Overview
The Summer I Turned Pretty is an American coming-of-age romantic drama television series created by Jenny Han for Amazon Prime Video. It adapts Han’s young adult novel trilogy of the same name, published between 2009 and 2011. The series premiered on June 17, 2022, and concluded with its third and final season in mid-July 2025. Lola Tung stars as Isabel “Belly” Conklin, a teenager navigating a love triangle with brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). The show follows Belly’s annual summers at Cousins Beach with her family and the Fishers, focusing on themes of first love, family dynamics, and personal growth.

Plot Summary
The story centers on Belly Conklin, who has spent every summer at the Fisher family’s beach house in Cousins Beach, Massachusetts, alongside her mother Laurel, brother Steven, and the Fisher sons. As Belly turns 16 in the first season, she experiences changes in her relationships with Conrad and Jeremiah, evolving from childhood friendships into romantic entanglements. The series incorporates flashbacks to previous summers, highlighting Belly’s transition from a tomboyish girl overlooked by the boys to someone receiving attention. Subsequent seasons explore heartbreak, loss, and adult responsibilities, including the death of a key family member and the characters’ attempts to preserve their traditions. The narrative draws from the books but includes modern updates, such as introducing alcohol, marijuana use among teens, and making Jeremiah bisexual. The final season culminates in events like a catering gig at the Cousins house and a Parisian montage, resolving the central love triangle.

Cast and Performances
Lola Tung portrays Belly as a relatable teen dealing with self-discovery and emotional turmoil. Christopher Briney plays the brooding Conrad, while Gavin Casalegno embodies the more outgoing Jeremiah. Supporting roles include Jackie Chung as Laurel, Rachel Blanchard as Susannah Fisher, and Sean Kaufman as Steven. Reviewers note strong chemistry among the young cast, particularly in romantic and familial scenes. The adaptation features diverse representation, with Asian American leads and normalized portrayals of bisexuality. Han, as showrunner, co-wrote the series, influencing changes from the source material.

Strengths
The series receives praise for its picturesque beach settings and engaging soundtrack, creating a nostalgic summer atmosphere. It effectively captures the emotional shifts of adolescence, including first love and heartbreak, with a focus on family and friendship. Critics highlight its tender writing and sensitivity to late-teenage experiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 holds an 88% approval rating based on 24 reviews, with the consensus describing it as a “solidly charming and sweet rom-com with appeal across generations.” Season 3 has an 83% rating based on 6 reviews. Audience scores average around 7.1/10 on IMDb, with users appreciating the easy binge-watch quality and character development. The show drove subscription growth on Prime Video and ranked as the No. 2 most-viewed series among women 18-34 after Season 2. Viewers on platforms like Reddit and X describe it as a light, escapist drama suitable for teen audiences, with realistic portrayals of relationships.

Criticisms
Some reviews point to clichéd plots and underdeveloped characters, particularly in the love triangle, which feels repetitive and shallow. Deviations from the books, such as added elements like drugs, divide fans—some appreciate the modernization, while others find it lacks depth or authenticity. Belly’s character is often criticized as whiny or impulsive, making poor decisions that frustrate viewers. The narrative relies heavily on young adult tropes, which may not resonate with all audiences. User reviews on Goodreads for the books (which the series mirrors) average 3.94/5 from 86,700 ratings, with complaints about the protagonist’s immaturity and predictable romance. On IMDb, some rate it 6.5/10, noting it as “sweet and fun” but not innovative. Common Sense Media flags content including kissing, sex discussions, and underage substance use, rating it for ages 14+.

Overall Rating and Recommendation
The Summer I Turned Pretty earns a 7.5/10. It succeeds as a feel-good summer series for young adults, offering relatable coming-of-age stories and strong visual appeal, but its reliance on familiar tropes limits broader appeal. Fans of Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before adaptations will find similarities in the romantic focus. The series is available on Prime Video, with all three seasons streamable. It is recommended for viewers seeking light romance and nostalgia, though book purists may prefer the originals for a more concise experience.

Surge in Online Buzz for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ recently

The TV series The Summer I Turned Pretty has seen a notable buzz online recently, driven by two key events tied to its third and final season. The series finale aired on September 17, 2025, marking the conclusion of the 11-episode season that premiered on July 16, 2025. On September 17, Amazon announced a follow-up feature film, extending the story beyond the trilogy adaptation. This has prompted widespread discussions, spoiler reactions, and speculation on platforms like X and news sites.

Key Factors Contributing to the Online Buzz

• Series Finale Release: The final episode of Season 3 dropped on September 17, 2025, at 3 a.m. ET on Prime Video. This episode resolves the central love triangle involving Belly Conklin (Lola Tung), Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney), and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), including a Parisian interlude and references to book elements like a “peach scene.” Viewers have been searching for recaps, episode details, and streaming information, as the season’s weekly releases built anticipation since July. The series had already achieved 25 million global viewers in its first seven days of Season 3, and the finale has amplified engagement, with social media posts focusing on endings, character arcs, and soundtrack choices like Frank Ocean songs.
• Announcement of a Feature Film: On September 17, 2025, Amazon MGM Studios revealed plans for The Summer I Turned Pretty as a movie, written and directed by showrunner Jenny Han. The film will provide an additional chapter, potentially exploring future developments for the characters. This news was shared during a special screening and finale dinner in Paris attended by the cast, including Lola Tung, Corinna Brown, and others. Jenny Han has indicated openness to further stories, stating “never say never” to expansions like a sequel or revival. The announcement has fueled searches for details on the movie’s plot, cast return, and production timeline.

Social Media Trends

Recent X posts from September 18, 2025, reflect immediate reactions, including spoiler complaints, cast event photos from Paris, and excitement over the movie (e.g., posts about Lola Tung and Chris Briney posing for the announcement). Earlier posts from September 17 discuss the finale’s plot resolutions. Google Trends data indirectly supports this through related queries on episode schedules and finale previews, with the show’s hashtag #TheSummerITurnedPretty generating nearly 200,000 TikTok posts and 2.9 billion views in the past month, peaking around the finale. The series’ soundtrack, handpicked by Han with nostalgic pop references, has also contributed to viral trends.

These developments follow the series’ strong performance, including Rotten Tomatoes scores of 88% for Season 1 and 83% for Season 3, and its ranking as Prime Video’s top series for women aged 18-34. The combination of the emotional series conclusion and the surprise film extension has driven the recent surge in interest.