🌊 Book Review: We’ll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
The bittersweet finale to a beloved trilogy that explores love, loyalty, and the ache of growing up.
Jenny Han’s We’ll Always Have Summer is the emotionally charged conclusion to her Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, bringing readers back to Cousins Beach for one last summer of heartbreak, healing, and hard choices. If you’ve followed Belly Conklin’s journey from innocent crushes to tangled love triangles, this final installment delivers the resolution fans have been craving—though not without emotional turbulence.
💔 Plot Overview
Two years after Conrad Fisher walked away, Belly is now in college and dating his younger brother, Jeremiah. Their relationship seems solid—until Belly discovers Jeremiah cheated on her during spring break. In a whirlwind of emotion and desperation, Jeremiah proposes, and Belly says yes.
But as the wedding plans unfold, unresolved feelings for Conrad resurface. Belly finds herself torn between the boy who’s always been there and the one who’s always had her heart. The story builds toward a dramatic climax that forces Belly to confront her past, her future, and what love really means.
💬 Themes Explored
- First Love vs. Lasting Love: Belly’s internal conflict between Jeremiah’s stability and Conrad’s intensity is the heart of the novel.
- Forgiveness & Growth: Characters are forced to reckon with their mistakes and learn what it means to truly move forward.
- Family & Identity: Belly’s relationships with her mother and the Fisher family add emotional depth and realism to her journey.
🧠 Character Highlights
- Belly matures significantly, though her impulsiveness still drives much of the drama.
- Conrad finally opens up, revealing the grief and guilt that shaped his aloofness.
- Jeremiah is no longer the golden boy—his flaws come to light, making the love triangle more complex than ever.
⭐ Reader Reception
- Goodreads Rating: 4.03/5 from over 300,000 readers
- Praise: Fans love the emotional payoff and the satisfying closure to Belly’s story.
- Criticism: Some readers felt the wedding plot was rushed or unrealistic, and Belly’s indecision frustrating.
🏁 Final Verdict
We’ll Always Have Summer is a heartfelt farewell to a trilogy that captured the intensity of young love and the pain of growing up. It’s messy, emotional, and deeply relatable—perfect for readers who believe that love isn’t always simple, but it’s always worth fighting for.
