The popular series ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty,’ based on Jenny Han’s beloved book trilogy, has captivated audiences with its portrayal of complex relationships and summer love.
Set against the backdrop of Cousins Beach, the story follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin, played by Lola Tung, along with her mother and brother, as they spend their summers alongside the Fisher family.
This season, Belly finds herself navigating a challenging love triangle involving the two Fisher brothers: the enigmatic older brother Conrad, portrayed by Christopher Briney, and the more outgoing younger brother, Jeremiah, played by Gavin Casalegno.
Belly has had feelings for Conrad for years, while her friendship with Jeremiah begins to evolve into something deeper.
As the series unfolds, viewers are left debating which brother is the better match for Belly, with many fans aligning their loyalties along familiar lines of fictional romances.
To add depth to the ongoing conversation about love triangles in media, here’s a look back at a few iconic love triangles that have graced the screen over the years.
One of the earliest examples is the classic film ‘Sabrina’ from 1954, which follows two brothers, Linus and David Larrabee, who both fall in love with the same woman, Sabrina Fairchild, played by Audrey Hepburn.
Initially, Sabrina is infatuated with David, but when she comes back from Paris transformed, she catches the attention of the seemingly more practical Linus, leading to complex feelings and rivalries.
Interestingly, ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ has referenced this film multiple times, from reproducing iconic posters to featuring clips, highlighting the irony of how stories can echo through time.
Another memorable love triangle is from the 1997 romantic comedy ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’
In this film, Julianne “Jules” Potter, played by Julia Roberts, realizes just days before her 28th birthday that her childhood friend, Michael, is engaged to another woman.
Determined to prevent the wedding, Jules faces off against her feelings for Michael, creating a narrative that flips traditional romance tropes on their head by positioning her as the “other woman.”
Perhaps one of the most significant modern love triangles is depicted in ‘Twilight,’ where Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, grapples with her affection for the mysterious vampire Edward Cullen and her friendship with the werewolf Jacob Black.
This storyline sparked years of debate among fans, as loyalties were fiercely divided between Team Edward and Team Jacob, showcasing how such dilemmas resonate with viewers.
Returning to ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty,’ season one culminated in Belly briefly dating Jeremiah but ultimately realizing her heart belongs to Conrad.
The season culminates in a romantic beach kiss between Belly and Conrad, solidifying their mutual feelings.
In season two, however, the dynamics shift as Belly and Conrad are no longer together, and new tensions arise during a reunion at the Cousins Beach House.
With growing closeness between Belly and Jeremiah, the season concludes with Belly choosing Jeremiah, leaving Conrad heartbroken.
As the final season of the series approaches, fans are increasingly vocal about their preferences between Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah.
I explored these opinions among SDSU students to gauge where they stand on this love triangle.
Ana Zamudio, a first-year master’s student in marriage and family therapy, boldly claims to be on Team Conrad.
Drawing from her knowledge of the book series, she empathizes with Conrad’s journey and argues that she doesn’t see genuine chemistry between Jeremiah and Belly.
Zamudio describes Jeremiah’s personality as “cringy,” feeling that his cheerful demeanor is inauthentic, and concludes that Belly’s destiny lies with Conrad.
Maria Chavez, also pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy, expresses a sense of loyalty toward Conrad.
She notes that Belly’s long-standing crush on Conrad makes it difficult for her to root for Jeremiah, despite acknowledging that he can be a compassionate partner.
Chavez suggests that Belly should remain committed to her first choice, adding credibility to her feelings for Conrad.
In contrast, Alexa Guevara, another first-year master’s student in the same field, voices her ambivalence, stating she is neither Team Conrad nor Team Jeremiah.
Instead, she champions the idea of “Team Belly,” emphasizing that Belly deserves to prioritize her own needs.
Guevara criticizes Conrad for his mixed signals and suggests that while Jeremiah shows promise, Belly may need time to discover what she truly wants.
As the series builds toward its conclusion, the conversations catalyzed by Belly’s romantic struggles illustrate the timeless allure of love triangles in storytelling.
With differing opinions among fans and characters alike, the resolution remains highly anticipated, ensuring that ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ holds a significant place in the love triangle hall of fame.
image source from：thedailyaztec
