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Quick answer: If you loved We'll Always Have Summer, read The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You, To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Anna and the French Kiss. All are sweet summer-and-first-love stories about choosing between people and growing up.
Jenny Han's We'll Always Have Summer is the final book in her Summer trilogy, which follows Belly through summers at the beach with two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. It is romantic, nostalgic and bittersweet. The books below are similar young adult love stories with sun, friendship and tough choices.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Summer I Turned Pretty | Jenny Han | Teen | the series start |
| It's Not Summer Without You | Jenny Han | Teen | the second book |
| To All the Boys I've Loved Before | Jenny Han | Teen | love letters |
| P.S. I Still Love You | Jenny Han | Teen | the sequel |
| Always and Forever, Lara Jean | Jenny Han | Teen | the finale |
| Anna and the French Kiss | Stephanie Perkins | Teen | study abroad romance |
| Since You've Been Gone | Morgan Matson | Teen | summer to-do list |
| Along for the Ride | Sarah Dessen | Teen | summer at the beach |
| Open Road Summer | Emery Lord | Teen | friendship and music |
| The Truth About Forever | Sarah Dessen | Teen | grief and love |
| Love & Gelato | Jenna Evans Welch | Teen | Italy romance |
| The Sun Is Also a Star | Nicola Yoon | Teen | one day in New York |
| Eleanor & Park | Rainbow Rowell | Teen | first love in the 80s |
| Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell | Teen | college romance |
| Emergency Contact | Mary H.K. Choi | Teen | modern romance |
1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Belly spends another summer at the beach house and everything changes. Begin here if you have not read the trilogy.
Best for: the series start.
2. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
A tragedy brings the families back together. Emotional and slow-burning.
Best for: the second book.
3. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Lara Jean's secret love letters get mailed out. Sweet, funny and cosy.
Best for: love letters.
4. P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Lara Jean navigates a real relationship. A warm continuation.
Best for: the sequel.
5. Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Lara Jean faces graduation and big decisions. Sweet and satisfying.
Best for: the finale.
6. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna is sent to a boarding school in Paris. Swoony, funny and charming.
Best for: study abroad romance.
7. Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
A shy girl completes her best friend's list. Sweet, funny and about friendship.
Best for: summer to-do list.
8. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
A girl who cannot sleep spends the summer with a night-owl boy. Gentle, thoughtful and well paced.
Best for: summer at the beach.
9. Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Two best friends tour with a pop star. Warm and about healing.
Best for: friendship and music.
10. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
A girl finds a new group of friends after her father's death. Heartfelt and funny.
Best for: grief and love.
11. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
A girl travels to Tuscany after her mother's death. Light and cosy.
Best for: Italy romance.
12. The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
A girl and a boy fall in love on the day she faces deportation. Beautiful and moving.
Best for: one day in New York.
13. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Two misfits fall in love on a school bus. Tender and honest.
Best for: first love in the 80s.
14. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A shy writer starts university and slowly opens up. Warm and bookish.
Best for: college romance.
15. Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi
Two teens connect by text. Realistic and sweet.
Best for: modern romance.
How to Choose
For more Jenny Han start with The Summer I Turned Pretty or To All the Boys I've Loved Before. For classic summer stories pick Sarah Dessen. For travel romance choose Anna and the French Kiss or Love & Gelato. For friendship stories read Since You've Been Gone or Open Road Summer. For emotional, grounded love try Eleanor & Park or The Sun Is Also a Star. Read in order if you start Han's trilogy. Summer-set romances make good vacation reading, whether you are at the beach or just wish you were. If you only want one more series, go for To All the Boys I've Loved Before, which has a lighter mood and a more comic heroine. If you want a more bittersweet romance, pick Eleanor & Park. If you want travel and sunshine, choose Anna and the French Kiss or Love & Gelato. For something with friendship at its centre, try Since You've Been Gone or Open Road Summer. Most of these are quick reads that work well on a beach or a long flight.
Related: 15 Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty You’ll Love: Summer Love Triangles and Coming-of-Age Romance · What Age Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is We'll Always Have Summer about?
Belly faces choices about love and future after years of summers with two brothers.
Who wrote it?
Jenny Han.
When was it published?
2011.
Is it the last book?
Yes, it concludes the Summer trilogy.
Is there a TV show?
Yes, a series based on the books, called The Summer I Turned Pretty.
What age is it for?
Young adult, usually ages 13 and up.
Do I need to read the first two?
Yes, the story continues directly.
What should I read next?
Try To All the Boys I've Loved Before.
Is it a love triangle?
Yes, Belly's story centres on her choice between two brothers.
Is it appropriate for younger teens?
It suits most readers aged 13 and up, though it includes some romance and mature moments.