We’re Triple C: a dynamic trio of seniors (Kavya, Kailyn, and Anoushka), bonded by both a shared passion for literature and the coincidental charm of all having last names starting with the letter C. Our book review promises a diverse and engaging exploration of exciting books, and we invite fellow book lovers to join us on our literary journey!
Returning from a summer break, it is only right to dedicate the first Triple C Book Review of this school year to The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han. Many readers probably recognize this title from the Amazon Prime TV series that debuted in 2022. Since then, fans can expect the third (and last) season to come out next summer. I am absolutely in love with this series, although it is cheesy, and it will never stop being my comfort show or book to turn to.
The Summer I Turned Pretty tells the story of Isabel Conklin, nicknamed “Belly.” To her, summer is the only season that matters; every other time of year feels like a mere countdown until she can return to the summer house with her family. When June rolls around each year, Belly, her mom Laurel, and her brother Steven go to Cousins Beach to spend the summer with the Fisher family at their beach house. Laurel and Susannah Fisher have been best friends since they were young, and bring their families together during the summer months to reunite. Susannah has two sons: Conrad, a freshman in college, and Jeremiah, who is still in high school. However, for as long as Belly can remember, she’s always been in love with Conrad and knows that this summer will be different. As Belly returns to Cousins Beach again with her family, she is caught up with complicated relationships as she meets a new guy named Cam, starts to see Jeremiah in a new light, and yet still feels like her heart belongs to Conrad. It’s the summer that may change everything.
This series always takes me back to days walking along the shore, listening to seagulls calling, and smelling the crisp scent of a salty breeze. The novels in this series are relatively fast reads, and I love the plot as Belly deals with the complicated situation between the Fisher brothers. As someone who read the novels before watching the shows, it’s interesting to see a book truly come to life and be transported into the world of Cousins Beach.
There are a lot of controversies that this book has created where American Eagle even partnered with the TV series to create “Team Jeremiah,” “Team Conrad,” and “Team Belly” shirts to match the rising competition as fans began choosing sides within this complicated love triangle as Belly is torn between the two brothers. Whenever someone mentions this series, it is only right to immediately ask the question, “What team are you?” Personally, I am strongly Team Conrad, and nothing can sway this position!
Looking at Belly, Jenny Han truly crafted her to be a relatable character and you know a story is written well when even you have trouble choosing favorites within a love triangle. This trilogy plays into themes of friendship, love, and growing up, especially as Belly struggles to understand what she wants and who she is. While I do get frustrated by her character when she makes questionable decisions, I still enjoy reading this series over and over again because it is such an emotional rollercoaster that is so heartwarming.
Overall, I highly recommend this series if you have not read or watched it yet, and it is one that I will never get tired of talking about. Through its popularity, this series impacted so many individuals, and I’ve had conversations with numerous girls where the topic of The Summer I Turned Pretty has come up, leading to many animated conversations. As I look ahead into this school year, some books that are on my reading list are The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson, and The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston, so stay tuned for that!
Keep an eye out for another book review next week! <3 Kay
