As the third and final season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” hits our screens, we are again forced to beg the question: Who is the better brother?
To die-hard “The Summer I Turned Pretty” fans like us, the answer has always been obvious: team Conrad for life.
The first season of the series, based on books by Jenny Han, was released in 2022. Han also created and produced the TV adaptation. The third and final season made its debut on July 16, 2025. Episodes are now released weekly on Wednesdays, and young people around the nation are as hooked as ever.
The hit series follows Belly, a teenage girl who has been thrown into a tumultuous love triangle ever since she “turned pretty” the year before her sixteenth birthday. After having spent every summer since she can remember at Cousins Beach with family friends, brothers Conrad and Jeremiah, Belly finds herself drawn to both in unique ways.
Set three years after season two ended, season three opens with Belly and Jeremiah in a long-term relationship, their love seemingly stronger than ever. After facing trials and tribulations, love and losses, the three young adults are brought back together, and old feelings quickly resurface.
Conrad, with his enigmatic and quiet manners, has been our brother of choice from the beginning, although many fans had a distaste for his moody, ‘sad boy’ schtick. Those fans most likely opted to root for Jeremiah’s fun-loving spirit.
It’s safe to say that Jeremiah made a few not-so-small mistakes at the beginning of season three, backing up our notions that his intentions with Belly were never sincere.
“Jeremiah’s feelings for Belly are just to get back at his brother,” sophomore Lizzy Deaver said.
Indeed, Jeremiah’s constant competition with his older brother often makes his relationship with Belly seem like a power move and nothing more.
Another difference that continuously makes Conrad stand out is his bright future. While Jeremiah is in the midst of not being able to graduate his senior year of college, Conrad is working towards a medical degree at Stanford.
“[Conrad’s] very driven for success,” sophomore Jane Allsman said. “Jeremiah has no plan in life and makes stupid decisions.”
Season three has highlighted Jeremiah’s childish ways, and with the new season there seems to be an influx of jumpers from ship Jeremiah.
“The switch happened after the last episode of the second season,” sophomore Kaylee Fortney said. “I just knew it didn’t feel right. Jeremiah’s not the one.”
While many fans fell for Jeremiah’s charm in earlier seasons, Conrad’s quiet carefulness is finally prevailing.
“[Conrad’s] always taking care of everyone in the show. He’s always looking out for Belly,” sophomore Shira Jasner said.
Perhaps most importantly, are Conrad and Belly just fated in the stars? Is there something to be said for the long-lasting effects of teen love?
“Belly was obsessed with him in high school,” sophomore Gwen Satterthwaite said. “It’s meant to be.”
Book readers and romantics can agree that the intensity, the yearning, and the electric connection between Belly and Conrad is indisputable. It was always their story.
Jenny Han did what “Twilight” couldn’t; she created a love triangle where both boys are viable options, and there wasn’t one obvious choice. Both brothers have their strong points and their flaws, and that’s what makes this seemingly cringey and unimportant show so great.
Whether you’re on the right side of history with team Conrad, or you’re still hung up on Jere, we respect your opinion (sort of). Only time will tell who Belly will choose.
“[Conrad] actually wants what’s best for Belly,” sophomore Elizabeth Whitehead said. “[Jeremiah’s] not a bad person, he’s just a bad person for Belly.”
