Everything you need to know before The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 comes out
Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty is officially set to premiere in the Summer of 2025, and fans are already buzzing with excitement after the dramatic events that unfolded in the season 2 finale.
In the highly anticipated conclusion that aired in August of 2023, Belly made a pivotal decision—she chose Jeremiah over Conrad, a choice that will undoubtedly shake things up in the upcoming season.
Here are a few key takeaways from the second season to refresh your memory before the new season arrives.
The Characters Mourn the Loss of Susannah
Season 2 immediately opens with the heartbreaking news of Susannah’s death. The characters are shown dealing with her loss in different ways, particularly Belly and her family, in the first episode. This loss sets the tone for the entire season, as the show delves deep into the emotional impact of losing a loved one to cancer.
The series masterfully blends flashbacks and present-day events, offering a layered perspective of the grief process. At times, the jumping between timelines can feel disorienting, but it serves to highlight the complexity and raw emotion tied to such a significant loss.
One of the most poignant portrayals is of Conrad, who is deeply affected by his mother’s death. His grief manifests in panic attacks and emotional turmoil, showing that even though people may grieve differently, the pain of loss can be overwhelming.
Conrad and Belly Break Up
Season 1 of The Summer I Turned Pretty concluded with Belly and Conrad finally getting together after years of unresolved feelings. However, when Season 2 begins, their relationship is already over.
In a flashback during Season 2, Episode 3, viewers witness the moment Belly and Conrad officially break up. As Susannah’s cancer worsens, Conrad begins to pull away from Belly, growing increasingly distant in the weeks leading up to prom.
Despite Belly's attempts to offer support, telling him that he can talk to her, Conrad remains emotionally closed off. Their relationship ultimately hits a breaking point at prom, where Conrad continues to withdraw and even tries to leave early, cementing the end of their romance.
The Cousins Beach House Is Saved
In the aftermath of Susannah's death, Conrad and Jeremiah face the reality that their estranged Aunt Julia now co-owns Susannah’s cherished beach house. The house, once a symbol of summer fun and family tradition, becomes a point of tension in the second season as Aunt Julia, alongside their distant father Adam, plans to sell it.
The idea of losing the beach house sends shockwaves through both brothers, adding yet another layer of complexity to their already fraught emotional states. The beach house has always been a central gathering place for the Fisher and Conklin families, and its potential sale creates an even greater divide between the brothers, their families, and their memories.
Laurel then persuades Adam to keep the house because it means everything to the boys. In the series, Laurel gets Adam to buy the house off Julia. In both the book and the series, Adam agrees on the condition that Conrad returns to school and passes his exams. Belly and Jeremiah help Conrad study for his exams, Conrad passes, and the house remains theirs.
Steven and Taylor Get Together
At the start of Season 2, we learn that Steven and Shayla have broken up, while Taylor is now seeing a musician named Milo. The two join Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad at Cousins Beach to help save the family house, and sparks fly as plenty of flirting unfolds.
In Season 2, Episode 5, Steven and Taylor share a dance at the country club, and by Episode 6, Steven takes a big step by confessing his love for Taylor at the beach house party. The night takes a dramatic turn when Milo crashes the party and confronts Steven, leading to a heated argument. However, Taylor steps in to stop the fight, only to realize that Milo doesn’t even know her middle name.
In a pivotal moment, Steven tells Taylor her middle name, and the two share a passionate kiss. As the season progresses, Steven and Taylor decide to take their relationship to the next level and officially start dating.
Belly Chooses Jeremiah
The finale of Season 2 spends the bulk of its time with the leading trio in a painfully awkward and occasionally tense car ride, with Conrad intentionally asking Belly and Jeremiah blunt questions as a way of expressing the betrayal he feels.
It's only in the previous episode that he accidentally interrupts a kiss between Belly and his brother, and the story of the season 2 finale is largely about Conrad coming to terms that he's no longer Belly's romantic interest and that Jeremiah is. Belly makes the difficult decision to let go of Conrad and he gives her the infinity necklace back.
Belly’s decision to choose Jeremiah over Conrad is the result of her need for emotional connection, stability, and support—things she desperately craves, especially in the wake of losing Susannah. It’s a choice that reflects where she is in her emotional journey, even if it doesn’t completely erase her lingering feelings for Conrad.
As we move into season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty, fans will get to see how Belly and Jeremiah navigate their relationship in the aftermath of these pivotal decisions.
