“The Summer I Turned Pretty” definitely has its controversial opinions. A girl caught in a love triangle between two brothers? That plot alone sparks a fire. But there’s one big question everyone’s asking: Who is the right match for Belly?
To me, it’s Jeremiah, without a doubt. And just so you know, I’m not just making this up. I’ve read all three books and watched every single episode of the series. Best believe I will be watching that movie too. But before I get into why Jelly (Jeremiah + Belly) is better than Bonrad (Belly + Conrad), I need to explain why I hate Conrad.
Conrad is the biggest player I’ve ever seen. For years, his feelings for Belly are inconsistent, off and on, it’s giving bipolar. One moment, he’s into her, the next, he completely shuts her out. That kind of indecision really hurts Belly, and in the end, it backfires on Conrad because he ends up losing her.
Then there’s the fact that when Conrad and Belly finally get together, it lasts only six months. Sure, he is dealing with the loss of his mom during that time, and don’t get me wrong, grief can consume a person in many ways. But if Conrad knew he wasn’t mentally ready for a relationship, he shouldn’t have led Belly on in the first place. She needs someone stable, not someone who can’t even sort through his own feelings. She is struggling, too.
And, let’s be honest, Conrad is pretty cringeworthy. Everything he says makes me secondhand embarrassed. His vibe is so off, and nearly every word that comes out of his mouth bites him right back in the butt. Belly just deserves better.
Now, let’s shift the focus to Jeremiah.
Do I think Belly actually deserves him? Honestly, no. She has her flaws, too. But is Jeremiah the better brother for Belly? Absolutely.
He’s like a walking ray of sunshine, the complete opposite of Conrad. I’ll admit it: Jeremiah doesn’t notice Belly until that first summer when she becomes “visibly pretty,” as Steven might have said. But after that, it isn’t just about looks. He shows up for her consistently. For four years straight, Jeremiah loves her openly. He is never on and off, and he never leads her on. Not once does he treat Belly as less than or leave her wondering where she stands with him. He is confident in his feelings and never tries to hide them.
That’s the difference.
While Conrad makes Belly question her worth, Jeremiah makes her feel seen. He loves her out loud, in a way she never has to second-guess.
Many may argue that Jeremiah cheats; that might be a valid argument. But to me, it’s just wrong. Technically, they weren’t together; they were on a break, a break Belly initiated (apparently before she got the memo on the definition of a “break”).
Should Jeremiah have told her what happened the second he got back instead of proposing? I mean, sure. But in the end, he is fully transparent with her; he answers her questions honestly, gives her the space she needs and still makes it clear that he wants her. Jeremiah actually fights for their relationship, something Conrad never bothers to do. And that’s exactly why I will choose Jeremiah over Conrad every time.
In the end, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a show that gives me high blood pressure and an enormous amount of anxiety. If I could change anything, I would want a spin-off with just Jeremiah, Denise, Steven and Taylor. Belly and Conrad can stay in France and live happily ever after, away from the others.
