Review: It's Not Summer Without You

Book: It's Not Summer Without You (Summer #2)
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Pages: 288
Source: Kindle Purchase
Date Read: March 28, 2011

Summary:

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach

Yani's Analysis:
This is one of the only series that the second book is actually better than the first. It is one year later and our favorite characters have grown up (or are more grown up then last time at least).

I thought I wouldn’t enjoy the book since most of it wouldn’t take place at the cousin’s beach house, but I loved it. The story still consists of the past and the present being woven together, but Jenny adds another narrator, Jeremiah. It was amazing seeing Jeremiah’s view on events that happened in the last book and the things currently happening. Also we get to see Belly and Conrad finally together, however it was very brief.

Now at this point I felt like I knew who Belly loved more, but I didn’t have a particular stand on who I felt she should be with. In most books, (except Nightshade) I’m always on the team that ends up with the girl, not because I like being right (although I do), but because I can tell who the real true love is. And while for myself I might like someone different, why shouldn’t the main character be with the one she really loves.

I love these summer books, because while most summer books are only about happy tales and good times. These summers are about hope, family, friends, and true love.

Review of the next book We’ll Always Have Summer: Tomorrow!

Ratings:

Plot: 5/5
Writing Style: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Similar Titles:

Endless Summer is two books in one and if you liked The Summer I Turned Pretty, I think you will definitely enjoy this lighter (romantic comedy) type novel. I love summer love novels and Hailey Abbott know how to write those well too.

Other Memorable Quotes:

"Happiness is a Slurpee and a hot pink straw."