Belly’s Final Choice in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Books Might Break Your Heart, Or Heal It
When it comes to iconic YA love triangles, The Summer I Turned Pretty stakes its claim right next to Twilight and The Hunger Games. At the centre? Isabel 'Belly' Conklin and the two Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. As Amazon Prime's The Summer I Turned Pretty enters its emotional third season, fans are asking one burning question: Who does Belly end up with in the books?
It’s a love story soaked in nostalgia, summers by the beach, and heartbreak that matures with time. The show may be steering into some unexpected territory, but the source material, the Summer trilogy by Jenny Han, offers a definitive, if bittersweet, answer.
Throughout three novels, The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer, Belly's heart swings between Jeremiah, the sunny, loyal best friend, and Conrad, the brooding older brother who has loved her silently for years.
Each boy represents a different version of Belly’s life. With Jeremiah, she imagines a stable, cheerful future. With Conrad, she feels a depth of emotion that borders on fate, but it’s messy, complicated, and full of missed chances.
By book three, it seems Team Jeremiah is winning. But hold that thought.
So…What Happens in We’ll Always Have Summer?
Two years after Belly and Jeremiah officially become a couple, things get serious, fast. Jeremiah proposes during college, and Belly says yes. Wedding bells start ringing, but there’s a heavy truth in the air: Jeremiah cheated on her during a brief breakup and then lied about it. Not great.
Still, they push forward with the wedding, much to the shock of their families and readers alike.
But guess who shows up in full emotional force?
Conrad.
Conrad, who’s long avoided sharing his feelings, finally opens up and confesses he never stopped loving Belly. His timing? Right before her wedding to his brother. It’s messy. It’s heartbreaking. It’s classic Conrad.
And it sends Belly spiralling into the one question she can’t avoid anymore: Who does she truly love?
In one of the most emotionally charged scenes in YA fiction, Jeremiah confronts Belly on the morning of their wedding.
'Are you still in love with Conrad?'
Her answer? A devastating, quiet 'Yes.'
That single word ends it all.
Belly calls off the wedding, and her relationship with Jeremiah crumbles for good. But her journey isn’t over yet.
A Time Skip and a New Beginning with Conrad
Fast forward a couple of years.
In the book’s epilogue, we find out that Belly and Conrad reconnected after college. The healing took time. The love never faded. And yes they get married.
Jeremiah? He attends their wedding…with a date. No drama. No bitterness. Just closure and growth, which is Jenny Han’s signature move.
What About the Show? Will Belly Still Choose Conrad?
Now here’s where things get juicy. The show is not a copy-paste of the books, and that’s by design.
Jenny Han, who also serves as the series showrunner, has confirmed that the adaptation allows for creative liberties. She told Entertainment Weekly: 'There are surprises. And some things aren't exactly like the books.'
She even hinted that Belly might not choose anyone at all, stating on the podcast Wild Card with Rachel Martin: 'Well, she doesn’t. I don’t think she has to choose one.'
Meanwhile, Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah) teased a 'mature' and 'happy' end for his character, possibly alluding to a show arc that diverges from the book’s heartbreak.
Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad
For fans, this love triangle isn’t just about who Belly picks. It’s about why.
- Jeremiah was always there, ready to build a life together. His betrayal cut deep, but his love was consistent until it wasn’t.
- Conrad, on the other hand, fumbled more times than we can count, but his love carried more weight. He knew her before she bloomed. He saw her soul, not just the girl who grew into summer.
In the end, Belly chooses the one she couldn’t let go of, even when it hurt.
Where to Watch The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty television series is available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. To watch it, you’ll need an active Prime subscription or a Prime Video subscription in regions where the full Amazon Prime membership is not available.
So, Who Does Belly End Up With?
In the books? Conrad.
In the show? It’s still up in the air.
What’s certain is that Jenny Han’s story is more than just a tug-of-war between two boys. It’s about Belly choosing herself, growing through heartbreak, and learning that real love isn’t perfect but it’s worth the wait.
Whether you’re #TeamConrad, #TeamJeremiah, or #TeamBellyNeedsToTravelSolo, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a coming-of-age tale that resonates because it feels real.
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About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I'm Akanksha Sinha, an expert in writing sports blogs, news, and various articles for entertainment and more. I bring a unique flair to my work, providing insightful perspectives on the world of sports.
My articles aim to inform and entertain, making me a go-to source for sports enthusiasts seeking a blend of information and enjoyment. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, I consistently deliver compelling narratives that resonate with a diverse audience.
