Review Detail

The Summer I Turned Pretty not only perfectly captures the essence of summer--it also nails the awkward, often painful confusion of teenage romance. I read this book in the dead of a winter, and even sitting by the window watching a snowstorm was able to experience the familiar feeling of summer days and nights by the beach.  

     This book offered much more than I anticipated based on the summary.  Belly is a relatable and true character, and her emotions are real.  The relationships are honest and often surprising. The story also presents interesting familial relationships and conflicts, offering a well-rounded picture of Belly's summer experience.