The Summer I Turned Pretty
by Jenny Han
Paperback: 288 pages Publisher: Puffin (3 Jun 2010)
Genre: Young Adult Source: Publisher
Rating 
"How is a person supposed to prepare for what happens tomorrow when there's just no figuring out today?"
Synopsis- Everything that happened this past summer, and every summer before it, has all led up to this. To now. Every year Isabel spends a perfect summer at her family friends’ house. There’s the swimming pool at night, the private stretch of sandy beach . . . and the two boys. Unavailable, aloof Conrad – who she’s been in love with forever – and friendly, relaxed Jeremiah, the only one who’s ever really paid her any attention. But this year something is different. They seem to have noticed her for the first time. It’s going to be an amazing summer – and one she’ll never forget . . .
My Thoughts - Let me just say, the one thing I can assure you is that I had no idea that this novel would blow me away as it did. I am not saying that it was inspiring or even plot driven because it wasn’t any of those, that didn’t stop me from falling in love with it though. There is something wonderful about The Summer I Turned Pretty in all its simplicity. Perhaps because Jenny Han captures growth, second thoughts and first crushes so realistically, or maybe it's because Belly is such a relateable character.
My initial concern was that the book would be aimed towards younger readers, and that it just wouldn't be for me, but as soon as I began to read the first few pages I realised that I was completely smitten. The book overall took me around two hours to finish. I wasn't even aware of turning the pages, so engrossed I had become. In a sense, it saddened me. I have now passed 16 and couldn’t help thinking back feeling like I had missed something the day I had turned 17. Reading Belly's story reminded me of that, and the authors words rang true because, there really is that golden summer when boys are looking at you and your looking back and you feel this sense of fulfilment knowing that you are now a women, and acknowledging that there is no going back. There is no way of preparing yourself for it. It is a part of growing up and the author captures that moment beautifully with Belly.
Each summer Belly arrives at her mother’s best friend Susannah’s Beach House whose sons she has known ever since she can remember. Her brother has been with her every summer until now when under short notice he leaves. As soon as she arrives, she is of course overjoyed to see Jeremiah and Conrad, but suddenly she notices that they are looking at her rather puzzled and maybe even with wonder, she has the sudden feeling that summer is never going to be quite the same ever again.
Belly has grown up from last summer, a lot. Many have noticed including brothers Conrad and Jeremiah.
The two couldn't be different though, Conrad is a bit of a bad boy, well he has begun to be as of late, with the drinking, smoking and coming home in the late hours of the night without explanation, whilst Jeremiah has always been the reserved brother and the peacemaker and now it would seem that Belly doesn't know what to think of the both of them anymore.
She has always loved Conrad and always will but he hardly seems interested if not annoyed by her presence, Jeremiah is of course sweet to her but then again Jeremiah is sweet to everyone.
Throughout the novel I just had this big smile on my face and was giggling non-stop. I stopped on page 90 and realised that I had been smiling throughout. No book has ever done that to me. This is also the first time where I couldn't choose between the two boys which was quite puzzling for me. (Maybe I will by the next book) Normally I'm sure and pretty final but this time, I was stumped as to who I preferred. There is a boy called Cam who Belly has a connection with momentarily but looking back I'm not really sure if his character even served any purpose. With him it was made out as if he was genuinely really into her and then towards the end I didn’t understand what he wanted at all and it led me to contemplate, what were they thinking in the first place?
In my opinion It's so obvious who she will always want to be with and I found that sad, because I felt a certain someone else could treat her much better if she gave him the chance. The Summer I Turned Pretty was this lovely read that took me by complete surprise, from expecting it to be this beach read it turned out to be so much more than that. What makes this book so special is that girls of all ages can relate to Belly, we have all been through what Belly has or at some point will, and that is what touches you the most. You sympathise but most of all understand what she is going through.
Although it slightly got to me that she was getting the attention she had wanted all along simply because of her looks, I reminded myself that it is in fact reality, and more than anything I began to appreciate the author for her honesty. Looking back and thinking this over I think I have finally figured out why this novel affected me the way it did and how I fell completely In love with it. I think it genuinely comes down to being able to "relate" to Belly and her story to such a large extent. I found myself cringing, laughing, gasping with her and blushing horribly. It was almost as though I was 15 all over again and going though all the overwhelming emotions that Belly was. I felt as though I understood her despite her flaws and perhaps it is because if this that I forgave her when she wronged despite most likely not doing the same in similar situations for most characters.
I have loved a book, been inspired by a book, silenced by a book but this is the first time I have been able to relate to a book. I think that is what makes The Summer I Turned Pretty, extra special.
"Moments, when lost, can't be found again. They're just gone."
"He pulled my foot, drawing me closer. Being this close to him was making me feel dizzy and nervous. I said it again, one last time, even though i didn't mean it."Conrad let go of me." He did. And then he dunked me. It didn't matter. I was already holding my breath."
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