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

by Jenny Han

[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.