The third season finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty finally brought the story to a close after following Belly and the other characters through years of conflict, joy, and tough decisions. Even though there were moments of the season that felt emotionally deep and nostalgic, the last episode didn’t show enough of the depth and conclusion that many people waited for. As a result, the series’ emotional journey didn’t feel fully honored, even though the ending met the requirements of the story.
After the wedding was called off, it was vital that Belly was able to “find herself” in Paris instead of going straight to Conrad. It honored the importance of choosing herself first so she could really evaluate what decisions she would make without any external factor affecting that.
The reunion between Belly and Conrad was meant to be the centerpiece of the finale. Though the scenes in Paris were visually appealing and offered an ending that many fans would enjoy, the emotional foundation between Belly and Conrad didn’t feel like enough. Rather than showing the growth and understanding of each other that would make their reunion feel earned, the show presented it as an inevitable outcome – something that any viewer could have predicted from the first episode. The entire episode was filled with flashbacks from season one (where the two were high schoolers at the time), and there weren’t enough moments this season to see how their relationship really grew.
The handling of other key characters in the story also felt uneven. Steven and Taylor had developed a very complex relationship in the last season, and the finale didn’t do them justice by adding yet another big argument between the two. While it was refreshing to see them choose to work through their issues, the focus on conflict with Steven and Taylor limited the opportunity to show the healthier, more joyful parts of their relationship. Instead of constant disagreements, a more balanced look at their dynamic would have left their ending feeling more complete.
Jeremiah’s role in the finale felt underdeveloped. After playing such a central part in the story, his short scenes lacked the weight needed to wrap up his arc. While it seemed as though he had grown since he was with Belly and found an interest to really commit to, he still was unable to give up on the internal competition he held against his brother. Given everything he did and experienced throughout the series, it would’ve been nice if the sendoff was more concrete.
While the season represented the realities of love, growth, and change, the finale felt too rushed for those elements of the story. Watching it back, the season finale would have been better broken up into two more episodes. The Summer I Turned Pretty ended with the couple that almost every fan rooted for, but the importance of how that ending is carried out wasn’t thought through carefully enough. Even so, the entire season was exciting and interesting, and a few disappointments from the finale aren’t enough to discredit the hard work and thoughtful choices that were made throughout the production of the series.