Published: 26th April, 2011
Source: Bought
It's been two years since Conrad told Belly to go with Jeremiah. She and Jeremiah have been inseparable ever since, even attending the same college-- only, their relationship hasn't exactly been the happily ever after Belly had hoped it would be. And when Jeremiah makes the worst mistake a boy can make, Belly is forced to question what she thought was true love. Does she really have a future with Jeremiah? Has she ever gotten over Conrad? It's time for Belly to decide, once and for all, who has her heart forever.
My Review: (May contain spoilers)
Favourite Quote: "It’s a known fact that in life, you can’t have everything. In my heart I knew I loved them both, as much as possible to love two people at the same time. Conrad and I were linked, we would always be linked. That wasn’t something I could do away with. I knew that now—that love wasn’t something you could erase, no matter how hard you tried."
I was extremely excited to read the final installment in the Summer series (so excited that I hugged the book and did my little happy dance when I got it). And after finishing it I am left feeling a bit disappointed. It just felt it lacked the something special the last two books had.
I am having a hard time summing up why this book has left me feeling a little down (and also trying to write it spoiler free) so I decided to do a pros and cons list.
PROS
- Belly - I adore the character she has become. Finally I feel like Belly has grown up. She is wiser and stronger.
- Despite not always been happy with what was going on with the plot it still kept me turning the pages. It was impossible to stop reading no matter how mad I got.
- Getting Conrad's POV finally. At last I understand him. If I didn't have his POV I don't think I would be able to forgive him so easily for the past. Conrad has changed for the better like Belly. Although I would have like a bit more of him in the book.
- The ending - It is the ending I wanted. The journey there might have not gone the way I liked but the ending left me very happy. I would have liked a little more detail though (like a big smooching scene) but still ended the way it should have.
- Lack of swooning. This book felt like it was missing some chemistry between the characters.
- Some of the events in the plot felt unnatural. Not like actions these characters would really make.
- They way Han portrayed one of my favourite characters. It felt like she was forcing us not to like this certain character and not letting us make our own opinion .
- Last time the love triangle was just right. This time it felt way off. Love triangles need to be equal in my opinion to work and this time it wasn't. You should feel heartbroken having to choose between the two and Han didn't give one of them a chance.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 3/5
Romance: 2.5/5
Cover: 4/5
For more info: Visit Jenny Han's website.
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12 comments:
awesome job on the review nic :)
you already know how i felt about this one :(
xx Nomes
I agree with you about Conrad's POV. I had never felt the swoon factor where he was concerned, but seeing him finally grown up, mature and hearing his side of the story... he made a lot more sense and it definitely made me be Team Conrad.
I had trouble with both Belly and Jeremiah, though. Belly lost me when she took Jeremiah back, just like that - it was kind of unnatural how that happened. And I never did like Jeremiah, even before what he did, he always came across as whinny in my book.
and, my big issue, was that I felt I was told the ending and not shown the ending - if that makes sense.
I had to skim read your review, as I haven't read this one yet, but I've seen a lot of mixed reviews for this one, and it seems that it didn't live up to the first two books for you either. :( I wonder what I'm going to think of this as I'm generally not all that easy to please anyway. lol!
Thanks for the honest review Nic .. It's too bad you didn't enjoy it as much as you hoped. That's the ending I wanted too !! I really liked this book and I can't wait to read Jenny Han's next book !
My goodness, this book made my heart ache so bad! I too was upset of how the characters did and how the happenings in it made me angry. Nice review!
I haven't read this series yet but I am curious about them. I am sorry that it didn't live up to your expectations:(
Awe. I'm sorry the journey through this series didn't end as good as it started for you. I really hate it when I feel like the author is purposely trying to manipulate my feelings towards a character.
Funny about hugging your book! (I do that too)
Oh I'm still glad that it was still good. Too bad it just didn't have the same feel as the first. I still might dive into that first one. Will be warned of the ending, now. Thanks for the review!
I'll definitely admit the swoon-o-meter wasn't up to par in this one, but I still really enjoyed it overall. Fab review, Nic :)
A pros and cons list is better than nothing if you're having trouble writing a review. It's too bad that the final book of the series didn't meet your expectations but at least the ending left you happy.
It is so strange because I feel like your'e reading my mind when i read your reviews sometimes.
I have to say that when i first read this book i was so excited that Belly was happy and with Conrad that i didn't pay attention to the flaws.
In the first two books i hated conrad with a passion and used to yell at Belly to forget about him. But I suddenly loved him in this one. I think it has to do with the fact that Jeremiah looked so awful next to Conrad in comparision that as a reader you couldn't help but want Belly to end up with him.
After reading your review I have to agree completely with your Pros and cons, you really hit the nail on the head with the flaws in the book.
I think I might have to reconsider my initial review for this one.
Thankyou for such an amazing review!
- Abbeys bookshelf
I like your pros and cons list. I skimmed a little because I haven't read this series yet. It's a shame that this one didn't live up to the other two books. Lack of swooning is sad :( I'm glad it all turned out how you wanted it to though, even if the journey was frustrating.
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