The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Summer is Belly's favorite time of the year. It's the time where she gets to go to Cousins Beach, to the beach house with her mom, older brother, and her mom's best friend Susannah and her two sons: Conrad and Jeremiah.

Summer is the time that Belly can hangout with her other family, and fall even more in love with Conrad, who she's loved since she was 10 years old. 

This summer is different. Belly got rid of her glasses and is actually growing up. Both Conrad and Jeremiah are starting to notice, but Belly only has eyes for Conrad. 

However, Conrad is acting strange, distant. He's drinking and smoking, acting sullen and moody. Belly doesn't know why, but when she gets attention from another summer boy, Cam, she decides to make Conrad jealous. 

Another thing Belly loves about summer is hanging out with her "second mother", Susannah. It's the time where Belly can be girly around Susannah and talk girl shop. 

When Belly finds out some awful and sad news toward the end of summer, though, Belly realizes that everything is going to change before next summer can come. It might not be the same as Belly remembers and she's not sure if she wants to deal with that change. 

My Thoughts/Reflections

I've been wanting to read this book for awhile, but I decided to wait until all 3 books in the series (The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, and We'll Always Have Summer) were out and available. And boy am I sure glad I did!

I'm just going to say it. I love Conrad. Ever since Belly described both Jeremiah (golden, jester, happy, go lucky) and Conrad (dark, unattainable, unavailable, wears a smirk, quiet), I knew Conrad was going to be the main guy. The mood swings that boy puts Belly through is enough to intrigue any reader. 

Belly has two lives, but her real life starts in the summer. Summer defines Belly and she is always looking forward to the trip to Cousins Beach. 

Their is even a little bit of mystery in this novel. Belly is being left out of a secret. She doesn't realize it at first, but it becomes clear that everyone knows something that they aren't telling Belly, and once she finds out, she almost wishes that she was left in the dark. 

I loved this book. It's a light summer read full of romance and growing up, taking chances and risks, and learning that not everything turns out well for the people she loves. I can't wait to read the next installment to see what next summer brings for Belly!