August 4, 2023
It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
The basics
Title: It’s Not Summer Without You
Author: Jenny Han
Series: Summer #2
- The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009) - It's Not Summer Without You (2010) - We'll Always Have Summer (2011)
Add it: Goodreads
Goodreads Summary:
When something is perfect, you hope it lasts forever. But Isabel's lazy, long hot summers at her family friends' beach house are over. Conrad is the only boy she's ever loved. But he's left for college, taking her heart with him. Jeremiah, his gorgeous younger brother, is still Isabel's best friend - but maybe friendship isn't enough for him anymore . . . Isabel just wants everything to stay the same, because change means moving on. But if she stops looking back, could she find a future she never knew she wanted?
Read a full summary of It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han below. If you can’t remember what happened in It’s Not Summer Without You and you need a refresher, then you’re in the right place.
What happened in It’s Not Summer Without You?
- Belly’s mother’s best friend, Susannah, has passed away due to cancer. This means that the annual beach trip with the Fisher and Conklin families won’t be happening.
- Belly’s best friend, Taylor, tries to help Belly move past her grief, but Belly is finding it challenging.
- Belly also recently broke up with Conrad, Susannah’s son, so she’s having a particularly troubled time since she and Conrad broke up on prom night just before Susannah passed away.
- Jeremiah, Susannah’s other son, calls Belly to tell her that Conrad is missing. He hasn’t shown back up at his summer program at Brown University. Jeremiah asks for Belly’s help finding Conrad.
- Belly tells her mother she’s going to stay at Taylor’s for the night.
- Belly and Jeremiah talk about what led up to the prom. Belly recalls how she had to beg Conrad to go with her, and then afterwards Belly broke up with him before he could break up with her.
- Jeremiah recalls how Conrad told their mother that he had a brilliant time at the prom.
- Jeremiah and Belly arrive at Brown. Conrad is indeed still missing. They speak to a student who tells them Conrad was talking about going surfing, and the pair realise that Conrad has gone to the beach house.
- Before heading to Cousins Beach to find him, Belly looks around Conrad’s room and finds an infinity necklace that he bought for her.
- On the drive to the beach, Belly recalls the night she secretly spent with Conrad and all the kissing they did.
- Belly and Jeremiah arrive at the beach house and it feels like Susannah’s presence is everywhere. They find Conrad, who is unhappy to see them. He tells them he doesn’t intend on finishing his exams.
- A realtor arrives the following morning and the group learn of Mr Fisher’s plans to sell the beach house. Belly realises that’s why Conrad is here, so he can stop his father from selling the house. Conrad tells the realtor that they won’t sell the house.
- Mr Fisher hears of this and shows up at the house. He and his sons argue over the sale. Conrad tells his father he was an awful husband because he was cheating on Susannah when she was sick.
- Mr Fisher threatens to return in the morning and tells the children to start packing.
- Jeremiah and Conrad argue because Conrad didn’t tell him immediately about the plans to sell the house. Jeremiah leaves to get pizza and alcohol for an impromtu party to celebrate their final night at the beach.
- Belly puts on a video of them all when they were younger. Then she gets drunk.
- Belly and Conrad argue a little and then she apologises and cries. Belly calls her mother to tell her where she is. She also tells Laurel about the sale plans.
- Laurel drives to the house and tries to make Belly return home. Belly refuses to leave, and says Susannah wouldn’t forgive Laurel for not helping them. Laurel slaps her daughter and Belly runs off. Jeremiah follows.
- Jeremiah encourages Belly to go with her mother. They return to the house and Laurel apologises. She promises to call Mr Fisher.
- Mr Fisher joins them for breakfast and Laurel convinces him he shouldn’t sell the house as it should belong to Conrad and Jeremiah. Mr Fisher says the memories of Susannah in the house are too painful for him. He agrees not to sell as long as Conrad passes his exams.
- Jeremiah and Belly help Conrad study and then head to Brown in time for the exams.
- Jeremiah talks to Belly about how hurt he was that Belly didn’t reach out to him after his mother’s death. Belly apologises and they kiss. Conrad sees this and runs off. Belly chases after him.
- Conrad notices that Belly is wearing the infinity necklace. He tells her to take it off and give it back since Belly is into Jeremiah. Belly realises that even though Conrad loves her, it won’t be enough because he won’t share his feelings.
- Conrad tells Belly he never wanted to be with her. She gives him back the necklace.
- The trio head back home in silence. There’s a massive storm which has caused the highways to close, so they have to get a hotel room for the night.
- Belly spends a long time awake thinking about her feelings. Conrad quietly tells her he didn’t mean what he said before going to sleep.
- Conrad rides separately the next morning, leaving Jeremiah and Belly together. Belly asks to talk about the kiss but Jeremiah doesn’t want to. They hold hands though.
- A couple fo years later, Belly is wearing a white dress. She runs towards a car in the rain and a man opens the car door to let her in. Belly is happy that her future belongs to her.
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