TL;DR
The Summer I Turned Pretty is the reigning champ of "vibey" teen dramas. If your middle or high schooler is obsessed, they’re likely deep into the "Team Conrad" vs. "Team Jeremiah" debate. The show is transitioning from high school innocence to college-age "New Adult" drama in its final season, which means slightly more mature themes (think: engagement plots and more independent living). It’s generally a "safe" watch compared to something like Euphoria, but the social media fandom can be an intense rabbit hole of parasocial relationships.
Quick Links:
- Show: The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video)
- Books: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
- Alternative: To All The Boys I've Loved Before
- Classic Vibe: Gilmore Girls
If you haven't been subjected to the Taylor Swift-heavy soundtrack yet, here’s the gist: The Summer I Turned Pretty is based on the book trilogy by Jenny Han (who also wrote To All The Boys I've Loved Before). It follows Isabel "Belly" Conklin as she spends her summers at a beach house with her mom’s best friend and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah.
It’s a classic coming-of-age story centered on a love triangle, but it also tackles heavy topics like grief, the loss of a parent, and the messy transition into adulthood. For parents, it feels like a modernized, slightly glossier version of Dawson's Creek.
The cast has become massive stars overnight, and their off-screen personas are just as influential as their characters. Here is a breakdown of the main players your teen is probably seeing on their TikTok feed.
Lola is the heart of the show. This was her first major role, and she’s widely praised for being "relatable." Unlike the hyper-glamorous casts of some teen shows, Lola’s Belly feels like a real girl. Parent Note: Lola is very active in theater and often uses her platform for social causes. She’s generally a low-drama celebrity for kids to follow.
Conrad is the "brooding, mysterious" older brother. He’s the one your kid probably has a poster of (or the digital equivalent: a Pinterest board). Parent Note: In real life, Briney is known for being a bit of a "nerd" who loves film photography and has been in a long-term, public relationship, which has actually helped de-escalate some of the "heartthrob" craziness.
Jeremiah is the "golden retriever" younger brother—outgoing, fun, and sensitive. Parent Note: Gavin is very open about his faith and fitness on social media. He has a massive following on Instagram, where he posts a lot of "lifestyle" content.
Taylor is Belly’s best friend. Her character starts as a bit of a "mean girl" trope but evolves into a fiercely loyal protector. Parent Note: The friendship dynamic between Belly and Taylor is actually one of the most realistic parts of the show—showing how girls grow together (and apart) during puberty.
As we head into the final season (based on the third book, We’ll Always Have Summer), the characters are leaving high school behind. This is a pivotal shift for the show’s audience.
In the books, the story jumps ahead to Belly’s college years. There is a controversial "marriage" plotline that has parents and fans divided. While the first two seasons felt like a "YA" (Young Adult) romance, Season 3 is firmly in the "New Adult" category.
What this means for your family:
- Independence: The characters are no longer under the watchful eyes of their moms, Laurel and Susannah. They are making adult choices, dealing with college parties, and navigating more serious relationship stakes.
- The "Marriage" Plot: Without spoiling too much, the third book involves a very young engagement. If the show follows the book, it’s a great opening to talk to your teen about the reality of long-term commitments at age 19.
While the love triangle is the hook, the "aesthetic" is the glue. The Summer I Turned Pretty practically invented the "Coastal Grandmother" or "Coastal Daughter" trend for Gen Z.
Kids love the idealized version of summer: the big beach house, the white linens, the slow mornings, and the lack of phones (ironically). It’s "digital escapism" at its finest. They aren't just watching a show; they are buying the Pinterest lifestyle that goes with it.
The show is rated TV-14, and for once, that rating is actually pretty accurate.
- Sexuality: There are "steamy" scenes, but they are generally handled with more emotional weight and less graphic detail than shows like Gossip Girl. Season 2 features a significant "first time" moment that is treated as a major emotional milestone.
- Substances: There is depiction of underage drinking and some marijuana use, usually in the context of parties or coping with grief.
- Language: Typical teen swearing—nothing that will make your ears bleed, but it’s there.
- Grief: This is the big one. The show centers on the death of a parent. For kids who have experienced loss, this could be either very healing or very triggering.
Recommended Age: 12/13+ If your 11-year-old is asking to watch it, they’ll probably fine, but they might miss the nuance of the emotional drama. It’s a great show to "co-watch" because, honestly, the soundtrack is great and the scenery is beautiful.
Ask our chatbot for a detailed content breakdown of Season 2
The real "danger" of TSITP isn't the show itself—it's the community.
- Shipping Wars: The "Team Conrad" vs. "Team Jeremiah" debate is relentless. It can sometimes veer into toxic territory on TikTok, where fans tear down the female characters or the actors themselves based on who they want Belly to end up with.
- Parasocial Relationships: Because the cast is so active on social media and seems so "normal," kids can feel a false sense of intimacy with them. If Christopher Briney posts a photo with his real-life girlfriend, "Team Conrad" fans sometimes flood the comments with hate because she’s "not Belly."
- The "Summer" Standard: The show portrays a very expensive, idealized lifestyle. It can contribute to a "my life isn't as aesthetic as this" FOMO for teens who are spending their summer at a local pool rather than a Cousins Beach mansion.
If you want to have a real conversation with your kid about the show, try these prompts:
- "Why do you think Belly feels like she has to choose right now? Could she just be single in college?"
- "The show handles Susannah’s illness in a really intense way. How do you think the boys are handling their grief differently?"
- "Do you think Taylor is a good friend, or is she too pushy?"
- "What do you think about the 'Team' culture online? Does it ever feel like people take it too far?"
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a high-quality, emotionally resonant show that captures the "feeling" of being a teenager better than most. It’s a massive cultural touchstone for this generation.
As the show moves into its final season and the characters head to college, the drama will likely ramp up, but the core themes of family and growing up remain. It’s a "thumbs up" from us, provided you keep an eye on the social media rabbit holes that come with it.
- Read the books: If your kid loves the show, encourage them to read The Summer I Turned Pretty book series. It’s a great way to compare the "internal monologue" of the characters to the show.
- Check the stats: Want to know how many other 8th graders in your district are watching this? Take the Screenwise Survey to see your community's data.
- Find alternatives: If they’ve finished the series, check out our guide to shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty.