A Heartfelt Reflection on What it Means to Love and Lose

It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han is a raw, honest and heartfelt novel about what it means to love and lose. Told through the point of view of seventeen year old Belly, the story follows her as she struggles with the summer after her mother’s death. The novel is set in Cousins Beach, a summer home Belly has visited every year with her mother, brother, and their friends since she was little. Now, Belly must learn to cope with her mother’s death and her own feelings of guilt and hurt, while also tending to her brother’s self-destructive behavior. Throughout the novel, Belly finds solace in her friendship with Conrad, her brother’s best friend, and Jeremiah, the new summer boy. As the summer progresses, Belly must make a decision between the two boys, while also learning to accept and move on from her mother’s death.

The novel is both a coming of age story and a reflection on grief, love, and growing up. It’s Not Summer Without You follows Belly as she learns to confront her grief and find acceptance. Throughout the novel, Belly is forced to confront her mother’s death and the idea of moving on, something she is not ready to do. She is constantly reminded of her mother’s absence, as she experiences summer traditions without her. In addition to confronting her grief, Belly is also forced to confront her feelings for Conrad and Jeremiah. While her feelings for Conrad are complicated by their close friendship, her feelings for Jeremiah are more straightforward, yet complicated by the fact that he is only a summer fling. As the summer progresses, Belly is forced to make a decision between the two boys, and ultimately learns to accept her mother’s death and move on with her life.

Love and Loss

Love and loss are major themes in It’s Not Summer Without You. Belly struggles with the loss of her mother, and the idea of being left behind. She is constantly reminded of her mother’s absence, and is unable to find solace in her summer traditions without her. Belly also struggles with her feelings for Conrad and Jeremiah. While she has a deep connection with Conrad, she is not sure if they can move past the boundaries of their friendship. She is also uncertain of her feelings for Jeremiah, and is hesitant to let herself get too close. Through her struggles, Belly learns to accept her mother’s death and find a way to move on, while also learning to accept and explore her feelings for Conrad and Jeremiah.

Growing Up

It’s Not Summer Without You is also a coming of age story, as Belly is forced to confront her own growing up. Throughout the novel, Belly must learn to take responsibility for her own actions and decisions. She is forced to confront the idea of moving on from her mother’s death and her own feelings of guilt. She is also forced to confront her feelings for Conrad and Jeremiah and make a decision between them. In the end, Belly learns to accept her mother’s death and her own growing up, in order to move on with her life.

Friendship

Friendship is another major theme in It’s Not Summer Without You. Belly finds solace in her friendship with Conrad, and relies on him for support and comfort. Belly also finds comfort in her friendship with Jeremiah, and is able to be open and honest with him. Through her friendship with Conrad and Jeremiah, Belly is able to confront her grief and find acceptance.

Family

Family is another major theme in It’s Not Summer Without You. Belly’s family is a major source of support for her, especially her brother. Though Belly struggles with her brother’s self-destructive behavior, she is still able to rely on him for support and comfort. Belly is also reminded of her mother throughout the novel, and is forced to confront her absence. In the end, Belly learns to accept her mother’s death and move on with her life.

Conclusion

It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han is a raw, honest and heartfelt novel about what it means to love and lose. Through Belly’s story, the novel explores themes of love, loss, growing up, friendship, and family. Belly is forced to confront her grief and make a decision between Conrad and Jeremiah, while also learning to accept and move on from her mother’s death. In the end, Belly learns to accept her mother’s death and her own growing up, in order to move on with her life.