It was the summer she traded her flip-flops for feelings, and now her heart has far more sunburns than her shoulders ever had. This was the case for Belly Conklin, where she finds herself developing a simmering crush on the two Fisher brothers. This year, something’s changed. Belly’s not waiting for summer; instead, summer seemed to be waiting for her, causing a variety of emotions and a daunting realization. This is “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han dives into universal themes of love, self-appraisal, and poignant nostalgia that develop from childhood to adulthood. Throughout the series, Belly Conklin develops an interest towards her love life, experimenting with what would be the best fit for her. This process is explored through the complexities of family dynamics, friendships, and the competence of a single, unforgettable summer. Ultimately, this series sets the emotions and uncertainties that the world contains.
“I love the uncertainty of the show and how intrigued it gets me,” said Bianca Pottorff, 11.
While Belly navigates the uncertainty of her relationships, she’s faced with the challenge of growing up, discovering her childhood memories are fading, and are now restored with a more complex and unknown future.
“What makes me want to watch the show is the dynamic they all have,” said Rose Stewart, 9.
Not only does the show provide loads of dramatic screenplay, but it also gets teens, adults, and friends to connect through forming opinions and debating different love interests. This creates a dispute among many viewers where “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah” come together, creating diversity in opinionated thoughts and emotional contrasts. This element of the series engages fans with the debates on which brother Belly will end up with, generating bonding time with friends and family.
“What makes me want to watch the show is that whenever I watch it, I can connect with my friends and we can watch it together,” said Macy Sands, 11.
Apart from the potency of the show’s plot, the characters are likable and relatable. Each character expresses an emotion, showcasing the values of what reality could look like. The immense storyline unveils characters’ true colors and authentic emotional despair, creating a suitable sensation aligning with actuality.
If she could pick any relatable character in the show, she would pick Conrad Fisher, said Marlowe McClung, 11.
The dramatic plot creates disputes between viewers, which leads to more interactions within the fan base.
“I realized that Jeremiah was a manipulative manchild,” said Taylor Sands, 11.
Overall, the show has achieved the goal of entertaining people around the globe, earning it high ratings on both Prime Video and social media platforms. It offers a blend of nostalgia while still capturing the essence of summer love.
“I would give the show a 9/10 because it’s very fun to watch and gets me on the edge of my seat,” said Alison Tennyson, 11.
