Book Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Author: Jenny Han

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: May 2009

Genre: Young Adult Realistic Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Series, Book One


Review:

Swooon!

Belly has grown a lot since the last time she was at Cousins Beach. She grew up here, every summer, with her mom, her mom's best friend and the boys- Jeremiah and Conrad. But this summer is the summer that will begin to change everything. A summer Belly has been waiting for all her life. A summer that no one can predict what will happen.

Swoon again!

This is my first Jenny Han book and it won't be the last. A sweet coming of age story that takes place during a single summer. Romance, the ocean, love triangles abound. Belly is trying to figure out who she is now, and during chapter flashbacks we get to see a younger Belly, a little sister, a tag a long. Not anymore. She's also trying to figure out her feelings for each of these brothers, and who they've become as well.

Through flashbacks, we get to see Young Belly. I loved young Belly, her voice is sweet and real. She's jealous, she's romantic, she's naive and she's bratty. She pouts, she whines and stomps her feet. Her younger side still peaks out in Older Belly, and its this that made me feel like Belly was a real person. The reader can experience Belly's journey, and her complicated feelings for the brothers.

Conrad is dreamy, moody and troubled. Jeremiah is funny, good hearted and patient. Each deals with Belly and this summer in different ways. I don't want to give too much away, but it's really a very bittersweet and honest story.

I enjoyed every second of it. A perfect summer read.

Rating 8 Cookie Worthy