Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - The Summer I Turned Pretty

Loved it as a beach book, hated it as a romance.

This book perfectly captures the lazy days of summer, and the simultaneous comfort and novelty of a beloved vacation spot. The main character's relationships with the family friends who own the vacation home feel lived-in, particularly her aunt-and-niece-esque relationship with her mom's best friend, who can be magical and free-spirited to her, while her own relationship with her mom is more strained.

What makes the book strong as a family book is exactly what makes it weak as a romance. It just doesn't strike me that a teen girl would fall in love with a guy who is, while not related to her, identical in every emotional way to a first cousin. That is not romantic! Moments that were supposed to feel romantic fell flat to me; either the relationship felt gross and incestuous, or it just felt uncompelling because the romantic lead is also simply not likeable. He just has nothing going for him at all. The misdirect guy is objectively better (for her and in general) than the endgame guy.

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binta_'s review

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dark funny hopeful informative relaxing slow-paced

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

4.25

i really liked this book. it was slow throughout the book, but i think it was because belly was trying to describe her life story with the fishers, and we only got new information near the end, but i really liked the story. the way that it is played out and that it is only in belly’s pov. what i would improve in this book is like more of other ppls pov to see what they are going through and not only belly.

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lixablaze's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

3.75

would definitely read this in the summer, the characters are loveable personally team jere, an easy, quick read. i read this alongside listening to the audiobook which i think really helped my enjoyment of this book

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bookgirly_777's review against another edition

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4.5

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emey_reading07's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense 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

3.5

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ellawatwat's review

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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dasia's review

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lighthearted medium-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? Yes

2.75

Spoiler

there was no romance anywhere in this book. it felt more like somebody had a crush on someone else for no reason and just held onto those feelings for far too long. i wish there was more attention to family dynamics than this girl longing for a cigarette smoking drunk. i'm praying the tv show shows more details because the concept is strong (kinda) but on paper it was weak.

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sarahsbestreads's review

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Great book. I love the show as well. 5/5 stars, I love YA stories. Recommend.

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