People often claim the romantic comedy is dead—that we’ve moved on from the witty charm of Nora Ephron’s stories to an era where love is treated like a math problem. Then along comes the captivating teen romance The Summer I Turned Pretty, which hooks viewers from the first Taylor Swift song.
Over its 26-episode run, this adaptation of Jenny Han’s book trilogy has won over millennials longing for a nostalgic throwback to 2000s rom-coms. Reminding them of the rose-colored love stories from their youth—before terms like dating apps, catfishing, and ghosting entered the lexicon—the show’s impact has been so strong that Prime Video even issued a warning against hate speech directed at the cast. They reminded fans it’s not real, no matter how intense it feels, and quickly announced a feature film finale is on the way.
Online, hopes are high for the film to include scenes of Christmas in Paris, a wedding where the bride actually makes it down the aisle, and more moments of Conrad smiling. A modest wish list for the year’s surprise hit.
If you’ve missed the buzz, the story follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin, who at 16 blossoms from a quirky girl into a striking young woman (yes, really), catching the attention of brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. As unlikely as it sounds, the series is a masterclass in modern romance, exploring identity, grief, betrayal, and first loves.
Set against the quaint coastal charm of Cousins—reminiscent of a Nancy Meyers film—and the timeless appeal of Paris, season three blends everything poetic about this supposedly fading genre. There’s a love triangle as the trio grows up, the will-they-won’t-they tension between Belly and her first love Conrad, and an American living the dream in Paris—not with the over-the-top glamour of Emily in Paris, but with a grounded realism that acknowledges the struggle of working multiple jobs and feeling homesick in a foreign city. Add a Friends-style “did he get on the plane?” moment and a Love Actually-inspired dash through a Paris train station, and it’s a recipe for pure romance.
Dramatic declarations of love are earned through turmoil, and the show captures the chaos of teenage relationships. No self-respecting adult would go by “Belly” or string along two brothers, seemingly switching affections each summer. It usually doesn’t take reducing one man to tears to realize—a moment too late—which brother you truly love.
The series also has a distinct mid-2000s vibe, with rival “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah” fandoms inspiring T-shirts, watch parties, and even themed bachelorette parties. Han wrote the books between 2008 and 2011, before social media dominated daily life, giving the story an organic, old-school charm. Pair it with some melancholic Taylor Swift anthems, and you have every teen girl’s dream: an epic love story where everyone is loved in return, set against hazy, sun-drenched days with a Swift-heavy soundtrack.
This week’s finale, aptly titled At Last, pieces together the missing romantic elements. Handwritten love letters lead to a surprise doorstep arrival, a final choice, and a promise to love each other in every universe. In the real world, of course,Men aren’t written by women, romance isn’t like a teen novel, and most of us will never be chased through the streets of Paris by someone desperate to declare their love. So, for now, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is that comforting reassurance that such a love exists—the chaotic, all-consuming, lifelong kind that makes you feel like a teenager again.
Han has already delivered on her promise to return to Cousins, this time in movie form. Until then, I’m just a girl sitting in front of a laptop, urging you to devour this show. And studios, take note—”The Summer I Turned Pretty” should be the blueprint for all future romantic projects. It has it all, and it isn’t afraid to own it.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is streaming now on Prime Video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about The Summer I Turned Pretty as a 2025 TV sensation designed to sound natural and provide clear direct answers
General Beginner Questions
Q What is The Summer I Turned Pretty about
A Its a TV show based on a book series about a teenage girl named Belly who spends every summer at a beach house with her family and their longtime family friends navigating love friendship and growing up
Q Why is everyone saying it makes them feel like a teenager again
A The show perfectly captures the intense dramatic and nostalgic feelings of first love summer freedom and selfdiscovery which strongly resonates with adult viewers
Q I havent read the books Can I still enjoy the show
A Absolutely The show stands on its own Many fans started with the series and then went back to read the books
Q Where can I watch it
A All seasons are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video
Q Is it appropriate for teenagers to watch
A Yes its rated TV14 It deals with typical teen themes like romance friendship drama and family issues
Deeper Advanced Questions
Q Why is it such a surprise hit in 2025 Werent the earlier seasons released before
A Yes but a combination of factors caused a massive resurgence new fans discovering it on streaming the hype for the final season and its nostalgic vibe feeling especially comforting in the current cultural moment
Q Whats the love triangle everyone is talking about
A The main character Belly is caught between her feelings for two brothers the reliable sweet Conrad and the charismatic fun Jeremiah
Q Beyond the romance what makes the show so good
A It has a fantastic soundtrack of nostalgic and current hits beautiful cinematography that makes you feel like youre on vacation and surprisingly deep storylines about grief family and female friendship
Q Im Team ConradIm Team Jeremiah Why is the fandom so divided
A Both characters are written with depth and appealing qualities making it easy for viewers to see themselves in Bellys dilemma and passionately defend their chosen brother
