The Summer I Turned Pretty has charmed readers since 2009. When Amazon Prime Video turned the books into a series in 2022, many fans expected the exact same story, just on screen.
Yet author Jenny Han had other plans. Loyal readers soon spotted big changes in Belly’s journey. Belly (Lola Tung) still stands between brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), but the path she takes feels fresh. Episode by episode, the writers stepped beyond the printed pages. Jenny Han used this freedom to add new twists and moments.
Whether you have only watched the show or only read the books, this article will guide you through the biggest differences. By the end, you can decide which version steals your heart. Let’s dive in!
The Summer I Turned Pretty Expands Character Perspectives
The books only followed Belly’s point of view. Later on, the second and third books gave brief glimpses into Jeremiah and Conrad’s thoughts. Because of this, readers only experienced what the main trio went through. The other characters often felt like background figures. The show, however, took a different approach. It gave viewers a closer look at everyone’s lives, including scenes that were never in the books.
For example, in the novels, Steven leaves for college and doesn’t come back to Cousins Beach. But in the series, he stays and becomes a much more active part of the story. Taylor also returns as a more developed character. Instead of just appearing in Belly’s memories, she plays a strong role as her loyal and supportive best friend.
Laurel’s job as a novelist is another detail added in the show. In the books, she isn’t a writer at all. Shayla, Steven’s love interest in Season 1, is a completely new character. She doesn’t appear in the original story but adds a fresh dynamic to the series. These changes helped expand the world beyond Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, making the show feel richer and more balanced.
The series is notably more diverse, both in terms of race and gender identity. All of it allowed the audience to connect with each of them on a deeper level.
A More Matured Tone in the Series
Jenny Han wrote the original trilogy in the late 2000s for a younger YA (young adult) audience. Because of this, the books avoid heavy drinking, intimacy, and party culture. The series, however, brings these elements into the spotlight. It includes kissing scenes, bedroom conversations, and more daring romantic moments that reflect a modern tone.
In the books, Belly does not lose her virginity, even by the point covered in Season 2. But the show explores this topic more openly. It presents teenage relationships in a way that feels real and relatable to today’s viewers, capturing how teens now talk, connect, and grow.
Jeremiah’s Sexuality is Explicit in the Show
The novels do not explore Jeremiah’s sexuality. His character mainly centers around his feelings for Belly, with no mention of any other romantic or sexual experiences.
In contrast, the series confirms that Jeremiah is bisexual. He casually shares this in a conversation with Steven, mentioning that he has hooked up with both girls and guys. The show presents this in a natural and matter-of-fact way, without turning it into a dramatic reveal. This approach helps normalize bisexuality and makes Jeremiah feel more real and relatable.
This change brings important representation, especially for viewers who want to see more diverse sexual identities on screen. It also expands Jeremiah’s character beyond the usual love triangle, giving him a stronger sense of identity outside of his connection to Belly.
By exploring his bisexuality, the show adds emotional depth to his relationships with both Belly and Conrad. It creates more tension, adds layers to their dynamic, and shows that Jeremiah’s feelings are complex, not limited by gender or one specific kind of love.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Adds the Debutante Ball Arc
Season 1 of The Summer I Turned Pretty focused on Belly getting ready for and attending a debutante ball. However, this storyline does not appear in the first book at all. The ball became a dramatic setting for romantic twists and character growth.
It also showed Belly’s journey from being a girl to becoming a young woman. The event marked her step into adulthood. Along the way, it introduced new conflicts and friendships that helped her grow both socially and emotionally.
The Show Adds New Love Stories and Relationships
The show introduced several romantic storylines that were not part of the original books. One example is the playful flirtation between Steven and Taylor, which turns into a meaningful subplot. In the books, their connection ends after a brief kiss, but the show develops it further. This deeper bond adds more layers to both characters and gives them space to grow beyond their supporting roles.
Another major addition is the slow-burn romance between Laurel and Cleveland. This relationship does not appear in the books at all. In the series, however, it reveals a different side of Laurel. She is shown as more than just a mother or a friend. She becomes a woman with her own desires, independence, and emotional journey. This allows viewers to connect with her as a full, complex character.
Together, these new romantic arcs expand the emotional depth of the story beyond the main love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. They bring fresh dynamics, open up new paths for character growth, and make the series feel more inclusive. The show reminds us that love and self-discovery aren’t just for the main characters, they’re part of everyone’s story.
Social Media and Technology in The Summer I Turned Pretty Series
The books, written before the rise of Instagram and smartphones, barely mentioned technology. There were no social media updates, video calls, or texting habits. In contrast, the show fully embraces the digital world. It features FaceTime calls between Belly and Taylor, where they share the details of their daily lives even when they are apart. Viewers also see characters using Instagram, posting stories, and texting each other.
These modern touches update the story for a new generation. They reflect how today’s teens communicate, stay connected, and express themselves, making the series feel more relatable and in tune with current times.
Mental Health Gets More Attention On-Screen
While the books briefly mention Conrad’s emotional struggles, mainly toward the end when his inner conflict and moody behavior are explained, the series goes much deeper.
The show highlights his panic attacks, emotional withdrawal, and quiet suffering, bringing mental health issues into the spotlight. This approach offers a more sensitive and realistic portrayal of how grief and pressure can affect someone. As a result, the audience is able to better understand and connect with Conrad’s emotions as he silently copes with his mother’s illness.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Introduces Skye and Aunt Julia
Neither Skye, a non-binary teen, nor Aunt Julia appeared in the original The Summer I Turned Pretty books. The series introduced both characters in Season 2, tying them into the main conflict over the summer house. In the show, it is Julia, Susannah’s estranged sister, who tries to sell the house. This change is a major shift from the books, where Conrad and Jeremiah’s father was the one responsible for putting the house up for sale after Susannah’s passing.
The addition of Julia not only creates new plot tension but also allows the show to explore family dynamics that the books didn’t touch on. Her relationship with Susannah, for example, adds emotional depth and history to the storyline. Viewers get a chance to see how unresolved family issues and grief affect each character differently.
Skye, Julia’s child, also brings a fresh perspective to the group. As a non-binary teen, Skye adds meaningful representation that was missing from the original text. Their presence helps reflect the diversity of today’s teens and makes the world of the show feel more current and inclusive.
Overall, these new characters introduce emotional complexity and social relevance. They help shift the story beyond its original focus, adding new layers of conflict, connection, and growth for both the main and supporting characters.
Jeremiah and Taylor’s Relationship Gets a New Dimension
In the books, Jeremiah found Taylor annoying and simply hated her. In the series, however, Taylor is seen as his biggest supporter, trying her best to ensure that Belly chooses him.
Their relationship brought emotional complexity and mutual growth, creating a softer version of Jeremiah and giving Taylor a redemptive arc.
All the Friends Reunite in Season 2, Not Just the Trio
While the The Summer I Turned Pretty books narrowed its focus to the Conrad-Belly-Jeremiah triangle in its second installment, the show brought back the full cast. Taylor, Steven, Cameron, Nicole, and Shayla all return, creating a more dynamic ensemble experience and offering light moments amid the tension.
The show explored more into these characters and the bonds, allowing the audience a deeper insight.
Jeremiah and Belly’s Emotional Arc is Rewritten
In the second book, Jeremiah quickly forgave Belly for not being there for him. Also, he was the one who reached out to her when Conrad goes missing. In the show, however, he remained distant to her until they finally resolved and talked it out.
Belly is the one who called him first because she missed him. This change intensified the love triangle and added more romantic tension between them in Season 2.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Reimagined for Today’s Audience
The show isn’t just a straightforward adaptation of the books. It reimagines the story in today’s world, making it more relevant. It retains the heart of the books while also expanding their world.
With more screen time for side characters, more diverse representation, and deeper emotional stakes, the series offers something new for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Now, as the fans gear up for the final season starting from July 16, we can’t wait to see what other surprises are in store.
Until then, stay tuned with The World Times for more such updates on your favourite shows and characters.
