We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

For Review: S&S Galley Grab
Published: 26 April 2011

From Goodreads: It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.

I was so excited to see this on galley grab. I loved both of the previous books in the series and I did not want to wait until next year when this one publishes in the UK to find out what happens. I had to know - who would she choose? And would it be the one I wanted it to be?

The story starts two years after the events of It's Not Summer Without You. Belly is at college - with Jeremiah - and they have been together for the past two years. But Belly learns a shocking truth - something she thought would never happen. Narrated from Belly and Conrad's point of view we get the final instalment in this wonderful series.

So I loved it! I loved every thing about it - it was one of those books where I couldn't wait to get to the end to find out what would happen, but at the same time didn't want it to end. Belly was even more adorable - if that's possible!  I love how she has grown over the course of the series.  Jeremiah is still lovely - but seeing him at university with his friends showed a side to him we didn't see during the summers at Cousins and I'm not sure it was a side I particularly liked.  Conrad was his usual self and having portions of the story narrated from his point of view gave more insight into his character and I think I fell  in love with him just that little bit more!

I can honestly say I am not ready for this to be the last in the series - I don't want to leave these characters just yet. So I will be holding out hope that the author may revisit them at a later date. I know I would be the first in line if that were to happen!

Did Belly end up with the one I hoped she would? I am so not telling! To be honest I think it would be too much of a spoiler if I said whether I was happy with her decision - I think in previous reviews for the series I have made it very clear who I'd like her to end up with - but I will say that despite my own preferences I do think the ending was the right one for the story.

I can't wait to see what Jenny Han writes next. A great end to a fabulous series - if you haven't read them yet then I recommend you check them out.

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

For Review: Puffin
Published: 5 May 2011

From Goodreads: Last year, all of Belly’s dreams came true and the thought of missing a summer in Cousins Beach was inconceivable. But like the rise and fall of the ocean tide, things can change-- just like that. Suddenly the time she's always looked forward to most is something she dreads. And when Jeremiah calls to say Conrad has disappeared, Belly must decide how she will spend this summer: chasing after the boy she loves, or finally letting him go.

I loved the The Summer I Turned Pretty when I read it last year and have been looking forward to reading this ever since.  And I can honestly say I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love Jenny Han's writing and the way she subtly incorporates flashbacks into the story.  It's through these we really get to know the characters.  This time we get the story from Belly and Jeremiah's point of view and that works fabulously.  I loved seeing Belly and Conrad from his point of view - and of course we get to know him better.

I love Belly.  Although she has grown and is more mature she is still the same Belly from the first book.  Again I loved Jeremiah - he's a character that is just really easy to like.  And I love his friendship with Belly and the way they always seem to know what the other is thinking.  Conrad on the other hand is just as complex as he was in the first book - but there is just something about him.  And I have to say that as much as I adore Jeremiah  it's Conrad's scenes that I look forward to.  And the scenes between him and Belly are heart-stoppingly good!

There is more to this than just the Belly-Jeremiah-Conrad dynamic though, and that's what makes it so enjoyable and real.  All the characters are dealing with the aftermath of Susannah's illness and do so in a very honest and believable way.  You really understand what the characters are feeling.

I can't wait to read We'll Always Have Summer.  This is fast becoming on of my favourite series - I love these characters and am truly excited to find out who Belly ends up with.  I know who I want it to be!

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

For Review: Puffin (3 June 2010)
From Goodreads:
Some summers are just destined to be pretty
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer -- they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one wonderful and terrible summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

I REALLY enjoyed this one. I loved the concept of the book – how Belly grew up spending every summer going to Cousins. I just love the idea of doing that – the idea of knowing people your whole life and growing up with them. I spent the entire novel wishing I could have had the same thing!

I found Belly to be rather sweet. She definitely comes across as a 15 year old girl and is obviously enjoying the attention she is getting now that she is ‘pretty’. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to a much younger Belly – it gave great insight into her character.

Conrad and Jeremiah were rather awesome. Jeremiah was the one I warmed to the most – sweet and a great friend to Belly. Conrad (at the time we meet him) is obviously bothered by something so comes across as slightly harsh – but we do get to see him through Belly’s memories and that gives a true idea of who is really is. There is a scene between him and Belly toward the end of the book that I think is one of my favourite scenes ever! I also really liked Cam – he seemed really sweet and caring towards Belly.

The plot is simple but really effective. It was great experiencing it with Belly and I enjoyed watching her character grow. She didn’t make the best decisions though, and I must admit that I was slightly annoyed at her for not picking up on what Conrad and Jeremiah obviously knew - and what I felt was rather obvious. .

I loved the ending and it certainly left me wanting more. Having said that the story does end feeling unfinished so I do feel as if I’m kind of hanging in the middle. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it means I’m really looking forward to the next instalment and I hope there are many more to come. I'm not sure I could ever tire of these characters.

Cover Wars: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Hmmm... cant decide! I think I like them both:)



Which do you prefer?