Summers End, Feelings Don’t: The Charm and Flaws of Jenny Han’s Series
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By Odukogbe Abisola Rosemary
At the center is Isabel “Belly” Conklin, whose long-time family friends, the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, suddenly see her in a new light. What follows is the familiar love triangle: one brother is calm, mysterious, and emotionally distant; the other is fun, charming, and openly affectionate. Haven’t we seen this in plenty of other teen dramas already? It creates tension, yes, but it also makes the story predictable. At times, it feels like the series is relying too much on this triangle instead of showing real growth for Belly as an individual.
Still, the series has its strong points. The beach setting and carefully chosen soundtrack (with Taylor Swift’s music being the highlight) create a mood that feels nostalgic and relatable. For many viewers, the show isn’t just about Belly, it’s about remembering the confusion of first love, the pain of growing up, and the bittersweet reality that summers never last forever. Who hasn’t had that one summer that seemed to change everything? The visuals and atmosphere give the series a soft, dreamy feel, which is one of its strongest charms.
Another part that adds depth is the theme of family. Belly’s bond with her mother and the Fisher family drama bring in a more serious layer. The subplot with Susannah Fisher, Conrad and Jeremiah’s mother, is one of the most touching aspects. Her struggles remind us that behind the sunshine and beach parties, life still has challenges. Without that emotional weight, the story would risk being all surface and no meaning.
But even with these emotional touches, Belly’s character development is not as strong as it should be. She often seems indecisive and immature, making choices that can be frustrating to watch. Instead of showing real growth, she is sometimes stuck between wanting to act grown-up and slipping back into childish behavior. At some point, you begin to wonder: is this really the heroine we’re supposed to root for? Some viewers might say it’s just realistic teenage behavior, but others feel it holds the story back from being more impactful.
The cultural impact of the series also can’t be ignored. It sparked a lot of attention on TikTok and Instagram, especially the “Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah” debate. This kind of online hype helped the show reach a wider audience. But it raises the question: does popularity on social media automatically mean quality, or does it just show that the series knows how to stay trendy? For some fans, the hype is proof of its success. For others, it’s more of a sign that the story was designed to go viral rather than to be deeply moving.
Another issue is how much Belly’s story depends on the boys around her. For a series about her “turning pretty” and stepping into maturity, her growth seems tied almost completely to how Conrad or Jeremiah see her. Shouldn’t coming of age be more than just about who is paying attention to you? This makes her journey feel a bit shallow at times, especially when compared to the bigger themes the series tries to touch on.
In the end, The Summer I Turned Pretty delivers exactly what its title suggests: something sweet, light, and easy to enjoy, but not something that will stay with you for very long. It entertains, but it doesn’t go too deep. For those who want a light-hearted romantic drama with summer vibes, it works just fine. But for viewers expecting something fresh or thought-provoking, it may not fully deliver.
Maybe that’s why opinions are so divided. Some fans see it as a comforting, relatable story about growing up, while others dismiss it as cliché. Either way, it reminds us that summer romances, as beautiful as they are, often leave more questions than answers. Growing up is rarely simple, and rarely as pretty as we expect. So, was it really worth the hype, or just another summer fling with good music and a nice backdrop? That’s a question only each viewer can decide
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