The Summer I Turned Pretty Rated

Okay, let’s talk about The Summer I Turned Pretty. You know, the show that made you simultaneously nostalgic for your teenage years and grateful you survived them. It’s like stepping into a warm, salty ocean wave—comforting, a little bit messy, and you immediately want to do it again.

The Cousins Beach Effect

First, we have to address the real star: Cousins Beach. It’s basically everyone’s fantasy of a perfect summer, but with way more emotional baggage than any real beach trip. You ever try to get a good family photo at the shore? Ours usually involves windblown hair, sand in the camera lens, and someone yelling about a lost flip-flop. Not exactly Belly’s cinematic glow.

Yet the show makes you believe that you, too could have a dramatic, slow-motion run along the shoreline. Spoiler alert: in real life, you’d probably trip over a jellyfish. And that’s okay. The show’s magic is that it lets you dream for an hour.

Love Triangle? More Like a Love Pretzel

We’ve all had a crush on a friend’s sibling, right? Or maybe the friend of a friend at a cookout. It’s that awkward moment when you’re trying to act cool while holding a plastic cup of lemonade. Belly’s situation with Conrad and Jeremiah is that feeling blown up to apocalyptic proportions.

One brother is brooding and mysterious—like a poet who forgot to shower. The other is sweet and sunny—a golden retriever in human form. You know the types. You probably dated one in high school and wondered, “Why can’t he just say how he feels?” The show gets that internal chaos exactly right.

The “Infinite” Summer Nostalgia

Remember the term “infinite summer”? It’s that weird space between June and September when time feels like it stretches forever. You’d stay up too late watching movies, eat freezer pops for breakfast, and have zero real responsibilities. The show captures that vibe, except your summer was probably more about arguing over the remote control than declaring undying love.

My own infinite summer involved a broken hose, a dog that ate a bag of marshmallows, and a very long game of Monopoly that ended in tears. Not dramatic, but still emotionally scarring. The show makes you miss those small, weird moments.

Rain Spencer - Actress

The Clothes: A Character in Itself

Can we talk about the wardrobe? Belly wears these dreamy, cottage-core dresses that look like they were made by a fairy with a sewing machine. Meanwhile, my summer wardrobe is a rotation of old band tees and shorts with suspicious stains. You know the ones.

But that’s the point. The show’s fashion is a metaphor. It says, “This is the version of yourself you want to show the world.” So you buy a flowy sundress, wear it once, spill guacamole on it, and still feel a little bit like Belly. That’s a win.

The Soundtrack That Makes You Feel 14 Again

Every episode is packed with songs that make you want to cry in your car. Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers, that one indie band you forgot existed. It’s the musical equivalent of finding an old mixtape. You can’t help but sing along, even if you’re off-key and in traffic.

I once re-watched a scene just for the song choice. Guilty. It’s like the show knows exactly what chord to pull in your heart. That’s not easy to do. Most shows just play generic pop. This one plays your entire emotional history on a loop.

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Skip It or Stream It?

The Mom Factor

We can’t ignore Susannah, Belly’s mom. She’s the mom everyone wishes they had—warm, honest, and always making summer cocktails. She’s the kind of person who says, “Life is short, eat the cake,” and actually means it.

Your own mom probably said something like “Eat your vegetables first,” which is also valid. But Susannah represents that ideal of parental chillness. When she tells Belly to follow her heart, you’re secretly hoping your own mom will cut you some slack during the next family barbecue.

The Real Takeaway

Look, The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t a documentary. It’s a fantasy. A beautiful, cheesy, heart-tugging fantasy about first love, friendship, and the feeling that anything is possible under the summer sun. You watch it and think, “I wish I had that summer.”

But the truth is, you did have your version of it. It just involved different people, less dramatic music, and maybe a sunscreen incident. The show just reminds you to look back and appreciate the chaos. You turned pretty in your own way, even if it was just learning to laugh at your own mistakes.

So grab a fizzy drink, put on your comfiest shorts, and press play. You deserve a little summer magic. Even if it’s 40 degrees outside and you’re eating ice cream in pajamas. That’s the real “pretty” right there.