The Definitive Ending: Who Does Belly Conklin Marry in The Summer I Turned Pretty? (Book vs. Show)

The Definitive Ending: Who Does Belly Conklin Marry In The Summer I Turned Pretty? (Book Vs. Show)

The Definitive Ending: Who Does Belly Conklin Marry in The Summer I Turned Pretty? (Book vs. Show)

The question of who Isabel "Belly" Conklin ultimately chooses—Conrad Fisher or Jeremiah Fisher—has been the central, agonizing pivot point of the entire *The Summer I Turned Pretty* series, fueling the passionate "Team Conrad" vs. "Team Jeremiah" debate across the internet. As of December 2025, with fans eagerly awaiting the third and final season of the Prime Video adaptation, the definitive answer remains a source of intense speculation for show-only viewers, even though the source material has settled the debate for years. The good news for those who prefer the brooding, complicated older brother is that the book's ending is clear: Belly makes a choice that brings her back to her first love, culminating in a beautiful, long-awaited wedding.

The television adaptation, created by author Jenny Han, has taken creative liberties, particularly in the second season, which left Belly in a relationship with Jeremiah, the younger, sunnier Fisher brother. However, the third season is set to adapt the final novel, *We’ll Always Have Summer*, and is expected to follow the predetermined endgame of the trilogy, where Belly and Conrad’s relationship is cemented forever. This article breaks down the conclusive ending from the books and what fans should prepare for in the highly anticipated Season 3.

Isabel "Belly" Conklin's Definitive Choice in the Books

For readers of Jenny Han's trilogy, the answer is not ambiguous: Belly Conklin ends up with Conrad Fisher. The final book, *We’ll Always Have Summer*, is the narrative vehicle that steers Belly away from Jeremiah and back to Conrad, leading to their eventual marriage. This ending is set "a couple of years later" after college, showing their mature, adult relationship.

The Tumultuous Journey to 'I Do'

The path to the 'Bonrad' endgame is fraught with drama, heartache, and the complicated reality of first loves. The third novel, which Season 3 of the show is based on, features several critical plot points that lead to the final choice:

  • The Cheating Confession: While in a relationship with Jeremiah, Belly discovers that he cheated on her during a spring break trip. This betrayal is a major turning point that deeply fractures their relationship.
  • The Impulsive Proposal: In a desperate attempt to save their relationship after the cheating revelation, Jeremiah proposes to Belly, and she accepts. This sets up a tense, ill-fated engagement that dominates the first half of the book.
  • Wedding Planning Chaos: Much of the third book's plot involves Belly planning a wedding at the tender age of 19 while still attending college at Brown University (where Conrad is also a student). This rushed planning, coupled with the underlying issues in their relationship, highlights the fact that the engagement is a mistake.
  • The Final Breakup: The tension culminates in a confrontation where both Belly and Jeremiah realize their engagement is an attempt to cling to the past and the memory of Susannah Fisher, Conrad and Jeremiah's late mother. They break up, and Belly finally acknowledges that her heart belongs to Conrad.

After the broken engagement, Belly and Conrad take time apart to grow as individuals. They eventually reconnect in a mature, stable way after college, realizing that their connection—the one that started at Cousins Beach every summer—was always meant to be.

Why Belly's Choice is Always Conrad

The narrative of *The Summer I Turned Pretty* trilogy is fundamentally structured around the idea of Conrad Fisher being Belly's "endgame." Author Jenny Han has consistently framed the older Fisher brother as the one who represents Belly's true, enduring, and transformative love, a relationship that grows from childhood crush to adult partnership.

The Enduring Power of First Love

Conrad is repeatedly described as the first boy Belly ever truly loved, the one who defined her summers and her emotional growth. Their connection is deep, complex, and often painful, but it is also the most formative. Conrad represents the intense, passionate, and sometimes difficult love that shapes a person, whereas her relationship with Jeremiah, while comforting and fun, often feels like a necessary, but temporary, detour.

The central theme is that Conrad and Belly are "infinite." This idea of a destined, soulmate-like bond is a classic trope in romance literature, and it is the foundation of the trilogy. Their love is tied to the very essence of the series: Cousins Beach, the ocean, and the shared, complicated history of their families, the Conklins and the Fishers.

The Fisher Brothers' Different Roles

To understand Belly’s final choice, it’s essential to recognize the distinct roles the two brothers play in her life:

  • Conrad: The Transformative Love. He is the catalyst for Belly's "turning pretty." He represents the emotional depth, shared grief (over Susannah), and the challenging growth necessary for a lasting relationship. Their bond is a central, main relationship of the entire series.
  • Jeremiah: The Comforting Love. Jeremiah is Belly's best friend, her steady confidant, and the one who is emotionally available when Conrad is closed off. Their relationship is a sweet, supportive romance, but one that ultimately cannot withstand the foundational connection between Belly and Conrad.

The narrative arc of the books suggests that Belly needed to experience the supportive, easier love of Jeremiah to fully appreciate the profound, challenging connection she shares with Conrad. Her final choice is not a rejection of Jeremiah, but an acceptance of who she is meant to be with.

What to Expect in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3

The third season of the Amazon Prime Video series, which is scheduled to air in 2025, will adapt the final book, *We’ll Always Have Summer*. While the show has introduced new plot elements—such as Taylor and Steven Conklin’s on-again, off-again romance and the debutante ball—the core love triangle resolution is expected to remain faithful to Jenny Han’s vision.

The Road to the Bonrad Wedding

Fans should prepare for a significant shift in the dynamic between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah. The season will likely cover the following major events from the final book:

  1. The Cheating and Engagement Arc: The show will have to address Jeremiah’s infidelity and the subsequent rushed engagement, which is the key plot device for proving that Belly and Jeremiah are not meant to be.
  2. The Return to Cousins Beach: The beach house, the heart of the Conklin and Fisher families' history, will once again be the setting for much of the drama and reconciliation. The atmosphere of the beach house is intrinsically linked to Belly and Conrad's love story.
  3. The Final Choice: The series finale is anticipated to be a "Belly and Conrad Show," focusing on their reconciliation and ultimate commitment. The final scenes of the series will likely feature the long-awaited wedding of Belly and Conrad, confirming the "Bonrad" endgame that readers have known since the book's release.

Ultimately, the final season is not just about who Belly chooses, but about the Fisher brothers healing their own relationship, the Conklin family supporting Belly’s decision, and the characters finally moving past the grief of losing Susannah. The central conflict resolves with Belly choosing the one she first slow-danced with, cried over, and loved: Conrad Fisher.

The Definitive Ending: Who Does Belly Conklin Marry in The Summer I Turned Pretty? (Book vs. Show)
The Definitive Ending: Who Does Belly Conklin Marry in The Summer I Turned Pretty? (Book vs. Show)

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