The third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty brings fans back to Belly’s world, now transitioning from the innocence of youth into the sobering realities of early adulthood.
Set after her junior year of college, the series picks up with Belly preparing for what should have been a serene summer getaway with Jeremiah, only for Conrad, the other important figure in her life, to unexpectedly re-enter.
This return rekindles the long-standing love triangle, but with far deeper emotional stakes and more complexity than the earlier seasons.
Deepening Emotional Journeys and Character Growth
One of the most praised aspects of the season is Lola Tung’s portrayal of Belly, which continues to serve as the series’ emotional foundation.
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She navigates Belly’s inner turmoil with remarkable vulnerability and restraint, avoiding melodrama while effectively conveying the confusion and pain of someone on the cusp of adulthood, wrestling with difficult romantic decisions and identity.
Christopher Briney as Conrad offers a more nuanced performance, too, portraying a man grappling with quiet turmoil that adds depth to what could easily have been a standard love-triangle character. Gavin Casalegno’s Jeremiah swings between warmth and reckless abandon, reflecting the complexity of young love in transition.
The show wisely shifts its setting from the eternal summers at Cousins Beach to more grown-up spaces like college dorms and urban cafes, marking a clear visual and thematic evolution.
This move is symbolic of the characters shifting from adolescence into a phase where choices carry real consequences, hopes become anxiety-laden, and relationships test their durability.
The writing throughout season 3 tackles themes beyond teenage romance, including mental health struggles, grief, friendship, and the challenge of finding oneself amid life-changing decisions.
It introduces sobering moments that confront the pain of betrayal, the weight of future uncertainty, and the bittersweet reality of growing up, all essential to giving the narrative emotional resonance.
Love Triangle and Plot Progression: Familiar Yet Fresh?
Despite the growth, the central love triangle remains the show’s heart and focal conflict, with Belly ultimately at a crossroads between Conrad and Jeremiah. Unlike earlier seasons where this dynamic felt somewhat repetitive, the latest episodes inject fresh emotional maturity that prevents it from feeling stale.
Belly’s decisions are no longer just about youthful confusion but about long-term implications and self-discovery, making each interaction more charged and impactful.
However, not every element lands perfectly. Some critics point out that certain plot points, like Belly’s sudden acceptance into a Paris program or Jeremiah’s academic troubles, feel conveniently timed and underdeveloped, creating a jarring effect on narrative flow and character motivation.
Additionally, while the show aims to blend nostalgic callbacks with new emotional revelations, parts of the dialogue and situations occasionally feel forced or overly familiar, echoing well-worn rom-com clichés that detract from the series’ fresh potential.
The supporting characters also get more attention this season, particularly Belly’s best friends Taylor and Steven, whose on-again-off-again relationship offers a parallel subplot. While this adds variety, some viewers feel it distracts from the primary storyline, diluting rather than enriching the main emotional arcs.
Visual and Aesthetic Presentation
Visually, season 3 maintains the dreamlike, beach-lit aesthetic fans have come to associate with The Summer I Turned Pretty, but it balances this with new, grounded settings like colleges and cityscapes to reflect the characters’ evolving lives.
The show’s cinematography continues to favor soft lighting and warm palettes to reinforce its tone of nostalgic romance and personal introspection.
One standout scene often mentioned by fans and critics alike is the Christmas flashback sequence. This segment is faithful to Jenny Han’s original book, enriched with subtle details such as Belly’s pajamas and emotional character moments that underscore the passage of time and the pain of lost innocence.
These flashbacks work as cherished pauses that deepen the story without interrupting the forward momentum.
The soundtrack also enhances the season’s mood, with a mix of popular artists whose songs underscore key moments, giving the series an atmospheric emotional boost. Music selections occasionally serve as a bridge over weaker plot areas, adding a layer of engagement for the audience even when the narrative wavers.
Reception and Fan Reactions: Divided Yet Passionate
The response to the third season has been mixed but passionate, revealing a polarized but invested fanbase. Many viewers appreciate the show’s increased maturity and the cast’s deeper emotional performances, with intense social media discussions about whether Belly should end up with Conrad or Jeremiah dominating conversations.
Fans have expressed overwhelming support, especially for Conrad’s character arc, considering it the most emotionally compelling.
On the flip side, some critics and viewers find the romance storyline cringe-worthy and, at times, dragging with clichéd tropes of teen drama recycled in a college setting. Certain plot choices and dialogue have been described as awkward or predictable, leading to disappointment among those hoping for fresher storytelling.
Despite this, the series’ faithful adaptation of the original novels helps retain the core fanbase’s loyalty, even if it means some story beats feel overly faithful to the source material rather than innovative.
Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty aims to close the chapter on Belly’s journey with emotional depth and greater complexity, testing the boundaries of young love with more serious life challenges.
While the series does not entirely escape the pitfalls of romantic TV drama clichés, the strong performances, especially from Lola Tung, and its willingness to address heavier themes provide a meaningful sendoff for fans.
Some narrative missteps and pacing issues hinder the overall impact, but for viewers invested in the characters, the season delivers satisfying moments of growth, heartbreak, and hope. The show’s visual warmth, nostalgic flashbacks, and soundtrack continue to enhance its dreamy quality, making it an emotionally engaging watch despite its flaws.
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The Review
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3
Score
This final season tries to mature with Belly, but gets stuck circling the same emotional campfire. The acting and style elevate it; the story drags in familiar territory. For fans craving closure, it's a bittersweet trip back to Cousins Beach. For those wanting fresh adventures, not so much.
Season 3 can be emotionally satisfying in parts, but it doesn’t escape its own toxicity. If you loved the early summers, it might feel like a well-crafted echo. If you wanted evolution over repetition? That’s where it falls short.
