It’s the question that has pervaded The Summer I Turned Pretty since the start: are Jeremiah and Belly endgame, or will she choose Conrad? We can’t be certain, but Season 3 Episode 6 drops another hint, as do the books.
Season 1 of the Prime Video series set the love triangle in motion as Isabel “Belly” Conklin and her family returned to the beach house of her mom’s best friend Susannah – where they’d been vacationing together for years.
With Belly turning 16, her childhood crush Conrad (Susannah’s eldest son) was finally within reach, but sparks unexpectedly flew with his brother Jeremiah. And, well, things got complicated.
It’s been a push-and-pull between her head and heart ever since, with the second chapter seeing Belly choose Jeremiah. But in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, her feelings for Conrad are starting to creep back in. Warning: spoilers for the books ahead!
Who is Belly’s endgame in The Summer I Turned Pretty?
In The Summer I Turned Pretty books, Belly’s endgame is Conrad; the novels finish with the pair getting married. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the TV show will end the same way.
Let’s get one thing straight: Season 3 is the last chapter of the binge-worthy series, meaning we will have an answer by September 17 when the finale drops.
Right now, it’s anyone’s guess. The options are: Belly ends up with Conrad, stays with Jeremiah, or decides to be alone.
It’s no secret that the series has made some changes to the books, and showrunner Jenny Han – who also wrote The Summer I Turned Pretty novels – has hinted that the ending will do the same.
“There are definitely changes,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “There are surprises. And there are things that aren’t exactly like the books.”
Han went on to explain that she wants both readers and newcomers to have “a true show-watching experience where they find themselves with bated breath being like, ‘What’s going to happen next?’”
“A lot of people, literally, are just watching the show and they’re seeing it for the first time,” she added.
“But you also want to serve the people who have been fans for 15 years, who are excited about certain things. But you can’t make everyone happy…
“I wish I could make everyone happy. But I have to please myself first, as a storyteller, to feel proud of the thing that I’m making.”
Season 3 Episode 6 drops hint
The latest episode of the hit TV series sees Belly and Jeremiah preparing for their wedding, with Laurel finally coming round thanks to Conrad. However, a scene shows Conrad and Belly struggling to hide their feelings – could they be endgame after all?
After Taylor throws Belly an engagement party, Belly and Laurel nestle down for movie night. She reminisces about watching the same film as a kid at a time when she was falling in love with Conrad. Now, she insists, “Jeremiah is my future.”
But in the final scene of Season 3 Episode 6, Belly’s writing thank you notes at the summer house when Conrad walks in. He’s hurt himself from surfing and although insists he’s fine, Belly helps dress his wound.
They stare into each other’s eyes for what feels like an eternity. It seems like they’re going to kiss, and it’s actually Conrad who gets up and walks away this time.
Belly’s voice narrates as she watches him walk away, “What just happened? What did I almost do?”
Oh, brother… literally. This is going to get messy, whether it’s Conrad or Jere.
Han has at least given us a warning about the finale: “A successful love triangle is one where, no matter what happens, people are going to be devastated and heartbroken.
“Because if the answer feels really clear and easy, then there’s no real conflict. No matter what you do, someone’s going to be hurt by it.”
The Conrad vs Jeremiah debate continues
It doesn’t matter how many hints we get along the way – the Summer I Turned Pretty fandom is still split over Belly’s endgame, but it’s safe to say a majority are on team Conrad due to the books.
Taking to Reddit, one said, “I don’t even really understand how people believe Jeremiah could be endgame?? What is the point of any of Conrad’s scenes if she’s just gonna end up with Jeremiah.
“Right from the jump it is clear that this story is about Belly and Conrad. The entire first season confirms that or they would have shown how despite having feelings for Conrad, things grew with Jeremiah.
“Instead, they show Jeremiah as a roadblock to Conrad. If by Season 3 you can’t pick out that this is clearly Belly and Conrad’s love story then you clearly are not getting the point and potentially just watching a completely different show from me lol.”
Another wrote, “Jenny Han said the show’s ending is different from the book and why am I kinda scared lol,” but as one fan pointed out, “Reminder that Jenny also said the ending might be different for To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before… it’s her playbook.”
A fourth chimed in, “As soon as Conrad walked into screen accompanied by Taylor Swift’s Lover, I knew this wasn’t a love triangle. It’s a Bonrad story with hurdles.”
Some fans are happy either way, including this person who said, “Overall, I’m team Jelly and team Bonrad. I think both are completely valid decisions to like and I support both ships.
“At the end of the day it’s up to Belly. I personally am leaning a bit towards Jelly, but only for the show. I like Jere’s character a little more. Can’t wait to see where it ends up going.”
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