More filters. Sort order. May 22, Ruth rated it did not like it. I nearly melted when Conrad was introduced. That strong, silent, protective guy, why, he was even sexier than Edward Cullen!
And although he didn't sparkle, he certainly made up for it by his sorrowful brooding, which my heart soared out to.
There is just something so alluring, so captivating, about Conrad, because what he does not say or do in words is immediately engraved in my ever-lovin I nearly melted when Conrad was introduced. There is just something so alluring, so captivating, about Conrad, because what he does not say or do in words is immediately engraved in my ever-loving heart.
As for Belly, heavy burdens are hard to accept, but World War 3. I totally sympathized with her, with all those choices she had to make.
As a famous poet once wrote, "Two roads diverged into a yellow wood. And I, I took the one less traveled by. And WOW! In a dangerous voice, Conrad said, "I'm warning you, Jeremiah. No scene has truly ever frightened me so much, to the point where I just had to wrench this book out of my own hands and go take ten minutes' breather in the bathroom. But since this review isn't marked with SPOILER, I'll just say that you will have to stop and re-read a few times what has actually happened at this degree-climax.
Han really brought this scene to life, it was so intense and completely, reasonably dramatic, my heart literally skipped a beat and I almost had an asthma attack: "I stood by the fire alone and pretended to warm my hands even though they weren't cold. That's when I saw him. He was standing alone too, drinking a bottle of water. It didn't seem like he knew anybody either, since he was standing all by himself.
Han, you have such an elegant, easy way of making contradicting words and plain sentences flow so naturally! So barely noticeable! Continuing on, He looked like he was my age. But there was something about him that seemed safe and comfortable, like he was younger than me even though he wasn't. A beautiful paradox? No, paradox isn't even the word. I was so dumbfoundedly awestruck by this sentence that I had to stop, pause, and wonder, what was going to happen next?
Really, at this point in the book, things really take a turn around the bend. I am truly amazed by the way Jenny Han has a talent with words, and finally releasing reader's from their growing suspicion that something more was going on between Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad: "Things had been weird with me and Conrad and also with me and Jeremiah-an impossible thought crept its way into my head.
Was it possible they didn't want me with Came? Because THEY, like, had feelings for me? I had no idea how poetic daily teen slang could have been. Instead I said, "I was really good! I could have been dancing in a company by now! I wasn't that good, not by any stretch of the imagination. Part of me was mad, and part of me was relieved. It was like craving a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich and then realizing two bites in that you didn't want it after all.
I snatched my sweatshirt from him and said, "Don't do me any favors, Cam. I thought he might follow me, but he didn't.
After all, EVERY teen needs to have their mood swings, but yet, this has shown Belly's true, twisting feelings for the guy she is talking to. I am truly amazed, I had no idea authors could get into my head so easily. View all comments. Apr 17, Arlene rated it it was ok Shelves: ya-contemporary , read , young-adult. There was so much about this book that bothered me, and I almost gave up on it several times.
I think the thing that bothered me most though was the protagonist. Very often, if I can't connect or feel compassion for the main character, the book has slim to no chance of winning me over. In my opinion, Belly was such an immature, self-focused and petulant child. Her actions and feelings about events and people really were annoying that I wanted to shake some sense into her, I'll provide more speci There was so much about this book that bothered me, and I almost gave up on it several times.
Her actions and feelings about events and people really were annoying that I wanted to shake some sense into her, I'll provide more specifics in a few. But first, one of the biggest things that irk me, and for those that know my reading style, they will laugh because I've said this often times before, I can't stand when an author doesn't tell you the name of the person narrating the story or who the story is about.
Very few, maybe like one or two books The Gargoyle being one have been exempt from this number one rule of mine, I want to know who is talking to me or who the story is about right away! It's not until more than half way through the book that we find out her real name is Isabel, but by then it was too late, I was calling her Bellatrix in my head and couldn't get it out. Sorry, but it just happened naturally. Overall, it bothered me how selfish Bellatrix… errr… I mean Belly was to those in her life, including family and friends.
For example, her father tried so hard with her by buying her books, a piano and fixing up a room in his new apartment in the hopes she'd come to enjoy spending some time with him, but NOOOOO she didn't like the books he chose, the piano was out of tune and she wanted the yellow sheets, not the pink scratchy sheets. She uses her best friend Taylor by inviting her to the beach house for the sole purpose that maybe she'll be able to fit in better with the crowd because of Taylor, but it ends up backfiring so she ends up resenting her BF.
Her relationship with her brother is downright mean and shallow, nothing heartfelt or aww-worthy there. Even her friendship with Jeremiah and Conrad left much to be desired. It bothered me when Jeremiah and Belly overheard a convo between their mothers about Suzanne's breast cancer and Belly had no clue how to comfort him, all she could think of saying was "I hope your mom doesn't lose a boob. That's all you got?? Glad you kept that in your little air-filled noggin and didn't say it out loud.
How about just give him a hug and ask him if he's okay or wants to talk?? There were so many opportunities for her to show some depth and growth, but she just fell flat IMO. BUT, the thing that bothered me the most is that she crushes on two brothers.
That's just gross!! Pick one and stop with the "I like Jeremiah I like Conrad Oh wait I like Conrad's dark and brooding side, I change my mind, I like him better. No really, she felt I'm pretty now, life is like sooooo good now! I love being sooooo pretty. I was ugly before and an outsider, but now I'm pretty. Yay for me! The story did switch back from present to past in random ways, but I don't consider that complex, just slightly irksome.
The one thing the book did have going for it was the setting. I like seaside, beachfront, boardwalk settings, but that wasn't enough to hook me… I'd much prefer a Dessen book to provide me that fix. All in all, there's better out there IMHO. Okay, this review feels sloppy and random I'll just blame it on the book. May 29, Tanja Tanychy rated it it was amazing Shelves: romance , we-girls-like-to-read-together , favorites.
One of the best books I've ever read : EDIT: I keep getting notifications that people like this review and I wondered why, then after seeing other reviews I understood. Here is the thing, I thought that if I read this book again now I wouldn't like it as much as me being mature and all that put into a box in my brain labeled "lies I tell myself".
As by nature I'm very curious person I gave it a try. The result are three sleepless nights I spent reading that trilogy, with tears in my eyes. So yes, you can say that these characters might be silly, immature, and both stories too dramatic. However, no one can't question Jenny's ability to put emotions into her words, and that right there I consider magic. For that reason alone I think I'll always read anything she writes.
Bottom line is read the first three sentences I wrote all those years ago! Jenny you totally deserve all this popularity you're getting and I gotta say that the movie was actually really good! If, by any chance, you see Noah soon can you say hi to him.
View all 53 comments. Nov 22, Melannie : rated it did not like it Shelves: read I didn't like this book. I also just couldn't connect with the story, I mean all the book is about how much she loooooves Conrad one of her mom's best friend's sons and everything in her lifes revolves around Conrad.
It was bording on obsession actually, she came across as pathetic. Plus, she was so mean to her mother! She was so snotty and whiny and urgh just overall annoying. I couldn't swallow her. I wanted to like this, the writing was well done, the descrption of the setting was amazing, and there were a lot of cute and funny scenes, ALL OF THEM including Jeremiah the other son , so I didn't get why Belly was so obsessed with Conrad anyway, he wasn't even an interesting character at all : I dont need to be reading this, I've had enough Bella Swan for a lifetime.
So I'm probably not reading the rest of the series. God knows it was already a big achievement to have finished this one. View all 39 comments. This book made me want to cry tears of blood. Just, no. My husband does not approve of you. Low Points in this book: Belly. Girl, this is for being whiny and obnoxious.
Also, for being a bitch to your mother and thinking that she would never ever do anything for you and f This book made me want to cry tears of blood. Also, for being a bitch to your mother and thinking that she would never ever do anything for you and for not appreciating her at all. I lyk Jere. And Cam. My eight year old cousin is more mature than you. Don't you worry though, puberty will hit you soon enough. I liked you. How could you do this to me? That is for letting Belly use you to make Conrad jealous.
High points in this book: Jeremiah. You will feel like shit when the series ends for sticking up for her but guess what? Tough fucking luck. You're invited to party with me. My life will be complete. View all 63 comments. Mar 25, emma rated it did not like it Shelves: contemporary , ya , nope , project-review-everything , unpopular-opinion , reviewed , 1-star. View all 17 comments.
Jul 22, Sophia Judice rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites , complicated-parental-relationships , beach-reads , to-get-you-back-into-reading. View all 12 comments. Oct 05, Judith Judith'sChoiceReads rated it it was amazing Shelves: unpredictable , good-reads , must-haves , books-i-want-to-own , heroines-with-spunk , favorites , series-i-love , hunks-of-the-world , crazy-phenomenal , crazy-romantic.
For being the embodiment of summer, and pretty much perfect. So that was I feel a lot like this: Because I am sure of two things: 1. I freaking love this series. And Conrad. I really freaking adore him, more than Jeremiah I am happy to say.
Ah, to be young and fictionally in love This is my new favourite series. And three, because I'm just boss that way: 3. Reading this series takes my mind away from the horror that is snow all around, and while I'm reading this all I imagine are rainbows, the ocean and glorious warmth. Basically by endeavouring to read the rest of the series, I'd like to delude myself longer. What I'm getting at here: Is that this is a well-rounded and great book. I was so hesitant to try it because the other beachy novel on my CR shelf is stale and quite frankly, irrelevant to me at the moment.
This however, this was relevant! It had so much heart and such soul I love Belly, and Beck's boys. You know at the back of books where the book blurb is all like, " A true tale of touching inspiration and growth?
I feel like donning my creep glasses and jacket and writing something inspirational too! You know what! I will: One step at a time, my friends, this book has touched me. Summary brief : Belly is this awkward teenager I couldn't help relating to because at her age I was just as clueless, if not more! She turns pretty one summer and everything changes, her two life-long "friends" begin to act differently and tensions rise as further complications threaten to ruin the tradition of Summer.
Let me start off by saying Cousin's beach is a place I most definitely have to go! I started off reading this with a bit of a raised brow because I didn't know if the importance Belly and everyone held for this place would rub off unto me or not.
I knew that I really wanted it to and am all kinds of crazy mad-glad it did. Some authors can try to capture the idea of summer, but what Han actually does is that she grabs a hold of the very definition, transforms it and personifies it into a person.
And one. Both Belly and Susannah were summer personified to me; summer at different stages. Belly is at the beginning, like a beach inexperienced or sand yet to be tread--she's smooth canvas. Susannah on the other hand is the shore at twilight and she symbolizes something we have yet to ever see, the end of summer.
She doesn't get there in this book but the gradual decline taking place is made very evident, and yet through it all she's this picture of dignity, something to behold. I kind of love this woman. Women if you factor in Belly and Han, the author, because I adore them too. This book was so good that I left thinking I would nick-name my baby Belly somehow. Yeah, I know! It was just this awesome ride and reading it was such a privilege, I cannot begin to explain.
I have nowhere to begin because I am at a loss for words, all I can say is that I have been thoroughly pleased.
And for once those of you who know me will know just how much of a breach from character this is I cannot focus solely on the men, I just can't It would be an insult to do so, because despite the fact that they were major and wonderful parts of this book, they just didn't seem to matter more than the overall story.
What mattered were Susannah and Belly and their growth because there was so much happening here. So much character development took place that it was crazy and incredible at the same time! This feeling of watching someone learn and transform into something better than what they once were is what drives me to read, I hardly see enough of it in real life. There were things I wished were better resolved, say Cam and Mr. Fisher, I wanted to know the reason for the impending divorce, and I also thought the adorable geek that is Cam deserved at least an explanation!
No fair, Bells. Other than that I am good. So good that I already have the second book sitting around somewhere waiting. I'll try reading a bit of Endless Summer again but if nothing comes of it, I'm dropping it like a hot potato. Because every book should be as good as this one. View all 16 comments.
Apr 14, Maureen rated it really liked it. I loved the story, even if most of the characters were not super developed. Just a good ol' YA contemporary romance. Overall, pretty alright! I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
View all 4 comments. Mar 11, Regan rated it it was amazing Shelves: books-owned-read. I don't even know, but this book read like a dream and I really enjoyed it. Also, I am terrified about what is going to happen in the later books.
Hi, so this book isn't technically a five-star read. It's a little cliche and a lot cheesy and centres around a love triangle and just is not a literary masterpiece. I don't care about any of that though because this is the book I was reading before I was a reader.
This is the book that made me want to read. This was the first book I read into the night. The first book I couldn't put down. This was the book of my preteen years and the nostalgia I feel for this book surpasses any reservations I h Hi, so this book isn't technically a five-star read.
This was the book of my preteen years and the nostalgia I feel for this book surpasses any reservations I have about the plot now that I'm not 12 anymore. I've read this book upwards of fifteen times and no matter what stage of my life I'm at, I love it.
These characters feel like family. The beach house feels like my own vacation home and the words feel like they live in my brain. So yeah, it isn't a perfect book and is the exact opposite of what I tend to lean towards nowadays but forever and ever and ever it will be a symbol of my love of reading and I will always be fond. Perfect book to get me into the summer mindset! I started reading it this morning when I got to the beach and I didn't stop until I read the entire book.
This book is about more than summer and romance, but also family, self, and loss. I enjoyed every single character and how they were more complex than they first appeared.
I definitely want to read the rest of the series soon and also go to the beach a couple dozen more times. And it actually is because this was such a quick read and I finished it in less than a day.
The worst thing was definitely the main character, Belly. She was such an annoying character and such a whiny little brat. I know that this is a coming of age novel and many girls that age might tend to behave like her but in my opinion, she was just way over to the top.
She was complaining so much, she literally made me want to rip my hair out at some points. Belly was constantly going on about how badly the boys were treating her, how they were always treating her like a child though she was the one that constantly acted like a 9-year-old and how they never asked her to come along when going somewhere. She was literally such a pain in the neck, I think she was even more annoying than America from the Selection series and I actually thought that was impossible.
I loved Conrad, Jeremiah and Steven and I also think that this book was generally very well written. View all 3 comments. I loved all the characters because each and every one of them made me grin happily. Belly "It was a summer I'd never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began.
It was the summer I turned pretty. According to her, winter didn't count. It was summer that mattered. Because she gets to meet her two favorite boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. I found Belly very amusing and fun to read about. She was such a lovable character!
And I liked her even more when I found out that I could easily relate to her. Conrad Conrad was this moody character whose next move you can't predict. I liked him a lot. He was the darker one when compared to his other brother Jeremiah. He was also a very complicated character. Belly found him frustrating in many events but she didn't give up on him.
Jeremiah Jeremiah was the humorous and brighter one. He can't even stay still without laughing in the picture :D Jeremiah was an easy - going character who took everything with a casual attitude.
He was the fun one. I can't say Conrad wasn't as good as Jeremiah. Both the brothers were awesome in their own way. Jenny Han has written an entertaining and an enjoyable novel. After reading too many paranormal romance novels, I believe I liked contemporary romance a lot as in everything was normal here. No supernatural stuffs to make your favorite characters stick together. Everything was normal and simple in this book. Nothing far - fetched or complicated.
If you love simple novels with cute lovable characters then this book is certainly perfect for you. The Summer I turned pretty was a quick, enjoyable, entertaining and a summery read. Like I mentioned earlier, it was an awesome summer read! View all 29 comments. Apr 05, Jessie rated it it was ok Shelves: annoying-main-character , finished-series , reviewed , disappointment , , couldnt-stop-reading , won-t-order , made-me-cry. Just some thoughts. Actual rating: 2.
She thinks the world revolves around her but it doesn't. She's shallow as hell. But for some reason, she doesn't annoy me too much. She was getting on my nerves a lot toward the end of the book, though. Overall, she's just an okay character. What the heck? Belly made her choice, and she chose Jeremiah. But Jeremiah — he was always there, and Belly finally realized that.
They have been together for two years now. Many fans have wondered if it is a real place. However, Jenny Han confirmed on her website that it is not a real beach, but it is instead a combination based on several different places.
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