What I Thought of The Summer I Turned Pretty
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Hello Readers! As the summer approaches, we will all be looking for a story that gives us those light, airy, summer vibes. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han definitely gives that breezy warm summer night atmosphere. And with an Amazon show that has been released, it’s finally time to watch the show before you watch the show on Amazon!
Synopsis
Belly has what she would consider her best summer. A summer that she won’t ever forget in this start to the Summer I Turned Pretty series from Jenny Han.
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Isabella or Belly never was the kind of girl that “normal” things happen to. Year after year Belly spends her summers at the beach house with the boy she’s obsessed with, Conrad, and the boy that’s obsessed with her, Jeremiah. The boys are oblivious to all the attention that Belly is giving them (as most teenage boys are). At the start of every summer Belly hopes that things will be different, and Conrad finally takes notice of her. But this is the summer Belly turns pretty. And, for better, or for worse everything changes.
Audio Book Review
The Summer I Turned Pretty is what would classify as a typical summer read. It has all of the elements. A cute, coming-of-age story. It has a little bit of romance that is easy to read. And, overall is a fun read, although I was not engaged throughout most of the storyline.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is told in first person from Belly’s POV. In addition to getting the ins and outs of the present day, we also get flashbacks of the past which were often confusing. Finding myself going wait what?! Because of the way that it flipped between times. Having the momentary lapses did allow you to understand Belly a little more, who she is, and what has driven her up to this point.
“It was a summer I’d never, ever forget.It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty.”
Typically I would rave about the audio versions of books. Allowing yourself to be immersed and experience the story from another lens. For me, this one fell flat. Giving the impression that was nothing unique about The Summer I Turned Pretty, although I desperately wanted something, anything to add a little oomph to the plot.
I think for me as it isn’t something I would normally read, it was just a little too young (I do read YA and Middle Grade). Belly is obviously young and naive and while that is typical of teenagers, often it made it feel a bit unbelievable. The audio also gave the story a dated feel, like it was a story from the 90s that didn’t quite age as gracefully as it should have. It was cliche and predictable.
“Moments, when lost, can’t be found again.”
Now, the audiobook wasn’t all bad. It did hand out some captivating moments. But frankly, those moments were few and far between. And you may be wondering was it the narrator? To that, I would say I don’t think so. Lola Tung narrates the Summer I Turned Pretty and she did a wonderful job overall. The story would have benefited from more of a theatrical experience, maybe a little music, or something.
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You could also throw in that well it’s on Amazon (+5 points to Gryffindor)! Yes, it is. But I argue that just because something was turned into a series doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t allow for a full experience (But I digress).
Overall, beyond my slight annoyance with Belly. The Summer I Turned Pretty was cute, just not for me. I would recommend this if you don’t mind a very young-feeling story or if you are generally a teen.
Check out The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon
What’s Your Favorite Summer Read? Let us Know in The Comments!
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