If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Prime Video lately, you already know the vibe. Soft lighting. Beach houses. That specific brand of teenage longing that feels like the end of the world. But before Jenny Han was a household name or Taylor Swift was providing the soundtrack to every pivotal moment on screen, there were the books. Honestly, figuring out the summer i turned pretty books in order is the easy part. The harder part is bracing yourself for the emotional whiplash that comes between the first page and the final "happily ever after"—or whatever you want to call it.
Look, Isabel "Belly" Conklin’s story isn't just about a glow-up. It's about that messy, often frustrating transition from being "one of the boys" to being the center of a very complicated, multi-year love triangle. If you're coming here from the show, be warned: the books hit differently. They're more internal. They're grittier in ways the show softens.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book 1)
This is where it all starts. Every summer, Belly and her family head to Cousins Beach to stay with Susannah Fisher and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. For years, Belly was just the tag-along kid sister. Then, she turns sixteen. Everything shifts.
The first book is heavy on nostalgia. It’s about that specific summer where the boys finally notice her. But it’s not just about romance. It’s about the looming shadow of Susannah’s illness, which anchors the story in a way that feels way more grounded than your average YA beach read.
In this first installment of the summer i turned pretty books in order, Belly is stuck in a loop. She’s obsessed with Conrad. He’s the moody, unreachable older brother. Jeremiah is the golden boy, the friend, the easy choice. It’s a classic setup, but Han writes it with a sincerity that makes you forget you’ve seen this trope a thousand times before.
Most people don't realize that the first book actually jumps around in time quite a bit. You get glimpses of "Summer 12" and "Summer 14," which helps you understand why Belly is so hung up on these boys. It isn't just a crush. It’s a lifetime of shared history in a house that smells like salt air and sunscreen.
It’s Not Summer Without You (Book 2)
If the first book is the "honeymoon phase" of the series, the second book is the hangover. It’s darker. It’s lonelier. Honestly, it’s the book that usually makes readers pick a side: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah.
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The plot kicks off with a crisis. Susannah is gone. The beach house—the one place where they all felt safe—is at risk of being sold. Belly is failing chemistry. Conrad has vanished from college, and Jeremiah is the one who has to pick up the pieces.
What makes It’s Not Summer Without You so pivotal in the summer i turned pretty books in order sequence is the dual perspective. We finally get into the boys' heads. Specifically, we get to see how Conrad’s "mysterious" behavior is actually just a mask for some pretty deep-seated grief and pressure.
- The Conflict: Belly and Jeremiah go on a road trip to find Conrad.
- The Vibe: Road trips, motel rooms, and lots of unsaid feelings.
- The Turning Point: That infamous scene at the end where a choice is finally made. Or sort of made.
This book challenges the "soulmate" narrative. It asks if you should be with the person who makes your heart race (Conrad) or the person who is actually there to hold your hand when things get ugly (Jeremiah). It’s a messy question. There isn't a right answer, which is why the fandom is still fighting about it a decade later.
We’ll Always Have Summer (Book 3)
Two years have passed. Belly is in college. She’s been with Jeremiah for a while. Things seem... stable?
Then, everything explodes.
The final book in the summer i turned pretty books in order is easily the most controversial. Some fans love the ending. Others find it rushed. But you can't deny the drama. Jeremiah proposes. Belly says yes. They start planning a wedding at the beach house while they're still basically children.
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Then Conrad comes back into the picture.
Jenny Han doesn't hold back here. She addresses the reality of Jeremiah’s flaws—which are plenty—and Conrad’s growth. It’s a book about "the one that got away" versus "the one who stayed." It also dives deep into the relationship between Belly and her mom, Laurel. That mother-daughter dynamic is the secret backbone of the entire series. Laurel’s disapproval of the wedding isn't just about the boys; it’s about Belly losing herself before she’s even found out who she is.
Why the Reading Order Matters for Character Arcs
You might think you can jump around. Don't.
If you read these out of order, you lose the slow-burn evolution of Belly’s maturity. In book one, she’s incredibly self-centered. It’s all about her summer, her feelings, her glow-up. By the time you get to We'll Always Have Summer, she’s forced to reckon with the consequences of her choices.
The summer i turned pretty books in order provide a specific roadmap of grief. We see the kids before the tragedy, during the immediate aftermath, and then years later when the dust has settled. If you skip the middle, the ending feels unearned.
Real Talk: The Books vs. The Show
It’s worth mentioning that the Prime Video series changes a lot.
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- The Debutante Ball: Doesn't exist in the books. That was added for the show to give it more "visual" stakes.
- Character Depth: Characters like Taylor (Belly’s best friend) and Steven (Belly’s brother) have much bigger roles on screen. In the books, Steven disappears for large chunks of the story.
- The Love Triangle: The show makes it feel like a more even playing field. In the books, Conrad’s presence looms much larger over everything.
Basically, if you’ve seen the show, reading the summer i turned pretty books in order will feel like seeing the "raw footage" of the story. It’s less polished, more emotional, and definitely more focused on Belly’s internal monologue.
Navigating the Spin-offs and Special Editions
If you’re a completionist, you should look for the "Collector’s Editions." They usually include letters from the characters or extra snippets that aren't in the original paperbacks.
Specifically, the letters at the end of the third book are non-negotiable. They provide the closure that the actual plot sometimes skips over. They explain the "missing years" and how the characters eventually found their way back to each other.
There aren't technically any sequels or prequels beyond the trilogy, but Jenny Han’s other work—like To All The Boys I've Loved Before—exists in a similar universe of feeling. They aren't connected by plot, but they’re connected by that specific "Han" style of writing about first loves.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're ready to dive in, here is how to handle the series like a pro:
- Read the Trilogy Back-to-Back: The books are short. You can easily finish one in a weekend. Reading them in quick succession helps you track the recurring symbols, like the infinity necklace or the polar bears.
- Compare the Perspectives: Pay close attention to the Jeremiah and Conrad chapters in book two. They completely reframe Belly’s "version" of events from book one.
- Watch for the Letters: When you get to the final pages of We’ll Always Have Summer, don't skim. The letters are where the real ending happens.
- Track the Timeline: Keep an eye on how much time passes between books. The jump between book two and book three is significant and changes the stakes from "high school drama" to "life-altering decisions."
The summer i turned pretty books in order are more than just a summer romance. They’re a study in how we grow out of our childhood crushes and into the people we’re meant to be. Whether you're Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, the journey to the beach house is one worth taking.
Just remember to pack some tissues for book two. You’ll need them.