“The Summer I Turned Pretty,” the first book in Jenny Han’s award-winning trilogy, is a coming-of-age story for Isabel “Belly” Conklin. 

Belly narrates this story, set on a fictional beach called “Cousins Beach.” This is where she spends every summer accompanied by her brother Steven and their mom Laurel, as well as their friends Conrad, Jeremiah and their mom Susannah Fisher.

Laurel and Susannah have known each other since they were children. They have grown up going to Susannah’s family beach house every summer. 

Belly said in the book that spring and winter are waiting periods. She counts down the days until summer all year long. It is the only season that matters to her because this is when she gets to see her best friends. It is also when her birthday is, which she loves.

In the book, Conrad has become moody, took up smoking and quit the football team. Jeremiah is described as a golden retriever. He is outgoing and flirts with everyone that he can.

Belly has been in love with Conrad her whole life. She tries to ignore her feelings for Conrad and pursues a relationship with a boy named Cam, which did not last long.

The book has a few flashbacks to their childhood at the beach house, one of which is when Belly and Conrad went to the boardwalk together. He won her a stuffed bear that she still has in her room today. 

When Conrad gave Belly the bear, she told him she would have rather had the giraffe since she was upset with him, but in reality, she cherishes the bear.

Eventually Jeremiah reveals that he has feelings for Belly, which then forces her to decide what she feels for both of the brothers. 

The Fisher family has also faced challenges in the past, one being Susannah having cancer.

Belly feels as though this summer will be different. She will be turning 16 and her appearance has matured, which both the Fisher boys have noticed.

Belly has become more self-aware of the changes that have happened since receiving more attention from boys. It has boosted her self-confidence, however, during her childhood she always felt different from the boys and this ultimately made it worse.

The author keeps readers interested in the story by hinting at why Conrad has become moody, but not telling us until the end. 

There is a lot of romantic tension between Belly and Conrad throughout the book. The author wants the audience to really feel what Belly is going through, and her narration of the book allows for just that.