Why The Summer I Turned Pretty has appealed to all ages as Belly finally makes her choice

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Naturally, Jeremiah is heartbroken, though he seems to be recovering quickly. However, it was always clear that only one brother would win Belly Conklin’s heart, regardless of what fans of either brother might think.

Millions of people worldwide watched the season finale on Wednesday, leading many to wonder: with so many teen romance options available-both in books and reality TV-what makes *The Summer I Turned Pretty* such a massive success with viewers of all ages?

Honestly, the premise doesn’t seem very appealing, and it’s easy to find fault with it. Seeing wealthy American teenagers arrive at college in expensive new cars, completely shielded from financial worries, and focused on trivial social events would normally be enough to frustrate me and make me complain about how disconnected young people are these days.

Based on Jenny Han’s popular 2015 novel, the series centers on Belly as she spends her summer at the beach house of her family’s longtime friends, the Fisher brothers. But this summer is different – Belly has turned sixteen and finds herself choosing between two brothers: the brooding and mysterious Conrad, whom she’s had a crush on forever, or the sunny and friendly Jeremiah, who’s always been a good friend.

So why is this show such a huge hit on Amazon Prime Video? The third season premiered in July with a reported 25 million viewers worldwide, and clips and memes are constantly going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. While the core story – a love triangle – isn’t new, fans are incredibly invested in who the main character ends up with. In fact, support for ‘Team Conrad’ and ‘Team Jeremiah’ is so evenly divided that Prime Video had to ask viewers to be respectful and avoid bullying each other online. They’ve requested everyone ‘keep the conversation kind this summer.’

What’s really unexpected is that the show’s biggest fans aren’t just teenagers and young adults. Many of the viewers are women aged 25 to 54, and they’re just as enthusiastic! In fact, bars in Manhattan are now regularly hosting viewing parties specifically for these older female fans – women who are a generation older than the characters on the show.

This story feels like something from the 1980s. Forty years ago, it would have likely been a typical teen movie, complete with a big soundtrack and stars like Molly Ringwald. You can almost picture Winona Ryder in the lead, seeking advice from her family about a difficult choice between two loves – her boyfriend and her best friend.

Movies like the original Top Gun aren’t really made anymore. These days, audiences of all ages are more likely to watch endless streaming series, like one focusing on characters simply lost in thought by the ocean, all set to a soundtrack of popular music. The new film is full of references to the past; there’s even a beach volleyball scene that intentionally echoes a famous shot from Top Gun, complete with a spinning volleyball and a playful nod to the line “the need for speed!” While younger viewers may not remember the original, the filmmakers clearly do.

Gavin Casalegno, who portrays Jeremiah, explained to The New York Times that the show evokes nostalgic feelings of childhood summers and first loves, making it something many viewers can connect with. He shared this as he drove away in his car.

He’s correct. We never truly forget our first loves, and our three main characters would certainly agree.

Okay, so if you’re looking for something new to watch, I’m telling you, add *The Summer I Turned Pretty* to your list! And honestly, to keep up with all the great shows out there, download the TopMob app – it gives you daily recommendations and all sorts of TV features. It’s become my go-to for finding what’s worth watching.

Find more news, interviews, and features in our Drama section. You can also check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find something to watch. For even more TV recommendations and reviews, tune in to The TopMob Podcast.

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2025-09-17 12:34