The long-awaited season three of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (TSITP) premiered, Jul. 16, streaming on Amazon Prime with new episodes released every Wednesday.
The series is a television adaptation of the novel trilogy written by Jenny Han. The romantic, yet thrilling essence of the novels and show gained popularity over the years as Lola Tung plays the main character, Isabel Conklin, also known as Belly, and Christopher Briney plays the main love interest, Conrad Fisher. Since the first season, the series won several awards including the 2024 People’s Choice Award for The binge-worthy Show of the Year.
Throughout the first season, Susannah Fisher, Jeremiah and Conrad’s mother, is diagnosed with cancer which grows each passing day. Season two pivots around Isabel and the grief of Susannah’s death. Furthermore, both brothers and Isabel return to the beach house in Cousins, where they spent most of their time with Susannah, only to find out that it was at the risk of being sold.
Amidst the chaos of the house, Isabel falls into a love triangle between both brothers again. While navigating through emotions and unresolved feelings, the last episode leaves off on her final decision. Her choice was to be with Jeremiah Fisher.
This all changes as the new season continues with Belly and the Fisher brothers after her junior year of college. Turmoil sets in as she realizes her conflicting feelings about Conrad despite being in a relationship with Jeremiah for three years. Not long after, her life begins to drastically flip as her decisions shift the connections around her.
Belly’s obstacles are not the only thing that have held watchers at the edge of their seat this season. Fans will also get more perspective on Steven, Belly’s brother, who is played by Sean Kaufman, and Taylor, Isabel’s best friend, who is played by Rain Spencer.
The third season of the show received an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many mixed reviews online. Critics have commented mixed opinions on how they look at the plotline as absurd or a chaotic depiction of young love. However, some positive reviews say that the show kicked off its final season with a bang and a second rating stated that they find the teenage love triangle compelling.
As the final episodes of the show are soon releasing, fans are filled with suspense on the path Isabel will choose. Each season has shown growth in each character, but fans question where this growth would take Isabel to.
While the show has gained a massive amount of popularity over the years of its streaming, the third and final season of TSITP has received both positivity and backlash from its large audience.
