The Ultimate Cheating Debate: Did Belly Really Cheat On Jeremiah In The Summer I Turned Pretty?

The question of whether Belly Conklin cheated on Jeremiah Fisher is one of the most hotly debated and confusing topics among fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty (TSITP), especially as anticipation builds for the highly-anticipated Season 3. As of December 2025, the short answer is a complex "no, not technically," but the full story of the Cousins Beach love triangle is far more dramatic, involving accusations, emotional infidelity, and a major plot twist from the books that flips the entire cheating narrative on its head.

The confusion stems from the intense, messy nature of Belly’s on-again, off-again relationships with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. While Belly's actions are often scrutinized for her emotional back-and-forth, the most significant act of infidelity in the source material—which will be the core of Season 3—is actually committed by Jeremiah, not Belly. This article breaks down the truth, the accusations, and the shocking events that define the "Jelly" relationship.

The Truth About Infidelity: Jeremiah’s Cheating Scandal in the Books

To understand the full scope of the drama, fans must look to the third book in Jenny Han's series, We'll Always Have Summer, which serves as the primary source material for *The Summer I Turned Pretty* Season 3. This is where the main cheating controversy truly takes place.

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The Lacie Barone Incident and The Break

• The Setting: The drama occurs when Belly and Jeremiah are in a committed relationship and attending college.
• The Act: While at a party, Jeremiah cheats on Belly with another girl, Lacie Barone.
• The Defense: Jeremiah attempts to use the infamous "we were on a break" defense, arguing that they had been fighting and were not technically together when the incident occurred.
• The Revelation: Belly finds out about the cheating from a third party overhearing a conversation at a party, which is a devastating moment for her.

Interestingly, the author of the series, Jenny Han, has stated that whether Jeremiah "technically" cheated is "debatable" due to the ambiguity of their "break" status. However, in the eyes of Belly and most fans, the emotional damage and betrayal were very real, leading to a desperate attempt by Jeremiah to save their relationship.

The Impulse Proposal: A Desperate Move

In a direct response to the cheating scandal, Jeremiah impulsively proposes to Belly in an attempt to secure their future and avoid losing her. This shock engagement, which is heavily featured in the book, is a key plot point for Season 3 and is seen by many as a desperate move to cover up his infidelity and force Belly to commit.

• Consequence: The cheating leads directly to their engagement and subsequent wedding planning, which is where the relationship finally unravels.
• The Irony: This major act of betrayal by Jeremiah is what ultimately puts the relationship on the fast track to a disastrous end, not any singular action by Belly.

Did Belly Cheat? The Moments That Fuel the Accusation

While Jeremiah is the one who commits the clear act of physical infidelity in the books, the question "Did Belly cheat on Jeremiah?" stems from two crucial moments in the love triangle where her loyalties are split between the Fisher brothers.

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1. The Conrad Kiss (The Emotional Back-and-Forth)

The most common moment cited by "Team Jeremiah" fans as a form of cheating or emotional betrayal involves Belly's lingering feelings for Conrad, even when dating Jeremiah. While the show's timeline is fluid, the core of the drama is this:

• The Situation: Belly and Conrad have a deep, foundational connection that never truly fades, regardless of who she is officially dating.
• The Accusation: Fans argue that Belly’s heart was never fully with Jeremiah, making her relationship with him a form of emotional cheating on herself and an unfair situation for Jeremiah.
• The Reality: In Season 2, Belly kisses Conrad after her breakup with Jeremiah, but they are not officially dating at that moment. The main drama is that she chooses Jeremiah *after* the kiss, putting Conrad on the back burner.

2. Jeremiah’s Accusation on the Wedding Day

The search results confirm that the "Belly cheated" narrative is actually an accusation made by Jeremiah himself, highlighting the toxic nature of their relationship’s end. During the dramatic wedding day confrontation in the third book, Jeremiah, in a moment of anger and pain, accuses Belly of cheating on him.

This accusation is a direct result of the immense stress and emotional turmoil caused by Jeremiah's own infidelity and the realization that Belly's feelings for Conrad have resurfaced. It’s a classic case of projection and relationship breakdown, not a confirmed act of cheating by Belly.

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The Love Triangle’s Resolution: Why Belly and Jeremiah Break Up

The relationship between Belly and Jeremiah is often described as codependent, built on a foundation of avoiding the deeper, more complicated feelings Belly has for Conrad.

The ultimate failure of the "Jelly" relationship is not about a single act of infidelity by Belly, but a combination of factors, all coming to a head in the book's final act:

1. Jeremiah’s Betrayal: His cheating in college shatters the trust in their relationship, despite his desperate attempt to fix it with a proposal.
2. Conrad’s Return: Conrad’s constant presence and his inability to let Belly go reignite her feelings, which she can no longer ignore.
3. The Forced Engagement: The rushed engagement, meant to secure their love, instead exposes all the cracks and underlying issues they tried to bury.

In the final moments of the book, Belly realizes that she is marrying Jeremiah for the wrong reasons—to maintain the peace and hold onto the summer fantasy, not because he is her soulmate. The relationship ends, and Belly finally chooses to pursue the kind of deep, enduring love she has always felt for Conrad, culminating in their eventual marriage.

Key Entitites and Topical Authority in the TSITP Universe

The intense debate over the love triangle highlights the complexity of the characters and the storytelling by Jenny Han. Understanding these entities is key to grasping the full drama of *The Summer I Turned Pretty*:

• Belly Conklin (Isabel): The protagonist, whose journey from a girl to a young woman is defined by her feelings for the Fisher brothers.
• Jeremiah Fisher: The "golden retriever" brother, whose insecurities about being second choice lead to his ultimate betrayal.
• Conrad Fisher: The brooding, intense older brother, Belly's "first love" and eventual endgame.
• Cousins Beach: The central, idyllic location where all the major events and summer romances take place.
• Susannah Fisher: Conrad and Jeremiah's mother, whose illness and death are a major catalyst for the brothers’ relationship drama.
• Laurel Park: Belly's mother, Susannah's best friend, and author, whose own romantic journey mirrors Belly's.
• Steven Conklin: Belly's older brother, who often serves as a confidante and observer of the love triangle.
• Lacie Barone: The girl Jeremiah cheats with during the "break" in the third book.
• We'll Always Have Summer: The third book in the series, which is the basis for the highly anticipated Season 3.
• Team Conrad / Team Jeremiah: The two opposing fan factions fiercely debating who Belly should end up with.
• Fischer House: The summer home that represents the core of their shared history and memories.
• Brown University: The college Conrad attends, often symbolizing his distance and intellectual nature.
• The Deb Ball: A key event in the first season that sets the stage for the initial love triangle drama.
• Taylor Swift: Whose music is heavily featured in the show, often reflecting the emotional beats of Belly's relationships.
• Gavin Casalegno: The actor who plays Jeremiah Fisher.
• Christopher Briney: The actor who plays Conrad Fisher.
• Lola Tung: The actress who plays Belly Conklin.

Conclusion: The Definitive Answer

The definitive answer to "Did Belly cheat on Jeremiah?" is No, she did not commit a physical act of cheating while they were officially together. The narrative is instead dominated by Jeremiah’s infidelity, which becomes the catalyst for their disastrous engagement and eventual breakup in the events that will be covered in *The Summer I Turned Pretty* Season 3. Belly's "cheating" is a complex, emotional debate about where her heart truly lies, but it is Jeremiah's betrayal that forces the final, painful resolution of the love triangle.