Book Spotlight: WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER by Jenny Han

Posted by rachelha in Reviews / 11 Comments

Last summer while perusing the bookstore shelves for a fun, romantic read, my fingers stopped on a bright soft-white cover. Front and center was a young girl, cute and very girl-next-door-ish, and behind her were two boys that while blurry, were obviously both attractive. What caught my eye the most was that the three teens were standing in such a way as to present a visual triangle. The symbolism not lost on me, I looked at the title and fell in love.

The book was THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY by Jenny Han.

I inhaled this book and then the sequel, IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU, and was heartbroken to discover the third in the trilogy would not come out for almost an entire year. The love triangle between childhood friends Conrad, Belly and Jeremiah was so beautifully written and authentic that I became completely wrapped up in their story. So I waited. I reread the previous stories again and longed for next summer. Well this year it came a little early for me, as I was given the opportunity to read the ARC for WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER, and I can’t do my reaction justice when I saw it in my inbox. I squealed and jumped. My five-year-old came up to me and said, “Mommy, I think you are a little too excited.” I was, but that’s okay. I immediately cleared my schedule and read the final chapter in the trio’s love story that afternoon.

First, if you have not read the first two books in this lovely series, you must stop and read them now. If you love young adult stories that engage every emotion and make you fall in love with the protagonist, you will not be disappointed. The first book sets up Belly’s lifelong love for Conrad Fisher, a dark, brooding boy who at times has been Belly’s protector along with being her pseudo older brother. The second book really establishes the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, Conrad’s younger brother who has been Belly’s buddy until he began seeing her differently, the summer she turned pretty. We get glimpses in this second book of the past year’s love story between Belly and Conrad but discover as the story unfolds that they are currently broken up and all three are hurting over the death of the beloved Susannah “Beck” Fisher, Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother and Belly’s second mother for all intents and purposes. At the end of the book, Belly and Jeremiah begin their love story.

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER picks up two years later. Belly and Jeremiah are still in love, attending college together, and taking finals at the end of Spring Semester. Their relationship is genuine, real, and fun. The perfect portrayal of young love. But then Belly uncovers a shocking secret: During their first real fight a few months earlier, Jeremiah went on Spring Break with his fraternity brothers and cheated on Belly. The discovery turns her world upside down. Jeremiah was the one boy she never thought would hurt her. Jeremiah vows to spend the rest of his life making it up to her, and he pulls out an engagement ring. In a completely believable, teenage, not-well-thought-out plan, the two young lovers become engaged. ENGAGED! An end of summer wedding is planned and the first hurdle is telling their families at a ceremony honoring Susannah where they will all be gathered together. Including Conrad.

Through a beautiful dual character POV, we discover Conrad has been away for two years because of his love for Belly. The Conrad that I’ve been waiting two books to see is revealed, and it is well worth the wait. Jenny Han does an awesome job of subtly revealing which brother is truly right for Belly. I must say, though, that I fell completely in love with Conrad in this final chapter of their love story, and the boy delivered some amazing lines. He reveals why he let her go years ago, and the turmoil that watching his brother ‘marry his girl and not being able to do anything about it’ brings. Jenny Han’s dialogue is spot on and heart wrenching, captured beautifully in Conrad’s confession toward the end of the book.

“It’s impossible. . . I love Jere more than anybody. He’s my brother, my family. I hate myself for doing this. But when I see you two together, I hate him too.” His voice broke. “Don’t marry him. Don’t be with him. Be with me.”

Ugh, glorious pain, right? Belly spends the rest of the book completely torn between her first true love, the boy she is certain she will never be able to let go completely, and her best friend, the boy who loves her unconditionally, makes her feel like a princess, and would never walk away from her.
While I am Team Conrad obviously, both boys are amazing and the way Jenny has crafted them, I honestly believe Belly would be happy with either of them. That being said, I won’t tell you who she picks—I can’t go and spoil the whole thing for you—but I will reveal for anyone worried about her making a mistake and advocating teenage marriage, Jenny handles this beautifully. I can also say that there is a place, between chapter fifty-seven and the conclusion of the book, where I wish I could curl up between the chapters and live in the in between. Ah . . .

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER will be released in April. You can pre-order your copy via Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or by visiting your local indie bookstore.

This review was conducted via Simon & Schuster’s Galley Grab program.