Not If, But How

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Spoilers ahead for “At Last,” the series finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

As many viewers predicted, *The Summer I Turned Pretty* concluded with Belly Conklin choosing Conrad Fisher, the boy she’s had a crush on for years. Although some fans were hoping for Belly to end up with Jeremiah, most agree that Conrad was the better choice for her, and I happen to agree as well.

It was always a possibility that Jenny Han, as co-showrunner, would diverge from her original young adult novels. While Belly choosing Jeremiah seemed like an option, it became less probable as their relationship developed in season two. It appeared more likely she’d prioritize her own happiness, potentially ending the show single or with someone new she meets in Paris. It’s a bit odd that Belly’s romantic history has only included the Fisher brothers, as she points out in season three, and a broken engagement feels like the perfect time to move to Paris and explore other possibilities, breaking free from a pattern of only dating within that family.

In the first season, Belly narrates that Susannah predicted she would end up with one of her sons. This idea is central to the show and constantly revisited. Some viewers see it as a troubling prophecy, suggesting a future of unhealthy dependence and rivalry for Belly and the Fisher brothers. When viewed realistically, it’s easy to see Susannah as the one pulling the strings and potentially causing all the drama in this complicated love triangle.

Even though *The Summer I Turned Pretty* sometimes deals with difficult topics like cancer and loss, it’s fundamentally a dreamy fantasy. Unlike Lara Jean from *To All the Boys*, who is quirky and relatable, the main character, Belly, feels like a bit of a blank slate – a typical girl on the verge of growing up. After a noticeable change during her sophomore year, she suddenly catches the attention of boys. This feeling of being seen in a new way is something many girls experience, but *The Summer I Turned Pretty* takes it to the extreme, with two handsome boys treating Belly like a beautiful young woman instead of the younger sister they used to know.

This show is a love story, and Conrad has always been the central romantic figure. From his very first appearance, he’s portrayed as handsome, quiet, and a bit brooding – the classic bad boy who both attracts and pushes Belly away. He was her first love, the boy she idealized as perfect, and ultimately the man she deserves as a true partner. (He even goes to therapy, though it doesn’t seem to help a ton.) What truly matters is the intense, undeniable chemistry between them. The way they look at each other is more powerful than anything else, and their connection is especially strong in the series finale when they’re together in Paris, reminding you that they were always meant to be.

Look, for a while, this show did a pretty good job of making both brothers appealing. When Conrad was being all moody and distant, Jeremiah was always there with uncomplicated affection and a seriously charming goofiness. That was a welcome contrast in the first season, and the second season smartly deepened Jeremiah, showing us his vulnerability and making him a genuinely viable romantic option. But even when he was at his best, it always *felt* like Belly’s feelings for him were temporary. He’s more than just a rebound guy, but let’s be real, he never gave her that instant, electric connection she clearly craves. And honestly? Pairing someone off in the middle of a three-season series is a classic storytelling move that basically screams, ‘This isn’t going to last.’

Season three feels quite different from the first two, largely because it lacks the consistent, comforting backdrop of Cousins Beach. While a year has passed since Susannah’s death, the story jumps forward quickly, and Belly and Jeremiah’s romance develops rapidly, making this season feel heavier and more intense. Some storylines, like Belly arguing with her mom Laurel about getting married so young, are simply disheartening and become repetitive, overshadowing more engaging plotlines.

Jeremiah’s personality felt particularly forced this season. His actions often seemed designed to make him appear unworthy of Belly’s affection and push viewers towards supporting Conrad. While he’s always been somewhat opportunistic, waiting for moments when Belly felt neglected by his brother, the actor did a good job portraying the ongoing development of that trait. However, this season exaggerated his childishness and need for his father’s approval, making him feel very different from the more relaxed Jeremiah we first met. It started to seem like, even though he and Belly had been in a committed relationship for a long time, he didn’t truly understand her anymore.

The biggest problem for many readers was learning that Jeremiah cheated on Belly while they were briefly separated during a trip to Cabo. In the romance genre, cheating is often seen as unforgivable, making it hard to support the couple. This feels like an easy way to make readers dislike Jeremiah, especially when compared to Conrad, who is flawed but would never go this far.

The show’s other romantic storyline, involving Taylor, Steven, and Steven’s coworker Denise, feels forced. While Taylor and Steven have a strong connection – sometimes even more exciting than the main couple – the introduction of Denise as a love interest for Taylor didn’t quite work. Although the actors playing Denise and Steven had good chemistry and their playful rivalry was a welcome break from Taylor and Steven’s arguments, their connection felt genuine and well-built. That’s why their lack of reaction when they finally kissed was confusing. Looking back, it’s clear Denise was primarily meant to be a rebound for Jeremiah after his breakup, quietly developed as an option and then shifted to another available character. We don’t know much about their connection, but it at least meant Jeremiah wasn’t left completely alone.

Most romance novels rely on predictable plots and always end with the couple together. Publishers generally only categorize a book as ‘romance’ if it has a happy ending, because readers expect a feel-good story about love. This predictability isn’t a weakness – it’s actually what makes these stories enjoyable. We know how things will turn out, so we can relax and enjoy watching the characters fall in love. Knowing the outcome doesn’t make the journey boring; it makes it exciting.

As a fan, I’d say this last season really delivered, even if it sometimes prioritized shock value over deep emotional connection. Honestly, I was hooked week after week, completely invested in whether Belly would end up betraying Conrad with Jeremiah – those near misses were *intense*! I mean, who didn’t gasp when Conrad wiped peach juice off Belly’s face with his shirt, or when she tended to his leg wound? A lot of the biggest moments came from watching the tension between Belly and Jeremiah build, and it wasn’t always about hating Jeremiah, though a lot of us definitely did! It was just…compelling to watch everything fall apart, and secretly satisfying to think something better might come from the wreckage. We were all a little bit guilty of enjoying the drama, joking about which Taylor Swift song would soundtrack the next heartbreak, but also genuinely wanting to see who would end up with whom when everything settled down.

Ultimately, everyone in *The Summer I Turned Pretty* ends up in a relationship that works for them, even if it’s just for the moment. But most viewers weren’t really invested in *who* Belly and Taylor would end up with. We wanted to see *how* their stories would unfold. As someone famously said about summer, it should be fun-and this season definitely delivered!

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2025-09-17 20:57