Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? It’s the question that every girl seems to have a passionate answer for. Many viewers remember exactly where they were when Taylor Swift’s “Out of the Woods” started playing as Belly ran through the train station. The chills. The cinematography. The tears. The Summer I Turned Pretty has become so much more than a typical coming-of-age series. Whether you’re rooting for a Fisher brother or relating to Belly, the show is filled with romance, friendship, family, drama, and nostalgia that keep women of all ages emotionally invested.
The Feeling of Nostalgia
For many viewers, the opening notes of the theme song are enough to bring back a wave of nostalgia. The feeling of being young during the summer, spending time at a beach house with few responsibilities beyond enjoying the moment, and having nothing to worry about except which boy you like more. The way Belly escapes to Cousins every summer is the same way many viewers escape into each episode.
It’s More Than Just a Love Triangle
The Summer I Turned Pretty explores much more than a love triangle. Throughout the series, it tackles themes of friendship, growing up, family dynamics, love, and grief while remaining light-hearted and relatable.
Between Belly and Taylor’s friendship and Laurel and Susannah’s lifelong bond, viewers are reminded of how important female friendships can be throughout different stages of life. The show highlights how these relationships evolve while remaining a source of support through life’s biggest challenges.
Family relationships also play a central role throughout the series. Belly’s conflicts with Laurel coincide with the struggles between Jeremiah and Adam, showing that complicated family dynamics are something many people experience. Seeing these relationships portrayed honestly can help viewers feel understood and less alone in their own experiences.
Grief and the death of a loved one are other deep topics brought up throughout the show, that grief isn’t linear, and there is no right way to deal with situations like this. We can see how Conrad, Jeremiah, Laurel, and Belly all handle Susannah’s death differently, making this aspect more relatable for a broader audience (kinda bad point idk).
The series also explores grief in a realistic and compassionate way. Rather than showing one “correct” way to mourn Susannah, the audience watches Conrad, Jeremiah, Belly, and Laurel each process her death differently. Their individual approaches reinforce the idea that grief isn’t linear and rarely follows the same path for everyone.
We See Ourselves in Them
The Summer I Turned Pretty resonates with so many viewers because its characters face real problems in realistic ways. Seeing your own thoughts, emotions, and experiences reflected on screen can make you feel understood and remind you that you’re not alone.
You may relate to Belly, feeling like every decision you make is the wrong one, even when you’re trying to prioritize yourself. Or maybe you relate to her desire for a fresh start and the need to find your own “Paris.”
Conrad is relatable because he consistently puts other people’s needs before his own, often at the expense of his emotional well-being. His avoidant tendencies make it easier for him to push away the people he loves most, like Belly and Jeremiah, because he believes he is protecting them.
Jeremiah, on the other hand, represents almost the opposite approach. Rather than avoiding problems, he often jumps headfirst into trying to fix them. His proposal to Belly is one example of this, as he hopes a grand gesture will solve the deeper issues in their relationship, only to realize that their problems are deeper than that.
You might also see yourself in Taylor and Steven, who spend years pushing each other away before finally allowing themselves to be vulnerable. Maybe you relate to Taylor’s struggle with feeling like she’s never enough, or to Steven’s tendency to avoid difficult conversations. Even the supporting characters like Cam Cameron, Denise, Skye, and Nicole represent experiences and personalities that make the series feel authentic. Jenny Han creates a world where almost every viewer can recognize a part of themselves.
A Fear of Regret
Women in their 30s are often navigating careers, relationships, marriage, parenthood, or major life transitions, and no two paths look the same. One feeling that The Summer I Turned Pretty captures particularly well is the feeling of wondering what could have been.
Looking back on your teenage years or early twenties, it’s natural to wonder how life might have been different if you had made another choice. You may watch Belly and think, “Why didn’t I go to Paris when I had the chance?” or “What if I had chosen my version of Conrad instead of Jeremiah?” While these questions don’t have answers, they reflect a universal experience of looking back on younger versions of ourselves with curiosity, nostalgia, and sometimes regret.
The First Love Effect
The idea of a first love is something many people carry with them for years. First loves often feel different because they introduce emotions and experiences that are entirely new. Even long after a relationship has ended, those memories can remain meaningful.
The Summer I Turned Pretty revisits that emotional intensity through Belly’s relationship with Conrad, providing hope that some love stories can come full circle. For many viewers, the series brings back memories of a high school crush, a college situationship, a first heartbreak, or the excitement of falling in love for the first time. Whether those memories are happy or bittersweet, they remind us of a period in life when everything felt new, uncertain, and full of possibility.
THERAPY SERVICES WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, we understand this longing for what could have been. Having outlets like TV shows and movies that you relate to is good, but being able to handle your emotions in a real and present way is also important. Learning how to regulate these feelings is essential for your physical and mental health. Through our safe space for growth and rejuvenation, you can be your best self. We believe you have the power to make the changes to better your mental health, and we are here to help. Take control of your life and make a difference.
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team of Therapists for College Students and Our Therapy Specialists
- Let’s Talk About How We Can Help You Feel Empowered & Ready To Take The Next Step!
SPECIFIC THERAPY SERVICE WE OFFER IN MANHATTAN & ONLINE THROUGHOUT NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, AND FLORIDA
At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and finding the excitement in your life. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Depression Therapy, Anxiety Therapy, therapy for college students, and more. Are you feeling as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about it.
