15 Must-Read Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty: Your Ultimate 2024 Summer Romance TBR

Are you still dreaming of Cousins Beach and the complex, messy love triangle that defined Belly’s summers? Since the first season of the TV adaptation premiered, the yearning for more stories that capture the same blend of sun-soaked settings, intense first loves, and pivotal coming-of-age moments has only grown. As of December 2025, the demand for books that mirror the emotional depth and coastal atmosphere of Jenny Han’s trilogy remains incredibly high, making now the perfect time to refresh your reading list with the latest and greatest recommendations.

The core appeal of The Summer I Turned Pretty lies in its ability to perfectly mix nostalgic summer vibes with the high-stakes drama of choosing between two brothers—Conrad Fisher and Jeremiah Fisher—while navigating the transition from girlhood to young womanhood. This curated list focuses on the most current and popular Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) titles that hit all the same emotional beats, ensuring your next read is just as swoon-worthy and unforgettable.

The Ultimate List of Books That Capture the TSITP Vibe

To find your perfect match, we’ve broken down the best recommendations based on the specific element you loved most about Belly’s story: the love triangle, the idyllic setting, or the nostalgic friends-to-lovers trope.

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1. If You Loved the Intense Love Triangle & Brotherly Rivalry

The central drama of the Fisher brothers and Belly’s heart is the main draw for many fans. These books replicate that high-stakes, confusing, and utterly compelling dynamic.

• Every Summer After by Carley Fortune: Often cited as the ultimate read-alike, this New Adult novel features Percy and Sam, who spend every summer at a lake house. The story jumps between the past and present, exploring a childhood friends-to-lovers arc that is shattered by a devastating event. While not a literal brotherly love triangle, it perfectly captures the intense, lifelong bond and emotional weight of a summer romance with a best friend. Fortune’s 2024 release, This Summer Will Be Different, also carries similar coastal, nostalgic themes.
• My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak: Before it was a Netflix series, this was a popular Wattpad sensation. Jackie Howard moves in with her guardian and her ten—yes, ten—sons after a tragedy. It’s a classic fish-out-of-water story with a definite love triangle between two of the Walter brothers, Alex and Cole, offering a similar 'girl surrounded by boys' dynamic to Belly's relationship with Conrad and Jeremiah.
• Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan: This book delivers a quaint beach town setting and a tension-filled relationship. It focuses on a girl who returns to her family's summer home and reconnects with a long-lost friend, only to find herself caught between her and her brother. It’s a direct hit for fans of the Cousins Beach atmosphere and the love triangle trope.

2. If You Craved the Sun-Drenched Beach & Nostalgic Setting

The setting—the salt air, the beach house, the endless summer—is a character in itself in the TSITP trilogy. These recommendations focus heavily on that idyllic, escapist atmosphere.

• The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther: Meredith is spending the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, mourning the loss of her sister. When her family hosts their annual game of assassin, she finds herself falling for one of the other players. This book is a perfect blend of a beautiful coastal setting, family traditions, a touch of grief, and a hopeful new romance.
• Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: Sarah Dessen is the original queen of summer YA, and this book is a great entry point. Auden, a quiet girl, decides to spend the summer before college with her father in a beach town. She meets Eli, a fellow insomniac, and they embark on late-night adventures. It’s a fantastic coming-of-age story that perfectly captures the feeling of a transformative summer.
• Sunkissed by Kasie West: This book is pure, lighthearted summer romance. Avery is forced to spend the summer at a remote camp in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest and ends up working with a cute boy named Brooks. While not a beach, it has the same 'stuck in a beautiful, isolated location' vibe that leads to an unexpected summer fling and self-discovery.
• Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (2024): This contemporary adult romance, while not YA, is a top beach read for 2024. It features a fun, unique premise involving two people who are "cursed" to only date people who are bad for them. They decide to date each other only for the summer to break the curse. It's a fresh, funny, and deeply emotional read perfect for the beach.

3. If You Connect With the Friends-to-Lovers & Coming-of-Age Story

Belly's journey is fundamentally a coming-of-age story about self-discovery, family secrets, and the transition from platonic friendship to romantic love. These books nail that personal growth aspect.

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• Meet Me At Midnight by Jessica Pennington: This title is a great choice if you enjoy the childhood friends-to-lovers trope, but with a twist—these former friends are now feuding. It’s a fun, enemies-to-lovers summer story set in a beach town, reminiscent of the early, tense dynamic between Belly and Conrad.
• Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid: This New Adult novel explores the concept of parallel lives. Hannah returns to her hometown and is faced with a choice: go home with her high school boyfriend or her childhood best friend. The story then splits, showing the reader both possible outcomes. It’s a fascinating exploration of 'what if' and the power of first loves.
• A Pho Love Story by Loan Le: A sweet and charming YA romance that focuses on two teens whose families run rival Vietnamese restaurants. It captures the youthful energy, cultural richness, and family conflict that often underlies the main romance in Jenny Han’s work.
• Chloe and the Kaishao Boys by Mae Coyiuto: This book is excellent for fans who appreciated the diverse representation in the TSITP series. Chloe is a Filipino-American teen who returns to the Philippines for the summer and must navigate her overprotective father's "kaishao" (matchmaking) attempts with a group of handsome boys. It has a fun, high-energy love triangle feel with a strong focus on cultural identity and family.

Authors Like Jenny Han You Need to Read Now

If you've already devoured the To All the Boys I've Loved Before series, it's time to explore other authors who master the same blend of heartwarming romance, family dynamics, and emotional honesty as Jenny Han.

Sarah Dessen: As mentioned, Dessen is a powerhouse in the YA summer genre. Her books like The Truth About Forever, Lock and Key, and Saint Anything are all set in compelling coastal or small-town environments and feature protagonists undergoing significant personal change during a summer break. She is an essential author for anyone seeking the core coming-of-age element of TSITP.

Morgan Matson: Matson’s work, including Since You’ve Been Gone and Second Chance Summer, often involves a girl returning to a meaningful place—like a summer camp or a family home—and confronting past relationships or family secrets. Her novels are known for their strong friendships and road trip elements, providing that perfect blend of adventure and introspection.

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Emily Henry: While her books are Adult Romance, they have the emotional depth and witty dialogue that appeal to older TSITP fans. Beach Read and Funny Story (a 2024 bestseller) are highly recommended. Henry excels at the "sunshine and angst" balance, often featuring characters who are writers or navigating career changes alongside their romantic lives.

Carley Fortune: Beyond Every Summer After, her other books like Meet Me at the Lake also feature the time-jump structure and the nostalgic, intense atmosphere of a love that spans years, making her a top pick for fans who loved the long history between Belly and the Fisher brothers.

By diving into these fresh titles and exploring the backlists of these top-tier authors, you can keep the spirit of Cousins Beach alive all year long. Whether you're in it for the brothers, the beach, or the beautiful confusion of growing up, your next favorite summer romance is waiting.