The Ultimate Endgame: Who Does Belly End Up With In The Summer I Turned Pretty Books? (Conrad Vs. Jeremiah)

The "Team Conrad" versus "Team Jeremiah" debate has been the central, agonizing question for fans of Jenny Han’s *The Summer I Turned Pretty* trilogy since the first book was released. As of today, December 18, 2025, with the television adaptation gaining global popularity, the urgency to know Belly’s final choice remains at an all-time high, especially for those who need to know the book's definitive ending before the screen version concludes.

The books provide a clear, undeniable answer to the central love triangle: Isabel "Belly" Conklin ultimately chooses the older, brooding, and emotionally complex Fisher brother. After a tumultuous, years-long journey of first loves, heartbreak, college life, and a dramatic broken engagement, the final chapter delivers a decisive ending that honors the "infinite" connection established from the beginning of Belly's coming-of-age story.

Isabel "Belly" Conklin: A Biographical Snapshot

Isabel "Belly" Conklin is the protagonist and narrator of the *The Summer I Turned Pretty* book series. Her entire life revolves around the summers spent at Cousins Beach, a fictional coastal town that serves as the backdrop for her transformation from an awkward girl into a young woman.

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• Full Name: Isabel "Belly" Conklin
• Mother: Laurel Conklin
• Brother: Steven Conklin
• Best Friend: Taylor Jewel
• Love Interests: Conrad Fisher and Jeremiah Fisher
• Education: Attends college at Finch University (briefly with Jeremiah)
• Defining Trait: Her deep-seated romanticism and belief in a "forever" love, often symbolized by the beach house and her relationship with the Fisher family.
• Key Book Arc: Spanning from age 15 to her early twenties, the trilogy documents her emotional and physical maturity as she navigates grief, first love, and the complexities of choosing between two brothers.

The Definitive Book Ending: Belly’s Final Choice Revealed

The answer to the burning question—who does Belly end up with in the books—is unequivocally Conrad Fisher. The conclusion is found in the third and final novel, *We'll Always Have Summer*. This ending is the culmination of a decade-long connection, a relationship that the author, Jenny Han, has often described as "infinite."

The Tumultuous Road to the Altar

Belly’s journey to her final choice is far from simple, involving a significant relationship with both brothers. After the events of the first two books, *The Summer I Turned Pretty* and *It's Not Summer Without You*, Belly and Jeremiah Fisher are in a serious, long-term relationship. Their relationship is tested when Jeremiah commits an act of infidelity during a spring break trip.

In a move driven by a desire to keep the Fisher family connection alive, and perhaps out of a desperate need to hold onto the past following Susannah Fisher's death, Belly agrees to marry Jeremiah. The third book largely centers on the drama and emotional fallout surrounding this ill-fated engagement. Both Laurel Conklin and Conrad Fisher express serious reservations about the rushed wedding, sensing that Belly is not truly following her heart.

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The Broken Engagement and the Time Jump

The engagement to Jeremiah ultimately collapses. The immense pressure, combined with the underlying realization that Belly’s heart has always belonged to Conrad, proves too much. The engagement is broken off, allowing Belly a period of self-discovery and growth. She moves on to attend college and matures, finally stepping out of the intense, all-consuming drama of the love triangle.

The book then employs a time jump, a classic literary device, skipping ahead a few years. This jump is crucial, as it shows Belly and Conrad reconnecting as adults, having both grown and dealt with their personal issues, including Conrad's own struggles with emotional vulnerability and dealing with his mother's death.

The Final Scene: Belly and Conrad’s Wedding

The epilogue of *We'll Always Have Summer* confirms the final outcome: Belly and Conrad get married. The wedding is a small, intimate affair, taking place on the familiar, beloved setting of Cousins Beach. This setting is deeply symbolic, representing the full-circle nature of their relationship—it began at Cousins and concludes there, cementing their shared history and future.

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Key details from their wedding include:

• The Location: Cousins Beach, the place where all their summers began.
• The Dress: Belly's mother, Laurel, helps her pick out the wedding dress, a poignant moment of reconciliation and support.
• Jeremiah’s Presence: Jeremiah attends the wedding with a date, demonstrating that while the romantic relationship ended, the familial bond and friendship between the three central characters endure.
• The Vows: The final chapter includes a letter from Conrad to Belly, expressing his deep, enduring love and commitment, proving that his broody exterior had always hidden a profound devotion.

This conclusion reinforces the theme that Conrad, despite his initial distance and emotional guardedness, was always Belly’s "first love, her first heartbreak, and ultimately, her first and forever love". The ending is a victory for readers who believed in the power of their soulmate connection, often characterized by a deep, almost fated understanding of one another.

Decoding the Love Triangle: Why Conrad Was Always the Endgame

The entire trilogy, from a literary perspective, is structured to show why the relationship between Belly and Conrad was the foundational, true love story, while the relationship with Jeremiah was a necessary, albeit painful, detour. Understanding the dynamics of the two relationships is key to grasping the author's intent.

The Conrad Connection: The "Infinite" Love

Conrad represents the intense, challenging, and deeply emotional side of love. He is Belly’s first crush and the source of her deepest pain, but also her greatest joy. Their connection is often described using the word "infinite"—a concept that suggests a bond that transcends time and circumstance. Despite his flaws, Conrad is shown to love Belly for who she truly is, even before she "turned pretty". His character arc involves learning to communicate his feelings and overcome his internal struggles, making their final reunion a choice based on mature, honest love rather than teenage fantasy.

The Jeremiah Connection: The "Safe" Love

Jeremiah represents the fun, easygoing, and safe choice. Their relationship begins as a strong friendship, a sibling-like bond that provides Belly with comfort and stability, particularly during the grief following Susannah’s death. However, the books illustrate that their connection lacks the deep, fiery passion and profound understanding that Belly shares with Conrad. Jeremiah's infidelity in *We'll Always Have Summer* serves as the catalyst that forces Belly to confront the reality of their relationship, proving that stability alone is not enough to sustain a marriage.

Ultimately, Belly’s choice of Conrad is presented as a choice of self-actualization. She chooses the path that challenges her, that feels like destiny, and that reconnects her to the most essential parts of her history and her heart—the summers at Cousins Beach, the memory of Susannah, and the boy who always held her deepest affections.