Summer always meant the beach house at Cousins Beach with Conrad, Jeremiah and Susannah. But now that Susanna’s died, her romance with Conrad has ended, and she’s estranged from Jeremiah, Belly faces an empty, lonely summer unlike any she’s ever had.
Conrad disappears from college and Jeremiah calls Belly to help find him. They go right to where they know Conrad must be: the summer house on Cousins Beach. Belly has to face the truth about her short-lived romance with Conrad; the tensions and pent up anger between the brothers; and a future that’s uncertain now that the boys’ mom has died.
Jenny Han’s second book featuring Belly, It’s Not Summer Without You, is laced with grief and regret, full of longing for the way things were, and ultimately a tentative acceptance of the fact that life is uncertain and transitory. Belly is a funny, awkward, and sweet character who feels authentic and is easy to relate to. Her self doubt and struggles to see the truth about Conrad and Jeremiah feel dead on true to girls at the age when you’re hoping for your first real love. It’s Not Summer Without You is a light, sun-kissed perfect summer beach read that will make you revisit your first summer love all over again.
- Posted by Cori