It’s been a long wait. Honestly, if you’re a fan of Jenny Han’s world, the gap between seasons has felt like an eternity. We left Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah in a messy, emotional triangle at the end of season two, and now everyone is scrambling for any scrap of info regarding The Summer I Turned Pretty 3. People are obsessed. They want to know if the show follows the book We'll Always Have Summer or if Prime Video is going to throw us a massive curveball.
Production took a hit because of the Hollywood strikes back in 2023, which basically pushed everything down the line. But things are finally moving. We know the cast is back in Wilmington, North Carolina. We know the vibes are still coastal chic. Most importantly, we know that this season is going to be big. Like, eleven-episodes big. That’s a significant jump from the first two seasons, which tells you they have a lot of ground to cover.
The plot everyone is arguing about
If you've read the third book, you know it’s polarizing. The story jumps ahead a couple of years. Belly is in college. Jeremiah and Belly are together, but things aren’t exactly perfect. Then comes the bombshell: a wedding.
A lot of fans are terrified that the show will ruin Jeremiah’s character to make Conrad look better. In the book, Jeremiah makes a mistake during a spring break trip to Cabo that changes everything. It leads to a hasty proposal that feels more like a band-aid than a romantic milestone. Will the show go there? Jenny Han is the showrunner, and she’s known for sticking to the "soul" of her books while updating the details for a 2020s audience.
The nuance here is tricky.
In the show, Jeremiah has been developed with a bit more depth than his book counterpart. Casting Gavin Casalegno was a stroke of genius because he brings a level of charisma that makes the choice genuinely difficult for Belly. If they follow the Cabo plotline verbatim, social media will probably melt down.
Why eleven episodes changes everything for The Summer I Turned Pretty 3
Usually, these YA dramas stick to a tight eight-episode run. Moving to eleven episodes for The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 suggests a few things. First, we’re likely getting more than just the wedding plot. We might see more of the college years or perhaps more flashbacks to Susannah.
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Susannah Fisher is the heartbeat of this series. Even though her character passed away, her presence looms over every single scene. Rachel Blanchard has been such a vital part of the cast that it’s hard to imagine the show without her guidance, even if it's just in Belly’s memory. The extra episodes give the writers room to breathe. They can explore Taylor and Steven’s relationship, which has become a massive fan favorite. Honestly, Team Staylor might be the only thing everyone agrees on at this point.
The Wilmington Factor
The production has been spotted all over North Carolina. Fans have been tracking "Cousins Beach" sightings like they’re hunting for Bigfoot. From the bridge shots to the beach houses, the setting is a character itself.
It’s worth noting that filming in Wilmington during the summer is no joke. The heat is intense. The humidity is worse. But that’s what gives the show that specific, sticky, summer-dream aesthetic. When you see the sweat on the actors' faces, half the time it’s not makeup—it’s just North Carolina in July.
Addressing the Conrad vs. Jeremiah debate
It’s the question that defines the fandom. Are you Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?
- Team Conrad supporters point to the "invisible string" theory. They argue that Conrad and Belly are soulmates, and his emotional unavailability was just a product of grief and his age. Chris Briney plays Conrad with this specific kind of brooding intensity that makes you want to fix him.
- Team Jeremiah fans see a guy who was always there. He didn’t make her wait. He didn’t play games. To them, Jeremiah represents the healthy choice, even if the books suggest otherwise.
The reality is that The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 has to resolve this. You can't end a trilogy with a "maybe." Jenny Han has gone on record saying she wants to satisfy the fans of the books, which heavily implies a certain endgame. But the journey there is what matters.
Behind the scenes and release windows
We are looking at a 2025 release. Prime Video confirmed this during their upfronts, and while it’s a bummer we don’t have it right now, the scale of this season justifies the wait. They are filming this as one continuous block.
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The budget has clearly increased. You can see it in the production value of season two compared to season one, and with the massive success the show has seen, Amazon is putting real money behind this finale. This isn't just a "teen show" anymore; it’s a flagship property for the platform.
What most people get wrong about the adaptation
There’s a common misconception that the show is a 1:1 replica of the novels. It’s not.
Think about the debutante ball in season one. That wasn’t in the books. It was added to give the show a visual "tentpole" event. Or the boardwalk competition in season two. These additions are designed to make the story feel more cinematic. For The Summer I Turned Pretty 3, expect at least one or two major events that aren't in the pages of We'll Always Have Summer.
Maybe it’s a study abroad trip. Maybe it’s a bigger role for the parents. Laurel’s journey as a writer and a widow has been one of the most underrated parts of the series. Seeing her find joy again is just as important as Belly’s love life.
Navigating the "Cabo" controversy
If you spend five minutes on TikTok, you’ll see the "Cabo" discourse. People are already pre-emptively defending Jeremiah. The writers are in a tough spot. If they keep the cheating storyline, they alienate half the fan base. If they remove it, they lose the catalyst for the book's climax.
What’s more likely is a "gray area" situation.
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Maybe it’s not outright cheating. Maybe it’s a "we were on a break" Ross and Rachel scenario. This allows the show to maintain Jeremiah's likability while still creating the necessary friction to drive Belly back toward Conrad. It’s the kind of narrative tightrope that modern TV loves to walk.
The legacy of Cousins Beach
When this season wraps, it marks the end of an era for YA television. We don't get many shows like this anymore—shows that are unapologetically earnest and focused on the transition from childhood to adulthood.
The success of the series has sparked a massive interest in "coastal grandmother" aesthetics and "summer core" fashion. You can’t walk into a store without seeing the influence of Belly Conklin’s wardrobe. It’s a cultural touchstone.
Actionable insights for fans
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve while waiting for the premiere, here’s how to handle the hiatus:
- Re-read Book 3 with a grain of salt. Understand that the characters in the show are older and more developed. Don't take every plot point as gospel.
- Follow the Wilmington locals. If you're looking for filming updates, local news outlets in New Hanover County often post about road closures and filming permits. It's more reliable than random rumors.
- Watch for the soundtrack. One of the biggest draws of this show is the music. Taylor Swift usually drops a "Taylor's Version" track or a vault song during the trailers. Keep your ears open for any 1989 or Reputation clues.
- Temper expectations on the release date. While 2025 is the year, expect it to drop in the "Summer" window—likely June or July—to maximize that seasonal synergy.
The end of Belly's story is coming. Whether she ends up with a Fisher brother or chooses herself (which is a popular theory, though unlikely given the source material), The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 is going to be the television event of the year for anyone who has ever spent a summer dreaming of a beach house and a first love.