Love during adolescence has the unique quality of being exciting, puzzling, and brimming with emotions. This is the distinctive reason books like The Summer I Turned Pretty are so impactful for teens. As they help adolescents engage with the stories of coming-of-age, companionship, and initial love.
In this guide, we will discuss 10 series like The Summer I Turned Pretty that evoke the same sentiments, perfect for readers who enjoyed Belly’s summer adventures and crave more. Additionally, we’ll provide parental guidance on ensuring a protected online space for teens. So stay with us!
What makes books like The Summer I Turned Pretty so popular with teens?
Teen readers resonate deeply with ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ by Jenny Han because of how vividly they portrays their emotions. The focus of the story is on a teenage girl called Belly who has been spending summers for the past several years at the beach house of her family friends.
Initially, everything was centred around effortless enjoyment, but changes gradually began to set in during the later years. Furthermore, a good portion of the book’s allure came from the love triangle narrative with Belly and the two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. This adds some suspenseful action that whom she will choose. However, it is more than just a tale of teenage love. The story revolves around learning about oneself and coming of age.
Additionally, the beach location gives a sense of daydreaming unhindered by the weight of reality. At the same time, though, the topics of family relationships, dynamics, change, and even grief are addressed. The combination of this mix is both rare and refreshing.
Ensure a safe online environment for teens with the parental control.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty appropriate for teens?
The Summer I Turned Pretty is suitable for readers aged 13 and up. The book covers themes about growing up, which include first crushes and many more adolescent problems.
As you read the book, you will notice that Belly, the protagonist, undergoes love, heartbreak, family issues, and makes some major life-changing decisions. The book describes mild kissing, affection, and alcohol. It’s not overwhelming, but sufficient for teens’ contemplation and appreciation.
In addition, rest assured that everything is explained in a very simple way. The story is effortless to follow as it is well organised, and the flow is smooth. This book will be perfect if your teens enjoy reading about self-exploration, love, and life.
10 books like The Summer I Turned Pretty (with parents’ notes)
If your teens love reading The Summer I Turned Pretty novel, then they might be looking for some other books like this to keep engaged with summer vibes, young love, and drama. There is some good news that, here, I’m going to discuss almost 10 books similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty with parental notes and content rating. We’ll also tell you the reason why it’s similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty, to help you choose the best one!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
As a quiet high school student, Lara Jean Covey has a habit of penning love letters addressed to all the boys she has had crushes on. She does not intend for them ever to be read by them. But one day, those letters accidentally get mailed. This attracts significant chaos when the boys begin to contact her.
- Why it’s similar:
This is because it also explores the themes within romance and offers additional emotional insight, creating connections with audiences who enjoy coming-of-age tales.
- Parental note:
Gentle romance and light conflict. Appropriate for younger teens.
- Content rating:
Romance is present but clean, with no swearing. Some light to moderate family conflict.
The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther
Meredith, the main character of this book, was in grief because of her sister’s death. After several months she attends the wedding of family freinds in summer. During this period, her family engages in their annual “Assassins” game, which is a blend of fun and fierce competition. Slowly, Meredith begins to face the feelings she has long avoided, enabling her to truly experience emotions. Unexpectedly, she develops feelings for a boy.
- Why it’s similar:
This novel possesses a combination of a romantic backdrop as well as personal growth and development with elements of grief. Both stories convey the notion that the season serves as a time for growth and revitalisation.
- Parental note:
It has aspects of grief and love, but still gently embraces teens.
- Content rating:
Mild, cherished romance and emotionally moving moments that are appropriate for the age group.
Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
A teenager named Lina loses her mother, causing her to relocate to Italy with her father. In Italy, she finds an old journal of her mother’s that outlines her life full of adventure and love. Throughout her stay, Lina traverses through all parts of Italy and learns more about her mother, herself, love, and family.
- Why it’s similar:
In the story, Lina grapples with love, personal growth, and family relationships.
- Parental note:
Hopeful narrative arc that grapples with the theme of loss.
- Content rating:
Mild romance, family-friendly, no strong language.
The Distance Between Us by Kasie West
Caymen and her mother have an unusual working arrangement in that they both live and operate above the doll store they own. To a certain extent, she always suspected wealthy people to be overly suspicious, but when she meets Xander, a rich boy, she judges him.
Unlike the expectations she formed, Xander turns out to be nice and caring, which helps him earn Caymen’s friendship. Through this journey, Caymen has to confront her fears and assumptions regarding love, trust, and her deepest life values.
Why it’s similar:
It also snapshots into the profound myriad of emotions tangled in the complicated and humorous teenage love.
Parental note:
Very clean and commendable focus on self-esteem, trust, and profoundly commendable ideas.
- Content rating:
Mildly tense family dynamics, almost no romance, light language.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Auden has always been a studious teenager; this year, she attends school for the first time. Later, she goes on to spend the summer with her father in a beach town, and that’s where she meets Eli, a boy who’s grappling with various problems. Together, their relationship allows them to resolve their issues and remain content with themselves and life in general.
- Why it’s similar
Both stories feature romance intertwined with self-discovery, taking place during a transformative summer.
- Parental note
Handles divorce themes and emotional growth. Safe for most teens.
- Content rating
Family-centred matters, light romance, no strong language.
I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
Kimi is a teenage girl who has an interest in fashion, but is unable to pursue it due to her family’s rigid expectations. While visiting her grandparents in Japan, she encounters a boy who assists her in figuring out how to navigate life. With a lot of mochi infused in her summer, Kimi’s journey transforms into self-love.
- Why it’s similar
This book, like The Summer I Turned Pretty, centres on self-discovery and family dynamics alongside summer romances.
- Parental note
Wholesome and uplifting for younger teens.
- Content rating
Sweet romantic tale, no offensive language, strong family values.
Our Way Back to Always by Nina Moreno
Luna has faced heartbreak before, but now she is focused on moving forward. As she rekindles her friendship with her childhood best friend, Sebastián, their relationship grows in surprising ways. With the aid of Sebastian, they have started working on this bucket list made in their childhood, which helps them bond much closer. This prompts Luna to make a decision that reintroduce herself to love yet again.
- Why it’s similar:
It deals with reconcilable love, moving on emotionally from something painful, and self-healing. Like in The Summer I Turned Pretty, summer serves as the perfect backdrop to the exploration of romance and introspection.
- Parental note:
Recommended for middle school students and older teenagers. It remains clean, despite the emotional themes explored within.
- Content rating:
Light romantic themes with mild conflict driven by familial relationships.
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Molly the leading character, suffers from anxiety, and like many teenagers, she struggles with her self-image, leading to multiple crushes over the years. It is notably uncommon for her to have a boyfriend.
However, things change for her when her twin sister enters the dating scene. Molly finally gathers the courage to face love head-on. Along with her friends, and with appropriate support, she can confront the fears regarding self-acceptance, self-advocacy, and self-love.
- Why it’s similar:
Like in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, this book shows the diverse portrayals of first love and its complexities, and because it is so effortlessly relatable, it aids intense self-discovery.
- Parental note:
Gently but firmly addresses infatuation, self-esteem and young adolescents as well as the LGBTQ+ community jointly and in zealous detail.
- Content rating
Zero adult language, suitable for minors, contains soft to moderate discussions on romance covering important topics, but not in depth or thoroughly.
Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield
Tari is a 16-year-old aspiring professional chef who part-time works in her family’s chocolate shop. As she meets new people later, she realises that just like preparing confections, love requires an equal dose of care and effort.
- Why it’s similar:
Unlike the Summer accoutrements I Turned Pretty, where the main character undergoes escapades that shift their feelings, this tale shows someone attempting to better understand themselves.
- Parental note:
The father gives a stern warning not to do anything uncovered and leaves naught uncovered. Presume no misbehaving.
- Content rating:
Three stars for civilised words with gentle family matters and affectionate bonds.
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Everything shifts for lifelong companions as Audre and Bash start spending time together. It is apparent that there are deeper issues at play for them as well, but both of them are in denial, unwilling to come to terms with reality. Throughout the entire story, they grapple with love, trust and feelings.
- Why it’s similar:
They both feature something that turns into romance slowly over a course of time.
- Parental note:
As love is explored, they tend to cover mature topics, warranting them a TLS rating meant for upper teenagers.
- Content rating:
It deals with some swearing as well as romance and feelings.
How do parents safeguard minors’ online exposure?
In this digital era, where the Internet has provided us access to world knowledge at one click. Along with this, it has also raises parents concerts. Teenagers love to read novels and now they can easily find them online. But some online stories can have swearing, deep romantic relations, or complicated family dynamics which are well beyond the scope of younger readers. Hence, parents must play a much more active role in maintaining a safe digital environment for children.
Parents must talk to their kids about the books they read. To do this, you first have to foster a warm and healthy relationship with your kids so that they can share their feelings with you. For this to work, you need to explain to them the reasons as to why the content is unsuitable. In this manner, children will develop to think and decide during their early years.
Lastly, if you want to guarantee strong digital boundaries for your children, then deploying third-party parental control apps is the best option. Among all, I would recommend using FlashGet Kids parental control application. This app helps you track what youngsters are reading and watching in real-time. Furthermore, you can set additional restrictions, such as blocking certain sites and restricting daily screen time. This way, their digital exposure will be safe and healthy.
Wrap up
In a nutshell, books like The Summer I Turned Pretty give young adults an opportunity to grapple with deep emotions and shift through various relationships. This is precisely why parental guidance is crucial. When you pay attention to what your child is reading, you assist them in processing significant ideas within the context of their life.
However, you need to speak freely, listen deeply, and direct lightly. This approach can aid in effortless yet purposeful learning for your teenager. In addition to this, you can deploy FlashGet Kids parental control app to actively monitor their digital activities in real-time and allow them to balance their online and real-life activities.
FAQs
Sure, check out Love You Like A Sister by Robin Klein, or 11 Paper Hearts by Kelsey Hartwell. These books have light romance and friendships along with some coming-of-age experiences that are more appropriate for your age.
Of course. Consider, for example, Better Than the Movies from Lynn Painter or Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee. They are entertaining, moving, and more suitable for middle school readers like you.
