Who Does Belly End Up With in The Summer I Turned Pretty?

Jenny Han’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” trilogy, and its recent Amazon Prime adaptation, have ignited passionate debates among fans about one pivotal question: Who does Belly end up with? At the story’s core lies a timeless love triangle—Belly Conklin, Conrad Fisher, and Jeremiah Fisher—set against the backdrop of sunlit beach houses and turbulent summers. The journey to Belly’s decision is both heart-wrenching and relatable, offering insight into the complexities of first love, family bonds, and growing up.

Beyond pure intrigue, the answer reveals how coming-of-age stories continue to resonate. According to literary critic Caroline McKinney, “Han’s work taps into the universal uncertainty of youth, making us remember our own crossroads.” This exploration doesn’t just satisfy curiosity but also illuminates broader truths about choice and change.

The Love Triangle: Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah

The Friends-to-Lovers Arc

From the series’ first pages, it becomes clear that Belly’s life revolves around the Fisher brothers. For years, she has vacationed at Cousins Beach with her mother, her older brother Steven, and the Fishers—her mother’s best friend Susannah and her sons.

• Conrad Fisher: Brooding, enigmatic, and emotionally guarded, he is Belly’s longstanding crush. Conrad embodies the mysterious first love—distant yet deeply compelling.
• Jeremiah Fisher: Outgoing, open-hearted, and steadfastly loyal, Jeremiah represents safety and exuberance. His affection for Belly grows from deep friendship to romantic longing.

Many YA fans note similarities to classic coming-of-age love triangles, such as Bella-Edward-Jacob in “Twilight” or Lara Jean’s dilemmas in Han’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” What sets Han’s series apart is how vividly each relationship evolves and is challenged by family tragedies, communication breakdowns, and personal growth.

Emotional Turbulence and Character Growth

Belly’s adolescence is marked by milestones—her first kiss, heartbreak, and battles with insecurity. The series explores not only who Belly ends up with, but how she becomes resilient and self-aware. Family illnesses, shifting friendships, and the specter of change at Cousins Beach create pressure-cooker conditions for her choices.

“The emotional realism of Han’s writing invites readers to empathize with Belly’s uncertainty, showing that clarity in love is often earned, not found overnight.”
— Lydia Parker, Young Adult Fiction Reviewer

Each summer exposes new truths, reframing Belly’s feelings for Conrad and Jeremiah. In the second book, “It’s Not Summer Without You,” tragedy and loss force the characters to reconsider what truly matters, setting the stage for the series’ resolution.

How the Books Resolve: Belly’s Final Choice

Book 3: “We’ll Always Have Summer”

All questions about Belly’s heart are ultimately answered in the trilogy’s final installment. After years of tug-of-war between the Fisher brothers:

• Belly and Jeremiah try to build a lasting relationship, even getting engaged in college.
• Yet, the relationship faces fundamental trust issues. Jeremiah betrays Belly while at a fraternity party—a turning point that erodes their bond rapidly. Their rushed wedding plans become a battleground for re-examining what they both want.

As the wedding approaches, Conrad confesses that he never stopped loving Belly. In a risky, emotionally raw move, Belly breaks off her engagement to Jeremiah, choosing to be true to herself rather than going through with a commitment out of fear or obligation.

The Series’ Epilogue

The book’s epilogue is clear and unambiguous: years later, Belly and Conrad are married. Quiet, reflective passages hint at growth, healing, and a romance that has matured beyond youthful uncertainty.

• Belly ends up with Conrad Fisher.
• Jeremiah and Belly, though scarred by heartbreak, find their own separate pathways forward.

This ending remains consistent with Jenny Han’s original blueprint, providing a sense of full-circle catharsis for readers.

Comparing the Books and the TV Adaptation

Fidelity to the Source Material

While the Amazon Prime adaptation introduces new scenes and subplots, the emotional arcs and central dilemmas largely mirror the books. Nevertheless, adaptations inevitably generate speculation: Will the show alter the ending to favor Jeremiah? Will Belly’s choice feel as convincing on screen?

Early seasons have yet to reach the saga’s conclusion, increasing fan engagement and theorizing. Social media buzz and fan forums show that many viewers align with the original narrative, expressing satisfaction with Conrad’s maturity and the earned nature of his relationship with Belly.

Why the Belly-Conrad Ending Resonates

Real-world data from book forums and reader polls reflects strong support for Belly’s final decision:

• Goodreads discussion threads frequently note that Conrad’s growth and willingness to be vulnerable mark a decisive turning point.
• Polls on YA romance sites indicate a majority favor Belly ending up with Conrad, valuing the nuanced, “slow burn” progression.
• Critic Elaiza Swenson writes, “Belly picking Conrad is no fairytale—it’s an outcome rooted in years of shared history, forgiveness, and evolving priorities.”

Why This Storyline Endures

Broader Cultural Impact

Romantic triangles may be familiar, but Han’s treatment of the theme feels contemporary and layered. Instead of a simplistic winner-loser outcome, every character adapts and matures, echoing real-life relationships. Belly’s indecision, mistakes, and resilience mirror what so many experience on their way to adulthood.

Jenny Han herself has stated:

“I wanted the story to reflect real choices—sometimes messy, sometimes brave. Who Belly ends up with is about her learning to choose herself, first and foremost.”

In a streaming era defined by reboots and adaptations, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” sets a high bar for authenticity. Its enduring appeal among Gen Z and millennial viewers suggests a hunger for stories that don’t shy away from emotional ambiguity and growth.

Conclusion: A Story About More Than Just “Who”

Belly Conklin’s journey isn’t simply about picking a romantic partner; it’s a meditation on family, loss, and the search for identity. In Jenny Han’s original trilogy, and likely in the faithful TV adaptation, Belly ends up with Conrad—a decision rooted in years of heartache, perseverance, and romantic development.

Yet the real resolution lies in Belly’s transformation. Readers and viewers are reminded that coming-of-age stories endure because they mirror our own emotional turning points. For anyone left wondering who Belly ends up with, it’s not just a matter of names, but of personal growth, mature love, and the courage to choose an authentic future.

FAQs

Who does Belly end up with in the books?

Belly ends up with Conrad Fisher in Jenny Han’s book series. The epilogue of the final book, “We’ll Always Have Summer,” reveals that they are married years later.

Does Belly marry Jeremiah in “The Summer I Turned Pretty”?

Although Belly gets engaged to Jeremiah in the third book, their relationship doesn’t last. She ultimately calls off the wedding after realizing her heart truly belongs to Conrad.

Is the TV show’s ending the same as the books?

As of the latest season, the TV adaptation has not completed the trilogy’s storyline. However, Jenny Han is closely involved, and there are strong indications the show will honor the original ending.

Why did Belly choose Conrad over Jeremiah?

Belly chooses Conrad because she realizes that their connection runs deeper and stands the test of time and adversity. Conrad’s personal growth and honest confession play a significant role in her decision.

Do Conrad and Jeremiah remain friends after Belly’s choice?

While their relationship is understandably strained following the events of the final book, the Fisher brothers gradually begin to move forward. The narrative suggests eventual reconciliation, although their dynamic is forever altered.