June 23, 2023
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The basics
Title: The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
Series: Summer #1
- The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009) - It's Not Summer Without You (2010) - We'll Always Have Summer (2011)
Add it: Goodreads
Goodreads Summary:
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 terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.
Read a full summary of The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han below. If you can’t remember what happened in The Summer I Turned Pretty and you need a refresher, then you’re in the right place.
What happened in The Summer I Turned Pretty?
- Belly has been going to the beach with her family every summer for her entire life. Her mother’s best friend brings her family along too. Her mother and Beck met during college.
- On the way to the beach this year, Belly already feels as though something is different. She thinks this will be an unforgettable summer.
- Belly has had a crush on Conrad, Beck’s eldest son, for the longest time. She has been really close with the younger son, Jeremiah.
- When Belly arrives at the beach, she notices the guys have gotten hotter and potentially more broody.
- Belly sneaks out on the first night to go swimming in the dark. During her swim, Conrad comes to join her by the pool. He seems super down, and he has also picked up smoking.
- Belly wonders why Beck hasn’t brought her husband along, although the adults tell her it’s because he’s focusing on his work.
- Belly, Steven, and Jeremiah go to the cinema together. Steven leaves because he doesn’t want to watch a romcom. Jeremiah stays, and Belly gets ~vibes~ as though he’s about to kiss her.
- Belly recalls a previous summer when she brought her friend Taylor along with her. Taylor fancied Conrad at first but then wanted to go after Jeremiah. Belly was super jealous.
- Steven is about to go on his college tour with his and Belly’s father. Steven seems to know that Belly fancies the boys, and he tells her not to do anything stupid.
- Belly is a bit sad because she thinks this will be the last summer they can all spend together. She wants to make this summer the best ever.
- Belly is invited to a Fourth of July party. She bumps into a boy called Cam, who she met a while back. They seem to like each other. Cam offers Belly a lift home, but Conrad won’t let Belly leave with him.
- Belly and Conrad argue and Belly has to stay at the party. Belly exchanges numbers with Cam for later.
- Jeremiah teaches Belly to drive a manual car.
- Belly and Cam are officially dating. Cam invites her to a party, and the guys tease Belly about her new relationship.
- Everyone attends the party. Conrad is yet again super angry and almost gets into a fight. Belly stops him, and she leaves the party with him and Jeremiah.
- Conrad plays with Belly’s hair when he sits behind her from the back seat of the car.
- Cam and Belly go on a date to the cinema and they kiss. Belly recalls her first kiss with Jeremiah during Truth or Dare a few years ago.
- Beck tells Belly to invite Cam over to meet everyone. He seems to get along with the family, but Belly is struggling with her feelings for him, in that she doesn’t have any.
- Belly breaks up with Cam and he accuses her of using him to make Conrad jealous.
- Jeremiah admits that he fancies Belly. Belly tells Jeremiah she likes Conrad.
- Belly decides to tell Conrad that she has loved him since she was ten years old. Conrad turns her down and says he doesn’t reciprocate. Belly questions this and they argue. Jeremiah shows up and fights Conrad. The parents have to get involved.
- Beck tells Belly that the boys have been acting weird because her cancer has returned and this time it’s terminal. Beck tells Belly to “look after him”. Belly assumes she means Conrad.
- Belly apologises to Conrad and they kiss. Conrad pulls back and says they can’t be in a relationship right now.
- Beck tells everyone she doesn’t plan on doing any more treatments for her cancer.
- Belly invites the boys to the pool for a midnight swim. She tells them she’s upset that this is their last summer together.
- A few months later, Conrad calls Belly and asks to see her. Belly sneaks out that evening and meets him. Conrad asks her to go somewhere with him and Belly agrees.
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