After a bad dream, Clara Lee has a whole day of good luck. But when her luck changes, she upsets her friends and family. Will Clara Lee have good luck again in time to try out for the Little Miss Apple Pie pageant?

Jenny Han Series

The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy

The Summer I Turned Pretty

“It’s hard to throw away history. It was like you were throwing away a part of yourself.”

Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Belly has known brothers Jerimiah and Conrad since her very first summer. They have been her friends, her brothers, her crushes, and everything that paints the summer with excitement. It only takes one summer for everything to change. Belly and Jerimiah find a new undercurrent to their relationship. Belly and Conrad’s relationship rides on a riptide. The meaning of summer may never be the same.

Buy here on Amazon

It’s Not Summer Without You

“We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything.”

Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You

Belly used to count down the days until summer but not this time. Everything that was good has fallen apart. However, when Conrad disappears, Belly knows that it’s up to her to bring the trio back: Belly, Conrad, and Jerimiah. If this summer is the last it has to end the way it began – together, at Cousins Beach.

Buy here on Amazon

We’ll Always Have Summer

“Maybe that was how it was with all first loves. They own a little piece of your heart, always.”

Jenny Han, We’ll Always Have Summer

With two years of college under their belt together, Jerimiah and Belly’s relationship is proving more rocky than expected. Has Belly ever truly got over Conrad? This question floats to the surface of her brain after Jerimiah breaks her heart. Belly is forced to confront herself and think carefully, once and for all, which of the brothers has her heart?

Buy here on Amazon

Burn for Burn (with Siobhan Vivian)

Burn for Burn

“I’m sick of waiting for karma. Karma can suck it.”

Jenny Han, Burn for Burn

Postcard-perfect Jar Island is home to charming tourist shops, pristine beaches, amazing oceanfront homes—and three girls secretly plotting revenge.

None of the girls can act on their revenge fantasies alone without being suspected. But together…anything is possible.

With an alliance in place, there will be no more “I wish I’d said…” or “If I could go back and do things differently...” These girls will show Jar Island that revenge is a dish best enjoyed together.

Buy here on Amazon

Fire with Fire

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. a burn for a burn. a life for a life. that's how all this got started. and that's how it's going to end.”

Jenny Han, Fire with Fire

Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.

It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn...

Buy here on Amazon

Ashes to Ashes

“What we had was perfect, and it was finite in the way that all good things are. Nothing gold can stay.”

Jenny Han, Ashes to Ashes

New Year's Eve ended with a bang and Mary, Kat and Lillia may not be prepared for what is to come.

After Rennie's death, Kat and Lillia try to put the pieces together of what happened to her. They both blame themselves. If Lillia hadn't left with Reeve... If Kat had only stayed with Rennie... Things could have been different. Now they will never be the same.

Only Mary knows the truth about that night. Now Mary is out for blood. Will she leave anything in her wake or will all that remain be ashes?

Buy here on Amazon

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

“When someone's been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it's like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you're just clutching air and grit.”

Jenny Han, To All The Boys I've Loved Before

o All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed.

Somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters.

As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

Buy here on Amazon

P.S. I Still Love You

“People come in and out of your life. For a time they are your world; they are everything. And then one day they’re not. There’s no telling how long you will have them near.”

Jenny Han,P.S. I Still Love You

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

They were just pretending. Until they weren’t. And now Lara Jean has to learn what it's like to be in a real relationship and not just a make-believe one.

But when another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him suddenly return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

Buy here on Amazon

Always and Forever, Lara Jean

“Being vulnerable, letting people in, getting hurt... it's all part of being in love.”

Jenny Han, Always and Forever, Lara Jean

There’s so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home on the weekends. Life couldn’t be more perfect!

At least, that’s what Lara Jean thinks . . .

Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans—but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Buy here on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jenny Han's newest book?

Jenny Han's newest book is the final instalment in the To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy: Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

Who is Jenny Han dating?

As far as we can find, Jenny Han is currently single.

What is the most popular Jenny Han book?

To All The Boys I've Loved Before takes the crown with over 700,000 ratings on Goodreads, with a 4.07 star average.

Is Jenny Han still writing books?

Unfortunately, it seems Han is taking a short break from writing. The author claims that she has 'found less time for prose'. It makes sense, considering Han has been focusing on the To All The Boys I've Loved Before movie series, as well as the recent Summer I Turned Pretty Amazon Prime show.

We hope she comes back to writing soon!
For now, we can anticipate season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty, adapted from The Summer I Turned Pretty: It's Not Summer Without You.

What is the order of the Jenny Han books?

The Summer I Turned Pretty

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
2. It's Not Summer Without You (2010)
3. We'll Always Have Summer (2011)

Burn for Burn (with Siobhan Vivian)

1. Burn for Burn (2012)
2. Fire with Fire (2013)
3. Ashes to Ashes (2014)

To All The Boys I've Loved Before

1. To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2014)
2. P.S I Still Love You (2015)
3. Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017)

Did you find a new Jenny Han book to read? Let us know!

The post All 11 Jenny Han Books & Our Favorites! appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

All About The Summer I Turned Pretty

Belly’s life is told through snapshots of summer. At Cousins Beach, her summers are spent having the time of her life with her mom and brother and most importantly, Conrad and Jerimiah Fisher. The brothers have been everything: her friends, her brothers, her right-hand men, and most recently, her crushes. No longer a child, Belly faces turmoil in wrestling with her feelings for both brothers.
Dealing with grief, the difficulties of growing up, college… where does it end? Belly turns to Conrad and Jerimiah for a shoulder to lean on: but who will really pull through?

The Book Series

The Summer I Turned Pretty

“It’s hard to throw away history. It was like you were throwing away a part of yourself.”

Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Belly has known brothers Jerimiah and Conrad since her very first summer. They have been her friends, her brothers, her crushes, and everything that paints the summer with excitement. It only takes one summer for everything to change. Belly and Jerimiah find a new undercurrent to their relationship. Belly and Conrad’s relationship rides on a riptide. The meaning of summer may never be the same.

It’s Not Summer Without You

“We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything.”

Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You

Belly used to count down the days until summer but not this time. Everything that was good has fallen apart. However, when Conrad disappears, Belly knows that it’s up to her to bring the trio back: Belly, Conrad, and Jerimiah. If this summer is the last it has to end the way it began – together, at Cousins Beach.

We’ll Always Have Summer

“Maybe that was how it was with all first loves. They own a little piece of your heart, always.”

Jenny Han, We’ll Always Have Summer

With two years of college under their belt together, Jerimiah and Belly’s relationship is proving more rocky than expected. Has Belly ever truly got over Conrad? This question floats to the surface of her brain after Jerimiah breaks her heart. Belly is forced to confront herself and think carefully, once and for all, which of the brothers has her heart?

The TV Show

Episodes: 7
Amazon Audience Rating: 4.5/5 (out of 1,400 reviews)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

The Summer I Turned Pretty show is an Amazon Prime Video exclusive series.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty TV adaption, we follow Belly through her summer in the fictional town of Cousins Beach at her family's beach house. There, she has life-long friends Conrad and Jerimiah Fisher. As her childhood is slowly merging into adulthood, she gets thrown into a complicated love triangle and has to figure out in who her true feelings lie. Not to mention that Belly has to prepare for the illusive Debutante Ball, she's going to need some serious support from her friends to not make a fool of herself.

Check out the trailer!

Cast & Characters (Mild spoilers ahead!)

Lola Tung (Belly) - Our head-strong and vulnerable protagonist. This girl was born to be in the water, it's no wonder she loves Cousins Beach so dearly. Having a crush on Conrad since she was little, the relationship isn't without its difficulties. When feelings for Jerimiah start to flourish she finds herself in the middle of a turbulent love triangle between Jerimiah and Conrad.

Christopher Briney (Conrad) - The eldest of the brothers, Conrad is known to be rebellious, moody and unwilling to express his feelings properly. Closed off, others tend to misunderstand Conrad. Despite his cool exterior, Conrad's feelings are very intense and he loves his family and friends more than anything.

Gavin Casalegno (Jerimiah) - Known as 'the golden boy' - there is little to disparage Jerimiah for. Holding the family together and acting as the stabiliser to Conrad's moods, he is a stable and safe rock for all. Belly and Jerimiah bond closely over their emotional and soft sides. Although he cares openly and deeply, as we follow Jerimiah through the series, he might not be the perfect golden boy we all know and love him as.

Rachel Blanchard (Susannah) - The rock that everyone relies on. Susannah is the mother of Conrad and Jerimiah and cherishes Belly as close as her own child. Her death hits everyone hard. Her calming energy transcends life, and she lives on through the memory and love of those she has touched.

Jackie Chung (Laurel) - Belly and Steven's mother, as well as Susannah's best friend. She is fierce and stubborn. Her relationship with Belly isn't without its difficulties, and she often wishes she and Belly had the same relationship that Belly had with Susannah.

Sean Kaufman (Steven) - Belly's older brother. He considers Conrad and Jerimiah his brothers. Through the series we see his genuine care for Belly, despite his teasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty have a happy ending?

The definition of 'happy ending' is entirely based on whether you're on Team Belly and Conrad or Team Belly and Jerimiah! We don't want to spoil anything, but ultimately, we believe Belly ends up with exactly who was best for her and will treat her as well as she deserves.

When does The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 come out?

Sadly, we aren't sure. Hopefully, Amazon keep the summer theme and schedule the release date of season 2 in the summer of 2023. Watch this space! We'll keep you updated.

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty have spice?

In the book? Not really.
The books are suitable for ages 12+ and contain only some heart-fluttering kissing scenes.
In the show? Not really.
The show is a little more geared towards an older audience, with its rating sitting at 16+. The kissing scenes are a little more steamy, but nothing that will shock and surprise you.

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty on Netflix?

The Summer I Turned Pretty is available now on Amazon Prime Video.

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty follow the book?

For the most part, yes.
A hefty amount of changes have been made to make the show more diverse and realistic. Additionally, there are other changes made to flesh out existing characters - and some new characters added entirely!
We talk about the differences between the book and show here - check it out!

Are you going to tune into The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2? Let us know!

The post All You Need To Know About The Summer I Turned Pretty appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

All About The Summer I Turned Pretty

Based on the first book of the trilogy of the same name, New York Times Bestselling Author Jenny Han had hands-on involvement in the book-to-film adaption. She is credited with the creation of the series, as well as co-creating the teleplay of several episodes. When the creator gets involved, it’s a good sign that the adaption will stay true to the original medium.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty show, we follow Belly as she spends her summer in the fictional town of Cousins Beach. This town actually exists in Wilmington, North Carolina where many scenes were shot. There, she has life-long friends Conrad and Jerimiah Fisher. As her childhood is slowly merging into adulthood, she gets thrown into a complicated love triangle and has to figure out in who her true feelings lie.

Season 1 was released on June 16th 2022 (June 17 for the UK). Sadly, we have no news of whether or not The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 or 3 is on the horizon but worry not! We’ll be sure to keep you updated, so make sure to keep checking back for the latest information!

The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast

Lola Tung as Belly Conklin

If you don’t recognise the face of Lola Tung, don’t feel out of touch! This 2002 actress boasts the successful The Summer I Turned Pretty as her first-ever role! We’re excited to see where her career will bring her and we expect to see her acting credentials skyrocket.

Lola attended the well-renowned LaGuardia High School in New York, one of the most famous schools for performing arts in New York. Other alumni include Timothée Chalamet and Jennifer Aniston.

Although 19 years old, Lola Tung is currently on a year out from The School of Drama Acting and Musical Theater at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburg, Pennslyvania to dedicate her time to her role.

Find her on Instagram!

Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher

Connecticut-born, this talent pursued a BFA in Acting for Film, TV, Voiceover and Commercial at Pace University, New York. His range of experience makes him the perfect star as the older brother of the Fisher brothers.

The 22 year old actor boasts some roles in shorts Under the Covers and Want This. It is rumoured that Briney has a role in the upcoming Salvador Dali memoir, Dalíland. It releases on September 17, 2022 – so hopefully we see more of Briney’s talent soon!

Find him on Instagram!

Gavin Casalegno as Jerimiah Fisher

Casalegno, despite only being 23, has one of the most prolific acting histories amongst The Summer I Turned Pretty cast.

Casalegno starred alongside household names such as Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins and Jennifer Connelly. Some people may recognise his face from an episode of The Vampire Diaries where he played Young Damon.

His most dedicated role to date is as Trevor Strand in the Western-themed Drama Walker, starring Jared Padalecki. Casalegno starred in 8 episodes during this role.

Gavin Casalegno has been dating model Larsen Thompson since 2016. There have been some rumours that the couple have broken up, but as their photos together are still on Instagram, we can’t be sure.

Find him on Instagram!

Jackie Chung as Laurel Conklin

Acting since 2005, Chung is no stranger to the acting world. Joining The Summer I Turned Pretty cast as her most prolific role yet, although the actress starred in several episodes of Grey’s Anatomy as Cleo Kim as well as Hulu original Deadbeat.

Chung is a mother of two children with her partner Louis Ozawa, as well as a dog Atticus, whom Jackie claims is another one of her children.

We can see the 61-year-old (yes, you read that right!) actress on her next work, The Translators which will be directed by and star her partner, Louis Ozawa.

Check her out on Instagram!

Sean Kaufman as Steven Conklin

Kaufman keeps his private life out of the public eye, so little is known about him.

We know that Kaufman studied at the popular LaGuardia High School before graduating and moving on to Purchase College’s Acting Conservatory.

He had some unnamed roles in FBI: Most Wanted and Law & Order: SVU, as well as being a reoccurring guest star on NBC’s Manifest..

Although we aren’t aware of any upcoming projects, we have no doubt that Kaufman will continue to rise in the acting world. He certainly impressed us as a member of The Summer I Turned Pretty cast!

Check him out on Instagram!

Rachel Blanchard as Susannah Fisher

Blanchard has the most accredited acting history amongst the cast. Acting since 1984, she is no stranger to the acting world. She boasts well-known media such as playing Cher in the Clueless TV series, having a regular role in the 1993 series Chris Cross, Snakes on a Plane, and most famously, playing Kitty Nygaard on Fargo.

Blanchard attended Havergal College, an all-girls school in Toronto where she went on to study at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario Canada to study Psychology.

Blanchard is a huge hockey fan and often plays it in her spare time.

She is married to composer Jeremy Turner, who composed the soundtracks to movies such as Five Came Back (2017), Ode to Joy (2019) and Marvel 616 (2020).

It seems like talent finds talent!

Alfredo Narciso as Cleveland

Another well-seasoned actor, Narciso has a huge list of acting roles under his belt. Since 2002, Cleveland rose to notoriety in the mid-2010’s. He boasts roles in House of Cards, Elementary, Jessica Jones, Manifest, New Amsterdam, and many more.

He is credited in the upcoming TV show The Missing, which premieres on November 10th. As well as the upcoming movie Our Son although no further information is available.

Narciso is one of the only cast members to have acting roles which expand to Podcast Series (such as The Two Princes and Tejana) and video games (Red Dead Redemption II).

Narciso was nominated for an Ambie for Best Performer in Audio Fiction for his role in The Two Princes. He also won an Award of Merit Accolade for his role in 2011 short film, Lullaby for Ray.

Who knew that The Summer I Turned Pretty cast are all so talented?

Check him out on Instagram!

Minnie Mills as Shayla

Born in January 2002 in London, UK, her family relocated from London to New York when she was 4 years old.

Her mother is Korean and her father is Canadian. On her Instagram highlights, Mills seems very in touch with her Korean heritage and loves visiting Seoul, South Korea.

She trained at the Atlantic Theatre Company and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before becoming a cast member on The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Mills also has a history of modelling for brands and starring in commercials.

Find her on Instagram!

Summer Madison as Nicole

Madison started her acting journey in 2018 with the short Almost There. Since then, she has stared in Emergency (2022), The Wonder Years (2022), and the Hulu biopic, Mike.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, Madison since moved to Georgia State University to earn her bachelor’s degree. Currently she lives in Los Angeles.

Very fashion-forward, we think Madison was a great addition to The Summer I Turned Pretty cast!

Find her on Instagram!

Lilah Pate as Gigi

Pate seems to have a keen eye for the beach, as one of her only other acting roles was in the Netflix series Outer Banks where she played Peeler in two episodes.

Her next role is said to be in Boys of Summer, which is rumoured to come out later this year.

Born in Los Angeles, she later moved to Charleston.

Her father is a director and producer, having directed movies like The Grave, The Deciever, and more! He also directed in the previously mentioned Outer Banks.

She’s a perfect fit as a Summer I Turned Pretty cast member!

Find her on Instagram!

David Iacono as Cam

Iacono has been acting since 2011. His long filmography includes roles in New Amsterdam, The Good Doctor, The Flight Attendant, and more.

He is credited in the upcoming movie thriller Cinnamon where he will star alongside Pam Grier, however, no release date has been announced.

David is of Italian and Puerto Rican descent and currently resides in New York. He hopes to become more involved with the creation of art and direct in the future.

Iacono definitely has a sense of humour! See more on his Instagram.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast: Behind the Scenes!

We’re lucky to hear that the cast of The Summer I Turned Pretty grew close during filming. Their Instagrams boast a lot of fun behind-the-scenes images and videos that we think you should check out but we’ll show you some now to get you started.

As The Summer I Turned Pretty is a huge hit, it’s no surprise that the media is calling the cast in for interviews all the time! Here are just a few exciting cast interviews which we think really sell the fun personalities of the cast:

• Seventeen: The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Cast Calling Each Other Out For 8 Minutes | Superlatives | Seventeen
• IMDB: “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Cast Answer Burning Questions | Extended Interview
• Buzzfeed Celeb: “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Cast Finds Out Which Characters They Really Are
• Prime Video AUS & NZ: This Or That? | The Summer I Turned Pretty | Prime Video

Frequently Asked Questions about The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast!

Who is The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast dating?

Chris Briney appears to be seeing Isabel Machado. The pair shared a sweet post at The Summer I Turned Pretty premiere.

Additionally, there have been rumours surrounding Sean Kaufman and co-star Minnie Mills, but these dating rumours are yet to be confirmed or denied.

How tall is The Summer I Turned Pretty cast?

The actors of Jerimiah, Conrad, Cam, and Steven are all said to be between 5’11 and 6’1. Lola Tung appears to be around 5’6, although different sources have different stats.

How old is The Summer I Turned Pretty cast?

All the actors of the teenagers appear to be between 19-23.

• Lola Tung: 19
• Sean Kaufman: early 20’s
• Gavin Casalegno: 22
• Christopher Briney: 21/22

How old is The Summer I Turned Pretty cast in the show?

It is the summer for teen romance, so it only makes sense that the characters are in the height of their teenage years!

• Belly: 16
• Steven: 17/18
• Jerimiah: 16
• Conrad: 17

Have you watched The Summer I Turned Pretty yet? Let us know!

The post The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast – All You Need to Know appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

What Is The Summer I Turned Pretty?

The Summer I Turned Pretty show is an Amazon Prime Video exclusive series. The series is directed by Erica Dunton (3 episodes), Jeff Chan (2 episodes), and Jesse Pertex (2 episodes). Erica Dunton has a long director history and is no stranger to the field. She is credited for directing the Peacock exclusive Vampire Academy which is still in production.
Jeff Chan co-wrote and co-directed the award-winning 2019 movie Plus One.
The most accredited name on the list of directors being Primetime Emmy nominee and Grammy award winner Jesse Peretz. With hits such as Netflix’s GLOW, Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black, alongside Nurse Jackie, The Office, New Girl, and many more – we have high hopes for his expertise to drive The Summer I Turned Pretty into the limelight! (He also directed the music video for Selena Gomez’ Bad Liar – the vibe seems perfect for The Summer I Turned Pretty, right?)

Based on the first book of the trilogy of the same name, New York Times Bestselling Author Jenny Han had hands-on involvement in the book-to-film adaption. She is credited with the creation of the series, as well as co-creating the teleplay of several episodes. When the creator gets involved, it’s a good sign that the adaption will stay true to the original medium.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty show, we follow Belly through her summer in the fictional town of Cousins Beach. This town actually exists in Wilmington, North Carolina where many scenes were shot. There, she has life-long friends Conrad and Jerimiah Fisher. As her childhood is slowly merging into adulthood, she gets thrown into a complicated love triangle and has to figure out in who her true feelings lie.

With almost 1,500 reviews clocking in at 4.5-star rating, we have no doubts that we’ll be hearing news of a second season soon!

Season 1 was released on June 16th 2022 (June 17 for the UK). Sadly, we have no news of whether or not The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 or 3 is on the horizon. But worry not! We’ll be sure to keep you updated, so make sure to keep checking back for the latest information!

Check Out the Official Trailer!

Did you recognise a familiar song in the trailer? All the Swifties out there will be thrilled to hear that not one, not two, but five Taylor Swift songs feature in this series!

The Summer I Turned Pretty Show Episode List

With a sensible 7 episodes, each clocking in at roughly 45minutes – this show is seriously bingeable! We’ll give you a little oversight to each episode now, so you can really anticipate all that’s heading your way.

1. Summer House: It’s the first real day of summer: the day Belly, her brother Steven, and her mother Laurel head to Cousins beach to stay with Susannah Fisher, who’s like Belly’s second mother, and her boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly’s been going to Cousins since she before was born, but something about this summer feels different for Belly. And if the first night is any indication, she’s right.

2. Summer Dress: It’s Belly’s first day as a debutante, and a day of shopping and tea parties make her wonder if she made the right choice when she checked yes on Susannah’s invitation. But when Cam shows up, things turn around for Belly. Her summer of firsts is just getting started. Meanwhile, Steven’s having his own summer of romance, and Laurel is intrigued by a fellow author.

3. Summer Nights: It’s Belly’s 16th birthday and her best friend, Taylor, arrives in Cousins to help celebrate. Belly’s birthday is always her favourite day of the year, but this year she’s blindsided by a secret Taylor has been keeping from her. The debs ask Belly who she’s bringing to the debutante ball. Laurel and Susannah’s secret finally comes to light.

4. Summer Heat: It’s the 4th of July, and the fathers have come to Cousins for Susannah’s annual party at the beach house. Tensions flare between Conrad and his father. Belly and the Fisher brothers make margaritas, and chaos ensues. Later, Belly has a romantic moment that’s interrupted.

5. Summer Catch: Believing that Conrad might act on his feelings for her, Belly makes a decision. But when Belly and Conrad finally get a chance to talk, things don’t go as she expected, and she wonders if she’s had her eye on the wrong Fisher brother. Steven is assigned to work the poker room at the country club, and Laurel and Susannah have a night out.

6. Summer Tides: Taylor comes back to town to play in the Cousins Beach charity volleyball tournament, and to help Belly, who’s caught between Conrad and Jeremiah. When a yacht party with the debs ends in disaster, Belly’s decision between the brothers becomes clear. Steven finds himself in over his head with Shayla’s wealthy friends, and Cleveland helps Conrad through an emotional moment.

7. Summer Love: The debutante ball is here, but Belly’s big night is almost ruined when Jeremiah learns the secret his mother has been keeping all summer. When Belly’s left alone on the dance floor, someone else steps in to save the day. With Susannah and Laurel’s secret out in the open, the season ends with a promise from Susannah and the confession from Conrad that Belly has been waiting for all summer.

Cast

The Summer I Turned Pretty show boasts a large cast of some undiscovered talents. We’re thrilled to see them take the center stage and bring such a beloved series to life! Check them out.

Main Cast

From left to right…

• Christopher Briney (Conrad)
• David Iacono (Cam)
• Lola Tung (Belly)
• Gavin Casalegno (Jerimiah)
•  Sean Kaufman (Steven)

Most are relatively new faces to the acting scene. David Iacono boasts some small roles in The Good Doctor and NCIS. While Casalegno has a regular spot on the CW’s Walker as Trevor Stand, where he works alongside well-renowned actor Jarad Padalecki.
We’re excited to see all these new and experienced faces alike on The Summer I Turned Pretty show!

Other Cast

• Rachel Blanchard (Susannah Fisher) – Jerimiah and Conrad’s mother
• Jackie Chung (Laurel) – Belly and Steven’s mother
• Alfredo Narciso (Cleveland) – Readers of the series might not recognise this name. This character has been added to the show to serve as a supporting character for both Laurel and Conrad. (Fun fact: his character has over 100,000 Instagram followers!)
• Colin Ferguson (John Conklin) – Ex-husband of Laurel and the father of Belly and Steven
• Rain Spencer (Taylor) – Belly’s best friend and an unstoppable force.
• Minnie Mills (Shayla) – Belly’s fellow debutante
• Summer Madison (Nicole)
• Lilah Pate (Gigi)
• Tom Everett Scott (Adam Fisher) – Susannah’s husband and father of Conrad and Jerimiah
• and many more talents!

Differences Between The Summer I Turned Pretty Book and the Show

People who read the book series might be thinking, “Well, I’ve read the book, is there any point in watching The Summer I Turned Pretty show?” The answer is: Yes, Yes Yes!
The show has changed a lot of details in order for its on-screen adaption to be as in-depth as it deserves to be. None of these changes are storyline-destroying, but they add a certain extra layer of nuance to the show. Additionally, this means that even those who have read the series can enjoy a bunch of extras! Lets list some changes, shall we?

The Debutante Ball

This might be a big shock – as the debutante ball is such a pivotal point in The Summer I Turned Pretty show. The ball wasn’t in the books at all! When asked about the decision to add such a huge plot point into the show, Han said “I think different cultures have many different ways of marking that moment of between, like, girlhood and adulthood… And that’s what Deb Ball is, you’re coming out and being seen as an adult.”
The Summer I Turned Pretty is all about the awkward stage between childhood and adulthood, so we think this is perfect!

Jerimiah’s Sexuality

That’s right! In the book, there is nothing to suggest that Jerimiah is a member of the LGBTQ community at all! In the show, Jerimiah is stated to have had boyfriends in the past and he also makes out with a boy on screen at a party. Given that Jerimiah is a comfortable character who is the polar opposite of his brother in the sense that he is much more at ease with himself – this only makes sense. Not to mention a lot has changed since the book’s release in 2009. Jerimiah’s character is more relatable to people than ever, since the majority of the show’s teenage demographic understand sexuality as a fluid spectrum.

These are the changes we love to see!

The Book is a Lot More PG

The book series was rated a safe 12+ but the TV show adaption is currently rated 16+. In the show, there’s a lot more booze and Conrad smokes weed as well as cigarettes. Belly makes fun of him for it, since he used to judge stoners. Not to mention, the show has a lot more kissing than the book did, and the kissing scenes happen a lot sooner than that of the book. But hey, when in Rome!

Laurel Isn’t An Author in the Book

With the relationship between Belly and Laurel being very important in the book, and later on in the book series, it only makes sense that Laurel’s character was given a little more care and attention. In the show, we see not only her as a side character in Belly’s life, but we see her own struggles as an author and we can watch how she develops with the help of another new addition to the show, Cleveland. We also get much more of a glimpse into her and Susannah’s friendship, which is heartwarming to witness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty show based on all three books?

The show currently is only based on the first book, so we can expect that books two and three will be covered in the following seasons. These have not yet been announced, but keep checking back and we’ll keep you updated!

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty show on Netflix?

The Summer I Turned Pretty is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty Show Cost Money?

You’ll need an Amazon Prime membership to watch the show. If you haven’t already, you can sign up to a free trial or if you are a student, Amazon has a range of offers available for its Prime membership!

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Show diverse?

The show has made an effort to improve its diversity and changed a lot of characters to do so. Many characters have been adapted with different ethnicities and races, and there are issues of racism brought up with respect and nuance in the show. There are several LGBTQ characters who have stolen our hearts too! We believe this show does a great job of accurately representing the diversity in modern America!

Did you enjoy the show? Let us know!

The post About The Summer I Turned Pretty Show appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

The Book Series In Order

The Summer I Turned Pretty

“It’s hard to throw away history. It was like you were throwing away a part of yourself.”

Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Belly has known brothers Jerimiah and Conrad since her very first summer. They have been her friends, her brothers, her crushes, and everything that paints the summer with excitement. It only takes one summer for everything to change. Belly and Jerimiah find a new undercurrent to their relationship. Belly and Conrad’s relationship rides on a riptide. The meaning of summer may never be the same.

It’s Not Summer Without You

“We stood there, looking at each other, saying nothing. But it was the kind of nothing that meant everything.”

Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You

Belly used to count down the days until summer but not this time. Everything that was good has fallen apart. However, when Conrad disappears, Belly knows that it’s up to her to bring the trio back: Belly, Conrad, and Jerimiah. If this summer is the last it has to end the way it began – together, at Cousins Beach.

We’ll Always Have Summer

“Maybe that was how it was with all first loves. They own a little piece of your heart, always.”

Jenny Han, We’ll Always Have Summer

With two years of college under their belt together, Jerimiah and Belly’s relationship is proving more rocky than expected. Has Belly ever truly got over Conrad? This question floats to the surface of her brain after Jerimiah breaks her heart. Belly is forced to confront herself and think carefully, once and for all, which of the brothers has her heart?

Frequently Asked Questions

What order does The Summer I Turned Pretty Series go in?

The Trilogy follows as such:

• The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
• It's Not Summer Without You (2010)
• We'll Always Have Summer (2011)

How does The Summer I Turned Pretty Series end?

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

Following Jerimiah cheating on Belly, the couple fight. After spending some time apart, Jerimiah realises that Belly is the only girl in the world for him, and he proposes. Despite Belly still having feelings for Conrad, she says yes. As Conrad and Belly spend time together planning Belly and Jerimiah's wedding, the feelings grow more significant between the two. Conrad tries to hide his feelings for the sake of Belly.

Jerimiah and Conrad have a fight which leads to Jerimiah running away on the morning of his and Belly's wedding. The wedding is called off when Belly admits she still has feelings for Conrad. After taking a year in Spain, Belly and Conrad start exchanging letters, and their love is reignited. Eventually, Conrad and Belly get happily married, and the series ends where it began: at Cousins Beach.

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty Series have spice?

While there are some more adult themes and references as the series progress, the book series maintains its 12+ age rating and has nothing more explicit than references to sleeping together and some kissing scenes.

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Series appropriate?

There is nothing particularly shocking or explicit in this series. There are some scenes which involve drinking and smoking, as well as some references to sexual activities. Nothing in this book is explicit enough where it would be inappropriate for ages 12+.

For a more in-depth parental review, check out this website.

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Series good?

This definitely depends on what your taste is and what you're expecting out of the series. If you're expecting a high-spice and dark, twisted series then you're probably looking in the wrong place. If you're looking to be thrown into the summer of teenage and early adulthood, to experience the fluttery feelings of your first love; then this book series is perfect. Even if this book isn't your typical genre, we think it is worth a read. The heartfelt moments and emotional riptides can't help but pull you in.

We certainly enjoyed it!

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty a show?

Yes, the first book was adapted into a show and is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video since June 2022. The show stars Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad), Gavin Casalegno (Jerimiah) as well as Jackie Chung, David Iacono, Rachel Blanchard, Alfredo Narciso, and many other talents.

You might not be surprised to find out that this series about young love features not one, not two, but five Taylor Swift songs! (Lover, This Love (Taylor's Version), False God, The Way I Loved You (Taylor's Version), and Cruel Summer, for all the Swifties wondering). The vibe of Taylor's songs seem a perfect fit for an emotional summer in a beach house, right?

Have you read The Summer I Turned Pretty series? Let us know what you thought!

The post The Summer I Turned Pretty Series All About The Book Trilogy appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

We’ll Always Have Summer

Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she’s almost positive he is her soul mate. Almost. While Conrad has not gotten over the mistake of letting Belly go, Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it’s now or never—tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good.

Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face the inevitable: She will have to break one of their hearts.

Check it out on Amazon!

“There hadn’t been one specific moment. It was like gradualy waking up. You go from being asleep to the space between dreaming and awake and then into consciousness. It’s a slow process, but when you’re awake, there’s no mistaking it. There was no mistaking that it had been love.”

Jenny Han, We’ll Always Have Summer

Our Overview

Finishing her freshman year of college, Belly and Jerimiah have been happily together for two years. Seemingly a perfect couple, the pair don’t see the storm approaching.

Jerimiah cheats on Belly while the pair were ‘on a break’. Belly is understandably heartbroken and breaks up with Jerimiah there and then. Driven by heartache, Belly reminisces about Conrad. Her feelings had never really truly been snuffed out, only buried as she focused on her relationship with Jerimiah. Despite her feelings, when Jerimiah pops the question, Belly agrees to marry him.

Belly’s mother Laurel disapproves of the wedding and tells Belly if the wedding goes ahead then she will not be coming. Belly goes dress shopping with her best friend instead of her mother and is devastated that her mother will be absent during such an important part of her life. The mother and daughter continue to butt heads until Belly is forced to move out of her home and into the Fisher’s beach house.

Belly and Conrad fall into a routine of planning her wedding and doing repairs around the beach house together. The tension is palpable. Conrad tries to manage his feelings despite a friend of his telling him to speak about his feelings, even if it breaks up the wedding. Belly also struggles to fight against her true feelings for Conrad and is even more heartached when she finds out her mother is attending the wedding through Conrad’s convincing.

After finding out that his brother cheated on Belly, Conrad tells Belly his feelings. Belly is furious that Conrad told her the words she needed to hear two years too late. Belly turns him down. Although this puts Belly into a turbulent headspace. She is truly in love with Conrad.

Jerimiah disappears the morning of the wedding and Conrad sets out to go find him. The brothers argue over Belly and the encounter turns physical. Jerimiah finally agrees to go back to the wedding with Conrad but tells his brother that he never wants to see him again.

Belly demands that Jerimiah tell her why he got cold feet the morning of his wedding, and he finally speaks from his heart. Jerimiah tells Belly that he isn’t happy in their relationship and he feels he was never the only person in Belly’s heart. He asks her if she still loves Conrad. Belly says yes. Jerimiah and Belly call the wedding off.

Years later, now a fully grown adult, Belly began to receive letters from Conrad while living abroad in Spain. The letters draw the pair together once again. They decide to do what was long overdue and get married.

As the pair skip their reception to play in the ocean, they think of Susannah and all the dreams she had for Belly’s future. Belly feels like finally, she has made the right choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did We’ll Always Have Summer come out?

The final book in the series came out in 2011.

• The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
• It’s Not Summer Without You (2010)
• We’ll Always Have Summer (2011)

Does We’ll Always Have Summer have a happy ending?

This depends on your definition of a ‘happy ending’! Were you on Team Jerimiah or Team Conrad? Those who favoured Jerimiah (which seemed to be a lot of people up until this book) might be a little disheartened – but we are all happy that Belly is being true with herself and is prioritising what she wants and not settling for someone she doesn’t truly belong with.

Is We’ll Always Have Summer the last book?

Sadly, yes! If you need another fix of some unbeatable teen romance, why not check out some of Jenny Han’s other books? We personally recommend the hit To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series!

• To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014)
• P.S I Still Love You (2015)
• Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017)

Is We’ll Always Have Summer appropriate?

As with the rest of the series, the book contains some references to alcohol and scenes referencing sexual natures. But nothing would be deemed unsuitable for those aged 12+.

Our Review

Bingeability – ★★★★★

We don’t know what’s in this book: but it should seriously be swabbed! We couldn’t put this book down. In two sittings, this book drew us in and pulled us into the world of Belly and the wonderful Cousins Beach. This book is full of exciting and emotional twists and turns that will be sure to bring you on an emotional rollercoaster that you definitely won’t want to get off from!

Characters – ★★★★

Some people might have a lot of disdain for Jerimiah following this book, and we’re going to try our best to be unbiased. The circumstances of Spring Break were unclear, and perhaps if Belly and Jerimiah communicated better then this wouldn’t have happened. But hey, what’s a fun story if everyone talked things out properly, right? No actions from the characters seemed far-fetched or overdramatic. As always, Jenny Han did an outstanding job making the characters seem real, not just nice.

Setting – ★★★★★

Will the setting of this book series ever get less than 5 stars? Not a chance. Cousins Beach might only be in our heads but I know I’ll be taking a mental vacation there as often as possible to relax and unwind under the gentle summer sun.

Storyline – ★★★★

Normally I find tropes very repetitive and predictable but I can honestly say I had no idea who Belly was going to end up with. Every chapter added a new thought or angle to the characters and their relationships. Dynamic and ever-changing, the story seemed alive as I read it. Two weddings are quite a lot though, I wonder if Belly and Jerimiah ever got any of their money back – or maybe Belly and Conrad reused some of the decor? Nonetheless, the story was paced beautifully and none of the twists and turns seemed too fast or sudden.

Overall Rating – ★★★★

A lot more grown-up than the first book The Summer I Turned Pretty, it has been a delight and a pleasure to grow up alongside the trio on Cousins Beach. Watching their characters grow and develop from childish and a little petulant to adults with complex feelings that are never going to be easily and cleanly solved, Jenny Han has crafted a rare gem in the YA genre. Reading this book has been nostalgic and a little sad to know that it’s all coming to a close, and the tone of the book reflects that feeling perfectly.

Were you on Team Jerimiah or Team Conrad? Let us know!

The post We’ll Always Have Summer: Our Thoughts appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

It’s Not Summer Without You

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come. But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started—at Cousins Beach.

View on Amazon

“There are moments in life that you wish with all your heart you could take back. Like, just erase from existence. Like, if you could, you’d erase yourself right out of existence too, just to make that moment not exist.”

Jenny Han, It’s Not Summer Without You

Our Overview

If last summer was a dream, this summer is set out to be a nightmare.

After losing Susannah to cancer in May, Belly feels alone. Hardly speaking to Jerimiah and her relationship with Conrad being tense, Belly has little to hope for in Cousins Beach. After terse words at the funeral and Belly suspecting that Conrad’s affections lie elsewhere, the pair are not on speaking terms.

Grief weighs heavy on everyone through the summer, and this book presents the different ways that grief can overflow in a person with nuance and grace. Belly is missing Susannah greatly, whereas Conrad has gone rogue. As Conrad is missing from college with exams looming, Jerimiah and Belly are forced to go looking for the other Fisher brother. This trip forces us to appreciate the growth of Belly, whether it be due to grief or the creeping sense of adulthood: Belly is growing up. Jerimiah notices Belly in a different light.

We learn that Conrad skipping school was not through rebellion or disinterest. Conrad went to the beach house to prevent his late mother’s favourite place from being sold by his father. This new three-dimensional image of Conrad causes Belly to recall the previous relationship she had with Conrad – both the ups and downs.

A party causes some turbulent emotions between the love triangle, resulting in Belly calling her mother and begging her to help save the beach house. A terse mother-daughter relationship is exacerbated through the pair’s grief and harsh words are exchanged. Nonetheless, her mother agrees.

Jerimiah and Belly take Conrad back to college to take his exams. A heart-to-heart between Jerimiah and Belly results in the pair being caught kissing by a furious Conrad. The relationship between the three then takes a swift change, where things were not where they had been. Belly thinks she has made the right choice in the end, but feelings continue to linger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It’s Not Summer Without You the second book?

It is! This is the second in the trilogy.

• The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
• It’s Not Summer Without You (2010)
• We’ll Always Have Summer (2011)

How does It’s Not Summer Without You end?

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

This book ends with Belly realising that although Conrad has feelings for her, he will never express them in the way that she needs. She makes the choice to chase her feelings with Jerimiah instead. Holding his hand in the car, Belly feels content with her choice.

Where Does It’s Not Summer Without You take place?

Although the books are set in the fictional Cousins Beach, such a place actually exists in North Carolina. Most of the scenes from the Amazon Prime Video adaptation of the prequel The Summer I Turned Pretty were filmed there. Author Jenny Han drew inspiration from many beaches when writing the series, including Nags Head, Virginia Beach, the Hamptons, and Cape Cod.

Is It’s Not Summer Without You appropriate?

There is nothing particularly shocking or explicit in this series. There are some important scenes which involve drinking and some mild violence. Nothing in this book is explicit enough where it would be inappropriate for ages 12+.

When does It’s Not Summer Without You come out?

If you’re asking about the book: great news! It has been out since 2010!

If you’re asking about the Amazon Prime Video adaption: sadly, there is no confirmed release date for the second season. But we can only hope that they’ll keep that iconic summer vibe and release it during the summer!

Our Review

Bingeability – ★★★

It’s Not Summer Without You takes the relationships of its prequel and only furthers their development. The reader is taken through constant ups and downs. The journey is an emotional one, with grief and the difficulties in managing more complex, adult feelings taking prevalence. There were times that the pages seemed to turn themselves. At times the arguments proved too repetitive and we found it a little difficult to intake all these emotions in one or two sittings. This book is one to savour slowly.

Characters – ★★★★★

If we liked the characters in the last book, we loved them in this book! Han proves herself in writing realistic characters. The stage between adulthood and teenagehood is a difficult one to write and we’re impressed with how real these characters feel. Sometimes they make irrational decisions and sometimes we just wish they would say what they’re really thinking. Isn’t that exactly what we were all like at that age?

Setting – ★★★★★

We can’t express it any better than this: we wish we spend our summers at this beach house! We know why everyone fought to stop Mr Fisher from selling it. Cousins Beach is the exact sort of place we wish we had spent our summers growing up. It perfectly encapsulates everything the book is about. The moving tide, the sand, the rocky waves: a place only ever touched by summer.

Storyline – ★★★★

Grief is such a driving force in this book and takes a mature angle for a YA romance book, and it didn’t disappoint. The grief of losing Susannah Fisher propels most of the major storylines. This drew us in, the love-triangle unfolding in the middle of such an emotionally turbulent time makes the dramatics of some of the outbursts just make sense. Watching the relationship between Belly and Jerimiah grow and change its colours was truly magical. Not to mention that watching the trio grow and develop through the grief was truly heartwarming to experience.

Overall Rating – ★★★★

Although this book is a little more heavy-hearted than its prequel, The Summer I Turned Pretty, it does the pain beautifully. Much like Han’s To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before series, the books never fall stagnant and continue to give us exciting twists and turns! Taking us back to Cousins Beach makes us feel like we’re coming back home, to the place only ever summer-kissed. It’s Not Summer Without You manages to wrangle the beauty of summer perfectly with the dark underbelly of its dangerous riptides.

A very strong sequel that leaves us on the edge of our seats for the final book in the series!

What did you think of It’s Not Summer Without You? Let us know!

The post It’s Not Summer Without You: Our Thoughts appeared first on RomanceDevoured.

The Summer I Turned Pretty

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 Fisher. 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.

View on Amazon

“Moments, when lost, can’t be found again. They’re just gone.”

Our Overview

At first glance, it’s easy to disregard The Summer I Turned Pretty as nothing more than just another teen love-triangle book. If you dust the sand off, you’ll see that this novel really is a hidden gem in the genre.
The ongoing grief of the novel as the mother of the Fisher brothers, Susannah, continues through her tragic battle with cancer. This novel shows the sides of growing up that many coming-of-age novels tend to overlook: its tragedy. As we follow Belly through her feelings for emotionally distant Conrad and his sweet, golden-boy brother Jeremiah, we feel the emotional vulnerability of life-long friendships changing their colour. We stand with Belly as she experiences the heart-fluttering moments of her first loves. As she starts to shed away from childhood and gain independence to try and navigate the world.

The relationships in the book The Summer I Turned Pretty are real. They remind us perfectly of the uncomfortable, albeit heart-pattering change of friendship to romance. The relationship between the Fisher family is united by love and genuine care, but it isn’t without its problems. The connection the characters have with each other comes to life and reminds us of our own friends and loves. This makes the book confidently more captivating.

Ultimately, The Summer I Turned Pretty not only lets us live through the summer of Belly’s life but also forces us to live through the parts of life that we so rarely see in this genre: the twilight. Significantly living with the characters as they try and live a typical summer while Susannah’s is coming to its twilight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Jenny Han have other books?

Yes! Jenny Han currently has three trilogies, the most popular being To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. This series includes:

• To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014)
• P.S I Still Love You (2015)
• Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017)

She also has a trilogy with Siobhan Vivian, Burn for Burn, including:

• Burn for Burn (2012)
• Fire with Fire (2013)
• Ashes to Ashes (2014)

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty have a sequel?

It does, and even better yet, it has two! The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy includes:

• The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
• It’s Not Summer Without You (2010)
• We’ll Always Have Summer (2011)

Does The Summer I Turned Pretty have LGBTQ characters?

The book doesn’t contain any explicit references to any characters being members of the LGBTQ community. You may be pleased to hear that the new Amazon adaption of the novel introduces a twist to a character’s sexuality.

Is The Summer I Turned Pretty a spicy book?

The short answer is no.

The novel has an age rating for ages 12+, so the spice is kept mild. There are some heart-fluttering kissing scenes which will definitely make your palms sweat after a period of ‘will-they, won’t-they?’.

Our Review

Bingeability – ★★★★★

The Summer I Turned Pretty is an emotional journey, paved with tears of joy and tears of heartache. The turbulent love triangle is heart-wrenching at times. If this were written by any other author but Jenny Han, we might not be able to imagine the turmoil that Belly experiences. However, Han proves herself in writing characters you can’t help but invest in and we experienced every ounce of pain and joy alongside Belly. We couldn’t put this book down! Every page turned itself.

Characters – ★★★★

Every character we meet in The Summer I Turned Pretty had a lasting impression throughout the pages of the book. They feel real in their flaws. Many reviews say that Belly seemed petulant and emotional at times but that’s part of what makes this book great. Moreover, no character is perfect and all the interactions feel real, even if it had us clenching the book and wanting to knock some sense into them at times. This book avoids the feeling of ‘teenagers written by a grown-up’ wherein the characters feel grown-up and wise beyond their years. There is still an element of childishness to many of them. The lasting waves of their childhood still not yet washed away.

Setting – ★★★★★

We can’t express it any better than this: we wish we spend our summers here too! Cousins Beach is the exact sort of place we wish we had spent our summers growing up. It perfectly encapsulates everything the book is about. The moving tide, the sand, the rocky waves: a place only ever touched by summer.

Storyline – ★★★★

This book was a surprising refreshment of the genre. Although ultimately a story about love and friendship, it doesn’t fail to have greater stakes at play. The storyline of the novel is not solely dependent on the relationships between love interests. Each character has their own thoughts, feelings, storylines, and development.

Overall Rating – ★★★★

The Summer I Turned Pretty is the perfect book to dive into if you aren’t quite ready for summer to end. It encapsulates the feeling of summer perfectly and creates its own wonderful universe within the season. Even on a rainy day, this book will bring the sun to your skin and you’ll be thrown back into the summers of your youth from the minute you open the page.

Did you enjoy The Summer I Turn Pretty as much as we did? Let us know!

The post The Summer I Turned Pretty Book: Our Thoughts appeared first on RomanceDevoured.