Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?

On March 7th, Prime Video announced that the highly anticipated third and final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty will premiere in July 2025. With its return comes the age-old debate: Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah. Today, we present arguments for both—Steven for Team Conrad and Zainab in defense of Team Jeremiah.

In defense of Team Jeremiah by Zainab:

There is something to be said for first love—the thrill, the excitement, the rush. It’s a memorable, life-changing experience. However, I’m sick and tired of it being used as the backbone of arguments for why Belly and Conrad should end up together. The reality is that throughout seasons one and two of The Summer I Turned Pretty, while Conrad might know Belly’s favorite candy and offer her his sweatshirt when she’s cold, he is cold. He’s a horrible communicator and unable to express his feelings when it matters the most—cut to Belly heartbroken and alone on her prom night. “His mom had cancer and then she died!” Well, so did Jeremiah’s. It’s no secret that hurt people hurt people, but we should never excuse our partners for treating us poorly.

Seasons one and two normalized and romanticized the toxic relationship between Conrad and Belly, teaching young girls that it’s okay to choose the person they’ve idealized and fantasized about, even if they’ve hurt us and said cruel things. Jeremiah may represent the “safe” option to some, but I see him for what he is to Belly—present, honest, and affirming. You don’t need to be with the person who’s difficult to discern, or makes dating you feel like a challenge. Choose the person who makes you feel happy, valued, and like your best friend.

When you’re young and idle, it’s incredibly easily to create unnecessary challenges in your romantic life just to make things feel more exciting. But that’s a dangerous and unhealthy habit. I’ve spent two seasons watching Belly chase the version of Conrad she desperately wants him to be, but when we stop and consider who he’s actually showing her he is, the choice becomes clear.

In defense of Team Conrad by Steven:

Let's get real—first loves are chaotic, dramatic, and honestly, kind of addictive. But dismissing Belly and Conrad’s relationship as just another toxic teenage romance completely misses the point. Conrad isn't merely Belly's first crush; he's that magnetic, undeniable love that feels impossible to shake. Every scene in The Summer I Turned Pretty featuring these two is loaded with chemistry—think stolen glances, whispered secrets, and that electric, butterflies-in-your-stomach tension.

Okay, yes, Conrad has some serious communication issues, and he's undeniably struggled with grief in ways that have hurt Belly at times. But their relationship isn't defined only by the tough moments. Beneath the drama, Conrad and Belly share an intense emotional connection, complete with vulnerable conversations and real, raw intimacy—far more compelling than the friendly vibes she shares with Jeremiah. Belly and Conrad could never be "just friends" because, let's face it, their feelings are way too deep and complicated for something casual.

Jeremiah might seem like the safe, charming choice, but he's also the biggest obstacle to what feels destined—Belly and Conrad. The show doesn't hide the fact that Belly’s heart keeps circling back to Conrad. Those thoughtful little gestures—like remembering her favorite candy or lending her his sweatshirt—aren’t trivial; they're swoon-worthy reminders that he's tuned in to who Belly genuinely is.

Choosing Conrad isn't about romanticizing drama—it’s about recognizing a love that’s passionate, challenging, and undeniably authentic. Conrad represents growth, excitement, and the kind of love that forces Belly to confront her true self—not because it’s easy, but because it’s real. Belly and Conrad aren’t just a fleeting summer fling—they’re endgame, and I’m absolutely here for it.