🌊 Book Review: It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
A tender, emotionally charged sequel that deepens the heartbreak, love, and growing pains introduced in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Jenny Han’s It’s Not Summer Without You is the second installment in her beloved Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, and it doesn’t shy away from the emotional fallout of loss and change. With a Goodreads rating of 4.11/5 from over 300,000 readers, this YA novel continues Belly’s journey through grief, love, and the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood.
🧠 Plot Overview
The story picks up after the death of Susannah, the boys’ mother and Belly’s lifelong maternal figure. Summer at Cousins Beach—once a haven of joy and romance—now feels hollow. Conrad has pulled away, Jeremiah is trying to hold things together, and Belly is caught in the emotional crossfire.
When Conrad disappears, Jeremiah asks Belly to help find him. Their road trip leads back to the beach house, where memories linger and tensions rise. Belly must confront her feelings for both boys, the pain of Susannah’s absence, and the reality that growing up means letting go of the past.
💔 Why It Resonates
- Grief as a Central Theme: Han explores how each character processes loss differently—Conrad retreats, Jeremiah masks pain with charm, and Belly struggles to make sense of it all.
- Complex Love Triangle: The emotional stakes between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah intensify, adding depth to their relationships.
- Coming-of-Age Realism: Belly’s emotional breakdowns, impulsive decisions, and longing for simpler times feel authentic and relatable.
- Atmospheric Setting: Cousins Beach transforms from a sun-drenched paradise to a place haunted by absence, mirroring Belly’s inner turmoil.
💬 Critical Praise
- “A heart-wrenching journey through grief and growing up” — The Bookish Elf
- “Flashes of humor, realistic dialogue, and painful growing-up moments*” — Kirkus Reviews
🏁 Final Verdict
It’s Not Summer Without You is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant sequel that captures the ache of growing up and the complexity of love and loss. If you enjoyed the first book, this one will deepen your connection to Belly and the Fisher boys—and leave you eager for the final chapter in We’ll Always Have Summer.
