Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Summer #1) - Jenny Han

 Name: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Author: Jenny Han

Release Date: 5th May 2009

Date I finished it: 18th May 2012

Source: Paperback for review

Rating:

I've heard nothing but good things about this series, and I really wanted to read it for myself. Although I'm not usually the biggest fan of summer reads, or YA romance (without any paranormal elements in it), after receiving all three books in the series for review, I decided to give them a shot.

This first book, The Summer I Turned Pretty follows 15 year old Belly (Isabel) as she begins another summer at the beach house with her mum, her brother, her mum's best friend and her two sons.

This summer is different from previous ones though, Belly is older, more mature, and this year she feels pretty. The two boys she usually spends her summers swimming and hanging out with are starting to see her differently.

I'll be honest, I thought this book would be a quick bit of fluff type read. Once I actually got into the story though I realised that there is actually much more to the story than that. I don't want to give too much away, but there is a lot more going on underneath the surface of the story.

I really liked the flashbacks to previous years spent at the beach house, throughout the book we see Belly and the boys at different stages of their lives. I liked getting to know more about the history they all share, and it made feel like I got to know the other characters better as well.

I liked Belly as the narrator for this book, she is likeable, funny, and I can see younger readers being able to easily relate to her.

I gave this book 4 stars, because I really enjoyed it.

Like I said, it wouldn't be classed as one of my favourite genres, but I am really glad I gave it a shot. It really surprised me, and I'm looking forward to reading more about Belly and her boys.

I will be carrying on with this series, so keep an eye out for reviews on the rest of the series!

Thanks again to Razor Bill for sending me these to review!