The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 1 Review: A Sunny But Messy Teen Love Drama Worth Bingeing

I read The Summer I Turned Pretty ages ago and honestly did not like it much back then. So when the series dropped on Amazon, I was in no hurry to check it out. That is probably why it took me so long to actually watch Season 1 😊. In fact, I even gave it a shot in 2022 but bailed after episode 2.

But then, recently, YouTube decided to bombard me with random scenes and fan edits from Season 3, all because I watched an interview of the leads on Jimmy Fallon. And you know how it goes when you keep seeing reels and shorts about the same show, curiosity inevitably kicks in, right?

So yeah, I caved and gave the show another try.

And now, here I am, finally sharing my thoughts on Season 1 after binge-watching it like it was the last show on Earth. I used to think I was over the whole teen-romance phase, but this show proved me wrong. Turns out, teen romances are my go-to fix for boredom. Always have been, always will be.  

The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022) (7 Episodes)

Belly Conklin is a teenage girl who spends every summer at the beach with her mom and two family friends, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. This summer becomes special as Belly experiences first love, heartbreak, family drama, and big emotions. Caught between the two Fisher brothers, she learns that growing up is a lot more complicated than she thought.

 

Please note: The review below contains spoilers.

 

I enjoyed watching The Summer I Turned Pretty because…

…it is a feel-good drama. If I could go back in time and relive any phase of life, it would definitely be my teens. Teenage years are full of fun, emotions, and unforgettable moments, and this show perfectly captures that magical feeling of being young. Plus, with the sunny beaches, carefree vibes, and warm summer days, the whole show feels like a bright, happy escape.

Then there is young romance that is awkward, messy, and so relatable. Belly is sixteen, and like any girl her age, she wants to meet guys, date, and be seen as a desirable, pretty girl. She has a huge crush on her family friend Conrad, but he is dealing with his own stuff, which is why he shows little interest in dating her. Belly wants her summer to be special and memorable, so when she gets attention from Conrad’s brother Jeremiah, she happily enjoys it before circling back to Conrad later. Don’t judge her, she’s just figuring things out at the most tender age. Normally, I wouldn’t enjoy leads who are confused and can’t make up their minds about whom they love. But these characters are barely in their teens, so all the back-and-forth in relationships is perfectly believable and that’s what makes them so relatable.

Belly is young, pretty, and has been getting attention ever since she arrived in town, so it’s all fun for her. She knows she likes Conrad, but when he fails to give her the attention she wants, she naturally drifts away, only to regret her decisions later. Then there is Conrad, who is dealing with far more personal issues than he should at his age, which makes him moody and unpredictable. He may seem stand-offish at first, but by the end of the season, when you understand his backstory, it becomes clear why he is the way he is. His absent father and sick mother have left him no choice but to take responsibility for his family. He cares deeply for his ailing mother and looks out for his younger brother, but deep down, he struggles under the weight of it all. He suffers panic attacks and mood swings because he is constantly worried about his mother and can’t even tell her he knows that she is terminally ill. He likes Belly but feels he can’t give her the kind of love and attention she deserves, so he tries to keep his distance, though living so close to her makes it nearly impossible. Imagine dealing with all that at such a young age. Poor Conrad!

Then there’s the carefree and charming Jeremiah (my personal favorite), who lights up the screen with his vibrant personality and natural, happy vibe. Being the younger of the Fisher brothers, he lives life to the fullest. Girls are constantly vying for his attention, but he only has eyes for Belly. He knows Belly has feelings for his elder brother Conrad, but that doesn’t stop him from asking her out. That’s teenage confidence in action :D. At his age, it’s easy to believe you can win the girl from your brother, right? And why not? Jeremiah is well-mannered, good-looking, hardworking, and genuinely likes Belly. Sometimes I felt he liked her more because he knew he couldn’t have her, maybe it was like some challenge for him. I dunno, I could be wrong, but that’s how it came across to me.

Then there’s Belly’s brother Steven (another favorite of mine 😊), who is dating an extremely rich and gorgeous girl. I personally loved Steven and Shayla as a pair. Too bad their pairing doesn’t continue into Season 2. I really enjoyed them together and was thrilled to learn that the actors playing these two are dating in real life.

The show isn’t only about teens; it also touches on adult issues like bad parenting, infidelity, and complicated marriages. But I was more interested in the teen side of things, so I mostly focused on the younger characters and their stories.

All this drama and more is served with a gorgeous cast, emotional music, and some heartfelt performances, so there is no reason not to like the show.

In case you are wondering which pair I am shipping, then for season 1, it is Team Jeremiah. Team Jelly (Jeremiah and Belly) makes so much more sense in this season than Team Conrad. 

 

I Did Not Enjoy The Summer I Turned Pretty because…

…the whole idea of Belly toying with the feelings of two brothers made me uncomfortable. One episode, she’s making out with Jeremiah, and the next, she’s kissing Conrad. Meanwhile, both guys are clearly going through a tough time, and it feels like Belly is unknowingly taking advantage of their vulnerability. I almost ended up hating her for being so indecisive and making the brothers suffer unnecessary pain and conflict. I wish Conrad and Jeremiah were not related.

Another issue I had was with Conrad’s bad behavior. Sure, by the end of the season, viewers understand why he’s so moody and unpredictable, but I worry that young viewers might think it is okay. There is a risk that teens watching the show will end up romanticizing his toxic attitude and believe it is normal to accept a guy’s bad treatment just because he is “troubled.”

Then there’s that bizarre scene where a jealous girl leaves Belly and her best friend Taylor completely naked by a deserted lake at night. They eventually call for help, but instead of being angry, Belly goes and apologizes to the girl who did it. Wait, what?! Seriously? The girl doesn’t even apologize for leaving them like that, and yet Belly’s the one saying sorry? So weird. I have no idea why the writers thought that made sense. Is it normal to steal girls’ clothes and leave them stranded like that?    

 

The Summer I Turned Pretty gives you everything you would expect from a teen romance, except a unique storyline. The show is predictable, and that is what makes it so delectable. I personally enjoyed the drama and confusion as I considered a break from the serious content I have been consuming lately.

I give The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 1 a 3.5 on 5 rating. Full of relatable coming-of-age moments and some weird, awkward encounters, the show is worth watching, especially for the cast. However, do not take the teen decision-making too seriously.

 

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