Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

198 reviews

worldofwisdom's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

The story was somewhat interesting, but to me personally, the plot somehow felt meaningless because there were just things happening while at the same time, nothing happened at all. It almost felt like the plot mainly took place in the flashbacks and in the situations that didn’t involve Conrad or Jeremiah. But when it comes to the actual two “love interests” that the book is promoting, there is no development except for the last 40 pages. In general, I don’t think there was much build up or chemistry between any of the characters. 
The writing is definitely meant for a younger audience, but I still believe it’s possible to have a more developed and interesting writing style even when writing for teenagers. 
Overall, the book was okay story-wise. But the relatively poor quality of writing, the lack of likability of the characters, and their foolish behavior rather disappointed me, and I have no interest in continuing this trilogy. 

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pearlrules's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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xabbeylongx's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

SPOILERS AHEAD
Book Review: 
I’ll be honest, I had really really high hopes for the book, but I was left feeling unsatisfied. To me, there was absolutely no chemistry between her and Conrad. Neither his words nor his actions were appealing, they were so hurtful to Belly, and she deserved much better. I think if the flashbacks with him had been more emotional, or even the glimpses of Conrad Belly gets in the present when she’s sure Conrad must feel the same way, then it might have made it a bit more of gut-wrenching story. As it is, he just seemed like a bully, and everyone seemed to be okay with him treating her like that. 
In fact, I have a bone to pick with everyone in this book, apart from Susannah, and, at a push, Laurel. Conrad, Jeremiah and Steven have always been leaving Belly out, making her feel alone, sad, insecure and uninvited. Then, as soon as she finds someone who’s nice to her, they try to ruin it. They’ve spent their whole life making her feel less than special. Susannah - as mentioned in the book - definitely did spoil them, because no way should Belly have been treated like she should. Possibly ageist, possibly sexist, I just found it downright uncomfortable reading the flashback scenes, just because there was pure malice in every reaction towards Belly. 
However, Belly ins’t an angel. Although Taylor is insufferable - even more so in the book than the TV series - just don’t be friends with her if you feel that way about her? And also, there were times when she sounded really spoilt herself. All in all, I didn’t really like any of the characters as much as I wanted to. Even Cam, there was something about him, and I just couldn’t bond with his character. 
The plot itself felt very repetitive at times, sometimes even boring. It just felt like it was a circle of I hate him, but he’s nice to me so now I like him again, I’m going to string Cam along even though I don’t really have any feelings for him, and then I’m going to do it again. 
I think the biggest thing wrong with this book was the lack of emotional attachments. I’m only being picky with the plot because I felt I didn’t have a strong connection with the characters, which, for me, is the most important part of a story. I kept hanging on, waiting for the moment where I really bond with one of them, but it never came. I’m a big Bonrad shipper, but honestly, there was nothing in this book which screamed to me that they should have been together, and that was definitely what was missing from a this book - it is a romance, after all.  
 
Book Summary: 
We follow Belly through this book, as she and her family, Steven (her older brother) and Laurel (her mother) are travelling down to their friend’s summer house to stay with them. Laurel and Susannah (her mother’s best friend) have been friends since forever, and so their kids were, undoubtedly, going to become friends too. Conrad (the older son) and Jeremiah (the younger son) have been friends with Belly and Steven since they were little. They have spent many summers going to their summer house, and staying until it was time to go back to school. The dads aren’t really invited - Belly’s dad has amicably divorced with her mother (her instigation) and is dating people suitably younger, whilst Conrad and Jeremiah’s dad is always busy with work, so they never see him. 
This summer, Belly has ‘grown up’, and become ‘more pretty’. People notice her more. Boys notice her more. But she has never been interested in anyone other than Conrad, who she has harboured a crush on for years now. Susannah, who treats her like the daughter she never had, tells her that she knows Belly is destined for one of her boys. Belly hopes that this is true! 
Things are weird when they get down there. Conrad doesn’t seem like himself. He’s reserved, he doesn’t want to talk to anyone. There’s some sort of weird air hanging around, and although everything is different, everything is the same. Conrad, Jeremiah and Steven are hanging out, and she’s trying to get involved, as she’s sixteen now. 
When she goes to a party, she meets Cam, whom recognises her from a school event, and they start talking. They start to talk, and they both like each other, but Jeremiah and Conrad keep messing things up. She talks to him, and goes on dates with him, but her emotions are conflicted. She wants to save Conrad, but he doesn’t want to be saved. She’s trying to move on, but he is nice to her and then she likes him again. And then, Jeremiah admits his feelings for her, out of the blue. And then they find out that Susannah is sick, and the boys knew all along, so all the fights were due to that. Belly feels deceived. 
This summer is all about making it count, because they all know it might be the last one like it. 

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emilyycat's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

everyone in this book gets on my last nerve but I appreciate it.

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henyouise's review

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Why was I sobbing profusely reading the last couple chapters of a YA romance book?? Jenny Han is a masterful writer and should be president of this country probably. I love Belly that girl deserves the world.

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insideunder's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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itsmemiana's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really liked this. I love Jenny Han. this was one of the books that had been on my tbr for the longest (even before I started reading in English so probably 13/14 years old) and I honestly think it took me this long because of the ugly old covers LMAO. but the new ones are so pretty. but I wish I had read it then, I would've loved it more than I do now.

but anyway, I loved it. the reason why it doesn't get a full 5 stars is because I got kind of pissed off at some of the characters sometimes, including Belly. but I think the character I hated the most was Taylor..... and it's because she reminded me of a lot of my past friendships but what Belly said to her right before their friendship fell off wasn't okay either. 

and the brothers... I like both tbh... but I think I'm team Conrad (even tho he pissed me off a lot too) but that only settled in the second half of the book.

also, pls don't listen to Belly, asking for consent is the hottest thing you can do :)

oh and Cam deserves better.

can't wait to watch the TV show!!

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emilywemily6's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Another reviewer called this hot garbage and I have to agree. The main character was 16 but acted like she was 12 and was infuriatingly whiny, the family friends around her age were so bossy and commanding of her (who she could spend time with, if she could go to a party, etc.) and I hated that. All the characters lack depth and don’t exhibit any character growth throughout this book. It was a quick read with summer vibes but the actually plot/characters/etc. were awful. Will not be continuing the series. Maybe a preteen would enjoy this but I feel like a contemporary teenager would not. It’s hard to believe this is the same author who wrote To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. 

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greatexpectations77's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Took off a quarter point because consent in any sort of romantic activity is important, and I'm real bummed when books for young people don't model that. Like
when Belly kisses Conrad when he is clearly not in a good frame of mind because his MOTHER HAS CANCER, that is so inappropriate! She didn't ask! He was clearly not okay! They hadn't talked about it beforehand!
Also! What the fuck is up with Belly telling Cam that it's sO uNcOol to ask before you kiss someone! It is not! It makes sure that you're on the same page! It can be very romantic and adorable! It expresses vulnerability instead of dominance! Which is nice when you're like 13! I thought it was fine otherwise. As  a person who tends to fall in love with everyone all the time, especially when I was younger, I think I would have been really into this book. Also, I think Ms. Tung is not the strongest narrator. I'm sure she did the part justice, but not every actor can be a narrator - they're different skills.

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aesarctic's review against another edition

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relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5


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