When The Summer I Turned Pretty (TSITP) first splashed onto Prime Video, few could have predicted the tidal wave of emotion and nostalgia it would bring—not just for teenagers, but for women across generations. Now, as the series bows out with its third and final season in mid-2025, its impact has rippled far beyond the sun-soaked shores of Cousins Beach. The show’s finale, which aired just before September 22, 2025, has left fans—especially women in their late 20s, 30s, and 40s—reflecting on why TSITP resonates so deeply, and why it’s become more than a simple coming-of-age romance.
At its heart, TSITP tells the story of Isabel "Belly" Conklin (played by Lola Tung), whose summers are shaped by her relationships with brothers Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). The third season, which drew a staggering 25 million viewers for its first two episodes according to The Guardian, sees Belly grappling with adulthood: studying abroad in Paris, grieving the loss of loved ones, and ultimately choosing between love interests—but, more importantly, choosing herself.
This season’s emotional stakes have struck a nerve with audiences far beyond the show’s original teen demographic. As Elle reports, many adult women are drawn by a sense of nostalgia and what one fan called "emotional time travel." The series evokes memories of first crushes, summer rites of passage, and the bittersweet ache of growing up—feelings that, as it turns out, don’t vanish with age. One viewer confided, “It reminds me of young love—being wanted by multiple boys and feeling everything for the first time.” For many, watching TSITP is a chance to revisit moments from the past, this time with the clarity and self-awareness that adulthood brings.
But TSITP isn’t just about who Belly ends up with. The so-called "Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah" debate—fervently discussed in fan circles—masks a deeper journey. As the season three finale unfolds, Belly’s arc is less about picking a boy and more about finding herself. She travels to Paris, navigates her identity outside of romance, and ultimately chooses Conrad, but only after coming to terms with her own feelings and growth. In a Teen Vogue interview, showrunner Jenny Han reflected on the criticism Belly sometimes receives for her "messy" choices, arguing, “Female characters—especially young ones who are allowed to be complex—are often judged more harshly than their male counterparts.” The show’s willingness to let Belly be flawed, impulsive, and scared resonates with many women who see their own younger selves in her.
TSITP’s emotional honesty is part of its charm. Critics at The Guardian have called it “nostalgia-fueled storytelling” that doesn’t shy away from themes like grief, longing, and heartbreak. The Fisher family’s mourning of their mother, Susannah, who died of breast cancer, is handled with sensitivity. The show also addresses mental health, depicting Conrad’s therapy sessions—an unusual but welcome sight in young adult drama. Lola Tung herself, in an Elle interview, shared that playing Belly mirrored her own journey toward emotional visibility, saying, “I was an emotional kid, sometimes afraid to show vulnerability. Being on this show and seeing Conrad in therapy has been important.”
Weekly episode releases in season three have revived the ritual of appointment viewing, fostering vibrant fan communities. Women plan viewing parties, debate every glance and line, and share memes and theories online. These rituals create a sense of connection that transcends generations—moms and daughters watch together, and friends who read Jenny Han’s books as teens now revisit the story as adults. For some, the communal aspect of fandom helps dissolve the embarrassment that can come with loving romance stories as an adult. As one fan put it, “It’s a space where you can feel deeply and not be judged for it.”
The show’s thoughtful approach to representation also matters. Belly is biracial, and the series doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics like mental health and identity. One fan, who dealt with neurodivergence and past trauma, shared that the show made certain memories feel "fresh" again, adding, “I remember the first time a boy noticed me.” These experiences, filtered through the lens of adulthood, offer both validation and healing.
TSITP’s cultural impact is unmistakable. As The Atlantic notes, the show treats even the smallest moments as "sacred," making minor choices—like whether to go to Paris or stay home—feel like turning points. The soundtrack, packed with tracks from Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, amplifies the show’s emotional resonance. The visuals—beach houses, sunsets, and summer warmth—evoke a sense of longing for simpler times, even as the characters navigate complex adult emotions.
Of course, the show’s popularity hasn’t been without friction. Debates over character choices, perceived favoritism, and the romanticization of certain relationships are common in fan circles. In Teen Vogue, Jenny Han acknowledged that Belly is sometimes unfairly villainized, a reflection of the gendered expectations placed on female characters. These debates, while sometimes heated, are a testament to how deeply viewers care about the story and its characters.
For many women, TSITP is more than escapism. It’s a space for validation—a reminder that it’s okay to be flawed, to want connection, to feel heartbreak, and to make mistakes. The journey Belly undertakes in season three—going abroad, stepping outside the love triangle, and growing into herself—mirrors the challenges and triumphs of emerging adulthood. As Entertainment Weekly reports, the finale’s message is clear: choosing oneself and choosing love aren’t mutually exclusive. Belly’s acceptance of herself enriches her relationship with Conrad, offering a conclusion that feels earned and honest.
The show’s feminist threads haven’t gone unnoticed. TSITP explores female agency, emotional labor, and the costs of not being seen or heard. Seeing Conrad attend therapy, or watching Belly’s mother, Laurel, struggle with her own demons, underscores the importance of being understood. These themes, often minimized in mainstream media, are given room to breathe in TSITP.
As the series draws to a close, the question for many isn’t just who Belly chooses, but how she chooses. Does the ending honor her growth and the pain she’s endured? The answer, for most adult fans, is a resounding yes. The finale acknowledges the messy middle—grief, longing, confusion—before offering closure and a sense of promise. For women who have carried similar stories in silence, TSITP is a rare gift: a validation of their own messy, beautiful journeys.
Ultimately, The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than a teen romance. It’s a mirror for women of all ages—a reminder that first loves, heartbreaks, and the search for self never truly fade. In letting its heroine be imperfect, the show offers grace to everyone still learning to choose themselves, again and again.
