The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy: A Nostalgic, Heartfelt Journey of Love and Growth

Introduction: A Summer Like No Other

There’s something magical about summers—the sun-kissed days, the salty ocean breeze, and the kind of love that feels infinite. Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy captures that magic in a way that’s both achingly nostalgic and deeply relatable. This coming-of-age saga, consisting of The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer, is a tender exploration of first love, family bonds, and the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of YA romance or new to Jenny Han’s work, this boxed set is a must-read. It’s a story that lingers long after the last page, filled with moments that will make your heart swell and ache in equal measure.

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Plot Summary: A Love Triangle Set Against the Backdrop of Summer

The trilogy follows Belly (Isabel) Conklin, a girl who spends every summer at Cousins Beach with her mother, Laurel, and her mother’s best friend, Susannah, along with Susannah’s two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher.

Book 1: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Belly has always been the little sister figure to Conrad and Jeremiah, but this summer, everything changes. She’s no longer the awkward kid—she’s grown up, and suddenly, the brothers see her differently. Conrad, the brooding, enigmatic older brother, has always been Belly’s unattainable crush, while Jeremiah, the golden boy with a heart of gold, has been her best friend. As emotions flare and tensions rise, Belly finds herself caught between them, all while dealing with the looming shadow of Susannah’s illness.

Book 2: It’s Not Summer Without You

After a devastating loss, the group fractures. Conrad withdraws, Jeremiah struggles to hold things together, and Belly is left heartbroken. When Jeremiah calls Belly with news that Conrad has disappeared, the two set off to find him, leading to a summer that forces them all to confront grief, love, and what they truly want.

Book 3: We’ll Always Have Summer

Years later, Belly and Jeremiah are in college and engaged—but Conrad’s lingering presence complicates everything. Old wounds reopen, secrets come to light, and Belly must finally decide where her heart truly lies.

Character Analysis: Love, Loss, and Growing Up

Belly (Isabel Conklin)

Belly is the heart of the story—a girl on the cusp of womanhood, navigating first love and deep loss. She’s flawed, impulsive, and deeply emotional, making her incredibly relatable. Her journey from a lovestruck teenager to a young woman making life-altering choices is beautifully rendered.

Conrad Fisher

Conrad is the quintessential tortured romantic hero—brooding, intense, and fiercely protective of those he loves. His struggles with grief and vulnerability make him one of the most compelling characters in the series.

Jeremiah Fisher

Jeremiah is the sunshine to Conrad’s storm—charming, funny, and endlessly loyal. But beneath his easygoing exterior lies deep insecurity and fear of abandonment, making his arc heartbreakingly real.

Susannah & Laurel

The mothers in this story are more than background characters. Susannah’s warmth and Laurel’s tough love shape the emotional core of the trilogy, highlighting the impact of family on love and identity.

Writing Style & Narrative Technique: A Breeze of Nostalgia

Jenny Han’s prose is effortless and evocative, painting vivid scenes of beachside summers and raw emotional moments. The first-person narrative immerses readers in Belly’s thoughts, making her joys and heartbreaks feel intensely personal. The dialogue is natural, filled with the kind of banter that feels real between lifelong friends.

One standout technique is Han’s use of flashbacks—each book weaves past summers into the present, deepening the emotional weight of every moment.

Themes: Love, Grief, and the Passage of Time

At its core, this trilogy is about:

  • First Love & Heartbreak – The messy, all-consuming nature of young love.
  • Grief & Healing – How loss reshapes relationships and forces growth.
  • Family & Friendship – The unbreakable bonds that define us.
  • Coming of Age – The painful, beautiful transition from childhood to adulthood.

Personal Reading Experience: Why This Trilogy Stays With You

Reading The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy feels like flipping through an old photo album—each moment is steeped in nostalgia. I laughed, cried, and found myself thinking about these characters long after finishing. The love triangle is handled with nuance, never reducing anyone to a villain. Instead, it’s a story about three people trying to navigate love in the wake of loss.

Comparison to Other YA Romance Series

Fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (also by Jenny Han) will adore this series, though it’s more emotionally raw. It also shares thematic similarities with Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever and Morgan Matson’s Since You’ve Been Gone—stories where summer serves as a backdrop for transformation.

Strengths & Minor Weaknesses

✅ Strengths:

  • Deeply emotional character arcs
  • Authentic dialogue and relationships
  • Beautifully atmospheric setting

⚠️ Weaknesses:

  • Belly’s indecisiveness may frustrate some readers
  • Some plot points feel slightly rushed in the final book

Who Should Read This?

  • Fans of YA romance and coming-of-age stories
  • Readers who love love triangles with emotional depth
  • Anyone who enjoys nostalgic, summery settings

Memorable Quotes

“It’s the imperfections that make things beautiful.” — The Summer I Turned Pretty

“You’re my best friend, and I love you, but you’re terrible for me.” — We’ll Always Have Summer

Final Verdict: A Must-Read for Hopeless Romantics

Jenny Han’s The Complete Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy is a heartfelt, beautifully written journey about love, loss, and growing up. It’s the kind of story that stays with you, like the memory of a perfect summer.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

Discussion Questions for Readers:

  • Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? Why?
  • How does grief shape the characters’ relationships?
  • Which summer memory from the books resonated with you most?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to chat about this unforgettable series!

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