“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Finale Divides Fans, Movie Announced

Creator: Erika Doss | Credit: Erika Doss/Prime Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC

Summer’s favorite beachside drama has officially come to an end, for now. The Summer I Turned Pretty aired its series finale on September 17, sparking a wave of mixed reactions among fans. Hours after the final episode dropped, Amazon announced a follow-up movie, though no release date has been set.

The finale concluded Isabel “Belly” Conklin’s story in Cousins Beach with her choosing Conrad Fisher over Jeremiah Fisher, a decision that reignited the fandom’s long-standing “Team Conrad” versus “Team Jeremiah” debate. Jeremiah supporters voiced frustration on social media, saying the ending undercut his character arc and the third season ruined him overall, while viewers on team Conrad argue that his personality was always the same, though the season amplified it. Others who hoped to see Belly’s journey close on a note of independence were also disappointed, noting that the show circled back to her familiar entanglements rather than showing personal growth.

Still, many viewers (including me!) praised the show for staying true to Jenny Han’s bestselling novels, arguing that Belly’s choice was inevitable. Belly always gravitated towards Conrad, they say, and there was never really a love triangle to begin with.

What softened the finale’s impact for some was the clever use of its end credits. Instead of a dramatic cliffhanger, the last scene rolled into snapshots of the characters’ candid photos on Christmas. That moment felt intentional, and fans have speculated it hints at when the upcoming movie could premiere— possibly during the holiday season.

The timing of Amazon’s announcement only added fuel to the conversation. Revealing the movie on the same day as the finale kept fans buzzing and reassured them that the Cousins Beach universe isn’t closing just yet.

Whether the film will resolve the lingering debates or only spark new ones remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain– The Summer I Turned Pretty was the summer show, regardless of whether fans agree with the portrayal or not.