They arrived at Cousins Beach in droves- viewers, readers, romantics drawn by the pull of first love, the warmth of nostalgia, and a love triangle that refuses to cool off. The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han’s beloved YA trilogy turned Prime Video drama, landed its final season in July 2025 and instantly became the cultural moment of the summer.
At its heart, the show captures that ephemeral magic of teen summers: long, sunlit days, shifting identity, and those overwhelming blushes of young romance. Nostalgia is woven through every sandy frame, from the soundtrack (Taylor Swift covers, anyone?) to the ocean-kissed language of longing. Viewers don’t just watch Belly; they feel Belly- her confusion, her grief, her messy heart.
Then there’s the casting: Lola Tung’s Belly, Christopher Briney’s brooding Conrad, Gavin Casalegno’s earnest Jeremiah, they feel like memories made flesh. As The Everygirl put it, “it’s easy to fall in love with every single one of them,” all of whom expanded on the book’s emotional blueprint.
Social platforms turned viewer reactions into rituals. TikTok exploded with #TeamConrad vs. #TeamJeremiah, while emotionally charged scenes like the peach moment or Belly tending to Conrad’s broken leg, sent fans into swooning fits, meme-producing mania, and real-world flood of commentary.
All of this translated into serious success: Season 3 racked up 25 million global views in its first week alone. Prime Video named it a top performer among women aged 18–34, and Season 2 even outpaced its predecessor in viewership.
Even cultural titans couldn’t ignore it. When Taylor Swift fans noticed Easter eggs and Swift’s songs returned in pivotal moments, the internet erupted. Speculation that a brand-new Swift song would debut alongside Belly’s emotional journey only added to the frenzy.
At the end of the day, The Summer I Turned Pretty resonates across generations. Its blend of youthful nostalgia and emotional truth is a mirror for pretty much anyone who’s ever had their heart twisted, broken, and healed on a summer shore. And as beach season wraps up, one thing’s clear: this might just be our summer.
