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When Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty premiered on July 16, more than 25 million viewers around the world tuned in during its first week, cementing the show as one of Prime Video’s most popular series. With a 7.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb and constant buzz on TikTok and Instagram, the show has grown into more than a Wednesday night binge; it has become a conversation that everyone wants in on. Pine Crest students are no exception.
“This was the best series to binge-watch all summer,” said Chloe Blechner ‘29.
Other students also reflected on how enjoyable and perfect the show was for a summer watch. Emily Pollok ‘29 said, “The psychological pull the show has is a very interesting one, smart as well as the careful color coding and easter eggs that keep people posting and interested in the show. I am very excited to see the movie, which will hopefully give the story a more impactful and meaningful ending.”
Isabella Roshi ‘29 added her perspective on the characters themselves. She said, “Through the romanticism, the show tries to show the many different perspectives from the characters, making sure to give everyone a negative and positive light to balance the raw emotions.”
Pine Crest fans can’t stop discussing the series, its themes, and so much more. Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy published in 2009, the series takes readers and watchers through the journey of Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she spends her summers at Cousins Beach. Actress Lola Tung landed her first role in the TV series as Belly, and her incredible work since has made her a recognized face in television. Every summer, Belly is joined by her caring mother and protective brother, along with her mother’s best friend, Susannah Fisher, and the Fisher family. Conrad and Jeremiah, Susannah’s two sons, soon become central to Belly’s summers. What begins as another summer by the beach turns into something more as Belly turns sixteen and finds herself the lead of a complicated emotional coming-of-age story.
The story focuses on her romantic entanglement with the two brothers, Conrad, played by Christopher Briney, and Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalegno. Their love triangle has become one of the most talked-about elements of the series, sparking online debates and fueling social media fan bases who passionately argue over which brother is the better choice. Their love triangle has become one of the most talked-about elements of the series, sparking online debates and fueling social media fan bases who passionately argue over which brother is the better choice. It even launched the now-famous Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah debate, keeping fans engaged and posting. Yet the drama between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah is only part of what makes the show compelling.
“I’m team Jeremiah because I believe he makes a better match for Belly,” said Valeria Pilote Monter ‘29, showing the thoughts of many on Team Jeremiah.
Fans of the show are clearly divided, however, each passionately defending their choice for who Belly should end up with.
“Team Conrad from day one because he is more mature, always loved Belly, and never had a freak out over a $750 cake. Most importantly, he’s not a cheater,” contrasted Cosette Coven ‘29.
In addition to characters such as Jeremiah and Conrad that allow viewers to see their own struggles reflected, the audience connects with the show’s deep themes. First love, heartbreak, and the excitement and pain of growing up form the emotional center of Belly’s story. Friendship plays a major role as well, showing how relationships shift and evolve as teenagers move closer to adulthood. Family dynamics are explored through the close bonds and conflicts between the Conklin and Fisher families, reminding viewers that the people who raise and support someone shape much of who that person becomes. Loss and grief also play a role throughout the story, making it not just a lighthearted romance but a layered story exploring the bittersweetness of growing up.
The cast of The Summer I Turned Pretty has seen their careers transformed by the show’s success. Maybe what makes the series even more fun is that many of its stars have always been involved in shows and movies for young adults, such as The Vampire Diaries and Mean Girls. Lola Tung’s role as Belly marked her breakout moment and made her a recognizable name in Hollywood. Christopher Briney gained further notice after playing Aaron Samuels in the 2024 Mean Girls musical, but his portrayal of Conrad is what gave him wide recognition. Gavin Casalegno, who once appeared as a young Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries, has also grown in popularity since joining the series, leaning into a more social media influencer and model path rather than acting at the moment. The supporting cast, including Sean Kaufman as Belly’s brother Steven and Rain Spencer as her best friend Taylor, has also grown their careers through the exposure, with David Iacono, who plays Cam Cameron, going on to star in projects such as Fear Street: Prom Queen and Jurassic World Rebirth.
The show has also earned industry recognition. In 2023, it won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Bingeworthy Show, a title that reflects both its critical success and its status as a fan favorite. Its popularity is backed up by the numbers, too, with almost 25 million streams helping it remain one of the most-watched teen dramas on Prime Video.
The success of The Summer I Turned Pretty highlights why certain stories continue to capture audiences year after year. It is not only the romantic tension or the beachside setting that draws people in, but also the universal emotions of love, loss, and family that give the story such an impact. For Pine Crest students and millions of viewers around the world, the series offers both the thrill of an interesting romance and the comfort of seeing their own struggles reflected on screen. With its blend of popularity, critical success, and heartfelt storytelling, The Summer I Turned Pretty has forever secured its place as one of the defining young adult shows of the summer. For fans, the story isn’t ending any time soon. With a new movie on the horizon, Cousins Beach will be calling us back again.
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