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How the series The Summer I Turned Pretty became a phenomenon
On September 17th, 2025, Prime Video aired the final episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Adapted from Jenny Han’s novels, this romantic series ran for three seasons and left a mark on a large audience of teenagers and adults alike. All that thanks to the heroine, known as Belly, and the love triangle she forms with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. As a follow-up film has just been announced, Numéro looks back at the reasons why the show has become a huge success.
par Violaine Schütz,
et Ambra Flora.
Published on 22 September 2025. Updated on 23 September 2025.
The Summer I Turned Pretty and its endearing love triangle
Airing on Amazon Prime since the summer 2022, the series The Summer I Turned Pretty has become viral. Yet, on paper, the narrative is simple – a teenage love triangle that drag on. The premise? “Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin spends her summers at Cousin’s Beach with her mother and older brother, along with her mother’s best friend and her sons. During one particular summer, she experiences her first love, but also her first heartbreak.”
We follow the emotional ups and downs of Belly (Lola Tung), who has been in love with Conrad (Christopher Briney), the sensitive and tormented older brother, since childhood. But the sunny, very friendly Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), the other brother, is also becoming more and more appealing to her. Both are madly in love with her, setting the stage for a rivalry between the two siblings.
The protagonist has a hard time choosing between these two very different boys and constantly changes her mind. The situation is all the more difficult as the characters are also navigating life’s painful trials – illness, infidelity, loss – while discovering the joys of love.
A show that leans fully into nostalgia
The main storyline may not be the most original one. Yet, all three seasons have captivated the audience by leaning fully into nostalgia. From Conrad’s wardrobe, reminiscent of the 1990s, to the cozy atmosphere reminiscent of shows like One Tree Hill or Gilmore Girls, the series channels the spirit of classic 1990s and 2000s romcoms.
Among the references cited by the showrunners are films like Casablanca (1942), Notting Hill (1999), and La Boum (1980). The characters often watch old black-and-white films, such as Sabrina (1954), starring Audrey Hepburn.
The soundtrack also includes vintage tracks by the Smashing Pumpkins, Aerosmith, the Beatles, New Order, and Guns N’ Roses. One of the standout features of the series is its eclectic and well-crafted soundtrack, featuring hits by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Kim Petras, Angèle, Lisa, Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, Tame Impala, The Weeknd, and Cardi B.
An irresistible cast led by Lola Tung
Another major reason behind the show’s success is the cast. The Summer I Turned Pretty took a chance on relatively unknown actors, who have since become stars. Christopher Briney (Mean Girls, 2023) is spot-on as a young Leonardo DiCaprio look-alike, while Gavin Casalegno shines in the role of Jeremiah.
But it is Lola Tung‘s moving performance that truly wins us over. She brings depth and precision to the role of Belly, a shy and self-conscious teen, who becomes “pretty” – although she always was – and starts to draw everyone’s attention in the first season of the series. As the episodes go on, her personality gains nuance and complexity. Especially through the emotional blow of losing her mother’s best friend… A woman she considered as her second mother.
Even though her actions, (at times hurtful) words, and indecision can be divisive, her awkwardness and self-doubt make her deeply relatable. Now 22, the young American actress is poised to become a Hollywood star, in particular since a film following up The Summer I Turned Pretty is already in the works.
All three seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty, created by Jenny Han, are available on Prime Video.
