We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Excerpt: There are moments in a girl's life that are bigger than we know at the time. When you look back, you say, that was one of those life-changing, fork-in-the-road moments and I didn't even see it coming. I had no idea. And then there are the moments that you know are big. That whatever you do next, there will be an impact. Your life could go one of two directions. Do or die.




For those of you who have read the previous two books, we know that Belly's story left off with her and Jeremiah about to cross the more than friends line (and not to mention the epilogue that foreshadowed Belly's wedding, which left us with many questions, including: Belly and who's wedding?). Now, nearly two years later, Belly (who now goes by Isabel)  and Jeremiah are in love and going strong; they even attend the same college. But is everything as peachy as it seems? Turns out the answer to that question is no. 


When Belly discovers that Jeremiah has been keeping a big secret from her (and yes I'm referring to "the worst mistake a boy can make"), she flips. She's angry (and I don't blame her for it), but not for too long. She loves him too much to stay mad at him. And Jeremiah loves her too much to stand losing her. Which is why Jere pops the question during their reconciliation, and also why Belly says yes. Of course, neither of their parents are too happy about this engagement. In fact, Laurel's disapproval nearly destroys she and Belly's relationship. As for the siblings, they aren't as blatant about their disapproval, even though I know Conrad would have liked to kick Jere's arse for being so selfish and immature (and not to mention the fact that Jeremiah's trying to marry "his girl"). 


As their wedding day nears, Belly seems to have more and more doubts about getting married. But she quickly pushes them away, convinced that her and Jere are meant to be together. That is, until Conrad confesses to Belly that he is still in love with her and has in fact never stopped loving her. After that, she can no longer deny her feelings (at least to herself) for him. But nonetheless, she blows up at his confession,, angry at his bad timing.


No one can deny that Belly loves both Jeremiah and Conrad. But what's a girl to do when she's in love with two guys who happen to be brothers, one of which she happens to be engaged to? Who will Belly choose? You'll have to read to find out. ;)




My thoughts: As a few reviewers have already said, the third novel lacked the relaxing-summer-ish feel of the first two books. But, I have to admit that I did  like this one better than the other two for the simple fact that it contained chapters from Conrad's POV. If I were Team Jeremiah, the second book would have been my favorite of the three, considering the fact that it contained chapters from Jere's POV. But alas, I am Team Conrad because, as all we Team Conrad members know, Conrad is just awesome and it doesn't get any awesomer than Conrad! Anyway, back to the book! So, I have to say that I was only mildly satisfied with the ending. While it was the ending I'd hoped for, it kind of felt bittersweet. I'm not quite sure why, but that's just how it felt to me. 


I saw a different side of everyone in this novel, that's for sure. For Belly, it was her immature side (okay, I know I've seen this side of her dozens of times, but it really stood out to me this time. Sometimes I just wanted to smack her upside the head with a shoe and see if she could possibly get any dumber); for Jere, it was his douche baggy/immature side (although I still love him); for Conrad it was his caring and loving side (basically, I was able to see the REAL Conrad); for Stephen it was his more protective/sensitive/caring side; for Adam Fisher it was his fatherly side; and for Laure it was her protective side. 


Overall, I have to say that I liked this one a lot; I almost loved it, but I wasn't quite there. Jenny Han has done it again. I give it a 4/5.