I first saw the trailer for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ in the spring of 2022, and it immediately piqued my interest – not because I was particularly interested in the storyline, or because I particularly liked the title, but because it seemed like a lighthearted show that was sure to be welcomed by the public. The fact it was based on Jenny Han’s book trilogy only promised more popularity. In my eyes, the hold that Colleen Hoover books had on my peers was captivating and intense, and this promising adaptation was up the exact same alley.

The first season of the series was released on June 17, 2022, and was met by an enthusiastic audience. The story follows the adventures of a tight-knit group of family friends – the Conklins and the Fishers – who spend each summer in a house by the ocean in Cousins Beach. It shows the development and experiences of the main character, Belly Conklin, as she navigates a difficult love triangle with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly spends the summer trying to figure out which love is the right kind of love for her and ends up with the older brother, Conrad. Another central aspect of the storyline is the friendship between Laurel Conklin and Susannah Fisher, the two mothers who try to make this summer perfect in the wake of Susannah’s secret cancer. Although the weighted subject of cancer is thrown into part of the story, the first season is generally easygoing and focuses on the joys and tenderness of teenage summer love.

The second season, released in July 2023, is heavier in substance. It focuses greatly on the themes of loss and grief as each character grapples with Susannah’s death in their own way. The friends are reunited when Susannah’s sister shows up and attempts to sell the beach house – eventually, the house is saved and previous conflicts in the group are resolved. Belly and Conrad have broken up and the love triangle continues as Conrad realizes he is still in love with Belly, and Jeremiah realizes the same. This season, Belly ends up with Jeremiah. The season puts an emphasis on the characters’ emotions, conflict between family members, dealing with current and past trauma, and other aspects of mental health. 

In lieu of Belly’s indecisiveness, my own opinions follow a similar pattern. First off comes the crucial question: Team Conrad or Team Jere? After finishing the first season, I was unsure where I stood on the spectrum. I thought both brothers brought something different to Belly and although I felt bad for Jeremiah, the whole ‘older brother I’ve had a crush on since I was 10’ trope got the best of me and I settled, albeit reluctantly, for Team Conrad. However, by the second episode of the second season, my decision was clear: I was now Team Jere, all the way. The way Jeremiah treated Belly, always looking out for her with the best intentions, overshadowed Conrad’s ambivalence.

Generally, I like “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. I think it’s a cute portrayal of a sort of “dream” summer for a number of people. I do however think the show is, at times, quite cringey and predictable – but this is part of what adds to its appeal. Many times, the most cringey shows are the ones you can’t stop watching. Take, for example, “Ginny and Georgia” or “Never Have I Ever”. All three shows paint a picture of teenagers that quite obviously comes from an adult perspective, with forceful integration of teen lingo and the portrayal of stereotypical “teenage” behavior. Additionally, the title has always rubbed me the wrong way. Implying that the only reason that Belly is able to live out a dream summer is because of her change in appearance – from shy kid to Disney princess pretty – sends the wrong message. Despite certain flaws, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” still draws viewers into the magic of a perfect summer.