16 Dec Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

I remember being fifteen and feeling like the whole world was about to change every time summer rolled around. It was all sandy toes, late-night giggles, and awkward crushes that felt like they’d either ruin my life or make it infinitely better. I picked up The Summer I Turned Pretty because it promised that kind of nostalgia, the golden haze of adolescence wrapped up in the most romanticized version of summer. Plus, Jenny Han has a knack for that easy-reading vibe that feels like a cozy beach day. But did it give me all the feels? Eh, not quite.

What’s it about?:

This is Belly’s story (and yes, that’s her nickname, which honestly threw me off for half the book). Every summer, Belly heads to Cousins Beach with her mom, her brother, and their lifelong family friends—the Fisher boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly’s spent years being the “little sister” of the group, but this summer, things are different. She’s different. And the Fisher boys? Well, they might be noticing.

It’s not just a love triangle (although it’s very much a love triangle); it’s also a coming-of-age story, with Belly grappling with growing up, family dynamics, and unspoken tensions in the adults’ world that seep into her endless summer days. It’s all filtered through her rose-colored perspective, which is part dreamy, part naive, and sometimes frustratingly self-centered. But hey, that’s 16 for you.

What This Chick Thinks:

So, a 6.5 feels about right here because while this book had moments where I could see its charm, it didn’t totally click with me. Jenny Han absolutely nails the summery vibe. I could practically feel the sand between my toes and smell the sunscreen. The nostalgia for those teenage summers? Spot on. But Belly? Oh, Belly. She’s just not my kind of protagonist. She spends a lot of time caught up in her own head, endlessly mooning over boys, and making impulsive decisions that left me wanting to shake her a little.

The love triangle is pretty classic teen drama, but Conrad’s brooding bad-boy act felt a bit overdone, and Jeremiah was just too nice to be believable as the other contender. Neither of them really stood out to me, which made Belly’s constant flip-flopping between them a bit of a slog. There’s also a subplot with the adults that hints at more emotional depth, but it doesn’t get enough page time to balance out all the teenage pining.

That said, I can see why this book has its fans. If I’d read this as a teenager, I probably would’ve been obsessed. It’s got that Twilight energy (minus the vampires), where everything feels high-stakes even when it’s just a bonfire or a glance from the brooding boy across the room. As an adult reader, though, I just found myself rolling my eyes a little too often.

Final Thoughts:

While The Summer I Turned Pretty didn’t blow me away, it’s a sweet, summery read that doesn’t demand too much of you. If you’re into love triangles and teenage angst with a heavy dose of golden-hour nostalgia, it’ll probably hit the spot. For me, it was a fun escape but not a story I’d revisit. 6.5/10.

Try it if you like:

1. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – Jenny Han’s other series has similar vibes but a more likable protagonist and a slightly quirkier charm.
2. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares – For that summer-y coming-of-age feel with a strong focus on friendship and first loves.
3. Beach Read by Emily Henry – If you’re craving a more adult take on beachy romance with complex characters and witty banter.