The latest season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” created a divide amongst fans: Are you Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?
Jenny Han’s series adaptation of her book has more than 70 million viewers in its grasp, making the show one of the most-watched on Prime Video. An iconic soundtrack, featuring Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande and others, takes viewers to a coastal setting filled with family dynamics and heartbreak, capturing everything a summer at Cousins Beach needs: romance, drama and fun.
At its core, the show centers on the intricate love triangle between Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) and the Fisher brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), captivating viewers with the question of who she will ultimately choose.
From the time she was a little girl, Belly dreamed of a future with Conrad — the moody, introspective boy who always seemed just out of reach. With time, both Belly and the viewers come to realize that Conrad was never just a fleeting crush; he was always destined to be her first love.
Jeremiah, on the other hand, is the epitome of a frat boy with his sandy blond hair and go-with-the-flow attitude. From the beginning of the series, Jeremiah has been the light to Conrad’s dark. He offered Belly reassurance and stability, the opposite of Conrad’s emotional rollercoaster, making him seem like the clear choice to Team Jeremiah.
Conrad’s character development is a compelling aspect of the series. He comes across as distant and emotionally unavailable, not willing to give his heart to anyone. His coping mechanisms while his mother goes through illness frustrate Belly, leading to significant strain in their relationship. Despite the rough circumstances, Conrad’s love for Belly is still steady and genuine. Even when Belly tries to move on with Jeremiah, getting engaged to him at the beginning of season three, the chemistry between her and Conrad never fades, no matter how hard she wants it to.
But later in season three, cracks in Jeremiah and Belly’s relationship began to surface. Team Jeremiah’s loyalty wavered after the revelation he had cheated on Belly during a boys’ trip to Mexico. His actions stemmed from the deep resentment he felt toward Conrad after discovering what happened between his brother and Belly the previous Christmas. That winter, Belly and Conrad unexpectedly reunited at Cousins Beach, sharing an intimate moment that reignited the feelings they had both tried to suppress. When Belly found out about Jeremiah’s betrayal, she was devastated — a four-year relationship thrown down the drain.
It seemed obvious to viewers that Team Conrad was the right choice, but in episode two, when Jeremiah proposed to Belly as a way to fix their relationship, everyone was shocked. Their proposal was extremely sudden — a situation clinging to its last thread. The moment, intended to feel romantic, was forced and rushed, emphasizing Jeremiah’s fear of losing Belly. His impulsive actions only highlighted what several viewers already knew — while Jeremiah loved Belly deeply, Conrad would always be the one.
After the chaos of the proposal, Belly’s trip to Paris quickly became one of season three’s iconic moments. Fans praised her decision to prioritize herself instead of getting caught between the brothers again. This moment perfectly captured one of the show’s central themes: Belly’s journey toward independence and self-discovery, as she finally chose herself over romance. Viewers found her time in Paris refreshing, seeing her newfound maturity shine through.
Belly and Conrad eventually get their happily ever after moment in the last episode, but viewers are frustrated about the absence of Conrad throughout season three. Jeremiah’s poor planning, lack of consideration and ignorance consume the screen time, leaving little time for Belly and Conrad’s development. Belly’s trip to Paris, immediately after the cancellation of her wedding with Jeremiah, provided her with time for self-development and finding her true self — a core theme of the show.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster filled with teenage drama, self-discovery and growth. The series invites us along for the ride, giving us experiences from Cousins Beach we will never forget.
