By Emma wells
The hit TV series and book adaptation The Summer I Turned Pretty has remained on Amazon’s Top 10 list for weeks, drawing fans into its central love triangle between Belly Conklin and brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher.
The debate over which brother Belly should choose has sparked passionate responses from viewers—most of whom appear to favor Conrad.
“I’m Team Conrad. Jeremiah’s sweet, but this isn’t The Bachelor. We’re not here for charm and pretty smiles. Conrad’s the one with the depth, the history, and the actual connection. If someone can’t see that, I don’t know what show they’ve been watching,” said Miranda Roberts, a sophomore education major.
“Team Conrad because he is trying to work on himself and treats Belly so well. His character is very loyal and trusting,” said Faith Farrow, a junior sociology pre-counseling major.
“I am Team Conrad because when he loves, it’s long and lasting. He has a hard time showing it, but he loves his people very deeply. Belly has always been in love with Conrad first before Jeremiah, so therefore it’s her true love,” said Jadyn Ridener, a sophomore exercise science major.
Bella Flocks, a paraprofessional, added: “Conrad didn’t cheat, and he has continuously loved her without moving on for four years. He went to therapy to handle his emotions and was willing to support Belly’s wedding when no one else was.”
Still, not everyone sides with Conrad.
“I am Team Jeremiah because Belly loves him. I believe love is a choice that you make every day. Choosing to love someone may not be easy all the time, but your willingness to overcome those hard moments helps your relationship evolve and grow,” said Gracen Nowlin, a sophomore pre-counseling major.
Nowlin also criticized Conrad: “His level of disrespect for both his brother and Belly, as well as his emotional instability, are what turns me away from him.”
Meanwhile, Flocks shared a negative view of Jeremiah. “He did cheat, and he’s just super immature. Anytime he’s upset, he can’t handle his emotions very maturely at all.”
Beyond the debate, fans said the emotional intensity of the show keeps them watching.
“If the characters didn’t stress me out, it would be boring. I’d rather be screaming at the screen than sitting there half-asleep. The chaos is what makes it worth watching,” Roberts said.
Farrow said the show reflects real life: “It shows real-life situations. I only get mad when Jeremiah is acting like a little kid. The other parts bring me joy and dopamine.”
“It always leaves me wondering, ‘what next?’ The most frustrating part is seeing characters make decisions you know aren’t the best for them—but that’s what a good show is supposed to do to pull you in,” Nowlin said.
Many fans said the fast pacing and unpredictable twists make the series binge-worthy.
“It has a good storyline and it’s engaging. They’re very good about bringing you into moments, and it’s super fast-paced. Something always happens every episode,” Flocks said.
Ridener agreed: “It is entertaining watching Belly go back and forth between the two brothers. It does cause a lot of anxiety, stress and anger because you never know what she’s going to do. Overall, it is very entertaining, and I highly suggest watching.”
Whether fans are Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah, The Summer I Turned Pretty continues to spark emotional investment and heated debate—making it one of the summer’s most talked-about shows.
