Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - It's Not Summer Without You

Love love love. Just like the first book, I was so pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed this story. Though, I do have to say that it’s a lot more complicated than the first book. Because of Susannah’s death, you get a lot more insight with who the characters turn into when dealing with loss, and also how they reciprocate feelings toward one another when feeling that. I’ve always been a Jeremiah stan through and through, and I’ll continue to be on his team, but experiencing Conrad deal with loss of a loved one literally with his mother and figuratively with Belly as she navigates her own feelings is surprisingly emotional, and I can’t help but empathize for him in all the things he must be feeling. I’d definitely say it’s a lot less lighthearted than the first book, but also an excellent display of how even when you’re young, the span of emotions you feel can be so overwhelming, overwhelming enough to feel like your entire life is being thrown off course. Love how the characters are slowly developing, and how the writing seems to be growing up as they do. It really offers an excellent perspective into their separate stories. Can not even express how much I loved this book, would HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this series.

Content Warnings

meg_'s review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I just love these books and this story. I feel like Jenny Han does such a great job of writing young adult books that make the characters feelings seem so realistic to that age group. The characters are not always like-able and their decisions and overwhelm of emotions don't always make sense, but they feel realistic. This installment of the series in particular was so good. Such a good exploration of grief at this age. I loved this.

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veskumelooni's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

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clove101's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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chloek608's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-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

4.0

I recommend this book if you like:
-YA romance
-teen angst
-dealing with bereavement

This book was entertaining and explored complexity of teen relationships, crushes, friendships and bereavement of a close family friend. This second book in the trilogy focused more on Isabel, Conrad and Jeremiah. It is left on a cliffhanger of which boy Bels should go for and I am looking forward to reading the final instalment and watching this story unfold on TV.

Spoiler

Belly’s dreams had come true when she kind of, sort of, dated Conrad. But Conrad being Conrad, things faded and Belly wasn’t ever sure of his true emotions and whether he really cared.

Spoiler

Conrad runs off from summer school at college to prevent his dad from selling his late mum’s beloved beach house. Jeremiah and Belly come to rescue Conrad and end up rescuing the house with a little help from Belly’s mum.

Spoiler

The boy’s dad strikes a deal, the beach house can stay if Conrad aces summer school. So Jere and Belly help him study as much as they can.

Spoiler

Jere has aways liked Belly but she has been oblivious, so when he kisses her, she is taken by surprise but isn’t put off. That is until Conrad sees them. Belly is torn. Conrad later admits that he does care about her and now Belly is stuck between the two Fisher boys.

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