🍹 Margarita Reads: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

A sip of first love, sandy beaches, and all the tangled emotions of growing up!

🐚 First Sip 

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han follows Belly Conklin, who’s spent every summer of her life at Cousins Beach with her mother, brother, and the Fisher family. But this summer is different. Belly is no longer the little girl she once was, and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, start noticing her in ways they never have before. Torn between the two brothers, Belly finds herself navigating new feelings and the bittersweet challenges of growing up. With the sun, the beach, and the promise of summer magic in the air, Belly’s world is about to change forever.

I first read The Summer I Turned Pretty when I was in my early teen years, and honestly, I kind of forgot about it until my sister started watching the show on Amazon. It didn’t take long for us to both pick Team Conrad, and now we’re both anxiously waiting for the third and final season. Looking back at the book, it captures everything that makes those teenage years so bittersweet. It’s about the first crush that makes your heart race, the pull for independence, but still wanting the safety and comfort of your family. And let’s not forget that beach setting — the salty air, the sound of the waves, and that endless summer vibe that makes you want to drop everything and head straight to the sand.

Reading this book again takes me back to those summers when everything felt possible. The anticipation for summer vacation, the thrill of long days spent reading, and the chance to daydream about cute guys you’ll probably never talk to — it all feels like such a familiar, carefree time. At times, I wanted to smack Belly for some of her choices, but I get it — being a teenager isn’t easy. You’re torn between wanting to be free and the emotional rollercoaster of figuring out who you are. It’s the kind of summer where the stakes feel high, and every little moment feels like it matters, even when it’s messy. This book reminds me of how much we grow in those few short months of freedom — and how everything seems to shift when you’re standing at the edge of adulthood.

🍸 Sip or Skip?  

This book is like sipping a strawberry margarita on a hot summer day — sweet, a little tangy, and full of heart. It’ll remind you of those summer nights, the ones that change everything, and the people who come and go in your life.

My verdict: 🥂 Sip-worthy — it’s the perfect book to soak up the sun with, even if the emotions are a bit messy. 🍉 Refreshing, because this book, just like a summer breeze, brings back all those warm and nostalgic feelings. It’s light and refreshing, but with a surprising depth that makes it unforgettable.

🧩 How did it taste for you? 🍓 Sweet | 🍉 Refreshing | 🍋 Tart | 🧊 Chill | 💦 Too watered down

🧠 Margarita Moments 

What I love about The Summer I Turned Pretty is how it captures that bittersweet feeling of growing up. Belly’s journey isn’t just about love — it’s about her relationship with herself, her family, and the messy, tangled feelings that come with change.

The love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers — Conrad and Jeremiah — is everything. It’s not just about choosing between two guys; it’s about who she is when she’s with them. Conrad is intense and brooding, while Jeremiah is the easygoing, fun one. But Belly isn’t just choosing a boy — she’s choosing a version of herself, the one that’s finally stepping into who she’s meant to be.

The book is also about family and how those relationships can evolve. The Conklins' summers at Cousins Beach have been a tradition for years, and Belly’s relationship with her mom and brother is just as central as her love life. There’s something so comforting about the idea that even when people change, there’s a place where you can still belong.

💬 Reader question: If you were Belly, which brother would you have picked? Or do you think it’s more than just about the romance?

🎶 Pair It With... 

🎵 Song: “Invisible String” by Taylor Swift. This song is all about the invisible threads that tie us to the people and moments that shape us. Just like Belly’s summer love, it’s about fate, timing, and the unspoken connections that guide us through life.

🎬 Movie: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005). The bond between four best friends, each going through their own personal journey, mirrors Belly’s growth and her relationship with her family and the two boys. Plus, it’s all about the power of friendship and love across distances — just like the summers at Cousins Beach.

Drop your recs below! What music or movie do you pair with this story?

🍒 Best Garnish

 “Maybe the truth is, I don't want to be the one who falls in love first. Maybe I just want to stay in the same place and never change." 

That quote perfectly sums up the bittersweet essence of the book. The fear of change, the pull of love, and the feeling of longing for a place you can’t quite hold onto forever.

🦉 Final Thought

 The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than a summer romance; it’s a story about the seasons of life, the love we hold, and the ones we lose. It’s about learning to accept the parts of ourselves we’re still figuring out, and about the people who help us grow along the way.

Just like a perfect summer day, this book leaves you feeling warm, nostalgic, and a little bit changed.

🔮 Pour the Next Round...

 A family summer retreat, a mysterious accident, and a web of secrets unraveling with every page. Lies are told, truths are buried, and nothing is as it seems. Soon to be a Netflix show. Can you guess the book? 🌊🏖️🕵️‍♂️