Read and Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

This book brought back so many fun and hilarious memories. It was like reading my teen years as I'd imagined they would be when I was 11, however, MY special summer happened when I was 24. It was the Summer of 2020 that everything fell into place, when I felt successful, I felt free and for the first time in all my life, I felt beautiful. Truly Beautiful.

You could say it was the summer I grew into myself, so many things happened, just like it did for Belly. I remember what it was like to be the girl that wasn't seen, "one of the boys", to be socially awkward but secretly wanting to fit in. I remember loving a boys I'd known all my life and remembering the way they would look at me. I remember being a girl who wanted to be everything to someone because they were that to me.

I felt Belly's angst, her silent but very loud teen angst. I related to her inner circle interactions and believed her when she thought being around a pretty girl would rub off on her too. I believe it is important that stories such as these hold that element of relatability while being safely predictable. It makes for a comfortable and enjoyable treat.

There were moments I laughed, some where I actually wanted to cry and moments where I'd stop reading and stare out the window, thinking of 16 year old me and what she would think if she knew we were getting married this year..(and NOT to my crush at the time :). This beach side adventure is a coastal teenage dream (and nightmare) the wins and woes of youth, growing and change.

Jenny Han captures the fireflies of youth and all the possibilities of things that could happen on Summer vacation, perfectly. The magic of those fleeting moments we replay thousands of times in our head, that live in the core of our memories. It brings me comfort to know that books like this are still being written, ones that speak to the present day generation while providing a wholesome means of reflection for those who are teens no more.

I give it 10/10 quills, will definitely read again! (Can't wait to read the others!)

Let's chat! What do YOU guys think of this book? Comment below! and as always....

"For the love of life and literature, stay prayerful, stay positive and write on!"