The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 is here to deliver a showdown. Quite unsurprisingly, people have a lot to say, but not in a good way. What was supposed to be a slow-burning coming-of-age story now feels like a chaotic mess of impulsive choices.
Adaptations always involve change, but to fans, this season feels more like a betrayal. Let’s explore why The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has sparked such emotional backlash.
Dumbed Down Belly, Sidelined Conrad in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a television adaptation of Jenny Han’s beloved YA book trilogy of the same name. The original novels built a loyal fanbase that connected deeply with the characters, especially Belly and Conrad.
However, like many book-to-screen adaptations, the show has taken notable liberties with the source material. While some changes are expected, many longtime readers feel the show has altered the heart of the story.
Starting with the main character, Belly herself. In the books, she was emotionally grounded, with her fair share of inner turmoil and longing. Like any teenager growing up, she made mistakes, but even her immaturity felt realistic rather than reckless. Through her inner monologues, readers could see her sincerity, even in her slip-ups.
In contrast, the show’s Belly often feels shallow and impulsive. Gone are the moments of self-reflection. Instead, viewers are left to judge her tantrums and poor decisions.
Conrad, who should have been the emotional core of the series, now feels like an afterthought. We get occasional glimpses of his heartbreak and emotional weight, but only on the surface. There has been little to no exploration of his emotional development.
In the books, his bond with Belly as they navigated grief and guilt was a central part of the story. Unfortunately, in the show, his pain exists only in the background.
When the Side Couples Have Better Chemistry Than the Main
A consistent issue that fans have complained about is the jarring lack of chemistry between Belly and Jeremiah. Even those rooting for the two admit their romance lacks weight. And then you have Conrad and Belly sharing a sense of intimacy with just a glance.
Many viewers have joked that the side couples have better chemistry than the main. Steven and Taylor’s nine-second silent stare alone did a lot of emotional lifting. In contrast, Belly and Jeremiah being together feels forced and artificial. They come off as performative and immature, despite the show’s efforts to portray any sparks between them.
Shock Value and the Price of Engagement
The series seems desperate to introduce surprise moments: sudden hookups, out-of-character decisions, without laying any emotional groundwork. At some point, it all just feels like a watered-down CW drama.
Then there’s the book, which always carried a subtle, quiet tone. Unspoken grief and silent beach walks were all part of a greater emotional buildup. Especially now, with the new season, the show seems hell bent on a ‘what’ll happen next’ energy. It doesn’t offer the audience much to resonate with.
Signs are clear; the focus is on keeping the online conversations alive. As a result, what’s left is nothing but audience engagement built around a story with no real logic. It wouldn’t be wrong to say the characters are acting impulsively for the sake of the plot.
Take Jeremiah’s marriage proposal, for example. It lands as a poorly timed plot twist with no real gravity or tension.
Considering this will be the last season of the show, the situation only feels heartbreaking. A story that had the bones of something beautiful and heartfelt is now reduced to a product of hollow, algorithm-friendly drama. It’s only fair that longtime fans have been bitter. What are your thoughts on Season 3?
