If your middle or high schooler has suddenly started asking for "Emi Jay" hair clips or listening to "Cruel Summer" on a loop (wait, they were doing that anyway), it’s likely because of this show. Based on the YA novels by Jenny Han—who also gave us To All The Boys I've Loved Before—the series follows Isabel "Belly" Conklin.

Every summer, Belly’s family heads to Cousins Beach to stay with her mom’s best friend, Susannah, and Susannah's two sons: Conrad and Jeremiah. The "hook" is that this is the summer Belly "turns pretty" (her words, or rather, the title's words), and the boys finally stop seeing her as a pipsqueak little sister and start seeing her as a romantic interest.

It’s a classic coming-of-age setup: first loves, first heartbreaks, and the realization that your parents are actually flawed humans with their own messy lives.

The show is a masterclass in "vibes." It’s filmed with a hazy, golden-hour glow that makes every scene look like a Pinterest board. But beyond the aesthetic, it taps into the very real, very intense emotions of being 16.

The "Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah" debate is the new "Team Edward vs. Team Jacob." It has created a massive digital footprint where kids argue over which brother is better for Belly.

The show also uses music as a character. Jenny Han famously gets almost any Taylor Swift song she wants, which makes the show feel like a 45-minute music video for the Gen Z soul.

Look, as a 30-something, watching The Summer I Turned Pretty can be a bit of an exercise in patience. Belly can be incredibly self-centered, and the "love triangle" often feels like she’s just bouncing between two brothers who really should be focusing on their own family trauma.

Conrad, in particular, is a "fixer-upper" character. He’s often dismissive and moody, which the show frames as romantic because he’s "going through things." It’s a trope we’ve seen a million times, and frankly, it’s a bit tired. Jeremiah is more likable but is often treated as the "backup" choice, which is its own kind of frustrating.

However, the show handles the subplot of the mothers' friendship and a battle with cancer with surprising grace. It’s actually the most grounded part of the series. While the kids are crying about who is going to the deb ball, the adults are dealing with life-and-death stakes, and that contrast keeps the show from being total "brain rot."

Ask our chatbot for a breakdown of the most "toxic" character traits in the show

The show is rated TV-14, and that’s a pretty fair assessment. It’s definitely "Upper Middle School/High School" content.

There is a significant amount of underage drinking. It’s portrayed as a standard part of a "beach summer"—parties, beer, some hard liquor. There’s also some casual marijuana use (vaping or joints) by the teens. It isn't necessarily "glamorized" in a gritty way, but it is normalized as a background element of being a teenager.

It’s much tamer than Euphoria or Gossip Girl. There are plenty of making-out sessions and some "steamy" scenes, but Season 1 stays mostly in the PG-13 realm. Season 2 gets a bit more mature as the characters get older, with implied sex and more intense romantic situations.

Standard teen fare. Some S-words, but nothing you haven't heard in a Marvel movie.

Check out our guide on how to talk to your teen about "normalizing" drinking in TV shows

One thing to chat about with your kids is the central premise: the "Glow Up." The idea that Belly only becomes "worthy" of the boys' attention once she loses the glasses, gets contacts, and puts on a sundress is a bit... 2005.

It’s a great jumping-off point for a conversation about self-worth and how media ties a girl’s value to her physical transition into womanhood. Belly is the same person she was last summer, but suddenly she’s "valuable" because she’s "pretty." It's worth asking your kid: "Do you think the boys would have noticed her if she hadn't changed her look?"

If your kid has finished the series and is going through withdrawals, here are some alternatives ranging from "sweet" to "a bit more drama":

Ages 10+ The ultimate mother-daughter "vibe" show. It’s wittier, less focused on "glow ups," and has that same cozy, small-town feeling.

Ages 12+ The OG summer friendship story. It deals with similar themes of growing up and changing family dynamics without the heavy focus on a singular love triangle.

Ages 12+ If they want the "butterflies in your stomach" feeling of first love but want something significantly more wholesome and inclusive, Heartstopper on Netflix is a 10/10 recommendation.

Ages 13+ Mindy Kaling’s show about a high school girl navigating grief and boys. It’s much funnier than TSITP and handles the "love triangle" with a lot more self-awareness.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a relatively safe bet for teenagers. It’s dramatic, yes. It’s a little soap-opera-ish, definitely. But it also opens the door to talk about some heavy topics:

It’s not "educational" in the traditional sense, but it’s a cultural touchstone for this generation of girls. If you want to win some points, just ask them: "So, are we Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?" and then sit back and listen to the 20-minute presentation they’ve already prepared in their heads.

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