katiea714's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Blood
Minor: Classism, Vomit, Pregnancy, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Homophobia, and Violence
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
2.75
I want to preface this review with the fact that I am way out of this book’s target audience so that factors into my thoughts A LOT. Also minor spoiler warning so read at your own risk.
This is apparently young adult but it read more like middle grade. I usually like young adult but this felt too young to me, though I think a lot of that was because of the characters.
Belly was not a good character. Usually, I don’t mind frustrating characters for the sake of a story but she was so immature and was written the same way at 11 years old as she was at 16 years old. Steven and Conrad were just condescending and mean, it made me dislike them and I was not rooting for either of them. Jeremiah was okay, but he didn’t really do anything in particular to make me like him either. The only person I liked was Cam and everyone was so mean to him.
I also didn’t really like the Conrad x Belly pairing, it felt a bit weird seeing as she seemed so young and he was written to be quite mature, with the drinking, smoking and partying. Not to mention, he would be going off to college after the summer and she was barely 16. I know it’s not a huge difference in years, but it just didn’t feel like the right choice. He could’ve easily been a bit younger and it wouldn’t have changed the story.
I also guessed the “plot twist” at the end from very early on, which didn’t help with the engagement factor either.
Like I said at the start, I think my age plays a big factor in my opinion of the book and if I had read it in my early teens when it came out, I may have actually enjoyed it. That’s also why I rated it 2.75 stars instead of the 1.5 to 2 stars I would have rated it otherwise.
I don’t know if I’ll continue with this series. Maybe one day I’ll pick them up but I think I’m going to focus on all the other things I have to read for now. I can always just watch the series instead.
This is apparently young adult but it read more like middle grade. I usually like young adult but this felt too young to me, though I think a lot of that was because of the characters.
Belly was not a good character. Usually, I don’t mind frustrating characters for the sake of a story but she was so immature and was written the same way at 11 years old as she was at 16 years old. Steven and Conrad were just condescending and mean, it made me dislike them and I was not rooting for either of them. Jeremiah was okay, but he didn’t really do anything in particular to make me like him either. The only person I liked was Cam and everyone was so mean to him.
I also didn’t really like the Conrad x Belly pairing, it felt a bit weird seeing as she seemed so young and he was written to be quite mature, with the drinking, smoking and partying. Not to mention, he would be going off to college after the summer and she was barely 16. I know it’s not a huge difference in years, but it just didn’t feel like the right choice. He could’ve easily been a bit younger and it wouldn’t have changed the story.
I also guessed the “plot twist” at the end from very early on, which didn’t help with the engagement factor either.
Like I said at the start, I think my age plays a big factor in my opinion of the book and if I had read it in my early teens when it came out, I may have actually enjoyed it. That’s also why I rated it 2.75 stars instead of the 1.5 to 2 stars I would have rated it otherwise.
I don’t know if I’ll continue with this series. Maybe one day I’ll pick them up but I think I’m going to focus on all the other things I have to read for now. I can always just watch the series instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Cancer
Minor: Death
kerianne0's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
blueeyedshook's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to read this book. I’ve had it in my shelf forever. At the beginning of summer by friend/book dealer told me I HAD to read it this summer. Then when I found out the show was coming out, I made a mad dash to read it so I could follow up with the show.
It’s such a simple, straight forward story that is so addicting. The whole book literally feels like summer as a teenager. Like I felt like I was a teenager again reading the pages, living the moments. Starting the second book immediately.
It’s such a simple, straight forward story that is so addicting. The whole book literally feels like summer as a teenager. Like I felt like I was a teenager again reading the pages, living the moments. Starting the second book immediately.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Death, and Toxic relationship
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
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? Yes
1.0
Rating ★☆☆☆☆
OMG! this book is insufferable!!!
“It was a summer I would never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty. Because for the first time, I felt it. Pretty, I mean. Every summer up to this one, I believed it’d be different. Life would be different. And that summer, it finally was.”
When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother's best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad's brother, Jeremiah, Belly's heart belongs to Conrad. Will he offer his to her? Will this be the summer that changes everything?
“For me, it was almost like winter didn't count. Summer was what mattered. My whole life was measured in summers. Like I don't really begin living until June, until I'm at that beach, in that house”
The read was super light as there is no plot. Absolutely nothing happens in the book. The book is supposed to have a love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers. Yet, nothing substantial happens between any of the protagonists.
“I love Conrad and I probably always would. I would spend my whole life loving him one way or another. Maybe I would get married, maybe I would have a family, but it wouldn’t matter, because a piece of my heart, the piece where summer lived, would always be Conrad’s”
The book isn't even romantic or cute. It's just Belly complaining about everyone. She is childish and annoying. She throws tantrums whenever something doesn't go her way.
Belly is so focused on her that she can't see the suffering around her. She has a total disconnect with reality and a lack of empathy towards others. Everything revolves around her and her feelings.
“I grabbed his shirt sleeve. “Admit it. You were mad when I started hanging out with Cam. You wanted me to still be your little admirer”. “What?” He shook me off. “Get your head out of your ass, Belly. The world doesn’t revolve around you.” My cheeks flamed bright red; I could feel the heat beneath my skin. It was like sunburn times a million.
Not only does she use Cam to make Conrad jealous, but she also throws him away when he no longer serves her. She does the same thing she does with Jeremiah.
“He stepped closer to me. “One minute you like me. Then Cam…” Conrad paused. “And then Jeremiah. Isn’t that right? You want to have your cake and eat it too, but you also want your cookies and your ice cream…”
“Shut up!” I yelled. “You’re the one who’s been playing games, Belly.”
She believes that Conrad's self-destructive behavior is because of her when it is actually because of her mother's illness. Even when that secret comes out, Belly manages to make the whole situation revolve around her.
“But they did know” I whimpered. “Everybody knew but me. I’m the only one who didn’t know and I love Susannah more than anybody.”
In general, the characters are not well developed. There isn't depth to their personalities, and there isn't much improvement as the plot progresses. I do feel that Jenny Han evolved a lot in her writing over time. To all the boy I've loved before is superior in several aspects.
Books I have read from this author
To All the Boys I've Loved Before ★★★★☆
P.S. I Still Love You ★★★ ½
Always and Forever, Lara Jean ★★★☆☆
OMG! this book is insufferable!!!
“It was a summer I would never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty. Because for the first time, I felt it. Pretty, I mean. Every summer up to this one, I believed it’d be different. Life would be different. And that summer, it finally was.”
When each summer begins, Belly leaves her school life behind and escapes to Cousins Beach, the place she has spent every summer of her life. Not only does the beach house mean home away from home, but her favorite people are there: Susannah, her mother's best friend, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has been chasing Conrad for as long as she can remember, and more than anything, she hopes this summer will be different. Despite distractions from a new guy named Cam and lingering looks from Conrad's brother, Jeremiah, Belly's heart belongs to Conrad. Will he offer his to her? Will this be the summer that changes everything?
“For me, it was almost like winter didn't count. Summer was what mattered. My whole life was measured in summers. Like I don't really begin living until June, until I'm at that beach, in that house”
Spoiler
“I love Conrad and I probably always would. I would spend my whole life loving him one way or another. Maybe I would get married, maybe I would have a family, but it wouldn’t matter, because a piece of my heart, the piece where summer lived, would always be Conrad’s”
The book isn't even romantic or cute. It's just Belly complaining about everyone. She is childish and annoying. She throws tantrums whenever something doesn't go her way.
Belly is so focused on her that she can't see the suffering around her. She has a total disconnect with reality and a lack of empathy towards others. Everything revolves around her and her feelings.
“I grabbed his shirt sleeve. “Admit it. You were mad when I started hanging out with Cam. You wanted me to still be your little admirer”. “What?” He shook me off. “Get your head out of your ass, Belly. The world doesn’t revolve around you.” My cheeks flamed bright red; I could feel the heat beneath my skin. It was like sunburn times a million.
Not only does she use Cam to make Conrad jealous, but she also throws him away when he no longer serves her. She does the same thing she does with Jeremiah.
“He stepped closer to me. “One minute you like me. Then Cam…” Conrad paused. “And then Jeremiah. Isn’t that right? You want to have your cake and eat it too, but you also want your cookies and your ice cream…”
“Shut up!” I yelled. “You’re the one who’s been playing games, Belly.”
She believes that Conrad's self-destructive behavior is because of her when it is actually because of her mother's illness. Even when that secret comes out, Belly manages to make the whole situation revolve around her.
“But they did know” I whimpered. “Everybody knew but me. I’m the only one who didn’t know and I love Susannah more than anybody.”
In general, the characters are not well developed. There isn't depth to their personalities, and there isn't much improvement as the plot progresses. I do feel that Jenny Han evolved a lot in her writing over time. To all the boy I've loved before is superior in several aspects.
Books I have read from this author
To All the Boys I've Loved Before ★★★★☆
P.S. I Still Love You ★★★ ½
Always and Forever, Lara Jean ★★★☆☆
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Cancer, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Grief, and Infidelity
g_books2022's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
thalea's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Fatphobia
averywashere's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Minor: Medical content, Drug use, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
m_antoinette_c's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Grief
Minor: Death