The Summer I Turned Pretty (TV Series 2022– ) Poster

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7/10
Frustrating...but I couldn't stop watching
tanstorck25 June 2022
Amongst the cliches, irritating characters, and the irritating choices they make, there is something comforting about this series. The soundtrack, stunning locations, colorful costumes, excellent casting, and all around solid performances make an otherwise unoriginal series quite entertaining....and by the way, I'm team Conrad.
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6/10
What happened????
fulleralecia11 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Did they get new writers or something for Season 2? I really enjoyed season 1. It seemed fun, with the beachy, cute love triangle but then deep subplot with Susanna.

But then Season 2 was just like a train wreck from the get go. "Oh so nothing has been the same since Susanna died..." ummmm ex-squeeze me? Every episode since has been FORCED AND CRINGEY. Like so many episodes seem like filler episodes. Interactions seem forced (hello Steven and Taylor) what the heck? The character development went in the wrong direction and Belly's character is just less likable and kind of annoying. I don't know, I'm just not feeling this new season at all.....
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6/10
Sweet and fun but it's missing something
blebbe10 July 2022
This is more like a 6.5/10 for me. It was a sweet and fun. I liked the setting and the chill beachy vibe. It was a pretty easy binge watch too. But it felt a little shallow and repetitive. I feel like we've seen this story many times already. And that's totally fine, but I just wished this series had had something more interesting that would have made it stand out from the other stories. Some of the interactions between the characters felt unnatural to me as well.
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Melded families spend yet another summer at the beach house.
TxMike1 July 2022
Season Two, 2023: It is July 2023 and the second season of this limited series is available on Prime. My wife and I watched the first two episodes and we are not impressed. This season has none of the novelty and charm of the first season. It is focusing almost solely on the relationship triangle, Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. And frankly it isn't scripted very well and comes across as too juvenile. This whole series of episodes are written and directed by a number of different people and it seems they didn't really know a good path forward after season one. We might watch additional episodes but it doesn't have that "must watch" feel that season one had. We are mildly disappointed.

Season One, 2022: My wife and I just this evening finished this Amazon streaming 7-episode limited series. Each part about 45 to 50 minutes long. It focuses heavily on four teenagers, two boys from one family and a boy and a girl from the other. They have been knowing each other essentially all their lives and grew up mostly like brothers and sister, their moms are best friends. The story is told mostly from Belly's (Isabel) point of view, she is the one, just turning 16, that became pretty that summer.

There are a few side stories going on, some involving an ex-husband or an estranged husband. And the usual "on again, off again" teenage friendships. The 16-yr-olds getting ready for the debutante ball. But the most significant is the illness of one of the mothers.

While we, grandparents in our 70s, are not the target audience for this type of teen-focused programming we enjoyed it quite nicely. With a show like this it hinges on whether you can care about the characters, if you can easily put aside the fact that you are watching actors playing fictional roles. And we were able to do that with this series.

The last episode ends in a way that it certainly sets up for a sequel and my wife tells me that a second season is in the works. We will also watch that when it becomes available.
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9/10
A comfort show
phoebesowten22 March 2023
I feel like people get way to critical about these easy watching, light, young adult TV shows. If people read the books they would realise that actually the show adapts the storyline much further - the books are meant to be easy reading and therefore the show is also meant to be easy watching.

I really loved this show. I found it so comforting and entertaining and will continue to rewatch it. Sometimes the simplicity and cheesiness is just what you need and it clearly isn't aimed at adults or those who don't enjoy said shows. If you want something light hearted and fun, this is perfect. Cant wait for season two.
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9/10
Don't mind the trolls
tamartins19 June 2022
I read so many bad reviews saying how poorly was adapted but I guess people didn't pay attention that the author itself created e co-wroted the series so I guess all the changes from the books were made because she thought it would fit better. I'm in the middle of the book right now and so far the series was much better and the changes elevated the stories for me. Oh and also if you're a middle age man and you're saying this is trash then maybe you should watch appropriate things for your age and your wonderful IQ. And for the one that only paid attention to the politics, belive nobody that cared about the romance and the untangle of it paid any mind to it. It's a great series, very easy to watch and will hold your attention for sure. And the tracklist is great! Highly recommend the show!
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7/10
Might lower my rating after s2
mlfabian18 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This show started out as a fun, summer romance for teens but also included so much drama with the parents I felt it was good for all ages. Season 2 started out so sad. And ended sad. Belly should've chosen neither boy once she saw what she was doing to their relationship. Jere was good enough to tell Conrad to tell her he still loves her, and he'd back off if she chose Con.. she chose wrong!! Yes, Conrad needs to do a lot of work on himself and he's kinda boring.. but all those years Belly was "in love" with him, he felt it, too, as evidenced by the infinity necklace.. she never gave jere a second thought (emotionally or romantically) until he kissed her and she felt lust.. not sure I'll watch s3.
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9/10
Watch it for "Jeremiah"
kelley123118 June 2022
Jeremiah is by far the best character of the series. Such a cute tween book to series adaptation. There's many layers and relationships from parents to children that everyone can connect with.
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6/10
Very Wattpad
Zarinkarim6 August 2022
It's alright, good binge material if you're bored. Decent acting in season 1, the second season however fails to deliver. The story lacks depth however and at times is very predictable. The source material feels like it was taken straight out of Wattpad, no idea why there is so much hype out there. I take it the books are better?
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10/10
Unexpected And Exactly What I Just Needed.
rockyservacio17 June 2022
Even though I haven't read the books, I still came to like it in the end--hold on, let me rephrase that, I actually came to love it! There's no single episode that doesn't make me chuckle or smile because of its romantic scenes. All in all, it was an unexpected experience because I actually watched this series with low expectations because I thought this will be full of cringe scenes, but I was wrong, instead it made my day complete! 10/10 for me. Keep up the good work!

P. S. I think every season needs to end with a Taylor Swift song because her songs are just sooo good!
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7/10
It's a usual growing of age story yet it is still enjoyable and fun to watch.
arvinjanasis12 July 2023
One of those series that made me watch just because I saw the trailer and I was hooked.

Based on the books by Jenny Han, this series is good as its own. There's the summer story, romance, drama and sadly tragedy. At first, it is a simple story of how Belly spent her usual summer until everything is different and how that year changed everything.

It's a usual growing of age story yet it is still enjoyable and fun to watch. Easy to binge with good ensemble cast and really good soundtrack. A romance story with songs from Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo? It's a yes. So if you are looking for a series to easily binge and enjoy, this is a good series to begin with. Season 2 is also about to get released this week. Crossfingers on that Back to December version from the trailer.

At the end of season 1, you're gonna have a question whether you are team Jeremiah or Team Conrad

The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1 is 7/10. It'll make you smile and cry.
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9/10
Thank you (for season 1 -and please stop there!)
thom-7588715 May 2023
I haven't read the books so I cannot have an opinion about the adaptation; but I did watch the whole thing at once. It has been a long time I had not been swept into a story like that, I did feel a lot of emotions throughout the story, with good actor play and good filming plus a perfect soundtrack! It makes you fall in love again, go on vacation and enjoy the simplicity of life again. I miss shows like this, where there's no display of drug use/almost explicit sex scenes or stupidity to make it more thrilling: it's a comeback to more simple and qualitative times and human interaction. A big thank you and I'm excited for season two this summer.

Edit S2: haven't been able to finish season 2 as it was so bad. All the spirit of season 1 is gone. Bad writing, stupid story line, annoying new characters. Now they are just trying to keep it going to « create content ». Extremely disappointed and gave up after 5 long and stupid episodes. I wish they would have stopped after season 1 and make it a mini-series. This isn't ok. Haven't changed the rating as it only stands for season 1.
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7/10
Second season disappoints
courtneybkeen12 August 2023
I loved the first season of this show. It's a fun, bingeable, teen-angsty series. The setting creates an environment you can escape into. The teens were also very well-cast and engaging to watch. The adults not so much, but that could be overlooked. However, this second season drags. Everything just seems sad. It lacks complexity and all the color of the first season. Their cousin is also such a bad actor it's distracting. If there is a third season, I would love to keep watching if they're able to rebound and get back to the energy of the first season. But maybe the "will they, won't they?" drama has played itself out...
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5/10
Are we suppose to like Belly?
Manni728 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Look, I like teen age-ish drama TV shows and books but this is really something else.

The only character I wasn't rooting for was Belly herself.

Let's look at her boy drama, shall we?

She finds Cam and it seems like they totally hit it off and he is really into her. But then she breaks up with him to be with Conrad. Okay, sure, you like another guy. But then Conrad acts douche-y so you go hook up with his brother, Jeremiah. Jeremiah, who didn't show half of the season that he even liked her until Conrad and Belly's almost kiss. Like he talked nothing but hooking up with everybody and drinking at parties. Out of nowhere, I'm suppose to believe he likes Belly? Not to mention, Belly didn't seem to be into him at all until he confessed. It's like a light switch and suddenly she's like 'oh yeah I like this brother!'.

Okay, sure, let's pretend I believe it. So then Conrad comes back to Belly, apologizes and pretty much says he wants to be with her and she turned him down to be with Jeremiah. But at the same time, being with Jeremiah she still liked Conrad and how he was always suppose to be the one. So end of the season, she's still together with Jeremiah but then kisses Conrad.

Like, how am I suppose to root for this girl?
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9/10
Surprisingly really good!
Cosmic_Sorcery17 June 2022
I thought this show would be just another Gen Z kind of show with exaggerated acting from mediocre actors and a generic story. But it's actually really well made. This is probably the closest to realistic portrayal of modern youth I've ever seen a tv show do. The acting is good, the character development is great, and it keeps you entertained. Nowadays so many movies and tv shows make Gen Z look either incredibly depressing and dramatic or some completely unrealistic fairytale. There are some moments that feel very genuine I'm the show, like you are actually witnessing a real conversation happen with the characters.
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10/10
I sobbed like a baby
vanessxisabelle19 June 2022
It's 4am and I just finished binging this show in one night. I am not gonna shut up about this for a while istg i'll tell everyone i talk to about this. The plot, the tropes, this is RIGHT up my alley it's insane. Everything from the summer-house vibe, old childhood friends turned into love-triangle, the friendship between the moms (!!!!!! Oh my GOD), the girl best friend... the list goes on - i'm so obsessed. Belly is me, I am Belly. It's insane how much I relate to her. The volleyball tournament scene AHHHH and oh god how much I cried. The Fourth of July episode already wrecked me out of various reasons but the final episode? Excuse me??? I swear to god I can't remember the last time a show or movie has made me sob like a baby on this level and broke my heart into pieces. I'm happy with the kind of hopeful/happy-ish ending but still. Also, I've had an inner battle going on for a while about whose team I'm on but I think eventually I might actually be Team Jeremiah which is really surprising to me. Oh god I can't stop rambling about this. Anyways, this show is so much better than I expected. I would've been happy with regular clichée teen romance but it's so so much more than that. Haven't read the book but gonna start reading asap tomorrow.
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6/10
[6.3] Pretty first, poison ivy next
cjonesas7 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A mild series for teens with average everything besides the photography, some good acting, especially by Lola Tung who acted naturally with some charisma, sometimes a little uptight though, the cheesy pendulum romance and love triangle between the two brothers and her that is cute at first sight but soon and quickly gets a little on nerves, the semi unrealistic and convoluted flow of emotions and sensations between lips, love and skins are all too unrealistically emotional and not so bright.

Everything on the sensation level was too underdeveloped, either you do go full speed or you do nothing, literally kissing the brothers on week's days is just shattering for viewers' nerves and uneasy on their minds.

Season 1 was much more natural and better developed and flowed, while season 2 nearly forgot all the good principles set and painfully built , and was just cheesy bunches of scenes and situations and a whole lot of too loud music, score and soundtracks. The latter was also ear cringey in season 1, but was more dissolved in the better storyline plots.

Belly's poison ivy-obtuse behavior and pendulistic back and forth frowny pheromones were enough to put off any emotional love and feeling in any boy and if I had to choose a brother and relate to him, I would choose Conrad. I understood him more, better and what he was going through more than Jeremiah who was just there for the sake of the plot and the writers' semi twisted mind. Though he played ok, Jere-Belly's love was and is not believable.

After finishing season 2, I would have to wait a whole 365+ days for the new season to come with a heavy and cloudy blanket of cheesy, corny and cringey fabrics all over me.

Screenplay/storyline: 6 Development: 7 Realism: 6.5 Entertainment: 6.5 Acting: 7 Filming/photography: 7.5 VFX: 7 Music/score: 6 Depth: 5.5 Logic: 6 Flow: 6 Drama/romance: 6 Ending: 5.5.
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8/10
Everything I wanted it to be
Orezia17 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
7.5 stars This show was everything I wanted it to be, I read the books just before the show and was very happy with all the cute nods to the books.

The changes made were great and really brought the story into the 2020s.

To me Laurel is a stand out, and that red dress?! In love. I wanted more Laurel & Conrad heart to hearts.

I loved the addition of the debutante theme, but didn't like the girl on girl rivalry.

You can see feel how young Belly is at 16, she's still making mistakes and doesn't understand that her actions have consequences, which is totally understandable. I hope they work on her character development if we get a season 2.

I thought that Jere having feelings all these years wasn't really well portrayed at the beginning? (Just me?) but because I'd read the books, I knew what to expect.

This show isn't supposed to be revolutionary. I loved the cheesy moments bar a few. And im team Conrad and Belly. I had smiles at the end.
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7/10
I don't really get the love triangle thing
vilmahave21 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
So I think the show overall is good and enjoyable to watch, especially if you like teen romance, the characters navigating within youth and struggling with different relationships between family, friends and romance.

About the plot i didn't really liked the thing about Jeremiah suddenly liking Belly, and how he has supposed to be liking her for a long time without "us" knowing it. I think Jeremiah as a character is a good fill in and i thought he was that friend where something romantic never could come between them. Therefore i was kinda disappointed when the whole love triangle comes up with Conrad and Jeremiah. Also because they are brothers. Shouldn't she have thought about kissing Jeremiah one more second?

And also from what I have heard from season 2, the easy answer is just Conrad. I don't wanna waste a lot of episodes on her finding out which brother she should choose, when it's been him (Conrad) all the time.

All in all a good show creating good vibes and containing good music with good acting i think. Also good chemistry and friendships between the actors. It makes it more real.
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10/10
Matched the tone of the book!
callijacquelle17 June 2022
Let me start by saying, I love the books. Love them. They're so warm and sweet, and I was so nervous when I heard there was going to be a tv series. I thought the series would never be able to match the tone the books I have... I was wrong! Thankfully so! This series kept that warm and sweet feeling and followed the books so well. Loved it! Excited for the next season!
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7/10
Belly went from likable to dislikable
lafscal21 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I could not understand why Belly turns into a self absorbed shallow girl when she starts out with good values and caring for others. She breaks 3 boys hearts and uses her now good looks to trample over everyone including her best friend. I watched this series while being quarantined from COVID and it did hold my interest so I rated it a 7. Good acting although a bit overacting such as the mother's getting high and acting out of character and Belly getting drunk with no real consequences.
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9/10
Enjoyable Watch
schirbab19 June 2022
I'm going to preface I did not read the books- and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I threw it on as something to watch an episode of and ended up binging it. It's a really easy watch. The soundtrack is amazing!

I'm a woman in my 30s - probably not the target audience but I enjoyed the adult and teen story lines. I read The To All the Boys books by Jenny Han & was very upset the 2nd & 3rd movie were so diff from the books so I understand people being upset by changed storylines.

No spoilers but the last episode made me bawl my eyes out. I'm excited for season 2.
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7/10
Dropped a star. Disappointed
Nikki-D321 July 2023
This show was really amazing and special to me for the 1st season. I felt that magical, butterflies, carefree on the beach, can't wait to open the car door when you get there, warm sunny days, seeing friends that you haven't all winter, the smell of the ocean, salt water taffy, kayaking, sparkly wonderful everything the 1st season. I fell into it all as if I was there and watched it multiple times. I have been waiting for what feels like years and years for the 2nd season and what I was worried about happening, did. I understand the tone is different because everyone is grieving but it's just so different in so many ways. There's a bunch more swearing, so many scenes done in a very dark lighting. I hope it gets better but if not it really should of stopped at Season 1.
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5/10
The final? Did not get it
andreaguecruz30 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Can someone please tell me when did Belly broke up with Jeremiah? I don't get it. In the 30:00 min she is kissing Jeremiah and then 10 min later she is kissing Conrad? How? When? What did I miss? When did she talked to Jeremiah about this? It does not make sense.
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10/10
The perfect summer show
Icestarfish-15 July 2022
The perfect show to watch again and again in the summer. No it doesn't follow the books exactly but it's fun, the love story is sweet, and the cast and social media along with it is fun. Not everything has to win awards.
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