This reminded me what it felt like to be a teenager, when every friendship, crush, and awkward conversation felt huge. Belly isn't perfect, but she felt her age, and I found myself understanding her even when she was making questionable choices.
What I enjoyed most was the feeling of spending summer in a place filled with memories. The beach house, the traditions, and the relationships between the families gave the story its heart. For me, those moments stood out more than the romance.
The back-and-forth between the characters could be frustrating at times, and a lot of problems might have been solved with an honest conversation. Still, I had a good time reading it and can see why so many people have fond memories of this series.
★★★★
