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I don’t know if I’m the only one, but The Summer I Turned Pretty feels more like an experience than just a regular TV show. From the first season up until this new Season 3, I have found myself feeling connected to the characters in a way that no other series has done to me before. The story, the setting, the music, even the emotions , they all just hit differently. It’s like you're watching yourself grow with them each summer.
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The show is based on the book series by Jenny Han, and I honestly think the series even brought the book more to life. It follows a girl named Belly (short for Isabel), and every summer she goes with her family to this beach house at Cousins Beach. There, she spends her summer with the Fisher family, two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad, and everything starts to change as she starts growing older. It’s one of those coming-of-age stories that’s simple but still emotional and deep.
Now let me just say this, the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah? E choke 😭. Sometimes it’s sweet, sometimes it’s painful, but it always keeps you watching. There were times I was rooting for Jeremiah, then the next day I switch to Conrad. But deep down, I’ve always known who she belongs with.
Season 1 was fun and light, it was all about Belly becoming a teenager, finally being seen by the boys, and finding herself. She got her first taste of love, confusion, and heartbreak. But then Season 2 came in with more seriousness. The death of Susannah (Jeremiah and Conrad’s mom) shook everyone, and the characters had to face grief, reality, and complicated emotions.
Now, in Season 3, things have gotten even deeper. This season is not just about summer flings anymore, it's about real life choices, pain, forgiveness and understanding love in a more mature way. Jeremiah and Belly seem to be getting closer, but then boom, he cheats during spring break. Like, how do you claim to love someone and go mess up like that? And to make it worse, he comes back with a proposal 😳. I just didn’t get it. To me, it felt like he was trying to cover up his guilt with a ring.
Meanwhile, Conrad is quietly working on himself. This guy has gone through therapy, he's becoming more self-aware, and I noticed he's learning how to express his emotions better. You can tell he still loves Belly, but he’s not rushing her or forcing anything. He’s just trying to be better, and for me, that’s growth. That’s the kind of person you want to spend your life with.
I know some people are Team Jeremiah, but I’m sorry, Conrad is the one. The connection he and Belly share is not just romantic, it’s spiritual. It's the type of love that survives time, distance and even pain. They’ve been through so much, and it’s clear they understand each other deeply. Sometimes they fight, sometimes they say hurtful things, but in the end, there’s this quiet love that never really goes away.
And I love how the show uses music to capture feelings. This season, when Taylor Swift’s “You’re Losing Me” played, it felt like my own heart was breaking. The soundtrack is always perfect. Whether it’s Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, or Billie Eilish, they always pick songs that match the scenes perfectly. It makes you feel what the characters are feeling in that moment.
Another thing I love is the vibe of Cousins Beach. Every summer there, it looks like paradise. The beach house, the sunsets, the pool parties, the deep talks at night, it all brings this nostalgic feeling. Like we all had our own “Cousins Beach” moments growing up.
I’m really enjoying Season 3 so far and I can’t wait to see how everything plays out. Even though they’re dropping just one episode every Wednesday, I’ll keep waiting, no wahala. I just hope Belly follows her heart and picks Conrad in the end. Because that’s her true love. Jeremiah might love her too, but it's not the same.
If you're someone who loves stories about love, heartbreak, family, and growing up, then this show is for you. It’s not just teen drama, it's real life emotions that everyone can relate to. The Summer I Turned Pretty makes you laugh, cry, think, and hope, all in one episode.
I just love this show. And no matter how it ends, it’ll always have a special place in my heart.
