Summer usually feels like a fever dream, doesn't it? That specific kind of humidity that makes your hair frizz while you’re trying to look cute for a crush you’ve had since you were six. Jenny Han basically bottled that feeling and poured it into season 1 the summer i turned pretty. If you haven't seen it, or if you’ve only seen the TikTok edits, you might think it’s just another teen drama about a girl in a love triangle. It’s not. It’s actually a pretty heavy meditation on the exact moment childhood dies.
Belly Conklin is fifteen. Well, she turns sixteen during the season, which is kind of the whole point. For years, she’s been the tag-along kid at Cousins Beach, trailing behind her brother Steven and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. But this year? Everything changes. She gets contacts. She loses the glasses. She suddenly exists to the boys in a way that is both exhilarating and deeply uncomfortable. Honestly, the show captures that "first time being perceived" feeling better than almost any other YA adaptation in the last decade.
What actually happens in season 1 the summer i turned pretty
The plot is anchored by the debutante ball, which sounds like something out of a 19th-century novel, but in the context of this wealthy beach town, it’s the social event of the year. Belly’s mom, Laurel, is a writer dealing with a divorce, while Susannah Fisher—the boys' mom and Laurel’s best friend—is hiding a massive secret.
The triangle is the engine. Conrad is the brooding, moody one who suddenly stopped acting like the golden boy. Jeremiah is the sunshine, the one who actually notices Belly right away. Most people forget that season 1 the summer i turned pretty isn't just about Belly choosing a boy; it's about Belly realizing that the people she idolized as a kid are just messy, flawed humans.
Conrad’s distance isn’t just "teen angst." He knows his mother’s cancer is back. He’s carrying that weight alone while Jeremiah is busy being the life of the party and Belly is busy trying to have her "perfect summer." It’s a classic setup, but the execution feels grounded because of the chemistry between Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno.
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The Taylor Swift Effect
You can’t talk about this season without talking about the music. Amazon Prime Video clearly had a massive budget for the soundtrack. When "Cruel Summer" or "This Love (Taylor’s Version)" hits during those pivotal moments, it elevates the show from a standard CW-style drama to something that feels cinematic. It’s targeted directly at a specific nostalgia. Even if you weren't a debutante in a coastal town, the music makes you feel like you were.
Why the Debutante Ball isn't as cringe as you think
On paper, a "coming out" ball for teenage girls feels outdated. But in the show, it serves as a visual metaphor for Belly’s transition. She’s literally putting on a white dress and stepping into adulthood. It’s also where the tension between the brothers finally snaps. The scene where Jeremiah finds out about his mom’s diagnosis while at the ball is gut-wrenching. It’s the contrast between the high-society glamour and the absolute devastation of their private lives.
The Susannah and Laurel dynamic
A lot of people came for the boys but stayed for the moms. The friendship between Laurel and Susannah is arguably the soul of the entire series. They are the "real" love story. While the kids are playing at romance, these two women are facing the reality of mortality.
Jenny Han, who also serves as the showrunner, made a smart move by expanding the roles of the adults compared to the books. In the novels, everything is strictly through Belly’s eyes. In the show, we see Laurel’s struggle with her career and her grief. We see Susannah’s desperation to have "one last perfect summer" before the world falls apart. It adds a layer of "grown-up" stakes that makes the teen drama feel less like a vacuum and more like a part of a larger, scarier world.
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Key differences from the source material
If you read the books back in 2009, you probably noticed some big shifts in season 1 the summer i turned pretty.
- Jeremiah’s sexuality: In the show, Jeremiah is queer/bi-sexual, which adds more depth to his character and makes his interactions feel more modern and inclusive.
- The Debutante Ball: This was not in the first book at all. It was added to give the season a clear "final act" and a reason for all the characters to be in the same place at the same time.
- The stakes: The show moves much faster. We get the cancer reveal at the end of season 1, whereas the books paced that out a bit differently.
The "Team Conrad" vs. "Team Jeremiah" debate
Social media went nuclear over this. Conrad is the "right" choice for the long term if you like the "star-crossed lovers" trope. He’s the one she’s always wanted. But in season 1, Conrad is kind of a jerk to her. He forgets her birthday. He’s hot and cold.
Jeremiah is the "safe" choice. He’s her best friend. He’s there for her. He’s the one she actually has fun with. The show does a great job of making both sides feel valid. You understand why Belly is drawn to Conrad’s mystery, but you also see the genuine warmth she shares with Jeremiah. It’s not a black-and-white choice, which is why the fan base is so divided.
Honestly, looking back, the first season is the most "magical" because of the ignorance of the characters. They don't know how much things are about to hurt. They’re still living in that bubble of Cousins Beach where the biggest problem is who’s taking who to the dance.
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Actionable ways to enjoy the show and its themes
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Cousins Beach or just want to capture that vibe, here is how to actually engage with the series beyond just binge-watching.
Read the books, but expect a different Belly.
The Belly in the books is much more interior and, frankly, a bit more immature. Seeing the evolution from Han’s 2009 writing to her 2022 producing style is a fascinating look at how YA tropes have evolved. You can find the trilogy at almost any local library or bookstore.
Listen to the official playlist.
Music is 50% of the vibe here. Search for the official "The Summer I Turned Pretty" playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. It’s a masterclass in using "sad girl autumn" music in a "bright blue summer" setting.
Focus on the cinematography.
Notice the lighting. The show uses a specific "golden hour" filter for almost every outdoor scene. If you're into photography or filmmaking, it’s a great study in how to use color grading to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and warmth.
Host a re-watch party with a theme.
It sounds cheesy, but the "Cousins Beach" aesthetic is a whole thing. Think pomegranate margaritas (for the adults), blueberry muffins (a show staple), and a "white party" dress code. It’s about leaning into the escapism.
The real takeaway from the first season is that you can't go back. Once you "turn pretty"—or once you grow up, or once you lose someone—the world looks different. You can go back to the same beach house every year, but you're never the same person who walked through the door last time. That’s the bittersweet truth at the heart of the show.