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16 Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Looking for that perfect summer romance, just like The Summer I Turned Pretty? Well, you’re in luck! I’ve curated an amazing list of beach romance books that will whisk you away to sun-drenched shores, take you on unforgettable road trips, and fill your heart with nostalgic bliss.
If you, like me, fell head over heels for Jenny Han’s enchanting summer romance featuring a love triangle with brothers, and want to read similar books, you are going to love this list.
Of course there is a TV adaptation of the novel on Amazon prime, but nothing can beat a good book filled with summer air with secrets, emotions, and love.
The list has some great beach themes romance novels like Every Summer After, The Summer Girls and many more.
Prepare to be captivated by next summer romance novels, perfect to read after The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty Book Summary
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a captivating coming-of-age novel that revolves around the enchanting ambiance of Cousins Beach and the intricate relationships between childhood friends. The main character, a young girl named Belly, spends every summer in a beach house at Cousins Beach with her family and their close friends, the Fishers. Among the two Fisher brothers, Conrad holds a special place in Belly’s heart. Among the two Fisher brothers, Conrad holds a special place in Belly’s heart.
As the narrative unfolds, Belly reminisces about the transformative summer when everything changed. Conrad Fisher, with his enigmatic personality and magnetic charm, becomes a central figure in Belly’s journey of self-realization. The story explores the intricacies of their relationship, highlighting the tides of emotions that ebb and flow during those transformative summer months. The bond between Belly and Conrad, interwoven with the backdrop of beach, creates a nostalgic and poignant atmosphere that lingers throughout the narrative.
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Best Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Now, dive into the 16 young adult romance books similar to Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
The first book in the list Every Summer After follows Persephone Fraser, who left her hometown a decade ago after making a major mistake. Ever since that, she spends her summers in the city, keeping her heart guarded. However, when she receives a call, she rushes back to Barry’s Bay and reunites with Sam Florek, the man she never thought she’d have to live without.
Percy and Sam were inseparable for six summers, spending time together on the water, working in Sam’s family restaurant, and sharing their dreams and passions. Their friendship eventually turned into something more, but it fell apart dramatically.
When Percy returns for Sam’s mother’s funeral, their connection reignites. However, Percy must confront her past decisions and the self-punishment she has endured to determine if their love can transcend their past mistakes.
Narrated over six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a nostalgic book set in summer. Like The Summer I Turned Pretty, the novel explores the elements of first love summer crushes, cottage summers, and beach nights.
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The Summer Of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
In The Summer of Broken Rules we follow Meredith Fox as she returns to Martha’s Vineyard for the summer after her sister’s death. The entire extended family will be there for her cousin’s wedding. To make matters worse, her boyfriend broke up with her just weeks before the wedding, leaving her without a date.
To distract herself, Meredith participates in her family’s annual game of Assassin, which coincides with the wedding festivities. However, her target turns out to be a charming groomsman, and despite her determination not to get involved, she finds herself falling for him. This jeopardizes not only the game but also her own heart.
The Summer of Broken Rules is a fun and lighthearted novel that combines a summer setting, family traditions, and second-chance summer romance.
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Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
In Since You’ve Been Gone, Emily’s best friend Sloane suddenly disappears, leaving behind only a to-do list. The list contains thirteen tasks that are out of Emily’s comfort zone. Desperate to bring her friend back, Emily decides to step out of her shell and take on the challenges.
However, things get a bit more complicated when the list instructs her to kiss a stranger. Unsure about this particular task, Emily embarks on an unexpected summer adventure with the help of Frank Porter, someone she didn’t anticipate being involved with.
Since You’ve Been Gone is a captivating story that explores friendship, self-discovery, and taking risks. What’s even more fascinating is that the novel offers a mix of mystery, romance, and unexpected summer journeys.
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Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Sloppy Firsts introduces sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling, who is devastated when her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from their hometown. Jessica feels like a fish out of water, struggling to fit in at school and feeling like a stranger at home. Without Hope, the only person she truly connected with, Jessica is lost and unsure of how to navigate her life.
Jessica can hardly deal with her own nonexistent love life let alone the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, and her mother salivating over big sister’s lavish wedding.
As the story unfolds, you witness Jessica’s journey through teenage torment, from the dark days following Hope’s departure, her transformation into a type-A personality turned insomniac, and her complex feelings towards Marcus Flutie, an intelligent and enigmatic character who captures her heart.
Megan McCafferty’s debut novel, Sloppy Firsts is a fresh, funny, and compelling exploration of Jessica’s experiences. It offers an insightful and true-to-life portrayal of the challenges teenagers face as they navigate friendships, relationships, and personal growth.
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The Kissing Booth by Beth Reekles
The Kissing Booth is about Rochelle Evans, known as Elle, a popular pretty girl who has never been kissed. She finds herself drawn to Noah Flynn, badass, volatile–and a total player who happens to be her best friend’s older brother.
Elle takes on the task of organizing a kissing booth for their school’s Spring Carnival, and during the event, she ends up sharing a kiss with Noah. This unexpected moment turns her life upside down. While her logical mind tells her to stay away from Noah, her heart yearns for a closer connection. However, their romance appears far from a fairy tale and seems destined for heartbreak.
The question remains: Will Elle find her happily ever after with Noah? The story explores their complicated relationship and the challenges they face as they navigate their feelings for each other.
The Kissing Booth is a young adult romance that delves into the complexities of young love and the choices that can lead to both joy and heartache.
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Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter
Better Than Movies is a romantic comedy where the protagonist, Liz Buxbaum, has never seen Wes Bennet as boyfriend material. If anything, her next-door neighbor is a major pain in the butt. Since childhood, Wes has played pranks on her, including putting a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse and hiding a severed head of a lawn gnome in her neighborhood book exchange. Liz has never seen him as boyfriend material.
Fast forward ten years, and it’s Liz’s senior year, desperate for her forever crush, Michael, to notice her, Liz realizes that he’s getting along surprisingly well with Wes. Knowing that Wes is her connection to Michael, Liz enlists his help to make her prom dreams come true.
However, as Liz and Wes team up to secure her magical prom moment, Liz unexpectedly finds herself enjoying Wes’s company. Their bond grows stronger, prompting her to reevaluate her perceptions of love and challenge her preconceived notions of what a Happily Ever After truly entails.
You can find so many parallels between Liz and Wes from Better Than Movies and Belly and Conrad, In The Summer I Turned Pretty. While the settings of the novels are different, both books are stories of romance and personal growth
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The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe
The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe is the first installment in the Lowcountry Summer trilogy, a heartwarming series that follows three half-sisters and their grandmother. Set on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, the story revolves around the complex relationships between Dora, Carson, and Harper.
Carson Muir, one of the sisters, has spent years drifting through life without finding a true sense of belonging. Feeling adrift and financially struggling in California, Carson decides to return to Sea Breeze, her childhood home. Unexpectedly, the ocean she loves brings her a remarkable gift—a deep bond with a dolphin. Through this connection, Carson begins to mend her relationships with her sisters and confront the painful memories of her troubled father. As the rhythms of the island and the healing power of nature work their magic, Carson starts envisioning a brighter future.
The Summer Girls is a heartwarming novel just like The Summer I Turned Pretty. The moving portrait of a family told in the backdrop of a beach is a great book for lovers of Jenny Han’s Summer Series.
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Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
Four Days of You and Me is a captivating romance that follows the love story of a couple over the course of four years, all taking place on the same date.
At Coffee County High School, it’s a tradition for students to go on a class trip every May 7. For Lulu and Alex Rouvelis, this day becomes a turning point in their relationship each year. In their freshman year, they started as enemies but ended up becoming more than friends after a memorable experience in an escape room. Since then, it has been challenging for Lulu to let go of her feelings for Alex.
As the years pass, Lulu and Alex navigate through breakups, makeup, and dating other people. However, no matter what changes occur in their lives, each class trip brings them back together, forcing them to confront the undeniable connection between them. From visiting a science museum to an amusement park, and even traveling from New York City to London, Lulu learns that love is the most incredible journey of all.
Four Days of You and Me is a swoon-worthy and enchanting novel similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both stories offer a blend of sweet, nostalgic moments and the exploration of deeper emotions, making them compelling reads for those seeking a summery atmosphere and a heartfelt portrayal of young love.
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Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Today Tonight Tomorrow is an unforgettable romantic comedy that combines elements of The Hating Game and Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist with the charming style of Morgan Matson. The story follows Rowan Roth and Neil McNair, two overachievers who have been bitter rivals throughout high school. They clash in various areas, from academics to extracurricular activities, constantly trying to outdo each other.
On the last day of senior year, Rowan’s focus is on defeating Neil one last time. However, when Neil is named valedictorian, Rowan sees a chance for victory in Howl, a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle. Despite their mutual dislike, they reluctantly team up when they discover a group of seniors plotting against them. Together, they navigate the challenges of the game, forming an unexpected bond along the way.
As Rowan spends more time with Neil, she realizes that there is more to him than meets the eye. Beyond the awkwardness and rivalry, she discovers his depth and hidden qualities. Rowan begins to question her initial disdain for Neil and wonders if he could be the person she’s been dreaming of.
Today Tonight Tomorrow captures the excitement, uncertainty, and possibility of love, leaving you wondering if Rowan has already fallen for Neil even before tomorrow arrives.
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The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a powerful and gripping story that takes you on a journey to the wild and unforgiving landscapes of Alaska. Set in the 1970s, the novel follows the Allbright family as they seek a fresh start in the rugged wilderness.
Ernt Allbright, a Vietnam War veteran, decides to move his family to Alaska in search of a simpler and more independent life. Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the tumultuous relationship between her parents, hopes that this new beginning will bring stability and belonging. Her mother, Cora, follows Ernt blindly, driven by her love for him.
Initially, Alaska appears to be a haven, with its tight-knit community and breathtaking scenery. The long summer days and the support of the locals compensate for the family’s lack of preparation. However, as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernt’s mental state deteriorates, causing the family to fracture. Leni and her mother find themselves isolated and at the mercy of the harsh elements, discovering that survival depends solely on their own strength.
In the list of books like The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Great Alone is probably the most intense and emotional story.
While The Summer I Turned Pretty is a super heartwarming romance with plenty of cute moments, Kristin Hannah‘s novel is all about facing tough challenges and dealing with really tough situations.
Trust me, it’s a story that will keep you captivated from beginning to end.
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Along For The Ride by Sarah Dessen
Auden’s had a tough time lately, with her parents’ divorce and all the fighting that came with it. But now she’s got a chance to spend a summer with her dad and his new family in a cool beach town.
Working in a clothes boutique opens up a whole new world for Auden. She gets to experience what it’s like to be a regular teenage girl—making friends, talking about crushes, and just having fun. It’s something she missed out on while trying to be the perfect daughter for her demanding mom. And then she meets Eli, a mysterious loner who also can’t sleep at night. He becomes her guide to the town’s nighttime adventures.
Auden and Eli both have their own journeys to go on. Auden wants to finally experience the carefree life of a teenager, while Eli is trying to come to terms with the guilt he carries from a friend’s death.
In her signature style, Sarah Dessen dives deep into the hearts of these two lonely souls as they learn to connect and find solace in each other. Along For The Ride is a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and personal growth.
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Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
In Tell Me Three Things Essie’s life seems to be all wrong from the start of her junior year at a new, intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. She’s seriously considering fleeing back to Chicago when she receives an unexpected email from a person going by the name Somebody/Nobody (SN for short). SN offers to help her navigate the challenges of Wood Valley High School. Is it a clever prank or can she actually trust SN to provide the much-needed support?
It’s only been a short time since Jessie’s mother passed away, and now her father has married a woman he met online. As a result, Jessie is uprooted and forced to move across the country to live with her stepmother and her snobby stepbrother.
With no other options, Jessie decides to take a leap of faith and starts relying on SN, who quickly becomes her lifeline and closest confidant. Jessie can’t help but feel a desire to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?
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Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
From the writer of the Heartstopper Series comes a heartfelt story that revolves around the relationship between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, a couple who have been together for two years. Charlie describes Nick’s interests and expresses how much he loves him. Meanwhile, Nick lists the activities they enjoy doing together, highlighting their strong bond and the comfort they find in each other’s presence.
However, their relationship faces a challenge as Nick prepares to leave for university, while Charlie remains at Sixth Form. People start questioning if they will stay together, but to Charlie and Nick, it’s a no-brainer—they are “Nick and Charlie,” a seemingly inseparable couple.
As the inevitable goodbye draws nearer, both Nick and Charlie begin to question the strength of their love and if it can withstand the distance between them. They contemplate if they are postponing the inevitable, as they are aware that first loves often do not last forever.
Similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty, Nick and Charlie exudes the vibes of summer love and innocent romance. Both books capture the essence of a season filled with warmth, blossoming relationships, and the bittersweet experiences of letting go.
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PS I Like You by Kasie West
While daydreaming in chemistry class, Lily lets her pen wander and scribbles down her favorite song lyrics on her desk. To her surprise, the next day she finds that someone has continued the lyrics and left her a message.
Before she knows it, Lily and her anonymous pen pal are exchanging heartfelt letters, share secrets, recommending music, and connecting on a deep level. Lily can’t help but feel a growing fondness for this mystery writer. The only question is: Who is he? As Lily tries to unravel the puzzle while balancing school, friends, crushes, and her quirky family, she learns that matters of the heart can’t always be neatly spelled out.
PS I Like You is a cute, delightful story that captures the ups and downs of teenage life, the magic of handwritten letters, and the power of connection.
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See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
In See You Yesterday Barrett Bloom is ready for a fresh start in college, hoping to leave behind the messiness of her high school days. But when September 21st arrives, everything goes downhill. She faces humiliation from a know-it-all in her physics class, messes up her college paper interview, and accidentally sets a frat house on fire at a party. Overwhelmed, she runs away and ends up falling asleep in the common room after being locked out of her dorm.
To her astonishment, Barrett wakes up the following day in her dorm room, with no traces of the fire or her previous failures. It’s September 21st all over again. She discovers that she’s not alone in this time loop—Miles, the guy from her physics class, has also been trapped in this never-ending day for months.
As Barrett’s attempts to break free from the time loop prove unsuccessful, she reluctantly teams up with Miles to find a way out. Together, they embark on thrilling adventures, uncovering the university’s hidden secrets. Along the way, they develop a deep connection and fall in love. But they face a daunting question: What will happen to their relationship if they manage to escape the time loop and reach tomorrow?
In this charming story, Barrett and Miles navigate the mysteries of time and love. With each repeated day, they grow closer and learn more about themselves and each other.
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Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton
Anna can’t bear the thought of enduring another predictable summer on Dune Island, filled with tourists and the same old routine of beach trips and ice cream. But everything changes when she locks eyes with Will, a charming and attractive guy visiting from New York. Suddenly, Anna’s summer takes an exhilarating turn as she finds herself falling deeply in love.
Each day becomes a whirlwind of flirtation and joy as Anna and Will spend time together. Every perfect afternoon, sweet kiss, and stroll along the beach strengthens their connection. But as the days pass, Anna can’t ignore the looming reality that summer is coming to an end, and Will will have to leave by the end of August. Anna has never experienced love like this before, but when forever is not even a possibility, she wonders if a single summer romance is worth the risk of having her heart broken.
In Sixteenth Summer, prepare to be swept away by the captivating tale of Anna’s blossoming love and the bittersweet countdown of their time together. It’s a story that captures the fleeting nature of summer romance and the heart’s yearning for something more.
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Everything, Everything can be a good book to read after The Summer I Turned Pretty if you enjoy young adult romance novels with elements of self-realization and personal growth.
However, The Summer I Turned Pretty focuses more on the dynamics of family and summer romance, Everything, Everything delves into the life of a girl with a rare medical condition and her relationship with a boy who opens up her world. It incorporates elements of adventure, risk-taking, and personal exploration.
Madeline Whittier has a rare medical condition called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), which essentially makes her allergic to the world. As a result, she has been confined to her house her entire life and has never experienced the outside world.
Madeline’s only companions are her mother and her nurse, Carla. She spends her days reading books, taking online classes, and observing the world through her window. However, everything changes when a new family moves in next door, including a boy named Olly. Madeline becomes fascinated by Olly’s adventurous spirit and their interactions through their bedroom windows quickly turn into a deep connection.
As their friendship grows, Madeline begins to question her isolated life and the limitations imposed on her by her condition. She yearns for more experiences and starts to wonder if taking risks and breaking free from her controlled environment is worth it, even if it means jeopardizing her health.
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Stephy George
