10 Best Teen Love Triangle Dramas for Fans of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

The TV show *The Summer I Turned Pretty* has finished its run, but fans won’t have to wait long for more, as a movie is on the way. The Prime Video series resonated with viewers young and old, telling a relatable story about growing up, first love, dealing with loss, and the importance of friends and family. A big part of its appeal was the complicated love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, which kept people hooked and even sparked lively debates online as fans passionately chose sides – Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah.

This TV show has everything you’d expect from a good teen drama: complicated relationships, characters figuring out who they are, and lots of strong emotions. If you enjoyed it and are looking for something similar, these 10 shows should hit the spot. Like *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, they all have plenty of dramatic love triangles to keep you hooked.

‘Dawson’s Creek’ (1998 – 2003)

Before teen dramas were filled with love triangles, *Dawson’s Creek* really started the trend. The show follows a group of friends growing up in the fictional coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts – a place that feels a lot like Cousins Beach. Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker, has always had a connection with his childhood friend, Joey Potter. But things become complicated when Jen Lindley moves to town, and even more so when Dawson’s other friend, Pacey Witter, starts to fall for Joey as well.

The OG Teen Love Triangle

The love triangle between Dawson, Joey, and Pacey, much like the dynamic in *Conrad-Belly-Jeremiah*, kept audiences hooked throughout the show’s run. The characters are so well-developed and genuinely care for each other, which makes their relationships feel authentic and emotionally powerful. The central romance unfolds naturally, appealing to viewers who enjoy a slow-developing love story. *Dawson’s Creek* remains relevant today because of its relatable themes of love, friendship, growing up, family, and finding yourself.

‘The O.C.’ (2003 – 2007)

The popular TV show *The O.C.* begins in Orange County, California, with Ryan Atwood, a troubled teenager, being welcomed into the home of the wealthy and compassionate Cohen family. As Ryan navigates this new, luxurious lifestyle in Newport Beach, he becomes close to his adoptive brother, Seth, and develops a romantic connection with their neighbor, Marissa Cooper. This relationship brings Seth closer to Marissa’s friend, Summer Roberts, whom he’s long admired.

One of the Defining TV Shows of the 2000s

If you enjoy shows like *The Summer I Turned Pretty* or the classic *Dawson’s Creek*, you’ll likely love *The O.C.* This series is known for its dramatic love triangles, with several key ones unfolding in the first season. We see Marissa caught between Ryan and her problematic boyfriend Luke, and Seth navigating feelings for Summer while a new girl, Anna, enters the picture. As the show progresses, more romantic complications arise. But *The O.C.* is more than just a teen drama; it also tackles important and challenging themes like mental health, sexuality, addiction, loss, and finding yourself.

‘One Tree Hill’ (2003 – 2012)

If you enjoyed shows like *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, you’ll likely love *One Tree Hill*. This series blends high school sports, music, and emotional stories. The show centers around Lucas and Nathan Scott, who are half-brothers growing up in the small town of One Tree Hill, North Carolina. Lucas is raised by a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet, and he barely knows his father. Nathan, on the other hand, has a comfortable upbringing with both parents. When Lucas joins the school’s basketball team, the Ravens, it creates tension with Nathan, the team captain, and intensifies their existing rivalry. Despite their differences, the two eventually form a strong connection.

An Emotional Depiction of the Messiness and Intensity of Young Love

The show revolves around strong friendships and romantic relationships, especially those between two brothers and their close friends: Haley James, Lucas’s best friend and eventual love interest of Nathan, and best friends Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer. For the first few seasons, a major storyline is a love triangle between Brooke, Lucas, and Peyton – a famously dramatic one filled with heartbreak, strained friendships, broken promises, and betrayal. Despite all the ups and downs, the connection between these three characters ultimately remains strong.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007 – 2012)

If you love shows with fashion, drama, and complicated relationships, Gossip Girl is a classic. The teen series takes place among the wealthy students of an exclusive Manhattan school, following the lives of Blair, Serena, Nate, Chuck, and siblings Dan and Jenny. An anonymous blogger, known as Gossip Girl, exposes all their secrets, making sure everyone is always under scrutiny.

An Unapologetic Web of Secrets, Betrayals, and Love Triangles

The show kicks off with a major love triangle between Blair, her boyfriend Nate, and their friend Serena. While Serena finding love with Dan initially seems to end things between her and Nate, the three of them end up in a complicated romantic situation later on. We also see a love triangle develop between Nate, Chuck, and Blair, and at one point, all four main characters – Dan, Blair, Serena, and Chuck – are involved in a complicated relationship. The series is full of fast-paced drama, changing friendships, and characters who can’t seem to make up their minds about love. If you’re looking for a show with lots of romantic complications, this is a great choice.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ (2009 – 2016)

If you love a good romance with a touch of the supernatural, The Vampire Diaries is for you. The show takes place in the quiet town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, and centers on Elena Gilbert, a teenager dealing with the loss of her parents. Her life changes when Stefan Salvatore, a centuries-old vampire, arrives and she starts to fall for him. Things get even more complicated with the arrival of Stefan’s dangerous older brother, Damon, who wants to reunite with a former love named Katherine Pierce – a woman who, Elena discovers, looks exactly like her.

Another Brother-Centric Love Triangle

Before Stefan and Damon Salvatore, another couple created a complicated love triangle with Elena. Their past with Katherine Pierce would soon come to light, but the central story always revolved around Elena’s connection with both brothers. While Elena initially falls for Stefan, she finds it increasingly difficult to ignore her intense attraction to Damon. For several seasons, the show kept viewers guessing about which brother she would ultimately choose, and the debate over Stefan, Damon, and Elena continues to this day, sparking passionate discussions similar to those surrounding other popular love triangles like Conrad, Belly, and Jeremiah.

‘Sex Education’ (2019 – 2023)

Netflix’s Sex Education centers around Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward teen whose mom, Jean (Gillian Anderson), happens to be a sex therapist. Despite his own inexperience, Otis starts giving sex and relationship advice to his classmates, hoping to catch the attention of Maeve (Emma Mackey). They eventually team up to secretly offer sex therapy services at school.

An Unfiltered Look at Teen Love and Dating

I absolutely love *Sex Education* – it’s one of the best teen shows out there! What really sets it apart is how real and honest it is about relationships and sex, and the characters feel so complex and relatable. It’s genuinely funny, but also surprisingly moving. At its core, it’s about Otis and Maeve – their connection is just so sweet, even when things get complicated. They go through so many ups and downs, caught in a few different love triangles with each other, and then the show expands to explore other characters’ romantic lives too. It’s just a really well-done show!

‘Cruel Summer’ (2021 – Present)

The teen mystery series *Cruel Summer* unfolds across two timelines. Season one (1993-1995) revolves around the disappearance of popular girl Kate Wallis (Olivia Holt) and the subsequent rise of Jeanette Turner (Chiara Auerelia), who seemingly takes over Kate’s life during her absence. Kate suspects Jeanette knew more than she let on about where she was. Season two (1999-2000) shifts focus to Megan Landry (Sadie Stanley), a teenager whose life is disrupted when her family hosts Isabelle LaRue (Lexi Underwood), a wealthy exchange student. Their close friendship becomes complicated by a love triangle and the release of a private video.

A Deeply Complex, Emotional, Psychological Take on Teen Drama

While both *Cruel Summer* and *The Summer I Turned Pretty* center around captivating love triangles, *Cruel Summer* offers a more realistic and intense portrayal of teenage life. What sets it apart is its use of romance to delve into complex emotional and psychological issues. The show was briefly canceled after two seasons, but it’s been picked up for another, making it a great time to start watching. Though originally planned as a completely new story each season, the return of Sophia Holt as Kate suggests the first season’s plot will continue.

‘My Life With the Walter Boys’ (2023 – Present)

Inspired by Ali Novak’s book, *My Life With the Walter Boys* follows 15-year-old Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) as she adjusts to a new life in rural Colorado. After a tragic car accident claims her family, Jackie moves in with her guardian’s large and lively family, the Walters. While dealing with her grief and starting at a new school, she unexpectedly develops feelings for two of the Walter brothers: Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Alex (Ashby Gentry).

Two Brothers and a Girl

Fans who loved the love triangle in *The Summer I Turned Pretty* are already captivated by the complicated romance in *My Life With the Walter Boys*. Like Belly’s choice between Conrad and Jeremiah, Jackie finds herself drawn to two very different brothers, each with a unique personality, creating a similar whirlwind of romantic confusion and drama.

‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020 – 2023)

Mindy Kaling’s show, Never Have I Ever, centers around Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a teenage girl of Indian-American descent. After losing the ability to walk due to the shock of her father’s death, she unexpectedly recovers and decides to completely change her life during her sophomore year. The series follows Devi’s often chaotic journey as she deals with the ups and downs of high school, the pain of loss, first love, and her complicated relationship with her mom.

One of the Best Coming-of-Age Shows of Our Time

The young adult series is truly enjoyable, capturing the drama and big feelings of being a teenager. It balances humor with touching moments, honestly deals with mental health, and thoughtfully explores what it means to find yourself. The show centers around a lively main character and a compelling love triangle that runs throughout the entire series.

‘XO, Kitty’ (2023 – Present)

As a big fan of *To All the Boys*, I was really excited for *XO, Kitty*, which was created by the same person, Kitty Han! It’s a spin-off following the youngest sister, Kitty Covey-Song, as she moves all the way to Seoul, Korea to attend the Korean Independent School of Seoul – or KISS. For her, it’s a way to connect with her mom’s heritage, since her mother also went to that boarding school. And, bonus, her long-distance boyfriend, Dae Kim, goes there too! But when she finally arrives, she gets a pretty awful shock: it turns out Dae is already seeing someone else – the popular girl at KISS, Yuri Han. It’s a classic setup, and I’m definitely intrigued to see how it all plays out!

A Story of Love and Self-Discovery

This teen TV show is full of romantic drama, with several love triangles – one even involving a fake dating situation. The main character, Kitty, is caught between Dae and Yuri at first. As she figures out her feelings, she develops connections with Yuri and another girl. She also finds herself attracted to Min Ho, who happens to be Dae’s best friend. Many fans consider this series to be the best work yet from creator Jenny Han.

2025-10-06 00:37