Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is a coming-of-age young adult novel that follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin’s transformative summer at Cousins Beach. Belly has spent every summer at the beach house with her mother and longtime family friends, the Fishers, but this summer marks a turning point as she navigates complex feelings of adolescence, love, and family changes. As Belly turns sixteen, she becomes the focus of attention for Conrad and Jeremiah, two brothers who have been close to her all her life, while also starting to date a boy named Cam. The novel explores Belly's emotional growth as she deals with shifting relationships, the tension in the Fisher family due to Conrad's troubled mood and his mother’s illness, and her own first experiences of romantic love and heartbreak. Set against the backdrop of a memorable summer filled with heartfelt moments, personal discoveries, and poignant family dynamics, the story captures the bittersweet passage from childhood to adulthood. It culminates with Belly realizing her enduring love for Conrad and the significance of those summers that shaped her youth. The book blends romance and family drama with a nostalgic summer atmosphere, making it a beloved novel for many readers.