How to Read All of Jenny Han's Books in Order, Including 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Series
Jenny Han is the author of several coming of age novels, such as the To All the Boys I've Loved Before trilogy.
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The third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The Summer I Turned Pretty is an adaptation of a book trilogy of the same name written by author Jenny Han. In 2021, Amazon picked up the show adaptation and aired its first season the following year. The story follows a 16-year-old girl named Belly who returns to her mother’s friend's beach house for the summer (her family’s annual tradition). But, that summer was different from the ones before; it marked the beginning of her love triangle with Conrad, the boy she’s had a crush on since she was 10, and Jeremiah, Conrad’s brother.
So far, there have been some easter eggs in the show referencing Han’s other work like To All the Boys I've Loved Before, another teen romance book trilogy that was adapted into a film series by Netflix in 2018. For example, in the first episode of the third season of TSITP, pictures of Belly and Jeremiah dressed as the movie versions of Lara Jean and Peter Kavinski (main characters of TATBILB) can be seen on Belly’s photo wall. However, no other signs have been given to indicate that the characters of both franchises exist in each other’s universes. But, do they intersect in the books?
In an interview with W Magazine, Jenny said that to her, Lara Jean and Belly exist in two different universes, yet she still likes to throw in an easter egg here and there. For instance, in the cover of Always and Forever, Lara Jean, the third book in the TATBILB series, Lara Jean is holding a copy of The Summer I Turned Pretty in her bedroom. “I feel like Lara Jean would read that book,” Han told W.
Given that minor easter eggs exist, and Han’s books’ plots aren’t interconnected, you can read her standalone books and series in any order without missing out on any important information. But, if you’d like to catch every single small reference the author makes in her work, you’ll want to read them in order of release.
So, take a scroll through this guide to read a synopsis of every Jenny Han book in order. Happy reading!
Shug is a coming-of-age story following 12-year-old Annemarie or “Shug” as her friends and family call her, as she navigates the highs and lows of growing up. Shug’s friends aren't so nice to her anymore. She’s unsatisfied with her looks and her family seems to be slowly falling apart. It all brings Shug to one very important conclusion: nothing is worse than growing up. Yet, she must learn that she doesn’t have to do it alone.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
Every summer, Isabel (Belly) spends time at Cousins Beach, where her mother’s best friend owns a beach house. Some of her most precious memories were formed there, including bonding with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, who see her as a little sister. Everything began to change one summer when Belly's “change” was undeniable. She’s grown and “turned pretty,” stirring an attraction towards her from Conrad, whom she’s always had a crush on, and a deeper connection with Jeremiah. Now, Belly must navigate the newfound attention from Conrad and what seems to be the early stages of a love triangle with the brothers.
It’s Not Summer Without You is the second book in The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy. Following a tragic death, Belly and the Fishers face more emotional turmoil than ever. Their grief destroys Conrad and Belly’s relationship, pulling them away from each other and pushing Belly to seek emotional refuge in Jeremiah. As Belly’s dynamic with the brothers begins to flip, the tasks of growing up and figuring out love start to become more complicated.
We'll Always Have Summer (2011)
We’ll Always Have Summer is the final installment in The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy. Now older, Belly must face college life, new cracks in her relationship with one of the brothers and the consequences of her past actions.
Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream is Jenny Han’s first children’s book. Clara Lee, an imaginative third grader, has to prepare to deliver a speech at her town’s Little Miss Apple Pie pageant. In doing so, she begins to doubt her identity — does being Korean-American make her less American than the other girls? This story shows that through kindness, authenticity and our loved ones’ support, we can overcome self-doubt.
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In this revenge drama, best friend trio Kat, Lillia and Mary form an alliance to take down those who’ve wronged them. While their playback begins as harmless pranks, they quickly escalate and become something darker. As they become entangled in a mess of their own, the girls realize that revenge comes at a cost and that their actions have consequences.
Fire with Fire is the second book in Han’s Burn for Burn trilogy. Now facing guilt and regret for the shocking fallout of their past revenge plans, friends Kat, Lillia and Mary continue uncovering secrets about each other and those around them. These truths pull them back into a dangerous cycle of retaliation. Only this time, the stakes are higher, involving chilling supernatural forces.
Ashes to Ashes is the third book in Han’s Burn to Burn trilogy. Now facing a chilling truth about Mary, the other girls, Kat and Lillia, must learn how to cope with what they now know. Facing the consequences of their previous actions, the girls are left grappling with even more guilt and dealing with supernatural forces that continue to take hold.
To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2014)
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the first book in Han’s trilogy of the same name. It follows Lara Jean, a 16-year-old high schooler who’s written a love letter to every boy she’s ever been in love with. The catch? She never sends them. Instead, she keeps them in a hidden box in her bedroom. One day, all of her letters are unexpectedly sent to every recipient. Josh (her sister’s ex) is one of them, and Peter (Lara Jean’s first kiss) is another. To manage the chaos of her situation, Lara Jean enters a fake relationship with Peter, sure that neither of them would truly fall in love. What could possibly go wrong?
The second book in Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, P.S. I Still Love You, is a continuation of Lara Jean’s and Peter’s story, who are no longer pretending to be in a relationship – they are a couple. But, their relationship is threatened when one of Lara Jean’s letters receives an unexpected reply, sparking new emotions and forcing her to make difficult decisions.
This heartfelt conclusion to the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy captures the bittersweet moments of growing up and making life-changing decisions. With College Decision Day looming, Lara Jean faces the potential changes her romantic and family relationships may endure based on her choice.
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
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