The question of who Isabel "Belly" Conklin ultimately chooses—Conrad or Jeremiah Fisher—has fueled one of the most passionate love triangle debates in recent pop culture history. As of December 10, 2025, the definitive answer lies in the source material: the original "The Summer I Turned Pretty" book trilogy by Jenny Han. The final book, We’ll Always Have Summer, provides a clear, conclusive ending that all but guarantees Belly and Conrad will be together when the Amazon Prime Video series concludes its third and final season. This article breaks down the book’s ending, the crucial plot points the show must address, and why 'Bonrad' is the inevitable endgame.
The journey of Belly's heart is complex, moving from her childhood crush on the brooding Conrad to a passionate, stable relationship with the golden-retriever-like Jeremiah. However, the narrative structure and the author's own vision point to an "infinite" connection between Belly and the elder Fisher brother, a bond that transcends their youthful drama and heartbreak. For fans eagerly awaiting the Season 3 adaptation, understanding the foundation of the final book is key to predicting the show's dramatic conclusion.
The Final Verdict: Belly's Choice in the Book Trilogy
In the world of the books, the answer is a resounding yes: Belly does end up with Conrad. This resolution is detailed in the third installment, We’ll Always Have Summer, following a tumultuous period where Belly is actually engaged to Jeremiah. The book's ending provides a clear and final destination for the love triangle, culminating in a wedding that fans of Team Conrad have long celebrated.
Key Biographical Timeline: Isabel "Belly" Conklin
- Full Name: Isabel "Belly" Conklin
- First Appearance: The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009)
- Family: Laurel Conklin (Mother), Steven Conklin (Older Brother)
- Love Interests: Conrad Fisher, Jeremiah Fisher, Cam Cameron
- Education: Attends Brown University (in the books)
- Book 3 Status: Engaged to Jeremiah, ultimately breaks off the engagement.
- Final Book Ending: Marries Conrad Fisher a few years after the initial drama.
- Defining Trait: The girl who finally "turned pretty" and found herself amidst the chaos of first love and loss.
5 Crucial Plot Points That Lead to the Bonrad Endgame
The path to Belly and Conrad's marriage is paved with drama, betrayal, and essential character growth. Season 3 of the TV show, which will adapt the third book, is expected to cover these major, defining moments. The narrative hinges on a few shocking revelations that dismantle the "Jelly" relationship and affirm the "Bonrad" connection.
1. Jeremiah’s Cheating Scandal and Broken Engagement
The most significant event that derails Belly and Jeremiah's relationship in the books is Jeremiah's infidelity. While they are attending college, Jeremiah confesses to cheating on Belly during a brief period of separation. Although Belly initially tries to forgive him and they even get engaged, the foundation of their trust is shattered. The decision to marry young, largely fueled by a desire to hold onto the past and the memory of Susannah, is ultimately revealed to be a mistake.
2. The Inevitable Cancellation of the Wedding
The book's climax involves a near-wedding disaster. Belly and Jeremiah plan to marry at Cousins Beach, but the event is called off when Belly realizes that the marriage is not what either of them truly wants. The cheating is the catalyst, but the core issue is that their relationship lacks the depth and "infinity" that Belly shares with Conrad. This dramatic breakup is the necessary bridge to the final resolution.
3. Conrad’s Consistent, Undeniable Love
Throughout the third book, Conrad remains a constant, albeit complicated, presence in Belly's life. Even as she plans her wedding to his brother, Conrad's feelings are clear. He shows up at key moments, expressing his love and acting as her emotional anchor. The letters and care packages he sends her while she is in Spain are a key element of their slow reconciliation. His love is portrayed as the mature, enduring kind, in contrast to the volatile passion of her relationship with Jeremiah.
4. Jenny Han’s Intentions and the Show’s Loyalty to the Source
Series creator and author Jenny Han has repeatedly expressed a deep connection to her original ending. While the show has been praised for making Jeremiah a more compelling and valid love interest (Team Jeremiah, or 'Jelly', shippers are numerous), Han has stated that she went into the show with an open mind but is fundamentally a "Bonrad fan to the core." The narrative arc of the show, which has consistently mirrored the major plot beats of the books, makes a deviation from the final ending highly unlikely. The show's ending is expected to follow the book's path, validating the "infinite" nature of Belly and Conrad's love.
5. The Epilogue: A Flash Forward to Marriage
The definitive proof of Belly's choice is the epilogue of We’ll Always Have Summer. It jumps forward a few years to reveal that a 23-year-old Belly is marrying Conrad at Cousins Beach. The scene also confirms that Jeremiah, having moved on, attends the wedding with a date, demonstrating that the brothers eventually reconcile and heal from the pain of the love triangle. This flash-forward provides the ultimate closure and confirms Conrad as Belly's true endgame.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Predictions: Will the Show Change the Ending?
While the show has taken creative liberties—such as expanding the role of Laurel and Susannah, and giving Jeremiah more screen time to build a stronger connection with Belly—it is widely predicted that the core ending will remain the same. The show's third season will need to address the dramatic fallout of the Season 2 finale, where Belly chooses Jeremiah.
Fans anticipate a season that focuses heavily on the college years, the pressures of a serious relationship, and the inevitable confrontation over Jeremiah's infidelity. The show is expected to use plot devices like Belly's "Paris independence," as mentioned by Jenny Han, to show Belly finding herself before committing to her final choice. This focus on self-discovery will make her eventual marriage to Conrad feel earned, rather than simply fated.
Ultimately, the narrative is built on the idea that Conrad is Belly’s first love and her soulmate—the person she always runs back to. The show's success is tied to the emotional payoff of this central relationship. While the journey in Season 3 will be heartbreaking for Team Jeremiah, the destination for Belly is clear: she ends up with Conrad, solidifying their status as the central couple of the series.
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