The highly anticipated third season of Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” continues to captivate audiences with its central love triangle involving Isabella “Belly” Conklin and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. As viewers eagerly await the resolution of Belly’s romantic dilemma on screen, many are revisiting Jenny Han’s original book series to understand how this poignant saga concludes for its beloved characters.
Jenny Han’s acclaimed trilogy, which serves as the foundation for the popular streaming adaptation, has meticulously chronicled Belly’s coming-of-age journey and her intertwined relationships with the two brothers. The first two seasons of the show drew heavily from the initial novels, establishing a loyal fanbase deeply invested in the emotional complexities of the characters.
Despite the show’s faithfulness to the source material thus far, Han herself has hinted at potential deviations from the books for the third season’s conclusion, even suggesting the possibility of extending the narrative beyond the original three novels. This contrasts with earlier statements from Amazon and MGM Studios executives, who indicated a desire to remain focused on the existing storyline, though they also expressed interest in future collaborations with the celebrated author.
For those seeking definitive answers from the printed page, the final installment of the book series, “We’ll Always Have Summer,” released in 2011, provides a clear resolution. The narrative picks up after Belly has begun a relationship with Jeremiah, a significant leap from the show’s timeline at the close of its second season. A pivotal moment mirrors the series, as Belly learns of Jeremiah’s infidelity during spring break, yet surprisingly accepts his subsequent marriage proposal.
However, the path to the altar is fraught with emotional turmoil. While the book portrays Belly with some hesitation regarding the engagement, the family reactions depicted align closely with those seen in the show. Circumstances lead Belly to Cousins Beach, where she reunites with Conrad, igniting dormant feelings. The emotional weight of their shared history culminates in Conrad’s confession of enduring love the night before Belly’s planned wedding.
Ultimately, Belly does not proceed with her marriage to Jeremiah. Instead, their relationship concludes, and Belly opts to study abroad, a period of self-discovery and separation from both brothers. After two years of no contact, Conrad reaches out through letters, leading to their reunion at Belly’s college graduation. This rekindled connection blossoms, culminating in Conrad’s proposal two years later, with their wedding day at Cousins Beach marking the final scene of the beloved book series.
Conrad’s perspective, as offered in “We’ll Always Have Summer,” provides crucial insight into his internal struggle. His narration reveals that his apparent detachment after their initial split was a facade, masking his true feelings for Belly. During the two-year separation, while building his life in California, Conrad attempted to navigate his emotions, even trying to support Belly’s engagement to his brother by helping with wedding preparations, all while fighting his own enduring affection.
The third novel is particularly challenging for Jeremiah. He admits to his infidelity and proposes to Belly in an attempt to atone and secure their future. However, Belly and Conrad’s close proximity at Cousins Beach during wedding planning exacerbates the tension between the brothers and between Jeremiah and Belly. On the morning of his wedding, Jeremiah discovers Conrad’s heartfelt confession to Belly and subsequently disappears. Despite the painful breakup, Jeremiah and Belly eventually mend their friendship, sharing a moment of quiet understanding at Belly and Conrad’s wedding, where Jeremiah is seen with a new companion.
