The Summer I Turned Pretty Series Fever!

 

Those who know me would probably be surprised to hear this, I actually finished a series.

The number of series I’ve completed can literally be counted on one hand. 

Let’s see… FRIENDS, The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and a few K-Dramas like K2, Shop for Killers, Goblin, and The Heirs. 

That’s it.

I already think that’s a lot of my time, but compared to the average person these days, it’s probably nothing. I don’t even own a Netflix, Prime, or any streaming subscription lol I just borrow my siblings’ accounts.

So, to my husband’s delight (he’s a TV person, I’m a book person), we spent the month watching The Summer I Turned Pretty. And… we actually finished it!

We only started watching after the series had fully aired because I hate waiting. Hate is a strong word, but patience has never been my best trait.

I’d already finished the books first, expecting the usual rule to apply, “the books are always better.” But this time, Jenny Han proved me wrong. Since she was deeply involved in writing and producing the series, it actually felt richer and more complete than the books.

The show answered all the questions I had while reading. 

I loved how it expanded the story, giving Steven and Taylor more screen time, developing Laurel’s author journey, exploring Adam and Susannah’s story, and adding layers to Jeremiah and Conrad’s relationship.

It wasn’t just another love triangle. 

It was a story about growing up, grief, and finding yourself and I appreciated that.

Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah?

 Genius casting. He nailed the golden retriever vibe. He's fun, full of sunshine and yet underneath, you can sense the vulnerability.

That scene in Season 2 when he ignored Belly in the car on the way to Cousins? Ouch. His silent disappointment could cut deep.

I love his character development. I’m not sure if he’s revengeful (I hope not), but I respect that he ultimately let Belly go. In real life, I don’t know if people in their situation could still stay friends, but I hope they do, maybe in the upcoming movie.

 The whole Cabo storyline wasn’t right, Jeremiah definitely made mistakes  but I didn’t blame him entirely. The cheating part isn’t forgivable, but honestly, it wasn’t the reason he and Belly didn’t end up together. As he said himself, “She can’t marry Jere to erase Conrad.”

Chris Briney as Conrad, it's phenomenal.

In the first two seasons, his emotional instability made him hard to root for at times. 
He’d give, then take it back. Say something, then deny it. 

His confusion hurt Belly.

But Season 3? 

What a turnaround. 

The therapy sessions, his time in California with Agnes, distancing himself to find clarity,

all that growth showed. 

Like Belly said, he changed. 

Not in a way that erased who he was, but in a way that made him more grounded.

That scene in Paris, showing up without expectations, having that difficult conversation, leaving when Belly wasn’t sure and that was mature Conrad. 

Confessing right before the wedding wasn’t ideal, but in context, it made sense. 

Finding out about Jeremiah’s cheating was the breaking point.

By Season 3, he’s more emotionally available and more present, even while watching his brother prepare to marry the only girl he ever loved. And with the inclusion of his POV, it’s clear: it’s always been Belly for him, since the summer before she turned pretty.

Now, Belly.

Her true character growth only shines toward the end, especially in the Paris episodes. I completely agreed with Laurel when she told Belly to travel, to find herself. For too many summers, Belly’s world revolved around Cousins Beach and the Fisher brothers , the safe choice or the invisible string, without really asking what she wanted.

I get that the story’s theme is the love triangle, but I wish we’d seen more of Belly’s self-discovery beyond romance. I hope they have more of that in the movie. Still, Lola Tung’s performance was incredible. Her microexpressions, gestures, and tone captured exactly how I imagined Belly in the books. She’s going to be huge! Her acting feels natural, heartfelt, and full of nuance.

I’m rewatching the series now, and it hits differently the second time. Seeing the growth from Season 1 to 3 and wow, they’ve all truly evolved.

For Season 1, I remind myself to watch it through the lens of a 16-year-old girl, to feel the thrill, the emotions, the chaos of first love. By Season 3, the 30-year-old me can appreciate the maturity, the growth, and the lessons beneath it all.

At its heart, The Summer I Turned Pretty teaches us that honesty and communication are everything in relationships. And most importantly, we have to heal and work on ourselves first. Otherwise, we’ll just pass our traumas on instead of loving others the right way.

Every character was perfectly cast, even Skye and Cam Cameron. The chemistry was so natural.

As curious as I am about their off-screen friendships, I remind myself that this is their job, a project they deliver with professionalism and dedication.

So, note to self (and to all fans):
Enjoy the story. Appreciate the craft. Don’t take sides too seriously. It’s fun to be Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, but remember that these are fictional characters. Be kind when sharing your thoughts online.

Because at the end of the day, The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t just about who Belly ends up with, it’s about growing up, learning to love, and finding your own way in the messiness of it all.