Books if You Love The Summer I Turned Pretty
Whether you’re an OG fan of Jenny Han’s book series from over a decade ago or recently became obsessed with the Prime Video drama series, it’s easy to get lost in Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad’s beach-set love triangle. Now that the summer season is upon us, it’s only a few more weeks until the new season arrives. Between the warm characters, relatable coming-of-age struggles, and journeys of self-discovery, it’s hard not to get addicted to Belly’s story. Will she end up with her childhood crush, the brooding Conrad, or will the charming Jeremiah sweep her off her feet? To keep you occupied until season two drops, we’ve rounded up some sweet summer romances, unforgettable beach tales, and page-turning love triangles.
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Add to BookshelfSay Yes Summer
by Lindsey Roth Culli
Just like Belly, Morgan Matson is about to learn that her entire life can change in just one season. Instead of keeping to her usual reserved self, Morgan decides to spend the summer saying “yes” to everything from new experiences to bad decisions. And just like Belly, Morgan starts to see the world in a new light.
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My Life Next Door
by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Family is an integral part of Jenny Han’s series. The same emphasis is applied in Huntley Fitzpatrick’s debut novel. Samantha Reed’s conservative family is a stark contrast to the Garretts next door. She’d always watched her messy and affectionate neighbors from afar. But when their son, Jase, sneaks into her terrace, they welcome her into their family as their own. But young love isn’t easy, especially when two very different families are involved.
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3
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Melt With You
by Jennifer Dugan
Belly, Jeremiah, Conrad, and Steven are childhood friends and their relationships play an important role in their stories. The same can be said about Fallon and Chloe, who were best friends until a series of misunderstandings after hooking up leads them to “no talking” status. But when their mothers’ shared business needs them to cover for the summer, they’re forced to put aside their differences for family. But is their love story really over?
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Sunkissed
by Kasie West
The setting of Cousins Beach serves as a place of escape for Belly. The same can be said for the campsite that Avery’s parents dragged her family to for their summer vacation. But what started out as a forced remote family getaway quickly turns into a summer of self-discovery with a side of forbidden romance. Sound familiar?
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5
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The Matchbreaker Summer
by Annie Rains
Just like Belly visits Cousins Beach each summer, Paisley Manning has been attending her family’s Camp Starling since she was a little girl. But, when her father died, she decided to take a more backseat approach. That is until her mom gets ready to remarry, which means this summer might be the last at her beloved camp. Unless she and her rival coworker, Hayden Bennett, can figure out a way to break up the happy couple.
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6
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The Kissing Booth
by Beth Reekles
Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad constantly flirt with the fine line between brothers, childhood friends, and dating. Elle and Lee have a similar relationship. They have been best friends since they were in diapers and they do everything together. Now in high school, Elle shared a kiss with Lee’s older brother, Noah, while running the Kissing Booth at their school’s Spring Carnival. Does Elle have to choose between the two brothers?
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7
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Kisses and Croissants
by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Belly thought she had her heart figured out with Conrad until Jeremiah threw a curveball. It’s the same kind of curveball that Mia Jenrow was served. Mia planned her whole life with the goal of becoming a professional ballerina and now she’s spending the summer studying dance in Paris. Between the grueling ballet classes and a charming new cutie named Louis, Mia is starting to wonder if some of her plans need adjusting.
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8
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Not Here to Stay Friends
by Kaitlyn Hill
If you loved the transition of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship from best friends to a couple, this one is for you! When Sloan McKinney sets off for a summer in Los Angeles with her bestie, Liam Daniels, she’s ready for the time of her life. But she’s not ready to become a last-minute contestant on a reality show. With her in front of the camera and Liam working behind the scenes, anything can happen. But you’re not supposed to want to kiss your best friend, right?
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9
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Nate Plus One
by Kevin van Whye
From the author of Date Me, Bryson Keller comes a fun, feel-good story about love and self-discovery that’s very similar to Belly’s. Childhood besties Nate and Jai are heading to Johannesburg for two weeks for Nate’s cousin’s wedding. But a lot can happen in fourteen days, and both of them realize some truths about themselves along the way. They leave as best friends, but will they return as something more?
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10
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Fireworks
by Alice Lin
If you loved the sparks that flew between Belly and Jeremiah, chances are you’ll also be a fan of Lulu and Kite. The two used to be neighbors until Kite moved to South Korea to pursue a career as a K-pop star. Now he’s back in his hometown and his friendship with Lulu picks up right where it left off. Soon, Lulu is falling fast. But can a teen pop star and a normal seventeen-year-old really have a future together?
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11
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Give Me a Sign
by Anna Sortino
There’s something about the sweet summer air that makes falling in love almost impossible. It happened to Belly and it happens to Lilah in this beautiful debut novel with a thoughtful exploration of Deaf culture. This summer, Lilah decides to become a counselor at a camp for the deaf and blind. The last thing on her mind is romance and falling in love, and that’s when Isaac, the dreamy and cute Deaf counselor enters the story.
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12
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Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim
by Patricia Park
If you’re a fan of Belly’s slightly chaotic behavior, here’s another messy protagonist you’re sure to fall in love with. Ale’s strategy in life is to keep her head down and her profile low until she can get into the prestigious Whyder College. When she’s suddenly thrown into the spotlight, she realizes that the time for sitting quietly on the sidelines is over.
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13
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Radha & Jai’s Recipe for Romance
by Nisha Sharma
In Belly’s story, she had to face a lot of difficult tasks in order for her to become stronger – her true feelings for Conrad, her growing affection for Jeremiah, and navigating the debutante season. It mirrors how Radha’s journey to becoming a famous kathak dancer is unexpectedly delayed when she meets Jai, captain of the Bollywood Beats dance team. The two face their fears together and a romance soon brews between them.
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14
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Skin of the Sea
by Natasha Bowen
The water on Cousins Beach serves as an essential setting element for Belly’s story. For Simi, a mermaid collecting lost souls, the sea is home. When she breaks the law and saves a human, she’s forced to pay the price. For a summer read with a bit of an edge, reach for this instant New York Times bestseller by Natasha Bowen.
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15
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Chasing Pacquiao
by Rod Pulido
Belly has always looked up to two women in her life, her mom and her mom’s best friend, Susannah. But our role models aren’t perfect and sometimes they let us down. Bobby learns this lesson the hard way when his idol, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, declares his stance against queer people. As a queer Filipino, this revelation hits him right in the gut. But soon Bobby learns that maybe he can be his own hero.
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16
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Chloe and the Kaishao Boys
by Mae Coyiuto
To call Belly’s love life messy would be a major understatement. If you love Belly’s non-stop romantic escapades, you’ll fall in love with this sweet new rom-com read featuring diverse characters and endless hijinks. The summer before Chloe heads off to USC, she has to attend her traditional eighteenth birthday party debut. The catch? Her nosy family members have set up a series of arranged dates for her to find the perfect escort for the party. Chloe isn’t looking for love, especially since she’s about to leave. But sometimes, it finds you at inconvenient times.
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