Some books are read as an escape; moving readers into a fantastical world filled with mind boggling possibilities that exist outside the ordinary.

Some books are read for the mystery and intrigue; to work the case that no one else was brave enough to lead and to solve the whodunit in a way that stumps even the most skeptic critic.

Some books are read for love; to vicariously feel the unconditional and epic love that readers daydream of.

And then there are books that actually take you back in time, back to a more innocent age where you never had to worry about bills, kids, or what to make for dinner.

The Summer I Turned Pretty held the last type for me... It transformed me back to a teenager, when my biggest problem was getting the boy of my dreams to notice me - which, trust me, meant the world to me some days... :o)

The book was voiced by 16 year old Belly. She's the baby and sole girl out of the four kids who vacation at a beach house each summer. The kids come from two family's whose mothers have been best friends since childhood. The four kids are split into two sets of siblings: Belly and Steven and Conrad and Jeremiah. Steven and Conrad, being so close in age, have always been close just as Belly and Jeremiah have.

Belly has loved Conrad since she was 10 (almost 1/2 her life!), but has never a) told him or b) gained his attention. But this summer? This summer is different... The four kids, who started out at the same point at the beginning of the summer (at the beach house) are starting to breakaway. Belly is growing up, starting to drive, and capturing the attention of boys, something she never thought possible. Steven is off scouting colleges with his dad. Conrad, who is 2 years older than Belly, will be going off to college come fall and has been so distant and grumpy that he's managed to isolate himself. Jeremiah is working as a lifeguard and trying hard to stay neutral around Belly's growing popularity with other boys and keep his feelings for her in check and secret.

One night changes everything... Events force secrets to be revealed and feelings to be exposed. When revelations start flying, where will they land and how will they impact all those around?

The language and even thoughts throughout the book was so inline with how I thought as a teenager (as selfish as can seem at times). Her infatuation with Conrad was palpable, and her relationship with her brother reminded me of my relationship with my brother around that same age. Was Belly bratty? Sure, she could be... As a little sister it was her duty! (We have a bad reputation for being spoiled, pouting, tattling brats, after all)

I loved the flashbacks and the sneak peeks into summers past. The flashbacks really added support to the current relationships and interactions.

Overall, I thought this book was outstanding - I loved the nostalgic feelings it gave me and I loved the tears it made me shed.