Look. I got influenced by the raving audiences and watched both seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty before season 3 because apparently I enjoy voluntarily watching teenagers make bad romantic decisions at a beach house for sixteen straight episodes.
Don’t get me wrong — it’s cozy, nostalgic, and sometimes even touching.
But let’s be real: this show is 60% love triangle, 30% Taylor Swift soundtrack, and 10% plot and could’ve been 100% avoided if everyone just COMMUNICATED with each other.
So here’s my spoiler-filled, episode-by-episode breakdown of all the sunscreen-soaked drama.
Season 1
Episode 1 – Summer House
Ah yes, Belly (yes, that’s her actual nickname, because apparently Jenny Han hates normal names) arrives at Cousins Beach and announces she’s suddenly hot now. Cue every boy who has known her since kindergarten being unable to control their hormones. Meanwhile, Susannah radiates goddess energy, Laurel is the cool wine-mom writer, and Steven starts his side quest in “college fund via poker debt.”
Positive: The vibe is peak summer nostalgia — it actually makes you want to go to the beach and maybe ruin your own friendships.
Episode 2 – Summer Dress
Belly gets her first real party invite and immediately decides she is the main character (she’s not wrong, but still). Jeremiah is golden-retriever flirting, Conrad is sulking in corners like he’s auditioning for a Nicholas Sparks adaptation, and Cam Cameron is… there.
Positive: The “first dress up and go to a party” scene is always teen TV gold, awkward and dreamy at the same time.
Episode 3 – Summer Nights
Ah yes, the bonfire party where absolutely nothing good ever happens. Belly kisses Cam, Steven’s broke, Conrad’s moody, and Jeremiah is somehow everywhere at once.
Positive: The show nails that chaotic small-town summer party energy — sticky, messy, unforgettable.
Episode 4 – Summer Heat
Laurel flirts with Cleveland (the most random man ever to show up in a summer romance) while Belly tries not to combust from too much teenage attention. Steven’s still broke, shocker.
Positive: Susannah + Laurel’s friendship is the real love story of the show.
Episode 5 – Summer Catch
Debutante practice! Because apparently every beach town still hosts 1950s-style coming-out balls. Belly can’t dance, Jeremiah can, Conrad sulks, repeat.
Positive: Taylor (Belly’s best friend) shows up to cause chaos, bless her.
Episode 6 – Summer Tides
Tensions rise, Jeremiah kisses Belly, Cam Cameron gets dumped like the nice guy he is, and Susannah’s health issues loom in the background.
Positive: Finally, some emotional weight sneaks in beneath all the flirting.
Episode 7 – Summer Love (Finale)
The ball happens. Belly looks stunning, Conrad finally kisses her (about five episodes too late), and Jeremiah gets heartbreak for his troubles. Susannah’s diagnosis drops, reminding us this isn’t just a love triangle — it’s a tragedy wrapped in seashells.
Positive: The ending actually lands emotionally, pulling the rug out just as you’re swept away in the romance.
Season 2
Episode 1 – Love Lost
We pick up in grief mode. Susannah’s gone, Belly’s sad, Conrad is somehow even moodier than before, and Jeremiah is aggressively tan and heartbroken.
Positive: The Taylor Swift needle drops are working overtime.
Episode 2 – Love Scene
The beach house is about to be sold (because of course), and suddenly the whole show is “let’s save Cousins.” Belly and Conrad’s relationship flashbacks intercut with awkward present-day drama.
Positive: The flashbacks give us crumbs of genuine chemistry between Belly and Conrad.
Episode 3 – Love Sick
Jeremiah and Belly team up to find Conrad, who has gone missing in peak “sad boy runs away from his feelings” fashion.
Positive: Jeremiah deserves better, but at least he’s fun while suffering.
Episode 4 – Love Game
Volleyball tournament. Because nothing says grief and romance like team sports. Conrad glowers, Jeremiah shines, Belly looks conflicted.
Positive: It’s genuinely fun to watch everyone outside their usual mope-fest.
Episode 5 – Love Fool
Belly’s guilt spiral continues, the love triangle spins faster, and the house drama drags on. Steven and Taylor’s subplot quietly becomes way more interesting than Belly’s entire storyline.
Positive: Steven + Taylor = elite ship. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
Episode 6 – Love Fest
Party time. Belly ruins things (shocker), Jeremiah’s heart cracks a little more, Conrad says the worst things at the worst time, and Taylor is still the MVP.
Positive: The chaos feels authentically teenage — messy, dramatic, high stakes when you’re 17.
Episode 7 – Love Affair
The triangle reaches peak absurdity. Jeremiah confesses his feelings, Conrad implodes, Belly is… indecisive as ever.
Positive: This is the episode where the drama goes full soap opera, and honestly, it’s entertaining if you lean into the mess.
Episode 8 – Love Triangle (Finale)
Belly chooses Jeremiah. Conrad cries into the ocean or something. Roll credits with Taylor Swift gently weeping in the background.
Positive: At least someone made a decision.
Final Thoughts
The Summer I Turned Pretty is frustrating, addictive, nostalgic, and ridiculous — sometimes all at once. Belly’s indecision will drive you insane, Conrad’s brooding needs its own drinking game, and Jeremiah deserves therapy (and sunscreen). But it also captures something special: the bittersweet ache of summer, first loves, heartbreak, and the friendships that hold it all together.
Is it messy? Absolutely. But it’s also the perfect comfort show for when you want to feel like a teenager again, minus the braces and bad eyeliner.
Ps. I have watched a bit of season 3 and ooooh boy I scream. you scream. we all scream.
⭐ Rating: 4/5 – infuriatingly bingeable (as long as you forward the slow bits.)
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