Perfect Ending to the Series-Did not disappoint!
WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE SUMMER picks up two years after IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU. Belly and Jeremiah are still in love, attending college together, and taking finals at the end of Spring Semester. Their relationship is genuine, real, and fun. The perfect portrayal of young love. But then Belly uncovers a shocking secret: During their first real fight a few months earlier, Jeremiah went on Spring Break with his fraternity brothers and cheated on Belly. The discovery turns her world upside down. Jeremiah was the one boy she never thought would hurt her. Jeremiah vows to spend the rest of his life making it up to her, and he pulls out an engagement ring. In a completely believable, teenage, not-well-thought-out plan, the two young lovers become engaged. ENGAGED! An end of summer wedding is planned and the first hurdle is telling their families at a ceremony honoring Susannah where they will all be gathered together. Including Conrad.
Through a beautiful dual character POV, we discover Conrad has been away for two years because of his love for Belly. The Conrad that I've been waiting two books to see is revealed, and it is well worth the wait. Jenny Han does an awesome job of subtly revealing which brother is truly right for Belly. I must say, though, that I fell completely in love with Conrad in this final chapter of their love story, and the boy delivered some amazing lines. He reveals why he let her go years ago, and the turmoil that watching his brother 'marry his girl and not being able to do anything about it' brings. Jenny Han's dialogue is spot on and heart wrenching, captured beautifully in Conrad's confession toward the end of the book.
"It's impossible. . . I love Jere more than anybody. He's my brother, my family. I hate myself for doing this. But when I see you two together, I hate him too." His voice broke. "Don't marry him. Don't be with him. Be with me."
Ugh, glorious pain, right? Belly spends the rest of the book completely torn between her first true love, the boy she is certain she will never be able to let go completely, and her best friend, the boy who loves her unconditionally, makes her feel like a princess, and would never walk away from her.
While I am Team Conrad obviously, both boys are amazing and the way Jenny has crafted them, I honestly believe Belly would be happy with either of them. That being said, I won't tell you who she picks-I can't go and spoil the whole thing for you-but I will reveal for anyone worried about her making a mistake and advocating teenage marriage, Jenny handles this beautifully. I can also say that there is a place, between chapter fifty-seven and the conclusion of the book, where I wish I could curl up between the chapters and live in the in between. Ah . . .
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