It's Not Summer Without You (Summer, #2)

by Jenny Han

Teenaged Isobel "Belly" Conklin, whose life revolves around spending the summer at her mother's best friend's beach house, reflects on the tragic events of the past year that changed her life forever.

• ISBN10: 1416995560
• ISBN13: 9781416995562
• Publish Date: 5 April 2011 (first published 27 April 2010)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Edition: Reprint ed.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 320
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Well, this was not what I expected. I liked how the triangle does not get a majority of the page time. I feel like this was a little bit of a healing and moving on book for the series, and I liked the focus on the friendships and family. Conrad was so complicated! I may be team Jeremiah after this book, but I feel like we aren't really getting the whole story. I will admit, that there were tears every time Susannah was on page or mentioned. I just love her so much! The relationships in this book are so delicate and intricate and I am just going to have to wait until Han makes her big decision in last book.

[kymmiejournals]

I love how the author made the second book a narration from 2 characters, it’s nice to hear/read what the guy thinks and feels. I don’t know how a book can make the situation almost possible, dating 2 brothers, but in reality it will make me wince.

[Bianca]

I will never look at you in the same way ever again. I'll never be that girl again. The girl who comes running back every time you push her away, the girl who loves you anyway.

[Suz @ Bookish Revelations]

Full review coming soon.

[Chelsea]

This is defiantly a good summer read. It’s cute and everything but not my favorite. I like Belly a lot more in this book because she’s grown up a little and doesn’t sit around and pout so much. An improvement for sure. I still don’t like her but it makes the book more bearable. I’m not a fan of Conrad in this book because he’s a huge jerk. I don’t care what your reasons are, there’s no need for that. Still love Jeremiah though of course. He’s a stronger character and is always nice to everyone.

The author is really good at capturing teenage emotions and actions which makes her a really good writer I think. I don’t like the love triangle thing she’s got going on though. They’re brothers! Come on! Anyways, not a bad book.

[Angie]

This Summer is very different than the previous one Belly shared with us. There's no Cousins beach, no Susannah, and no Conrad. Based on the title, I figured that Susannah would be gone, but I wasn't sure what that would mean for this book. I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first even though it has a darker tone, but I still didn't feel anything. I'm sure that makes me a horrible person, but I just don't have a connection with Belly's story.

Belly and Conrad have to be two of the most frustrating characters I have ever encountered. She is whiny and thinks everything needs be exactly how she wants it, but I guess that makes her a real teenager. Conrad is the most selfish guy ever, and I couldn't wait for Belly to see that. She has this idealized picture of him, and refuses to see how he pushes people away and shuts himself down whenever things don't go his way.

There's an actual plot this time. Conrad disappears so Jeremiah and Belly take off to go find him. Of course he's at the beach house. He's not there for the reasons that Jere and Belly think though, and I actually really enjoyed watching that plot unfold. Their dad is a super ass-hat (Laurel's word, not mine) and it's clear where Conrad gets his moodiness from. Laurel turns into super woman and saves the day, even though I couldn't help but be mad at her for one emotionally charged scene. In the end everything is nicely wrapped up and happy, since that's just what kind of series this is.

It's Not Summer Without You is closer to a four star than the first book, but I still can't bring myself to round up. I want to feel something when I'm reading, but with this one, while I liked it, I just felt like I reading, nothing more. I think it's because I can't sympathize with Belly on any level, since I don't like her. She's not someone I would want to hang out with. I just enjoy watching her drama unfold. I am glad that's she finally seen the light though, so I'm eager to know what her final Summer has in store.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[rakesandrogues]

Originally published at: http://muggle-born.net/its-not-summer-without-you-by-jenny-han-book-review/

I have a love/hate relationship with IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han. On one hand, I love the fluidity of Jenny Han’s writing. I know that by picking up IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han, it is a book I can read almost entirely in one sitting. On the other hand, Belly is a main character I love to hate.

IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han picks up almost a year after the first book, weaving back and forth between past and present. Han fills in the gaps of what had happened during the months that Belly was not at Cousins. Susannah lost her battle with cancer and everyone is devastated. It doesn’t look like Belly will ever spend another summer at Cousins.

I could easily see myself picking up another Jenny Han book – there’s no doubt about that. There’s just something about her writing style that has me turning the pages. Time flies and I don’t even know it. I love how stories unfold within the pages. Han’s ability to suck me into her books make it almost easy to overlook the flaws.

My biggest problem with the Summer series is probably Belly. It is really only hitting me now in IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han how incredibly selfish Belly is. Yes, Susannah died. Yes, she was important to you. But you aren’t the only one hurting. On the positive side, her selfishness and immaturity is addressed quite often in this book. Many characters point out that she needs to learn that not everything revolves around her. It’s hard to say whether or not Belly has learned anything by the end of IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han.

And of course I have to address the love triangle. Oh my goodness. Seriously. I think that it’s quite obvious to anyone reading these books that drama is going to go down between Conrad and Jeremiah. I know it is inevitable and I absolutely hate the idea of two brothers being torn apart because of a girl. But it’s like a car crash. I can’t tear my eyes away from the pages. I have no idea who Belly is going to end up with. My only concern is about the brother who’s going to be left broken. Does Belly really need to add on to the heartbreak? Why, Belly, why???

So here’s my dilemma: do I finish the series or not? With only one book left in the series, I’m tempted to pick it up. I know that Jenny Han’s writing style will lead me to finish the book in one sitting. But dare I risk frustration? Will Belly actually mature by the end of the series? Is it worth it? I don’t know if I can take another story with Belly. I admit I’m a tiny bit curious on what happens with everyone, but I don’t know if I’m curious enough to read one more.

IT’S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU by Jenny Han was a quick and entertaining – but sometimes frustrating – read. While I might have to go through a series break-up, I enjoy Jenny Han’s writing style and I look forward to trying her other books.

[lizarodz]

Shortly after finishing The Summer I Turned Pretty (review here) I started It’s Not Summer Without You, I have to say that I enjoyed it better than the first book.


This books starts about a year after the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty. For the first time Belly is spending a summer in her hometown and not going to Cousins beach and she is dreading it. When Jeremiah calls Belly asking for help finding Conrad, she jumps at the opportunity. There are some misguided choices here, but the bottom line is that everyone is dealing with the grief of Susannah’s death in a different way.


The story is told from Belly’s point of view, with some chapters from Jer’s point of view, which was refreshing. Belly (I still can’t stand that name) is a bit more mature here and she is trying to get over Conrad and the hold that he has on her. Conrad is infuriating! I know is the dark, handsome, smart one, but he is so darn mysterious that I can’t tell what he is thinking about or why doesn’t he admit that he cares about Belly. Why is he leaving the field open for Jer to more right in? Don’t get me wrong, I like Jeremiah, he is everything Conrad is not, he is considerate, loyal, a true friend and he really cared for Belly and it’s not afraid to show it.


The plot is simple and uncomplicated, focusing in the relationship between Conrad, Belly and Jeremiah, and also the events before, during and after Susannah’s death. The writing is easy to understand and the story flows effortless throughout. We are left - yet again - with a huge cliffhanger, and confess that I can’t wait to read the next and last book in the series.


About the cover: I really like the breezy, light feeling that the cover evokes.

[Jo]

I really enjoyed the first book, so when I heard there was a second, I was really looking forward to it. The first book could be a stand alone; the girl finally gets the boy, and things will develop on from there away from the pages. But there were still some questions. What about Jeremiah? He showed some interest in Belly. And what happens to Suzannah? So it was great to get a second book and find out the answers.

A lot can happen in the time between one summer and the next. Suzannah died. Conrad went to college. Conrad and Belly split up. These aren't spoilers, we find out these things from the very beginning. But these things have really shaken Belly up. Suzannah was practically family, and she isn't coping well with her death. She's also heart broken over the end of her "relationship" with Conrad - the reason for which we find out as we read. She's emotional yet also emotionally dead, and it's just awful having to read her feeling so, so sad.

But when she finds out from Jeremiah that Conrad has gone AWOL from his summer school - where he was retaking classes and exams, because of time spent away for Suzannah - she is determined to help, no matter if nothing comes from it. If Conrad's missing, something is seriously up. So our story really begins.

I really liked It's Not Summer Without You. It's much more of an emotional book, less happens in this one in comparison to the previous, but it's still sweet in a sad sort of way. I loved that Jeremiah also got to share what he was thinking - about Conrad, about his Dad, and most importantly, about Belly. We still get those wonderful little flash backs like we did in The Summer I Turned Pretty, but most of the time, these are of events that happened before summer.

I could say more, but I would be spoiling the book. It's a sweet, quick read. I loved how it ended, where there is an end yet still more questions. Has Belly really made a decision either way? Will the other try to fight? So I'm really looking forward to the th9ird book in the series, We'll Always Have Summer. A lovely series that comes highly recommended!

Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog

[Stephanie]

We follow up with Belly the next summer. And she's not going to Cousins beach anymore. I was really sad to find this out. I really didn't want to read about Belly's summer with her best friend, Taylor. But thankfully, Conrad has to be all moody and run away, creating a goose hunt to find him, which leads us to Cousins Beach. And we get the lovely struggle of Belly's decision between Conrad and Jeremiah. Well, actually. It's not really Belly's decision, it's all Conrad's decision.

I have to say that Belly's mom, Laurel, is awesome and sometimes I can't stand how Belly treats her. It seems that Belly would much rather have Susannah as her mom. Which is really sad. It's obvious that Belly does not 'get' her mother.

Conrad was his usual crabby, jerk-y self. I mean, really, what does Belly see in him? He's such a jerk to her. And then you have Jeremiah, who is as sweet as he can be, and is desperate for Belly to start looking at him instead of Conrad.

I liked this story, though not as much as The Summer I Turned Pretty. The story focused more on Belly's relationship between Jeremiah and Conrad. There is more to the story, I just don't want to spoil anything. It was an easy read and the pages seemed to flip themselves. Just like The Summer I Turned Pretty, I was surprised to see that I read through 100 pages without even realizing.

Overall I really enjoyed the story and was happy to see the way it went in the end.