The love triangle at Cousins Beach has never been more complicated. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 available to stream on amazon prime video, pushes Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah into the messiest, rawest summer yet; one that tests love, loyalty, and growing pains in ways fans both love and argue about. With seven episodes unwrapped so far, audiences are divided between swooning, frustration, and heartbreak. And the big question remains: what happens next in Episode 8?

In this review, I’ll break down the Season 3 episode by episode (1–7), look at the cast’s performances this year, and also share what to expect in the much-anticipated Episode 8 of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

The Cast: Familiar Faces, Deeper Emotions

The success of this series depends on the three leads, and Season 3 pushes them harder than ever:

• Lola Tung (Belly): Belly’s biggest challenge this season is no longer just “choosing between the brothers.” Tung captures the confusion of being pulled in two directions while also dealing with grief, independence, and identity. Belly feels more layered, sometimes frustrating, sometimes relatable.
• Chris Briney (Conrad): If Season 2 painted Conrad as closed-off and brooding, Season 3 finally cracks that shell. Briney’s performance peaks in Episode 7, where Conrad’s vulnerability bursts through, reminding everyone why Team Conrad is so loyal.
• Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah): Jeremiah is the emotional opposite, open-hearted, optimistic, and endlessly giving. Casalegno shines in showing how devastating it is to love when you constantly feel like the fallback option. Many Reddit threads agree this season adds depth to Jeremiah beyond just being “the fun brother.”
• Jackie Chung (Laurel) and Sean Kaufman (Steven): The grounding forces. Laurel, with her quiet wisdom, reminds us that this show isn’t just about romance but also about growing up after loss. Steven continues to be the much-needed comic relief and voice of reason.
• Emily Skinner as Taylor – Belly’s close friend, often giving advice and perspective on her love life.
• Other Summer Friends – Various actors appearing as friends, love interests, or cousins, adding to the dynamic beach town feel.

The chemistry between these actors is what keeps the show alive, even when the pacing sometimes falters.

Episode 1 — “Still Burning”

The season premiere sets the stage by immediately throwing us into the aftershocks of Season 2’s ending, where Belly and Jeremiah agreed to give their relationship another chance. The tension is palpable, because while the “Jelly” shippers are finally seeing payoff, the ghost of Belly’s unresolved feelings for Conrad lingers in every interaction.

This episode feels like a reintroduction, almost a narrator reminding us: “Remember where everyone left off?” Belly is caught between wanting to move forward with Jeremiah and still carrying unresolved history. Many Reddit threads echoed mixed feelings about this opener, some found it too slow, others thought it captured the awkward realism of teenage heartbreak perfectly. I lean toward the latter; it was imperfect, but raw.

Episode 2 — “Lines in the Sand”

Episode 2 pushes the love triangle forward. Belly and Jeremiah’s chemistry feels light, warm, and deliberately in contrast to her constant tension with Conrad. However, what truly elevates this episode is the focus on family dynamics, Susannah’s absence is still a shadow, and the Fisher brothers’ grief manifests in ways that test their bond.

This is where we see Conrad more vulnerable, less the brooding archetype and more the emotionally stunted young man trying to put his guard back up. Belly feels torn—not because of immaturity, but because both boys represent different versions of love. Personally, this episode stood out for how relatable those “lines in the sand” really were, the choice to move on, or to keep revisiting the past.

Episode 3 — “Maybe It’s Us”

Reddit discussions really blew up around this episode, and I can see why. Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship faces its first cracks here—those small incompatibilities that nag at you despite best intentions. A beach party sequence makes it clear that Jeremiah wears his heart on his sleeve, while Belly is still subconsciously looking for Conrad in the crowd.

This is also the point where I felt for Jeremiah the most. He doesn’t deserve to constantly feel like a second choice, and this episode captures that undertone beautifully. Conrad, on the other hand, spends his time pushing people away… classic him.

Episode 4 — “Crossroads”

Episode 4 is a standout because it balances drama with heartfelt moments. The writing really leaned on symbolism here—the idea of crossroads, choices, diverging paths. Belly grapples with what her “ideal summer” even means now, while both brothers are forced to finally confront their fractured relationship.

What struck me here was the family-first undercurrent. Laurel, Belly’s mom, serves as that grounding presence reminding us this isn’t merely a love story—it’s a story about growing pains, grief, and redefining identities. By now, Belly seems less of a passive character and more like someone aware of how her choices will ripple outward.

Episode 5 — “Our Versions of Love”

Hands down my favorite of the season so far. Episode 5 slows down, and instead of leaning on melodrama, it asks one key question: what kind of love do you believe in? For Jeremiah, it’s about honesty, constancy, and showing up. For Conrad, it’s about quiet devotion, even if tangled with fear. And for Belly, it’s about figuring out if she’s clinging to nostalgia or actually embracing the present.

It’s no wonder Quora debates heat up around the themes Jenny Han has set up here. Belly choosing Jeremiah isn’t just about him, it’s about her choosing certainty over turbulence. And yet, the tension remains unresolved.

Episode 6 — “Unravel”

This episode is messy, in a good way. The love triangle is no longer “subtext,” it’s center stage. Belly oscillates between Jeremiah’s stability and Conrad’s magnetic pull. Normally, mid-season episodes can feel like filler, but this one felt like deep character work.

On Reddit, many fans vented about how Belly seemed “selfish” here, while others defended her, pointing out she’s a teenager learning about complex emotions. For me, the heart of Episode 6 lies in the unraveling not just of relationships, but of illusions. Everyone is realizing love is not as clean-cut as they want it to be.

Episode 7 — “The Break”

And then comes the gut-punch. Episode 7 solidifies Season 3 as the most emotionally raw installment yet. This is Conrad’s episode; Chris Briney does some of his best work here, portraying a young man finally bringing walls down. His vulnerability contrasts sharply with Jeremiah’s heartbreak, leaving Belly yet again at a standstill.

Critics on Vulture and Vogue both touched on this episode as a turning point, and I agree. It’s painful, it’s messy, and it finally forces Belly into the uncomfortable truth: no matter what she chooses, someone she loves will get hurt.

Episode 8 Preview: What’s Next?

While Amazon has been careful not to drop spoilers, Episode 8 has been heavily teased as another turning point. Based on Jenny Han’s book We’ll Always Have Summer (though adapted loosely), Episode 8 is expected to bring Belly’s confusion to a breaking point, forcing a temporary decision. Expect the following developments:

1. More Conrad POV: After Episode 7’s vulnerability, Episode 8 will likely continue Conrad’s emotional arc, showing him less guarded and more proactive.
2. Jeremiah’s Breaking Point: With seven episodes of patience, Jeremiah may finally express frustration. Watching him step out of the “perfect boyfriend” role could be key.
3. Belly’s Choice (For Now): Don’t expect a final choice in Episode 8, but do expect her to declare where she stands right now, setting up fallout for the season’s closing stretch.
4. Family Threads: Laurel and Steven’s subplots are likely to deepen, reminding us that Cousins Beach summers are about more than teenage love triangles.

Final Thoughts

Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty is not neat, nor is it universally satisfying—and maybe that’s why it works. Unlike Season 1’s coming-of-age sweetness or Season 2’s grief-heavy tone, Season 3 feels like the messy middle ground of real life. Belly isn’t the idealized heroine anymore; she’s a flawed teenager trying to navigate impossible choices.

Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah debates will rage on endlessly, but by Episode 7, what struck me most was how much the season shifted focus away from “who will she choose?” toward “who will they all become after this?”

If Season 1 was innocence, and Season 2 was grief, then Season 3 is the painful, uncertain process of becoming. And for that reason, it’s messy, frustrating, and at times beautiful, exactly like the summers it’s trying to capture.