Being one of the most talked about shows in 2023, comparisons are bound to be made between The Summer I Turned Pretty and its source material. Season 3 of the show will have a few storylines that deviate from the book series it is based on. The Summer I Turned Pretty revolves around Belly, a teenage girl caught in a love triangle between two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. The show is based on novels by Jenny Han, who is also the author of To All The Boys I've Loved Before. Fans have been turning to the books for hints on how the show will conclude.
While the novels provide a general roadmap for the show's plot, there have been several changes in the stories presented in the TV adaptation. From the introduction of a debutant ball in season 1 to alterations in Jeremiah's sexuality, it is evident that both significant and minor details may not translate exactly from page to screen. Building upon developments from the previous two seasons, viewers can anticipate nine storylines in season 3 that will differ from the books.
9 Steven And Taylor's Relationship
8 Belly Waiting To Lose Her Virginity
Viewers of The Summer I Turned Pretty witnessed the captivating, yet enchanting, "Will they, won't they?" storyline of Steven and Taylor's romantic entanglement. As their affection for each other blossomed and they entered into a committed relationship by the conclusion of season 2, it can be reasonably inferred that audiences will witness this lovestruck duo together during a significant portion of season 3. Notably, this divergence from the book is substantial, as Steven and Taylor's interactions after their shared kiss are rather limited. Consequently, audiences are left without any clues from the source material to ascertain whether Steven and Taylor will remain united by the end of the series.
In the book series, Belly chooses to abstain from having sex until she is married, which means she does not engage in any sexual activities with Jeremiah throughout their two-year-long relationship. However, in the television adaptation of "The Summer I Turned Pretty," there is a depiction of Belly having sex with Conrad in the second season. As the dynamics of Belly and Jeremiah's relationship are further explored, their bond may evolve differently from the book, as Belly no longer prioritizes waiting until marriage to lose her virginity.
7 Conrad's Panic Attacks
The real-life implications of anxiety are portrayed in The Summer I Turned Pretty show through Conrad's panic attacks, shedding light on mental health. However, these instances were not taken from the books, where there is no mention of the character's mental health except for their collective struggle with grief following the loss of Susannah. In Season 3, it is expected that Conrad's journey with anxiety will be further explored, further diverging the show from the books.
6 Aunt Julia & Skye's Involvement
The Summer I Turned Pretty books distinguish themselves from the show with the introduction of two new characters, Aunt Julia and Skye. In contrast to the books, these characters do not exist, and their significance in the second season is entirely absent. Season 2 establishes their ongoing involvement in the show, as Skye expresses a desire to spend more time with her cousins, deviating from the storyline as presented in the books.
5 Cam Cameron's Continued Presence
The adorable Cam (also known as Cam Cameron) plays a smaller role in The Summer I Turned Pretty books compared to the show. In the books, he only appears in the first installment and doesn't have much of a storyline besides his time with Belly. However, the show delves deeper into his character, exploring his sister's loss and his romantic moments with Skye, including a kiss. As season 2 ends, their relationship is just beginning, suggesting that audiences can expect to see even more of Cam in season 3.
4 Finding Out If Laurel & Cleveland Get Back Together
Laurel's character in the book series lacks depth and her story remains unexplored. However, The Summer I Turned Pretty show presents multiple facets of Laurel: a mother, a best friend, an author, and a woman in a romantic relationship. The reappearance of her love interest, Cleveland Castillo, in season 2 suggests that he may also appear in season 3, raising curiosity about his potential endgame with Laurel. These developments in the show serve to further develop Laurel's narrative, bridging gaps left untouched by the book series.
3 Laurel's Author Career
2 Belly Playing Volleyball
In "The Summer I Turned Pretty," it becomes evident early on that Laurel is an established author with a published book. Throughout the second season, viewers witness Laurel's ongoing writing journey, as she channels her grief into a novel centered around Susannah. Although the show explores Laurel's professional life multiple times, there is no mention of it in the books. As the third season unfolds, Laurel's career as an author is expected to remain significant, shedding further light on the aftermath of her novel and her complicated relationship with Cleveland, her former literary rival turned love interest.
The reappearance of Belly playing volleyball towards the end of season 2 is a crucial development in the series. It symbolizes her gradual recovery from the overwhelming sadness she experienced and signifies her rediscovery of happiness. Given its significance in the previous season, it is highly likely that viewers will witness Belly's continued involvement in volleyball during season 3. Notably, this particular plot point was not depicted in The Summer I Turned Pretty book series. In fact, the books dedicate limited attention to Belly's school life and extracurricular interests beyond her time at Cousins Beach.
1 Belly And Taylor's Deep Friendship
The Summer I Turned Pretty series truly shines with Belly and Taylor's incredibly tender and profound friendship, which is bound to take center stage in season 3. Although this friendship holds immense significance in Belly's life on the show, the dynamic diverges from the books. In the books, Taylor and Belly find themselves in a heated argument that drastically transforms their bond, resulting in a more superficial connection. Moreover, in the books, Taylor's character portrays unpleasant traits, constantly belittling Belly and damaging her self-esteem. Belly's recollections of Taylor in the books mainly portray her as a peripheral figure, indicating her lack of prominence in Belly's current life.