By Jenny Han
Writing in the same genres—young adult, coming-of-age—I was late to the party with this book. Turns out, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, is a charming, nostalgic read that dives into the highs and lows of teenage summers.
The story follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she navigates her annual summer at the beach house, caught in the emotional tug-of-war between first loves, friendships, and the bittersweet feeling of growing up.
Han beautifully captures the intensity and vulnerability of adolescence, making every heartache and crush feel real. It’s easy to see why this story became a hit and inspired a popular TV series—fun, emotional, and utterly engaging.
Four stars.